Chapter 7

The City of Segundo. After departing from Honey Rock Village Janus made his way to the adventure’s guild to claim his hard-won prize. Segundo, a strategic city on the frontier of the wildlands that is one of the favourite hot spots for adventurers and Second Borns. A familiar place for Janus that is close to home that he can think of after spending much of his teen life here. After the lich King sacked the original people turning them into undead and its old name forgotten, it was shortly founded by Refugees of Spanish Second Borns and their descendants. As one half was made up by refugees, but the other half served as a prisoner of war camp of dark elves that were allied to the Lich. When the war was over, and the Fellowship declared they had permanently dealt with the Lich King. The prison camp became a ghetto closed off from the growing wealth of the trade and markets of the city and guild. Only recently the streets were opened when the descendants of the dark elf population were no longer deemed a threat.

Since then, Segundo has grown rich on the frontier for two reasons. One is the adventurer’s guild because to the west is thousands of miles of abandoned land full of thousands of temples, palaces, dungeons, and castles full of forgotten treasures and dangers. The second reason is the hopeful prospect of settlement west, Segundo is full of immigrants now waiting for the opportunity to potentially start a nation. Half the city is now inhabited by Irish, Polish, Sicilians and Mongolians that are all the later offspring of Second Borns.

Janus walked these streets feeling the history and potential adventure for wealth or glory call him west. As it did a year ago tricking him into overconfidence that cursed him now, all around him he can see the same enthusiasm of adventurers and settlers eager to be the main character of their own story. Some will undoubtedly succeed, but most are fools.

After a stop by a blacksmith shop the previous village recommended, Janus handed the special item Louis’s family gifted him alongside his great sword. He then left after giving the blacksmith his overall idea for what modifications combining the two too better help with his future fights.

Through the markets and shop stands Janus passed foods of all kinds of nationality you could imagine. Side by side with goods, odds and ends that are both useful and useless, some sold old stuff picked up by adventurers out west. or they could just be cheap knockoffs and copies of whatever.

Finally, the adventurer’s guild is in sight, one of the largest and most grandiose buildings of the city it can often be mistaken as the capital building. Huge club house that is a tavern and hotel for adventurer’s, it is a welcome sight for those with great loot and large appetites. Yet the overall mood of the crowd seemed down, some are cheerful and cocky as most adventurous people are when safe in base. Janus checked to see if something had happened but nothing in sight, then he noticed paper stands. When nobody is standing holding out papers it’s because they are too busy selling them. Janus side stepped through a crewed then throw two notes on the table and snatched a paper to skim through. A paper called “Up to Date,” todays main Headline.

*Historic breakthrough yesterday as major organisations have come to terms that have shocked the entire adventure community. One part, A key talking point of the Inquisition of the Imperial capital is having members enter and participate within the adventure’s guild so that their investigations and information gathering can expand. The condition for this allowance is that members of the Inquisition must be open and transparent of who they are and their intentions. *

Janus just shrugged, no more hiding for them it seems. The paper continues, *The Inquisition advance their terms for a team to be assigned to the Rangers organisation. Five Inquisitors per one thousand Rangers to expand and coordinate information on threats, both domestic and foreign. The Rangers have since agreed taking increased responsibility along side Inquisitors to better safeguard their fields of influence and react to dangers. This collaboration has regarded the Rangers as an unofficial eye or left hand of the Inquisition in contrast to the Templar order that officially serves as the Inquisitions right fist. *

“Ok…” Janus mutters to himself then looking around disappointed trying to find a reason to be mad like others around him. The paper continues to read, *A proposal was denied to the Inquisition that increases their overall authority over the Rangers, Adventurer’s Guild and the Fellowship too reduce their independence. A sharply denied motion that surprised no one involved however the Fellowship then announced their intention to integrate with the Rangers. Announcement that sent shock waves through every organization linked to the Adventurer’s Guild. *

What, No! Janus stopped there surprised in thought scoffing at the statement, what does this mean? The Fellowship is the end goal of all adventurers, the top tier, they are the founders of the Adventurer’s Guild. That’s why the mood felt down, everybody’s prospects and ambitions are gone by this. the Fellowship got all the best missions with great privileges and benefits, to be a member you had to be A ranked adventurer of a team or an apprentice to one. Janus was an apprentice to an A rank team three years ago and he gave that up to later lead him down this doomed road to becoming a Dullahan. Giving that up and ending with his current state was a shit deal, looking back on it with this statement just made him more bitter about his decision. Maybe one could be a member by joining the Rangers now, it would probably be easier.

Even though the Rangers are a neutral group they are also a uniformed one, you can’t convince an adventurer with Protagonist Syndrome to be like, Yes Sir! No Sir! Don’t worry Sir, my boots will shine ready for parade Sir! Janus acts out the life in his head.

A Historic breakthrough they call it, that’s what the paper said as Janus moved indoors to stand in line so he can submit his claim. Historic breakthrough? Janus while waiting continue to read again trying to find details on this merger. What do they keep? And what did they lose? And is it worth joining? Janus always thought he would have a chance to reapply later. That was his plan If he became powerful enough as a vampire. But now as a Dullahan would he ever make it? Could he even actually make it as an adventurer now with the current difficulties he has?

Speaking of difficulties, Janus stopped reading and saw people walk past looking at him oddly. Normally reading a paper or book a person reads it holding typically at waist or chest height with your head tilted down. Janus however held it shoulder height level with his head straight like an incognito spy for obvious reasons. From an outside perspective it looked like he was trying to hide or blend in while doing so made him obviously noticeable. Janus looked left and right further looking a like more suspicious individual while in the queue.

He then grunted slightly in irritation rather than fail to shake his head. He folded the paper and shoved it in his back pocket. He shouldn’t let this bother him, especially with pay day like this. He waited in the adventurer’s guild with a smile, he didn’t want anything to spoil today.

While in line Janus saw the typical adventurer squad like wizards with knights. Mixing with the crowd are mercenaries, merchants, a handful of soldiers that may have gotten lucky scouting. One or two hunters that may have stumbled on something to report and those Rangers Janus read about today. The types and groups of people you would find typical for this setting. He also observed humans and none-humans of a few different kinds he could name of races and nationalities.

At the end of the line it was Janus’s turn, he was motioned forward and handed the paper the doctor made and submitted his claim on the monster. At the desk the lady was dressed as a stereotype office lady cross tavern employee with tiny oval shaped glasses. An odd dress and tie that is out of place in a fantasy world setting. The desk itself was odd with a protective glass like a modern bank.

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She looked through Janus’s licences then gave the submitted claim the guilds stamp of approval. A sound that twitched a half smile to Janus, a smile that became a full grin as the office lady began counting notes. A smile that faded away when she handed Janus only two hundred notes.

Janus protested, “Excuse me lady, this is far too little. I mean, slaying a Lich kings’ thrall is at least two and a half thousand notes.” The office lady adjusted her glasses.

She pretended to scan the documents, “Sir the high bounty is reserved for slaying the creature. The medical reports are clear that the cause of death was shock and heart failure, so this is a finder’s fee.” She then pointed out the guild tax along with the clinic fee he paid through on his payslip.

Janus eyes went wide and gritted his teeth, “Are you kidding me. The shock was caused by-by my sword running through its body!” He says resting his knuckles on the desk, Now Janus raising his voice was probably not a smart thing to do. This receptionist likely works with tough guys all the time and not easily intimidated.

She moved her mouth chewing her tongue, unimpressed by Janus’s claim. “I do not see a sword?” Her keen eye for the obvious made clear.

Janus’s hands almost reached for his absent weapon; he already knew that he left it. “It’s with the blacksmiths shop.” the shop was recommended by the Honey Rock village previously and Janus’s was too eager to fix the combat issues he had with the sword. He implored her. “Lady please I know how it looks but I fought for my life.” Janus also tried to avoid saying that he needed the money, in fact he was so confident expecting to be paid in full today, so he hired the blacksmith this morning with money he now does not have.

Janus then pulled the old mission request from Honey Rock as proof. It also had the seal of completion as he pressed the front onto the glass. It made a slight unintentional bang the made the lady jump very slightly. Janus noticed under her Karan bob haircut that she had pointy elf ears, likely she’s a half blood high elf with her brown hair.

She then adjusted her glasses again to examine, despite this she still denied him. “Sir that’s a civil disturbance and wild animal request.”

Of course, Janus thought, “That is because they had no idea that they were being plagued by such a monster.”

The desk lady was losing patience and to keep composure she took a breath. “Sir if you cannot prove this, I ask you to take the recite and your notes then kindly leave.” She then looked behind Janus and nodded.

“Is there a problem here?” A deep gruff voice sounded. Janus turned and slowly looked up to see two monsters that made Janus’s heart jump to his mouth. Unlike the previous village monster, they were guild guards no less. The first was a green skin, tusked Orc about a head taller than Janus in leather rags and a fur cloak. Next to him was an Oni of Japanese myth, three heads taller than Janus not including his horns. The Oni crossed his arms showing he had a pair of Nunchucks as thick as Janus’s arm. The Orc then ran a dirty grey, food-stained tongue along the front of a knuckle duster on his right fist. His breath pushed into Janus face that made him dizzy almost reacting with a gag.

These are professional guards that deal with bell-ends like Janus all the time waiting for the opportunity to show what a real fight looks like. These two likely have forty year’s training and fighting between them. The room was notably silent watching this, expecting Janus to back down but still eager to see a fight.

So, he did the only thing he could, he raised his hands in surrender and grabbed the little notes and paperwork. The guild really hates whiny adventurers that think they are the centre of attention and it’s a fight Janus doesn’t want on his name. As he squeezed past the two large guards glaring down on him, he heard people sigh a breath of disappointment rather than relief.

As Janus passed by, he heard a slight pop sound. He turned to see the half elf desk lady chew something pink off her lips and nose. Despite his fear of the guards and anger of the lady, a curious wonder came to mind thinking and realising that this world has bubble-gum?

Thinking on this Janus didn’t bother looking at the request board, he was in trouble now short on cash. Whatever job he can take now will be too little cash and too much time to finish to collect. Or far too dangerous for a basically unarmed and lone adventurer to go on. How was he going to pay the blacksmith? The item Louis’s father gave him likely worth thousands more than he was going to pay the smith. Without pay in full the smith will keep it, Just as Louis family kept the item for the past four hundred years.

God bloody dammit, dammit, what was he to do now? He needed to clear his head and think, fortunately in sight there was a pub across the guild. If anything, he can at least afford a couple drinks. Then a dangerous idea came to mind, could he use the delay of his Dullahan state to win a few games? It’s a stupid idea especially with the hard lesson he had back at Honey Rock but given his situation.

Currently Janus has about seven hundred notes, but all he needs is another five hundred, he could sell parts of his black armour. It was good armour he found in a dungeon last year and would hate to sell it off. How much was it actually worth, Janus pondered as he entered the pub and sat across the bar to think. He couldn’t drink anything this early anyway because all day drinking is banned in this city so he could order food. He would have to wait until days end to order something alcoholic. Thinking in silence maybe he should take a job off the request board anyway. However, all he had now was his kukri knife, not much you can fight with just that. Perhaps find a ruin somewhere west? but that could take a month, or he might never find anything at all. And again, all he had was a knife, so who knows what he could come across out there.

In short Janus had a list of bad ideas in a position of his own making. His own fault for jumping the gun and now this is probably the end of his lone adventurer career. Perhaps he could make cash by joining an organisation as a Dullahan but if they find out he was human before. Another bad idea, they would send him straight to the Capital for processing. Being a Dullahan as well as a Second Born could take months of processing or even years to get out. Janus rubbed his face down just giving up at this point. In that moment of defeat the past years weight came crushing down on Janus. The realising that it is common that adventurers just go broke and stop going out and get a real job.

An unknown number of minutes passed by with Janus’s eyes shut tight contemplating on what to do, as the pub door opened creaking. Janus had his back to the wall while sitting facing the door opened his eyes as he saw four humans walk in.

Two were Rangers with their iconic cloaks, one man and one woman with rank pins and badges. Another was a girl, not a Ranger as she broke from the group and quickly scanned the room. Her eyes darted to every corner of the room plus every person and stopped at Janus as if she was a sharpshooter. The girl had deep blue eyes and short blonde hair, her clothing was light yellow with brown leather under a short red cape over her left shoulder. Looking closely, it seemed like she had chainmail armour. Under the cape a weapon was likely cradled in her arm. She had a serious look as her gaze was fixed on Janus.

The fourth member also clearly not a ranger was a rather unimpressive figure of the group. He was less than five and a half feet tall in a silver breastplate. His head was bald with thick circular spectacles and a face that if he smiled it would dislocate his jaw. He announces himself, “Where is the Second Born?” he demands then turned as all of them looked directly at Janus somehow knowing.

From the doorway the guild Orc from before poked through and pointed at Janus, with a voice like gravel, “That Git, he filed his name in earlier. Janus.” He declares.

“Well great…” Janus grunted to himself; he shoulders then tense up as they approached readying himself for defence. Keep calm, they have nothing on you Janus thought to himself.

“Are you Janus?” A Ranger requests simply, he was relaxed, unlike the bald guy next to him. The short bald guy leaned in squinting. The others were just ordinary guys and girls, but this man looked like someone punched his face into a permanent sneer. With a sense of self entitled authority he must have deserved it too.

“Are you?” the sneering man accused, saying it as if not believing the face did not match with expectations.

Janus slowly stands ready in defence, “I am Janus. Is there a problem?” says with suspicion, as far as he knows he’s not done anything wrong. Not taking shit from anybody, especially with how today has gone, Janus was not in the mood.

The other Ranger cuts in front the bald guy, she understood how this would seem, “No problem at all.” trying to deescalate the feeling of tension. Somehow the man behind her frowned deeper to her back. “Our captain just wants to have a word with you. Also, a friend told us about you, he’s at the Rangers keep now.”

Surprised, Janus lowered his guard just a little, “A word with me and a mutual friend?” She and the other ranger nods, “Who?” Janus asked meaning who he knew at this keep.

One was about to utter a name but the bald-headed guy cuts in, “After, you are going to the capital with me for processing.”

Processing, a thing all Second Borns go through if born inside the empire territories. A journey Janus doesn’t have the time nor the care to take. Janus and surprisingly with everyone else frowned at him for that, “Inquisitor, you know you can’t.” shaking his head, The Ranger himself was reluctant to argue with him.

Inquisitor? Janus thought, but the ranger was also correct. “Ya I’m in a neutral zone, you can’t touch me here.” Stating the obvious, The Inquisitor gave a face of irritation at his authority being questioned by both of us. Rangers and Inquisitor together like what the paper said before.

An argument was brewing to become a fight shortly while the ranger girl cuts to the middle again, determined not to get out of hand, “You were an apprentice to the Fellowship previously, right?” Janus just gave a slight yeah under his breath. Smiling she speaks, “Well the captain just wants to talk to you about that time. As for the friend we share, why not keep that a surprise?” grinning mischievously she waves a finger motioning to follow. “Please, come.” Turning away from everyone and walking out.

Raising an eyebrow while Janus observed the others in the group, Janus and the other ranger just shrugged. The inquisitor on the other hand was still less then pleased with a glare at Janus. With a show of defiance Janus stepped passed as close to him without physical contact using, his six-foot hight to show the inquisitor insignificance to Janus. Then with eye contact he realises shortly after the blonde girl of the group has kept a strong neutral expression this entire conversation. she is clearly not a Ranger but another Inquisitor of sorts.

Walking passed; Janus just gave a thumbs up to the other ranger. He nods back to Janus, “Thank you.” He says with relief as the rest follow behind.

Janus just shrugged, “Wasn’t doing anything important anyway.” He says glumly, but now growing curious on this mutual friend mentioned before and why this captain wants to see him.