Haru stood before his destination—the Adventurers' Guild. The guild was housed in a large, imposing stone building, its emblem depicting heroic figures and mythical beasts. The heavy wooden doors creaked as Haru pushed them open, stepping into the spacious interior.

The guild hall was a lively and chaotic place, filled with the clamor of adventurers from all walks of life. The air was thick with the scent of sweat, leather, and the faint aroma of ale wafting from the adjoining tavern. Weapons and armor hung on the walls, each piece telling a story of battles fought and quests undertaken.

In one corner of the hall, a group of adventurers gathered around a table, their laughter and cheers infectious to anyone near their vicinity. They clinked their mugs together, toasting to a successful quest completed and the spoils they had acquired. The camaraderie among them was palpable, their faces flushed with the warmth of ale.

Haru made his way through the crowded hall, weaving past the boisterous adventurers who paid him little attention, too engrossed in their own excitement. As Haru walked up to the reception desk, he was welcomed by a woman with bright, inquisitive eyes and a warm smile. Her auburn hair was neatly tied back in a bun, and her simple yet elegant attire highlighted her petite frame.

Despite what he was wearing, she greeted him with the same professionalism as if she were talking to anyone else.

"Welcome to the Adventurers' Guild!" she chirped enthusiastically. "How may I assist you today?"

Haru leaned against the desk, "I'm new here and looking to join the guild. What do I need to do to get started?"

The receptionist's smile widened as she reached for a stack of papers. "Ah, a new adventurer! We're always excited to welcome fresh faces. First, you'll need to fill out these registration forms. They ask for your name, background, and any relevant skills or experience you might have. Once all of that is in order, you'll simply have to pay a one-time fee."

"About that," he began, his voice carrying a hint of sheepishness, "I'm actually one of the newly summoned heroes. I don't have any money or skills to speak of yet."

It took a second before the receptionist's eyes widened in surprise, her mouth falling open slightly. "A summoned hero?" she repeated in a mutter. "I... I… excuse me!" She quickly left, and the guild hall fell silent as the other adventurers turned their attention towards Haru. Murmurs of disbelief and curiosity rippled through the crowd as they craned their necks to get a better look at the supposed summoned hero.

A burly adventurer with a weather-beaten face and a thick beard stepped forward, a mug of ale in his hand. "A summoned hero, eh?" he boomed, his voice carrying across the now-silent hall. "We've heard rumors of your kind being summoned, but never thought we'd see one in the flesh. What brings you to our guild? Aren't you lot being trained at the palace?"

Haru straightened, his eyes scanning the crowd. "Ha, no way. If I were to train there, I would have to sell my soul to the devil. I want to be free like all of you, that's why I came here the moment I stepped out." He suddenly pointed at himself and proclaimed loudly, "My name is Haru, and my goal is to be the greatest adventurer that ever lived!"

The crowd erupted into laughter, not with mockery, but with cheerful amusement. They hadn't seen such a bright-eyed boy in a long time, and hearing such enthusiasm from someone who had just been summoned reminded them of their own early days.

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

"Hahaha, that's quite a proclamation, boy! But do you have what it takes to back those words?" one adventurer called out.

The receptionist reemerged from the back, trailed by a ruggedly built man with black hair, clearly in his middle years. His weathered face bore a few scars, each telling a story of its own.

The man approached Haru, towering over him by a head and a half. He extended a hand. "Name's Becker, Guild Leader of the Adventurers' Guild in Crown City."

Haru took his hand, his grip firm.

Becker nodded approvingly. "Nice grip. However, it's unfortunate, but I don't think I can let you join us."

Haru's expression remained neutral as he asked, "How come?"

"Firstly, let's address the main issue—you have no money. This means you can't afford to register, let alone buy any gear, weapons, or supplies. Any quests issued by us, even the easier gathering quests, require at least some preparation to do. Secondly, while the Adventurers' Guild is based in Crown City, we are not affiliated with the kingdom. Our relationship is strictly professional—they don't interfere with us, and we don't interfere with them. As a summoned, you are in a gray zone for us which we would not know how to handle if the kingdom suddenly demands you back."

Becker leaned in closer to Haru, his face mere inches away. "Lastly, you're newly summoned, which means you're not familiar with our world. It's not as simple as waltzing in here and becoming an adventurer. Even a child who sets out on an adventure must be prepared for the challenges that lie ahead. You're a liability, and frankly, you wouldn't even be worth raising, even if you are a summoned. Don't you think you're underestimating the dangers of adventuring just a bit too much?"

The hall fell silent.

Haru simply laughed, not backing down. He stepped even closer, meeting Becker's gaze directly. "Who says I'm underestimating anything? Just because I'm newly summoned, you think I don't know anything. Aren't you simply jumping to conclusions?"

Some of the adventurers gasped, their eyes wide with surprise. Becker was known for his abrasive attitude, and those who dared to cause trouble in the guild would quickly find themselves on the receiving end of a few broken bones and a lengthy stay in bed. His reputation as a hard-ass guild master was well-deserved, and no one in their right mind would dare to challenge him without expecting fierce retaliation.

Becker furrowed his brow. "What do you mean?"

"First of all, I've already cut ties with the kingdom, and they let me go without a fuss. They summoned 99 others besides me, so they aren't exactly lacking in manpower. In fact, they were more than happy to see me go. Secondly, you're right that I don't have any money, which is why I'm asking you to sponsor me. Not for free, of course—I can guarantee it'll be worth your while."

He paused, then swiftly grabbed a blade from one of the nearby adventurers before they could react.

"Wha— hey!"

He slammed the weapon down onto the counter with a resounding thud, a confident smile spreading across his face. "My only goal is to live freely and to do everything I want without regrets. I won't let anyone stop me from achieving my dreams—not monsters, not the kingdom, and not even the demons. I have an adventuring spirit that surpasses anyone here, and I'm willing to wager my life on it!"

Becker's eyes narrowed, but a hint of a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. He seemed to appreciate Haru's boldness.

"You've got some nerve, kid… Haru, was it?" The guild leader paused, his gaze intense as he studied Haru. "Alright, since you're willing to wager your life, I'll give you a chance." Becker extended his hand. "Here's the deal. Take my hand. If you can hold on for more than 10 seconds, I'll consider sponsoring your adventuring license."

Haru stared at the hand and smirked. "How about throwing in a Skill Revealing Scroll too?"

The crowd gasped at Haru's bold request. In the world of Kladin, the Skill Revealing Scroll was a valuable and rare item used to uncover a person's innate skills. However, not everyone possessed innate skills; perhaps only 1 in 10 did, and even then, the skill might not be particularly useful. Given the high cost to create a Skill Revealing Scroll, ordinary people could never afford to use one. Thus, the scroll was typically reserved for the sons and daughters of noble lineage or those with lots of money.

Becker chuckled, flashing a wicked grin. "Fine, but I'm raising the stakes. You'll have to endure for 20 seconds. Show me what your adventurous spirit is worth."

Haru stepped forward and took Becker's hand. "Don't faint now," Becker sneered.