I run my fingers across the top of my head, checking to make sure the hood is tight against my bald scalp. I know I will be recognized in the guild, but I should try to minimize the extensive change I have undergone. A Merchant joining the Adventurer's Guild isn't unheard of, but it's a bit strange. If that someone suddenly shaved off all of their hair and is trying to hide their identity, that's going to raise alarm bells. Linden has done a lot of business here, the amount of requests for caravan details alone has probably hired all F to D ranked adventurers in the city, both clerks and adventurers may recognize him. The hood won't help by much, but at this point, anything to prevent the same scenario playing out with the gaurd again...
A shiver runs down my spine.
I pause infront of the Adventurer's Guild doors. Though I myself have never been here, placing my hands on the unnaturally smooth handles reminds me of Linden's youth. Pushing both the memories and the door aside, I enter the Guild Hall. Instantly, I am hit with the smell of last night's spilt ale and greasy mutton that seems to forever linger in the air until the sweat of the adventures over powers it. The hall itself is mostly empty due to it being so early, but there is still two or three people being processed and the clerk's desk
Linden would always come around this time when he first started working in his merchant apprenticeships. It was always the best time to complete your registration of requests and paperwork with the guild before adventurers would emerge from their Inns and homes. If you came too late, there was a good chance you would be processing your paper work right after an adventurer and that wouldn't be any good. The clerks do their best to keep the space clean and moving, but your paperwork would inevitably soak up the blood from their proof of the kill or from their own tattered arms.
I wander over to the bulletin boards for the time beings as I recognize one of the lady interns that work with the herbalist. She is putting in a request with the clerk and a nice enough lady, but she is a heavy gossip. It would be best to lay low right now and wait till she is done before the entire city knows my location. Might as well have a look over what my first quest will be as a new adventurer!
Scanning over the quests, I start sifting through the F rank requests.
Picking herbs with Linden’s memories wouldn’t be too hard, but that’s not how I want to start off as an adventurer. I understand that the dungeons are much too difficult for someone of my rank as a beginner, especially without really having any combat experience. Hmm….
A voice by the counter cuts through the general muttering of clerks and clientele, “Welcome Mr. BalGrovey”
I shift my sight over but looks like it’s just a clerk welcoming another client.I shift my attention back to the task. Would I be able to take on this Goblin request? It’s only Rank E, and being when I register as Rank F I would be allowed to take it, but killing small humanoid creatures might be pretty tough…
“Linden?”
My head spins around to see the clerk that was at the counter is now directly beside me. I recognize him right away as Willhelm, he’s helped Linden out with a lot of binds, with incorrect paperwork that Linden's apprentices submitted, as well as assisting with some of his shadier businesses.
Willhelm's face was definitely confused, “Everything ok Linden? I have been calling you for a bit. Why are you looking at the Adventurer’s Board?”
Shit, BalGrovey was Linden's last name. Not responding to my own name is definitly odd. Willhelm always pepperd Linden with a bunch of questions like this whenever he was nervous. Hopefully I can play this off...
“Hi Willhelm, I know you are concerned, and I know Jinten is looking for me, but I am wondering if you can keep it quiet between the both of us that I am here to register with the Guild… and maybe not use my name so loud.” I palm him a gold draught, “For the registration fees of course.”
He checks his palm and stares at it for a few seconds. Felt like an eternity before Willhelm looked back up, “I understand, but can I ask why are you looking to register to this guild? You are still in the Merchant’s Guild, aren’t you? I know a few people are in both, but you-”
“I hope that the registration fee covers all those questions.” I can’t help but smile to try to cover up my anxiety.
Talking to people Linden knew, even if I know everything from Linden’s life at this point, I am still an imposter. Afterall, I am still me, aren’t I? I have different mannerisms and goals. I am sure people who really know Linden will see through me quickly.
Willhelm straightened up and started to lead me to the counter, “Ok Sir, let me take you to our back room and we can get you registered.”
“Thanks Willhelm.” I say under my breath. I nervously step in time with Willhelm as he takes me behind the counter and into a small meeting room, two couches facing each other, a small table with a little vase and a single Orange Blood Urn. Looks to be freshly picked as the triangular petals still have a lot orange and haven’t turned red as of yet.
Still getting used to using mastermind… probably didn’t need to know so much about this flower.
“Ok, here’s the forms to fill out, let me know if you have any questions with the fields.”
The first couple fields were the ones that I had been mulling during my walk from the Inn. What name should I be going under? Using Lindsey’s name is the most beneficial in the long run, but also the most dangerous in the short term. I could use a cool name like Guts, or some whether phenomenon like Cloud, Squall, etc. but it kinda goes against the naming of this world…
Miyu…
Miyu always kind of popped into my head though every time I thought about my name. I can’t really remember much about my personhood, just the injustices in my old world, but Miyu sticks out to me. It sounds feminine, but it also sounds… me. I should really hold onto something that can identify myself. I worry about losing myself with all these memories and in case I start losing myself again, it's something I can hold onto.
But what about my last name. My old world had a lot of last names based on professions… a name like vengeance is pretty metal, but that has gotta put me on some kind of watch list. Maybe something like that I can meld together like judge and revenge, or some kind of judge of gods…
I smile again to myself. I must look crazy to Willhelm smiling at a very basic form.
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
My last name will be Kira…
Finally, a cool name.
---
I hand over my completed sheet, “Let me know if you see if there is any problems with it.”
“Uhhhh… no, it looks pretty good. You have signed off your Will, looks to be a rural enough town you have listed, but the name is definitely weird.”
“Ahhh… Do I need to change it to something a bit more standard?” I let out a depressed sigh.
“Uhhhhhhhhhhhhh.... No, I don’t think it’s a problem.” He flips through the paperwork again before gathering it all up and get up off of the couch.
“I will be right back with your Adventurer ID” he says just before slipping through the door.
About 5 minutes pass and he comes out with a small wooden ID card.
“Ok Linde-” Willhelm stops abruptly to cough and clear his throat.
“Ok Meeeeyu, Here is your ID Card. You are ranked F as you have no feats or records to your name. Your card is only wooden and indicates your rank. You will only be able to take F and E rank quests. Take enough F and E rank quests and you can look at a promotion.”
Willhelm clearly looks bored.
“The Adventurer Guild does not accept any murders, thieves, or wanted criminals. If the guild does discover any misdeeds, you will be subject to the Adventurer Guilds’ investigation, and will accept the findings of this investigation. Please Acknowledge.”
“I acknowledge”
“That’s it. Don’t bring me down if you get caught doing whatever it is you plan on doing.”
I get up and he leads me to the door. He swings the door open and holds it for me. Still looks a bit nervous.
“Thanks Willhelm, I really appreciate it” I nod to him as I walk by.
Willhelm quietly calls after me, “I don't know what you are planning on doing, but I know it will be something against Jintan. Whatever it is, don't bring me into it."
I turn around briefly and walk backwards as to not lose momentum, “No problem, I will pick a quest and be on my way outta the city again.”
---
I found my way back into the main space. Looks like the merchants have finished up their business and one or two people have started coming in for an early lunch. Beelining to the quest board, I focus on the F-E board.
Rat Slaying - F Ranking
Location:
The Old Mill, North of the City, Along the main road leading to Tunston
Issuer:
Konth the Miller
Information:
The Owner of the Mill is complaining about the rats coming in and eating his grain. He’s asking for some assistance in killing some of the rats and preventative actions to keep them out.
Objective:
Kill 10x Rats around the Mill and present the tails to the Miller
Reward:
5x Copper Draughts
1 point towards E Ranking
Slime Gathering - F Rank
Location:
Eastward Forest
Issuer:
Sobi Timol
Information:
The slime ranch as had 6 slimes escape their premise, and would like an adventurer to track them down and bring them down. Slimes are expected to be by the forest lake. Tamed slimes will have a magic branding near the nucleus.
Objective:
Bring back 3x of the Ranch’s slimes
Reward:
3x Copper Draughts
1 point towards E Ranking
Bonus Objective:
Bring back all 6x of the Ranch’s slimes
Additional Reward:
3x Copper Draughts
1 point towards E Ranking
Goblin Hunting - E Rank
Location:
NorthEast Forest
Issuer:
Adventurer’s Guild
Information:
F ranked adventurer spotted a campsite of about 5 Goblins about ten minutes west from the fork in the trail to hook back onto the main road to Tunston and Lithom. Go to front desk and Clerk can mark it on your map
Objective:
Destroy the Goblin Campsite
Bring back 5x of the Goblin Left Ears
Reward:
9x Copper Draughts
1 point towards E or D Ranking
These three quests seem like the ones I should choose from. They are on the opposite side of the outskirts where Jinten’s dungeon is, and each would provide me with something I need. Killing rats with a dagger should definitely help me practice my dagger skills, seeing as that’s what I have right now. Catching slimes would help me understand these strange new creatures, and also I can’t help but to want to learn more about taming. Linden only knew a little about taming as it never interested him. Finally, goblin killing... I should really practice combat with some kind of humanoid figures, but pulling from Linden’s memories, this can be very dangerous as goblins have been known to kill a lot of new adventurers.
I stare at the slips of paper for what seemingly feels like forever, I enable mastermind again to see what it would suggest. It doesn’t share anything that I haven’t really thought about, just listing the pros and cons for each, and advising only a 27%% completion of Goblins, and a 10% of all three in one journey.
“UGGGGHHH” I say to myself rather loudly, and I see a clerk that had been about to doze off at the desk snap to attention.
I am an adventurer now! I need to just take action, I can’t think this over forever.
I storm to the desk, gripping my wooden ID badge tightly.
It’s time to take my first adventure.