CHAPTER 8
— THE GUILD BEYOND THE NOISE
The next morning, a clear sky stretched above the village. Kyoichiiro, Amura, and Aetheria had agreed to explore the village together. They walked along the main dirt road, already bustling with trading activities. The sounds of footsteps, the creak of wooden cart wheels, children's laughter, and the shouts of vendors blended into a symphony of life that was noisy yet vibrant. Kyoichiiro walked ahead with calm steps, while Amura and Aetheria followed behind, their eyes busy taking in the new sights around them.
However, their steps suddenly halted when their ears caught a fragment of an interesting conversation from a group of villagers gathered in front of a tavern.
Villager #1: "...yeah, at the Guild, there are many adventurers who have already defeated strong monsters on the eastern border..."
Villager #2: "I heard some even conquered a mid-level dungeon alone! Rank A, maybe!"
Kyoichiiro immediately turned towards the voice. His light blue eyes narrowed slightly, showing interest. Without hesitation, he approached first, leaving Amura and Aetheria exchanging confused looks.
Kyoichiiro: (flat voice) "Excuse me. Is there an Adventurer's Guild near here?"
One of the men in the group turned, looked at the small child with bluish-white hair with mild surprise, then smiled.
Villager #1: "There is. Not far from here. About half a day's journey to the west. There's a large trading post there, and the Guild is quite active."
Kyoichiiro nodded once, a minimalist sign of thanks.
Kyoichiiro: "Thank you."
He immediately turned and walked away, back towards Amura and Aetheria. Amura blinked, then hurried after him.
Amura: "Hey, wait! Are you sure about this? The Guild?"
Kyoichiiro didn't answer. He kept walking, his mind already working, considering the possibilities. Amura and Aetheria looked at each other again, then in unison followed without further questions. They had quickly learned that when Kyoichiiro decided on something, there was usually a reason.
They continued their exploration of the village, and shortly after, Kyoichiiro's eyes were caught by a merchant loading goods onto a sturdy horse-drawn cart at the roadside.
Kyoichiiro: (approaching) "Are you heading to the trading post in the west? Towards the Guild?"
The merchant, a middle-aged man with a face wrinkled by the sun, nodded while securing a rope.
Merchant: "Yes, that's right. Need to deliver some ordered goods there. Why, son?"
Kyoichiiro fell silent, as if thinking how to phrase his request. Amura, seeing the opportunity, stepped forward with his characteristic friendly smile.
Amura: "Excuse me, sir. Could we possibly ride along on your journey to the Guild? The three of us would like to go there."
The merchant looked them over one by one—two boys and a girl, all very young. His expression was doubtful.
Merchant: "It's possible... as long as you pay the fare. Five Zeyn per person. That includes a seat and a guarantee of safety to the post gates."
Amura: (smiling lightly) "That's easy."
He took a small pouch from his pocket and counted out fifteen Zeyn coins—simple silver coins with a flower engraving on one side—and handed them over. The merchant accepted them, nodding in satisfaction.
They boarded the cart, sitting in the back cushioned with sacks of wheat. The cart began moving, leaving the bustling village for a dirt road stretching between fields of green. Throughout the journey, the wind blew softly, carrying the scent of grass and wildflowers. The sound of creaking wooden wheels and horse hooves filled the silence that fell among them.
Amura turned to Kyoichiiro, who sat quietly watching the moving landscape.
Amura: "May I ask you something, Kyoichiiro-san?"
Kyoichiiro: (without turning) "...Yes."
Amura: "What's your reason for going to the Guild? And... why were you in that small village before? You and your sister... don't seem to be from there."
The question hung in the air. Kyoichiiro turned his face, gazing at the distant horizon. The silence lasted long enough that Amura began to feel uncomfortable.
Amura: (awkwardly smiling) "Ah, it's fine if you don't want to answer. Sorry, I was too forward asking something personal—"
Kyoichiiro: (cutting in, voice low and flat) "There are things I can't tell anyone. For now. I'm sorry."
Amura: (nodding slowly, expression serious) "...I see. I understand. Sorry for pushing."
A quiet atmosphere returned, but this time filled with a silent understanding. Aetheria just sat listening, her fingers playing with the hem of her dress.
---
After several hours, the scenery began to change. Open fields gave way to more buildings, then a large gate made of wood and iron came into view ahead. Behind it, a flag fluttered bearing the emblem of a crossed hammer and sword—the symbol of the Adventurer's Guild. The surrounding area was bustling with activity: merchants hawking goods from carts, groups of adventurers with various weapons and armor coming and going, and knights standing guard with watchful expressions at every corner.
Good thing I left a letter and enough money for Claire at the house, Kyoichiiro thought to himself. She knows I can take care of myself. And this... is necessary. I have to understand the power systems in this world.
Amura: "Kyoichiiro-san, we're here."
Kyoichiiro nodded, then they got off the cart. Amura thanked the merchant before the three of them walked through the gate.
This city, or more accurately, trading post, turned out to be far larger and more diverse than they had imagined. Kyoichiiro walked slowly, his eyes absorbing every detail. The diversity he saw was truly astonishing. Not just humans—there were Elves with pointed ears and graceful demeanor, Beastfolk of various kinds like Wolfmen with wolf ears and tails, agile Catfolk, even larger creatures with stony skin he guessed were Dwarves. There were also other races he didn't recognize at all, some with magical features like glowing skin or hair that moved on its own.
This isn't just a city... this is a crossroads of the world, he thought. A place where different races and cultures meet. Perfect for gathering information.
They stopped near a Beastman of the Badger type, who was examining a leather map.
Amura: (with his naturally polite tone) "Excuse me, sir. May we ask? Do you know the location of the Guild building for accepting and completing quests?"
The Badger Beastman raised his head, his small black eyes blinking.
Badger Beastman: "Oh, young ones wanting to become adventurers? The Guild building is at the end of this street. Turn left at the big intersection, then go straight. You can't miss it, it's the largest building and usually the busiest."
Amura: "Thank you very much!"
They continued on, and shortly after, the building truly stood tall before them. A sturdy two-story stone structure, with a large sign reading "ADVENTURER'S GUILD - WESTBRANCH". The Guild's emblem flag fluttered proudly above it.
The three of them exchanged glances for a moment—a look full of resolve from Kyoichiiro, a confident smile from Amura, and an anxious yet enthusiastic expression from Aetheria. Then, they entered.
The atmosphere inside immediately struck them. The air felt heavy with the smells of sweat, metal, wood, and something like magical dust. The noisy sounds of conversations, loud laughter, and occasional debates came from all corners. The spacious room was filled with figures mostly far larger and more muscular than them—experienced adventurers with gleaming armor, large weapons on their backs, and sharp gazes full of experience.
Kyoichiiro calmly observed his surroundings. His eyes caught a man with grayish-green skin—possibly from the Orc or Greenskin race—checking his spear with a blade serrated like fangs. He shifted his gaze.
Kyoichiiro: (whispering to Amura) "Amura. Let's look at the quest board first."
They moved along the edge of the room towards the large wall on the right side, covered with wooden boards full of posted papers. The writings were varied:
ELIMINATE - 20 Goblins in the Southern Forest. Reward: 500 Zeyn.
SUBJUGATE - 12 Black Spiders in the Stone Cave. Reward: 800 Zeyn.
ESCORT MISSION - Medium Risk. Deliver goods to Rimba Village (Wait, that's our previous village!). Reward: 1200 Zeyn.
DUNGEON EXPLORATION - 'Whispering Caverns', Floors 1-3. Report map and collect 5 Arcane Crystals. Reward: 2000 Zeyn + Guild Points.
However, a sudden commotion drew their attention. From the direction of the registration desk in the middle of the room, the sound of a raised argument was heard.
Wolfman #1: (angry voice) "Why do we only get Rank E?! We already defeated savage wolves in the hills! That's at least equivalent to Rank D!"
A female staff member behind the desk, with neatly tied blonde hair and a professional expression, answered firmly.
Female Staff: "I'm sorry. Strength assessment and rank have been correctly conducted according to Guild standards. The experience of killing ordinary wild animals is not the same as the ability to face monsters or complete Guild quests. You can improve your rank by completing E-rank quests first."
Wolfman #2: "Damn it—! This is discrimination!"
One of the Wolfmen, emotions peaking, swung his fist towards the female staff member. However, before the fist landed, a large, scarred hand firmly caught the Wolfman's wrist.
A bald, large man built like a stone, with muscles that seemed carved, stood there. His voice was deep and authoritative.
Bald Man (Likely Senior Guild Member): "Don't cause trouble here. You know the consequences for violating Guild rules, right? Suspension, or permanent expulsion."
The Wolfman pulled his hand back, snorted angrily, then turned and left with rough steps, followed by his companion.
Bald Man: (to the female staff) "Are you alright?"
Female Staff: (sighing in relief) "Yes. Thank you, Mr. Goran."
The man named Goran nodded, then returned to his seat in the corner of the room, as if nothing had happened. Kyoichiiro witnessed the entire incident with analytical eyes, without comment.
Amura: (approaching) "Seen any interesting quests, Kyoichiiro-san?"
Kyoichiiro: "Not yet. We should sit first and discuss." He pointed to an empty long bench near the wall.
They sat down. Aetheria sat on the innermost side, still looking slightly nervous in this harsh environment.
Kyoichiiro: "Amura. Explain the Guild system to me in more detail. What do we need to know before starting?"
Amura was momentarily surprised—Kyoichiiro was truly serious about understanding the system—then his face lit up with enthusiasm.
Amura: "Alright! First, we have to register as adventurers at the registration desk. There will be a simple strength check—usually by testing a punch on a power stone or demonstrating basic magic ability. The result determines our initial Rank, from F (lowest) to S (legendary). Most beginners get F or E."
Kyoichiiro: "What does Rank affect?"
Amura: "The quests we can take, the Guild's insurance fees, access to certain facilities, and of course, pride." He smiled. "Quest rewards are paid in Zeyn Coin, the standard currency for adventurers and common folk. For large transactions or rare items, there's Aurex Coin (made of magical alloy), and the highest, used by kingdoms and inter-nation trade, is Crownis (made of orichalcum or other legendary materials)."
Kyoichiiro: (nodding, digesting the information) "That's all? What about dungeons?"
Amura: "Dungeons are places full of monsters and traps, but also treasure and rare materials. The Guild usually manages their exploration to prevent chaos. We can enter after obtaining permission, and report findings to earn Guild points and rewards."
Kyoichiiro: (pausing for a moment) "...So, shall we register now?"
Amura: (grinning broadly) "Ah! That's the answer I wanted to hear from you, Kyoichiiro-san!"
Kyoichiiro's face remained expressionless, but there was a small gleam of interest in his eyes.
---
Ten minutes later, they had queued up and completed the registration and simple tests (Kyoichiiro demonstrated basic swordsmanship surprising for his age, Amura showed basic fire control, and Aetheria—after encouragement—demonstrated a small but stable wind barrier ability). The female staff member from earlier, named Liana, looked impressed.
Staff Liana: "Congratulations. Based on the assessment, the three of you receive Rank C as a team. That's quite high for beginners! Usually beginners get E or D. You clearly have talent."
Kyoichiiro: (nodding) "Yes. Thank you."
They received thin metal adventurer cards with their names and Rank C engraved on them, then moved away from the desk.
Kyoichiiro: (while walking) "Shall we try a dungeon? That 'Whispering Caverns' dungeon sounds like a good starting place."
Amura: "Not a bad choice. I agree."
Aetheria: (trembling) "D-dungeon? That's... dangerous, isn't it?"
Kyoichiiro stopped, then turned to Aetheria. His voice, though still flat, sounded softer than usual.
Kyoichiiro: "Don't worry. If something happens, take shelter behind me or Amura. We'll protect you."
Aetheria looked into Kyoichiiro's light blue eyes, filled with quiet confidence. Slowly, the trembling in her hands subsided. Bravely, she reached out and grasped Kyoichiiro's left hand. Kyoichiiro was momentarily surprised, but didn't pull away. He simply allowed it.
They walked towards the quest board to pick up the Whispering Caverns exploration contract. Outside, the sun was still high, illuminating the steps of three young individuals who, without realizing it, were taking their first step towards an adventure that would change their destinies—and perhaps, one day, the destiny of this world.