The green haired-receptionist gave her signature smile whenever she saw potential customers. A group of three approached the reception window.
“Welcome the Adventurer’s guild. How may I help you today?” Her joyous voice was light and airy, and her smile gave off a youthful feeling.
“My friends are here to register as adventurers,” Robin explained. “Also, I’d like to know the adventurer's benefit for each and every rank if you kindly please.”
“Yes, of course! Please hand over your identification cards so I may register you as part of the guild. Furthermore, since your friends are first-time customers, there will be a non-refundable fee of 10 silvers per person,” the green haired youth explained.
Robin handed in twenty silver coins and also took out her notebook and pen.
“Before I inform you about the terms and agreement, let me register both of you first.” The receptionist took off and after a few minutes came back with their ID cards.
“Congrats on being new adventurers.” The bubbly girl clapped her hands and grinned before continuing, “Let me explain the rules and regulations…”
Robin started to jot the terms and agreement down, and adventure benefits.
Terms and Agreements
1. Licensed adventures are not allowed to accept private or third party quests.
2. Licensed adventures are required to pay a fee if the quests have not been completed within the given time frame.
3. Destruction of guild property is strictly forbidden and will be punished accordingly.
4. Disputes, violence, and any form of harassment are strictly forbidden between licensed adventurers.
5. A membership fee must be upheld every year to retain any sort of member benefits
6. Guild quest can only be taken up according to your adventurer rank
Guild Benefits
According to your Adventurer's Rank, specific benefits are provided by the Continental Guild of Adventurers
1. Rank F does not have any initial benefits as it is the easiest rank to level up.
2. Rank D includes - 5% discount on guild goods
3. Rank C includes - 7% discount on guild goods, one free meal of choice per day, and one-day lodging at any accommodated guild branches
4. Rank B includes - 10% discount on guild goods, free full course meal per day, and one full free week lodging per month at any accommodated guild branches
5. Rank A includes - 15% discount on guild goods, free full course meal per day, indefinite lodging, and medium insurance coverage
6. Rank S includes - 20% discount on guild goods, free full course meal per day, indefinite lodging, full insurance coverage, and full travel passes to available areas
7. Rank SS includes - 30% discount on guild goods, free full course meal per day, indefinite lodging, full insurance coverage, full travel passes to available areas, and retirement benefits
Apparently, this guild was a branch of the largest Continental Adventurer’s Guild, an intermediate junction for profitable job opportunity for aspiring adventurers. They differed from mercenaries and were unable to take up job offers other than the one the guild assigned over on the bulletin board. The peculiar Adventurer's Guild remained neutral in times of war, and if any kingdom were to instigate hostility, operations would be halted indefinitely or even ceased. For a guild, it seemed more like a corporation, holding enough power to affect the smaller kingdoms and such.
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Writing down the last few words, Robin placed her notebook and pen back in her bag. “Thank you for the tips. Also, by any chance is there a sort of inn around the area?”
With a big exhausted sigh, Robin flopped on the small bed. She looked out into the dark grey sky from the open window. They had decided to rent a night at one of the most expensive inn in the town, before heading back.
Suddenly, small droplets fell from the sky, creating wet round marks on the window sill. From where Robin lay, she could see the view of the whole town, unaware of her stare. The window provided a nice frame for the watercolor-like picture of their quaint lives, a dramatic difference from Robin’s contemporary life back on Earth.
“Master, the transmission stone has been set up. The transmission will occur momentarily.” Ibaraki notified and Robin turned to sit upright on the bed.
The magical stone allowed distant communication between two parties, similar to a video call as long as the other end of the user had the stone with them. Quinn came into a view along with the rest of her brother’s servants. It seemed they were all in the throne room, but Robin paid no mind to it.
“Quinn, Dorian. I’ll be returning home by tomorrow morning. I have decided to enroll in Xaexaviel Empire’s magical school for more exposure. Furthermore, I’ve decided to assign Ibaraki and Moei a long-term mission to infiltrate the Continental Adventurer’s Guild, which will be a good use of my future plans.” Robin paused scanning to see any response. When she was met with none she continued, “As for my future plans, I want to build a country. As you already know, my long-term goal is to return back to my world no matter how selfish it may sound to me. There is someone I must return to, and establishing a strong country will enable me to direct most resources into researching that solution. If anyone of you decides not to partake in my plan, please tell me.”
Both sides became relatively still, the silence penetrating both parties. Robin had closed her eyes waiting for their answers. She would not force anyone to partake in something they were not willing. Starting from now on, responsibility would be taken into her own hands. She spent too much wasted time dwelling on her depression.
Her mind slowly wandered back to her childhood. Her brother’s hand tightly holding onto her own, giving her a strained smile as she naively asked why they were leaving their parents. It then transitioned to her brother’s sweaty back as he carried the large crates of shipment. The money went toward her education, and before long she recalled herself walking through the hallways of the hospital. The sight of his bright smile and long iv drip as she made her way into the room with another video game in hand. She didn’t bother to take off her sunglasses, for the fear of him noticing the red eyes and pain reflected. They say the eyes are the window to one’s soul, and sunglasses were exemplary tools for concealing.
Don’t worry brother, I’ll get that CEO position very soon. And then, money won’t ever be a problem again for us. They’ll be transferring you to a better hospital near my workplace, so don’t play too much video games. After all, you’re starting to get better, you wouldn’t want to lose sleep.
Soon, she found herself in another person’s bed. He was fast asleep, and she moved to his concealed laptop where all the classified information laid. Before long, she sat along the board of directors, the selection of a new CEO in tow after a few leaks of confidentiality from the previous head. The selection was finished and she was now the new CEO only for God to play a cruel joke on her, too much of what she deserved.
Who knows how the jungle will change a person. Logic, honor, dignity, and humanity would be lost in context if it meant the prize was deeply in the heart of the jungle. Was it wrong to commit all those crimes? For Robin, dirtying her hands meant nothing if what she feared the most was losing her only family member.
With that in mind, Robin slowly opened her eyes. She had made up her mind.
So my comrades, what will be your answer?