6 Chapter Six
After a day and a half of travel, Muichiro's destination was finally within sight.
The sprawling city of Orario loomed before him, a labyrinthine metropolis of wonder and mystery.
Dominating its heart was the towering edifice of the Tower of Babel.
As he approached, Muichiro observed a bustling thoroughfare leading to the city's entrance.
A diverse array of individuals populated the path – merchants, travellers, families – each with their own purpose and story.
His attention was particularly drawn to the variety of races present, beings that he had only read about in his previous world.
Here, they were real and vibrant, coexisting in harmony. Yet, he heeded Moon's advice and avoided staring openly, showing respect for the unfamiliar.
Dressed in a brown cloak and adorned with a mouth mask, Muichiro moved among the crowd, a figure not designed to stand out.
These were Moon's teachings, methods to blend in and avoid unnecessary attention.
Finally, after an hour's walk, he arrived at the city's entrance, though a substantial queue awaited him.
Three more hours ticked by before his turn came. At the gate, a level two guard from the Ganesha familia in the form of a stout dwarf awaited, requesting his name and identification.
Muichiro smoothly produced the documents he needed, provided to him by Moon's meticulous preparation.
The dwarf scrutinized the paperwork, verifying its authenticity before allowing Muichiro passage.
There was a fee to be paid – 1000 valis – an entry ticket to the city's gate. Muichiro paid without hesitation, Moon's provisions including starting funds for him.
Reflecting on the generosity, Muichiro couldn't help but ponder inwardly. Her concern had resulted in a well-equipped journey, perhaps even more than intended.
As he stepped into the city, Muichiro's lifeless eyes took in the bustling streets, his demeanour contemplative.
Something stirred within him, an anticipation he had yet to understand. Orario held promise, a chance for him to grasp emotions and connect with humanity in ways he hadn't before.
He didn't linger by the entrance for long, his gaze sweeping over the vibrant surroundings.
His footsteps guided him through the maze of streets, an explorer seeking new horizons. Before long, he found an inn for the night, a place to rest and gather his strength for the early morning ahead of him.
Though after wandering the bustling streets for a few hours, Muichiro's stomach reminded him of a very human need – food.
Amid the vibrant chaos, a food stall caught his attention with bold letters spelling "Jagamarukun."
The tantalizing aroma that wafted from the stall was enough to make his mouth water. Resisting was out of the question.
Without a second thought, he paid the stall owner 60 valis for two servings of Jagamarukun.
The sight of the cook expertly crafting the dish – adding spices to mashed potatoes before frying them with an outer layer – only heightened his anticipation.
As he stood in line, his mouth watering in anticipation, Muichiro's world suddenly went black.
The taste was a revelation, an explosion of flavour that overwhelmed his senses...
Suddenly a familiar memory reminded him of something moon had taught him.
[Alright Muichiro if someone does something nice for you and perhaps compliments you, you should do the same in return...Come let's practice, I like your hair...see easy now compliment me, it can be about anything...how about my face.
Muichiro titled his head in contemplation before thinking of something." You have...a face..."
"..."
"This is gonna be harder than I anticipated."]
Without a hint of hesitation, he turned and strode straight to the cook, leaving both the confused customers and the cook himself baffled.
Muichiro gazed at the cook with his lifeless eyes, a peculiar intensity in his stare.
In a surprisingly earnest tone, he uttered words that baffled everyone around him, "Thank you for being born and bringing this into the world."
"..."
The crowd felt an awkward tension, while the cook erupted into laughter, surprised by the unexpected compliment.
Grinning widely, the cook expressed his delight that Muichiro had enjoyed the dish so thoroughly.
He assured him that he was welcome anytime if hunger struck. Muichiro simply nodded in response, unperturbed by the odd looks he received.
The moment had passed, leaving behind a curious memory of his first taste of a Jagamarukun.
With a satisfied belly, Muichiro turned his attention to finding a place to rest for the night.
As he wandered, he stumbled upon 'The Late Candle Tavern,' a cosy inn nestled in the southwestern part of Orario.
Pleased with his find, he inquired about the price – around 720 valis for a night's stay, which also included breakfast.
Without hesitation, he booked a week's worth of lodging, secure in the knowledge that he had a comfortable place to call his temporary home.
The bustling day had unfolded with unexpected encounters and culinary surprises.
As he settled into his cosy room at the inn, Muichiro's thoughts lingered on the experiences that awaited him, both familiar and unknown...
....
The next day greeted Muichiro with a soft sunlight filtering through his window at "The Late Candle Tavern."
He rose from his slumber, feeling refreshed after a night of rest. A new day in Orario awaited.
Muichiro took a moment to appreciate the simplicity of his surroundings. The inn's cosy atmosphere and the faint scent of breakfast wafting in from the common area brought a sense of comfort.
His lifeless eyes held a glimmer of anticipation as he prepared himself for the day ahead.
After dressing in his simple attire and ensuring he had his belongings in order,
Muichiro ventured downstairs to the inn's dining area.
A hearty breakfast awaited him – a warm bowl of porridge accompanied by freshly baked bread and a cup of tea. He savoured each bite, finding solace in the routine of nourishment.
As he finished his meal, Muichiro contemplated his plans for the day. He recalled the map Moon had given him, detailing various landmarks and locations within Orario.
One particular destination drew his attention – the Guild, a hub for adventurers and a place that could help him make some connections in this city.
With a sense of purpose, Muichiro set out from the inn, his steps carrying him through the lively streets of Orario.
He also didn't forget to bring his katana with him, after all, it was better safe than sorry.
But even if he didn't have his katana Moon had taught him hand-to-hand combat.
....
The city pulsed with energy, a mosaic of cultures and races, in one big melting pot. While he couldn't quite grasp the concept of emotions, he was determined to immerse himself in this vibrant world and perhaps find the key to unlock the door to his own feelings.
Navigating through the streets, Muichiro soon found himself at the entrance of the Guild. It was a grand structure, bustling with adventurers of all kinds – warriors, mages, and everything in between.
He hesitated at the threshold, taking in the sights and sounds that surrounded him.
Inside, a bulletin board caught his attention. It was covered with various requests and missions, each offering a chance for adventurers to prove their mettle and earn rewards.
As he scanned the board, a sense of intrigue tugged at him. Perhaps embarking on a quest could lead him to experiences that might spark the emotions he sought.
With resolve, Muichiro approached the reception desk and inquired about available quests suitable for a beginner.
The guild attendant provided him with a selection, ranging from escorting caravans to clearing out monsters from nearby caverns.
After careful consideration, he chose a task that involved collecting medicinal herbs from a nearby forest – a simple task that he didn't mind doing.
Plus it was a task he could complete without having to register. Though he decided that when he returned he would do just that, as one needed to be registered as an adventurer to enter the dungeon.
....
Armed with a map and the location of the forest, Muichiro set out once more.
As he walked, his lifeless eyes suddenly widened." Wait didn't I collect those medical herbs on my way here..."
(Yes...yes he had.)
So Muichiro ended up coming back only two minutes after he had left, and handed the medical herbs to the receptionist to check.
