The city management

As Ren made his way to the city hall, he was greeted by a kind woman named Elsa, who welcomed him with a warm smile.

"Good morning, Mr. Ren," she said. "I manage the personnel on this floor and was sent to escort you to the city manager's office. We understand that you're interested in acquiring some properties in the city, and Mr. Hans is eager to discuss this with you."

Ren nodded in agreement. "Thank you, Elsa. I appreciate your assistance."

"Of course," she replied. "While we wait for Mr. Hans to conclude his meeting, please follow me to a comfortable waiting room. I can bring you some cookies and tea."

Ren smiled. "That sounds lovely. Thank you for your hospitality."

As they walked towards the waiting room, Ren engaged in some small talk with Elsa, asking her about her job and the city in general. Elsa was friendly and answered his questions with enthusiasm, but Ren remained guarded, not wanting to reveal too much about himself or his intentions in the city.

As they reached the waiting room, Elsa served Ren some tea and cookies, and they continued their pleasant conversation. However, despite their friendly exchange, Ren couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to the city manager's invitation than a simple discussion about property acquisition.

Ren sipped his tea and nibbled on a cookie, trying to appear relaxed while keeping his guard up. He couldn't help but wonder what the city manager wanted from him, and what kind of deal he had in mind. Ren decided to play it safe and wait for the meeting to begin, hoping that he would be able to gauge the manager's intentions once they sat down to talk.

As they enjoyed their tea and cookies, Elsa and Ren exchanged some small talk, with Ren being careful not to reveal too much about himself. Despite finding Elsa and the city hall staff to be pleasant enough, he couldn't help but feel a sense of wariness and uncertainty around them.

After a little while, Elsa politely excused herself, informing Ren that the city manager was ready to meet with him. With a deep breath, Ren followed Elsa through the corridors of the city hall, trying to keep his nerves at bay.

Finally, they arrived at a set of double doors, where Elsa paused and turned to face Ren with a reassuring smile. "Mr. Hans is waiting for you inside," she said. "I wish you the best of luck with your meeting."

With that, Elsa pushed open the doors, and Ren stepped inside.

They entered a grand room that exuded an air of luxury and importance. The walls were made of fine wood, adorned with intricate carvings and decorative tapestries. The ceiling was high and vaulted, with ornate chandeliers hanging from the center, casting a warm glow over the room.

Large, ample windows framed by velvet curtains lined one wall, letting in plenty of natural light and offering a view of the bustling city below. In the center of the room sat a large, sturdy oak desk, with an impressive leather chair behind it, giving the impression of power and authority. Bookshelves filled with volumes of all sizes and colors lined the walls, giving the room an intellectual feel.

Despite the grandeur of the space, it was clear that this was a place for serious business. The air was sober, and every detail was in its proper place, creating an aura of formality and respect.

In the center of the room was a large wooden table, flanked by several high-backed chairs. At the head of the table sat Mr. Hans, a middle-aged man with a stern expression. He was dressed in fine clothes, befitting his position as the city manager. Two empty glasses sat in front of him.

As Elsa announced their arrival, Mr. Hans stood up and greeted them with a curt nod. "Please, have a seat," he said, gesturing to the chairs opposite him. "Elsa, if you would be so kind as to bring us two glasses and a bottle of our finest schnapps."

Elsa quickly left the room to fetch the requested items, and Ren took a moment to look around. Despite the luxurious surroundings, the atmosphere in the room was sober and serious. He couldn't help but feel a sense of tension in the air.

As Mr. Hans began his presentation, Ren sipped on the liquor that was brought in by Elsa. It had a distinctly strong and bitter taste, and Ren suspected that it was a drink commonly enjoyed by medieval German nobility. Mr. Hans introduced himself as hailing from one of the Free Republics of Bran, his family bearing the name of Weber. He went on to explain the function of the south, emphasizing that without the title of sacred such as Sacred Emperor for the Empire, Sacred Priest for the Theocracy, or Sacred Patrician for the Republics, the lands would constantly be invaded by chaotic energy, rendering long-term efforts futile.

After the presentation, Mr. Hans asked Ren for some of his antecedents, prompting Ren to notice a folder on the desk that he suspected contained information about him. He decided to tell some truths about himself without revealing the circumstances of his arrival in this world.

Ren relayed his encounter with Rowana, a member of the secret unit of the Republic, as well as his time spent enslaved and being sold to the Black Widow Guild. He shared some of the history of his time there and how he ultimately broke free and escaped. Though he mentioned his companions, three half-orcs and two dwarfs, he was careful not to reveal too much information about them. After this lengthy introduction, Ren resolved to get down to business and began asking about the properties he was interested in.

But then Mr. Hans start to ask some more question of his companion, and his travel to here.

"You're wasting my time," Ren said, tapping his foot impatiently. "Cut to the chase, Hans. What do you want from me?"

Hans raised an eyebrow at Ren's impatience. "We don't normally sell properties to outsiders or people who haven't been proven, or are not referred by a high member, for the safety of our citizens."

"In other words, I can't have the properties or the land that interest me if I don't help you," Ren said, bluntly.

"Mr. Ren, you're being too blunt. Being frank is a good thing in personal relationships, but it's bad for business," Hans said, firmly.

Ren felt a pang of guilt at the rebuke. He knew that he needed to work on his people skills. "I apologize. I understand that there are procedures in place for a reason. How can we cooperate?"

"I've heard that you have some interest in a certain ruin, and that you've been doing a good job fighting thieves and brigands. I also understand that you're adamant about exploring the forest," Hans said.

Ren's expression softened a bit at the mention of his accomplishments. "Yes, that's correct."

"At the moment, there is a problem that needs to be taken care of in the forest. Our soldiers have been dealing with an influx of monsters, and we need someone with your skills to help eliminate the threat," Hans explained.

Ren nodded. "I see. And in exchange for my help, you'll consider allowing me to purchase the land I'm interested in?"

Hans nodded. "If you successfully complete the task, I can put in a good word for you with the higher-ups. We'll see what we can do about the land you're interested in."

Ren smiled slightly. "That sounds fair to me. What do you need me to do?"

Hans explained that his troops were constantly battling against goblins, kobolds, and orcs who were raiding their villages and towns, as well as ambushing their patrols. He wanted Ren to work as an explorer, scouting out the bases of these monsters and reporting back to his troops. Ren would also be responsible for trying to control the orc patrols and troops and, if possible, eliminating them.

"Your skills as a warrior and your experience in dealing with these types of creatures make you the perfect candidate for this mission," Hans said. "You will be well-compensated for your efforts, of course."

Ren considered the offer. While he was interested in exploring the ruins and forests around the city, he wasn't sure if he wanted to get involved in the conflicts between the various factions. However, the promise of a generous reward was tempting, and he couldn't deny that he had some experience in fighting these kinds of creatures.

"Very well, I'll take the job," Ren said. "But I want to be clear that I won't be working for you or your troops exclusively. I'll be operating on my own, and I won't hesitate to abandon this mission if I feel that it's not worth the risk."

Hans nodded. "I understand. You're a free agent, and I respect that. Just remember that the safety of our citizens is at stake here, and we would greatly appreciate your assistance in dealing with these monsters."

After explaining the mission and the potential rewards, Mr. Hans looked at Ren thoughtfully. "You know, Ren, you would make a great addition to our troops. With your skills and determination, we could offer you more than just a one-time payment for this mission. You could have a steady job, a place to live, and access to resources and training that could take you even further. Have you ever considered joining us?"

Ren looked at Mr. Hans with a hint of surprise. He had not expected this offer, but he knew that it was not uncommon for powerful factions to recruit talented individuals. He thought for a moment before answering, "Thank you for the offer, Mr. Hans, but I am a free agent. I prefer to keep my independence and choose my own path. However, I appreciate the opportunity and I will consider it in the future."

Mr. Hans nodded, not surprised by Ren's response. "I understand. Well, if you ever change your mind, you know where to find us. And in the meantime, I hope you will prove your worth on this mission. I have no doubt that you will."

As Ren got up to leave, Mr. Hans added, "One last thing, Ren. I would like to know more about your abilities and how you acquired them. You are a skilled fighter for someone who has not reached the Silver rank yet. It would be valuable information for us to have."

Ren hesitated for a moment, not sure if he wanted to reveal too much. But he decided to trust Mr. Hans, at least to a certain extent. "I have been training since I was young, and I have had some exceptional teachers. But ultimately, I achieved my level of skill through hard work and determination. I believe that anyone can become powerful if they are willing to put in the effort."

Mr. Hans nodded, looking satisfied. "Thank you for sharing that with me, Ren. I hope to see you again soon."

After Ren agreed to Hans' terms, Hans reached for a small wooden chest, placed it on the table, and opened it. Inside was a badge, and two pieces of paper.

"This badge identifies you as a free agent or explorer, and will allow you to move freely throughout the city and its surroundings. The two pieces of paper contain information that I think will be useful to you. The first is the contact information of a sergeant who can mobilize our troops quickly in case of emergency. The second is the contact information of an explorer who is in charge of the city ranger and can provide you with additional information about the surrounding areas."

Ren took the badge and the papers, and examined them carefully. He knew that this information could be valuable, and he thanked Hans for providing it.

Afterward, Ren spent the next few days preparing for his mission, gathering supplies and information, and then set out to begin his work as an explorer and monster hunter, with the badge and information from Hans as his guide.