“Since you are an official member of the Guild now, do you want to take a look at the missions? I can help you pick the most suitable missions to determine your alignment first.”

Under normal circumstances, it was probably the best decision to find out whether Percy’s gift had an alignment toward certain types of missions or if he was unaligned. If it was the former, Percy could learn more about his alignments and solve more missions of that kind to advance his Tier faster. That was also something Percy would have done if he didn’t have [Coin of Prosperity].

“The owner of the inn I’m staying at told me to study before going out to hunt,” Percy rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment. “I think you understand why.”

He’d been drawing a blade in the Guildhall and did a fair number of stupid things in the last two days. Even Percy understood how important it was to fix his flaws quickly. If reading for a few hours could solve his issues, so be it.

“That might be best for you,” The receptionist nodded and gestured to him to follow. “Let’s go to the second floor. Since you can read, you should make use of that. Study and prepare yourself for the dangers of the wilderness. The more you study, the less you will be surprised by the wilderness.”

She walked around the wooden counter, and Percy followed. They used the staircase beside the mission wall and reached the second floor, where shelves filled with hundreds of books were waiting for them.

There was a lone table and several wooden chairs, which hadn’t been used for a while. Percy’s finger swept across one of the armrests, removing a thin layer of dust.

Either nobody can read, which I doubt, or the Adventurers and Hunters have already finished all those books, which I doubt as well.

“Not many Adventurers are patient enough to study for long. Of course, there are exceptions, but most Adventurers are used to learning straight from their practical experiences. I don’t like that, but it is how it is. We’re lucky that most monsters near Raewood are Common Monsters.”

Percy nodded understandingly. He didn’t really have a high opinion of books either. However, he didn’t want to be taken advantage of by people like Merchant Erdwin anymore.

Imagine a monster taking advantage of me. That would be hilari–bad. It would be very bad.

The receptionist had disappeared behind the wall of shelves and returned carrying several thick books.

“Once you’re done with that batch, you won’t die easily in the wilderness around Raewood. Not only that, but you will make a fortune from collecting rare plants and other resources as well,” She winked at him and disappeared again, reappearing a few seconds later with even more books.

“You want me to read…all of this?” Percy asked, not sure whether to be happy or overwhelmed with the intense care he received from the receptionist. She was undoubtedly paying more attention to his well-being than Greg.

That bastard beat me up whenever he had the chance instead of teaching me common sense. That old, frail hypocrite!

He shook his head, thinking back to their occasional night-time sparring sessions. The spars weren’t actually too bad, but Greg had never been a pleasant opponent. The old man was a ruthless monster – despite being fragile like cracked glass.

I miss you, bastard! Percy cursed, fletching his teeth at the pile of books.

“I get why Adventurers would rather dive into danger. This is terrifying.” Percy grumbled, feeling like going out into the greenery rather than being stuck within four walls and piles of books waiting to be read.

Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

Still, despite being overwhelmed by the small tower of books before him, Percy got started. He reached for the first book, sat down, and started reading.

The first book was precisely what Percy needed. It was a Beginner Monstrology wide variety of Common Rank monsters. Many monsters mentioned in the book didn’t live in the plains and forest near Raewood, but it would be interesting to research their habitat, habits, strengths, weaknesses, and rare body parts in the future. For now, however, Percy focused on the marked pages, which showed Berserk Rabbits, Wind Wolves, and more than a hundred other Common Rank monsters – monsters that could be found in the plains and nearby forest.

Other than Beginner Monstrology, Percy found a few books related to general information given to Bronze Rank Adventurers. That included tips and tricks for trading, selling carcasses, buying goods, establishing a hunting team, tracking monsters, trapping monsters, studying people's body language to differentiate truths and lies, and much more. Contrary to his expectations, it was interesting.

Percy had a lot to learn about how to hunt and preserve monsters properly without damaging their most valuable body parts, determine whether a plant was poisonous or a treasure, which plants were edible, and how to pluck herbs with important properties without damaging them.

Of course, Percy had a lot more to learn, and theoretical knowledge wasn’t everything he needed, but it was far more interesting than expected. He had never been a fan of books – mostly because they were hard to access free of charge and too expensive to purchase, especially with Greg barely earning enough to cover their living expenses – but that sentiment changed slowly.

Come to think of it… What did Greg do to earn enough coins to feed us? He was always with me. His body was never that great, either.

Greg was frail and limping, but he was a monster in human skin nonetheless. At least, that was what Percy felt whenever the old man thrashed him. Percy shuddered, and his focus returned to the books.

He spent the following hours reading. Even though the receptionist told him to focus on the tower of books first, Percy was also curious about books related to Egos. The knowledge he’d access as a Bronze Rank Adventurer wasn’t extraordinary, but he learned a little about Egos.

To think that nobles are the kingdom’s main military might. Well, it does make sense. If most nobles awaken Egos – allowing them to grow stronger quickly with proper training – it makes sense that many nobles are powerful. There are also Hereditary Egos. I didn’t know that was a thing.

It was only obvious, but the texts mostly explained why nobles were superior to ordinary people and that it was only right for them to be arrogant. Percy didn’t like the way they worded these things, but his opinion didn’t matter.

The only thing he liked – somewhat – was that nobles were given more responsibility and land to protect their people with their superior power. As long as the noble households paid enough attention to their land, their citizens’ living conditions would improve steadily.

I don’t even know who’s in charge of Raewood, but he – or she – is not too bad.

Percy thought back to the last two months and shuddered. His life hadn’t been all rosy, yet he wouldn’t blame the nobles for that. It was just that he hadn’t been lucky until yesterday.

It was his greatest fortune that his accumulated luck erupted yesterday, pushing the wheel of fate in the right direction.

With that in mind, Percy slapped the table, and jumped up, his chair landing on the ground with a loud thud.

“I’m done!” He declared, packing his bag.

It was time to hunt!

He charged out of the Guildhall, his eyes twinkling in excitement.

“He stayed longer than expected,” One of the staff members said, his eyes trailing behind the youth.

“I told you!” The receptionist said, flashing the man a bright smile, “I won. That’s 30 copper coins!”

“Yes, but no. You’re missing something, Olivia.”

The man showered Olivia with a shit-eating grin, nudging toward the wall filled with missions.

“He didn’t pick a mission…” Olivia realized, her bright smile crumbling slowly.

The man opened his palm as wide as possible.

“That will be 20 copper coins, please. That’s after I removed your great victory money. No worries!”