Akatsuki Translations

City of Sin, Greed; Healing Sanctuary 

As Ur’s consciousness resurfaced, the first thing he perceived was the scent. 

It wasn’t the fragrance of vibrant flowers. Rather, it was the scent of the vast plains that stretched beyond the city. For Ur, who had been traveling extensively, that scent was familiar and comforting. 

He reached out his hand to get closer. It touched something silky. There was also something soft, so he pinched and pulled it. “Mueaah?” A voice that sounded like a whimper echoed in his ears. 

And that’s when Ur’s consciousness fully awakened. Wait, whose cheek am I pulling? 

He opened his eyes. He could see the ceiling. Apparently, he had been sleeping in a bed. And when he looked nearby at his hand, there was another person’s head. Ur had been pinching the cheek of a beautiful girl with silver hair, so lustrous that it made him want to run his fingers through it. 

“…So it was Shizuku” -Ur 

Ur recalled her name from his memory. He couldn’t forget her, as she had literally emerged from that mini-dungeon. But the question remained: why was she sleeping on the bed, using him as a pillow? 

As he pondered the question, she seemed to wake up as well. She stirred, lifted her drowsy face, and noticed that Ur was awake. She smiled. 

“….Ur-sama.” 

Noticing that Ur had awoken and was looking at her, a smile arose on her face 

“Good morning.” -Shizuku 

“Good morning.” -Ur 

“Good night.” -Shizuku 

“She fell asleep.” -Ur 

Shizuku, who fell back into a deep sleep, surprised Ur. 

“Ara, you’re awake now? Are you feeling alright?” 

Then another voice reached his ears. He turned his attention to the voice. It belonged to a woman in her mid-thirties, wearing a large apron. Ur didn’t know her, but he recognized the apron as a symbol of a healer. Therefore, 

“I don’t have any money.” -Ur 

“I’m glad to see you’re feeling well.” -Healer 

Although he immediately informed her that he had no funds, she brushed it off casually. Healing magic was incredibly convenient, but due to its difficulty, there were few practitioners. Consequently, it also came with a high price tag. If Ur wanted to receive healing magic as a non-resident of the city, the cost would be exorbitant. 

“That girl has been worried about you the whole time. Is she your lover?” -Healer 

“We just met recently, basically strangers.” -Ur 

“Love at first sight, perhaps?” -Healer 

The healer uttered something arbitrary with a serious expression. Ur observed his surroundings while thinking so. There were several beds lined up, just like the one he was lying on. It was most likely a healing sanctuary. 

“Excuse me. Have you seen a bright red cat?” -Ur 

“Not a beastman? If not, then no, I haven’t seen one. Animals are prohibited here.” -Healer 

“Thank you.” -Ur 

The red cat was Akane’s manifestation in her spirit-bound form when she was in the city. If it wasn’t nearby, then she was probably with that golden woman. Although Ur had hoped it would turn out to be just a dream when he woke up. 

“The treatment has already been completed. The treatment fee has been covered by Diz-sama.” -Healer 

“Diz?” -Ur 

” Diz-sama of The Golden Phoenix. She said, ‘I’ll cover Zaza’s recklessness.’” -Healer 

The healer casually mentioned that Ur should be discharged once he gathered his belongings and left the room. 

At least now he knew the name of the golden woman: Diz. Well, it didn’t change much now that he knew her name. 

“Now… what should I do?” -Ur 

“What are you going to do?” -Shizuku 

Ur looked at his own abdomen. The silver-haired head lifted, and her silver, translucent eyes reflected Ur’s face. “Her eyelashes are long,” thought Ur.  

“You’re awake.” -Ur 

“Good morning.” -Shizuku 

“This is the second time.” -Ur 

She started to sit up. In the underground space, there was no time to observe her appearance, but seeing her again in a safe place confirmed that she was indeed an exceptional beauty. Just looking at her made Ur feel fortunate. Under different circumstances, Ur would have been delighted. But that wasn’t his concern now. 

What should he do from now on? He said it himself, but the current situation left Ur with only one option. 

Become an adventurer. 

If Diz, that woman, pointed out Ur’s worth, then there was no other choice. 

The thought briefly crossed his mind: If he wanted to demonstrate the so-called “value” she mentioned, couldn’t he do it through other means or professions? But it quickly vanished. What could he possibly do with any other occupation? He wasn’t a city dweller, nor did he possess any special skills or knowledge. He was just a Nameless brat. 

Age of the Great Dungeon Flood of Evil. 

In this world, at the bottom of the social hierarchy, were the Nameless.  

For such children, the profession of adventurer held the potential to allow them to rise above their lowly status by staking their meager lives. In fact, it was the only viable option. 

“I don’t wanna be an adventurer…!” -Ur 

Ur despised adventurers. 

Among the Nameless, adventurers were abundant, and the gates of the Adventurers Guild were wide open to them. The occupation of adventurers was crucial for the maintenance of this world, involving tasks such as exterminating monsters, exploring dungeons, and venturing outside the city. Therefore, the majority of adventurers were Nameless; lacking refinement, knowledge, and skills. 

At least, most of the nameless people Ur knew were like that—violent and unruly, waving their fists towards even women and children. They shouted unintelligible cries, drank excessively, and squandered money. They were a truly barbaric bunch. 

The thought of becoming one of them filled Ur with dread. 

“You don’t want to become an adventurer?” -Shizuku 

“I don’t want to, but if it’s a job that even a person without any sort of lineage and with nothing to their name can rise through their own efforts, then adventuring is my only choice. Killing monsters strengthens the body with magic, and the magic stones they drop can be sold for gold. Annoyingly, it’s basically killing two birds with one stone.” 

Ur continued to explain, almost as if trying to convince himself, growing tired of the reality that contradicted his own desires. Shizuku, who listened to Ur’s complaint-like explanation, nodded in understanding. 

“I wonder if I could become one too?” -Shizuku 

“Huh?” Ur stared at Shizuku’s face intently. She was beautiful. A stunning young girl. Her eyes were large, her nose high, her complexion fair and radiant without any makeup, and her bosom ample. Therefore… 

“No, if you’re going to be an adventurer, there must be plenty of other jobs you can do. Just with that face of yours.” 

He had no intention of suggesting something as extreme as selling yourself, but if she were to use her appearance, there were definitely better jobs than being an adventurer. If she found work as a tavern’s signboard girl, she’d become instantly popular. She could even become a star as a dancer. Becoming the lover of a【Priest】, who were apart of the privileged class of this world, would also not be just a dream. 

He couldn’t find a reason for her to become an adventurer. 

“No, it’s not about money. I have to become stronger.” -Shizuku 

“Are you some kind of monk in training or something?” -Ur 

“Yes, something like that.” -Shizuku 

She responded seriously to Ur’s joke. 

Come to think of it, when he first encountered her, she was probably using some kind of magic related to “teleportation.” He knew of its existence. However, it’s highly advanced and limited to certain people and places. It’s something on the level of a priest. 

Ur tilted his head and confirmed. 

“You a priest?” -Ur 

“No.” -Shizuku 

“Then a city dweller?” -Ur 

“No.” -Shizuku 

“Then, are you like me, a Nameless? How did you even use something like teleportation magic?” 

Shizuku smiled sweetly and fell silent. It seemed like she didn’t want to say. Ur was about to press further but decided against it. If she didn’t want to say, there was no need to push. Frankly, he wasn’t interested in her circumstances that much. 

Ur cleared his throat and changed the subject. 

“Well, it’s your choice. If you want to be an adventurer, go ahead.” -Ur 

“Yes! I look forward to working with you!” -Shizuku 

Look forward to working with you? 

Before he could ask for clarification, her palm firmly grasped Ur’s hand. Her eyes sparkled with gratitude as she looked at him. 

(Could it be that I have to guide her all the way to the Adventurer’s Guild?) 

The only person he could ask was right in front of him. He was about to ask, but under the overwhelming aura of gratitude, Ur couldn’t find the right words. 

“Well… forget it.” -Ur 

There wasn’t much of a difference whether he went to the Adventurer’s Guild alone or with the two of them. Using that excuse, Ur shivered at the hunch that that he might be dragged along by her at this pace. 

Shaking off the uneasy feeling, Ur shook his head. 

“…Well, for now, anyway. For now…” -Ur 

“For now?” -Shizuku 

For now, there are priorities. Ur’s body was urgently reminding him. His stomach had been groaning pitifully since earlier. 

Come to think of it, he hadn’t eaten anything since yesterday morning. If this continued, he might embarrassingly starve to death at the healing sanctuary. Therefore… 

“Let’s exchange the magic stones we managed to swipe during the hustle and bustle and have a meal. And I need to buy some shoes.” -Ur 

Ur didn’t currently own any shoes.