- VOL 1 – THOSE UNITED BY THE FATE -

Chapter 2: Future Plans (9/12)

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''We've been talking about guilds for quite a while, but you haven't told me anything about trade yet, Yumi-san.''

Shin folded his arms across his chest and looked expectantly at the woman in front of him. Even though he had a rather serious expression, it wasn't hard for Yumi to see the excitement in his eyes.

''You're right, I apologize.''

''You don't need to apologize all the time.''

Yumi responded with a slight smile. Shin cleared his throat and asked in a serious tone what he wanted to know.

''Then can you tell me how the trade is done, the procedures in the guilds, and the most familiar points about the three major guilds?''

Seeing Shin's serious demeanor, Yumi sighed and raised her hands in surrender. Then she started her long explanations again.

''I guess that's my job. Then let's start with the rules of trade. First of all, there are two types of trade in this city. One is free trade, which we can call 'illegal trade'. You can exchange, trade, buy, and sell with other people as you like, but the whole business is in your hands. If you are tricked or something goes wrong, you cannot claim your rights in any way.''

After pausing for a moment to catch her breath, she continued at the same pace. At the same time, she was checking whether the boy in front of her understood her.

''The other is the kind of trade you do within the guilds recognized in the kingdom. You don't need to be a guild member for this, you can still sell whatever you want and bargain with other people within the guild. The difference from the outside is that it is done with 'observation'."

''I seem to understand the general logic. But what is the difference between the two forms of trade other than reliability? If the only thing that changes is safety, everyone would choose the safe way, wouldn't they?"

Yumi replied with a sly laugh.

''I guess I don't have to worry too much about you. Despite what I just told you, it can be dangerous here, and apart from that, it's easy to get fooled. You, on the other hand, show how cunning you are with your questions. You must know a thing or two about business.''

Yumi was silent for a few seconds and could only stare at the boy in front of her. Whereas just a moment ago she had been worried about him, now he was no different from any other traveler or trader. When she realized that Shin was waiting with curious eyes for her to continue speaking, she did not keep him waiting any longer.

"You've probably already guessed, but I'll tell you. The reason is money. The guilds take a certain commission and the prices of the things to be sold are generally set. Outside, the whole market is unrestricted.''

''Yes, that's what I thought. However, I've seen too many people out there trading hand to hand. I guess it doesn't make sense to come to the guild and pay extra money unless you're doing something important."

''Most people think as you say. And they are right at some point, but there is not much you can do about it, because the kingdom collects taxes on everything that is sold. Being directly connected to the kingdom, we certainly cannot avoid these rules. Trade in the guild is recorded, so even the slightest mistake will be noticed.''

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

''Hmm... There's one more thing I want to ask about this. What do the guilds buy?''

''Almost anything that can be used as a material. Medicinal plants, special jewelry, animal remains, weapons, simple crafting items... We even buy simple materials like wood and stones, but we accept them in large quantities. For things like clothes, unless they are very special, it is better to sell them to other shops or people in the market. Even though I call the trade out there 'illegal trade', there are many people who do it properly and are trustworthy.''

She paused for a moment and looked thoughtful, then lowered her voice and whispered to Shin.

''It's between you and me, sell the herbs to Riki. She'll definitely give you a better price.''

She blinked one eye and smiled.

''I think for a small solo traveler like me, the way you suggest would be better. But is there anything else?"

''Before I forget, you'll need a merchant's certificate as we keep a record of everything here.''

''What is that?''

''Simply put, it makes your identity recognized all over the country. You can join a lot of guilds to trade and do business, and it makes it very easy to do so.''

''Thanks for the information Yumi-san.''

Shin was lost in his thoughts again after Yumi's explanation. As the woman in front of him watched him, he opened his mouth to clarify the last question on his mind and asked another question.

''I have one last question.''

''Of course, I can answer most things about guilds and trade.''

Her yellow eyes sparkled with wonder. For some reason, whenever Shin would ask a question, Yumi would wonder what the question would be and wanted to answer it quickly. When the boy's silence lasted longer this time than before, she became even more excited and thought that the next question was important.

''I've heard that adventuring is also carried out in guilds...''

''Huh...''

Before Shin could finish his sentence, the woman in front of him let out a disappointed sigh. Then she continued the conversation herself.

''I was also curious when I saw you thinking that much. Anyway, if that's the question, the answer is simple. All of the big guilds have their own adventuring section. But this adventuring is mostly based on gathering materials. You hunt the animals in the quests given by the guild and collect materials in special ways. Or you travel to dangerous areas to obtain a certain material. Although it is not much different from normal adventuring in terms of logic, you have to fulfill the guild's requirements.''

''Do we need a certificate for that too?

''Yes. This is very similar to the merchant certificate. But if you want to issue these certificates, that's easy. For a small registration fee, you can issue certificates that are valid all over the country. Right here, right now!"

Yumi was definitely excited when it came to sales. Just like with the book, this time she had gotten carried away and tried to praise what she was promoting in order to convince the customer. Shin, on the other hand, ignored her demeanor, shook his head dismissively from side to side, and said one last thing as he stood up.

''No need for now. But I'll come back when I need to.''

''Huh? Are you leaving? I was going to tell you the important points of the guilds. You won't find such a good narrator anywhere else but me. I know a lot of things.''

Yumi felt awkward when Shin suddenly stood up in the middle of the conversation, but Shin continued without breaking his posture.

''I think the adventuring part is upstairs.''

He was looking at the huge statue at the far end of the floor. Then his eyes fell on a sign on the stairs. The symbols on it pointed upwards and pointed to the adventuring section.

"Yes, it's there."

''Then you can tell me more another time, Yumi-san.''

After Yumi nodded to the boy, she looked in the same direction. Shin's sudden rise to his feet had taken her by surprise and she was still in a daze. When she turned her head back to the boy, she realized that he was already walking away.

''Hm, huh?''

She could do nothing but watch him walk away. As he disappeared into the crowd, all Yumi saw was the boy turning his head and laughing and waving.

''Hmph. You're so cold, Shin-kun.''

Crossing her arms over her chest and closing her eyes, she turned her head in the opposite direction to where the boy had gone. By the time her words came out loud, the chair was already occupied by another man.

''E-Excuse me?''

The middle-aged man sitting in the chair, surprised, called out to the receptionist inside. The woman inside quickly turned to the side at the sound of his voice. When she did so, a few strands of her hair were scattered.

After smoothing her hair with her fingers, she turned to the man on the other side of the window as if nothing had happened and put a smile on her face. As she closed her eyes, her face resembled an innocent angel.

''Welcome to the Golden Raven Guild.''

When she spoke in a calm voice, keeping her innocent expression intact, the man sitting in the chair forgot all about what had just happened. He smiled awkwardly as he looked mesmerized at the woman in front of him.

''Uh... Ahh... Thanks."