The glasses clinked together, making the golden beer ripple like waves.

"This place is different from those dives that sell piss-like beer. Musicians even come here often, so if you're lucky, you might catch a free performance. Let's drink!"

"...Hmph, not bad..."

The axe warrior Gurumon and the thief Rust downed their beers without hesitation. The cold beer washed away the fatigue in their throats, warming their stomachs and sending the alcohol coursing through their bodies.

Eight hours had passed since they'd gone goblin hunting with the Game Master. They had completed their quest and parted ways, with only the warrior and thief remaining behind to unwind over drinks.

The Master had seemed interested in joining the after-party, but unfortunately couldn't attend as he'd been dragged away by a terrifying flame magician.

"I still had so many questions. Like what was that scar over Goblin Min's left eye? Who was the one who took that cunning bastard's eye?"

"...Hmph, I think it must be connected to the Goblin Dynasty."

How did these two mismatched individuals—the boastful warrior and the shifty thief—become such good friends?

Their friendship began the moment the thief fumbled and the warrior shielded him, taking an arrow in his place. It had been a dangerous attack that could have torn their character sheets.

And when the warrior was framed as a goblin murderer by Goblin Min's evil scheme, the thief forged evidence to create an alibi and save him.

Having helped each other through life-and-death situations, how could they not be friends?

Though it all happened in their imagination, it was a magnificent journey.

It had been awkward at first, but the deeper they immersed themselves in the story, the more their trivial thoughts faded away, leaving only the clear goal of arresting Goblin Min for justice.

Is this why people seek out street performances, storytellers' tales, or books? The cultural shock was even greater for these two, whose only hobbies had been axe maintenance and dagger sharpening.

As they reminisced, the empty beer mugs piled up, and they talked about their imaginary journey in their increasingly drunken state.

"At first, we met at an inn. I was a rookie who had never been to Lukelln before, and I didn't know about the Goblin Emperor's decree."

"...Hmph, looking back, it's fortunate I didn't end up in jail. I threw a punch at the goblin server first..."

Their chatter continued without pause.

The first case and meeting the master detective, the detective's death at a cliff waterfall caused by the mastermind, and the Miranda principle he left behind.

How they helped a merchant who was about to go bankrupt due to an orc's self-harming extortion, and the bright smile of the little girl they received as a reward.

Finally, Goblin Min emerging from the shadows, and his cunning ways of circumventing the law!

By this point in the story, the people eating and chatting in the tavern had quieted down one by one and started focusing on their adventure tale. Where was this Lukelln country, and what was this Goblin Emperor all about...?

The tavern became as quiet as a temple, except for the two men's voices. Everyone was listening intently, eager to catch every bit of information flowing from that table.

It was different from the stale stories the bards usually told.

But... it was tantalizing.

Reminiscing stories lack coherence. They skipped over parts, assuming they both knew everything.

"That final trick was truly spine-chilling."

"...Heh, you mean 'The Wisdom Tooth.'"

"Yes, the wisdom tooth..."

It was frustrating and sad when they glossed over with terms only they understood. Nevertheless, the journey of the Detective Mercenary Group had something that stimulated people's dopamine.

Hans, a bard who had been quietly listening from a nearby table, couldn't hold back any longer and approached the warrior and thief.

A bard's job is to compose songs about great stories and spread them. But how many heart-pounding adventure tales exist in this world? The bard industry was suffering from a chronic shortage of material.

But this story! How much patronage would he receive if he sang this! This was an investment. Hans opened his wallet.

"Excuse me, adventurers. I'm a passing bard. I'd like to buy you appetizers and beer. But in return, could you tell me your story in detail from the beginning?"

Warrior Gurumon and thief Rust looked at each other and smirked at this unprecedented offer. To think even a bard would be interested in their adventure!

"Have a seat. We'll tell you everything! Three people met at an inn..."

"...Hmph, first we should talk about the country of Lukelln..."

They began their story methodically despite their drunken state, carefully explaining the three mysteries the Detective Mercenary Group faced and their nemesis.

But they made one mistake while telling their tale.

"Hahaha! If I hadn't blocked that arrow, who knows where it would have hit. If it had hit your lower body, you might have died as a eunuch, right?"

"...Hmph, have you forgotten how I cleared your name? And dying as a eunuch would be a better end than having your head cut off on the execution platform..."

By the time the bard declared unlimited beer, they were so drunk that they forgot to explain that this was just a game.

Since it was only a TRPG, they talked about life-threatening situations calmly and cheerfully. It was natural. It was a game, after all.

But from the audience's perspective... even though the adventure in Lukelln ruled by the Goblin Emperor seemed like a far-fetched story.

The way they recounted perilous situations without any tension made them appear like seasoned veteran mercenaries who had been through it all.

"Could you tell me more about that decree?"

"Ah, I had it written down somewhere... but not on me. Do you have it?"

"...Hmph, I wrote down all the clues the Master provided. Let me show you."

And the Mad Magician's suspiciously meticulous attention to detail added credibility.

Plus, the two had been living elsewhere and only recently entered the city of Elpiris. No one knew their past activities!

As a result.

"Gentlemen, I've heard your story. I hear you adventured in the new continent with someone called Master? You should have told me earlier. I would have recommended you for a gold badge promotion..."

"...?"

After nursing a hangover for a day, then lounging in the inn for another day, they sluggishly headed to the Adventurer's Guild, only to be greeted by the guild receptionist saying such things.

"They say those are the famous Detective Mercenary Group..."

"I heard they can tell your age just by looking at you? Is it really true?"

"......"

"...Hmph..."

The warrior and thief looked at each other.

Then, without a word, they both ran out to find the Master.

===============================================================

I'm not sure how this snowball started rolling, but stories about the fictional country of Lukelln began circulating, like some Eastern travelogue drifting through the West.

"Goblin Min's evil fangs gleamed with the light of intellect!"

"When the excellent magician Servion Greatmage cast his spell-!"

Walking down the street, every bard was singing their own variation of the story.

Selvia spoke with a complex expression. She seemed to feel strange hearing her character name so often. Perhaps half embarrassed, half proud.

"...Wow, what's going on? Did Gurumon and Rust—the warrior and thief—sell the story or something?"

"I don't know. It seems to have leaked from their side."

"What should we do? Don't we need to clean this up?"

"Why clean it up? The fickle trends of the human world are unpredictable, so if the southeast wind blows, we should unfurl our sails...!"

This isn't an accident but an opportunity. An opportunity to spread TRPG far and wide!

Our little game has gone viral, and if we push hard now... maybe the seeds of TRPG will sprout in this world with little entertainment. And then a global trend will follow.

My heart races. If TRPG grows like this and becomes the national hobby of the fantasy world...?

When neighbor Hans meets Jena from next door, they'll play cyberpunk instead of house, and taverns will host romantic comedy sessions instead of dice gambling.

When something like the Olympics is held, TRPG will be an official event. Everyone will cheer watching replays, and there will even be a title like Professional TRPG Master.

Official Game Master training academies will emerge, quality scenarios will pour out, and there will be plenty of Masters to run sessions besides me...!

If news of a new rulebook spreads and funding is instantly achieved. If I don't have to die waiting for official rulebook releases...

If only that could happen, I would be truly happy. I would be half-dead with happiness!

"...Oppa? Your eyes are rolling again. Snap out of it. Can you hear me?"

Now's the time!

I didn't exactly plan this, but now's the time!

This is a sacred mission bestowed upon me by the Goddess. A revelation to spread TRPG in this world. If there was no such revelation, I would hack the Goddess to make one. I feel destiny right now.

The rules of the game, how to play, basic promises and disciplines, there's a wise way to spread all of this.

It's the rulebook. Just distribute rulebooks everywhere.

Since there's no copyright law in this world, I could copy good rulebooks from Earth, but that lacks respect. I'm not lacking in brains, so I'll make my own.

It won't take long to write a rulebook. I've made over 100 homemade rules for fun over the past 10 years. I have more than enough.

And to print this...

To print... I need money.

I can't help but eye the quest completion money we received for clearing the goblin village. Originally, it was money earned to buy a carriage and horse, but with that, I could cover the printing costs.

"...Oppa? Why are you looking at the money pouch like that?"

"...It's not a waste. It's an investment."

Yes, it's an investment. Once I print rulebooks and they sell like hotcakes, I could buy ten carriages.

I'm not pursuing self-interest right now. I'm making a healthy investment. And that's not all?

This might be the starting point that changes history. Isn't one money pouch a small price to pay for leaving a mark in history...?

I moved stealthily. And then.

"Hey."

"......"

"Hey, hey...! Where are you going with that money pouch!!"

"This is a valuable investment, Selvia!"

I ran with the money pouch.

Crash, bang!

I could see Selvia following closely behind, holding her staff like a bat. But I will not yield to such external pressure. For glory!

Coming down from our second-floor inn room, passing through the lobby on the first floor, and heading out the main entrance...

"Master, help us!"

"...Hmph, a troublesome matter has arisen..."

Along with our precious two players.

"There he is! Are you the 'Master'?!"

"Tell us more about Lukelln!"

"Grant us bards material for our songs!"

Bards with dollar signs in their eyes had surrounded the inn, hoping to extract stories.

I was momentarily taken aback, but my decision was quick.

I naturally shifted into rulebook-selling boy mode.

"Everyone! Bards of the world, if you buy this rulebook that will be released soon! Anyone can explore Lukelln and enjoy thrilling adventures!"

"We don't care about that, just tell us the story!"

"Just by rolling dice, fantastic adventures will unfold before your eyes...!"

"Do you mean you'll tell us the story if we buy that book?! Can't we just pay you directly?"

While I wanted to recommend the rulebook and the bards just wanted material for their songs, not caring about anything else, a battle of wills ensued.

"Excuse me. He is my acquaintance. Please allow me to speak with him first."

Someone emerged through the crowd.

Perky rabbit ears, and a distinctive rabbit mask. A bunny girl outfit that looked daring due to its lack of volume in the chest area. And the unmistakable aura of a powerful individual.

It was the Rabbit Princess, a singer who had made a name for herself in Trumpet Hall.

She seemed to be respected among the bards. The crowd surrounding the inn began to step back at her words.

Selvia, who had followed me while panting, saw the Rabbit Princess appearing on the main street in broad daylight in that outrageous outfit and whispered to me.

"...A crazy woman? Do you know her?"

The Rabbit Princess's body flinched. Her excellent hearing had caught Selvia's words. Her face was probably bright red behind the mask.

I answered.

"...Yes, I know her."

Her true identity was none other than Sissel Urensto, formerly the strongest knight of the Eastern Front.

It seems she was enjoying her life after being "forcibly expelled"...