Chapter 8: Rerne Village

Village Guard: “Halt. I’ve never seen your face around here. State your business and name.”

A guard stopped Ben before he could get within 4 meters of the guard.

Ben: “My name is Ben, I’m simply searching for a place to stay during my travels.”

Village Guard:“Hmm, travels? Alright, I’m assuming that you’re not from here are you? Also the way you’re dressed you decided to escape the slums have you?”

Ben looked at himself, the old tattered rags that were on him when he escaped the place were replaced with the clothes that he managed to snatch during the escape into the castle villages. The mismatched clothings will lead people with the idea of horrible fashion or a genuine model for the slums people… Asada took all the good matching ones and left the mismatched versions to Ben.

“....” Ben stood quietly slightly lowering his head. He simply thought to himself of the situation at hand… he was never great at fabricating a lie or had the personal achievement of getting away with things scot free.

Village Guard: “Alright, since you seem like a kid… well actually you are a kid… but anyways this village has some work for you kids. Go to the adventurer's guild and get working. It’s a way to get out of the slums, it’s the building with a sword and a shield logo down the path… hope you fulfill whatever you desire here. Although, don’t go making any trouble or we’ll be on you before you even do anything. Other than that, welcome to Rerne Village.”

The guard pointed down the road towards a three floor building that had a different atmosphere then the rusted looks of the inns and stores that outlined the path down. Only to be followed by a larger village house. The walls surrounding the village were simply made of logs with sharp ends and a old wooden platform.

“The walls could be better…” Ben pondered to himself as he walked down the road. A few villagers took a gander at the new traveler wearing mismatched clothes. Only to return their gaze back to what they were working on as it wasn't appeizing or interesting to their eyes.

Ben looked through the adventurer guild room entrance, leading into a small waiting room and a vast dining section at the end of the room, a reception area of multiple counters were on the left of the waiting room in front. Various adventurers slowly walked past him, simply chatting about their day.

A receptionist with dirty blond hair waved Ben over, he walked towards the receptionist desk. It was a man, his eyes were moderately wide and his nametag on his chest stated “Abbs”

Abbs: “Hello young child! Welcome to the adventurer’s guild.”

Ben:“Err, likewise..”

Abbs: “I’m guessing you’re here to join the guild right?”

Ben:“Yes, I would like to join the guild.”

Abbs: “Hmm, you must be a good kid. Coming here to perform jobs to improve your own livelihood and lifestyle. Anyways… about your clothes…”

Ben:“Err… yeah…I’d like to change out of these as well…”

Abbs looked at Ben with a curious look, only to give up later. His hands simply shrugged with shoulders as if he gave up on looking at Ben's attire.

Abbs: “Anyways, place your hand onto this small crystal.”

Abbs lifted a small crystal podium from behind his desk and placed it on the countertop in front of Ben. The crystal was dark, it’s shape and size was almost the same as the crystal that Ben saw in the prison. Yet there was no feelings of emptiness, there were small particles of past magical orbs there. The usage of the crystal seemed to hold onto magical particles for a short moment and will be wiped when used. The capacity was small compared to the ones in the prison. Thinking so, Ben placed his hands on the crystal and tried to pour magical power into it.

Abbs simply watched, a short spark occurred in the crystal.

“Hmm, alright. Seeing how you still haven’t exactly developed any sort of aura. You’ll be a probational adventurer, you can take jobs regarding any shorthand jobs in this village.”

Ben looked at his hands and looked around the place, his eyes searching for something. There were no magical auras that guided him, simply people looking back at him or enjoying their own life.

(... Where am I supposed to go now?)

“Hey.. can you fill out these forms now?” Abbs looked at Ben.

Ben:“Umm, right.”

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The form contained few boxes for writing. Names, aspired job, years old, group affiliations. Ben simply filled in the name and was years old. Abbs took the paper back and looked through it.

Abbs: “Hey, little boy… you’re not 30 years old…” Ben was about to retort but thought about it.

Ben:“... I’m 16 years old.” Ben felt his face turn red at the thought of acting as a kid.

Abbs:“Right. I’ll make the changes here… and… done. I’ll get your identity badge.” Abbs reached down behind his desk and grabbed a bronze badge. He placed the badge on top of the paper works and slowly went over the paper with the badge, leaving a dim afterlight on the paper. Abbs handed over the badge to Ben.

Abbs:“Alright, you’re set to go but before you go let me describe the badge’s function.” Abbs started listing functions of the badge, Ben could only stand there and listen.

Badge Function

1. Allows the guild communication (Do not overuse for trivial matters)

2. Holds your ranking

3. Holds your identity aura

4. Can receive missions

5. Can scan other badges

6. Accept party invites

Abbs: “Got it?”

Ben:“Yeah, I got it. Thanks for the explanation.”

Abbs:“Hmmm, well take care kid. When you finish a mission you’re to come back and report it. You can’t take any higher rank mission than your rank unless you have permission or guided by a higher tier adventurer.”

Ben:“Ok, thanks… is there any inn that’s fairly cheap for me?”

Abbs:“The adventurer guild has some spaces open, but I suggest you get into the inn at Swan Lox. A friendly place for newcomers and not filled with anyone who’s thinking about trouble, if you can’t get the money for it then come back to the guild. I’ll work you in for a day if need be, after that you’ll need to work for the living cost.”

Ben simply nodded and said his farewell to Abbs, silently walking to the notice board.

(I suppose… I’ll find some way of getting a place first then I’ll think about what to do later. Although Abbs is nice enough to secure me a day sleep in the guild if needed.)

Ben looked at the noticeboard, he was located in the F rank section. The letters were there and aged. A daily task for the small town’s needs.

[Firewood needed] - Guild Request 2 copper per short stack (3 logs)

[Rat extermination] - 15 copper Rats are gathering in my basement

[Herb Collection] - Guild quest, herbs are always welcomed 2 copper per small bag

[Delivery] 1 copper each delivery

ect…

(I suppose I’ll grab firewood… herbs would require me to go to the woods, while the firewood, based on the description, just needs someone to start chopping wood.)

Ben looked over at the other notice boards and saw the adventurers there highlighting the papers with their badges. Ben did the same and saw the badge projected the job offer into Ben’s head. Alongside with location of the town’s map.

***********

The location was near the forest, there were several lumbermill shacks beside it. A couple piles of firewood next to some chopping boards and a lone person was there chopping wood, leaving four other spots empty. Ben walked up to the person.

The person simply ignored Ben and continued chopping, his muscles were toned on his arms as he gripped the axe and chopped the wood with a strong swing. The sound of the wood cackling resounded in the small open field. The man had a black beard, his body as large as a bear.

Ben watched his form and slowly walked towards an empty chopping board. He grabbed the axe on the grass and felt it’s rough handle. Years of hardship were engraved onto the warm wooden handle, the grips of various people had left it’s mark.

Grabbing a firewood with two hands, he placed it on the chopping board. His hands itched from the weight of the log, then he gripped the axe with both of his hands. He watched the center of the log, lifting his arms he slammed the axe onto the log. A dull thud, the axe was stuck on the surface. Ben tried to grab the axe out but failed, he placed more weight and managed to detach the axe from the log. Ben continued once more. The axe would get stuck on the log from time to time, the logs would break after four or five chop.

*****

Night was arriving, the sunset was there as the sun fell down into the horizon. The giant man before was still there chopping wood. A single swing was enough to announce the logs splitting apart, it was swift and smooth, almost as if it was a nice beat to listen to as the man was silent during his work. Ben sat down and placed all the logs that he had chopped into his bag. There were enough to get 14 copper coins, Ben looked at his hands. They were blistered and in pain. The very thought of his situation led him to think about something… this world.

Slowly dragging the bag of wood back towards the guild the giant man simply gave a glance at Ben’s workstation, failed logs that were deemed too small were on the side and a bunch of wood chips were scattered around Ben’s chopping board. The giant man walked over and used his giant hands to push off the remains of Ben's work.

*****

Paying for the inn for two days worth with meals. Ben sat on the bed, the place wasn’t exactly disasterous but it wasn’t too clean. The bed creaked under his weight. He lifted the remaining 2 copper coins out from his pocket, 10 coins for renting, 2 coins for the meals.

Ben lay down on his bed and stared at the ceiling.

(What… am I doing here…where’s the goal… what do they expect me to do?)

Ben looked at his hands, the small cuts and splinters were evident. The weight of the axe was still there on his hands, it’s weight, it's worn out handle. Albeit a hallucination it was still there on his hands, weighing him down as his arms burned and his red hands were in pain from the burning sensation that he had felt. If one were to look closer, his hands were visibily shaking from the overuse of his muscles.

(I’m not strong… I’m not special… but… why did they choose me?)

*Knock Knock* a small noise from the door.

Ben got back up and opened the door. A little girl was there holding a platter of food. Her face showed boredom and shoved the platter to Ben.

“Dinner is here, enjoy.”

Ben’s face simply raised his eyebrows while he took the platter of dish from the girl’s hands. Bread, a listless soup seasoned with salt and pepper with some carrots and some cheese on the side with a side of baked potato.

(This is dinner? Seems more like a breakfast…)

“Er.. thanks little girl.” Ben smiled a little.

The girl looked at Ben and nodded and left. Ben closed the door and placed the food on the side table. The bread was nothing special, the soup was lacking and the baked potato was nothing unusual.

(I suppose… I’ll try and raise my strength, being like this doesn’t seem too good.)

Ben looked into his side and grabbed the pocket knife out. He examined it once again, nothing has changed except that the pocket knife now has the color blue, green, and red linings on the blade.

(This pocket knife is short… anyways I can extend this into ...?)

The pocket knife as if listening slowly transformed into a dagger. Ben’s eyes widened at his knife. He thought about something once again. As if by Ben's will, the dagger transformed into an axe. Ben simply looked at his axe with amazement.