I Came Here To Fight To The Death.

And so, once Kikori put on the armor, he slung his axe over his back, took up his buckler, and tucked two knives into his belt.

He had thought about selling them, but reconsidered, thinking they might come in handy someday.

“Huh. Dressed like that, you actually look like a proper adventurer.”

“Yeah. Well, you still feel like a rookie, though.”

Hearing that from the weapon shop owner and Aria, Kikori scratched his cheek shyly.

Even if it was only partial armor, just wearing it made him feel stronger.

“Still, don’t get overconfident about armor. Even with that on, if you run into an ogre, it’ll hack your arm clean off, shoulder guard and all.”

“Yes, I’ll be careful.”

“Hmph… kid, what’s your name?”

“Kikori.”

“What a stupid name. What is that supposed to be? You could’ve picked something better.”

“There it is again…”

“Hahaha, well, people are bound to say that. Personally, I’m starting to think it’s pretty cute.”

As Aria said that and patted Kikori’s head, the shop owner let out an exasperated sigh.

“So that’s why you brought him here for once… you’ve gotten pretty attached to Kikori, huh.”

“Hehehe, he’s cute, right? I’m not giving him to you.”

“Hey, Kikori. If you ever feel your life’s in danger, run.”

“How rude. I’m just being a big sister, that’s all.”

“Ah, haha…”

Having already received so many favors, Kikori couldn’t say anything and just laughed it off—but then the weapon shop owner spoke clearly to him.

“Mirgu.”

“Huh?”

“My name. Mirgu. I’ve been around in this town a long time. If it’s weapons or armor, you won’t go wrong coming to me.”

As he said that, he glanced at Kikori’s axe.

“That axe—sorry to say it’s cheap junk. That’s a woodcutting axe, right? Earn some money and replace it as soon as you can.”

“Yes, I understand.”

“Alright, then get going. Don’t go dying too easily.”

“Thank you. I’ll do my best.”

“Hah! If someone dies right after buying armor from me, it hurts my reputation!”

With that sort of encouragement, Kikori left the weapon shop together with Aria.

“Well then, Kikori, I need to head to work too. Do your best out there.”

“Yes! Thank you for everything!”

Seeing Aria off, Kikori headed once more toward the Hero Gate.

Maybe it was because of the armor, but he felt his back straighten naturally.

At last, it felt like he had truly joined the ranks of “adventurers.”

He nodded to the guards and moved deeper into the forest.

“…!”

A horned rabbit leapt out from the bushes, and Kikori kicked it away with the leg protected by his leg guard.

It was an instinctive move—but in an instant, the blood drained from his face.

Just now, the correct action would have been to swing his axe clumsily.

And yet, he’d reacted impulsively with his foot.

The result might have been fine.

Might have—but the horned rabbit he’d kicked away was still very much alive.

“Focus…! I came here to fight to the death…!”