Chapter 18

♪ I’ve Got Big, Big Plans ♪

The warning bells continued to echo through the town when I notice a second set of stats in the upper left corner of my vision.

[Name: Truck Coon]

[~Status~]

[Health: 297/297]

[Mana: 3196/3196]

[Energy: 990/990]

[Name: Malady Teostra]

[~Status~]

[Health: 1375/1375]

[Mana: 550/550]

[Energy: 1661/1661]

Now it’s telling me her family name. Must be because we are in a party now, but it gives me everyone else’s family name once I know just their given name. Could be a concealment skill? A curse of some kind? And I’ve heard that name before… Teostra Avacyn right? He made the contract with the trees or something like that. Someone in her ancestry must have adopted his name as their family name… Eh, whatever. I’m sure she’ll tell me whenever she’s ready to.

The two of us looked out a window to see many guards running through the streets towards the south, and peasants running in the opposite direction. One such person had what looked like a trumpet emitting a light blue aura. When he lifted it to his mouth, he began to give directions to all in earshot, “Emergency request posted! All those who’re combat-capable meet at the [Adventuring Guild] on ground level!”

[name: Voice of Rads Cannon. Controls the level of rad units in a targeted place or thing using sound.]

Rad… units? As in, Radiation-Absorbed Dose units?! I… can’t even.

I snapped myself out of it before giving the ‘party’ direction, “We’re following that guy on the loudspeaker.”

Malady: “Loudspeaker? W-wait for me, Sir Tru!”

Masada was hoisted over my shoulder, yet again, when we stepped out onto the moss brick road. We started with a walk that turned into a jog. The [Voice of Rads Cannon] continued to belt out the same line we heard earlier until we came upon a gate made of stone. That thing must be 30 feet tall! There aren’t as many people as we expected waiting in front of what looks like an elevator shaft.

Malady turned to me with concern, “Sir Tru, there aren’t many people here for whatever is going on. Maybe the situation isn’t as dire as the bells portrayed?” I agreed with her and lifted my head to look around for whoever I thought would be the one in charge. While pointing over towards the short, beefy guy with a glorious, braided, red beard paired with a well-groomed mustache who held the label [Voice of Rads Cannon], I said, “I’m gonna ask that guy.”

He had an imposing persona. So rough, you might even think he just killed his mom or something. With one eye, because the other was replaced by a freakishly jagged scar, he looked over at me before I even took a few steps, “I ain’t the leader, kid. Just passin’ the emergency message for the guild. I’m sure they’ll tell us more soon enough.”

The excitement I had to talk to a, or well, what I thought could be a, [~Bard~] drained from my face when I answered, “Ah, alright. I’m Tru, this is my eidolon, Masada, and this is my partner, Malady. We just arrived at the city and don’t really know what’s going on.”

I’m pretty sure that’s a dwarf. But, well, I’d rather not be wrong. The supposed dwarf ignored our introduction and said, “Haven’t seen ya before neither. It’s an emergency request. Didn’t ya hear my announcement?”

I felt kind of dumb after he said that, to be honest. “Of course, I did. But is this normal? I’m not sure what exactly an emergency request is.”

???: “Happens often enough. If you don’t even know what that is, You must be reeeeal green.”

Masada got a bit offended, “Kuruuu~.” I’m not even sure how Masada knows what that means.

???: “Ya can’t complain just ‘cause your master’s new to adventurin’ there, Mr. Bigsword-wizardstaff-thing.” The dwarf said that while looking directly at Masada’s eye. He can understand Masada too. It must be one of his skills. He does look like he’s pretty high level.

Shortly enough, a massive platform rose up next to the gate. Made from carved stone bricks, I could see the magic holding the platform in place when a voice resounded through the air, “Due to an emergency, only combat-ready persons may enter the [Valleyport Lower District]. All those capable, please enter.”

I couldn’t tell where the voice was coming from and just chalked it up to some magic skill. “Let’s go, Malady.” There was only a handful of us going down. What happened to all the people running in the streets? Were most of them just plebs?

______________

After the elevator reached the ground floor, another announcement was made, “All those participating in the emergency request, proceed to the [Adventuring Guild]. We thank you for your service.”

I followed Cannon, his new nickname, and the group of adventurers that I walked past on my way to the city gate. Wow, it’s actual ground! Solid ground… I think I’m gonna miss the moss actually. The roads aren’t paved, so this district is clearly not as well off as Kulkne, nor as comfortable as the moss lane. I checked the group heading to the guild with a nagging thought, There are seriously not very many people here. I hope there’s more at the guild if there’s an emergency request given by the city.

Everyone took a brisk pace through the roads until finally, a building with a large sign above the door that read [Adventurer’s Guild] came into sight. We approached the entrance of what looked like a big cowboy-style saloon and opened the door to the sound of creaking wood. An unexpected view entered my vision. I had expected to see rowdy people gathered in great numbers, probably drinking, with hoarse laughter or something like that.

No, It was mostly empty except for someone that looked like a butler and several guild receptionists. There were plenty of tables, not unlike a restaurant would have, for food and drink. What makes me more uneasy is that there are only a couple other people that look like adventurers. Well, excluding the group I followed to get here, of course.

Worry painted my face until a receptionist shot me a smile that rose my spirits. As expected of the receptionists, who are the face of the guild, each of them is beautiful with exceptional figures. Three of them stand at a long desk near the back of the main room, one perfectly proportioned human with black hair tied up in a ponytail and deep brown eyes, one with pointed ears and amethyst skin paired with silver hair like a dark elf and one slim, well-endowed, yet obviously nimble beastgirl. A real, living, breathing beastgirl! Although there aren’t many adventurers, the guild receptionist who looks to be in charge is a beastgirl! But not just any beastgirl, no, she has cat ears! How could I not be excited to see such a staple of the fantasy genre?

[name: Head Receptionist. Provides information, job requests, and direction to members of the organization for which she works.]

A booming voice woke me from my daydream, “We’re here for that emergency request, Missy.” In an instant, the window updated before my eyes.

[name: Missy. Receives adventurers to provide jobs and mental support, as well as leads and trains new guild receptionists.

race: Beastman [~Select~]

class: Head Receptionist [~Select~].]

I guess she's a Beastman, even though she's not a man. Mmmm, well, 'Human' is how to refer to all human beings even though only 'man' is in 'human'. It's not like we call females 'huwomen'. Whatever. I'm not about to ask 'Hey! Are you a man?' Missy’s face grew pale with worry when she said, “Is this really all you could find, Braska? We seem to be grossly shorthanded for the task at hand…” The same thing that just happened with Missy’s data window took effect with Cannon’s.

[name: Braska Riddlebreaker. A well-renowned [~Bard~] and [~Mage~] known amongst dwarven nations as the destroyer.]

[race: Dwarf [~Select~].]

[class: Voice of Rads Cannon [~Select~].]

Braska: “Aye, it can’t be helped. Too many are already off sorting out the orc settlement that appeared a day’s journey south, and who knows what the hunters are up to. So, what’s the request?”

Missy: “A flood is coming.”

Braska’s eyes narrowed, and he asked, “What kind of flood could be deemed an emergency request?”

Missy: “Acid slimes in the hundreds, maybe even thousands are moving through the Bosbron Meadows. The fields, along with everything in their path, are being disintegrated and nothing except dust is left. They’ll be upon the city walls in one day if nothing is done to deflect their direction.”

So, when there are a bunch of slimes it’s called a flood. I guess it makes sense. They’re like a viscous liquid, right?

Braska cut Missy off as I continued to listen along with my fellow members of Truck-kun’s Party, “That means somethin’s leadin’ em… Do we know what yet?”

Missy: “No. But expect there to be many rare species of acid slime. They tend to raise their Tr level when they meld with other slimes. Everyone who intends to protect this town, please read the posted request on the quest board.”

Leaving it at that, Missy pointed over to the right where a corkboard sat on the wall. The board stretched from the front to the back of the guildhall and was covered in requests. From what I can tell, it’s organized from most to least difficult going from left to right. Each one had a Tr rating on it, which I’m sure is how the guild gauges their difficulty. One area on the board, labeled ‘S’, was mostly blank except for two requests, the orc settlement request Braska mentioned and the slime request.

S

Special

Emergency Request!

An [Acid Slime] flood has mobilized about a day’s distance from Lower Valleyport and must be annihilated.

Reward: 5 [Gold] coins will be given for accepting.

2 [Platinum] coins will be given for success.

Separate rewards will be given based on the degree of contribution.

Moreover, though [Acid Slime Core Fragment]s are normally 3 [Wrought Iron] coins, it will be increased to 5 per unique core piece.

Although [Acid Slime]s are normally a Tr 2 ranked request, when in a group, they are considered a Tr 5.

Requirements: The ability to defeat an [Acid Slime]. Applicants will be judged in the second floor Assembly room.

Now then, what should I do here? Well, I shouldn’t have any problems participating. I doubt they can even scratch Masada. It’s also a great opportunity to sacrifice myself for the city of Valleyport. And beating so many Tr level monsters will definitely boost my level and stats. This is also perfect for me since there’s no rank requirement to apply. Ugh but then we may be given too much notice and have a lot of people wanting to meet us… I can’t refuse the quest though. It’s too great an opportunity to tell others about Yahweh.

While pondering the merits and demerits of accepting the request, I overheard the adventuring group that came in with us, “There’s no doubt there’ll be rare species there.”

“……What will we do?” asked the mage in their group.

The warrior gave his opinion to the other members of his party, “This’ll be big. After all, it’s two [Platinum] coins and five [Gold] just for participating. Naturally, there will be an equivalent amount of risk with such a generous reward…”

The archer in their group spoke up, “I don’t think we should. I’m not even sure our weapons would survive long enough to complete the request.”

I started speaking to Malady and Masada, but the others started to listen in too, seeing as I was speaking pretty loudly, “We can’t, not accept this. Look around. If it isn’t us who stops this, then we may as well dig graves for the people of Valleyport.”

My weighted words reached everyone in the room and silence fell. Conviction washed over each person, understanding that we’re probably all there’s going to be as an extermination force. I could be wrong, but I have a feeling the guards stay at the city walls and the adventurers and monster hunters are the forward units. Yahweh put a verse in my mind from the psalms when I continued, “A verse that my God gave to me says ’Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and oppressed.’ We hold the strength to protect the weak and that is our duty.”

Braska shouted in agreement, “Here here! Whoever’s fightin’ with us, meet up in the second-floor assembly room right now!”

Missy rose her voice to get our attention, “Hold on now! Don’t just go having all these juniors follow your lousy example, accepting requests without even actually accepting them from the guild! Everyone, get in line with your guild cards ready. That includes you, Brask!”

Braska had already begun to sneak up the stairs while Missy chewed us out, but got caught anyway, “Aye, aye ma’am.”

I expect we can accept it. I’m not sure about Malady, but I’ll need a guild card I’m sure… hopefully it doesn’t take too long.

Two adventurers that were already here before we walked in stood from their table and said, “We’ll just head upstairs an’ wait for them, Missy.”

Missy: “Of course. Y’all already registered for the request.”

She said y’all! I think I’m starting to like this place.

The adventuring group that came here with us lined up first and accepted the request as a party, the warrior saying, “[Cry of the Banshee] accepts the request.” Only the warrior had to provide his guild card and all three members were signed up.

When it was our turn, Malady surprisingly lifted her arm from beneath her cloak to reveal a guild card. This time, I can see it says,

[Name: Malady – Age: 46 – Race: Dark Elf.]

[Class 1: Tr 8 – [-Rogue-].]

[Class 2: Tr 4 – [-Maid-].]

[Guild Status: Adventurer.]

[Demerits: 9.]

[!Warning! Further guild-associated misconduct will result in expulsion from the adventuring guild.]

I’ll have to ask her about that some other time…

Quickly enough, she accepted the request, and it was my turn, “Uuh, I just arrived here from another continent not long ago and haven’t registered as an adventurer.”

Missy: “Just sign your name, age, and class type here. Do you need me to write for you?”

In return for the cat girl’s words, I picked up the quill, “No, I can do it.” As I wrote in English, I watched the words change to some form of runic alphabet before being converted back to English. Ah-ha! I knew it was translating everything for me! There’s no way everyone here just HAPPENS to speak English.

Missy: “Okay excellent. You’re very literate, Sir Coon.”

Again, with the sir! Is it just because I have a last name? This is gonna bother me. “Hey, so, I’m just curious. Why does everyone call me ‘Sir’ after learning my name?”

Missy: “You have a family name. Are you not of noble birth then?”

Well… I guess my family line does come from nobility, like 600 years ago. “I suppose I am. I’m just not used to it from my continent. I’ll just get over it.”

Missy: “If that’s the case, then…” Missy bowed and continued, “We welcome you into the adventuring guild, Sir Coon,” and rose to an upright position.

She stamped the paper and handed it to me. The now blue glowing paper was perfectly stiff until I placed it on my left forearm per Missy’s instruction. It wrapped around my arm and absorbed into the skin, creating a screen just like the others.

‘bling’

‘You have joined the [Adventuring Guild]’

[Name: Truck Coon – Age: 23 – Race: Terran.]

[Class 1: Tr 0 – [-Beastmaster, Synergist-].]

[Class 2: N/a

[Guild Status: Adventurer.]

[Demerits: 0.]

Missy: “And I’ve gone ahead and signed you up for the request as well, sir. This concludes our business. I pray for you to become a fighting force for humanity; our nascent hope of limitless potential.”

I shot the gorgeous receptionist a pearly, white smile and said, “Thank you very much.” Before continuing with, “I’ll need to leave Masada down here. I don’t think he can hover up the stairs and if I step on them while holding him… it’ll probably destroy them.”

Braska’s eyebrows rose behind me, and he let out a whistle, “*wheeew* That’s one hefty blade then.”

Missy offered to watch him while he hovered by the desk, so Truck-kun’s Party went up.

Me: “Sorry buddy, I’ll fill you in on everything when we come back down.

Masada made a sad hum like a grumble, “Kuuruu…”

Awe poor guy. I’ll have to make it up to him later.

The large meeting room wasn’t exactly like what Tru remembered back at Koenig Partnership as a tax associate. It was just a room with chairs strewn around disorderly in the large space with a sturdy-looking table at its center.

Malady and I took a couple chairs close to the nearest end of the table and the other adventuring party took seats near ours. The warrior spoke up first, “Sorry about giving you the evil eye on the trail earlier, priest.”

Oh? I’m a priest now. Well, from their perspective. “I wouldn’t exactly say I’m a priest. More like a messenger?” I gave myself questioning eyebrows, I’ll have to figure out what exactly I am to God. I continued with a normal expression, “Anyway, no offense taken. Yahweh is all about forgiveness, so I am too.”

Rellen Esstral [Advance Warrior]: “Hahaha thank your God for me then. I’m Rellen, Rellen Esstral. It’s nice to know we’ll be working with an upstanding fellow like yourself, but how exactly do you expect to survive with no Tr level? I assume it has something to do with that impressive sword downstairs.”

Me: “Nice to meet you. I’m Tru and this is my partner, Malady. You’d assume right. Masada is his-”

Braska strode in with some heft in his step and interrupted me with his powerful voice, “Alrighty then! Mage, what area of effect skills do you know?”

Everyone bore shocked expressions on their faces while looking around between each other, taken aback by the dwarf’s complete disregard for decorum before the mage spoke up sarcastically.

Elaine Corvusis [Pure Elementalist]: “It’s nice to meet you too, I’m Elaine Corvusis. What’s your name?”

Rolling his eyes, the dwarf answered exaggeratedly, “Braska Riddlebreaker. Answer me please.”

Elaine: “I… *sigh* As a pure Elementalist, I forewent my second class to further specialize in the four primary elements. Nearly all of my skills can be cast as aoe. Will you be enhancing my skills as a [~Bard~]?”

You really think he has support skills with the class [Voice of nuclear fallout]? … Oh wait, the [Evaluate] skill on guild cards only shows the type and Tr level. Which, by the way, Braska is pretty high at Tr 24. It seems that I’m the only one in the group not already Tr 10 or higher… I’ll have to pull my weight.

Braska let out a hearty laugh that brought him to tears, “BAHAHAHA! Young lady, all a bard needs to be powerful is knowledge. I’ll most definitely be our strongest firepower. You can count on that.”

The conversation went on in that manner for another minute or two, the mage and bard verbally duking it out, when the gentleman that looked like a butler entered the room. Everyone stopped what they were doing and might as well have burned a hole through the guy with their eager stares.

Butler: “We’ll be foregoing the application test, seeing as we have a wholly inadequate number of applicants for the task. I pray you’ve all gotten introductions out of the way?”

Malady stood up and whipped off her [Cloak of Concealment] to reveal luscious, blonde hair that fell straight along her back to her waist. Piercing green eyes overflowing with life attached to defined limbal rings; A refined smile paired wonderfully with her dark purple skin and proudly standing ears were unveiled. Though she had a [Maid] outfit on beneath the cloak, it was clearly no ordinary maid uniform. Black, metal spaulders, as well as faulds made of the same material, had been added for additional protection. Exactly what you’d expect from a battle maid. Obsidian?

[name: Meteoric Steel]

Ah. Still, it looks and sounds really cool.

Malady: “I’m Malady, a [Rogue Maid] in service to Master Tru.”

Oh gosh, this is going straight to my head. Humility. Humility. Humility dang it!

Similarly, the archer who had yet to introduce herself finally gave her name, “Tsai. I’m a [Pure Ranger].” She is a much lighter-skinned elf with blonde hair like Malady’s, but also had sharp, blue eyes that made her look naturally irritated.

Butler: “Excellent. With introductions aside, let us begin the strategy meeting.”