“Well then, I guess we should get you registered.” Sophia said, her expression and demeanor changing to something more lively and warmer than the one from a few seconds ago.

Joe wasn't sure about the reason behind this but he was just glad to finally get registered. He glanced at Shelly giving her a wide grin. Shelly smiled back before turning to Sophia.

Joe glanced around the room and most of the adventures had gone back to drinking and stuffing themselves with meat and some freshly baked bread. Joe wasn't that envious of the meat but the bread and drinks made his stomach grumble.

Shelly gave him a weird look after she heard the sound.

“What? I'm a little hungry ok.” Joe said, defending himself.

Shelly sighed, “I guess we haven't really eaten anything since we arrived here. We could grab something to eat.”

“Yeah… there's one problem with that…”

“What?”

“I'm out of money.”

“How?’ Shelly asked, “We cleared the Black Forest just recently and you haven't spent any money here in Perina. You should have a lot of gold pieces with you.”

“Well… I don't. But I'm sure you wouldn't mind paying for a friend right? I'll return the favor once I earn more money. “

Shelly sighed, “Fine. But we're only getting the cheap stuff. I don't have money for anything fancy.”

“That's fine, I didn't want anything fancy either. Just some bread and a drink would be nice.” Joe said, already savoring the taste of wine and bread. Not the tastiest thing in the world, but enough to excite his deprived stomach.

Sophia finished clearing the glasses that were on the counter. She placed them on the shelf behind her.

The shelf was split in half. One half had the empty glasses and bottles. The other had bottles that were full.

Sophia clasped her hands together before asking, “can you show me your academy license?”

Joe didn't hesitate, he retrieved it from his inventory and slid it across the counter to Sophia.

Sophia used her left index finger to stop the card before it fell over the edge, she then picked it up and examined its contents. “Warrior class… you're not fooling me kid.” She thought to herself.

She swiped her right hand horizontally through the air. Before a blue screen materialized before her. It was huge, easily three times the size of Joe's Attribute Window. A pen was conjured in her hand along with the screen, she started writing something on the screen with the pen in her grasp.

From where he was seated, Joe couldn't see what was on the screen. The only thing he was preview to was the back of the screen which was as clear as a blue sky. He anxiously tapped his foot on the floor waiting for the process to conclude.

He was somewhat interested in the logistics of the screen, was it another Syr or something else. He wasn't really sure and he didn't feel like asking. Joe had already attracted a lot of attention to himself, asking another obvious question would probably not be the best move right now. So he just kept to himself and waited.

“Tell me kid, why do you want to become an adventurer?” Sophia threw a question his direction.

“Simple, I want to find my family. Becoming an adventurer is just a step I need to take towards that objective.”

“Family huh? I've heard many say fame, power, revenge, wealth and everything else in between. But I've never heard anyone say family. “ Sophia handed back the license.

Joe retrieved it and made sure it was safely stored in his inventory.

“You know being an adventurer is not for the faint hearted.” Sophia said. “Don't be fooled by these guys lazing around. When you're out there it's real, every moment could be your last. I would know, that's how I got this scar.” She pointed at it, her attention still on the screen. “I'm only alive because my enemy was merciful. I decided that day that adventuring was not meant for me and put down my weapons. If I had continued I wouldn't be here right now.”

Joe leaned forward and rested his arms on the counter, “so you gave up? Isn't that being a coward?” Sophia stoped for a moment, her gaze shifting to Joe. “I mean if you want something you'll fight for it. There must've been a reason you became an adventurer, why would you give up on it? I don't care how dangerous it is, I won't give up on my dream. I'll find my family even if it kills me!”

Sophia smiled faintly before returning to her screen. “You're an interesting one boy.” She said, making the final touches on what she was doing.

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“And that's it. You've officially been registered.” Sophia said, with a smile. Finally pulling her hands away from the screen.

“Wait that's it?” Joe couldn't belive it.

Sophia nodded, before her screen vanished.

[Registeration Confirmed. You Have Registered With The Silver Phoenix Guild.]

[You Have Officially Received A Rank]

[Adventurer Rank: D]

[Current Confirmed Level 40. Calculating Guild Ranking…]

[Current Guild Ranking: #15,000]

[Guild Template]

Name: Joe White

Age: 19

Level 40

Official Rank: D

Completed Quest: 0

Recorded Cleared Dungeons: 0

Guild Ranking: #15,000

Joe was glad to have an official ranking but wasn't sure about a D ranking. Was that small or big? He also noticed that his achievements In the Black Forest were not taken into account. It must've been because he hadn't registered by then which made sense.

[Achievement Unlocked: Registration]

▪︎ Condition: Become A Registered Adventurer

▪︎ Reward: +2 Additional Attribute Points

Joe grinned at his achievement, but he diverted his attention away from his screen and turned to Sophia. “Hey Sophia is D Rank a good ranking?” He asked, feeling a little insecure.

Sophia took a second before responding “Yes. For most people who get registered their starter rank is usually D- so you're a rank higher than them. But when we consider the entire ranking system, you're second from the bottom. There are several ranks from here with the peak of most adventurers being A+ and only a handful reaching S Rank. So considering you've just been registered, I'd say you're on the righ track.”

Joe was a little relived to hear that. He glanced at Shelly before turning to Sophia again. “There's one more thing. I want to create my own party with my friend Shelly over here.”

Shelly turned her head sharply. “I don't remberer agreeing to this. I told you I wasn't ready yet.”

“Come on Shelly. Plese do this with me.” Joe pleaded. “You know just because you join my party doesn't mean you're throwing your previous party away. I told you, I'll carry that dream you all had and make sure it becomes a reality. Just trust me.”

Shelly was quiet, she looked at the counter. “Why?” Her voice was low. “Why would you want someone like me in your party?”

“Well for starters it's because we're friends. If I want to travel Grisha as an Adbenture's I'd rather have my friend with me. And also, you're the best healer I've ever met. I don't want any other healer in this world, it has to be you.”

Shelly tited her head to meet Joe once again. Her eyes widened by his words. What she saw was Joe's wide smile. Her face softened. “Alright. I'll join you Joe.”

Joe's grin grew even wider “awesome!”

“Waut a minute you brat.” Joe felt a cold grip on his right shoulder. He turned his head and found a tall and muscular bald man looming over him. “Forget about this girl. Join my party instead.”

Before Joe could respond, three more came flocking towards him. “No kid, Join me.” Another guy said, and then another. All four men surrounding Joe started arguing with each other on who had the right to take this promising kid.

“Guys calm down.” Joe said with a smirk. “Why do you guys have to fight over me? Tell you what…” Joe got up from his chair and made his way to the center of the room. The tables and chairs had been conveniently set aside creating an open space. “If one of you guys manages to take me down, I'll join your party. But, if you guys lose to me I'm taking all your money and belongings.”

A thin and lengthy man with an afro stepped forward. “I like your style kid.” he grinned. “I'll take you on first.”

Another much shorter man who wasn't wearing a shirt interjected. “Who gave you the right to go first? That kid is mine!”

“No he's mine!” Another adventure with orange hair argued.

“Guys!” Jos cut through the squabbling. “There's no need to fight over me. I'll take you all 4 at once.”

The guild went crazy.

“Is he insane? Taking 4 party leaders all by himself.”

“He must have a death wish.”

The ruckus brought a smile to Joe's face.

The four party leaders glanced at each other. “This kid is underestimating us in front of our party members. We can't let this disrespect go unpunished.” One of them said.

“Yeah let's break his bones and teach that brat a lesson. No one makes an idiot out of me!” Another said.

All four simultaneously turned to Joe. They clenched their fists before all of them came charging at once.

Joe exhaled, before clenching his own fists. He then charged to intercept all four.

[Total Speed: 94]

[Total Strength: 94]

When one of the party leaders threw a punch, Joe swayed or ducked before retaliating with a punch to the stomach. He did this four times and in ust 8 seconds, he brought all four party leaders to their knees.

The party leaders all screeched in agony as they clutched their stomachs. They then fell on their backs, succumbing to the pain.

The crowd went wild.

“No ways! He just defeated 4 party leaders by himself. And all of them with a single blow!”

“What is this kid?”

“He's a monster, that's what he is!”

“Meh, those guys were weak. They like to act intimidating but they're nothing special.”

“Well why don't you go and fight him then?”

“I don't fight little kids.”.

“You're just scared aren't you?”.

“Just shut up and eat or I'm taking back my food!”

Joe rummaged through all their packets and was a little disappointed with his findings.

[+5 Health Potions Have Been Stored To Your Inventory]

[+4 Mana Potions Have Been Stored To Your Inventory]

[+5,000 Gold Pieces Have Been Stored To Your Inventory]

[Total Gold Pieces: 5,000]

That was all he received. Not only were these guys weak but they were broke as well. He sighed in disappointment before going back to the counter to take his seat.

“Was that really necessary?” Shelly asked.

“Yes,” Joe responded. “Those guys wouldn't have stopped bothering me. I hope that little display also keeps all the others who were planning to approach me away.”

He retrieved two mana potions and gave them to Shelly. “I also found these.”

Shelly shook his head. “You should keep them. I'm doing well mama wise. You'll need them more than me.,”

“I already kept 2 for myself. Just take them, please.”

Shelly accepted them after a few more seconds. Joe smiled before turning to Sophia. “You can go ahead Sophia. Help us register our very own party.”

Joe couldn't hide his excitement In just a few minutes, he would establish his very own party.