Chapter 4 – A Trickster’s First Job

The Adventurer's Guild wasn't built on ranks. It was built on reputation.

And after his little stunt at the gambling table, Hikaru Kageyama had earned himself a place in the room.

The atmosphere had shifted. Instead of dismissing him as just another Bronze-ranked newbie, the adventurers now acknowledged him. Some clapped him on the back as they passed, others gave amused nods. He wasn't one of them yet, but he had done something no other hero had managed—he had played their game and won.

Of course, reputation alone won't keep me fed.

Hikaru jingled the pouch of coins in his pocket, considering his next move. The money was decent, but it wouldn't last long. And while the idea of conning his way into more sounded tempting, he needed something better.

An actual job.

He turned back toward the quest board.

Most of the other Bronze-ranked heroes were still clustered around it, debating which mission to take. Ryou and a few others had finally settled on a goblin extermination quest—basic combat work, good for getting some early experience.

Hikaru wasn't interested in that.

He scanned the board, looking past the usual monster-hunting and escort missions. The real jobs were in the unranked section—odd tasks, unconventional work, things most adventurers didn't bother with.

One caught his eye.

"Need a skilled hand for a high-stakes negotiation. Will pay handsomely. No questions asked."

There was no name attached to the request, just a meeting time and a location: The Rusty Pike Tavern, Midnight.

A gamble.

Hikaru grinned. Perfect.

That night, Hikaru made his way toward the Rusty Pike, a seedy-looking tavern tucked between two larger buildings in the lower district of the city. It had all the signs of a place where bad deals happened often—dim lighting, thick smoke, and the distinct smell of cheap ale mixed with bad decisions.

Exactly the kind of place where people need someone like me.

He stepped inside, scanning the crowd. The place was half-full, mostly rough-looking types—mercenaries, thieves, a few hooded figures who were clearly up to something shady.

A man at the farthest table waved him over.

Hikaru approached casually, slipping into the seat across from him. The man was in his late thirties, dressed in well-worn leather armor, with a thin mustache and tired eyes. A seasoned rogue, by the looks of it.

"You the one who took the job?" the man asked.

Hikaru smiled, flicking a card between his fingers. "Depends. You the one paying?"

The man smirked. "I like you already, kid." He leaned in. "Name's Jace. I need someone quick, clever, and good with words."

Hikaru rested his chin on his hand. "Go on."

Jace pulled out a small leather pouch and placed it on the table. "Inside this bag are counterfeit gold coins. They're good—real good. Even a trained merchant would have trouble spotting them. But I need someone to pass them off in a trade without raising suspicion."

Hikaru's fingers tapped the table. "So, you're running a scam."

Jace grinned. "I prefer to call it a strategic transaction."

Hikaru smirked. I like this guy.

"Alright. What's the deal?"

Jace leaned forward. "There's a noble in town who's looking to buy a rare enchanted dagger. Problem is, he's an arrogant prick who won't trade with 'lowborn scum' like me. That's where you come in. You're clean, you're new, and you've got the kind of face people trust."

Hikaru pushed up his glasses. Well, he's not wrong.

"You want me to act as the middleman," Hikaru said, thinking it over. "Make the deal, swap the real gold for the fakes, walk away clean."

Jace nodded. "You in?"

Hikaru grinned. "Oh, I was in the moment I walked through that door."

The next afternoon, Hikaru strolled confidently into the noble district.

He had dressed the part—fresh clothes, a polished belt, and a slight air of confidence that made him look like someone meant to be there. The key to infiltrating high society wasn't wealth.

It was acting like you belonged.

At the agreed-upon location—a private tea house with an enclosed garden—he found the noble waiting.

A young lord, barely older than Hikaru, dressed in fine silks with a permanent sneer on his face. He had a few well-dressed attendants standing behind him, all of them eyeing Hikaru with mild disdain.

Hikaru sat across from him, setting the pouch of "gold" on the table.

"You must be Lord Edric," Hikaru said smoothly. "I believe we have a deal to finalize."

The noble raised an eyebrow. "You don't look like a merchant."

Hikaru smiled. "And you don't look like someone who needs a weapon this expensive."

Edric stiffened slightly. His attendants shifted uncomfortably.

Hikaru leaned in, lowering his voice slightly. "But I don't ask questions. I just make things happen."

A pause. Then Edric smirked, looking pleased. "At least you understand discretion."

They proceeded with the trade. Edric inspected the dagger, nodding in approval. Hikaru placed the pouch on the table, smoothly slipping in a single real gold coin at the top—just enough for a quick inspection to seem authentic.

The noble barely checked before snapping his fingers, signaling his attendants to take the goods. "Pleasure doing business."

Hikaru stood, offering a small bow. "Likewise."

He walked out, keeping his pace steady.

The moment he turned the corner, he grinned.

Flawless execution.

He made his way back to the Rusty Pike, tossing the pouch onto Jace's table.

Jace peeked inside, let out a whistle, then looked up at Hikaru. "Not bad, kid."

Hikaru smirked. "I'm full of surprises."

Jace grinned, tossing him a real bag of coin. "You ever need work, you come find me."

Hikaru pocketed his earnings.

Not bad for a first job.

And just like that, he wasn't just a Bronze-ranked hero dumped in the guild.

He was someone who could get things done.