Day 1(Ray)

“It’s really sinking in,” seeing men and women wearing armor, mage’s robes, and carrying around big swords and staffs, the fact that he was in another world was deepening for Ray.

A petite figure appeared in his vision and struck a cute pose. Patting her chest, the figure said, “I, Beryl, will be glad to escort you around the city!”

Ray laughed and smiled coolly, “Please do so.”

Beryl’s heart skipped a beat, and her cheeks flushed. She nodded meekly and began to walk forward, followed by Ray.

As she introduced the city to Ray, her shyness faded, and a confident smile bloomed on her face.

“Did you know that the specialty of Auburn City is the Diadhacd Flowers taken from Diadhacd Peak?”

“Oh, really? Then there must be a lot of them, right?”

“Not at all; they are scarce and expensive to boot. So much so that most commoners go their entire lives without seeing one.”

“Oh? Then we probably have different definitions of the word ‘specialty.’”

“And that is?”

Ray tucked away a loose strand of hair behind his ear, “Well, back in our world, a place’s specialty means something that is both easily available and exclusive to the region. Well, that’s the truth for most regions.”

“Jeez-” Beryl pouted, “-we have those too. The scarcity of our specialty is exclusive to Auburn City.”

Having small talk, they wandered around the Adventure District, looking at all the sights and sometimes talking to the friendly adventurers that came up to them. After a while, they arrived in front of a grey building. Having a wooden frame built with bricks and an eye-catching red roof, the symbol of a sword impaling through a monster’s head was enough to make anyone recognize it as the building for the Adventurer’s Guild. The novel thing about the symbol was that the monster’s head being impaled would change after a few seconds.

“And this-” Beryl grandly gestured at the building “-is the Adventurer’s Guild.”

Ray looked so excited that sparks were nearly shooting out of his eyes, “Ooh~ so, are there ranks for the Adventurers?”

“Of course. Otherwise, it would be anarchy; anarchy, I say!” Beryl’s speech suddenly became like an old man’s, taking Ray aback. Beryl continued, “Well, the rookies are always assigned to Bronze Rank, then Silver Rank, the Gold Rank, the Platinum Rank, and lastly, the highest rank currently, Diamond Rank!” Beryl’s eyes held a trace of admiration and reverence as the words ‘Diamond Rank’ escaped her peach-colored lips.

“Ah, I see….” Ray could only nod in agreement, unable to keep up with her pace.

“Did you know that there are only seven Diamond Rank Adventurers in the entire world right now?” Ray’s enthusiasm seemed dim compared to the almost laser-like eagerness that was shooting out of Beryl’s eyes. It’s like she had finally found a conversation partner after centuries.

“Uh, so the Adventurer’s Guild is an international organization?”

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“Yep! The main headquarters is at Libera Empire, though.”

Ray pondered for a while and decided to take a shot in the dark, “So, are you related to any one of the Diamond Rank Adventurers?”

“Wow, as expected of one of the 『Heroes』!” Beryl showered him with a flurry of praises, causing Ray to feel a bit embarrassed. Beryl continued, “My father, Geoffrey ‘Iron Gate’ McClaine, is a Diamond Rank Adventurer.”

“‘Iron Gate,’ huh?” Ray stroked his chin, “So, your father prioritizes defense?”

“Yep! My father is a Heavy Knight and the best in the world!” Beryl’s face revealed nothing but admiration and affection for her father.

“Well, that’s respectable.” Ray smiled before heading towards the entrance of the guild building.

Beryl was caught off-guard by his sudden actions. She went forward and pulled on his clothes, “Wait, aren’t you going to ask my rank!?”

“If, uh, you wanted me to know, you would’ve told me yourself.” Ray leaned in and whispered in her ear, “And I don’t really care about the ranks. They’re nothing but indicators of one’s strength. I won’t judge someone just because of their rank.” Ray winked at her and headed inside the building.

Beryl held her hands to her chest and smiled softly. She had her head lowered so no one would see her expression. Soon after, she joined Ray inside the reception area of the Adventurer’s Guild.

Inside was a bustling atmosphere- adventurers sitting at tables and drinking with their party members, parties checking out missions on the bulletin board, some of them discussing the missions while others submitting them to the receptionist in front wearing a uniform.

As soon as Beryl stepped inside, Ray noticed a subtle change in the atmosphere. The adventurers glanced at her and became contemptuous, their gazes filled with disdain toward her. But none of them ever actively pestered her. Their acts were reduced to hushed murmurings and laughing quietly at her.

Beryl began to shrink more and more against this heavy atmosphere. The sounds of their snide remarks seemed to get louder and louder in her mind. She was having fun with Ray this entire time, so she forgot what horror awaited her inside the guild building.

As her desire to leave grew bigger and bigger, a warm palm landed on her shoulder and made her jolt. She looked up, and her uncomfortable face stared at Ray, who simply grinned. Looking at that goofy smile on his face and the canines that peeked from underneath, her heart felt lighter. She smiled weakly at Ray.

“Help me register as an adventure,” he requested. His casual gesture from before drew mixed emotions from the adventures who were previously mocking her. Seemingly gaining some courage, Beryl raised her head and took Ray to the queue to register as an adventurer. Luckily, the person in front of them had just finished registering.

Ray stepped up to the register. The receptionist who was there looked up at him and took a sheet of paper before asking, “Name.”

“Ray O’Brien.”

The receptionist sighed when she heard that name. She looked up at him, and her words seemed to ring in his mind without even though she wasn't moving her lips.

“So, you’re one of the 『Heroes』.” Ray’s eyes widened. Her voice was in his mind again, “It’s very troublesome if you register without your 『Status Screen』 loading because the guild card won’t be able to document your skills or your other information.”

Ray decided to think, “Then just give me a bronze card, and I’ll apply for it when I do get it.”

“I see…” the receptionist nodded deeply. “We’ll just do that.”

“Also, why do you have this skill?”

“Then do you want me to announce to everyone here that you’re a 『Hero』?”

“No, ma’am.”

“Good.” The receptionist stamped the paper she was writing on and took out a card. “Here you go! Keep it safe.” She handed it to him and went back to do some more paperwork.

Under the scrutinizing gazes of the other adventurers, Ray and Beryl left the guild building. Once outside, Beryl took a deep breath.

Ray looked at her and said, “Nerve-wracking, huh?

“You have no idea. But thanks anyway….”

“Say, would you like to party with me once I finish training?” Ray suggested.

“You just saw how the others treated me. You shouldn’t….”

“I couldn’t care less about them,” Ray scoffed. “I’m asking you- do you want to party with me?”

Beryl hesitated but looking at Ray’s sunny face; she eventually caved in. She said quietly, “…then I’ll be in your care.”

“Me too.” Ray took a look at the empty guild card in his hand. He was filled with a sense of anticipation for things to come.

“Finally, my otherworld life starts with this!”