Wait, Isn’t My Partner Way Too Strong!?
"For these materials... let's say 4,500 gill. How does that sound?"
"A little more!"
"Hmm... how about 4,600?"
"One last push!"
"Alright, 4,700 it is."
"Meow, deal!"
At the Adventurers’ Guild’s Material Buyback Counter, the air reeked of blood and viscera.
The floor was stained a dark reddish-black—kinda creepy.
I expected burly men, but there were women too.
And Milfie was way more aggressive than I thought.
She was clearly used to this, flashing me a victory pose—which I returned, though my eyes may have wandered slightly.
Money here was a bit complicated. Gill was basically like yen.
Other currencies:
- Copper Coin (100 gill)
- Silver Coin (1,000 gill)
- Gold Coin (10,000 gill)
- High-Gold Coin (100,000 gill) (Rare, apparently.)
Different kingdoms had different rates, but these were universally accepted.
—
[Adventurer Guild Buyback]
3.5★★★☆☆ (57,989 reviews)
E-Rank Adventurer
★★★☆☆
Standard capital pricing. Not bad.
C-Rank Adventurer
★★★☆☆
Negotiation can bump it up a bit.
D-Rank Adventurer
★★★☆☆
Quick service, but prices are average.
A-Rank Adventurer
★★★☆☆
Neither good nor bad.
—
Verdict? Middling. Some days good, some days bad.
Prices seemed to fluctuate like stocks, so it was what it was.
Since this was the only buyback spot in the capital, we had no choice.
After a short wait, we got our cash and stepped outside.
"We made a killing!"
"Guess that monster was rare."
"Even the same species can vary. Oh! Here’s your cut, Tabito!"
"Huh? I don’t need half. You did most of the work."
"Nuh-uh! We’re partners! You saved us money on lodging and food—if anything, you should take more!"
Milfie was too good. Cute, jiggly, and fair.
I thought for a second, then made a proposal.
"Then... how about this?"
"Hm?"
"Let’s start a joint savings fund."
"Joint savings?"
"For emergencies. We each chip in a bit—say, 500 gill this time. We can use it for shared expenses or if one of us gets hurt."
Money was serious. My black-company days taught me that.
As travel partners, we’d face dangers. Injuries. Having a safety net would help.
Better to set this up early.
"... Wow! I never thought of that. I’m in!"
"Thanks, Milfie."
She handed over her share without hesitation. Trusting to a fault.
How had she survived alone this whole time?
I made a mental note to ask more about catfolk later.
"By the way, can anyone sell at that counter?"
"You need an adventurer’s license. Like this!"
She showed me a dog-tag-style pendant with a sword-and-shield emblem.
"Huh. Cool. Can anyone become an adventurer?"
"There’s a test, but it’s not hard. They’re always short on people."
"Short? Too many monsters?"
"That, and... adventurers die fast."
"... Right."
Death was a constant presence here.
"Anyway, let’s keep sightseeing and look for catfolk clues. Anywhere you wanna go?"
"Hmm... weapon maintenance? My dagger’s dull from all the blood. Maybe an armory?"
"Got it. I’ll find a good one. I could use gear too."
Using a bloodstained dead man’s dagger felt... iffy.
"Speaking of which, Tabito—you moved really well back there. Did you fight a lot in your old world?"
"Nah, never. That’s the thing... why was I so strong?"
"Hehe, that’s so weird."
No combat skills on my status. Just the Guide Map.
Yet my body had moved like a veteran.
… Why?
Before I realized it, we’d wandered into a back alley.
A dead end.
I got careless. Even with the Guide Map, I zoned out. Gotta stay alert.
Just as I turned to leave—three burly men blocked the path.
These guys… they were watching us at the buyback counter.
… We got tailed.
Ah, crap.
"Never flash cash after leaving the bank." Basic street smarts.
"Hey there, friendly pair."
"Mind handin’ over all yer stuff~?"
"Gyahaha! We ain’t takin’ yer lives… probably."
They grinned, flipping small knives like it was nothing.
The alley was tight—no easy escape.
I couldn’t tell if they’d actually kill us, but they were way too practiced at this.
Two options: fight or surrender.
If we’d been carrying serious money? Fight, no question.
But we weren’t.
Numbers and terrain considered… maybe playing along was smarter.
Or so I thought.
"—Meow~, pocket money GET!"
Beside me, Milfie crouched low—her usual smile replaced by something feral.
Then—
Her legs swelled.
Her back arched.
And in the next instant—
She launched herself.
Not human.
Not even close.
I’d forgotten—she’s a different species.
Her body works on entirely different rules.
I’d traveled the world in my past life. Seen boxing, pro wrestling, martial arts, street fights.
None of that mattered.
—This was real combat.
"Gwahhh!?"
"Geuooorghhh!?"
"—Gaaah… hi, hiiii.”
Milfie dodged every strike effortlessly, her movements liquid-fast.
"I won’t kill you. But hand it all over, meow~"
She planted a foot on one man’s face.
(… Kinda jealous. But now’s not the time.)
Trembling, the guy frantically dug into his unconscious buddie’s pockets, shoving gill at her.
Not much. Almost pitiable.
"There’s more, right?"
"H-Hiii. I’m sorry!"
Next, he pulled coins from his boots.
Damn. No mercy…
Then—his eyes locked onto Milfie’s pendant.
"E-ehh, hah, eh… A-A-Rank!?"
"—Nighty-night, meow~"
She kicked the man again. He was out cold before he hit the ground.
Milfie, s-sooo scaaaryyyyyy.
W-what!? Eh, since when was my partner this strong!?
And this ruthless!?
I-is this okay!? Wait, who are you!? I mean, it’s Milfie, but!?
"Welp~! Good loot run, meow!"
"Self-defense aside… Milfie, you’re A-Rank?"
"Mmm, just my fists, really. That’s all."
"…… Cool as hell."
"Meo-meow~ ////"
I didn’t know the adventurer ranking system.
But judging by their terror—A-Rank was monstrous.
How’d you even fall into a pitfall!?
"Here, half for you."
"…… I can take this?"
"Duh. We’re partners. This is normal here."
"I see. Then I’ll take it gratefully."
"Or we could add it to joint savings?"
"Haha, agreed.”
"Now, let’s report to the guards."
"They’ll believe us after the fact?"
"A-Rank privilege, meow~"
"So cool…"
—
[Back Alley Off Main Street] 1.1★☆☆☆☆ (47,987 reviews)E-Rank Adventurer
★☆☆☆☆
Got harassed by creeps. Worst.
D-Rank Adventurer
★☆☆☆☆
Shouldn’t have come here.
New: Former B-Rank Adventurer (Restrained)
★☆☆☆☆
Picked the wrong mark.
What was that catgirl?
Fu*k. I’m done…
Former C-Rank Adventurer (Restrained)
★☆☆☆☆
Didn’t expect an A-Ranker.
Too OP.
Former C-Rank Adventurer (Restrained)
★★☆☆☆
They took everything.
But… getting stepped on kinda felt good…?
What do you think about this chapter?
