Adventurer's Guild
Chapter 3: Adventurer's Guild
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Adventurer's Guild
The union of all brave warriors that raises their shields to protect the people and vow to point their weapons to their sworn enemy, the Monsters.
Even back from the world Seiland –where otherworlders came – the fight between the two sides was long existed but with no apparent results on who are the true winners. The monster dies, then another will respawn. Same thing can be said for the adventurers. They sometimes lost their lives from the quest or retired from the job, but another will sprout a new. This endless cycle of battle might probably last forever.
The both world from the different realm was facing the same problem. Nevertheless this problem is what gives livelihood to the adventurer:
The people request the guild for a monster subjugation, and the guild respond by sending their capable adventurers to deal with it. In exchange, adventurers received monetary compensation from the requestors.
This simple and easy method of earning money was what attracted those who had power regardless of their status, gender and races to become an adventurer.
After walking about half an hour, the lad found himself standing on a looming building of the adventurer's guild. The white flag fluttered on the rooftop bearing the golden symbol of lance, sword and staff, crossing under a shield.
Above its veranda supported with by white pillars was the name "adventurer's guild" carve on the Seilandian alphabet under the carved adventurer's symbol.
Several people trudging in and out from the huge opened doors. Different people of different race with their signature styles of battle garments, but nevertheless all of them are here for the same thing –Adventure.
He climb the stairs in a nonchalant manner as he indulge the atmosphere of guild. Before the entrance, he raised his arm for his trusted companion Album to land.
"Crom!"
"Good work album"
He praised, brushing his rich white of feathers of the bird for another job well done.
While heading to guild, the festive atmosphere of the people was still going strong to the whole main street but his intuition tell him something… somethings out of place.
The philosopher heart is very sensitive in any dissonance from surroundings. Which one of the reason for theirs head to be filled with doubt and spin their gears to satisfy any questions they themselves created.
He's sixth sense were ringing some for some reason but he doesn't know what it is. Maybe because he was overwhelmed by his first impression of the city so he doesn't notice it right away. He worked up his brain to find that lost idea but wasn't so far as stopping from the road. It doesn't take long before the light of epiphany dawned over him.
There was still no uproar or any news whatsoever about the incident.
(Why hadn't I notice of that sooner?)
In the first place. Those thunderous noise of explosion should have reached the ears of those people outside the building district and smokes that rose above the building should had already visible around the area. But when the lad emerge on the back alley near the mains street, there's not a single soul ever voiced about it.
His head was filled with wonder – why?
The boy let the critule roam the sky once more to observe the movement people regarding the earlier incident to confirm his theory before casting the familiar spell [nota].
There was no doubt that the capital would be put on a high alert after some unknown individuals had made a ruins right inside their city. Regardless, this was the preferable outcome he was expecting since the household of eclipse will be observing for now and be more careful about their next encounter. Thus, he can move freely until the commotion died down.
But the late arrival of the knights was what pique his curiosity. There were already people fleeing from their houses. There would be at least one or two people reported the incidents immediately to the knights. If they arrived a little sooner the fight should have stopped and damage would spread no further.
(As I thought, they done something to the witness… and possibly they reported the incident themselves to the royal knights)
His head hanged with a frown.
The movement around the capital was still festive as always. Except for the couple of knight who orderly formed a barricade around the area to mask the incident. Sooner or later the people will find it strange about the appearance of royal knights and the news will spread soon like wildfire. But for now, only speculations and rumor can be heard around the people.
Those assassin he fought earlier were all [expert-ranks] who undertaken harsh training and discipline. They will never abandon their standard tactic and be exposed in the open just to capture their target. Unless of course-
They erected a sound proof and illusion barriers to mask all noise and smoke of the battle. And they have done it with while I'm in the middle of their assault, focusing all my attention to them.
Thus, they manage to erect the barrier, bypassing his energy perception. And gave them a chance to fight with AOE magic inside the barrier. If they indeed do something about the residents inside the barrier, then it does explain why the people had no idea what is happening.
A perfect secret battle ground for the atypical assassins who suppressed their power and deal with their targets with a minimal effort.
(How troublesome opponents.)
The boy smiled with awe under his mask, colored impressed about their feats.
But what done is done. And the curiosity was now cured. This was the best outcome he deserved.
He can review such things later since he already before the entrance of the guild.
(Hmm… what was that about?)
An all-girls adventurer party sneak some glances at him. So he responded by turned his head to them to them. But as he do so, the girls back away a little and with utmost caution.
He cocked his head in bewilderment. Is their first time having seen a man with a neat and clean clothes going inside the guild building? Rich people always tend to send their butlers or guards if ever they had appointment with the guild. But he was clearly not one the given. And poor will never wear a fine clothing like him.
But it seems it wasn't just those girls.
Moving his covered eyes to his surroundings, several adventures passed by also made the very same gestures just like how the all-girls party.
Why? was the only question running on his mind. He was about contemplate the reason behind but he immediately push the idea out of his head. Nothing better will happen if he just stand there thinking about unnecessary things.
Thus, he ignored all of curios gazes and proceed inside.
The boy was greeted by bustling activity that wasn't inferior on the main street of the building district.
Requestors filed on a line to send requests to the counter where the receptionist was taking care of the documents and other transactions. In that same counter on the other file, adventurers are carried a sacks containing the dismembered parts of monster; showing the evidence of the monster subjugation. And another file beside it was the line of those who wanted to register as an adventurer.
Besides the adventurer's reception area was bar. The adventurers merrily clanked their mug to toast of another victory, drinking their fatigues away after those adventures. A dwarf drink mouthful of bear on one swig and elf was wearing force smile from his excessive alcohol tolerance. And some rumbustious animal people was showing off all theirs feats during their earlier battle. But one thing that caught most of his attention was that topic.
"Phwah... Hey what do you think about that barrier. Was that really a fight you're the one who notice it first right?" (Human)
A human asked his demon friend after chugging down his alcohol. He leaned his body to grab some answers but instead he solicited a reprimand from the female elf. This three party of adventurer was discussing that earlier commotion yet unaware from one of the perpetrators who was keenly listening to them.
"Hey keep your voice down. The people is not aware about this incident. The capital is on a middle of the festival. Probably they will keep it a secret for now." (Elf)
"Yeah, yeah… I know, since the knights had surrounded the area and forbid people to enter. But sooner or later, some speculation will spread. But we do have an information broker will provide us some real information. But I had never seen such a concealed barrier before. If you would had stayed silent, I wouldn't have noticed it" (Human)
"True, even I, a demon, can barely perceive that barrier. But as a warrior, I can smell the battle spirit from the inside. Theirs is no doubt that it was a fight. I hate to say this but I had a sudden goosebumps from that" (demon)
"Hahaha… so even a demon, the supposed strongest race can smell fear. This is new." (Human)
"Every beings can smell fear. Whoever those people are, we must avoid them at all cost."(Demon)
"…"
The boy eyes widen slightly and came on a momentary still.
By the standard of his country, only an adept or higher rank of philosophers can be able to detect those kinds' barriers. If it equate this to adventurer's standard or the world's standard, these are the rank A- class and S-class adventurers of the Seiland and powered people of Neagi the, paragons.
"I guess we can't underestimate the strength of the people anymore"
He leave those words behind and made a beeline to the queue of people who wants to register as an adventurer.
He reach to the end queue for people who wants to become adventurers.
The boys was really grateful now that he's inside with a short line of people, and this place was equipped with air-conditioning equipment designed by Seilandians themselves. The transaction per each person was smooth and efficient. Totally opposite to the ones outside the gates of the capital.
As he was waiting for his turn, a man widened eyes after it accidentally glanced at the bird he was holding.
"Oi! Is that a critule!?" (human)
His sudden cry pulled the attention of the merry crowd. They voiced their astonishment as if they saw something akin to a celebrity.
"Whoa... it is indeed a critule!" (human)
"What a beautiful bird!" (catman)
"Beautiful indeed" (lizardman)
"How lucky. I never thought I'll be seeing one up close!" (elf)
"How did it get… here….?" (human)
"…"
"…"
""…""
The brief fiery clamor was soon died down like having doused by cold water.
From the critule, their eyes slowly shifted to the person who's holding it.
They beheld a boy wearing a white coat with an aiguillette proposing a high status of military officer. His overall appearance had impression of a noble. But his eerie silence and creepy mask was enough to make the adventurers, who forge the strength thought battle, unsettled. They nearby person retread few steps careful not to antagonize someone of his status.
Muffled conversations ignited from the surrounding adventurer. Curious onlookers also done the same. But for the requestors they seem not to care. Well it's understandable since they can't understand something on the paragon's world.
"Who the heck was that?" (Human)
"I don't know but, I can't sense anything". (Vampire)
"Yeah… like he was… not there." (Witch)
"Oi, Be careful he might here you. From his garments that's probably a high ranking officer."(Human warrior)
"But… I don't see any coat of arms" (witch)
"He's maybe traveling incognito" (dog-man swordsman)
"Isn't the lad a li'l young to be an offisah?" (Dwarf shaman)
"Fool! The fact he conceal his presence is what makes him competent" (elf archer)
"If that's the case, then that's explain the bird." (Human warrior)
"I bet the aggressive adventurers will think twice about messing that kid." (Incubus)
Cautious eyes zeroed on the boy but some even beheld him with awe. Even the low voice, every words they say exactly fly true on his ears.
He put business-like expression and choose not to care on whatever thoughts they had. What others think of him is not of his business anymore. So they might as well continue what their doing however or whatever they want.
In the middle of the cacophony of murmurs, he spotted some adventures shooting him with suspicions and some had weird expression.
(Dude stop it.)
He saw a dwarf who continuously pouring an alcohol from his already brimming mug. It's seems he wasn't aware that it's already over flowing on the floor with attention focused solely on him.
Become aware the gazes of people to the end of their line, applicant adventurers also started to keep their distance away from him; like the priestess in before of him who tried to squirm further on her front.
A sigh escaped under his mask.
He can understand the gazes of those adventurers since their aura was giving a vibe that they are belong to upper-class. Their instinct was long forge to be sensitive to danger. But this low-class adventurers probably was pulled along the flow without even knowing they need to do the same.
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-_-"
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After the priestess in front of the lad done registering her name and became full pledge member of adventurer's guild, she scurry to her party members who was and still shooting cautious look towards him.
Do refrain looking at me like a criminal. He scoffed inside his head. Even he was being chased down by the residents of shadow, that doesn't mean he did something wrong.
(But I'm being chased down by them, this indeed make me a criminal.)
Saying so, he step on the counter and he was greeted by receptionist with a blooming smile on her face. Actually she greeted critule on his arms.
"Wahhhh!"
Receptionist was taken aback when her eyes lade upon the bird and inadvertently patted its head. Her full attention was grabbed by his companion while he, the owner was treated like an air instead.
With such behavior, He can only smile wryly under his mask.
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"So you want to become an adventurer little bird."
"Do you really think he can become adventurer?"
"Heiihh!!!"
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The woman startled after she heard the wild voice. Does this critule talk? Of couse not. The receptionist slowly shift his head from the ground going upwards.
But as she soon reach his read, her face distorted with grim expression. Probably because her unbecoming behavior of a receptionist that insulted the person in front of her or his mask scared the hell of out her. But if show anymore inappropriate conduct in front her client, he might take this as another insult and she might get fired from her job.
Before her was a person with a high status and she just patted his pet without his permission. But this is not the time to be swallowed by anxiety. She better fix her conduct like how a good receptionist is, and somehow hope that her applicant forget her misconduct.
She deeply exhale and let the remaining tension leave her body. She cleared her throat and bloomed a smile once again, but shaky tone provides a hint that she wasn't confident on what she doing.
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"S-so… Y-you want to become an adventurer sir?
"I wouldn't be in this line if I don't"
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The receptionist was abashed with her face starting to get a little moist. His emotionless remarks creates an imagery on the receptionist that he was not happy with her attempt at all.
With her sweaty and slight shaking hands, she show a square device with sphere embedded on its surface and a wire connecting that device to another device which was loaded with papers.
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(Is this their version of a printer?)
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All the devices of the Seilandia are powered with magics stones. Compared to the neagians who keep using electricity even after the old earth. With three hundred years of coexistence, the people from two different world had learned from one another. This printing device was one if the product they learned from Neagians. A magic powered printer (otherworlder version)
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"W-what is your name… Sir?"
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He pondered a little if it's okay to give my true name. There's still this matter about his pursuers, the household of eclipse. But with their intelligence network, they probably would know his location and his name on the guild sooner than later so it's stupid to keep a false name. But he still don't want to reveal his identity to the adventurers so he offered a half-truth name.
"Haven Monocrayon"
"T-then Monocrayon –sama, please touch the sphere and release you mana. All your information's regarding your spells will be printed here on the paper so we can keep that on our records. Your adventurer's ID would published right after that''
"I believe it won't work"
"Um.. Why… would that be?
"I'm a Neagian"
"Heh!?"
Her voiced rose on a high pitch, not expecting an original residents of the world was on the foreign country without a formal ties from the United Nations. Neagians doesn't usually take on a journey to seilandians coutries that wasn't approve by the United Nation. Since some countries are still hostile to them wars still prevalent from different parts of the world.
Otherworlders magic system was based on the concept of their god's blessing. Right after their born, any child who was baptized on the name of their god would manifest a preexisting spell, skills and status just like how in game. They also got levels system for every growth of their power. Because of this magic system, it's very easy to record the preexisting spell skill.
They have an option learn other spells and skill but that would be through a grueling studies and effort. But the spell or a skill they created on their own would not be recorded on that device.
Compared to Neagians, they needs to read books and study the mystic arts so they can learn spells and including the swordsmen for their swordmanship. But on the bright side, they learned to create their own concept of magic and skill.
For this reason, Neagians who wasn't baptized and blessed by their gods would be a blank slate in front of that device.
The receptionist must had find her courage when Neagian person was involve. And forced herself not to stutter her words.
"I see… but if that's the case, then we can't give you your rank since we don't know your abilities yet, Monocrayon –sama. And we can't just give you quest you choose either. Since we don't how strong you are, we can only give you quests from the bottom, then you'll go higher each time you completed the quest."
"Not happening, give me the most difficult monster subjugation you have"
"I'm sorry Monocrayon-sama, like I said before we don't know your strength and abilities we can't give you what you want."
Preexisting abilities are powers that was given by god. Seilandians tends to harness those abilities rather than a learning a new one. That's why some adventurers were already seating at the high higher chair and can pick high-class subjugation monster even they were just registered as adventurers.
That's what Haven was aiming from the beginning. After all, no paragon would want a meager reward from community service.
The upper-class adventurer's might have a rough idea of how strong he was, but ordinary people this guild girl would find out unless he himself show it to her.
But how can he do it if they aren't giving him a chance to take that quest? Casting large scale magic in the capital is out of question too. There's an option of releasing mana pressure on this building but there's a possibility that he might scared all the receptionists and low-class adventurers and he's friend album. A news about him threatening the guilds staff to get the job would be a very stupid.
"Besides This country is on the middle of peace talks with neagian countries. It all the more reason that I can't let a neagian rookie adventurer's life be in danger because of our mismanagement. The Ruseburg Adventurers branch reputation would be damage. And the peace talks may be hindered"
"…"
Her argument was on point that Haven fell in deep contemplation.
All neagian countries are pro people even before old earth. And because they experience that wrath of nature during the transition of the world, they all became united with no war was ever recorded between them in Neagi. It's no exaggeration to say that war may break out if ever one their people was intentionally harmed on the foreign land. Compared Seilandian countries which running a slavery system and sometimes doesn't care about their people, this provides negative impression on them.
But even if this is the case, he still doesn't want to give up. Or rather, he can't give up with his precious room is on the line.
His country doesn't belong to the united nation and he doesn't had any records of his existence from those countries. Hence, whatever happens to him will never pose any problems.
But this girl will never move even if he says that. That's because, his country was a myth in this world.
After moment of contemplation he tried a different approach. Haven ask her in a solemn tone.
"If I register and ignore you orders, but succeeded on subjugating high ranking monsters, what will you do?"
The receptionist was taken aback, not expecting a question that gave a hint of violation from this applicant. Even with hi mask, she can feel the sharp gaze that probing her entity. Chilling sweat trickle down her spine and her hands were faintly shaking. Her bulging eyes was zeroed on X marks on the mask which where his eyes supposed to be.
Being under the assault of a phantom pressure, the guild grimaced. This is different when the rookie adventurers confronted her with complaints. As a guild receptionist, her job is to provide information and advice to the adventurers so that she can still saw them tomorrow. Death of adventurers was everyday occurrence in any guild of this world. If that someone is not even famous, then people will not even bothered by it. That's why she rejects any opportunist rookie adventurer's to the quests that was more than they can handle.
This was her job.
She will not let this person before her die. Even if he was someone with a high status, she will not back down.
(Even if he say that he's strong, I still can't rule out the possibility of danger of facing high ranking monster. Even more so that I can't let a rule breaker become part of the guild. I can't let this guild be at risk because of he's selfishness.)
With the spirit of her job kicking in, the receptionist return his gaze with a stronger gaze of her own. Determination was glinted on her eyes as if the nervousness before doesn't exist. With a strong tone, she reprimand the boy.
( This is for his own good too. Even if he still insist of doing it, at least the guild will not be held responsible.)
"I'm truly sorry Monocrayon-sama but I can't let a person like you to be in this guild"
(..... What?)