Chapter 54: Welcome to the Guild, HERO!?

Anais: “Waah!?

Anais squeak in terror, she turned over in Nathan’s hood the wrong way and experience a sensation of falling, startling Nathan in the process. She refused to wake up this morning, so Nathan stuck her in his hood. They had business to attend to and they all needed to be there.

Nathan: “You okay?”

Anais: “Yeah, where are we?”

Nathan: “We’re heading over to meet Ash.”

Anais: “*Yawn* Hold on a second.”

Anais jumped down from his hood and scurried out of sight, returning in her Therian form.

Anais: “Much better.”

Anais wrapped one arm around another, as she stretch them high into the air.”

Anais: “Mmm, did we get any money from Ramol.”

Nathan: “Not yet, even with the contract, it’s still gonna take some time before they can sell anything, it will take about a week to make a profit.”

Anais: “A week, seriously?”

Last night, Nathan planted several fruits and vegetables, he had gathered along the way. Nathan grew crop after crop, sending them all into Ramol’s inventory. They don’t rot and stay as fresh as when they were pulled from the ground, plus the Inventory sorted them and clean them, so they were ready for sale. Nathan wanted to keep going all through the night, but Iris forced him to stop, much to the relief of Ramol. Before they stopped him, Nathan had grew and stored a year worth of produce. He now had plenty to sell and trade.

Nathan: “Don’t worry we’re gonna be real busy for an entire week, I just got some juicy bit of info.”

Anais: “What?”

Iris: “Master!”

Iris fluttered down to Nathan and Anais, since no one but those she permitted can see her, it was fairly easy to get in and out of places. Nathan ask her to find anything she could.

Iris: “Are we done at the shop?”

Nathan: “For now, but more importantly, what did you find out?”

Iris: “It seems it will be opening, three days from now.”

Anais: “What are you talking about?”

Nathan: “A Dungeon.”

Anais: “Dungeon?”

Nathan: “Yup, while I was helping Ramol and Kyr with their garden, they told me all about it.”

Nathan spoke of what he heard, how dungeons was places around the world, that open once every year. Filled to the brim with treasure and traps alike, not to mention all the monsters that lurk with in.

Anais: “And you want to go inside?”

Nathan: “Of course, you don’t?”

Anais: “Not really, what’s the point?”

Iris: “I was wondering that as well, it doesn’t see any reason to go inside.”

Nathan looked as he was struck by lightning, he was so excited about the dungeon, he didn’t stop to realize, there wasn’t a reason to go inside.

Nathan: “Well, we need money.”

Anais: “We’re about to get paid at the end of the week, why risk it?”

Nathan: “Because, we also need experience.”

Iris: “That could be obtain in our travels.”

Nathan: “Well, what if we had to go in later, we should get a fell for it.”

Anais: “All that could be learned in books.”

Nathan: “I-I can’t read.”

Iris: “Don’t worry Master, I’ll read it to you."

Nathan couldn’t believe how logically they were destroying his reasoning. Nathan tried desperately to think of a reason for going inside, one that would satisfy these two. He had spent much time exploring the one in video games, the thought of exploring a real one, was a dream come true.

Nathan: “Well, we, ur, um."

Iris and Anais sighed heavily, as Nathan fumbled over his words. Anais clapped her hands together to get Nathan’s attention.

Anais: “…………Nathan, if you want to go inside, just for the sake of it, just say so.”

Nathan: “What, I-I don’t know what your t-talking about.”

Anais: “It’s so obvious that you just want to go inside.

Iris nodded in agreement.

Iris: “If that all you want to do is experience it, I don’t mind.”

Nathan scratch his cheek, he had been completely seen through, it no use playing coy at this point.

Nathan: “Then yes, I really, really want to go inside.”

Anais: “Sheesh, you’re like a big kid.”

Iris: “I think it’s wonderful, to have a sense of adventure.”

Nathan: “Aheheheheheheh.”

Anais shrugged her shoulders, as they started walking again.

Iris&Anais: “Ah!”

Nathan: “Hmm, what’s wrong.”

Anais: “Nothing.”

Iris: “Nothing at all.”

Nathan started walking again, his tail wagging happily to in fro. The girls decided not to say anything, it was more amusing this way.

_

_

Nathan: “We’re here.

Anais looked up at the familiar structure.

Anais: “The Adventurers guild, why here?”

Ash: “I signed us up.”

Ash walked up to the bunch, dawning a toothy grin.

Nathan: “Ash, everything went well?”

Ash: “Thanks to Ena, if you hadn’t sent her with me, I don’t think Belle would have believe me.”

Anais: “When you’re a liar, those that tends to happen.”

Ash: “Hey, I don’t lie, I tell half-truths.”

Anais: “A half-truth is a whole lie.”

Ash: “You, stinking rodent.”

Anais: “Who you calling a rodent, Furball.”

Nathan stepped in between the two.

Nathan: “Cool it you two (There a joke hear about a cat and mouse) where’s Ena anyway?”

Ash: “She’s inside, she was having an arm wrestling contest with some of the adventurers.”

Nathan: “That’s sounds bad.”

*Pain ridden scream*

Nathan: “That sounded worst.”

Nathan rush inside, finding some man clutching his arm on the floor and Ena hovering over top of him.”

Nathan: “Ena, what did you do?”

Ena: “Hmph, they challenge me to a test of strength, I couldn’t refuse.”

Nathan: “Hold on I’ll he-”

Nathan was stopped by Ash and Anais alike, both silently reminding him about what they talked about earlier.

The man clenched his arm and pain and stood up.

Burly man: “Please don’t worry about me, I challenged her, she did nothing wrong. Besides, it was my fault for taking her lightly.”

The other adventurer all agreed, it a friendly competition. The man turned to Ena, the feeling returning to his arm.

Burly man: “You got some crazy strength there young lady.”

Ena: “It’s not that big a deal.”

Ena acting turned her head, trying to hide her glee.

After that, several adventurers step up to take her on, which Ena was more then happy to accept.

Ash: “See, everything worked itself out, be careful from now on, no healing.”

Nathan: “Right, let’s hope she doesn’t rip somebodies arm off.”

Ash laughed awkarwdly, realizing that was a distinct possibility.

Belle: “Excuse me?”

Nathan turn to find belle waving at him.

Nathan: “Hey, Belle.”

Belle: “Hello to you again as well, if your all ready, I can begin the registry. The fee has been paid and were all ready.”

Anais: “We paid, with what money?”

Ash: “Mine of course.”

Anais: “You paid for everything?”

Ash put an arm over Nathan’s shoulder.

Ash: “I’m a part of the team now, I don’t mind contributing, plus *whisper*I saw all the things you gave Ramol. We’re gonna be rich after a week.”

Anais: “……………Gold Digger.”

Ash: “Shut up, I was on the team before I knew of your stockpile, I just needed to be part of the team.”

Nathan: “Why’s that?”

Belle: “If you could step up to the counter, please?”

Ash: “I’ll tell you later.”

Belle: “So Nathan, I was told that you are leader, is this correct.”

Nathan: “That’s right.”

Belle placed her hand over a stone slab, that started glow slightly when she removed it.

Belle: “Okay, the same way you added a party member please place your hand here and will need a drop of blood. It will then read your stat chart and register your party, by the way do you have a name?”

Nathan: “Yeah, Nathan.”

Belle: “Huh, Pfft!”

Belle placed a hand over her mouth as, she laughed, much to Nathan confusion. He turned to Ash, who was snickering as well.

Ash: “She meant your party, a name for your party?”

Nathan: “No, I haven’t thought of that, do I need it to register?”

Belle: “No, but without one it would be hard to get quest recommendations.”

Ash: “There are some special people who ask for parties specifically, Quest Givers if you want.”

Nathan: “But, I sign for confidentiality.”

Ash: “That doesn’t matter, they don’t care what your stats are, nor are they allowed to see it. As long as you made a name for yourself and accomplish some truly magnificent feats. Most of the time, the reward is much bigger then the normal quest from the guild.”

Nathan: “I get it, but I don’t have one for now, could I wait until later?”

Belle: “Yes, that’s fine, please continue then.”

Belle handed Nathan a knife. Slitting his finger, moved it towards the glowing surface, he suddenly stopped and looked to Belle.”

Belle: “I-Is there a problem?”

Nathan: “……………….Are you the type of person to freak out?”

Belle: “I-Im sorry?”

Nathan: “Are you easily surprised?”

Belle looked extremely confused, was it something to do with his stats. She never seen a Lycanian’s stats, however she was a professional. Seeing abnormal stats was apart of the job, with that thought she shook her head.

Nathan: “Just try not to freak out when you see.”

With that Nathan placed his slit finger on the slab, he felt a warm sensation the cold, then hot.

Belle: “That it’s you are now Registered, welcome to the Adventurers Guild.”

Belle pulled up a screen, Nathan watched her carefully, as did everyone else. Confusion, shock, and then disbelief, the usual symptoms. Belle turned to Nathan, her head moving like a sprinkler resetting to start. He waved to her, causing her to step back and hit her head on the wall, turning to Nathan and everyone begging her to be calm. However, they could tell, she was about to scream out the taboo words. Nathan quickly reached out in took her hand.

Nathan: “(Tranquil).”

It took immediate effect, Ash held her mouth, as to keep her from saying anything. As Belle expression began to grow calm. He had stop her from yelling but, she was still in disbelief.

Nathan: “Confidentiality, Confidentiality.”

Nathan pleaded to her, she took a deep breath.

Belle: “R-RIGHT!?”

Belle slowly made her way back to the counter, scrolling down the list at the members, she could barely keep on her feet. The Hero, a nymph, a fairy, what was this craziness?”

Ash: “(Whisper) Belle are you okay?”

Belle: I-I-I-I-I need to go speak with the guild leader, could all please wait in the lobby?”

Nathan: “Is everything alright?”

When Nathan spoke to her, she jumped back and hit her head again.

Belle: “YES, FINE, Just, Master, guild, get I.”

Nathan: “Okay, we’ll wait in the lobby.”

Belle step from behind the counter, smacking into the door frame. Holding her head in pain, she got herself together and made her way up the steps, half-way up, the sound of her falling back down stairs, startled those standing by.”

Nathan: “………….Well that happened.

Ash: “Yeah.”

Nathan: “………………..Would it be rude if I laughed?”

Everyone: “Yes.”

Nathan: “……………The hell with it, Bwahahahahahaha.

Nathan laughed his way over to the lobby, ignoring everyone telling him to stop.

_

_

Anais: “What’s taking so long?”

Ash: “Beats me.”

Iris: “Could there be some complications?”

Nathan: “Could they be telling others about who I am?”

Ash: “No way, they won’t step beyond the confine of the contract, unless the be cursed.”

Nathan: “You could be cursed for breaking a contract?”

Ash: “Yup, contracts in blood anyway, why do you think everyone, sticks to their contract, no one ever knows what a curse will do. It could be as simple as not being able to eat a certain food, to losing the ability to use magic. The bigger the contract, the stronger the curse.”

That made sense, no wonder Beatrice was so set on finishing their deal. Since they added me to their deal, but didn’t come through, one or all of them, probably had something bad happen to them.

Anais: “Why would anyone, sign something that could curse them?”

Ash: “Before contracts such as these, it was common for someone to back out on a deal whenever they wanted. Say you hired someone to go into a dungeon for you to get something, but then they back out deciding they want to keep whatever it is for themselves or ask for more than what’s you agreed upon. With contract the way they are now, one can guarantee, they get what they ask for.”

Nathan: “It sound more like demanding compliance.”

Ash: “Pretty much.”

Ash and Nathan continued their conversation unaware of the crowd forming around them.

Anais: “Nathan?”

Nathan: “What wrongs…….uhm….can I help you?”

?????: “Can she help us she says?”

The man and his group began to laugh at a joke Nathan doesn’t remember saying.

Ash: “Aw man, its Gaunt.”

Nathan: “Gaunt?”

Gaunt: “The one and only.”

Gaunt begin flexing his muscles, and posing in front of Nathan and he smiled and wink at Nathan, causing him to shiver.

Nathan&Anais: “Is he for real?”

Ash: “Sadly so, he one of the few high leveled adventurers around here.”

Nathan: “Him!?”

Ash: “But your still way stronger, but be careful with how you deal with him, he may not look like it, but he has a lot of power around here.”

Gaunt was a pretty big man, his clothes looking as if his muscle ripped his shirt sleeves and instead of getting new ones, he idiotically left them that way. Sliding into the seat and placing his arm over Nathan shoulder, he gave Nathan a smile that sent shivers throughout body once again.”

Nathan: “Your touching me.”

Gaunt: “Don’t sweat something like that, hey listen I’m here to make your day, see Z-man little birdies told me you were looking for some to help you get around town.

Nathan: “Z-man?”

Ash: (Whisper) He’s talking about Zane.”

Nathan: “(That douche bag from earlier, his little birdies…………those bitches.)”

Gaunt: “So I thought I help you out, I mean who wouldn’t want to help such a lovely woman.”

Gaunt looked Nathan up and down, he couldn’t help himself. Beautiful brown skin, long luxurious black hair, he thought she was lacking in the bosom department, but with looks like hers, who needed it. He had to have her and with his skills and his level he knew he would.

Gaunt: “What you say, wanna give it a try, who am I kidding, of course you do. I mean I’m me, who wouldn’t want to try? So, shall we head over and make this thing official, when you’re a member of my party I give you some special privileges. How would you like that?”

Nathan moved closer to Gaunt, showing him a cute smile. Steaming coming out of Gaunt’s nose as they got closer.

Nathan: “How would you like to eat my farts?”

Gaunt: “…………………….Huh?”

Nathan: “And who are you kidding with that way of talking, fucking gross.”

Gaunt: “What?”

Nathan: “I said your fucking Gross and gave you permission to touch me, you pig. Do think your impressing anyone like that, get over yourself. You, muscled bound, butt chinned, colossal pile of horse shit.”

Iris: “(Master.)”

Ash: “(Now you’ve done it.)”

Anais&Ena: “PFFFFFFHHTTTT!

Gaunt just stared mouth wide open, like he had become a statue. Trying to process what he had just been told.

Belle: “M-Master Lowell, the guild master would like to speak with you.”

Nathan: “Thank the heavens, the rest of you head back, I’ll head over right after I’m done. Let get out of here before someone starts explaining why this gaping asshole is so great.”

Nathan removed Gaunt’s arm and was careful to avoid touching him. In moments, Nathan and everyone removed themselves from the lobby, quickly filing out, a few of them laughing out loud at Nathan said

As they had cleared out the men and woman in his entourage turned turn back to Gaunt, still frozen in the same position.

???? : “Gaunt, are you okay?”

Gaunt: Earl, what did that woman just say to me?”

Earl: “Oh, um, well she said……………Gross.”

Gaunt begin to shake, as the world echoed through his head. Here he was trying to bring meaning into her existence and she said something like that to him. He gritted his teeth and clenched his fist.

Gaunt: “That bitch.”

_

_

Iris: “I never seen you like that before, Master.”

Nathan: “Sorry, was it too much?”

Iris shook her head.

Iris: “Not at all, if you hadn’t done that, I would have ripped him apart.”

Nathan: “Oh…. Then everything’s good (I wonder how she can say such terrifying things?).”

Iris: “It just surprising, witnessing you spew such obscenities.”

Nathan: “It just that, he just like the people who hit on me back home, the way they look at me and how they so casually touch me. If not for keeping a low profile, I would have put him on his head.”

Nathan and Iris continued their conversation while Belle lead the way. She seemed a bit tenser, he couldn’t tell if it was because of him or because of their conversation.

Nathan: “Belle, are you okay?”

Belle: “Y-Yes, it’s just a little unsettling to hear the disembodied voice.”

Nathan: “She still can’t see you, she knows about you already?”

Iris: “I don’t see the reason, she may know I’m here, but there is no need to show her my form. However, if you want me to, I will do as you say.”

Nathan: “No, no, I’m not gonna make you do anything, who you choose to show yourself to is up to you.”

Belle: “I-I-I’m am fine as well, no need to on my behalf it’s just.”

Belle stopped walking in turned around, causing her chest to ricochet back and forth.

Nathan: “(Whoa!)”

Belle: “Such amazing people suddenly show up, I’m just trying to keep calm, if you could please do the thing you did earlier, standing here I feel as if I’m going to faint again.”

Nathan activated Tranquil again and re-calmed Belle, her demeanor once again returning to itself. Back to normal she bowed.

*boing**boing*

Belle: “Thank you, I’m much better now.”

Nathan: “No problem (Whoa, just, just whoa.). Iris can stay camo, it’s probably for the chest.”

Belle: “Chest?”

Nathan: “BREAST, BEST!”

Belle looked at Nathan confused, she wasn’t sure what he was talking about or why his voice level kept rising and falling.

Iris: “*stare* Ahem.”

Nathan: “Ugh, please continue.”

Belle: “Yes, please this way.”

Nathan continued to follow Belle down the hall, sweat running down his face, as he avoided eye contact with Iris.

Coming to a double door, Belle knocked lightly.

Belle: “Master, I brought him.”

??????: “Please come in.”

Entering the room was extravagant, compare to the rest of the building, the décor looked as though someone put work into its design. However, there was an unnecessary amount of blue. Standing in the center of the room, was an older gentleman. A welcoming smile on his face, he walked up to Nathan and bowed.

Matthew: Welcome Hero, I’m am the Loegrey branch guild master, Matthew Rhyshere, a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”