Beep beep beep beep! Beep beep beep beep!

"Uuuugh…!"

She extended her hand towards the direction of the screen to silence the alarm while her eyes remained closed.

Around here? Mmm~... got it.

After pressing the alarm OFF button on the screen, she opened her eyes, sat up, and stretched with a yawn.

"Exactly five o'clock. Alright, time to get ready."

After saying so, she started preparing herself by taking out items like a brush for her hair and training wear from the item box.

It's been two days since the battle with the zombie horde, yet it's still the talk of the town.

Some say it was the A-rank adventurers who defeated them. Others claim it was the army of Liedgarm. And then there are those who say it was a miracle from the gods that scattered the zombies. The credibility of each claim is debated among the townsfolk, leaving them wondering who truly defeated the zombie horde.

Among the stories the most plausible theory is that the heroes defeated the zombie horde.

However, as for the person responsible for defeating that zombie horde...

'Make sure to wash your face and get rid of the waste before you go out, got it!?'

"Um... Ms. Meltenas, can I do my morning training before washing my face?"

'Didn't you forget to wash yourself after morning training last time? Can I really trust your words?'

Ouch! This goddess really knows how to hit where it hurts.

Yes, this happened when I was still in Gozes, when Meltenas was teaching me proper manners for girls... I thought I'd sweat during morning training and then wash my face, but I forgot to wash my face and went straight to the General Guild.

Later, when I returned to the inn, I received a communication from Meltenas and was scolded outright. I still remember that fear, and I engraved in my heart that I must never make an enemy out of her.

"I just forgot that time. Please believe me."

'Alright, I'll trust you. Besides, since today is your promotion exam, you'll probably need some time, right?'

Phew, she understood.

'But! If you come back without washing your face... I will be angry.'

"U-understood."

'Then, I'll take my leave.'

With that, Meltenas ended the communication.

Now then, even though I almost got scolded by Ms. Meltenas, shall I go for my morning training?

After having a light meal, I grabbed the key to my room, locked the door from outside, and checked if the doorknob was locked.

"Yeah, it won't open. With this, the door is securely locked!"

After saying that, I started walking towards the counter.

"Good morning!"

I greeted energetically the elderly lady who seemed bored behind the counter, but she responded with indifference.

"Hmm? Oh, it's you again. Heading out for training?"

"Yes."

"Wasn't your D-rank promotion exam supposed to be today?"

Good memory. Well, if you're running an inn, you need to keep track of your guests' plans.

"That's correct."

"Every adventurer I've seen before their promotion exam either rests their body as much as possible or prepares for the exam before attempting it, but you always do something completely different."

"Well, today I'm just considering this a warm-up before the exam, so I'll take it easy."

Failing the exam due to overdoing it during morning training sounds ridiculous, but I owe it to my master from my past life to keep up with my daily routine.

"Oh, yeah? Did you make sure to lock up properly?"

"Yes, I double-checked. Here's the key."

I placed the key on the counter.

"Alright. What about meals?"

Ah, confirming meals before heading out is a rule at this inn. If I don't say it, she won't prepare it because we haven't talked about it.

"I'll have meals for breakfast and dinner, please."

"Only breakfast and dinner, huh? Also, wake up Lima when you come back."

"Understood. Well then, I'll be off!"

"Take care. Don't get involved with any weirdos out there."

I open the door of the inn and step outside for my training, then start with some light warm-up exercises before beginning my run.

Then, I ran all the way to the square in the Royal Capital and began my martial arts training. This has become my daily routine.

The training method is quite simple: practice basic Muay Thai and martial arts forms. Since there's an exam today, I'll take it easier than usual.

"...Phew, since I'll have an exam later, I'll call it a day here and head back."

I said that and then, feeling the sweat, I lightly stretched before running back along the way I came.

"I'm back!"

I said as I entered the inn, but there was no response from the elderly lady. Why isn't she responding? I thought as I looked around the inn, and I saw the old lady at the counter processing the check-in for a man who seemed like a merchant.

"Yes, that will be three nights without meals, totaling nine copper coins."

"...Mm"

The man who seemed like a merchant placed nine copper coins on the counter. The old lady took the coins and handed the room key to the man.

"This is the key to your room, Room 104. When you leave the inn, please leave the key at the counter. Now, please follow me to your room."

"Understood."

As the man spoke, the old lady stood up from the counter, then began speaking while looking at me.

"Can I ask you to watch over this place for a moment? I'll be right back."

"Uh, sure, I can do that."

Upon hearing my response, the old lady began to guide the guest to his room.

Now that I think about it, was it really a good idea to leave it to someone like me, old lady?

"Well, she'll be back soon, so it should be fine."

...And there she is, back already.

"I'm sorry for leaving the counter to you. I owe you thanks."

"Hauh!?"

Uh-oh!? My heart just skipped a beat!?

"Do you react to everything like this!?"

"I-I wonder~..."

"You really... here's the key!"

The old lady, shaking her head in exasperation, handed me the key and immediately started talking.

"I've prepared hot water, so don't be shy and wake up Lima quickly!"

"Ye-yesh ma'am..."

I replied, feeling a bit dizzy, and headed towards Lima's room.

"...Lima-chan, are you awake?"

I knocked on Lima's room door to check if she was awake, but there was no response from her.

"...Are you still not awake? Lima-chan, I'm coming in!"

I used the key to open the door and entered Lima's room. When I looked at the bed, Lima was still sound asleep.

"Lima-chan, it's morning. Wake up."

I gently shook Lima's body and spoke, but the sleeping Lima just frowned.

"N-no... still sleepy, Miss..."

So cute! Lima-chan is too cute!!

But there's no point in returning if she just falls asleep again, and above all, I'll get scolded by that old lady, so I'll try to wake Lima-chan up.

"I don't mind if you keep sleeping, but won't you get in trouble with Grandma if you keep sleeping?"

"I... don't want to get scolded."

"So what do you think is the best course of action?"

"Mmm... I should wake up."

Lima said as she sat up, rubbing her eyes sleepily.

"Fuah~... Good morning, Miss."

"Good morning, Lima-chan. Shall we get ready and go see Grandma?"

"...Yeah."

"Alright, Lima-chan, sit here while I brush your hair."

"Okay."

Lima obediently sat on the chair, still looking a bit sleepy.

What a good kid! She's completely different from that old hag! I thought to myself, impressed, as I took a brush from my inventory and started to brush Lima's hair.

...If I do it too much, it might damage her hair, so let's stop here. Now, let's put on Lima-chan's favorite ribbon for her... There we go!

"Alright, we're done. You're good now."

"Yay!"

Lima said happily as she stood up from the chair and turned to me with a smile.

"Miss, how do I look?"

"You look great, Lima-chan."

"Hehe! I'm so happy to be praised by Miss!"

Oh my, this child is just too cute, isn't she!?

"Well then, shall we go see Grandma?"

"Yeah!"

Lima and I held hands as we walked together towards the counter where the old lady was. Of course, we remembered to lock the door when we left the room.

"Good morning, Granny!"

"Good morning, Lima. Did you get your hair brushed again?"

"Yes!"

"How adorable!"

"Hehe~"

Watching the conversation and smiles between Lima and the old lady, I felt a warm feeling in my heart.

Ah, it's nice to see a family-like scene like this. I'm glad I could protect this town.

"It was a good idea to leave it to you. It saves me the trouble of brushing Lima's hair, and it's even better because it's free!"

The old lady gave me a thumbs-up with a big smile, which made me feel a twinge of irritation.

This old hag! Just you wait, I'll get you someday!

While smiling politely, I clenched my fists tightly behind my back where they couldn't be seen by the old lady and Lima.

"That being said, I've left a bucket of hot water in your room, so use it to wash up. In the meantime, I'll prepare some food for you, so go ahead and come back."

The old lady said that as she handed over the key, so I took it from her.

"Yes, thank you very much."

After expressing my gratitude, I returned to my room to wash my hair and body. I wiped away the sweat with a damp towel and then I also wiped my body.

Once that was done, I emptied the hot water from the bucket into the basin and then turned on the faucet to rinse the bucket.

"In this world, there are some strange high-tech aspects that are convenient, but it's a bit inconvenient that only water comes out of the faucet."

Maybe this inn didn't have the budget to install hot water pipes in each room, so they only have hot water in the bath? Or maybe it's related to the water bill?

"Well, either way, it doesn't matter to me. Now, it's 6:30. Let's eat breakfast first and then head over there. If there's time left, I can spend it there."

With that, I left the room, carrying the washed bucket.

"Here, old lady, I'm returning the bucket."

I handed the bucket to the old lady.

"Thanks. Now, take your meal."

"Thank you."

As I received my breakfast, the old lady spoke to me.

"By the way, you..."

"Yes?"

"Why are you so calm all the time? I've never seen anyone as composed as you among all the adventurers I've met."

Ah, I see.

"It's thanks to the teachings of my master. He always said that in critical moments, one should strive to remain calm and deal with things calmly without panicking."

"I see... interesting..."

The old lady said, losing interest, and started writing something on the blackboard with chalk.

After that, I returned to my room to eat breakfast.

"Thank you for the meal. Alright, now let's get ready."

After finishing breakfast, I selected a MultiCam camouflage OPU-type outfit from the menu and put it on. Then, I equipped a Crye Precision JPC (Jumpable Plate Carrier) over the MultiCam, put on knee pads, and attached a CQC holster to my belt. 

"Now, for the weapons."

With that, I opened the armory and equipped an IWI ACE31, a JERICHO 941PSL, two MK3A2 grenades, and an M84 flashbang on the back of my plate carrier. Then, I chose a combat knife and attached it to my belt. After securing assault rifle and handgun magazines in the magazine pouches on the plate carrier, I checked to make sure I hadn't forgotten anything.

"Alright, I'm all set! Now, let's head to the General Guild!"

I said, leaving the room and locking the door before heading to the counter.

"Old lady, I'm off!"

"Aight, good luck with the exam!"

After leaving the key on the counter, I headed to the General Guild. But...

"Hmm? I feel like I'm forgetting something... Oh well, it's probably nothing. If I forgot any equipment, I can just bring it out on the spot."

She headed towards the General Guild without realizing that she had forgotten something important.