บท 5: Chapter 4: Heaven's Arena!
Raymond remained at Tatiana's place, utilizing her hospitality to gather essential information.
Aware of Tatiana's limited knowledge, confined to her homeland, Raymond sought alternative sources.
"Do you know if there's a public library nearby?" he inquired.
Tatiana paused, her hand resting on her chin as she pondered. Suddenly, her eyes lit up with recognition.
"Ah, we don't have public libraries here, but there's a store down the street that sells affordable used books," she replied eagerly.
Raymond nodded appreciatively, grateful for the lead Tatiana provided.
"...Guess I'll head to that bookstore then," Raymond murmured, contemplating how far 10,000 Jenny could stretch.
Tatiana chuckled, shaking her head. "You might not need to spend anything. The owner's empathetic to those without resources, so he lets people read for free."
Raymond's face lit up with gratitude, earning a gentle smile from Tatiana as he prepared to depart. "Thanks, Tatiana. I'll make sure to come back soon."
"Take care, Raymond. Don't stay out too late," Tatiana said, her tone filled with maternal concern.
Raymond felt a pang of warmth at Tatiana's motherly demeanor. Though initially found it surprising, he realized he didn't want to reject her kindness.
With a nod, he replied, "Got it. See you soon."
Exiting the quaint bookstore, Raymond caught snippets of conversation from a group of middle-aged ladies nearby.
"It's a shame, really."
"We had such high hopes for him, thinking he'd bring positive change to our community."
Curious, Raymond discreetly eavesdropped as he continued on his way, hoping to glean some valuable information.
"It's such a pity his company went under..."
"He was on the brink of success, but it all fell apart in the end..."
Raymond sighed, his mind swirling with thoughts as he reflected on the conversation he overheard.
"It's all too familiar," he muttered to himself, his brow furrowing in contemplation.
"Running a business is no easy feat. Keeping it afloat is a challenge in itself, let alone trying to grow it."
He surmised that the individual mentioned must have faced difficulties, likely attempting to expand their business using a loan.
It was a common strategy for business expansion, offering much-needed flexibility.
Setting aside the fleeting thoughts, Raymond proceeded to the place Tatiana had recommended.
Arriving at the small bookstore, Raymond was initially mistaken for a snack-hunting child by the owner since the store had been offering freebies to kids around the neighborhood.
After clarifying his interest in books, Raymond perused the shelves but soon realized he couldn't decipher the unfamiliar script.
Observing Raymond's struggle, the owner kindly stepped in and began teaching him the alphabet. He found the characters somewhat familiar, resembling those on Earth but with different symbols.
Impressed by Raymond's swift comprehension, the owner watched in amazement as Raymond quickly memorized all the letters within just an hour.
Marveling at his progress, the owner couldn't help but wonder if Raymond might be a genius as he observed him diligently practicing reading a book.
With newfound literacy, Raymond initially struggled to read at a steady pace, taking his time to familiarize himself with the symbols.
However, he soon found himself engrossed in the books, spending hours lost in their pages.
The kind owner, impressed by Raymond's dedication and quick learning, allowed him to stay in the bookstore without charging him a single coin.
Raymond felt grateful for the opportunity as he take note of the owner face to make sure he paid back the favor.
As the day drew to a close, the owner informed Raymond that it was time to close up shop.
Reluctantly, Raymond asked if he could return the next day to continue his reading adventures.
The owner happily agreed, beaming with pride at Raymond's enthusiasm.
For the next three days, Raymond immersed himself in the world of books, devouring every page with gusto.
With Tatiana's hospitality providing him a comfortable place to stay, Raymond spent his days expanding his knowledge.
"...No mention of the Dark Continent or any Hunter records among these pile of books, huh?" Raymond murmured to himself as he wandered through the city streets while recalling everything he had read on that tiny store.
Disappointed by the lack of relevant knowledge, Raymond found comfort in his newfound understanding of the world's basics.
And with that knowledge came a spark of inspiration for potential business ventures, filling him with a sense of excitement that manifested in a wide smile as he wandered.
Though he had told Tatiana he was just exploring the city, his true destination lay ahead as he arrived at the towering structure known as Heaven's Arena.
Raymond couldn't help but grin as he gazed up at the imposing structure, dwarfing the surrounding skyscrapers.
"So, this is Heaven's Arena," Raymond remarked, taking in the awe-inspiring sight before him.
"...Walking on thin ice, huh?"
He thoroughly understood the perilous nature of his new reality.
Aware of the dangers lurking in his new world, Raymond knew he needed strength and wealth to survive.
"Might as well dance on it," He mused, a crazed grin spreading across his face.
With determination coursing through his veins, Raymond's excitement bubbled as he envisioned the path ahead.
As he approached Heaven's Arena, he couldn't help but notice the long line of eager participants waiting for their chance to battle.
Without hesitation, he joined the queue while silently observing the lines of people around him.
He couldn't help but notice the curious glances thrown his way.
It seemed he was the only participant of his age among a sea of adults, sparking whispers among the spectators.
However, Raymond remained unfazed, maintaining his nonchalant demeanor as he patiently waited his turn.
After nearly an hour of anticipation, Raymond finally reached the registration booth.
A friendly attendant greeted him with a smile.
"Hello there, how may I assist you?"
Raymond stood on his tiptoes to meet her gaze.
"I'd like to register as a fighter," he said confidently.
Though surprised by Raymond's youthful appearance, the attendant remained professional. She handed him a form with a smile.
"Certainly, please fill out this form," she instructed.
Raymond nodded in understanding and carefully filled out the form, adapting to the unfamiliar symbols with ease.
Once he completed the form, he handed it back to the attendant, who glanced over it before issuing him a badge number:
[1102]
With a surge of excitement coursing through him, Raymond followed the attendant's directions to one of the battle arenas inside the building.
"...Time to get stronger," he muttered to himself.
---
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