Chapter 68: The Guild
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UNDF Operations 3
UNDF Division: Magic Ops
Classification Level: 3
Purpose: This division is responsible for gathering and researching magical knowledge, samples, devices, and artifacts. This division mostly contains scientists and engineers who are specialized in a wide variety of fields, such as zoology, physics, engineering, and chemistry.
UNDF Division: Resource Ops
Classification Level: 2
Purpose: This division is responsible for the protection of Humanity-owned resources (eg. oil production, power plants, hydro dams, farms, mines) and for gathering new resources to aid the UNDF war effort.
UNDF Division: Escort Ops
Classification Level: 1
Purpose: Escort Ops is responsible for escorting VIPs and resource-carrying vehicles. Units in this division are heavily armoured to fight against any major assault.
VVVVVV
The storm lightened up since Tom's team was with Jux. It still lightly snowed outside, but it was just snowflakes that slowly drifted to the ground. The snow on the ground was halfway up the shins by this point. Many of Skysign's populace struggled to move through the snow as they pushed through the cold white powder. Many city guards rushed down different streets to multiple locations of unseen unrest.
"Oh, man this is going to be a bad winter," Tom said.
"Will the UN and Canada be able to get food here fast enough?" Tala asked.
"We should as long as things go well at City Hall. We were prepared for this eventuality. Thank goodness Erlonia is the only continent that was transported to a colder climate."
Amber was shivering as she walked. Tom wrapped an arm around her shoulder and instinctively rubbed it. He kissed her on the cheek and said, "If you're not comfortable in the cold, you can wear your helmet. I don't think that restriction still applies."
"Oh, right." Amber quickly took her helmet out of her Inventory and put it on. She switched to her helmet's public speaker. "Dryads are more used to tropical weather. I just can't stand these winter temperatures."
"You going to be okay?" Syl asked.
"Oh, yes, yes. Thanks for your concern."
"I think I'll put my helmet on too," Reia said.
"Same," the others added.
"Aren't you cold?" Vivian asked.
"I'm Canadian and it's only minus ten," Tom said with a shit-eating grin. "Also, we Humans have a higher body temperature than you Xothicans. Once we're done at the Guild and visited your home, I'll be sure to warm you all."
"You're making that spicy chili?!" Vivian gasped.
"That's right. Made with Carolina Reaper peppers. I've had it simmering in a crock pot while we were away."
The group turned a corner and saw a large statue in the intersection of two streets. The statue was of several men in full-clad Roman armour.
"Tom, look," Tala said. "That's the Crimson Warriors statue."
Tom approached the status with a look of contemplation. In the center of the statues, was Artorius. He held his sword up high and roaring for a battle charge. The girls stood by his side.
"A complicated man with a complicated history."
Everyone jumped as Tep suddenly spoke out behind them. They spun around with their hearts beating in their chests. Tep wore a stylish-black business suit and seemed unaffected by the weather.
"Jesus, Tep!" Tom gasped. "You're going to kill me before Hastur gets the chance."
"My apologies. It wasn't my intention to scare you."
"How did you even sneak up on us?" Sylmae asked.
"I'm used to sneaking even around the most perceptive people. Also..." Tep held up a small palm-sized device. "I just teleported in. Quite a coincidence that I run into you here and now."
"Here to pay respects?" Reia asked.
Tep nodded. "I know Artorius did some terrible things when he returned to Earth, but he was a great man once. He saved this world. I prefer to remember him like this."
"I get it," Tom said. "I really do. I can't honestly say I think highly of him, but I understand the high regard people have for him."
"A complicated man with a complicated history." Tep glanced around the city. "You know the last time I was here, Skysign was little more than a farming village of fifty. It really has changed a lot. Do you know how Skysign got its name?"
"Oh goddess, not that story," Sylmae groaned.
"Oh, now I want to hear it," Tom said.
"So when this town was first colonized, it didn't have a name," Tep said. "What it did have was an obsessive woman who tried to give people too much information about the area. Not even useful information. Stuff like the location of a large boulder. Or a tree with an owl nest in it. It got to the point where she created a giant multi-directional sign post. Lake. Large rock. Sand. Mud. Pond. The sign post had a couple dozen signs like that. As a prank, some farmer boy placed a large sign on top of the post that pointed upwards. Sky. People found it quite humorous and the lady didn't understand the joke and allowed the sign to stay. The sign post became a sort of landmark for the village. Traders then referenced the village by the sign post. 'Oh, yeah, that farming village. The place with the sky sign.'"
Tep, Tom, and Amber laughed at the story while the others groaned.
"Is that sign still around?" Tep asked Sylmae.
"I'm afraid the original sign was destroyed during one of the wars with the Demon nation."
"Oh, that's too bad. So what are you all off to?"
"We're going to form a group at the Adventurer's Guild," Reia answered.
"Ah, good idea. Make a name for yourselves so you can find the other Elementals. Very smart. Well, I won't keep you. Thank you all for indulging in my nostalgia."
"Where are you off to?" Reia asked.
"I still have some places to visit,. Once that's done, I will then began my own recon on Hastur. I will keep you informed of anything I find."
"Thanks for that," Tom said.
"It was good to see you again, Tep," Sylmae said.
"Likewise, Miss Lyvan. I wish you all the best of luck in your mission." Tep then picked a direction and walked through the snow.
"Okay, enough with our delays," Vivian impatiently said. "I want to see the look on everyone's faces when we turn our Proofs in." She then slapped both Tom and Tala on the butt.
Tala yelped out of surprise.
Vivian marched forward with everyone in tow. She had a skip in her step as she forced her way throw the snow that was up past her knees. After trekking through the empty streets, they arrived at a massive courtyard. At each corner of the courtyard was a large carved stone pillar. On the other side was a large building made from logs with lights coming out from its windows and doorway. A sign hung above the arc-shaped entrance that read "Adventurer's Guild". The building resembled an old wildlife lodge that Tom once vacationed at as a kid.
From where they stood, the group could hear laughter come from the building. Grey smoke came out from a wide chimney on top of the Guild and it carried the smell of pork.
"Time for our debut," Amber declared.
Vivian grabbed the door handle and opened the door. Hot air poured out of the building towards them. The group entered inside and quickly closed the door before any of the cold could sneak in. The main hall was large and filled with many round tables with Adventurers around each of them. Not one table was without hot food and alcohol.
The center of the room held the source of heat. A four by two meter long pit filled with orange crystals that emitted flames. A long spit held several pigs on it and was rotated by one of the Guild's cooks.
In the back of the area was a service desk with a couple of young women who sat behind the counter. One was an Elven woman with raven-black hair and the other was a cat Beastkin with tortoiseshell cat fur pattern. Both were dressed in a business-style suit with a knee-length skirt. Behind the ladies were two closed doors. To the right and left sides of the counters were stairs that led to the second level of the building.
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Not many of the Adventurers immediately noticed the entrance of Tom's team. The first to noticed them watch them like a curiosity. As they walked through the area, more people noticed them.
At the same time, Tom made checks on every single person he could. The average rank of the Adventurers here was about six. There was at least two groups of fours and one group of threes. The threes and fours were dressed in clean tunics, cloaks, and rough leather pants that were likely made with wyvern or drake skin. Many had fur coats wrapped around them.
Those who couldn't afford fur coats wrapped themselves with wool blankets. Regardless of dress, none of them were dressed in what would be considered combat gear. Tom assumed that their full gear was in their Inventory.
One person that stood out for Tom was a fellow whose entire body was completely covered in bandages and had a cloak with its hood over his head. He sat alone at a table and nursed a mug of ale in front of him. This bandaged man was the first one to notice the presence of Tom's team. He kept his eyes on them for the entire time. For some odd reason, the individual was able to block Tom's Identify ability.
Tom's Xothican companions all removed their helmets and placed them in their Inventory. The Elven clerk's eyes lit up when she saw their faces.
"Sylmae! Tala! Vivian! And Reia! You're all okay!"
"It's good to see you again, Ilena," Sylmae said.
"When you all disappeared for a month, we feared the worst."
"We're alright, but a lot has happened in the month since our disappearance."
"Considering the weather we've had for the last few weeks, no kidding." Ilena's eyes fell upon Tom. "You must be one of the Humans I've heard about. You are pretty big."
"Please to meet you," Tom said. "I'm Specialist Thomas Everett."
"Oh and so polite," Ilena chirped. "How do you know each other?"
"He's our lover," Reia quickly answered.
"You don't need to announce that everywhere, Reia," Tala chided her. Her cheeks became flush at Reia's sudden declaration.
"Oh, congratulations," Ilena said. "I'm glad you all managed to find someone you all can love. Especially one as handsome as him."
"Uh, thanks," Tom sputtered out.
"Wait..." Ilena finally noticed Amber among the group. Amber was partially hidden behind Tom and Reia. "Is she a Dryad?"
That question got everyone's attention. Everyone just noticed the presence of the ultra-rare being known as a Dryad. Some of the more lecherous Adventurers had wide smiles on their faces as they checked her out. The building's chatter was now more focused on the weirdly armoured group at the front desk.
"I am a Dryad," Amber answered. "Pleased to meet you. I am Amber Everett."
"Oh, is she your wife?" Ilena asked Tom.
"Ah, no," Tom replied. "Not yet. She just adopted my family name."
"Not yet?" Amber repeated as she looked to Tom with a grin on her lips.
"Well, I must say I never thought I would ever see a Dryad," Ilena continued. "I must warn you though. Her rarity will attract unwanted attention."
"The Governor has already warned us about slavers," Tom assured her. "Though I appreciate the heads-up."
"Just making sure since you Humans seem to be newcomers around here. Where is your race from by the way?"
"From all over. It's a bit of a long story. Our representatives are speaking with your Governor so the full story will make its rounds soon enough. We were hoping to register as Adventurers before it got too late."
"Oh, you wish to register!" she exclaimed.
"We all do and also want to register as an Adventurer Group."
"Of course!" Ilena ducked under the desk. "To be honest I never expected Sylmae, of all people, would want to register as an Adventurer. Miss Safety."
"People change, Ilena," Sylmae said.
"Must have been a crazy month for you all then." Ilena reappeared from below the desk with a device that resembled a crystal ball used by fraud mediums. "This is our Registration Orb. It will make you an Adventurer. Now as per our policy, I am required to let you know that by using this Orb, it will allow me to see your Status and light up different colours depending on your truthfulness to any questions I ask of you. The questions are standard and are only meant to weed out criminals and people who try to falsify their Status. Don't worry, it is all confidential."
"I do work for my people's government, so I hope you won't ask about government secrets."
"Of course not. We get Adventurers who work for militaries all the time. The questions are mundane. Nothing to worry about. I should also let you know that this device will be able to see your true Status even if you try to use a high-ranked Status-changing magic tool. Now do you consent to using the Registration Orb?"
"Yup. Let's do this."
Tom placed his hand on the Orb and it lit up a bright blue colour. A opaque blue screen appeared in front of Ilena. Tom saw Ilena's eyes move back and forth to read. Her eyes immediately opened in shock.
"Level thir-" Ilena quickly grasped her mouth.
Tom was bemused at Ilena's reaction to reading his titles as she mouthed each of his titles. Finally she came across his two most shocking titles. World Saviour and Dragon Slayer.
"These... These titles a-are real?" she muttered.
"You said it yourself that I can't fake it with your Orb."
"But how?" she whispered to him. "World Saviour is a title that hasn't been seen since the last great war. And Dragons are extinct."
"Since my hand is on this Orb I can give you the short of it," Tom whispered back. "My race is from a different world called Earth." The light of the Orb remained the same colour. "We didn't have magic and relied on our own creations and tools to operate. Hastur casted a spell that fused our worlds. That's what those weird purple thunderstorms came from. So while the time between the spell being cast to now was about a month for you. For us it was about a year. Sylmae and the others accidentally got transported to my world and together we fought against monsters that came from your world. In that time, we also fought a Dragon and took out Hastur's servants who tried to cause chaos on my world." Tom gestured to the girls. "They helped me save my world and race."
Ilena looked at the Orb and then back to Tom. "It's all the truth." She paused for a moment before she said with a confused look on her face, "That was the short of it?"
Tom nervously laughed. "Lots happened. Once my people creates diplomatic ties with Skysign here, we will spread this information to everyone. So you said there would be questions?"
"Oh! Right! Are you above the age of sixteen?"
"Yes."
"Have you ever committed a serious crime?"
"Would it still be considered a crime if I was forgiven by my own government?" Tom asked.
Ilena contemplated on the question and replied back, "technically no, but I will need to know what your crimes were."
"Illegally crossing country borders and I killed the members of a drug cartel that worked with a horrific terrorist group. At the time, I didn't work with my people's government, long story, but when I joined the UNDF, they forgave those crimes."
Ilena looked at the Orb and said, "alright that checks out. Next question. Do you plan to hurt any innocents or government officials while working as an Adventurer."
"I don't plan to..."
"Are you working as a spy to undermine Skysign?"
"No."
"Do you work for Almawt?"
"No."
Each answer he gave caused no change in the Orb's light.
"Okay, that's all I need." Ilena touched a pad opposite from Tom on the Orb's base. The Orb quickly flashed and then lost its light.
Notice You have successfully been registered as an Adventurer. Your current rank is 10.
"You're all done," she said with a smile. "Now you will start at rank ten. Highest rank is one. As you do quests and turn in bounties, you will gain points that will contribute to rank ups. We do recommend that you only do quests no higher than one rank, but seeing your Status, I don't think you'll have a problem. Next."
Sylmae, Tala, and Amber all registered to be Adventurers. Each of their Statuses shocked and amazed Ilena. By the end, her brow became moist with sweat.
"Okay. Everyone is now registered as Adventurers. You all said you wanted to register as an Adventuring group. What would you like your name to be?"
The group gave their name a lot of thought. Their aim was to find other Elementals. The only way to tell was by their Title of Unknown. If they wished to find these people, they had to advertise this fact.
"We will be known as The Unknown Title," Vivian answered.
Ilena picked up a feather quill from an ink well and opened a thick crimson leather-bound book. "The... Unknown... Title..." she muttered as she wrote down the group information. "Members. Thomas Everett. Reia Zyer. Vivian Terrabane. Tala Mau. Sylmae Lyvan. And... Amber Everett. Alright, your group is now registered in our book.These books connect to a magical network so now every Guild in the world is aware of your group's existence."
"Perfect," Sylmae said. "Now that we're registered, we have some bounties to turn in."
"Oh, okay. Let me grab my bounty book." Ilena pulled out a thick black leather-bound book.
"We ran into some bandits on the way to this city and was wondering if there's a bounty on someone by the name of Calin Doss. We killed him and his group."
Tom pulled out his phone and opened the photo gallery. The gallery had photos of Calin Doss' face. He turned the phone and showed Ilena.
"That is an interesting device you have there," she remarked. "Being able to display images. I can tell you that Calin Doss and his group had bounties place against them by the city. They have been stealing from many caravans and travelers in our area. Just so you know, the penalty for lying about bounty claims results in immediate expulsion from the Guild and a fine double the bounty reward."
"It's a good thing I'm not lying," Tom said.
"Reward for the capture or death of Calin Doss and his gang is one gold and ten silver. You are also rewarded an additional five hundred and fifty experience for completing the quest." Ilena turned several pages in the book and then placed a mark in the book with her quill. "And now it's registered."
Congratulations The Doss Gang bounty has been successfully turned into the Guild. You have been rewarded 1 gold and 10 silver coins along with 550 experience.
Congratulations You have collected enough points to level up to rank 8.
"And it looks like taking down these bandits has allowed you to reach eighth rank. Vivian is now fifth rank. Good job. Best record yet for level advancement."
"Awesome!" Vivian said. "We still have two more. Now, I must warn you. These two are pretty crazy."
"Well, I'm all for surprises," Ilena said.
Tom pulled out the two Proofs of Death from his Inventory and placed them on the counter. Mordiggian's jackal-like skull and Ithaqua's skull. Ithaqua's skull looked similar to a Human, but the jaws were larger with three inch long serrated teeth. Like Mordiggian's skull, it also had runes carved into it.
Ilena looked at the skulls with a befuddled look on her face and then mouthed the word Identify. Her eyes widened in fear and she screamed out. She stumbled out of her chair and fell to the ground.
Her screams garnered the attention of everyone in the main hall. Their mutterings increased in response. Ilena quickly collected herself and stood up with a look of disbelief and fear.
"Mordiggian and Ithaqua! You all killed Mordiggian and Ithaqua?!"
Everyone in the hall launched out of their chairs and started to yell at Tom's group.
"Taur shit!" one yelled.
"Get these frauds out of here!"
"Who do you think you're kidding?!"
The group of rank three Adventurers left their table and walked towards the front desk. The group consisted of an Orc, a Barbarian; two Dwarves, a Duelist and knight; a cat Beastkin, a Hunter; and their leader was a wolf Beastkin, a Lone Swordsman. Tom had scanned their Statuses when they walked through the hall. Their levels were in the mid-twenties.
The wolf man glared at Tom and with a sneer said, "I don't know who you think you are to try to defraud the Guild, but you better admit to your lies before it gets worse for you."
"These Proofs are the real," Tom calmly said.
"Many have tried to kill Mordiggian for decades, and Ithaqua has been missing for over a couple hundred years. We're to believe that you six nobodies, one of which is part of a race no one has heard of before today, managed to kill both of them?"
"What you believe doesn't matter to me," Tom nonchalantly explained. "We completed a job and we're turning it in. We're not here to cause trouble."
"Well, you found trouble," the Hunter said.
"Hey, ladies, I don't know what this guy's offering, but how about we keep you company instead?" the Duelist said with a sickly grin. "Show you a real man."
"Only real man I see here is standing right next to me," Vivian scoffed as she gestured towards Tom.
"You picking a fight?!"
"If a fight with you is anything like your approach, it'll be sloppy and ultimately disappointing."
"Why are you antagonizing them?" Tom whispered to Vi through his teeth.
"We have to prove our worth to the people of the Guild," she whispered back. "One sparring match is all we need to get that. We get that respect, we get renown. Trust me. It's the Guild's culture."
"Geez," he sighed.
"I think they are challenging us to a fight," the Barbarian said.
The other girls overheard Vivian's explanation and followed her lead.
"If it proves what we already know, why not?" Reia said with a shrug.
"If you are all going to spar, take it outside," Ilena said in irritation. "It's cold enough without adding holes to this building. Jules here will activate the arena for you and I'll take these two Proofs to the back to verify."
"I hope you're all ready for a fight," the wolf Swordsman snarled.
Deciding to roll with Vivian's advice on how to deal with the people of the Guild, Tom said, "you're not fighting all of us." Tom equipped his helmet from his Inventory. The transparent shield slid shut over his face. "Your opponent is me."