It didn’t take long for Coney, who was now following the guard, to get to where she needed to go. There was a large inn, it was separated from the rest of the town by a large yard that seemed rather peaceful. It almost seemed like there were empty lots beside the building, and that everyone else had just decided to leave this little house to it’s own devices.

Of course little wasn’t really the word Coney would use for it. He’d thought it was large at first, but when he walked up to it he realized it was taller than nearly any other building in town, a full five stories tall. And it was as wide or more, providing an intimidating structure, much of which was made up of disparate architectural styles rather than anything cohesive.

“You know your way around town, huh?” Coney asked, smiling at the guard.

“Not really, no.” He said with a shrug. “Sure, we’re expected to know the town a bit, but this was closer to luck on your part… whether that’s bad or good luck is hard to say. Let's just say this building gets a lot of attention from the guards.”

“Ah… Right.” Coney said, a little bit sheepishly. “It’s that kinda place. Uh… is it safe for me to go in?” His long ears began to pick up background noise he'd been ignoring up to that point. “I mean, I don’t want to intrude on anything or…”

“Don’t worry, I think you’ll fit right in.” The guard knocked on the door and then quickly backed away, leaving Coney alone until the front door was opened by someone new. It was a large person, someone with light gray skin that he couldn’t really recognise. This was a race he’d not seen out and about, nor had he seen in town.

“Oh, uh, hello.” He said, as graciously as he could. “I was hoping to get a task or two and go out practicing? This is some kind of… guild? I don’t know what you all call it round here.” The hulking figure didn’t respond with words. Instead, they grabbed Coney by the scruff of his neck and walked him back inside.

The inside of the bar was chaotic. It was a massive main room, three stories tall with balconies overlooking it. In the center there were a good hundred or so men and women of every fantasy species he could imagine duking it out. It was a tavern brawl, watching tv had prepared him for that, but it had not prepared him for the fact that it seemed… organized. Some of the people seemed to be still competing but being more civil, including some who were playing chess instead.

“Can I ask where I’m going?” Coney asked, his throat suspiciously not grabbed. In fact, for someone carrying him so easily the beast of a person behind him was surprisingly careful with his well being. They again didn’t respond with words, but pointed with their finger at the bar. With a sigh Coney waited to be taken over there.

Finally, when he was set down, Ceoney found himself in front of the bar. IT was difficult for him to see over it, as he was so much shorter than the bar. It was at least four feet tall, and his about three feet of height wouldn’t cut it. Thankfully he had the stools, one of which he climbed up with all his might, finding himself sitting across from an older man in a dress shirt and suit vest.

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

“Ah, hey there.” Coney said, rubbing his neck a little. “What is this place?”

“This is the guildhall here, and I believe you are looking for work as an adventurer?” The man leaned down, looking coney in his eye. Without even looking he continued to prepare thinhs under the table, one of which he pushed into Coney’s paws before he could react.

“Yeah, that’s about right.” Corny said, taking a sip of his drink. He was expecting something boozy, but he was knocked off his feet. It wasn’t that it was stronger than he expected, he just hadn’t realized it would be coffee. “I’m in the middle of my training, and I was hoping to delve a dungeon or two”

“Heh, so you’ve heard some adventurers walking around and thought you got the lingo.” The man clapped Coney on the shoulder. “You don’t know shit. But, far be it for me to tell ya not to commit suicide by dungeon. Just don’t blame me. Got it?”

Coney nodded wordlessly. “Alright.” The man said. “First things first you need to be tested. Goody for you you came at the right time. I need you to go in there, and by any means necessary, get me the mugs my… patrons have taken with them. When they get this rowdy lets say I don’t believe that liquor isn’t the best way to solve this particular problem.”

Coney nodded. “Okay, I’ve got it.” He said with a grin. Hopping off the bench he began to bounce in place, his feet ready to take off anything. “I’ll be going in three, two, one!” Suddenly he began to all out run, doing the one thing he knew his body was made for, and dodging around people.

It was crazy, his experience in the tunnels had taught him how easy it was for him to bounce around the walls and not get caught. This wasn’t much different, it’s just this time the things he bounced off were tables and people, both of which he could destabilize if he picked the wrong time. Still he was able to swipe all the cups off the tables with ease and bring them back. But he knew he wasn’t done, so he went back out.

“With a shrug he began to pick the cups out of patrons hands. It was hard enough, but some of them stopped him and tried to punch him. He took only a few hits, but all of them tried. Still, he managed to get them all. “Okay, there you go.”

“You missed three.” The bartender said with a twinkle in his eye. “Bit I’ll let it slide. You’re in.”

Coney bounced with joy. “Yay, now I can go adventuring.”

“Not so fast, we do a job here. So, first things first you need to sign up for a run. Then you can go.” He gestured at a wall with paper on it. They all looked like the sign up sheets from a high school play. Coney didn’t care, he searched the names for something interesting.

Orphic labyrinth. Two to Four party teams recommended. Low level but high difficulty. Proceed with caution.

Looking at the bottom he saw that there were only two names. He hoped that meant he’d get first crack at it when he wrote his name. In the end he had to wait, which meant sitting in the chaos. “Well, this is gonna be interesting at least.” He mumbled to himself as he looked around the place.