Adventurer’s Guild, Greed, the Great Sin City Branch, Training Hall
“Ah, I’m bored. Peaceful. It’s the best.”
Guren, an instructor affiliated with the Adventurer’s Guild.
He threw himself onto his desk in the instructor’s office on the 3rd floor of the training hall facility, indulging in slothful slumber. Of course, napping wasn’t his job. His job was to train new adventurers to at least a level where they wouldn’t die. In other words, he was slacking off. However, it was also true that he had no work to do at the moment.
Just last week, he had “expelled” all the students who were participating in the training until not a single one remained.
Most of the adventurers who come to him are Nameless, the lowest dwellers of this world.
It’s not that no “citizens” living in the city wish to become adventurers. There are indeed citizens who, even with a stable life and guaranteed job, harbor dissatisfaction with their current situation, possess ambition, or aspire to be adventurers out of pure, foolish envy. However, they are a minority compared to others.
Therefore, basically, adventurers are “Nameless,” and they mostly lack the education that “citizens” take for granted. In plain terms, they are a collection of uneducated fools.
And dealing with fools is tiring.
He dislikes being tired. Therefore, the fewer students there are in this training hall, the better.
But sadly, the fools who visit this training hall never cease to appear.
This is Greed, the Great Sin City.
It is the Adventurer’s Guild of the Great Sin City, which boasts the Great Sin Labyrinth, one of the largest on the continent. Fools aiming to rise up using this place as a stepping stone never cease to come. Since they are Nameless and there are no birth restrictions like the citizens, they swarm towards the labyrinth endlessly.
Even if they are Nameless, it causes problems if a mountain of corpses is created in the labyrinth, so they are sent here, to this training hall. It’s a gathering place for fools. It’s depressing.
He cherishes this rare sliver of free time to his heart’s content, enjoying his slumber. It’s the season when the Spring Spirit, Sprigal, is active. The warm weather and pleasant breeze encouraged his nap.
However, he suddenly sensed an intruder in his sanctuary, or rather, his office, and sat up. The intruder, seeing Guren, spoke with a look of exasperation.
“My, my, it seems you’re wasting your life quite pointlessly, Guren.”
“… Rods? I’ll have you know I’m not slacking off. I just have no work.”
“I don’t know what to do with you saying that so proudly.”
At that moment, a visitor appeared. She was a woman named Rods. She was beautiful at first glance, but terrifying on the inside. She works at the Adventurer’s Guild reception, which means she’s also the one who brings Guren work. Therefore, Guren disliked her.
“Besides, you just sent off a bunch of promising youths the other day. I should be on break.”
“And for someone like you, I have a gift of new promising youths.”
“Don’t joke around, die already.”
“This is my job too.”
Rods shrugged off Guren’s childish outburst nonchalantly. Well, essentially, it was their usual exchange.
“Besides, you’re pushing too many people over to my side. Are you being overly protective? Just leave the reckless fools to their own devices. They’ll learn from painful experience if they don’t die.”
“Even for Nameless, we can’t afford to have the number of pointless deaths increase, as it would hinder labyrinth exploration and magic stone collection, which is the current policy. We’re just following orders.”
“Bureaucracy. Have some pride in your work, damn it.”
“I have more pride in my work than you, who were napping in your office.”
Rods left after making it clear that they would be coming around noon, so be prepared. Guren, left alone, sighed with a gloomy feeling as he imagined the swarm of aspiring adventurers, barely above thugs, that would soon descend upon him.
***
Greed, the Great Sin City.
A Great Sin City boasting the Great Sin Labyrinth, located in the southeastern part of the Continent of Israilia. The Arpas Mountain Range lies to the north, and the coast to the south. Beyond that is the “edge of the world,” and nothing lies beyond. In other words, it is situated in a rather confined area, but the immense magic stones produced by the Great Sin Labyrinth directly links to the city’s prosperity.
Furthermore, outside the Great Sin City, which seals the Great Sin Labyrinth, there are several small and medium-sized labyrinths, and new labyrinths are born periodically.
To prevent monsters from overflowing from the labyrinth and causing a catastrophic labyrinth disaster, mining rights are also granted to the private sector. Although expensive, the right to sell the abundant magic stones produced from the labyrinth, especially the vast amount of magic stones obtained from the True Core Magic Stone at the heart of the labyrinth, directly to the city is exceptionally lucrative. Therefore, many who aim for a rise in status flock to this land.
It is a land where desires and ambitions gather, the Great Sin City of Greed.
In the Adventurer’s Guild, Greed Branch, in the Great Sin City of Greed.
“Is this the place…?”
“Indeed. The headquarters for scoundrels.”
The Adventurer’s Guild building that loomed before Ul, in line with the architecture of the metropolitan country, was very tall and bore the patina of age. Above the main gate, a symbol of a dragon and a sword, based in vermillion, was proudly displayed. It is the mark of the Adventurer’s Guild, the symbol of dragon slayers.
Ul recognized it. He had visited the Adventurer’s Guild many times with his father. This was his first time at the Adventurer’s Guild in the Great Sin City, Greed, however.
Well, Ul looked at his side. A beautiful girl, incongruously out of place, was gazing at the enormous structure with a look of someone on a sightseeing trip.
“It’s not for me to ask, but are you sure about this? Becoming an adventurer?”
Shizuku nodded firmly at Ul’s question.
“It seems I lack strength, so I must train.”
“Dispersed. Your magic.”
“It dispersed…”
She wore a troubled expression but quickly turned forward with renewed determination. Ul didn’t understand her circumstances, but she seemed to want to become stronger. He momentarily thought there might be other means, but he shook his head. He had neither the obligation nor the right to concern himself with her life to that extent.
“Well, let’s both do our best.”
“So let’s do that.”
Ul pushed open the old, heavy, and large doors. Beyond them lay the den of adventurers. In Ul’s memory, the inside of the Adventurer’s Guild was a scene of rough, dirty men drinking in the tavern run concurrently with the guild.
He remembered it being in some satellite city, but how would it be in this Great Sin City?
“Oh, it’s surprisingly clean.”
The interior was vastly different from Ul’s imagination. Like its exterior, it was indeed old and weathered, but it was clean, and the people belonging to the guild were dressed in uniform. There were people who appeared to be adventurers, clad in armor, but naturally, they were not drunk and causing trouble. They were engrossed in what seemed to be quest postings, or chatting amicably with their comrades at the discussion tables.
“It’s very well cleaned.”
“Even in the Adventurer’s Guild of the Great Sin City, the users know their place…”
Brushing aside a slight sense of unease to the back of his mind, Ul walked towards the reception counter. Standing there was another young, beautiful woman, which was again unlike the image one would have of an Adventurer’s Guild. Dressed in a vermillion uniform, the same as the guild’s symbol, she smiled brightly upon seeing them.
“Hello! Are you here to register as an adventurer?”
“Uh, yes… that’s right.”
“Then please take a look at these documents. We will proceed with the screening and explanation later.”
“… You’re incredibly efficient.”
Ul was slightly taken aback by the astonishingly smooth process.
“There are an awful lot of people who want to become adventurers, especially the ‘Nameless’ ones.”
“I’m not named yet.”
“Appearance.”
Ul glanced at himself and Shizuku. They were still in the clothes they wore after fighting the Great Fang Boar (washed to remove mud, but not bloodstains). Ul was in ragged clothes, and Shizuku wore a robe of unknown origin found in a small labyrinth. Indeed, seeing “citizens” dressed like this would make one suspect an accident. Ul understood and looked at the documents. There were many pictures. It was probably for people who couldn’t read. Ul could read, however. While staying in a certain city for a long time, a curious priest had taught him to read, write, and do basic arithmetic alongside the citizens.
He had thought of using this skill for work in the city, but it was something citizens were expected to do, and sadly, it didn’t offer any special advantage.
Changing the subject. Ul shook off his distractions and continued reading the documents. Their content was less about the Adventurer’s Guild and more a list of precautions and prohibitions for labyrinth exploration. Since most adventurers nowadays make labyrinth exploration their main occupation, he thought this was natural, and continued reading. Seeing him, the receptionist tilted her head.
“By the way, is that young lady accompanying her younger brother?”
“Huh?”
He looked to his side, and Shizuku was intently staring at the document Ul had been given. He thought she should look at her own, but for some reason, she hadn’t been given the same document as him.
“Do we look like siblings?”
“No, not at all, not even a little bit.”
Ul didn’t feel like saying it was rude. Shizuku was a beautiful girl who could make one momentarily doubt if she was born from a human’s thigh. With her messy gray hair, mixed black and white, and heterochromia, she was nothing like the short, tri-eyed Ul.
Well, in short, she wasn’t perceived as an adventurer aspirant at all.
“She also wishes to become an adventurer.”
“Eh? … Eh? … Hmm…?”
She tilted her head suspiciously at Ul’s explanation and stared intently at Shizuku. Her questioning gaze was clearly directed at the disparity between Shizuku’s appearance and her chosen occupation, but Shizuku met her gaze with a smile. It was unclear if she was brave or dense.
Eventually, the receptionist shrugged.
“…Well, I suppose it’s fine. Here, please take the documents. I’ll prepare two sets, so please wait a moment.”
Ul almost spoke out, “Is it alright?” but as he had said before, the number of people wanting to become adventurers seemingly never ends, so dwelling on such things would be endless. Probably.
At least now Shizuku would be able to read it herself. Or so he thought, as she frowned at the documents handed to her, looking clearly troubled.
“…You can’t read it?”
“I can’t read it.”
“…………….We’ll read it together, then.”
Shizuku beamed.
***
“That is the process for exchanging the magic stones obtained during labyrinth exploration. Do you have any questions up to this point?”
After preparations were complete, Ul and Shizuku were led to a room where a guild member gave them brief guidance. After listening to some explanations from a woman named Rods, Ul raised his hand.
“May I ask something?”
“Yes? Ul-kun.”
“What I heard was all about the Adventurer’s Guild, or rather, mostly about labyrinth exploration. Is that alright?”
Her explanation was merely a supplement to the documents they had been given earlier. What to do when entering a labyrinth, what risks are involved, what monsters appear, what guarantees are provided, and what is not guaranteed. The exchange rate for magic stones, and so on.
It wasn’t about being a member of the Adventurer’s Guild.
“It’s fine. Because you are not yet affiliated with the Adventurer’s Guild.”
“Not affiliated?”
“Provisionally.”
The Adventurer’s Guild manages labyrinth explorers. However, it would be endless if the guild recognized all labyrinth explorers. For starters, among labyrinth explorers are those who verge on criminals, or who are outright criminals. Since Nameless are the primary labyrinth explorers, this is only natural.
Therefore, it is difficult to simply recognize them as guild members. However, the magic stones collected from the labyrinth are extremely important resources closely related to city operations. Reducing the number of labyrinth explorers is undesirable, and it is also undesirable to have illegal transactions rampant without going through the Adventurer’s Guild. So, what to do?
“And so, we created the Adventurer’s Ring (Provisional), also known as the ‘Chalk Ring’.”
“It’s white and cute.”
“Adventurer’s Ring, you say…”
This was something Ul knew. It’s a ring worn on the finger by officially recognized guild members. The color and decoration indicate their rank within the guild. His father certainly possessed one, and Ul remembered many Nameless adventurers he met wearing them on their fingers. Its white color.
“Originally, the Adventurer’s Guild ranks are Gold, Silver, and Bronze, with further subdivisions. This, however, is white, falling outside even that category, representing the lowest tier. It signifies that they are explorers provisionally recognized by the Adventurer’s Guild, but only receive minimal guarantees and are not officially recognized as Adventurer’s Guild members.”
“It’s quite a roundabout item.”
“That’s exactly what it is. It’s nothing more than a permit for labyrinth exploration.”
In other words, Ul hadn’t even reached the entrance to becoming an adventurer yet. And from now on, Ul must reach the highest rank, Gold Rank, in the Adventurer’s Guild. The absurdity of his own declaration slowly dawned on Ul.
“So, can I receive that ‘Chalk Ring’?”
“If you answer the final question.”
It was a male voice that spoke, coming from behind them. The voice was hoarse but carried a strong, unwavering core. Turning around, they saw an old man with deep wrinkles and white hair, befitting his voice. However, his physique was large and strong. While his age was apparent, he didn’t feel old. His presence was filled with vitality.
“Oh, Guild Master. You’ve come again. I could handle the handover of the Chalk Ring myself.”
“Even if it is provisional, I have decided to personally attend the embarkation of every new adventurer whenever possible.”
“If only Guren could share some of that seriousness…”
While they exchanged these words, the Guild Master stood next to Rods. Standing before Ul and Shizuku, who were seated, he exuded an imposing presence like a giant. Ul recoiled slightly but quickly stood and bowed. Shizuku did the same. However, the Guild Master gently shook his head.
“My name is Jirou. There’s no need to be formal. I won’t ask anything taxing. I won’t pry into complicated matters. It’s not an examination, you see.”
With that, he looked at Ul first. His golden eyes, peeking from between deep wrinkles, held profound thoughtfulness and a sharpness that could pierce anything.
“Your name?”
“I am Ul. I am Nameless, so I have no surname.”
“Ul, why do you wish to become an adventurer?”
“…I have a special circumstance where I was sold my sister, and I need to buy her back. That requires a large sum of money. I wish to earn money.”
Ul briefly explained his situation. Jirou nodded thoughtfully.
“Many adventurers only manage to chase after weak monsters in the shallow layers of the labyrinth, earning meager amounts to get by for the day.”
Ul knew this. The pseudo-adventurers around Ul were all like that. And Ul himself had done similar things in labyrinths outside the Adventurer’s Guild’s jurisdiction. Thus, that scene was imaginable with reality.
“If you lack ambition and perseverance, you will end up like them. I don’t think that’s necessarily bad. But you will never achieve your goal. Do you have the resolve to not let that happen?”
“I have no intention of standing by and watching myself be separated from my sister.”
Ul stated with certainty. Jirou nodded at Ul’s determination. Then he turned his gaze to Shizuku.
“Your name?”
“My name is Shizuku. I also have no surname to give.”
“Shizuku, why do you wish to become an adventurer?”
“To become stronger.”
“What will you do after becoming stronger?”
“I will achieve my goal. I definitely will.”
Shizuku’s reply was far more concise and less explicit than Ul’s. However, her words conveyed an unyielding determination. Jirou nodded to Shizuku as well, and then stood up.
He then presented the ring on his finger, a silver one engraved with the Adventurer’s Guild crest displayed at the main gate, before the two of them.
“Under our beliefs and vows, congratulations on the birth of our new comrades.”
At that moment, a small shimmer descended upon Ul and Shizuku. Looking closely, though very dimly, they saw a bipedal figure of some sort appearing behind Jirou, with both arms spread wide.
“A spirit.”
Shizuku whispered softly. Ul knew what it was.
Spirits, beings of magic and life that are superior to humans like Ul and his companions in this world. They inhabit all things in existence and can wield their power. They are the “servants of the One God.”
“This is the simple blessing of Pris, the Spirit of Restraints. As long as you abide by the rules of the Adventurer’s Guild that you read earlier, a simple protection is promised… it’ll barely help you avoid catching a cold, if that.”
“Was the Guild Master a priest?”
Only priests in temples can borrow the power of spirits. Even citizens cannot do so. Although Jirou was affiliated with the Adventurer’s Guild, Ul had assumed he was Nameless, but it seemed he was not.
“Once you reach Silver Rank, you are granted a certain ‘Official Rank’ equivalent authority from the Temple. It’s not that I’m a priest, you see. I’m merely borrowing power from a priest.”
“I have no intention of breaking them, but what happens if the restraints are broken?”
“The blessing will be removed. And if you go too far, you will likely be punished.”
The subtly vague statement was quite intimidating. In fact, upon hearing it, Ul had no desire to break the rules. The power of spirits is immense. It far surpasses the power that humans can wield. Even the simplest punishment from such spirits is something he wished to avoid.
In essence, this was an orientation for aspiring adventurers, and simultaneously a place of warning for those who would challenge the labyrinth. It conveyed the message: we will help you as long as you follow the rules, but we will show no mercy if you break them.
Jirou then took the Chalk Rings from Rods and presented them to Ul and Shizuku in turn. Ul and Shizuku silently put them on their fingers. Seeing them, Jirou nodded.
“Then, welcome to the world of adventurers. My new comrades. I wish you success.”
With that, Jirou left the room without any lingering pleasantries. The Guild Master must be busy, Ul understood. And so, only Ul, Shizuku, and Rods remained in the room.
“Well, now you have permission to explore labyrinths. The rest is up to you.”
“Up to us…”
“You can dive into the labyrinth and earn magic stones, or you can take on requests posted by the guild. Either way, the guild will be informed. If you continue to work diligently, you will eventually receive the ‘Bronze Ring,’ meaning you will officially become a guild member.”
Ul wondered how long “eventually” would take but decided to put it aside for now. More importantly.
“So… what do we do from here?”
“Aren’t we going to the labyrinth?”
“That’s true, but…”
They had to go to the labyrinth. There was no doubt about it. First, they needed to earn magic stones and officially be recognized by the Adventurer’s Guild. After declaring defiantly to Diz, if they couldn’t even become adventurers, they would surely be ridiculed.
And there was no time for that. The current situation, where they had asked Akane to wait, was already unreasonable. Furthermore, she wasn’t the type to simply say “Okay, I’ll wait” even if they asked her to wait until they became adventurers. Ul knew this from their brief exchange.
This meant they had to become adventurers as quickly as possible and pave the way to their ultimate goal, Gold Rank. But Ul lacked the knowledge of how to achieve that “fastest.”
In short, he needed advice.
Sensing this, Rods offered a business-like smile.
“Rest assured, for you boys and girls who are lost, who have no idea which way to go, the Adventurer’s Guild has something called the ‘Training Hall’.”
According to Rods, the training hall in Greed exists to provide guidance to new adventurers, utilizing the goodwill of capable individuals who have largely retired from adventuring or adventurers who have free time. It offers guidance on the basics of labyrinth exploration, combat techniques against monsters they will inevitably encounter, how to position oneself within the Adventurer’s Guild, and how to get promoted. It sounded like the perfect place for Ul.
“But, I don’t have any money.”
“For a small fee, the training is free. Even for ‘Nameless,’ accommodation is very cheap, and the usual ‘Nameless’ stay fee is waived. Meals are not provided, but for one month, receiving instruction from a strong former adventurer is a huge benefit.”
“It’s incredibly thorough.”
“What’s in it for you to go to such lengths?”
“It’s detrimental to this country if monster mining gains a bad reputation and the amount of magic stone mining decreases. We don’t want burgeoning adventurers to die needlessly, so retirees with surplus time and money provide support. Do you understand?”
Whether they understood or not, for Ul, it was a godsend. He wasn’t so naive as to believe he could jump into the world of adventurers without a second thought and achieve success so quickly. Advice from those who had already entered this world and experienced its ups and downs was absolutely essential.
“In that case, I would like to enroll in the training hall. Is that alright?”
“Yes, I understand. Then, let me say one thing first.”
Rods then smiled brightly at Ul and Shizuku and patted their shoulders.
“Don’t worry.”
“Where am I being taken now…?”
A sudden sense of unease washed over him.
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