After registration, Kenneth took Yamamoto around the guild, showing him around.
He decided to show him the lodging facility that was located at the eastern wing, a three story structure that shared a wall with the main guild half. Kenneth led Yamamoto up a narrow staircase to the second floor, past doors bearing worn numbers and the occasional sounds of snoring or muffled conversation.
"Most of the rooms are shared," Kenneth explained as they walked. "Helps keep costs down and builds camaraderie. You'll be in Room 42 with Garrick. Good man, keeps to himself mostly though."
Yamamoto was more surprised to see more adventurers lounging around rather than raiding dungeons more than anything. If they all were players, that would never be the case. Even high leveled players didn't idle about.
They reached the room, and Kenneth unlocked the door after confirming it to be locked. The room was modest but functional. Two beds flanked opposite walls, each with a wooden chest at its foot. A small table sat beneath the window, cluttered with what looked like spearhead maintenance tools and oil rags. The left bed was clearly occupied, from all it had going on.
"Garrick's probably at the training hall or out on a quest," Kenneth said, gesturing to the empty right bed. "That's yours. Five silver a month covers the room, access to the baths, and you can use the meal hall for breakfast. Lunch and dinner cost extra, but it's cheaper than eating out."
"It is." Yamamoto said, checking the place out. Having all his belonging inside his inventory, there was no travel bag to set down and such, a detail Kenneth caught on to.
"You know what's funny, I don't think I ever noticed you carrying any traveling luggage…"
"The place's nice. I'll move in tomorrow," Yamamoto said, dodging that question as though he hadn't heard it. "Still got a night paid for at the Inn."
"Oh yeah, that makes sense. Alright, come on, let me show you the rest."
"Ok.
He took Yamamoto to the training hall next. The training hall occupied the entire ground floor of the northern wing. The moment Kenneth pushed open the heavy double doors, the sounds of combat filled the air.
The space was vast, easily fifty feet across and twice as long. Training dummies lined one wall, their surfaces scarred and dented from countless impacts. Weapon racks held practice swords, spears, axes, and bows. Several sparring circles had been marked on the floor, currently occupied by different people trading blows.
"Training hall's open from dawn to midnight," Kenneth said, raising his voice over the din. "You can come practice forms, spar with other members, or if you're lucky, get some instruction from the senior members. Master Silver comes by occasionally to teach. She's strict, but excellent."
"Good to know," he said, filing the information away.
Kenneth led him out and across the courtyard to another building. "Armory's this way. Since you're a new member, you get to pick one piece of equipment as a welcome gift. Nothing fancy—all Uncommon grade—but it should be better than what you have, I think… What do you even have?" He asked, wondering if it was an even better weapon than he had thought, after all, Yamamoto's performance couldn't have been with just some regular sword, right? Maybe he hadn't seen right.
When Yamamoto pulled out his beginner sword, however, Kenneth was even more convinced that Yamamoto was a genius.
Yamamoto approached the weapon racks, scanning the options. His current Novice Sword was Common grade, barely better than scrap metal. Most of these weapons were Uncommon—a significant upgrade.
He examined several swords, testing their weight and balance.
A longsword caught his attention, a two hands sword that would make for diversity.
Grabbing it, he checked its stats, seeing that it actually had a significant buff on it, +8 Attack. That was more than excellent for an uncommon grade weapon.
"This one," he said.
An older woman seating behind the counter only glanced up and nodded once before making a note without any further comment whatsoever.
"That's Helda," Kenneth whispered. He then clapped Yamamoto on the shoulder as his voice returned to normal.
"That's a good choice. Now let me show you the meal hall and quest board, then I'll introduce you to the team."
As they made their way into the dining area, almost immediately, two men approached—both familiar faces from when Yamamoto had first arrived with Kenneth.
"Well, well," the first one said, grinning broadly. "Kenneth actually convinced someone to join. I'm impressed."
"Shut it, Markus," Kenneth said, though jokingly. "Odinson, you remember these two. Markus and Reed."
"Welcome to the Vanguard," Reed said, extending a hand that Yamamoto shook. "Hope you're ready for Kenneth's endless enthusiasm."
"I'm sitting right here," Kenneth protested with a sigh.
"We know," Markus said. He dropped onto the bench across from them, Reed following suit. "So, Odinson—exotic name, by the way—what made you join our illustrious guild?"
"Kenneth was persuasive," Yamamoto said carefully.
"That's one way to put it," Reed said. "Truth is, we're always looking for new blood. Especially after the Thornwood disaster."
Kenneth's expression darkened slightly. "We don't need to talk about that."
"Right, right," Markus said, waving a hand. "Anyway, welcome aboard. Just one complaint."
"What's that?"
"You're a man," Markus said flatly.
Yamamoto blinked. "I... yes?"
"See, that's the problem," Reed said, gesturing emphatically. "This branch is severely lacking in female members. We have, what, three? Four if you count Helda, but she terrifies me."
"She terrifies everyone," Markus said. "But seriously, three women in a guild of so many members. It's a tragedy."
"A crisis," Reed agreed.
"You two are ridiculous," Kenneth said, shaking his head.
"You don't get to talk," Markus shot back. "You're in a party with Aria. Do you know how many of us would kill for that opportunity?"
Kenneth flushed slightly. "Aria's a professional. Besides, she's not interested in younger—"
"I'm just saying, you're living the dream and you don't even appreciate it," Reed interrupted. "Meanwhile the rest of us are stuck in all-male parties like some kind of monastic order."
Yamamoto listened to the banter with mild amusement. Some things were universal, apparently. Even in another world, adventurers complained about their love lives.
"I'll keep that in mind if I meet any female adventurers," Yamamoto said.
"You do that," Markus said. "Recruit them. Bribe them. Whatever it takes man."
Kenneth stood abruptly. "Alright, that's enough corruption of the new recruit. Come on, Yamamoto. Let me introduce you to your team before these idiots scare you off."
As they walked away, Yamamoto could hear Markus and Reed still commiserating about the unfairness of it all.