By the time something had happened and Akira had finally calmed down, the gunfire outside the building had stopped. Looking at Akira, who had regained his composure, the sounds outside had stopped, and Alpha decided that it was time to continue exploring the ruins.

"It seems that the situation outside has calmed down, so how about we continue to explore the ruins? But this time you have to listen to me, okay? ”

Akira nodded solemnly and said.

"Yes, I promise I'll follow all your instructions."

"Alright then, let's go."

Alpha smiled with satisfaction and began to walk out. Akira followed behind her with a serious expression.

They walked out of the building and headed to the place where they encountered the giant monster. They walked through ruined buildings, climbed a mountain of rubble, and finally left behind the ruins of the previous battle. Then they continued deeper into the ruins.

Akira knew that with his cheap pistol, he couldn't defeat the monster. Even if he was equipped with a special weapon to fight the monster, he knew that he still couldn't defeat the monster. Not to mention the fact that such monsters wander around while being invisible. For better or for worse, going through an experience like this had a big impact on Akira. His face naturally became tense, but he just shrugged his shoulders, the fear in his heart creeping in. He believed that as long as he followed the instructions of the alpha and proceeded carefully, everything would be fine.

Alpha vs. Aki

A's performance is satisfied. She goes the extra mile so that Akira doesn't run into any monsters roaming around the ruins.

Digging a little deeper, they finally came to an area that could no longer be considered the outskirts of the ruins. Alpha pointed his finger at a specific destroyed building among many other buildings in the area.

"Akira, we can collect our relics there."

Akira looked curiously at the ruins that Alpha was pointing to. Since it has come this far at the risk of his life, it is natural to expect some results. But, Aki

A saw only the same ancient ruins that he saw on the way there. Or at least, it didn't look like the building he would see after walking all this far.

"If you could, why did you choose this place?"

After blurting it out, he was a little nervous because he realized that the answer to his question might make him doubt Alpha. But then Alpha answered his question with a confident smile.

"Of course it doesn't matter. I'll explain it to you when you collect the relics inside. ”

After seeing Alpha answer with such a confident smile, I knew I could expect some good results. In this way, he walked into the building in a good mood.

The building chosen by Alpha is a former commercial facility in the Old World. Continuing inside, you can see the remnants of the wealth that once existed here. He finds a door near a ruined cupboard. Looking inside, he could see the remains of destroyed mechanical monsters scattered across the bloodstained floor. Next to the large bones of a dead creature monster, he could see the skeletal remains of a man, fully equipped. Once a real place, it's now filled with testimonies of how many hunters come here in search of ruins and how these hunters fight monsters.

Most of the buildings of the Old World era were sturdy buildings. But even then, there were holes in the walls and burn marks on the ceiling. It shows the intensity of the battles that took place in these buildings. Hunters with weapons strong enough to inflict this damage are here to fight monsters with equally powerful weapons; It's all about seizing the relics of the old world.

The corpses scattered around inside are the best proof of the value of the relics here. It is also the solemn remains of hunters who paid the price of greed for relics.

"By the way, I chose this place because of its security. Most of the mechanical monsters were originally part of the security system. While some of them run wild because their controls are breached, their primary duty as part of the security system is to eliminate any intruders. Therefore, biological monsters are also one of its extermination targets. So all in all, in the area protected by these mechanical monsters, you have little chance of encountering biological monsters. ”

"But doesn't that mean there's a good chance I'll be attacked by these mechanical monsters?"

"Most mechanical monsters follow strict patrol procedures, so they only go to certain places at certain times. That's why if you know their daily lives, you're less likely to meet them. Biological monsters, on the other hand, tend to move their nests around according to their condition or wander around as they please, which makes it difficult to predict their location. So, as long as I'm here, it's safer to go to a building with a lot of mechanical monsters than a place with a lot of biological monsters. ”

For Akira, who doesn't even know about the back alleys of the slums, he shows sincere interest while listening to Alpha.

"I see. So you can do that too, hehe. How can you recognize their routine? ”

"There are many ways to do this. It will take you a few years to fully understand all the details, though, so I'll skip the explanation. ”

Then Alpha smiled mischievously as if he were invincible.

"But even so, do you want to hear it? I did say that I would answer all your questions. Well, I don't mind telling you. ”

"Ah, no. No, thanks. ”

Akira took her words as a joke. He thought she hadn't explained it to him from the beginning. Moreover, he had a feeling that if he replied "yes", he would have to listen to a very long explanation, so he cringed a little and slipped down the topic. Seeing this, Alpha laughed because Akira reacted just as she thought she would.

"Is that so? Well, if you change your mind, be sure to let me know. In addition to that, there is another reason why I chose this place, and that is the ruins here. ”

"The ruins here? Are the relics left here that expensive? ”

"Well, the value of the relic is important, but whether it can be brought home is even more important. Even if there is a relic that can be sold for a lot of money, if it weighs 10 tons, what do you think you can do? After all, even if it is a light relic, it can be carried with one hand, and it is difficult to take it home in case of encountering a monster. ”

"Well, it's true."

"So, it must be something that you can take home safely and make a lot of money. After considering all these factors, I chose this place. ”

After listening to Alpha's explanation, Akira was convinced that it was worth risking her life to come here. But from there, he thought of something else.

“…… Wait a minute. Doesn't that mean that there are no valuable relics in the area I explored yesterday? ”

"That area has been completely depleted. A place that kids like you can explore, and if there are still many precious ruins here, it should be flooded by hunters by now. But that's not the case, right? ”

“…… You're right, it does make sense. ”

Akira thought that all the risks he had taken yesterday were in vain, and he finally felt tired.

"I always thought that if I worked hard, I could find the ruins in the ruins. But...... It seems that I was too naïve. So it doesn't make sense, right? ”

Alpha looked at Akira with a depressed look on his face and smiled at him as if he wanted to make him happy.

"But thanks to this, you were able to see me. So I thought it was worth risking my life to go to that ruin yesterday, you know? From here you will see how lucky you are to meet me. So you can look forward to it, okay? ”

Aki

A laughed, as if he was a little happier.

"You're right, I'm looking forward to it."

"Leave it to me."

Alpha gave him a confident smile and replied.

On the outskirts of the ruins where he was, there were quite a few cheap relics, and the average hunter usually didn't care about even an eyelash for such cheap relics, but these relics were worth enough for a slum kid like Akira. This way, Akira doesn't have to go through the trouble of finding relics. Alpha knew this, too, and that's why he was guided into the ruins.

In addition to hunters, there are many people who visit the ruins. For example, companies often spend a lot of money to send soldiers into the rubble. These people sometimes help each other in their search for ruins, and sometimes they kill each other. They will only stop when both sides decide that the relic is not worth bloodshed.

When they finally decide that the ruins are not worth all the fighting, they will leave the place on their own. First, these companies withdraw their soldiers. Since these soldiers cost a lot of money, it is not surprising that their equipment and skills are exceptionally good. But because of this, blood is shed every time a soldier dies. As a result, these companies are quick to recall their soldiers, unless it's a rare and priceless relic like old-world production equipment that current technology cannot replicate. After all, if it's just an ordinary relic, they can buy it from hunters. For big organizations with money like these companies, they will solve anything with money whenever possible.

After the soldiers leave the ruins, the hunters will retreat, but only if they weigh the consequences of their decision. They will compare the threat from the monsters to the rewards they get from the ruins. After doing the math, they can make a lot of money by selling the relics in their hands before they decide to go back.

In the end, both skilled and unskilled civilians will retreat from the ruins. Skilled people are those who use their skills to barely stay alive and fight monsters while collecting relics. And the unskilled are those who are seduced by their own greed and fall into death. Thanks to these two people, the relics in the ruins will decrease as the corpses pile up. They will only leave the ruins when the number of corpses exceeds the value of the ruins they can find. Only after these people retreat will the ruins finally be left behind.

Today, Akira stepped into the lonely ruins that were even more desolate than usual, as there were tons of monsters everywhere. Normally, he wouldn't even be able to go there. For a place that was left behind by hunters who thought it was not worth the risk and was fully equipped, it still contained quite a few expensive relics.

But Akira had no idea the value of the relics. He just kept stuffing what Alpha was pointing at into his paper bag. Even the paper bag he was carrying was something he had found in the ruins, because the bag he had brought from the slums, because of the weight of the ruins, had cracked.

After collecting all the ruins in the area, Akira looked a little worried. Grocery paper bags are thin and don't look durable.

“…… It doesn't tear until we get to the city, right? ”

"Don't worry. That paper bag is from the old world. That is, it is also a relic of the Old World. It's more powerful than it looks, so it'll be fine. ”

"I see. Old world technology is really important. ”

With that, Akira glanced into her bag. It was filled with relics carefully selected by Alpha. These artifacts are small items that even children can carry around. There are a lot of things that are Aki

aI don't know. A fancy pocket knife with a scabbard, some unknown mechanical parts, some box with drugs as Alpha said, something that looks like a bandage, something that looks like a watch, and many other things. There's still a little space in the bag, and it's not too heavy.

“…… Shouldn't we take back some of the relics? ”

Since he had come so far, he wanted to take as many relics as he could. But Alpha's answer to his naïve question was to shake his head and make a serious face.

"Nope. This is already the limit of how many relics you can carry. This is the maximum weight limit you can move freely on your way home. I'll try to be as careful as possible on the way back, but in case you run into a monster, you'll run away with this paper bag on your back. So, if it's too heavy, then you won't be able to run away and end up being killed. Even if you can choose to leave the relic behind, it's best not to be too heavy so that it doesn't drain your stamina. So, don't be greedy, okay? ”

Akira really cherishes his life, and more importantly, he decides to obey Alpha's instructions as much as possible. So, although a little frustrated, he nodded and gave up his childish thoughts.

“… I understand. So, how much can these relics sell for? ”

"Honestly, I don't know. After all, the price of artifacts varies with demand. And, it's not like you're going to sell everything. It might be a good idea to keep the knife to yourself and not sell medicine. After all, if you're injured and there's no way to treat yourself, that's too bad. Think of them as some kind of insurance. ”

"That means I'm selling even less now......"

"These are all necessary things, so just put up with it."

“… Good. ”

So, he decided to sell only half of all his relics. Although he was a little unhappy, he knew that what he could do at that time was already the best, and he quickly overcame it.

"Well, let's go back to the city. Our journey home wasn't easy, so let's be careful, okay? ”

"Ah, okay."

"If you step into an area protected by those monsters with these relics, then your movement speed will be slowed down. If the previous situation is repeated, then this time you will definitely become minced meat. So you really need to be careful. ”

Alpha smiled meaningfully, and Akira winced.

"Okay"

"Well, let's go, then."

Akira nervously followed Alpha once more, giggling happily.

Akira finally made it back to the periphery of the ruins. It's still part of the wasteland, so it's almost a dangerous place. However, it was much safer than a place full of monsters in the depths of the ruins, as he didn't encounter any monsters here. After walking out of the ruins, his nervousness disappeared. Knowing that he was not completely safe, all the tiredness suddenly hit him, and he let out a long sigh.

Alpha looked at him and sighed, and said with a smile.

"If you're tired, we can take a break, you know? I will pay attention to my surroundings and put you at ease. ”

"I see, but I want to get back to the city as soon as possible, so let's hold on a little longer."

"Okay then, how about we talk while we walk?"

Even if she said so, Ming's child who grew up in the back alley of the slum would have nothing to say. In the end, Alpha speaks, and Akira just responds to her.

"By the way, did you know that Kumayama City was actually built to explore this Katsubara ruin?"

"Oh, I see. You do know a lot of things. ”

"I may look like this, but I actually know a lot of things, you know. Although, it's all about the eastern region. I don't know anything about the central and western regions. ”

"Western Regions...... I don't know much about it. But I heard that it's the territory of the demons. ”

"I don't know much. I've only heard rumors about that place, such as that there is no progress in technology at all, or that there are magicians in that place. ”

"As for the central region. And what do they call it? "Nation-state"? I've heard a lot going on there. ”

"If I were to explain it roughly, the central United Nations, or simply the United Nations – all the countries that are united under that government are considered part of the central region, and their system of government is called the nation-state. The areas east of the central region are collectively referred to as the eastern region. The Eastern Ward Corporation refers to all areas under the corporate government. Finally, all areas west of the central region are referred to as the western regions. It's a place full of rumors, and I don't guarantee it's true or not. Rumor has it that there are no guns there, or that there is magic there, or that there is a species known as elves living there. Because it is a place full of mysteries, there are many people who want to explore that area. Akira, are you interested in that one too? ”

"No, I'm more interested in learning the general knowledge of the eastern region than that. After all, I don't know how to read letters yet. ”

"I understand. In addition to reading and writing, I will also include a general knowledge lecture in your special training. So leave it to me. ”

"I see, thank you."

"You're welcome."

Ever since Alpha had made him a lucrative offer, there had been a hint of fear in his heart. After all, the phrase "there is no such thing as a free lunch" has been deeply ingrained in his heart. Alpha just smiled mildly at Akira. Everything she is willing to do is also for herself.

After arriving in Kumayama City, Akira immediately went to the exchange center of the Hunter Office. There are several exchange centers in and around the city. Depending on where you exchange a relic, the value of that relic may change. The communication center inside the walls mainly serves first-class hunters. As a result, those places are always filled with precious artifacts. Competition between companies for such artifacts has led to higher and higher prices.

Aki

a went to a clearing house in the lower district, near the slum. Most of the people who come here are new hunters and slum people. Its exchange rate is the worst of all dealing centers. People used to come here with things that don't even classify cheap artifacts. Over time, places where only artifacts were bought became stores where almost everything was bought. It became an important place for the slum people as it was one of their only sources of income.

As soon as he got there, he took out the relics left for sale from the paper bag and placed them on a tray. Then he picked up the tray and lined up at the counter. As Alpha told him, he didn't sell knives and medicine boxes.

The waiter at the counter is a young man named Nojima. When he saw Akira's appearance, he knew that Akira was just a child in the slums. So he was to serve him as he did to other children in the slums. But when he saw the relics on the tray, his behavior suddenly changed. After all, they're not something you can get in the slums.

"If you have a hunter ID, please show me."

Akira took out his Hunter ID, which looked like a piece of paper. Nojima took the ID, operated the terminal in front of him, and then took Aki

A Hu

te

The ID was returned to him along with 3 coins. With that, he picked up the tray along with the relics on it and placed it on the shelf behind him.

Akira stood there, staring at the three coins. 1 coin is worth 100Au

um, so it's 300Au in total

um。 Au

UM is a currency issued by Sakashita Heavy Industries, one of the five major companies in the corporate government. Au

The circulation of UM is strictly controlled by its sole issuer, Sakashita Heavy Industries, so it is mainly used in the economic sectors affected by it. The city of Bear Mountain is one of them.

300Au

The value of UM varies from person to person. For people who live in the lower ward of Kumayama City, it is enough to buy a cheap meal. And for those in the upper district, it's just change, not even enough to buy a glass of water.

To earn this money, Aki

A had to endure the attack of the giant monster and almost killed him, but luckily survived with the support of Alpha. He had to go to a place that he would normally not be able to reach and bring some relics with him. Recalling his experience, he risked his life to go through all the hardships and stood there with money in his hand. Only 3 coins, only 300Au

um。

Akira's face flushed with rage, and his gaze met Nojima's. Nojima knew from the beginning that this was exactly Akira's reaction. When Akira was about to complain, Nojima gave him an explanation as if to remind him.

"I know you have a lot to say. But for an unknown first-order hunter with no past achievements, it has been decided that the first commission is only 300 gold coins. The inspection of the goods will be completed tomorrow and may take even longer. You should get 300Au thanks to handing in goods that we don't even know about

UM's remuneration. They might even be just garbage, you know. When the inspection is over, the next time you come, I will give you the rest of the money. But if it's worth even less than 300Au

um, then we'll let you pay us. If you're confident that you've just sold us something expensive, come back next time to sell something else. ID confirmation will go through your Hu

te

ID is done, so if you lose it, then you can forget about your money and our trust. That's all, are there any questions? ”

After listening to Nojima's explanation, he clearly understood the situation and could accept part of it. But his face was still hostile, because he couldn't accept the whole situation, and he knew that there was no point in protesting.

“…… I'm coming here tomorrow, right? ”

"That's only if the inspection is done tomorrow. The more expensive the relic, the more time it will take to inspect it. And even if we've already inspected the goods, there's no point in you not bringing the goods, so bring something to sell. After you hand over some goods to us, I will give you the rest of the money. ”

Although Nojima was very strict with him, he always felt that Nojima was very considerate to him.

It's not uncommon for a small kid like Akira, who targets hunters, to come to the exchange center after unknowingly obtaining some relics. Nojima had seen such children a few times before. But only a handful of people will come here a second time, either by giving up their identity as hunters or by being killed. Even fewer children will come back after the first 10 days.

“…… I don't know how much crazy stuff you've done to get those relics. But if your goal is to become a hunter, you're going to have to do those crazy things every day. With so much heartbreak, it's time to stop, or you're dead. ”

Akira replied with a serious face.

"No way. If it's just risking your life, it's no different from life in a slum. I'm going to make it, I will. ”

A person with a strong determination gains strength, which, in turn, brings out the full potential of that person. Nojima smiled slightly, and from Akira's words, he clearly felt his determination.

"Is that so? Well, be careful outside. ”

Nojima felt that the young man in front of him would be fine, and his heart suddenly became happy.