Dawn.

“Rogied, you really are a guy?”

This wasn’t the first time ViniVini had questioned my gender. No matter how many times I explained, she’d ask again minutes later.

Rubbing my temples, I groaned. “I’m male. A guy. Seriously! Please stop asking! I’m a guy!!!”

“Oh…” ViniVini frowned reluctantly, as if unwilling to accept it. I sighed inwardly.

We were on our way back to Lazio Town, the place ViniVini mentioned.

Fresh out of the starter village with no stable home, I’d discussed options with ViniVini. She decided to adopt me—well, not *adopt*… *take me in*. I was deeply grateful.

The monster forest was vast. Alone, I’d have gotten lost instantly. But ViniVini navigated the woods effortlessly. Within minutes, a road appeared ahead. Travelers filled it—horse-drawn carts, backpackers, lightly equipped adventurers—all moving leftward.

“Why so many people?” I asked. “Where does this road lead?”

“The left path goes to Goinbair City,” ViniVini chirped. “The right leads to its outer towns, like Lazio~” She hopped onto the road. I hurried after her.

The road wasn’t huge, but it wasn’t safe either. Carved through monster territory, it always attracted new threats despite patrols by adventurers and Goinbair soldiers. Low-level monsters—around levels 7 or 8—lurked near the edges, easily handled by merchants and seasoned adventurers.

We encountered several monsters en route, but passing groups always killed them before we could act. Some even began skinning the corpses on the spot.

“Rogied, did you know?” ViniVini lectured as we walked. “A monster’s corpse won’t vanish if you keep touching it. Processed corpses stay too~ Also, the Eastern Continent has many nations, but only one superpower. We’re in Sornton, a tiny kingdom. Adventurers get three job changes: at lv.16, lv.36, and lv.60. The first two are ‘evolutions.’ The last is ‘Awakening’—when gods grant you a unique title. Then you become a Hero…”

“And…”

“Oh!!” ViniVini suddenly smacked her forehead. “Rogied! Did I tell you about the festival in three days?”

“No… What festival?”

She stuck out her tongue, grinning sheepishly. “I forgot something so important! For Goinbair adventurers, it’s the biggest event of the year~ Goinbair City was built inside this monster forest. Defending it requires more than just soldiers, so past mayors boosted the adventurer trade—weapons, armor, magic gear… The first mayor even declared the first day of June’s first week ‘Goinbair Adventurer’s Festival,’ lasting a whole week to attract adventurers worldwide!”

She paused, eyes sparkling. “Merchants flood in too—selling weapons, buying monster shells to craft new gear. Basically, it’s a week-long carnival for traders and adventurers! Tons of shops host amazing events!”

“So you killed the Crystal Lord just for its shell? To sell to buyers?” I rolled my eyes. ViniVini giggled. “Can’t help it—I’m a Hunter~ Besides… I need money. *Lots* of money…” Her ears drooped at the word *money*, her voice fading.

“Why so much?”

“To go to school!” She gazed into the distance, eyes bright with longing. “Sornton isn’t a big nation, but one of humanity’s four top academies is in Sonyel—the capital. I want to study there.”

Her unwavering gaze reminded me of a certain blonde knight girl. Anjelit had worn that same expression when speaking of becoming a Temple Knight… or a Holy Knight.

They were alike, in a way.

*Ugh… Why am I thinking of Anjelit now?*

We walked on. Two minutes later, a side path appeared. At its end stood a bustling town, its gates swarming with people.

ViniVini pointed excitedly. “Lazio’s here~”

*That’s Lazio?*

She broke into a sprint. I followed closely.

At the town gates, a group of basket-carrying women greeted her warmly. “Back already, ViniVini~” But when they spotted me beside her, their smiles turned to whispers and pointing.

I caught snippets: *“Shameless girl, bare-chested in broad daylight…” “No manners—clearly no good…” “No wonder her chest’s flat—wants to show off like a man!”*

I frowned. *What?*

“Pffft—HAHAHA!” ViniVini doubled over laughing.

“Laugh all you want!” I snapped. “I ripped *my* shirt to cover you!”

“Oh… right… sorry…” She bowed, fumbling to unwind the cloth strips around her body. I stopped her.

“Just get me to your place.”

Inside Lazio, crowds prepared wagons piled with goods—likely for the festival. But the moment we appeared, everyone froze. All eyes locked onto us.

*Fine, ViniVini’s chest looks great with just cloth strips… but why are they staring at ME more?*

I puffed out my chest slightly.

*Pfft!* A man’s nose gushed red liquid. Then another. And another. I yanked ViniVini forward, covering my chest.

Soon, we reached a modest house.

“This is yours?”

“Yep! Bought it myself!” ViniVini beamed with pride. *Why does she get so proud over little things?*

Honestly, alone, I couldn’t even afford a 50-copper inn room for days.

I’m not boasting—I really have zero destructive power!

ViniVini unlocked the door. I slipped inside.

A simple single-room home. Enough space for two or three people. In the corner sat a bed. Beside it, a table overflowed with clutter: bows, daggers, shoes, socks, bras, panties…

“…” I stared at ViniVini. Her face flushed crimson. “Uh… I live alone… so…”

“Go buy me clothes. I’ll clean.” I sighed, pulling five silver coins from my pocket—my entire savings. (The bandit gold was with Anjelit; I never got the dungeon loot.)

“Too much!” She tried to return them. I refused.

“Call it rent. You’ll be stuck with me anyway. If it’s still too much, just party with me at the Adventurer’s Guild. Level me up.”

“Okay…” She hesitated, then nodded.

After she left, I tidied: shoes lined up, clothes folded into the wardrobe, underwear washed and tucked away…

She returned with armfuls of supplies. “Got your daily stuff too~”

“Good girl~”

ViniVini blushed again, grinning sheepishly.

*This girl… so cute…*

“I’ll change now. Turn around.”

“Why?”

“I’m a guy! You’re a girl! Idiot!”

“Oh… right… forgot Rogied’s a boy…” She mumbled apologetically—then started stripping right in front of me.

*THWACK!* I bonked her head, barely containing my rage.

“I TOLD YOU—I’M A GUY, YOU’RE A GIRL!!! HAVE SOME COMMON SENSE! TURN AROUND WHEN YOU CHANGE!!!!”