Malazan Empire: Puck - Viewing Profile - Malazan Empire

So, all that is happening in the world aside, I'm going to need a bike soon. My work is moving to bumf*ck nowhere, where it's 20 mins walking to the next bus stop and the bus schedule is... creative. Anyway, a 35-minute-walk away there's a bus stop with a good schedule and a connection to where I reside these days, and the area is nice, so the obvious solution in the face of the fact that I don't have a driver's license and couldn't afford a car anyway, is to get a bike. Preferably asap so I can get used to it.

I interviewed my brother since he spent years biking an hour each way to and from work, and would also like some input from the hive mind.

The area I'm looking to be using it in is hilly countryside, and also some leisure time biking, also in the countryside. Hate city centers, will take the bus to go shopping and I walk everywhere else.

I don't fancy looking like a hippy, so the trendy city bike stuff is out of the question (and also expensive, because muh vintage look).

My brother recommended a beginner mountain bike with some specs I was able to find in a decently priced model. People at work said "don't get anything girly". A friend I asked said that's nuts and get a city or trekking bike. I admit, lookswise the only difference between trekking and mountain bike to me is the luggage carrier (which I can mount on the MTB myself anyway) and the more weather appropriate tire profile on the MTB. It's also cheaper. Then again, my brother recommended the MTB because he's used to (pre-war) Ukrainian roads, which were more holes than roads to begin with.

I don't know what to do and can't afford to buy in a shop since that's more expensive. But I need to get to work somehow starting in May and don't fancy walking. Help me decide!