Chapter 9: Chapter 9: A Different Beginner
After listening to Eina's explanation, Rein suddenly remembered something important. He looked at Eina and asked casually,
"By the way, does the Guild provide protective gear for beginner adventurers?"
Eina blinked for a moment, then nodded.
"Yes, we do. The Guild has a support program for beginner adventurers. We provide Starter Equipment, which includes basic protective gear and a simple weapon. But since our stock is limited, it's usually only given to adventurers who truly need it."
Hearing that, Rein gave a small smile.
"In that case, can you help me get one? I just started as an adventurer and don't have proper equipment yet."
Eina stared at him for a moment before letting out a quiet sigh.
"Alright, I'll take care of it. Wait here for a moment."
She then walked toward the room behind the counter, leaving Rein sitting and observing the Guild's atmosphere. He watched adventurers passing by—some looked relaxed, while others appeared exhausted after returning from the Dungeon.
Not long after, Eina returned with a small package in her hands.
"Here it is. A beginner's equipment set. It includes a leather chest guard, gloves, and leg guards. They're not very strong, but they'll help reduce injuries from light attacks."
Rein took the package and inspected its contents. The protective gear looked simple, but it was better than having no protection at all.
"Thank you, Eina. This really helps," he said sincerely.
"It's no problem, Rein. But remember, this equipment only provides minimal protection. Never rely too much on armor—what matters most in the Dungeon are your skills and awareness," Eina warned with a serious tone.
Rein nodded, understanding her point.
"I get it. I'll be careful."
Eina gave a small smile, relieved.
"Good. Now, is there anything else you want to ask before you go?"
Rein smirked slightly and shrugged before asking casually,
"By the way, to fight monsters… what should I use?"
Eina answered without thinking.
"Of course, a weap—" But before she could finish her sentence, her face paled slightly. She suddenly realized she had only given him protective gear and completely forgotten about the weapon.
"Ah! I forgot to give you a weapon! I'm so sorry, Rein!" Eina quickly bowed, apologizing for her mistake.
Rein simply chuckled at her reaction.
"It's fine. So, can you help me get one?"
Eina immediately nodded.
"Of course! The Guild provides several types of beginner weapons—swords, daggers, axes, bows… Hmm, what kind of weapon do you want to use?"
Rein thought for a moment. He knew his talent was related to the spear. Instead of trying out different weapons, it was better to pick one that suited his natural abilities.
"A spear," he answered without hesitation.
Eina looked slightly surprised but quickly smiled in understanding.
"A spear, huh? That's a good choice. It has a longer reach than a sword and is effective for beginners to keep monsters at a distance." She nodded before continuing,
"Alright, wait here. I'll check if we still have a beginner's spear in stock."
Eina then went to the storage room again, leaving Rein waiting.
He examined the equipment he had received. A short-sleeved leather tunic—simple but strong enough to reduce light attacks. His shorts felt flexible, allowing for easy movement, while the thick-soled boots would help absorb impact during combat. He also got protective gloves, which provided a better grip when holding a weapon.
Rein had no complaints. As a beginner, getting free protective gear like this was more than enough. He gave a small smile, feeling satisfied.
Before long, Eina returned, carrying a wooden spear with an iron tip. She approached Rein and handed it to him.
"Here's the spear. For beginners, the Guild only provides lightweight spears like this. But if you use it well, it will still help you survive in the Dungeon."
Rein accepted the spear with a relaxed smile and lightly swung it around. His movements were so natural, as if the spear was an extension of his own body.
With a simple motion, he spun the spear in the air before thrusting it forward. But at that moment—
"HEY! WATCH IT!"
An adventurer who happened to be walking past nearly got hit by his spear. The man scowled in annoyance.
"Don't play around in crowded places, newbie!"
Rein immediately stopped and slightly bowed his head in apology.
"Sorry, I got carried away."
After that, he quickly strapped the spear onto his back, not wanting to cause any more trouble.
Eina, who had been watching the whole thing, could only give a small smile. However, her eyes focused on the way Rein had moved the spear earlier.
"You… seem quite familiar with using a spear." Her tone carried a hint of surprise.
"The way you swung it just now was very smooth, as if you've used one before. Honestly, your spear-handling skills don't seem low."
Rein simply gave a faint smile, neither confirming nor denying it. To him, there was no need to explain too much about his abilities. What mattered was that he had gotten what he needed.
After receiving his equipment and chatting for a bit, Rein felt he had taken up enough of Eina's time.
"I think I've kept you long enough, Eina. I'll get going now. There are other adventurers who need your help."
Eina gave a small smile and nodded.
"It's fine, Rein. Take care in the Dungeon. And remember what I told you."
"Of course." Rein smiled casually before turning around and walking out of the Guild.
---
Meanwhile, Eina still stood in place, watching Rein's figure disappear into the distance. At that moment, one of her colleagues—a female staff member with short brown hair—approached her.
"Hey, Eina. Who was that handsome guy? Introduce me to him!" she asked curiously.
Eina turned to her and let out a small sigh before answering casually.
"He's just a beginner."
"Oh? But he seems different from the usual new adventurers."
"He is… He joined the Hestia Familia because he fell in love with Goddess Hestia."
Her colleague's eyes widened in shock.
"WHAT?! He joined a Familia just because he fell in love with the Goddess?!"
Others who overheard the conversation were also surprised. Some of them started whispering among themselves.
"Huh? Seriously? That's such a weird reason."
"Eh, but if you think about it… it's kind of romantic, isn't it?"
"He must be prepared to struggle, considering the Hestia Familia is still small and lacks resources."
"But if he really loves his Goddess… Hah, I wonder how far he'll go!"
Eina just smiled faintly, somewhat amused by their reactions. However, deep down, she also wondered if Rein was truly serious about what he said.
---
At the same time—
Rein walked leisurely through the streets of Orario, enjoying the cool night breeze on his face. He wasn't thinking too much about what had just happened at the Guild.
Of course, he had no idea that in the future, his name would become famous throughout Orario.
Because he was the man who dared to love a Goddess.
But that was a matter for another time. For now, he just wanted to go home and get a good night's sleep.