Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation - Volume 3

Chapter 9: The First Job: The Value of a Life

The Kirib house, located on Rikarisu's Block Two, was a long, single-story building with four separate entrances. Those who lived there were far from well-off, but they weren't as desperately poor as those who dwelled in the city's slums. By the Demon Continent's standards, they were typical working-class people.

Three shadowy figures—two small, one large—were currently approaching this place. Strutting boldly along the street, they made their way to one of the building's multiple entrances, indifferent to the gazes of those around them.

"Hello, miss! We've come from the Adventurers' Guild!" The young boy of the group knocked on the door, calling out in a high-pitched voice to the resident within.

There was something unsettling about this. None of the adventurers in this city spoke that politely to anyone. They were a rough, crude bunch by nature. Still, the gentleness of the boy's voice apparently deceived the resident of this room. The door squeaked open, and a girl of perhaps seven years emerged from within. Her long, lizard-like tail and distinctive forked tongue marked her as a member of the Houga race.

The girl's eyes went wide at the sight of her three unusual visitors, but the boy smiled cheerfully at her. "Hello there! Pleasure to meet you. This is Miss Meicel's residence, correct?"

"Huh? U-uhm..."

"Oh, pardon me. My name is Rudeus, miss. Rudeus of Dead End."

"D-Dead End...?"

This girl, Meicel, was of course familiar with that name. Everyone knew the story of the monstrous Superd warriors who'd fought so fiercely during the Laplace War 400 years ago, slaughtering friend and foe alike. And everyone knew that "Dead End" was the strongest and most evil of their number. It was said that none who met him lived to tell the tale. Even those who'd only glimpsed him from a distance said they'd only barely managed to escape with their lives. His name struck terror into the hearts of every resident of the Demon Continent; even brawny adventurers who boasted that they could slay any monster single-handedly would shudder just to hear him mentioned.

But Meicel also knew what Dead End was said to look like, and this short, young boy didn't match that description in the slightest.

"We took on your request at the Guild this morning, miss. We're here to find your lost pet. We were hoping to ask you for the details, if you can spare the time."

The name Dead End was terrifying in itself, and the other two people standing behind the boy were a little intimidating. But he spoke to her so politely that it was hard to stay afraid. And from the sound of things, they were adventurers who'd actually taken on the job she'd posted.

"Please... Please find Mii for us."

"Ah, so your pet's name is Mii? That's a very cute name, I must say."

"I came up with it myself."

"Oh really? Well, you've clearly got a knack for naming things, miss."

This compliment earned the boy a bashful smile.

"Now then...do you think you could tell us a bit about Mii maybe?"

Meicel described her pet's appearance, explained that it had disappeared three days ago, added that it hadn't come back home, clarified that it usually came back when she called for it, and mentioned that it was probably hungry since she hadn't fed it. It was a rambling, childish monologue. A typical adult may have rolled their eyes at the girl's babbling and left halfway through; but the young adventurer listened to her with a smile, nodding encouragingly after every heartfelt sentence.

"Understood, miss. We'll go track Mii down right away. Rest assured, you're in good hands with Dead End!"

The boy closed his hand into a fist and stuck his thumb up into the air; for some reason, the other two behind him did the same. Meicel didn't quite understand, but she imitated them anyway.