Chapter 57: Explanation and Confrontation

Nathan: “Belle were here.”

Belle: “Ara, welcome, are you all ready.”

Nathan: “Yup, all accounted for.”

Belle: Then, allow me to present you with these.”

Belle handed each one a metallic card, edge on it was each of their names and a bit of information. Notably, the spot next to party name was left vacant, seeing as how he still hasn’t come up with a name for them.

Belle you are all now officially Adventurers.”

Nathan: “Wait, what about the test Ash told me about?”

Belle: “Guild Master Matthew, decided to waive the test.”

Nathan: “Why?”

Ash: “I’ll answer that, the test to join is basically a show of strength, not everyone can become an adventurer and to help find the best, they’ll have you fight a higher leveled adventurer. But the goal isn’t defeating the opponent, it just to prove you have what it takes. Each of you is a monster in there on right, what do you think would happen if you all took the test?”

Nathan: “Fare point, we’re really strong, huh?

Belle: “Frightfully so, I believe just the four of you, could take on anyone in this building.”

Nathan: “They don’t look weak.”

Belle: “, your all just that strong. Not by your level, it’s just your stats are frighteningly above average.”

Ash: “The fact that you all have Legacy’s don’t help either. You would have demolished anyone in here. So, it’s better to skip the test and avoid the suspicion.”

Nathan felt a little anxious, he was expecting as much, but he was hoping against. Being strong, brings unwanted attention and with the church being Legacy hunter, the last thing he wanted was to beat a higher ranked individual.

Anais: “What does “Pawn” mean?”

Anais’s question brought Nathan out of his thoughts.

Belle: “That is your current Adventurer level, “Pawn” is the beginner class. As you complete more quest your rank will rise allowing you to take higher leveled quest.”

Anais: “What, we can’t do any one we want from the get go?”

Belle: “I’m afraid not.”

Belle place her hand on the tablet, prompting a screen to appear.

Belle: “As you can see here, quests are ranked by difficulty, “S” being the most difficult, while “F” being the least difficult. As your adventurer ranking rises, you be able to take on higher leveled quest. As “Pawns”, your options are “F” and “E” ranked only. When you rise and become Rooks, you can then take on “E” and “D” ranked quests, along with the previous ranks available quests. Once you complete a certain amount of the highest ranking quests matching your current rank and pass your ranking trial, your rank will rise allowing you to take higher level quests. That means you can’t be ranked as Rook and rank up by only completing “E” and “F” ranked quests.”

Ena: “Isn’t that a bit tedious? Why not just base it on your level, the stronger you are, the easier time you’ll have?”

Belles shook her head, she knew this was coming, so many beginners say the same thing

Nathan: “Those who rely on Strength, often forsake strategy.”

Belle: “Oh.”

Ena: “What?”

Nathan: “She saying you need experience, it not always the strongest who gets the job done, but the one who plans ahead. Example, with if you had to fight an enemy encased in stone and had only one, heavily guarded weak spot?

Iris and Anais perked up, understanding exactly what Nathan was referencing.

Ena: “Hah, stone is of no concern to me, I will just smash my way through.”

Nathan: “Okay, but with if in that instant you strike, you were suddenly turned to stone, what then?”

Ena was stun a bit by the question.

Ena: “Well, umm.”

Nathan: “When you’re facing a new enemy and you have no idea what its capable of, it better to observe then rush and blind sword a blazing.”

Belle: “Right, higher levels does not mean experienced fighter. If you rush into a situation you’re not ready for, it will almost always mean death.”

Ena: “I-I see.”

Ash: “I‘m surprised you understood so quickly, I have heard the same question so many time before.”

Nathan: “I catch on fast.”

Ash: “Good for you, the first she said it to me, i didn’t know what she was talking about.”

Anais: “And most likely, you still don’t.”

Ash: “Hey!”

Nathan: “Alright, what do we do when we completed a quest, do we have to come all the way back here?”

Belle: “I’m afraid so, it was different long ago, but there were to many incidents where individuals didn’t report back. Leaving other adventurers to take quest that have already been completed. Now, the rewards are held here in the guild, forcing the adventurers to report in.”

Nathan: “Oh that’s going to suck, having to come back here every time.”

Belle: “You don’t have to return to this guild, any city with a guild will do.”

Nathan: “Yeah, but what if I’m not near any cities, I have to slug my way back here. It must be hard to get any progress.”

Nathan hated systems like this, some of the games in his world had similar systems. Having to return to town after every quest just to get the reward was tedious. There wasn’t any fast travel, so he couldn’t conveniently teleport back in forth.”

Belle: “Actually there is a way to continue on and still report back in the field.”

Belle walked over to the shelves behind her. Reaching in she pulled out a bracelet and set it on the desk.”

Nathan: “This is?”

Belle: “This is for the adventurer on the go, “Braiv”. It uses a similar rune to the one in “SlyphNote”, but it communicates with us instead. It also can receive and store your rewards. With it no matter where you are, except inside of a dungeon, you can be in touch with us.”

Anais: “That sounds really convenient, what if we need to gather something for someone?”

Belle: “As long as we get confirmation from the Requestee, everything is fine.”

Nathan thought that it sounded a little too convenient. Nathan watched a few people walk by, none them seemed to be wearing a Braiv. Which could mean only one thing.

Nathan: “This thing is expensive, isn’t it?”

Belle: “One White Gold.”

Ash: “That’s way expensive, for that price, I could get an entire weapons set………..twice.”

Nathan: “Why is it so expensive?”

Belle: “This bracelet is a combination of copper and a solvent made with salt, which are to extremely rare commodities. We couldn’t possibly sell it for less.”

Nathan: “That’s not possible right now, maybe at the end of the week, but not now.”

Belle: “I see.”

Belle returned the Bracelet back to it place, she seemed to be upset about it.

Nathan: “Well, if that’s all, can we start excepting quest?”

Belle: “Ah, wait one more thing.”

Belle grabbed a bag and handed each of them, a large marble.

Belle: “This is a “Battle Orb. They act as your replacement Health points during “Duels”.”

Nathan: “Duels, against adventures?”

Belle: “Yes, some Adventurers like to duel each other over the rights to quest, this system was created to lessen the bloodshed. With the Battle Orbs, critical wounds are negated, the pain is still there, so it’s possible to knock one’s opponent unconscious. That one way to win, the other is disarming your opponent of their weapon. If the weapon hits the ground it’s your loss.

Nathan: “What about martial artist?”

Belle: “In that case, the first choice is an option, having their HP drop to zero or finally having them submit to you. We rather our members not kill each other over such trivial matters, so please take care to issue the duel before you engage your fellow adventurer.”

Belle bowed and smiled.

Belle: “That’s all for my explanation, welcome to the Adventurer’s guild. If you’re ready to get started, in the room on the left, is all the postings for available quests, when you’ve chosen, please let me know.”

Nathan: “That room, alright, thanks Belle.”

Belle: “It was my pleasure, please be safe in your travels.”

With a bow Belle went about her business, leaving Nathan and friends to check out the room. Upon entering, Nathan found screens like the one Belle was using. Hundreds of postings, for quests or so Nathan believe. He still couldn’t make out anything written. Next to each screen was a small slot, Nathan watch as someone placed the card in the slot. Tapping the screen, their template slid out, just enough so they could grab it.

Nathan: “Should have known I couldn’t read anything, Ash, you’re up.”

Ash: “Ok, what are you looking for?”

Nathan: Something simple, but not any fetch quests.”

Ash: “Alright, let’s see, hmm, no that hunt will take too long, this one is too far out of the way. Bandit subjugation, not worth it.”

Nathan: “Wait, Bandits, that sounds like it’s worth a lot.”

Ash: “Forget it, it way too complicated to deal with bandits. It may sound like a subjugation, but it’s really a mass hunt for ghost.”

Nathan: “Ghost?”

Ash: “Think about it, you don’t know how many there are, where their hiding or who their leader is. Even if you did happen to find them, you could be over whelmed by their numbers. And the off chance you did beat them and perhaps you got their leader. There’s no guarantee you were able to get every single one. For all you know, you might let one join your party and they gain your trust before stabbing you in your sleep. It’s a complete gamble.”

Nathan: “I seriously doubt that last part would happen.”

Iris: “Most certainly an impossibility.”

Iris chimed in as a matter-of-factly.

Nathan: “But I see where you’re coming from.”

Ash: “Right, now let me find something good.”

Ash systematically went through each quest’s, looking for something interesting. It was Their first quest in he didn’t wanna

Iris: “Master look there.”

Nathan: “What…………….ugh.”

Across the room, Gaunt was watching Nathan, along with a few of his entourage. Nathan completely ignore them and their existence entirely, he wanted nothing to do with them.

Ash: “Found one, look here.”

Ena: “Bun-bun subjugation?”

Ash: “Yup, this quest is a group quest.”

Nathan: “Group quest, you mean other parties will be taken part?”

Ash: “Yeah, since subjugation usually have you, fighting a huge group of monsters. Since its your first quest, it would be better to work in a huge group, instead of running off blindly.”

Gaunt: “Hey, you.”

Nathan: “I guess, but won’t the reward be low, if there are so many people?”

Ash: “That doesn’t matter, right now, you should all be focusing on going up one rank. Only Rooks and above can enter a dungeon.”

Gaunt: “Hey, I’m talking to you.”

Nathan: “What, Seriously?”

Ash: “Yup, the first floor of the dungeon can have monster anywhere between levels one to thirty, depending on where you are. And not just one, it could be an entire group of level thirties. So, to keep losses at a low, if you’re a member of the guild, you have to be a Rook to enter.”

Anais: “A member, then if we hadn’t become adventurers we could go in anytime we wanted?”

Ash: “Yeah, but you couldn’t except quests if you weren’t, it just easier to raise your rank and safer. If your ever in trouble, there’s a function on your card, it will send out a beacon, requesting assistance.”

Nathan: “Fine, let’s sign up, how do we do it?”

Ash: “You’re the leader, so you have the parties card, insert it here.”

Nathan did as he was told and slid the card in. Some symbols appeared on the screen.”

Nathan: “What does it say?”

Ash: “Its asking you, how many people are coming with you?”

Nathan: “Oh right, good question, any of you want to stay here, I’m not forcing you to come?”

Anais: “I’m good.”

Ena: “I have no problem with it.”

Ash: “Of course I’m going.”

Gaunt: “You deaf or something?”

Nathan looked to Iris, she made a face that said, “You don’t even need to ask.”

Ash: “Okay, then hit the top choice.”

Nathan tap the screen and confirmation sound was heard. The card slid back out and Nathan took it back.

Ash: “And that’s it, we’re officially apart of the quest.”

Ena: “Hmm, it says they’re meeting on the Deldel Fields, that’s the fruit growing orchard east of here.”

Nathan: “How long do we have?”

Ash: “Well the subjugation, starts in four hours and it will take us about forty minutes to walk there from here.”

Nathan: “Alright then, Ash do you have anything to do before we leave.”

Ash: “Nothing besides getting a bite to eat.”

Anais: “Me too.”

Ena: “I can also use something to eat.”

Nathan: “Alright then you all get something to eat and me and Iris will head over to the library. Now that we’re an official team, they have to let us in. Will all meet up at the eastern gate.”

Ash: “You know how to get there?”

Nathan: “No, but you do, and I can track party members wherever they go.”

With that they all headed out, going their respective directions. Nathan and Iris walked casually down the street. Nathan, still drawing attention, much more then what he cared to have. His mind drifted back to the thieves, the rumors that were spread about him, he wandered just how many people avoiding him knew of them.

Iris: “Everything alright, Master?”

Nathan: “Yeah I was just thinking about stuff. Oh, you know you’ll be doing most of the work, when we get to the library, right?”

Iris: “I am well aware, it will be my pleasure assisting you.”

Nathan: “Glad to hear it.”

Gaunt: “YOU BITCH DON’T IGNORE ME!”

Gaunt ran over and jumped in front of Nathan, blocking his way.

Nathan: “What do you want I don’t have time?”

Gaunt: “Who do you think you are ignoring.”

Nathan pushed pass Gaunt, leaving him fuming from the ears.

Gaunt: “That’s it…… NO ONE IGNORES ME.”

Nathan: “Don’t care, about your self-centered delusions.”

A crowd started to form around the two, Gaunt was starting trouble again. It always happened when someone ignored him, he would then proceed to crushing them. Not far away Zane was browsing his favorite armor shop. He noticed a crowd forming outside, but what caught his eye was the cause of the crowd.

Zane: “(That’s.)”

Gaunt: “Get this through your head, you are just some rogue pawn, no ones gonna take you seriously. But I can forget your past insults if…….HEY,DON’T, WALK AWAY

Nathan: “Whatever, Ass chin.”

Gaunt: “Wha-”

Several people started laughing, Gaunt growing angrier by the second. Not only has she ignore his advances, now he’s being humiliated. This was the last straw.

Gaunt: “You bitch, I’ll show you your place, I Challenge you to a duel.”