The carriage wheels clattered over the dirt road as the forest finally thinned out. The old man's hands were shaking on the reins, probably still thinking about how I tore through those bandits like I was speed-running a genocide route.
"Y-You're quite… talented," he said, glancing sideways at me.
"Not really," I shrugged. "I just did what every isekai protagonist does."
He blinked. "I… don't know what that means."
Of course, he didn't. This world probably didn't have manga, or anime, or degeneracy.
What a sad existence.
We rode in silence for a bit. Birds chirped overhead. Sunlight warmed the air. It was peaceful, almost too peaceful.
I opened my stats panel again, just to bask in my stupidity-level growth.
[Name: Ken Haru]
[Level: 66][Skills: Enhanced Strength, Enhanced Speed, Appraisal, Masterful Sword Skills, Sword Pierce, Sword Slash, Enhanced Senses, Reflect][Titles: Newcomer, Wolf Slayer, The Wilderness Slayer][Strength: 65][Speed: 82][Defense: 77][Mana: 49]
"I'm so broken," I muttered smugly.
"What was that?" the old man asked.
"Nothing. Continue driving."
He didn't ask again.
After around twenty minutes, the dirt path widened, and we emerged onto a cobbled road. A massive stone wall rose in the distance, banners fluttering from tall towers. A long line of travelers stretched toward the main gate: merchants, adventurers, armored knights, even a few mages in robes.
"Ohhhh… yeah, this is classic," I grinned. "The 'first kingdom' area. Bet there's a guild too."
"Of course!" the old man said proudly. "The Adventurer's Guild of Edith Kingdom is one of the finest in the region."
I knew it.
We rolled up to the gate. There, we were greeted by two guards clad in simple armor.
"Halt! State your business."
The old man straightened. "Caravan delivery. Two crates of herbs from the west. And ah, this young man here also saved my life from bandits."
The guards looked at me.
I smiled politely.
They visibly flinched.
One whispered to the other, "His aura… is he a swordsman?"
The other whispered back, "No swordsman smells like THAT much blood."
I suppose not.
They let us through without much word.
As we entered the city, the noise hit me like a wall: Crowds yelling, vendors calling, blacksmiths hammering, horse hooves clopping. Buildings made of stone and timber lined the streets, smoke rising from chimneys. A huge fountain stood in the square, shooting water into the air like a geyser.
"Welcome to Edith Kingdom!" the old man said. "If I may ask, what is your next move?"
"Oh, that's easy," I said. "I'm gonna follow the isekai formula."
He tilted his head. "Which is?"
I lifted a finger.
"One: Get money. Two: Get stronger. Three: Get overpowered beyond human reason. Four: Get at least one elf, demon, or wolf girl to simp for me."
He stared.
"…You're a strange boy."
"Thanks."
We parked near the market. As the old man climbed down, he looked almost hesitant.
"Listen… I know we've only just met, but… thank you again. If you require lodging, work, or directions, I can assist."
"Actually," I said, "I do have one question."
"Yes?"
"Where's the guild?"
He blinked. "Ah! Just head straight down this road, turn left at the fountain, then follow the crowd of loud idiots bragging about their ranks."
Yep. Sounds like a guild.
"I appreciate it," I said. "Stay safe. And avoid bandits."
He nodded vigorously. "Yes. Absolutely. Forever."
I went on my way, grinning with a pep in my step.
As I grew closer, I heard shouting and laughter, possibly the sound of someone being thrown out a window.
Yep. The guild.
The building itself was massive. Three floors tall, with a huge wooden sign hanging over the door, carved with a sword and shield. People flowed in and out constantly, mages, warriors, rogues, archers, you name it. Some were drunk. Some were injured. Some were both.
I pushed the door open.
Inside, the atmosphere was chaos incarnate. Long tables, beer mugs, people flexing, people arguing, mission boards plastered with posters. A catgirl waitress dodged a flying mug like she'd done it twelve thousand times.
At the front desk stood a beautiful receptionist with silver hair tied in a bun. She wore rectangular glasses and a crisp uniform that somehow survived this madhouse.
Her eyes landed on me.
"Welcome to the Adventurer's Guild," she said, professional but exhausted. "Are you here to register?"
"Yes."
"Name?"
"Ken Haru."
"Age?"
"Uh… 19."
"Rank?"
"Um… beginner? Newborn? I don't know how this works."
She nodded as though she'd heard this from 200 idiots already today.
She handed me a form.
"Fill this out. Then we'll test your mana aptitude and physical capability."
I grabbed the quill and scribbled my info. As soon as I returned the paper, a sudden commotion broke out behind me.
A tall, armored guy walked in, swinging a huge axe over his shoulder. Muscles everywhere. Probably showered once a month.
"HEY!" he yelled. "Who the hell parked their FACE in the way of my entrance?!"
Then he stomped toward me like a pissed-off rhino.
"Newbie! Move, or I'll flatten you!"
Oh boy. Another trope.
"You usually flatten a tire, dunno about a human."
"The hell is a tire?! Whatever! You heard me!"
"Heard what?" I said, head tilted, smirk evident.
"You... are you challenging me?"
People gathered, bringing whispers and questions.
"Who's the new kid?"
"He looks like a farmer…"
"…but his energy feels weird."
The receptionist sighed and rubbed her temples, as if this were her 9th headache of the morning.
The muscular guy lunged, swinging his axe downward.
I hardly moved, throwing my head to the side, gripping his wrist.
He screamed and dropped the axe as it burned him.
"O-OW! WHAT THE... HOW STRONG ARE YOU?!"
"It happens," I said.
A screen popped up.
[TITLE OBTAINED!]["Guild Wrecker"]
"Oh hell yeah," I grinned. "We're off to a great start."
The receptionist stared at me, blinking slowly.
"…You're going to be trouble," she whispered.
"Yep," I said cheerfully. "Classic isekai experience."