Reincarnated in a VRMMO: I'll be the strongest

Chapter 9: Suspicion

After hunting monsters relentlessly, I visited the adventurer guild.

I thought I would cash in since I had hunted a fair amount.

I spoke to the cat woman at the reception.

Excuse me. I hunted some monsters and would like to turn them in.

Yes, sure...! You are!

Huh?

She was the one who helped me the first time I came here.

For some reason, she stared at me with a surprised expression.

Is something wrong with me?

Ah, sorry nyah! I was just relieved you came back safely nyah.

Huh?

It is nothing nyah! Um, you want to turn in monster hunts nyah?

Yes.

She just muttered something concerning, I think.

So then. Where are the monsters you hunted nyah?

Ah, they are stored in my inventory right now. I couldn't carry them all because there were too many.

What do you mean nyah?

Let me take one out for now.

Since explaining would be a hassle, I decided to take out just one Hunter Wolf carcass.

Heave ho.

!! I see... so you have a storage skill nyah.

Well, something like that.

I will let her think that.

But I am surprised you could win nyah... Hunter Wolves are supposed to be unbeatable without being around level 10.

Huh? I don't think you need to be that level.

But I heard that a solo player can't beat them without being around that level nyah.

Hmm? Something is strange.

A beginner might find Hunter Wolves tough, but if you read their movements well, you can win even around level 5.

I don't think they are that strong.

It is great that you worked hard to beat them, but I don't want you to push yourself nyah. Your life matters nyah. I understand wanting to earn money, but dying would make it meaningless nyah! Next time you should stick to safe slimes nyah!

Uh, sure...

Why am I being lectured?

She is really worried about me.

But just coming back safely is impressive nyah. Even if it is only one, it is a fine hunt nyah. Please wait a moment while I appraise it nyah.

Ah, no, there is more.

What! There is more nyah! You don't mean you beat two nyah!

Does she have to be so surprised every time?

She is an overdramatic person.

No, I beat more than that.

!? That is impossible nyah... How many did you beat nyah?

Let's see... I think 32.

!?!? 32!? Is that true nyah!?

Yes.

I could have done more, but I had hunted most of the monsters in the area, so I came back at a good stopping point.

Thanks to that, I also leveled up. I am now level 3.

Um... please wait a moment nyah!

She said that and hurried to the back.

What was that all about?

After waiting a while, she came back from the back.

I am very sorry, but I need you to come with me nyah.

Huh? Why?

Well, there is someone who wants to see you, so please wait in the back room nyah.

Uh, sure, okay.

Someone wants to see me? Who could it be?

I will just follow her. I will find out soon enough.

I followed her and was guided to a certain room.

Inside the room were simple chairs and a desk.

I will go call them, so please wait a moment nyah.

She immediately left the room.

Well, well. Who will show up?

I have no idea.

I only know a limited number of people in this world.

But whatever. I will wait.

About three minutes later, a middle aged man opened the door and appeared.

Hmm. So you are the one...

?

He was a burly man in his fifties.

The man entered the room and sat across from me.

After sitting, he crossed his arms and started staring at me intently.

Um, why was I called?

Hmm. Let me ask you one thing. Where did you come from?

Well, from an orphanage.

Hmm.

Who is this guy anyway?

I don't recognize him at all.

I am the branch chief of this adventurer guild. Just think of me as the person with the most authority in this building.

Wow.

The branch chief came out of nowhere.

Now I really don't know why I was called.

I heard about you from Reimi.

Reimi?

The cat woman who helped you.

Ah, that woman. So her name is Reimi.

So, what do you want with me?

I still don't think you could have beaten them.

What are you talking about?

Let me be blunt. Where did you find the Hunter Wolves you claimed to have beaten?

Huh?

Found?

What is this guy saying?

Well, sometimes people say "found" when they get drop items from monsters, but that is not the case here.

No, no. That sounds bad. I beat all of them myself!

Do not lie. There is no way a level 1 brat just out of an orphanage could beat a Hunter Wolf.

Come on...

One might be believable, but 32? Do you expect me to believe such nonsense?

Hey, hey. Is this guy suspicious of me?

Nonsense or not, it is the truth! I really beat them!

There are people like that sometimes. Those who steal other people's prey and claim it as their own.

So I told you! I didn't do that!

The guild must evaluate fairly. We cannot have rank fraud running rampant.

You are making a wrong evaluation right now, so what are you talking about?

Besides, even if I did find them, there is no way 32 would be lying around! What kind of situation would that be!?

Maybe you have been collecting them diligently for years. Good for you.

So I told you! That is not it! I beat all of them!

You seem to have a rare skill, but I will not give you special treatment. Do not get carried away.

It is no use... He won't listen at all.

Then let me show you me actually fighting! Would that convince you?

Hmph. I will not fall for that trick. If you killed me disguised as an accident, that would be terrible.

...

My head is starting to hurt.

I feel like explaining any more is useless.

This guy is too stubborn.

Do not do this again after this lesson. I will let you off with just a warning this time. Be grateful.

So I told you that is not it.

Hmph. I will give you credit for your spirit. Direct that energy toward monsters. That is all.

He said that and left the room.

In his place, the woman, Reimi, came in.

Um, I will appraise the 32 carcasses, so please take out the Hunter Wolves nyah.

Huh? You are going to appraise them?

Yes. Since you did bring monsters, the decision is to make a special exception nyah.

Special exception, huh.

Then please do.

Yes. Please come with me and I will guide you nyah.

Well, fine. If she is willing to do it, that is enough.

When I took out the 32 carcasses, Reimi showed surprise for what seemed like the umpteenth time.

As expected, with that many, it seemed to take time.

After waiting a while, Reimi called me.

Um, the appraisal is finished nyah.

So, how much is it?

Here you are nyah. For an F rank, reaching this amount is considered quite excellent nyah.

She handed me a tray with coins on it.

On it were 6 large copper coins.

For reference, the coins are as follows.

10 small copper coins = 1 medium copper coin

10 medium copper coins = 1 large copper coin

10 large copper coins = 1 silver coin

10 silver coins = 1 gold coin

With one medium copper coin, you can have a satisfying meal. So this amount is a pretty good reward.

I was accused falsely, but I got my reward, so I suppose this is fine for today.