August 1349.
Strictly speaking, it was still summer, but Tingen, located in the north of the Loen Kingdom, was not particularly hot.
On a cool morning, a ship slowly entered the Dock District and pulled in at the pier.
Workers and sailors bustled about on the docks.
Suddenly, a shout erupted from a small merchant ship.
"You said you'd take me to Backlund! Why are you making me get off now?!"
People turned to look.
There was a rather tall girl on that ship.
Her features were still somewhat youthful, but she was already quite big.
Rage churned in her deep blue eyes. No one doubted that she could easily lift the scrawny captain off the ground.
Standing before the girl was a thin middle-aged man in his forties.
He wore a sailor's cap, and one of his legs was clearly lame. Even while standing on a wooden crate, he could only look up at the girl before him.
The captain sighed. "Miss Nefi, the fare you paid isn't nearly enough to get to Backlund."
"Besides, those 'coins' of yours can't even be considered fare."
"If you hadn't helped me drive off those pirates, I wouldn't even have brought you to Tingen."
"I think I've already done my duty by bringing you here."
The girl named Nefi said angrily, "In my hometown, shells and pretty stones from the sea are money."
The captain looked helpless. "But this is Loen. The only things used for trade here are copper Pennies, soli, and Gold Pounds."
"All right, you should get off the ship now."
"Maybe you can find work here, save up some money, then go wherever you want."
"I suggest becoming a Hunter."
Nefi said indignantly, "I already am a Hunter! Even brown bears in the mountains turn around and run