“Huh?”
Gil tilted his head, looking at the grinning receptionist lady through the black goggles he was wearing. Suddenly the lens turned blue and blotted out his sight. A sharp sensation tunneled through his vision and pierced into his mind, rippling out into his body.
He gasped, tossing the goggles off and clutching strongly onto the receptionist counter. He leaned forward to hold himself up from collapsing.
“Ow! Holy hell! Mother- ”
Gil stopped himself from fully cursing. His vision turned clear, returning to normal. But Gil shouted out again.
“Ow! What the-!”
He yanked back his pierced fringer. Diana held a needle with his blood, dripping it down on the small square mirror.
The mirror glowed, and a floating translucent blue screen appeared midair in front of Gil. Diana chuckled and gave an explanation.
“Alright. Welcome Gil! You are now officially a member of the Adventurer’s Guild located in the Haleson Duchy. Please make sure to read the guild’s policies in the handbook detailing proper rules and procedures. You can find it at the quest board interface. Failure to abide by the regulations will result in punishment.”
Gil looked dumbfoundedly at the hovering blue screen, moving along with every movement of his eyes.
“What’s this blue thing? Why is it blocking my sight?”
Diana facepalmed her forehead.
“I forgot that you didn’t have a contract. Is this your first time seeing the notification window?”
“Notification window?” Gil repeated, no longer trying to swat away the holographic screen. He focused and observed the couple of popup blue screens before him.
~~~
Guild Interface: Notification Window
~~~
Congratulations, new adventurer!
Welcome to the Adventurer’s guild. We look forward to working with you!
Please feel free to seek any guild worker for assistance with any questions you may have.
~~~
“You can swipe up to remove the screen.”
Gil followed her instructions and cleared the first blue screen.
“What’s this one?” Gil asked.
Diana sighed and quickly glanced over Gil’s screen.
“You really don’t know, huh? That is your status window.”
Gil looked closely at the screen. There were four tabs on the top of the screen followed by a display of the first tab below.
~~~
[Status] [Quests] [Inventory] [Settings]
~~~
Name: Gil Bweun
Race: Human (Male)
Level: ZERO
Occupation: None
Contractor: None
Status: Healthy
Point Balance: 4.5
Titles:
Otherworlder
The Odd Lost One
Physical Stats:
Strength: .7
Dexterity: .8
Agility: .8
Intelligence: 1.5 (+7)
Stamina: .75
Energy type: N/A
Available energy: N/A
Satiation: Slightly hungry
Skills:
Universal Translator (LVL MAX) - granted to all holders of the Otherworlder title, translates all forms of communication
Lost but Now Found (LVL 1) - granted to all Otherworlders without a contractor who did not lose their way, given as pity, increases Intelligence by five
Quick Reading: (LVL 4) - through habitual reading, your speed of reading and comprehension is at the thresholds of a scholar, increases Intelligence by two
~~~
Gil arched his eyebrow. It twitched every now and then from re-reading his last skill.
“Given as pity? What the heck?”
Diana looked at Gil with a curious face, but she kept her interest at bay and displayed her professionalism. It was not only considered rude but also malicious to peep at other people’s stat windows without consent. The guild workers, specifically, were not allowed to see other’s information without reasonable cause.
The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.
“You have to swipe up to remove the window. Or program it to open or close with your mental ques. I advise the latter for ease of use or emergencies. You can do that later though. Instructions will be in the handbook.”
Gil swiped up and the screen vanished.
“I advise you to keep the information of your status window to yourself. Your personal stats and numbers can give others too much information. It can put you at a disadvantage or even be used against you.”
Gil immediately shut his mouth. He wanted to ask more about who ‘pitied’ him, and Diana wanted to know more too. But the discussion on the topic stopped.
“How do I know if the values are good? What do they represent?”
“Good question. The numbers of the individual stats are based on the average male or female of this world without any added points. A value of one implies you meet the average of your respective gender.”
“So… What the heck? Then I’m not even average!?”
Diana couldn’t help but crack a joke, looking at his lower half.
“Look, it’s not all about size. Be happy with what you're born with.”
Flustered, Gil covered himself and quipped back, “What are you even saying!? I meant my stats! I’m over average in that department!”
A charming chuckle rang from the side, as a voluptuous brunette beauty walked over.
“Shall we find out, Gil?” Darla playfully asked with a grin.
Gil’s face warped with horror. He didn’t even register what Darla implied.
“You! You spread those false rumors! Ang’s going to kill me now!”
Diana looked at the giddy Darla and rolled her eyes. Darla quickly hid her enjoyment of the situation and faked a shocked expression.
“Oh, dear! Did I misunderstand? I’m sorry, Gil.”
She suddenly acted surprised. “Hey, I know! When Angus returns, why don’t we both go to his room and apologize? Don’t worry. I know exactly how to make him forgive us.”
The provocative eyes drew Gil out of his worried mind. Darla was completely Gil’s type, seductively entrancing with curves in all the right places. He momentarily forgot about being murdered by Angus. Diana broke him out of the enchantment Darla casted over him.
“Stop your nonsense fantasy, Darla. I’m being serious. Angus really might kill this foolish otherworlder because of the baseless thing you started. You know how easily ticked off Angus can be at the slightest wrongdoing from them. It always ends in bloodshed. I even bet the token Gil received was collected from the last otherworlder Angus killed.”
Gil froze, looking down with shock at the token in his hand. The thought of Angus being a murder shook his mind, changing his image of Angus further. He worriedly questioned if Angus meant anything else by giving him a token from killing someone just like himself.
“Oh my gods, Diana! Don’t scare the poor kitten! Look what you did to him?! Gil, I know what you’re thinking right now and it’s nothing like that, ok?”
Diana chuckled and added, “He’s such an easy read. Everything’s written on his face.”
Gil gave Diana the evil eye in return for her comment.
“See? He’s pouting and cursing me right now!”
“Can it, Diana. Look, Gil. All teasing and real suggestions aside, Angus gave you the token to help you out. It might not even be from an otherworlder. It could have dropped from defeating a monster or from mining in a dungeon cave. The point is, don’t let Diana’s words get to you. Angus isn’t like that. You know it too.”
Gil thought about what Darla said. She was right. Angus genuinely helped him with his two favors. But Gil worried about Angus’s threat about not letting anyone know or else be beaten to the point of shitting himself. He knew Diana’s words regarding Angus were not empty puffs of hot air. Recalling the clenched fist about to beat him into a bloody pulp from last night made Gil shudder. He suspected Angus might have no qualms in killing him too.
“I’m not going to wait and find out. I don’t know Ang well. Yes, he helped me in a tight predicament, but I know he has a bad temper. Let’s get this over with, Diana. I need to get my skills.”
Diana smirked at Darla with a win. Darla huffed back with a glare before trying to make Gil reconsider. She would not give up her fantasy so easily.
She lifted herself up and sat onto the counter, fixing her white dress, she crossed her slender legs and spun herself over to Gil’s side. She clenched Gil’s arm, pulling it to her bosom.
Gil’s cheeks turned pink, feeling the soft mounds pushing against his arm. He couldn’t help it and looked down. His eyes widened, glued to the perfect supple mounds. Darla chuckled, causing Gil to quickly look away with a flustered face.
Darla glanced back at Diana, smirked, and stuck out her tongue.
“Continue doing your job, I’ll take Gil up to the next floor and help him select his skills.”
“My job? That is my job! Go do your own job, you bimbo!”
“Don’t be jealous, Diana. I thought you hated otherworlders? I am simply helping you out. Let’s go, Gil,” Darla cunningly retorted, dragging Gill off.
Diana could not refute, but she launched herself across the counter and clenched onto Gil’s other arm. She was not going to allow herself to lose against Darla.
“No worries, Darla. He’s just like you said, he’s nothing like those crazy arrogant typical otherworlders. I’ll be fine. You can go back and exchange the rewards with the returning adventurers.”
“Oh, it’s ok, Diana. Don’t worry. It’s not busy right now since it’s still morning. The others can handle the short line right now.”
A deep voice interrupted the two passively quarreling receptionists.
“Stop this nonsense! Get back to work! Both of you!”
“But small boss! Who will help out Gil?” Darla whined, still wanting to follow Gil up to pester him in changing his mind. Her determination to make her fantasy come true plastered all over her face.
“I will! Don’t think I don’t know about the rumors you spread. Everyone heard them now.”
Gil trembled. He knew it was spreading, but it was now an uncontrollable wildfire.
“Now back to work! We have adventurers to serve!”
“Yes, sir.” Both receptionists replied with unenthusiastic voices.
“What’s with the lack of determination in your responses? I told the both of you that we have lines of adventurers to serve!”
“Yes, sir!” The two shouted before scurrying off. Diana scurried off as well, even though she was already at her post.
The tall burly older man, passable as a relative of the hulking Angus due to their massive figures, huffed out a sigh of stress. He rubbed his temples and focused on Gil.
“These dang receptionists need more training. Alright, kid. I didn’t hear all the details, but seeing where you’re at I’m assuming you're going to the skills hall or information library. Which one is it? I’ll show you the way.”
“Oh. Um, both actually. But I want to get my skills first. Mr…?”
“Ah. My apologies. I’m a vice guildmaster of this branch. My name is Liam, but most call me vice guildmaster.”
“Oh, nice to meet you, VIce Guild Master Liam. I was wondering why Darla called you little boss. I’m Gil. I just registered as a new adventurer.”
Liam sighed out a long breath.
“That dang girl. She drives me crazy everyday. Don’t be like her or call me little boss. I’m going to make her clean the gnarly public restrooms later as punishment.”
Gil quieted, taking note that the vice guild master was vengeful in nature.
“All that chaos aside, it’s nice to meet you too, kid. Welcome to the Adventurer’s Guild. There is no time like the present. Follow me, I’ll take you to your destinations.”
Gil nodded, speed walking to keep up with the long strides of the vice guildmaster. They moved further towards the edge of the building, heading towards the stairwell to the next floor.
Climbing up the stairs, Liam explained a bit more about their destination.
“The second floor is split into three areas, all which need payment to enter. However in addition to payment, the forbidden section requires authorization from myself, second Vice Guild Master Selene, or Guild Master Terrace.”
Exiting the stairwell, they entered a long corridor with floors of fine stone instead of wood. While the first floor had a rustic feel, the second floor was designed with more finesse. Vibrant paintings lined the walls, and beautiful carvings were etched into the ceilings.
The two walked past others walking through the area and eventually moved past a large set of intricate mahogany double doors.
“This is the entrance to the informational library. When you’re ready, you can go back and check in with your interface,” Liam explained. “You can enter so long as you pay.”
Gil nodded in understanding, noting the area in his head. They continued and the enclosed hallway opened up. Gil looked over the edge and stopped, amazed by the bustling first floor. Some below waved and shouted their greetings to Liam. The vice guild master laughed and waved back.
Liam turned to Gil and smiled with a chuckle. “Looks different, right? Seeing everything from here gives a different perspective of the magnitude and importance of the guild.”
Gil could only nod, agreeing to Liam's explanation. Liam patiently waited for Gil to take in the sight before they kept walking along the open hallway.
“This is the center of the building, and also where you can obtain your skills. You can choose whatever you like so long as you can pay for them. I recommend focusing on survival first. Look for skills related to attack, defense, escape, and healing. You can’t obtain a basic occupation until level ten, but it would be good to start thinking about the skills you obtain now. Certain jobs require learning certain skills in order to be acquired. Skill trees can be seen inside as well.”
Liam observed to see if Gil paid attention. Not many otherworlders did because they already received the explanation from their patrons along with a guided path of what skills to acquire for their designated job. But Gil knew nothing about it. But even if he did not, he would have listened intently regardless.
Liam cracked a smile. “One last piece of advice. You can also consider it a warning. Following this corridor will lead to you another set of doors to the forbidden section. Just don’t. And don’t listen to the rumors. It’s true you won’t be punished or fined for sneaking in. It may look unguarded, but entering will be your worst nightmare. That will be a punishment in itself.”
Gil took Liam’s words seriously and nodded his head. Liam liked diligence. Gil left him with good impressions.
“Alright, kid. Stay out of trouble. Good luck, you’re going to need it with Angus.” Liam stated with a chuckle, walking in the direction of the forbidden library.
Others walking by Liam gave him odd looks as the vice guild master could not help but laugh to himself, recalling the dumb look on Gil’s face as he left.
Gil kept looking in the direction Liam went. His blank face warped with confusion, bitterness, and annoyance.
“And where exactly is this luck I need to avoid the disastrous trouble called Angus?”
Gil sighed, unable to do anything currently about his impending doom. His hopes lay inside the room before him. He turned to the door and twisted the doorknob. Opening it, he entered inside.