Chapter 33:- Ventures and Loans in the Adventurer's Guild

Returning home after the taxing night, William found himself utterly drained. The combination of his strenuous battle and the long conversation with Chronos had consumed a significant chunk of his energy. Eager to rinse off the day, he quickly took a refreshing shower, replaced his sweat-soaked clothes with something comfortable, and immediately sank into the inviting softness of his bed. In moments, he was soundly asleep.

Morning arrived and stirred William from his deep sleep. Upon waking, he was pleasantly surprised to find breakfast neatly laid out on the dining table. Isabella and his precious daughter Aimee sat waiting patiently for him, their smiles a radiant start to his day.

Having filled his belly with the delectable morning meal, William prepared himself to face the day ahead. There was plenty to do, and it was time to get to it. "I have to head out," he informed Isabella, "and I might not be back in time for lunch."

Thinking ahead, William handed Isabella a hefty sum of 100 gold coins. The money was for her to use as she wished if she decided to venture out with Aimee. This amount should more than cover any carriage ride expenses and leave plenty to spare for any unexpected purchases.

"Alright," Isabella agreed, not having any particular plans for the day. But now, with the unexpected boon of gold coins, she mused about taking Aimee for an outing. A visit to the Sunflower Garden sounded like a fun adventure, and she could also pick up some storybooks and toys for Aimee while they were out.

With a note of caution in his voice, William added, "Just be sure not to stay out too late. Make sure you're back home before sunset." He couldn't dismiss the disconcerting news about recent disappearances in their area, and he wanted to ensure his family's safety.

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Scene change_____

"Good day, Mister William. What brings you here today?" The receptionist at the property guild greeted William as he walked in. She recognized him from his visit the day before when he had rented his house. It was not often that someone new moved into the city, so William's face had stuck in her mind.

The property guild was a bustling hub of activity, constantly teeming with people. The air was always filled with the chatter of potential buyers and sellers negotiating prices and details. The guild's structure was grand and sprawling, large enough to accommodate the steady flow of customers that streamed in and out every day. As a trusted intermediary, the guild ensured fair dealings, playing a pivotal role in preventing fraud and guaranteeing a safe environment for transactions. Consequently, the guild enjoyed a sterling reputation in the city and was held in high regard by its inhabitants.

The receptionist attending to William was a striking figure, a beautiful feline humanoid, more specifically a cat girl. Her hair was a jet black waterfall, cut short and brushing just past her neck, setting off her radiant face. She was dressed in a white frock that delicately hugged her form, ending just above her knees. But what truly set her apart were her feline attributes - her ears and tail were as black as her hair, adding an exotic charm to her appearance. The way her ears twitched and her tail swished around gave her a captivating allure that was hard to ignore.

"I recall a store like the one you mentioned," William began, outlining the exact location of the old, deserted shop near his home in Sunflower Garden. "It's been closed for quite a while now, and it's obvious it needs some serious renovations."

Once he provided the specific details, the receptionist began to comb through her database. Each employee at the guild was assigned a specific region of the city to manage, and as fate would have it, the Sunflower Garden fell under the jurisdiction of this particular cat girl. She knew every nook and corner, every building, and all of their histories within that area.

After several minutes of careful searching through the vast compilation of records, her eyes finally landed on the file she had been seeking. The guild maintained a diligent system of data collection on each property within their remit. Inspectors would personally visit each building, taking notes about its condition, surroundings, potential value, and any other pertinent information. Since this world did not have the technology to capture images, this old-fashioned method was their primary way of documenting the properties. In these pages were the life stories of the city's buildings, narrated in meticulous detail.

"The store's former owner passed on roughly a year ago," the cat girl relayed to William, her eyes scanning the aged documents in her hands. "His offspring didn't show any interest in taking over his father's trade, so the shop has since been abandoned."

Her gaze shifted from the pages to William as she continued, "The store itself is surprisingly spacious, much more than it appears from the exterior. It's a deceptive little space, small on the outside but grand within."

With a professional smile, she inquired, "Mr. William, does this property pique your interest? The current owner is eager to sell, and is offering it at a significantly reduced price due to its present condition. Naturally, the option to lease is there, but considerable renovation would be necessary. The shop's condition is such that, as it stands, it can't really be used for anything."

Having listened carefully, William finally responded. "If it's possible, I'd like to buy the store outright." He preferred the idea of ownership, knowing that if his business thrived and grew popular, a landlord wouldn't be able to hike up the rent. Given the dilapidated state of the store, it was evident that its value had depreciated significantly. However, he also recognized that a complete renovation and a thriving business could cause the property value to surge. He didn't want to inadvertently enrich the current, owner through the success of his business. If he could, he'd rather buy the property and redevelop the entire space according to his own vision.

"With the current discount, the property is valued at 5,000 gold coins," the feline receptionist shared, an innocent smile gracing her lips. "And since this is your initial purchase through our guild, we're offering an additional markdown, bringing the price down to 4,500 gold coins."

William carefully pondered over her words. 'As I thought, despite their youthful appearances, these receptionists are absolute professionals. Skilled in the art of negotiation and sales, they've been meticulously trained by the guild,' he mused.

Breaking from his thoughts, William countered, "Miss, we must consider the reality of the situation. The store, as it stands, is entirely unfit for use. To completely renovate the place, it'll cost me an additional 5,000 gold coins. This doesn't even account for the cost of cleaning the place and other minor touch-ups due to its neglected state. If you're able to adjust the price to 3,500 gold coins, then I am prepared to make the purchase today." Fortunately, he had already discussed the potential renovation costs with a refurbishment company prior to this meeting.

"That's quite a hefty reduction, Mister," she protested lightly, shaking her head. "I understand the condition of the property isn't ideal, but its prime location, right by the main street, considerably adds to its value. Can we agree on 4,350 gold coins?"

"3,800," William stood firm on his negotiation, refusing to feel embarrassed about it. He was unwilling to pay more than 4,000 gold coins.

The cat-girl receptionist clenched her jaw before begrudgingly offering, "4,100."

Feigning disinterest, William rose from his seat. "I suppose I'll take my leave then."

"Wait... Fine, 4,000 gold coins. But not a coin less," she conceded hastily, halting his departure. William turned back, a victorious smile hidden beneath his stoic expression. He had struck the ideal deal. Even if he decided against setting up a business, simply renovating the store would allow him to sell it at a significant profit in the future.

"Could you start drafting the contract, please? I'll come back later with the money. I didn't bring enough with me today," William requested, to which the receptionist responded with a nod. His lack of preparation was understandable, considering that even though the city was relatively safe, no one would casually carry around 4,000 gold coins in their pocket.

Exiting the premises of the property guild, a certain thought made William chuckle to himself, 'Here I am, barely having around 1,400 gold coins to my name, yet I've gone ahead and committed myself to a purchase costing me a whopping 4,000 gold coins.' The realization of his audacious plan brought an amused smirk to his face as he continued to navigate the city streets, mentally preparing for the financial venture he had just embarked upon.

Nestled in the heart of the city and overlooking the calm, meandering river that snaked its way through the bustling urban landscape, stood the impressive Adventurer's Guild. As William neared the grand edifice, he was immediately greeted by the sight of hundreds of adventurers of all levels and abilities, milling about, their animated chatter filling the air. Among them were people akin to William, who weren't adventurers but visited the guild for a plethora of reasons.

With a soft click, the entrance door swung open, allowing William to step inside the guild's busy yet orderly interior. No sooner had he entered than a female receptionist looked up from her work and flashed him a warm smile. Her beauty was undeniable, framed by the golden tendrils of her hair that fell into a neat ponytail, and accentuated by a pair of captivating golden eyes. Her flawless complexion glowed softly under the light, revealing her to be an elf, a race known for their ethereal beauty.

"Greetings, sir!" she greeted, her voice carrying a pleasant melody that was characteristic of her race. "How may I assist you today?" she inquired with a polite smile.

"I'm here to apply for a loan," replied William. Interestingly, the Adventurer's Guild served as more than just a hub for adventurers; it also operated as a financial institution of sorts. The Guild extended loans to the city's residents and, on occasion, even invested in promising new businesses, making it an indispensable part of the city's economy.

The receptionist's professional demeanor didn't falter as she stated, "To be eligible for a loan, you need to provide certain documentation, sir. We require your residential card, confirmation of your current address, and details of your occupation among other things." Fortunately, William was prepared for this and promptly presented his residential card.

She examined the card with a scrutinizing gaze, ensuring it wasn't a counterfeit. Once satisfied, she retrieved a formal-looking application form and began to diligently fill in the various details such as William's name, age, race, and gender. Then, she requested him to provide his current residential address.

As she jotted down the details, she posed another question, "Could you please specify your current occupation, sir?"

"I plan on establishing my own business," William replied earnestly.

"Oh, interesting," the elf responded, her eyes sparking with interest. "Could you elaborate on the nature of your business? If your business model appears promising, the guild may consider investing in it." This was a standard question she'd been trained to ask by the Adventurer's Guild.

While her proposition was well-meaning, William respectfully declined, "I appreciate your offer, but I'm not currently seeking any investors." He wanted to retain full autonomy over his business, fearing that taking on shareholders might complicate matters. His business was straightforward and didn't require external funding to get off the ground.

"Understood," the receptionist responded, methodically jotting down all the information provided. Once done, she looked up at William and shared a crucial piece of the guild's loan policy, "As you are new to the city, to qualify for the loan, you will require the endorsement of a city resident who has been living here for at least five years."

William inwardly sighed at this unexpected hurdle. He didn't know many city residents well enough to request such a favor, and the only person he could think of was Grandpa Chronos. However, he was reluctant to bother him with such a minor issue. Lost in thought, he tried to figure out how he could meet this requirement.

Just when he was racking his brain for a solution, a familiar voice broke through his thoughts, "I can vouch for him." Surprised, William turned around to find Roland standing behind him. Roland, the flirtatious individual who had been trying to charm the daughter of the vegetable seller, was offering to assist him.

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