Chapter 13 "The Guild Hunt"

Caelan woke up from a deep sleep to the sensation of someone shaking him and calling his name repeatedly. He groaned and sat up, rubbing his sleepy eyes.

"Caelan, aren’t we going to the guild today to register as adventurers? We need to leave now," Jason said, his voice urgent as he stood beside the bed.

Caelan yawned and stretched. "Alright, alright. I’m up." He glanced at the other bed and saw Niro shaking Van, who muttered something incoherent into his pillow.

"Come on, Van," Niro said with a smirk. "Don’t make us late on our first big day."

Once they were all ready, the group made their way downstairs. The smell of toasted bread and frying eggs greeted them as they entered the common area of the inn. Mrs. Soyen stood behind the counter, humming softly while arranging plates of food.

"Good morning, you're up early," she said with a warm smile as they approached the table. She placed a plate of bread and eggs in front of each of them. "Here’s your breakfast. Eat up before you head out."

Caelan took a seat and picked up a piece of bread. "Mrs. Soyen, do you know where the adventurer guild is? We need to register today."

Mrs. Soyen wiped her hands on her apron, her smile widening. "Ah, finally taking that step, huh? You’ll want to head to the northwest district. There are several guilds there, and they’re closer compared to others in the city."

Jason grinned, already halfway through his meal. "Northwest, got it. Are the guilds usually busy around this time?"

"Usually," she replied, nodding. "A lot of young folks like yourselves try their luck as adventurers. Best to get moving early so you don’t end up waiting at the back of the line."

"Good to know. Thanks for the advice," Caelan said. He hesitated for a moment before asking, "By the way, Mrs. Soyen, you’ve been in Liras City for a long time, right? Which guilds have the best reputation around here?"

She leaned against the counter, her gaze thoughtful. "In the northwest district, the Willow Guild, Golden Deer Guild, and Rising Guild are the most well-known. But if you’re looking for the top guilds in the entire city, those would be the Cloud Guild, Dawn Guild, and Black Hunter Guild in the center district. They’re the largest and handle most of the major missions from the city council."

Caelan nodded, absorbing the information. "That’s good to know. Thank you for the insight."

Mrs. Soyen’s expression softened, and she looked at them with a hint of concern. "Whatever guild you choose to join, remember to be careful and prioritize your safety. Adventuring is dangerous work."

"Yes, ma’am," Niro said with a grin, finishing the last bite of his breakfast.

---

After breakfast, we made our way toward the northwest district. The streets of the western district slowly gave way to a new atmosphere—brighter, busier, and alive with energy. Our conversation naturally shifted to the guild we might join.

"So, which guild are we joining?" Van asked, glancing at Niro as he adjusted the strap of his bag.

"The biggest and most famous ones are in the center district, right?" Niro replied, his eyes scanning the bustling surroundings.

I nodded, watching a vendor haggle with a customer over a basket of apples. 'That's true, but I think we should first learn the rules and regulations of the guilds before joining one. The guild in the northwest district is more convenient for us since it's closer to where we live.'"

Van’s face lit up as he took in the scene—the colorful stalls, the sound of chatter, and the faint smell of roasting chestnuts. "Yeah, I like the vibe here. It’s closer to where we’ll probably stay, and I’d rather not trek across half the city every day."

Niro shrugged, his hands resting on the back of his head. "Makes sense. Let’s check out what’s available."

The northwest district was both lively and organized. Unlike the narrow streets of the western district, the roads here were wide, lined with towering stone buildings. People moved with purpose, yet the atmosphere felt steady, as if the area thrived in its own rhythm.

Despite this, the layout felt like a maze. The crowded roads and similar-looking buildings made it difficult to navigate. Jason walked beside me, his brows furrowed as he scanned the area. Niro stayed close behind, alert, while Van strolled leisurely, seemingly unbothered.

"Are we close yet?" Jason asked, exasperation creeping into his voice.

I sighed, glancing at the road ahead. "I don’t know. The guy we asked earlier just said to head straight down this road."

As we paused at an intersection, my gaze landed on a man leaning against the wall. He wore a faded cloak and smoked a long pipe, his eyes lazily following the crowd. Gathering my courage, I approached him.

"Excuse me," I said. "Do you know where the adventurers' guilds are?"

The man took a slow puff before gesturing down the street with his pipe. "Keep going until you see the iron fountain. The guilds are lined up there. But if you’re new, skip the first two. Head straight to the third one."

I nodded, offering a polite smile. "Thank you."

We continued walking until we saw the fountain. Not far away stood the impressive stone building. The structure featured intricate designs and artistic architecture. The building featured intricate architectural details, with an arched entrance adorned by elaborate carvings. Above the doorway sat a large golden crest depicting a majestic deer, and a semi-circular stained glass window added a vibrant touch. The roof boasted several domes, the largest at the center topped with a golden finial, flanked by two smaller domes. The blue and gold domes contrasted beautifully with the earthy stone walls. Geometric patterns, ornamental friezes, and arched windows decorated the exterior, while wooden beams, red awnings, and potted plants gave it a welcoming charm.

“This must be the Golden Deer Guild,” I said, noting the crest. It was one of the top guilds in the district.

As we got closer, the heavy wooden doors swung open. A group of adventurers stepped out, their laughter echoing across the street.

The man on the left had bright green spiky hair, sharp green eyes, and a lean but muscular build. A bow was slung casually across his back.

The man in the middle, towering over the others, had short blue spiky hair, piercing blue eyes, and a large sword strapped to his back.

The man on the right had messy blue hair, equally sharp eyes, and a balanced physique. A smaller sword hung at his waist.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

At a glance, it was clear they were seasoned adventurers.

One of them noticed us and smirked. “Lost, kids?” he teased, his tone dripping with condescension.

“We’re just looking for the guild,” I replied evenly.

The others chuckled. “Well, if that’s the case, you can join our guild. You can carry our gear and cook for us,” one said with a grin.

“Yeah, we’re Rank D adventurers. We could use someone to handle the small stuff,” another added, his laughter grating.

Jason’s fists clenched, but I placed a hand on his arm and shook my head. “We’ll keep that in mind,” I said, leading our group past them without another word.

Inside, the guild hall was dimly lit. The air was thick with the smell of alcohol and sweat, and adventurers clustered around tables or leaned against the walls, engaged in loud conversations.

At the front desk sat a sharp-eyed young man. His cold expression didn’t waver as we approached.

“What do you want?” he asked bluntly, tapping a quill against the desk.

“We’d like to know the rules of the adventurers’ guild,” I said.

He sighed, barely looking up. “I don’t have time to explain the rules one by one. If you’re not registering, leave.”

Niro muttered something under his breath, and Jason scowled. I exchanged a glance with my friends but decided not to press further.

“In that case, we’ll leave,” I said calmly and walked out.

The cool evening air greeted us as we stepped outside. It was a refreshing contrast to the stifling atmosphere inside.

I glanced at my friends, frustration etched on my face. “We’ll try the second guild,” I said firmly. “We’re not giving up that easily.”

Jason muttered, “Let’s hope they’re not as unpleasant as the first one.”

The second guild was just a few streets away, housed in an imposing building with grand arches and a heavy wooden door. As we approached, the door swung open, revealing a group of adventurers stepping out. Clad in armor and armed with various weapons, they exuded confidence, but two individuals trailing behind caught our attention. Both were burdened with oversized bags and clutched weapons, visibly struggling under the weight.

“Pick up the pace and stop dragging your feet!” barked a tall, moderately built man who appeared to be their leader. “You should be thankful we let you join our party, even though you’re just rookies.”

Jason and I exchanged uneasy glances. The scene confirmed what the man earlier had warned us about.

“It looks like he was right,” Niro said. “Let’s skip this one and head to the third guild.”

We all nodded in agreement and continued on our way.

The third guild in the northwest district stood out immediately. It looked more like a grand manor than a guild. Its neat, balanced design featured wooden frames and warm brick walls topped with a blue-tiled roof. Tall windows hinted at a bright, prestigious interior, while an arched window above the large double doors added an elegant touch. Banners bearing a proud crest hung on either side of the doors, and a small balcony with iron railings above them gave the building a charming character. Just above the doors, a carved crest of a majestic tree completed the picture.

As we entered, the atmosphere was entirely different from the first guild. The spacious hall had wooden beams, stone walls, and warm, dim lighting that created a cozy yet lively vibe. Adventurers filled the space, talking and moving about on various tasks. A large quest board stood in the center, drawing a crowd.

Near the doorway, a person in luxurious red armor stood dramatically, illuminated by the sunlight streaming in. The interior featured wooden furniture, colorful rugs, and cheerful activity that made the guild feel inviting.

At the reception desk, a beautiful young woman greeted us with a warm smile. Her large, expressive eyes and short, layered hair framed her fair face, while her long, pointed ears marked her as an elf.

“Welcome to the Willow Adventurer Guild,” she said politely. “How may I assist you today?”

Jason, Niro, and Van froze, their cheeks reddening at the sight of her.

I stepped forward, breaking the awkward silence. “Good morning! We’re here because we’re interested in becoming adventurers, but we’d like to learn about the rules and regulations of your guild before deciding to register.”

The elf receptionist’s smile widened. “Of course! Though it’s rare for people to ask about the guild rules—most adventurers head straight to registration. But it’s a good question to ask so you can understand your rights,” she said. “All guilds in Liras City follow the same rules, which were agreed upon by the guilds and approved by the city council. You can find them posted on the bulletin board over there,” she added, gesturing to the side.

“Thank you very much!” I replied, turning to Jason, Niro, and Van, who were still frozen in awe.

“Come on, guys,” I said, nudging them. “Let’s go check the rules.”

list of six rules and regulations if the liras guilds

1. Registration Requirement

All adventurers must register with the guild before undertaking quests. Registration ensures proper identification and assignment of ranks.

2. Quest Completion and Reporting

Adventurers must accept and complete quests according to their assigned rank. After completing a quest, they must report back to the guild and submit evidence of completion if required.

3. Adherence to Rank

Adventurers can only take quests within or below their rank. Taking on higher-ranked quests without authorization is strictly prohibited for safety reasons.

4.Mission Abandonment

Adventurers may only abandon missions under serious circumstances, such as life-threatening situations. Unjustified abandonment will result in penalties.

5. Membership Termination

Adventurers may leave the guild freely as long as they have no outstanding debts or obligations. The guild cannot prevent their departure.

6. Prohibited Actions

Theft, harming fellow adventurers, including members of other guilds, falsifying quest reports, or breaking the laws of the city are strictly forbidden and may result in expulsion from the guild or further legal action.

After reading through the guild rules, I glanced at Jason, Van, and Niro. None of them seemed particularly interested—they kept sneaking glances toward the reception area, clearly more focused on the elf receptionist than the bulletin board. I sighed, folding the parchment.

"So, what do you think? Should we register here, or do you want to visit other guilds?" I asked, breaking their trance.

"If we compare it to the two others, this guild seems better," Jason said, finally tearing his eyes away from the desk.

"Right, let's register here," Niro added with a shrug.

"I'll go wherever you decide," Van said, grinning.

"This place is closer to where we’re staying," I pointed out. "And according to the guild rules, we can leave whenever we want as long as we don’t owe any debts here."

"Alright, then let’s register," Van said eagerly.

Jason, cheeks flushed, stepped forward. "I’ll… uh… let her know we’ve decided to register," he stammered. His earlier confidence seemed to waver as he approached the desk.

Jason cleared his throat, trying to sound composed. "We… de-decided to register as adventurers. Can you tell us how the process works?"

I couldn’t help but suppress a chuckle as Jason stumbled over his words. Van and Niro exchanged amused glances, but they wisely kept quiet.

"Of course," the elf receptionist replied. "To become an official adventurer, you’ll need to fill out a registration form and attend a one-day seminar. There’s no fee for the registration process.The elf receptionist glanced at each of us. “If you don’t know how to write, I will assist you with filling out the forms.”

Luckily, Jason and I had learned to read and write before leaving the village. Learning the alphabet of this world had really paid off. I thought back to those long hours of practice and felt grateful for the foresight.

In this world, formal identification like certificates from academies or organizations wasn’t necessary unless you were trying to prove higher status. Here, names and basic information were enough.

The receptionist handed us the forms, and we each took a seat at a nearby table to fill them out. The questions were straightforward—name, age, and place of origin. When I reached the section about my place of origin, I paused. I couldn’t tell the truth about where I came from. After a moment of hesitation, I wrote, Mitra Village, Sanderson Territory of the Krehon Empire.

Jason and I helped Van and Niro fill out their forms before handing them back to the receptionist.

“Thank you,” she said, quickly scanning our answers. “You’re all set. The seminar will take place tomorrow. It’s the final step to complete your registration.”

I nodded. “Thanks for the help.”

After completing our registration, we decided to explore the northwest and western districts. The streets were quieter now, with the bustle of the city winding down as night fell.

When we reached our room at the inn, I collapsed onto my bed, feeling the exhaustion of the day settle into my bones. Staring up at the wooden beams of the ceiling, my mind wandered back to the seminar.

The last step to becoming an adventurer. It all seemed surprisingly easy. I had expected more hurdles, more complications, but so far, the process had been smooth. Still, unease lingered in the back of my mind.

What if something goes wrong tomorrow?

The thought gnawed at me, but I shook it off. There was no point worrying about it now. Whatever happened, I’d face it head-on.

With that, I closed my eyes, letting the steady rhythm of my breathing lull me to sleep. Tomorrow would bring new challenges, but for now, I could rest easy, knowing we were one step closer to our goal.