Chapter 10 - Adventurers Guild

Charlotte

After finishing their breakfast and washing their bowls, Charlotte was left with nothing much to do. With two strangers in her house, she's somewhat afraid to even take a bath. So, with no more task in her house, she sits in one of the living room chairs; deep in her thoughts.

[Sigh...] What I'm I going to do now... Charlotte thought. I still have no way of paying that debt.

Despite being given another month to pay her Father's debts, Charlotte was still stuck on finding some way of even paying it. As her thought lingers on said debt, the young Charlotte then remembered yesterday's failed trip.

Oh right... I almost forgot. Charlotte thought. I still haven't checked the Adventurers Guild.

With the Adventurers Guild in her mind, she started thinking for another trip at the place. With how lucky she has been this morning, Charlotte thought that today's trip might go well than last time.

With a determined look and smile, she then readies herself to go to the Adventurers Guild.

Seeing Charlotte head off to the front door and ready her boots, Tanuki can't help but question where she's headed off to. "Where you going, young miss?" Tanuki asked.

"I'm heading off to the Adventurers Guild." Charlotte honestly answered.

"Adventurers Guild?" Not knowing what the place is, Tanuki echoed said words.

"Hmmm..." Seeing how Charlotte seems to be heading out, John then made a suggestion. "If you're just going to head out, I might as well come along." John said.

"U-uumm... I don't really mind." Charlotte said. "But are you really sure that you want to come along?"

"Well considering that I have nothing much to do and I also lack information, sightseeing the town once more is probably something needed." John explained. "Plus, learning about this place and its workings might prove useful."

"I see..." Charlotte muttered.

"Eyy! If both of you are going to head out, I should come along as well." Tanuki spoke.

"Why?" John asked. "Weren't you hiding from the woman earlier, because you were afraid to be found out."

"Y-yes but! I also don't know much know about this place, so gathering information is needed" Tanuki answered.

"That's what I'm already doing." John said.

"Hey! I also need to see things with my own eyes." Tanuki retorted. "You can't just leave me here forever."

Seeing the two argue was once more, Charlotte quickly settled both of them down. Before their argument turns more heated. "There's no need to fight, both of you." Charlotte said. "Sir raccoon can come as much as he likes."

"[Sigh...] I really don't mind." John spoke. "But how's he going to hide himself."

"Well... that weird clothing of yours seems large enough. I can probably hide myself in there." Tanuki said.

"Weird?" Hearing Tanuki describe his jacket, John can't help but stand still; thinking about what's so weird about his clothing. While busy in his thoughts, Tanuki quickly crawled inside his jacket in swift speed.

"Hey! Who told you that I'd agree to such a thing!" John shouted, while caught surprised by what Tanuki did.

"Wow... its surprisingly comfy here." Tanuki spoke.

"Get out you fat raccoon!" Grabbing the fat raccoon by the neck, John tried getting rid of Tanuki from his jacket. But firm in his grip, Tanuki holds himself inside, looking like a child who refuse to let go of a thing that it's holding.

"Aw, aw, aw it hurts." Tanuki cried in pain. "Ey, stop it!"

"I said get out, you fat cretin" John uttered,

"No!!!" Tanuki shouted

Seeing how Tanuki seems to refuse to get out, John quickly became tired of trying. Sighing from exhaustion, it seems that he has deal with the raccoon in his jacket for the entirety of their trip.

With a smile in her face, as she watches both of John and Tanuki reconcile themselves, Charlotte then open the door and head outside. Following from behind is the exhausted John whom has Tanuki inside his jacket. Gently closing the door, all of them then made their way to the busy street and join the walking crowd.

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Christopher

Deep down in Riverdawn's Ancient Labyrinth, one can see the ivy cloaked Christopher investigating a bloody scene along with Ned.

.

.

"What a mess." Ned said.

Not far from where they stand is a corpse of an adventurer wearing a leather covered ringmail. From the information they received the person in front of them is a man named Aaron whom is part of a party called Beer Party. Despite their odd choice of party name, Christopher can't help but feel bad for the man. From what the information he received; the remaining survivor of the party was only able to escape due to the sacrifices of the other members.

"Please rest well in peace..." Applauding the deceased man's bravery, Christopher prayed for the man's well-being.

Seeing his partner pray, Ned can only stand still and watch as he waits for Christopher to finish.

"Sorry about that." Christopher apologized as he finishes praying.

"Meh, don't worry about it." Ned shrug offs Christopher's apology. "I'm more surprise that you still do such things despite being already being a wizard."

"Family traditions, I suppose." Christopher answered. "One can't easily get rid of it."

"Hahahaha... I guess that's understandable." Ned said. "Even my family has their own traditions which has rubbed off on me."

Continuing from where they left off, Christopher then analyzed the adventurer's body. Seeing that a part of his arm has been cut off, Christopher has deemed the survivor's account to be the truth. Continuing in his investigation, he noticed that the man's corpse has a small hole in his head area.

"Poor lad." Ned said. "This guy probably didn't expect to hit by such a spell."

Using a Magicscope (A Magical Item) they were able to see some traces of runic magic from the man's head, which they easily identified the source.

"Dark Runic Spell: DarkBeam." Christopher said. "A homing one at that." With the spell identified, Christopher then placed the magical item back to his bag.

"Well that covers this area." Ned said. "So, what now?"

"I suppose we should investigate this area more." Christopher said. "With Demons now out in the open, everyone's safety is now jeopardy."

Agreeing to his partner, Ned then wrote the runic spell "Call" which emitted a soft sound that echoed throughout the area in a 50-yard radius. Satisfied with the spell, he and Christopher then await for the others to arrive and carry off the body.

Not long after their wait, they were greeted by a woman dressed in cloak along with party of men.

"Yo! Estrella" Ned greeted the woman with a smile. "So, how's the other areas you'd been covering? With how dark this place is, I won't be even surprise that you're a bit scared. [Smug laugh.] But don't worry my love, with me around, I'll protect you from any danger... Speaking of which, you do look beautiful today my love. Did you do something to your hair? Even your skin is as smooth as sil-"

Ignoring the chattering Ned, Estrella quickly made her way to Christopher.

"So, this is the body?" Estrella asked.

"Most certainly." Christopher answered. "From its description we identified this person to be Aaron, an adventurer whom i- I mean used to be part of a party whom the survivor was a part of."

"I see..." Estrella muttered. Giving orders to the partied men, they then carried the body off, away from the dungeon and back to the surface. Where they hope the bodies can get a proper funeral.

"I suppose this is all the body." Estrella spoke.

"So, how's the other's?" Christopher asked.

"Quite awful." Estrella said. "The cleric got its head crushed while the other seems to be hit with an awfully strong force. Even his bones and insides were crushed."

Hearing the awful description of how the others died, Christopher can only imagine the fate of said adventurers. Feeling awful in his stomach, Christopher tried holding in his disgust.

"We already cleared the bodies from my side, so it's not as gory as I say it is. As for the floor below, I heard that they also found more bodies of adventurers. I theorize that the third body in my area belongs in the dead party below."

"I see..." With the report of more bodies in the labyrinth, Christopher became more determined to find the perpetrators. With such atrocities committed in the place, he can't let such things be left unpunished. Especially when everyone's live is at stake.

"So, what happened to the body here?" Estrella asked.

"Killed by Runic Spell DarkBeam in the head." Christopher answered.

"I see... so it's safe to assume that there are multiple perpetrators in this incident, I suspect that there are precisely two that we are dealing with." Estrella said.

"How so?" Christopher asked.

"Well, I highly doubt that a demon that can easily crushed a head and body would bother killing someone using such spell and vice versa." Estrella explained. "But with no concrete evidence in hand, my assumption can only be classified as a theory, so both of you would still need to be careful. Things are mostly not one that would expect, especially when it comes to danger."

"I'll take note of that." Christopher said.

Saying her goodbyes, Estrella then joined the party of men whom was carrying the body back to the surface. Leaving Christopher and Ned alone by themselves, once more.

"Not too brag too much, but I can quite say that I'm a nice guy. I mean I treat all the ladies with great regards and respect, most especially you miss Estrella. With such alluring looks and great power, one can easily be charmed by the great yo- Eh? Where'd she go?"

"[Sigh...]" Seeing how Ned was busy talking to himself, Christopher quietly made his way to the other area.

With his partner leaving his side, Ned quickly followed suit. "Yo! Wait up!" Ned shouted. It seems that despite the crisis they currently face, Ned is still as relaxed as he was before.

Walking in the dark halls of the labyrinth, the duo then continued their investigation.

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Charlotte

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"So, this is the Adventurers Guild."

After some time of walking and consulting the map in the middle of the town, the group eventually arrive at a building with a sign which has "Adventurers Guild" written on it. Standing outside the place, the group tried observing the building as much as they can. People in various genders and clothing come in and out in the front door and they even see some people wearing cloaks which has the Magic Guild's symbol.

"Now that we arrived here, so what now?" John asked.

"U-umm..." Not really having any plan aside from finding the place, Charlotte can only stand still dumbfoundedly. As she sees the amount of people entering the place, she also can't help but be intimidated.

"Don't tell me that chickening out now?" John asked.

"E-ehh..? A-ahh no, I'm not scared. I was just c-checking the place first." Embarrassed to the fact that she's somewhat afraid to enter the place, Charlotte can't help but lie to john. Seeing her face redden from lying, John was able to easily tell that the young Charlotte was lying.

Sighing from exhaustion, John then gently grabbed Charlotte's hands and made their way to the building. Upon opening the door, they were greeted with something they didn't expect.

"The hell did you say you little shit!"

"...Please shut up, you drunk bastard"

[Crash!]

"Oy! You fucker that was my meal!"

"Ehehehe-hehehe..."

"God... what a shitty meal..."

"Who the fuck said that!"

Upon entering the place, the group was greeted with a morning drunk fight between various people. Beer mugs, plates and food can be seen flying everywhere and people who are locked in a brawl. As slurs and insults are casually thrown out in the place, John quickly covered Charlotte's ears as to preserve her innocence.

Shocked to John's sudden action, Charlotte's face reddens as she feels John's warm hands in her head.

"Oh my? New visitors." A woman in a waitress dress spoke. "May I ask what business are you here for?"

"A-ahh..." Seeing how the lady seems to be talking to John, he can only stand still in silence. Not really having any reason for visiting the place, he then gazes at Charlotte whom he still was covering her ear. With the eyes meeting each other Charlotte immediately understood John's message.

"U-uumm..."

"Hmm?"

Seeing the lady in front of her, Charlotte can't help but be scared. But understanding that she'll accomplish nothing by just standing still, she then bravely opens her mouth.

"W-w-we came here f-for some questions..." Charlotte said in a nervous manner.

"Questions?" The lady in a waitress dress echoed.

"U-umm... things regarding about being an Adventurer." Charlotte explained.

"Ah! I see..." The lady uttered. "If you have some questions regarding about being an Adventurer please follow me."

Following the lady in a waitress dress, the group was eventually led to a large room in the back. In said room they saw several adventurers talking to their party's, checking the bulletin board and others talking to what seems to be some receptionists whom are in their separate little rooms.

With their arrival in the place, a few others took noticed of the group. Observing them from far away with their sharp eyes. Noticing the observant glances of the people, Charlotte can't help but get nervous. But after a few minutes of glancing, their observers eventually got tired and continued their activities.

Phew... Charlotte sigh in relief.

With the lady continuing her walk, Charlotte and John still followed her path. Not long after their walk, they then arrive at one of the receptionists whom wasn't a bit friendly looking to say the least. With a noticeable eyebags in her face, Charlotte assumed that the lady probably hasn't have much sleep.

"Good morning, Luna." The girl in a waitress dress greeted the tired looking receptionist.

"What the hell do you want now, Claudia?" Luna asked somewhat pissed.

"I have a few visitors here with me." Claudia said with a smile. "They have some questions, about being an Adventurer and such."

"I see..." Luna muttered.

"Well then their all yours." With a slight bow to the group, Claudia then made her way back to the other room. Giving thanks to the lady in a waitress dress, Claudia smiles and pats Charlotte in the head before leaving. With them alone with the lady named Luna, Charlotte now hopes to have her questions answered.

"Right... so you want to be an Adventurer." Luna spoke. "If you want to be one, please sign this paper here and I'll also need your paper of citizenship. Once all of that is ready and checked, we'll inform you if you're ready to take the test, in your next visit here. It usually takes 3 to 4 days to checked one's registration, so I advise you to visit here in that following days."

"A-ahhh...." Seeing how Luna seems to be talking to John, he again can only stand still in silence.

"Eh? Is there a problem?" Luna asked.

"Actually, I'm not the who have some business here." John answered.

"Huh?"

Pointing to Charlotte whose height barely reaches the table that Luna is using, Luna finally notices the young girl.

"H-hi." With a nervous smile in her face, Charlotte tried greeting the tired looking Luna.

Not knowing what to say, Luna can only look at the nervous girl with a wide eye.

-End 

Author Note: School already started in my place, so my writing schedule of both this and TerraCore is a bit mess up in the moment.