Leon walked through the city streets, his eyes bouncing around from the architecture to the assortment of demi-humans.
When he had arrived in the forest he was completely naked. However, there was a skeleton with an oddly preserved backpack. In it he found clothes that were his size. A gift from the Overseer to help him blend in.
So this is the city. It looks very much like what I'd expect from a fantasy medieval city: horse-drawn carriages, stone houses, fantasy races, a castle in the distance on high ground.
As Leon followed the directions given to him by the guards, he reached an intersection. He glanced up at the signs above. Shapes of various sizes and orientations made up what was the alphabet of this world.
I wish I could read...
He continued on, navigating as best he could as he tried to match the symbols. Eventually, a large, three-story building came into view. A pair of griffin statues flanked the front entrance, together holding up a heavy sign carved with the symbols that were likely the guild's name.
Immediately inside, the foyer opened into a massive space that rose to the second floor. A railed gallery wrapped around three sides of the upper level, connecting the second-floor rooms and overlooking the space below. A wide central staircase split the chamber, defining the left and right wings of the building.
The right wing housed a bustling restaurant: food, drink, and waitresses all running around. The left was a more serious atmosphere. A wall was plastered with papers, likely job postings. A few benches sat in the center of the space, and a row of reception counters lined the far wall.
There were a few people here: wizards in robes, knights in armor, and more. In a room full of average people, each of them would have stood out as a threatening sight. However, here, they all seemed commonplace.
So this is the monster-hunting guild. Looks straight out of an Anime or MMO. Everyone in here is a deadly hunter and they all look the part. How am I supposed to tell who's the "Deadliest"?
He continued deeper into the restaurant when he spotted her, half-hidden in the restaurant's back corner. A petite girl with a slim, athletic frame. Soft curves balanced by lean muscle and the faint outline of abs. Her outfit was simple yet flexible. A cropped tube top, fishnet sleeves, baggy pants and no visible weapons.
Her long black hair was tied back into a high ponytail, bangs cut at an angle with strands left loose to frame her face. She was cute but not delicate. Her skin was pale and features sharp like moonlight on steel. Her eyes were a rich shade of green, vivid and intense against her dark hair and pale skin.
He could tell she was a ninja, or this world's equivalent. A beautiful girl, looking closer to one of the waitresses than the other hunters here. However, despite her looks, Leon sensed death emanating from her.
Leon walked up and went to sit at the table. Without looking up, she spoke. Her voice was cold and dismissive.
"What do you want, farm boy?"
He froze. He was always the introverted type, and this was the first time he had ever approached a random woman.
Oh shit. What do I do now? What should I say? I can't just say I got reincarnated here. Much less that Death told me to come here.
"Hi, I umm... I'm Leon. What, uh... makes you think that I'm a farmer?"
"I can tell."
"Ummm...How?"
She put her food down and looked him straight in the eyes. Her face was stern while her eyes shot daggers.
"You're on the bigger side, so it suggests you have access to food, but you also have some muscles, so you do some sort of physical labor. Your clothes look nice and well kept, but no gold or gems means you're not from wealth. Most telling was when you entered here. Looking around hopelessly for someone would help. You were probably too scared to talk to the others. Only to see me, 'a small girl' and figured I'd be helpful."
I think I struck a nerve. I'm pretty average by my old world's standards. Reliable access to food must be harder here. If she is a ninja or assassin, she'd probably be good at analyzing targets. I guess that means I could pass for a farmer's son if I ever need to. But I don't think I should lie, at least not to her.
The Overseer's words echoed in his mind as he steadied himself.
"…find the deadliest person."
"I'm actually not from a farm. I've been to a farm maybe once or twice, but in no way am I a farmer. Also, the reason why I chose to talk to you wasn't because I thought you were some weak girl. I had a feeling you're the deadliest person in here."
He could tell she enjoyed being called the 'deadliest' and that she had softened up a bit. Yet she did her best to keep her expression hard and her voice threatening, still studying him.
"Did someone put you up to this?"
"No. Well, technically yes. I did come here to join the guild and be a hunter. But I don't know how. As you figured, I am completely lost. I should also mention that I have no money and I can't read..."
Oh God. First girl I meet in a fantasy world and I say I'm lost, broke, and stupid. I sound like a complete loser.
"But. But. I'm not messing with you. I was told to find the deadliest person here. After looking around, I think that's you."
"Alright, and who told you this?"
Awkwardly: "Death..."
And this is the part where she kills me.
She sat back, her harsh expression fading with a more neutral one taking its place. He had seemed to pique her interest.
"I've been trained to analyze and read targets, so I'm pretty good at these sorta things. Which means you're either stupid, insane, or a very, very good liar. But why not, I'll humor you, farm boy. So what do you know about hunters?"
That worked! First friend in a new world and it's a hot, deadly assassin!
"So I know hunters accept jobs to kill monsters... They use magic... And they go on adventures... Sometimes? Yeah, now that I think about it, I don't know much."
"Do you know your attributes? Your abilities?"
"No. Honestly, I'm not even sure what those are."
The assassin smirked to herself, giving off a silent chuckle. She leaned forward, becoming more interested in the conversation.
"You really are as green as they come, farm boy. Listen, the guild has Crystalline Dice for you to check, but they do charge. If the total of your rolls is high enough, then you're allowed to join. You'll have to pay the sign-up fee and the first year's yearly fee to officially join."
"Alright, and I'm assuming I do that on the other side of the building?"
"Yup. You can't read, so I'll point you to the right desk. You're also broke, so I could cover you... but you'll owe me a favor."
Her voice darkened with the last sentence. There was a glint of mischief in her tone. It was charming, like she enjoyed the idea of having something to hold over him. Yet also threatening, warning him not to make a deal.
Was that flirting? It definitely felt more like a threat. She's reading me like a book, and I don't have anything to offer... Screw it, I've already decided to be honest with her, might as well commit all the way.
"That is fine by me."
A hit off surprise appeared on her face as her neutral tone of voice returned.
"You're an unusual one, farm boy. I don't make a habit of helping, but I guess I'll make an exception for you."
She got up and began walking to the left wing of the building.
"By the way, I never got your name."
"Rika."