Editor: Tseirp
After a light lunch, the two headed to the Adventurer Mutual Aid Society.
Yes, that’s right.
A light lunch.
They don’t always overeat.
For the sake of their honor, it must be noted: overeating happens only sometimes.
And hey!
No lecturing even if it’s occasional!
They are both Sixth‑Rank Adventurers.
At Tiger Mountain they were split into teams of Seventh‑Rank and below versus Sixth‑Rank and above, so Sixth‑Rank isn’t exactly beginner level…“But those Seventh‑Rank adventurers back then were so young… I even called them kids.”
“Y‑Yeah, that’s true…”
Abel frowned at Ryo’s remark.
So being only one rank above, a Sixth‑Rank Adventurer could still be considered half-baked.
“Well, we’ll figure it out as we go!”
“Yeah. Abel truly is a swordsman. And I think he identifies more as an adventurer than king.”
Abel gave up thinking, and Ryo shook his head, grumbling.
They walked a while and arrived at the Adventurer Mutual Aid Society location that the locals had told them about.
A grand gate.
Flanked by long white walls stretching left and right.
It looked like some high noble’s estate…
The gate was open, with a fair number of people passing in and out.
But few looked like adventurers.
“The ones coming in look like maids or servants.”
“Clients, maybe? Nobles…or the Shitaifu class—they wouldn’t come directly. Or maybe merchants.”
“Makes sense.”
Accepting Abel’s deduction, Ryo agreed.
It was reasonable.
They stepped through the gate.
And found themselves in a perfectly square plaza paved with stones.
Three large single-story buildings faced them…
One on each side and one at the far end.
“Most servant-looking people enter the right building.”
“Yeah. And the well-dressed ones head to the left.”
They watched as presumed clients went into either side building.
And noticed none headed for the central building.
“But the center building is overwhelmingly grand…”
“Everything about this is unfamiliar; I have no idea what to do.”
Abel murmured, shaking his head.
This place was unlike the Kingdom’s adventurers’ guild.
Both in Rune and the capital.
It wasn’t like the Adventurer Mutual Aid Society in the Autonomous City of Kwebasa either.
This place hadn’t a trace of dilapidation.
Abel stood frozen while Ryo looked around.
And then spotted someone.
“Abel, that person in the corner’s staring at us.”
At a corner of the plaza, someone watched them.
Hair neatly tied, wearing an Eastern-style robe like palace guides.
Certainly not an adventurer or a commoner.
More like an official staff.
Ryo walked over.
“Hey, Ryo.”
Abel followed hurriedly.
“Hello!”
Ryo greeted with a smile.
The staff responded softly,
“How can I help you?”
It was indeed a staff member.
More precisely, a Mutual Aid Society guide.
“Yes. This is our first time visiting the Imperial Capital Mutual Aid Society. We’re Sixth‑Rank Adventurers.”
“Welcome to the Imperial Capital Adventurer Mutual Aid Society.”
Ryo spoke, and the guide performed the Darwei‑style greeting—hands folded over the chest.
“We were surprised the building is split into three…”
“Ah, I see. Well, allow me to give you a brief explanation.”
And so the guide began his explanation.
He had probably explained this to people like the two of them many times.
It was a smooth explanation.
He explained:
The right building handles missions for Fourth Rank and below: Standard Hall.
The left building handles Third and Second Rank missions: Advanced Hall.
The front building handles First Rank and Special Rank missions: Special Rank Hall.
Most of those entering were clients.
Each hall has waiting rooms and request‑handling rooms at the back.
Adventurers use rear exits along the alley and often bypass the front gate.
But anyone can enter through the front and request access to the interior waiting areas…
“That’s impressive…”
“The number of adventurers must be huge.”
Ryo gasped, and Abel nodded.
“There are over fifty thousand adventurers registered in the Imperial Capital.”
“What…?”
“Fifty thousand in the capital alone…?”
The guide smiled as Ryo fell silent in shock and Abel shook his head.
After a brief hesitation, Ryo asked:
“Um—may we take a quick look inside…?”
“You two are adventurers, so of course.”
“Awesome!”
Ryo cheered, though the guide leaned in to caution quietly:
“However… I strongly recommend you stick to the Standard Hall.”
“Meaning the right building… Fourth Rank and below only?”
“Yes. It’s not explicitly stated… but it’s best not to enter the Advanced or Special Halls.”
“Would they throw us out?”
“If you’re unlucky, you might not come out alive.”
“Whoa…”
Apparently, the higher-ranking buildings were like dens of beasts.
The two thanked the guide and decided to head inside.
Choosing only the Standard Hall as advised.
“Even if you, Abel, decide to charge into that Special Hall, I’m not going with you. You’re on your own.”
“I wouldn’t do that.”
“You never know. Former A-rank ego can make you.”
“And what if you storm in, Ryo, wanting to test yourself as a C-rank?”
In the end, neither of them charged anywhere.
They continued their banter as they looked at the front-facing Special Hall.
“Those people are heading to the center building.”
“You’re right.”
They spotted one group heading to the Special Hall.
There were ten people, but only one seemed to be the client — the rest looked like porters.
“Could all that baggage be the request fee?”
“No way, that would be insane.”
If all of that were gold coins… it’d be worth hundreds of millions of florins in Central Countries currency…
Watching the group, Ryo and Abel entered the Standard Hall.
Inside the Standard Hall, the place was bustling.
Numerous clients interacted with receptionists.
It was a large hall.
Perhaps twice the size of a school gymnasium.
The ceiling was equally high…
But no one was causing a ruckus.
That’s because there were no adventurers visible in the hall.
“They said the back has waiting rooms and request‑handling rooms, right?”
“Yeah. I wonder what a request-handling room is.”
“Well…probably a place where you fight to decide who takes the job.”
“Fight? What are you talking about?”
“You know, with that!”
Ryo pointed at the sword Abel was carrying.
“My sword? You mean, they have duels?”
“Of course. If you have something to say, say it with your sword.”
Ryo said with total confidence, as if it were common sense.
Abel had no idea why he was so sure of that.
In one corner of the large reception area stood several guides similar to the one in the plaza.
They were helping confused-looking client candidates, explaining things one by one.
“It’s a system that scratches where it itches.”
“What is that supposed to mean…”
Abel shook his head at Ryo’s expression.
One of the guides spotted them and came over.
“Is there something I can help you with?”
Ryo and Abel exchanged glances, and Ryo answered.
“We’re Sixth-Rank Adventurers visiting the Imperial Capital Adventurers Mutual Aid Society for the first time today.”
“Welcome to the Imperial City Adventurers Mutual Aid Association.”
It was the same greeting as the plaza guide.
Apparently, it was scripted.
“We’re not here to take a job today…more like just to look around. Is that okay?”
“Of course. We’ll just need to verify your rank. Please follow me.”
The indoor guide said this and walked off.
They didn’t head for the busy front reception, but instead to a small, unused desk in a corner.
The guide sat in the chair and placed his right hand on a crystal orb-like object.
It glowed faintly for an instant.
An alchemical light Ryo recognized.
“Your adventurer cards, please.”
At the guide’s request, they handed over their cards.
The guide held the cards over the crystal orb, checked something, and said:
“Sixth-Rank adventurer, Ryo-dono. And likewise, Abel-dono. Confirmed.”
After returning the cards, the guide stood up.
“Please follow me. I’ll guide you to the waiting room.”
The two followed.
They exited through a door behind the reception and found themselves on a covered walkway.
This was typical Darwei architecture—connecting buildings with roofed corridors, much like their own residence.
But on a larger scale.
“It’s similar to our mansion in layout, but each building is bigger. Single-story, but the roofs are so tall.”
“Yeah. Even the reception had a high ceiling.”
The guide seemed to overhear their conversation.
As he added:
“The current structure was built thirty years ago. At the time, it was designed so you could swing a sword anywhere inside—hence the tall ceilings.”
“You’re kidding…”
Abel muttered.
Ryo gaped, speechless.
Half out of amazement, half in disbelief.
If you want to swing a sword, just do it outside!
Even so, Ryo didn’t say that out loud.
He was a considerate, grown-up magician.
“If they want to swing swords, why not do it outside?”
Abel, on the other hand, was not such a grown-up swordsman…
“This is the First Waiting Room.”
The building, like the others, had tall ceilings and massive proportions.
“Hey… do you hear shouting?”
“Yeah, I do.”
Ryo listened closely. Abel agreed.
Then the guide made a mysterious statement:
“Please be careful.”
And opened the door.
Inside — a fight was happening.
“Looks like they’re fighting.”
“What a coincidence. That’s what I see too.”
Ryo and Abel stayed outside.
They had no intention of entering.
Because — they were fighting.
Dozens? No, maybe over a hundred people…
They were all wearing typical Darwei attire.
“Probably all adventurers, huh?”
“Yeah, I’d say so.”
“It’s strange, though. Same standard Darwei clothes, even the swords are like those used by the White Flame Army… but you can still tell they’re adventurers.”
“Yeah, I know what you mean. It’s like a smell or something.”
“Adventurer smell… Probably not a nice smell, though.”
“That’s prejudice. Not that I disagree.”
The guide seemed to have overheard their conversation.
And let out a tiny sigh.
Then said something shocking:
“They’re just scuffling for now.”
Spoken calmly.
This must be normal here.
“This happens all the time?”
“Yes. Later, they may even draw swords.”
“Eh…?”
Ryo was stunned. The guide remained expressionless.
“Is the high ceiling… for this?”
“Yes, I believe so. So they can swing swords freely… and to reduce building damage when fights break out…”
“So, thirty years ago, this was already a daily occurrence.”
Abel deduced. The guide nodded. Ryo looked exasperated.
Before reincarnating here, Ryo had assumed adventurer guilds were always rowdy.
That was a fantasy novel cliché, after all.
In reality, whether in Rune or the royal capital, he’d never seen a fight in a guild.
Well, he did remember some rookies in the training ground at Rune clashing.
Niels, Etho, and Amon from ‘Room 10’ getting beaten by Dan’s group from ‘Room 1’…
But that was a training facility, built for combat.
This was different—this was indoors.
Still, not everyone in the room was fighting.
Some sat in the corner reading. Others sipped drinks, watching.
Maybe 200 or 300 people in total.
But still…
“It’s already past noon, right?”
Abel muttered.
Yeah. It was.
“Why are so many adventurers just hanging around at this hour?”
Ryo muttered, having the same question.
The guide’s answer was blunt.
“They’re the ones who didn’t get any jobs.”
A pitiful answer—delivered without a shred of pity.
It almost seemed to say, get a job already.
Even his expression had slightly furrowed…
“Abel… let’s use them as a cautionary tale and stay diligent.”
“A cautionary what?”
“In other words, ‘Learn from others’ mistakes’. If you see someone failing, take a moment to reflect.”
“Can’t argue with that.”
In the end, they didn’t go in.
When they told the guide they’d pass, he shut the door without comment.
“Next is the request-handling room.”
The guide said and walked ahead again.
“Request-handling rooms—also where decisions are made by force, right? Where people fight to decide who takes the job.”
“Why are you so sure of that?”
Ryo confidently described what he assumed happened there. Abel voiced skepticism.
“After seeing that chaos, I’m convinced! If the waiting room is that violent. The request-handling room must be worse.”
Ryo said firmly.
But then…
“This is the request-handling room, but only those officially summoned may enter.”
The door remained closed and very quiet.
Occasionally, a client was guided from the reception building.
Adventurers, too, were guided from the waiting rooms.
Both groups—calm and orderly.
“It’s so quiet and peaceful.”
Ryo sounded almost disappointed.
“This is how it’s supposed to be.”
Abel nodded, expression neutral.
“In this room, adventurers meet clients directly to hear the details of the request.”
The guide explained.
“So this isn’t where they decide which adventurer gets the job?”
“Correct. The selection happens at reception.”
“Meaning reckless adventurers don’t get missions.”
Ryo asked, the guide answered, and Abel shook his head slightly.
Of course, Abel shook his head—not in disapproval, but understanding.
After all, the Mutual Aid Society doesn’t want unreliable adventurers tarnishing its reputation.
Given the choice…
Someone who picks fights like the brawlers from earlier.
Or someone reliable who will do the job honestly without any problems.
Most clients would pick the latter.
And the guild knew that too.
So they controlled who got jobs.
Of course, while it’s good for those who get the job…
“It’s tragic to be left out.”
“Same anywhere—your track record carries weight.”
Ryo muttered, shaking his head, and Abel shrugged.
They can’t afford to have their reputation ruined after assigning a job…
“Do adventurers have to wait in the waiting room to get jobs?”
Abel asked.
Indeed, even if you’re there, you might get caught up in a fight you don’t want to be involved in.
It would be a problem if you were labeled dangerous and no longer given work.
“Generally, jobs go to people in the waiting rooms. However, the place we were in earlier is the first waiting room. There are five waiting rooms in total, and you can be in any of them.”
“So if a fight breaks out, you can switch rooms?”
“Yes.”
Abel asked, and the guide nodded.
But Ryo recalled the chaos earlier.
“In the first waiting room earlier, those who weren’t fighting… they stayed in the same room.”
“Yeah. They didn’t leave.”
Abel nodded.
“That kind of thing happens a lot…”
“So they’re just used to it.”
“Adventurers do adapt quickly…”
The guide explained. Ryo and Abel both shrugged.
And thus, their tour ended.
They were shown the back gate that adventurers usually used, but in the end, they exited through the main plaza where they had started.
No real reason… they just felt like looking around more.
Of course, they didn’t enter the Advanced or Special Halls.
“I wonder what those advanced adventurers are like.”
“Well, they probably don’t fight every day. The guild doesn’t give jobs to people like that, remember? If they don’t get work, they can’t level up.”
“Looking at this makes me appreciate how peaceful the Kingdom was.”
“Well, the Kingdom of Knightley is a country of adventurers, after all.”
Ryo sighed, and Abel added the last part.
With a touch of pride as a Kingdom adventurer.
“Do adventurers fight each other like that over there?”
“Not never, but… at least no sword fights.”
Abel answered honestly.
Adventurers are, by nature, a quarrelsome bunch.
Compared to other professions, that’s undoubtedly true, and Abel understood that to some extent it’s unavoidable.
But at least there were no adventurers who let their quarrels interfere with their work.
Later, they saw a group of ten exit the left building, that is, the Advanced Hall.
“Hey, aren’t those the same people from earlier?”
“Those who went into the Special Hall. Emerged from Advanced? Why?”
Ryo and Abel both tilted their heads.
Their luggage was now half the size.
“So that luggage was likely mission pay.”
“Meaning their rank gets richer contracts than this building’s crowd.”
They shrugged at the observation.
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