บท 26: Adventure's Guild

Alex leaned against the doorframe of their one-room house, staring at the bustling streets of the city. Merchants shouted about their wares, travelers passed by with weapons strapped to their backs, and guards patrolled in groups. Despite the liveliness outside, his thoughts were elsewhere.

"Well, I think going to the adventurer's guild is the only option," he thought. "I don't have any business ideas, and I'm not even into that kind of thing. So, joining the guild it is."

With a sigh, Alex pushed himself off the doorframe and adjusted his clothes. The simple tunic and trousers he wore were clean but worn, their faded edges hinting at long use. It wasn't the attire of someone used to adventuring, but it would do for now. He ran a hand through his dark hair, trying to shake off the nerves.

"Oy, Lyra," he called out, glancing at her as she sat near the small table, organizing a pile of tools they had scavenged. "I'm heading to the guild, so do all the chores properly. And don't go out."

Lyra rolled her eyes, her hands still busy sorting. "Yes, yes, I'll stay in," she replied, her voice tinged with frustration. "I know what to do—you don't have to remind me every single time."

Alex smirked slightly at her response but said nothing. He opened the door, stepping outside into the bright streets. After about ten steps, the bustling noise of the city fully surrounded him. The clamor of chattering voices mixed with the calls of merchants, the creak of wagon wheels, and the occasional clang of blacksmiths hammering steel. The air smelled of fresh bread, roasted meat, and the faint acrid tang of the nearby tannery.

As Alex walked deeper into the heart of the city, he took in the buildings around him. Most were two or three stories high, built of stone with wooden beams jutting out at irregular angles. Signs hung from iron brackets, marking shops selling weapons, food, and other wares. The streets were uneven, with patches of cobblestones giving way to dirt paths that were well-trodden.

He followed the directions he had pieced together from overheard conversations and observations. Heading slightly to the right after reaching the city's central square, he soon found himself on a wider street lined with larger, more prominent buildings.

After a ten-minute walk, Alex finally came to a stop in front of a structure that stood apart from the rest. The adventurer's guild was a large stone building with tall wooden doors reinforced with iron bands. A crest depicting crossed swords and a shield was carved into the archway above, marking it unmistakably as the guild's domain. The faint hum of activity could be heard from within—voices, laughter, and the occasional clink of coins or mugs.

As Alex stepped inside the adventurer's guild, the sound of lively chatter and the clinking of mugs filled his ears. The guild hall was a large, open space with sturdy wooden beams supporting the ceiling. A long counter stretched along one side, behind which several clerks were busy assisting adventurers. The walls were lined with notice boards, each pinned with parchment bearing quests and requests, their edges curling slightly from frequent handling.

The adventurers themselves were a mixed crowd—some clad in full armor with swords or axes strapped to their backs, others in lighter gear, carrying staffs or wearing robes that marked them as mages.

Alex took a few cautious steps forward, his eyes scanning the room. His plain tunic and trousers made him stand out against the more battle-worn and well-equipped adventurers. A few of them glanced his way but quickly dismissed him, turning back to their conversations or drinks.

He approached the counter, where a young clerk with sharp eyes and neatly tied hair was busy organizing a pile of documents. She looked up as he approached, offering a polite but distracted smile.

"Welcome to the adventurer's guild," she said briskly. "My name is Verina. Are you here to register?"

"Yeah," Alex replied, his voice steady despite the nerves building in his chest. "I want to join."

Verina nodded, pulling out a sheet of parchment and a quill. "Name?"

"Alex," he said, keeping it simple.

"Any prior experience?" she asked, her pen poised over the paper.

Alex hesitated briefly. "I have some experience fighting against monsters, and I am also a mage," he said confidently.

Her eyes flicked up, a hint of curiosity crossing her face. "Mage, huh? What kind of magic do you use?"

"Wind magic," Alex replied.

"What rank are you?" Verina asked.

"I am a rank 2 mage."

Verina jotted it down, then glanced at him again. "You'll be starting as an Iron-ranked adventurer, which means you'll only have access to Iron quests for now. There are 5 ranks: Bronze, Iron, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. Since you're a Rank 2 mage, you are directly promoted to Iron rank."

Verina pursed her lips but didn't comment further. She finished writing, then handed him a small wooden token engraved with a simple "I" and the guild's crest. "This is your identification as an Iron-ranked adventurer. Keep it on you at all times—it's required for accepting quests and getting paid."

She gestured toward one of the notice boards. "Iron-ranked quests are posted there. Once you complete a few or advance to an upper rank, you can apply for a rank evaluation to access higher-ranked quests. Any questions?"

"No," Alex said, taking the token and slipping it into his pocket. "Thanks."

With that, he turned and made his way to the notice board. Several other Iron-ranked adventurers were already gathered there, scanning the available quests. Alex squeezed his way through and began reading the parchment pinned to the board.

The quests were simple enough—gathering herbs from nearby forests, delivering messages to neighboring towns, hunting small beasts that had been troubling farmers. His eyes settled on one: "Eliminate rank 1 wild razor hounds near the southern outskirts. Reward: 15 silver coins."

Alex frowned. "Rank 1 Razor Hounds? Sounds manageable. Fifteen silver isn't much here, but it's enough to get started."

He pulled the parchment from the board and took it back to the counter. Verina glanced at it and nodded. "Accepted. Report back here with proof of completion to claim your reward. Good luck."