After reading through the contract twice, Nathan was impressed. He has seen a dozen contracts like this, but it was simple and straightforward. No hidden meanings and no corporate ass covering. It spelled out all the benefits he will receive, and the rules he has to follow.
He was obligated to accomplish one mission every week at his rank. If he accomplished one at a rank higher than him, he would be given an additional one week break period per rank higher than his own. His starting rank of Iron didn’t offer much, but as he progressed within the guild, more benefits would be offered to him.
However, once he signed he could only get out of the contract by buying out. When Nathan saw the price, he almost gagged. “One hundred Star Pieces?!”
The currency here in this world was similar to the few games he has seen. It had the classic copper, silver, and gold coins. Each with a ratio of 1:100. However, there were three more coin tiers above gold. Each with a ratio of 1:100 as well. Platinum, Arcanium, and Star Metal. He would need to pay the equivalent of 100,000 gold to get out.
Based on the rewards for Iron, he was stuck here for a long while. That wouldn’t stop him if he had a chance to go home though. Nothing would stop him from doing that. After signing the papers he called out to the receptionist to finish his registration.
“Good, now we can move on the scanning and creation of your badge.” He opened the briefcase and pulled out three items. One of which was the size of a baseball but crystalline. It had a green glow to it, as if radioactive.
“This is the Essence Orb, you will hold this in your hand above these two items. Your Guild Badge and a Registration Card.” He pointed at each of them as he named them. The Badge was a circular piece of blank metal. The ‘Card’ was a black stone slate. “We will keep the card and update it as needed. Do remember to update your card twice a year, when you increase your Level, or when you increase your ranking within the guild. When you are ready grab the orb and we can start.”
Nathan held the orb above the two objects and felt it grow warm in his hand. Lights emanate from the orb and started to etch information on the two objects. Nathan also could see his entire menu and all of his stats above the orb. He looked at the Merman to see if he was taking a sneak peak, but saw he was looking away to give him privacy.
Once it was done, Nathan put the orb back down. “Excellent, you can take the badge. I suggest wearing it around your neck or somewhere you can reach easily, but not so easily taken. If you lose your badge, it costs a silver to replace.
Nathan looked at the badge and saw his full name and rank on the badge. Along with a few symbols to show his status in the guild as a permanent member.
After looking at his ‘Card’ the receptionist hummed. “I think you will find yourself sought after by many parties. Even those in the Bronze rank. Do you want your skills and information public to party leaders, or do you want the information limited somehow?”
Nathan hasn’t even thought about that. “Just tell them I plan to be a healer. I do have the Iron Skill tree unlocked, but not heavily invested in points just yet. I have plans to become a Battle Medic.”
“We will ensure your information is taken care of. Now do you want to be shown around, or do you wish to explore the guild alone?”
“Just the important things. Like my room and how I can start to complete missions. Also how I can get to that Codex Library.”
He nodded. “Your badge will unlock the areas you are allowed in. Everything has a sign to show you where it’s at. As for your room, at Iron rank you share a bunk area with 10 other members. You will have a foot locker as well as a weapons rack, both locked and unlocked by your badge. You are in bunk 4-A-3. Floor 4, Group A, Room 3.”
Nathan nodded and started to leave. “One more piece of advice, Mr. Shultz. Wait till you are in a party before you do missions. You will receive a stack of invites in the morning I am more than sure.”
Nathan headed to his room wanting to explore the entire building. He felt like a kid again seeing the grand architecture in front of him. The wing with all the bunk rooms was six floors tall. He followed signs to where he would call home for a long time.
The door to his room was an outline piece of stone with a circle where he thought a door knob would be. After looking at it for a moment, he pulled out his badge and held it to the circle. A click was heard, and the door slid to the side flawlessly and quietly. Inside Nathan saw ten beds lined up in a two by five.
He saw two people on bunks, both giving him a glance. One was another human half dressed in leather armor. The other was a small human, that Nathan swore was a child.
“Hello, don’t mind me. I’m new to the Guild and was just trying to find my bed.” Nathan said, hoping he didn’t wake either of them up. The dimly lit room suggested that they might have been asleep.
The child chuckled. “Don’t worry, we were just chatting. Trevor here just got back from an escort mission. And I am enjoying my last day of relaxation. Names Boolog.”
“I’m Nathan. Pleasure to meet you both.” Nathan looked for his bed and saw his name was already plated onto the bed frame as well as the foot locker and weapons case.
“So, are you a new new guy? Or a cross Guilder.” Trevor asked. His voice was smooth and deep.
“What do you mean by that?” Nathan asked as he placed his spear in the weapons case.
Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.
“He means, are you a level one or a guy who joined from another guild and has training.” Boolog clarified. Seemingly annoyed at Nathan.
“Oh, Neither. This is my first guild. I am a healer, so if either of you have any problems let me know and I can take care of you.”
“Pft, and charge us an arm and a leg while you are at it? No thanks.” Boolog said, closing his eyes.
“I thought only healers were part of a church. How are you not in any other guild but already Awakened?”
“Call me special. And I won’t charge you for any healing. That’s not how I do things.” Nathan stated firmly.
Trevor’s eyes widened a bit at that. “Really, uh, well, I just got back from a mission and have a few bumps from fighting some nasty critters. Mind topping me off a bit? Just enough to get me above half. My Health Recovery is horribly slow.”
“Hence why you need to increase your Constitution! I will never understand why a Fencer like yourself refuses to put points into it. You are on the front lines for shits sake.” Boolog commented from his napping position.
Nathan walked over and casted Healing Touch twice on Trevor. His eyes bulged in surprised from the healing. “Oh shit, you weren't kidding.”
Boolog peaked with one eye, but quickly closed it when Nathan glanced back at him. “A Fencer huh? What kind of Class is that?”
“A specialized Duelist build. My Dad taught it to me, I am also a member of the Bard Guild. I am a performer, but I enjoy the art of fighting. Grumpy over there is a mage of some kind. Haven't figured out what though.”
“And you never will! It’s my business. I want that nap now thank you very much. Nathan, you are blocking the light, so please move.”
Nathan rolled his eyes at the rude child and stepped to the side to appease him. The light came from magical crystals in the roof. Nathan obviously wasn’t blocking any light, however he didn’t want to piss off his bunk mates. That would only spell disaster down the line.
“Well, I am going to explore the rest of the Guild and check out the Codex Library. How many more bunk mates do we have?”
“Five more, you are number Eight actually. Don’t expect any more honestly. They rarely fill a bunk all the way. There is Okutar the Half-Orc Warrior. Ithas is a fire mage Elf. Safia is another Bard, but she is a crossbow sharpshooter. Zella is a WolfMan, don’t piss her off she will actually hurt you unlike Boolog.”
Boolog didn’t respond to the comment, but Nathan saw him sniff at his name.
“Lastly is our mystery bunkmate. Only seen the dude twice. He only comes in to sleep then leaves. Never says a word, but his bunk says his name is Thu. No clue what race, but I assume some sort of rogue or shadowmancer.”
“Wait, we have girls in our bunk?”
“I swear, if you start fucking in here, I will do something about it.” Boolog threatened with a stern voice.
“If he can bed either Safia or Zella I will be impressed. Safia might do it because it would be fun to break the new guy, but Zella would put a collar around his neck and have him potty trained in three days.” He laughed after imagining Nathan acting like a dog.
“Yea, I won’t be doing any of that. I was just surprised it’s all co-ed.”
Trevor shrugged. “Why not? We are all adults, if we can’t sleep together, how are we expected to fight together.”
Nathan couldn’t fault the reasoning and even agreed with it. After putting away all his belongings, Nathan went about to explore the Guild entirely.
He decided to stop by the Mess Hall first and find something to eat. Even with the hospitality Peter and El gave him, something other than stew or eggs would do wonders for his belly.
The Guild Provided two free meals a day to its full members. Nathan was in time for lunch and soon found himself eating a brisket sandwich with some fruit juice to drink. He watched the slew of different people walk around mainly in groups of three for five.
It was culture shock for Nathan. The two weeks he has been in this world he rarely explored the different people. Races tall, short, fat, or hairy. The fact people talked to one another and were not glued to their phones was a nice change for him.
Nathan still missed his phone, but he wasn’t attached to it like some of his coworkers or even patients. The ability to access any and all information at any time was a blessing. He also missed the ability to be able to contact any of his staff for updates or check the news. Something he felt was lacking in this world.
Finishing his meal, Nathan checked the time and wondered around to figure out how to fill the rest of his day. He could go and do some training that El demanded he did everyday.
Nathan glanced at the wall that had arrows pointing toward different parts of the Guild Hall. “Or, I could go to the Codex Library.”