Yoo-Ah pulls me to a place with thinner crowds to line up.
"Back away! Officials coming through!"
Yoo-Ah shouts to the people blocking our way. They look back and soon breaks away with bitter faces and furrowed brows. We easily walk pass them when I almost stumbled I quickly regains my balance and try to quickly get pass there as I know anyone could do that.
"You okay?"
Yoo-Ah asks and I nod saying:
"Don't worry."
"Rrgh!"
Yoo-Ah rages a bit with puffy cheeks but we quickly reach the guards. One of them stop us saying:
"Hold! Oh, Is that You, Yoo-Ah? Found your so called Star Child?"
(Star Child?)
A female guard wearing the same purple trimmed uniform like those nobles I saw smiles with her arrival and Yoo-Ah pulls me over replying:
"Hehe! Of course! Here she is!"
"Oh? Is she? You sure you're not tricked?"
"Course not!"
The guards happy demeanor turns to scorn as she saw me. She sighs and just reply:
"Well whatever, card please."
I give Yoo-Ah my card and she helps me hand it over along with hers replying:
"Can't you show more excitement!?"
The guard looks and checks on our cards replying:
"Well the test will soon prove it. Can she even write or speak the common tongue? If not she can just yeet outa here."
"Oh c'mon! Not you too!"
Yoo-Ah stomps the ground furiously when she returns our card saying:
"Just announce her result and we'll see. Actions prove more than words after all. All cards are legit, you can enter."
(I guess she's right. I didn't think much but I wonder why Yoo-Ah has so much faith in me?)
"Hmph! Thank you very much!"
Yoo-Ah grabs the card angrily with even puffier cheeks and pulls me in while the female guard smiles and waves her hand replying:
"You're welcome~"
Yoo-Ah lets me go and hand me my card while still grumpy. Following beside her and looking at the statues spread across the open field of the guild or palace with how it's looking. I could see statues of more people raising their swords or opening a large map or stepping over a stone and looking forward while holding a compass. We soon reach the stairs and Yoo-Ah still grumbles while stomping to get up and I follow along seeing the pillars holding the front building roof which have whales jumping in circles with birds and fish following beside it. Changing little by little as I move around it.
(I wonder if they're telling a story?)
The guards station at the door turn to their side and lift their rifles as to salute when we enter and Yoo-Ah probably feeling a bit better loosen her cheeks and smile at me shouting:
"Welcome to the lobby! Follow me!"
Unlike the Hunter's guild this place looks so expensive. Sure there are no chandeliers but it's beat by the amount of decors and architecture put in place. Some luxurious wood walls and gold plated pillars along with grand stairs circling around the huge statue in the middle, expensive-looking sofas that's long and comfortable to sit and also long smooth wooden tables to rest. Expensive-looking lamps and lights place systematically to give this place a golden glow, and just the sheer decoration of paintings on the walls about someone going to the darkness and other depiction of conquest, triumph, and bravery are shown.
The most notable decoration is the biggest statue made of pearl and marble placed in the middle. It has the look of being a young man holding those rare tools called a telescope with a weird horns on his head- wait! Looking closer, it's a little girl with wings laying down on his head.
(Woah! But, what is that tiny human? And I wonder why is there so many statues? And it's been a while but I feel so out of place here. Even when compared to the palace Sis had).
Before I could see more, Yoo-Ah pulls me again into one of the empty tables with a sign that says,
[Closed]
In fact, most of the tables here says it's closed. She enters behind the table through the side when one of the receptionist station beside her shakes her head saying:
"I knew that loud voice could only be you. So found your Star Child?"
Yoo-Ah takes the sign down replying:
"You bet!"
The girl who's more older than me looks at me from head to toe and smile saying:
"Well shes sure got looks but I doubt an Owlian with such thin arms could do anythint much without their tools."
"Fine! Just you watch all of you! Sova, you must pass this exams!"
"O-Okay?"
(And I wonder why is she more excited than me?)
Yoo-Ah hands me a single parchment and pen saying:
"But first, you gotta fill this up. Just take a sit in one of the resting place here and when you're done you can just hand it to me!"
"O-Okay... But I just realize this. Don't we need any registration fee to usually do this? My Sis told me that I need a Fee before I could join if I wasn't recommended."
Yoo-Ah smirks and folds her arms replying:
"Hehe! That's just another perk of the adventures guild! All registration are free and all we need is your time and patience! Plus, we have many free services and helps you can use to help on your journey! Also! Most of our commission pays well so you don't need to worry about an unstable income like those pesky Hunters!"
"Ah! That's pretty neat. But before I actually continue. Do you mind telling me more about adventurers? Like what do they usually do? Or their ranking system? I heard they're completely different."
"Very well! Ooh! I'm excited since this is the first time I get to explain!"
The lady beside her sigh saying:
"Don't mess it up now, Yoo-Ah. You can ask me for tips in case you forgot some."
"Sumi-Ssi! Mhm! So..."
Adventurers! They are a group of people who brave the mysteries of the world and delve deep to the abyss beyond! I'm not going to clench it and say, not many survive after venturing to the unknown. So even though many people join the adventurers guild, not many hold the real title of,
[Adventurer]
To prevent more death to the unknown. So, I suppose I can explain the ranks now! Unlike those stupid hunters with their confusing numbers, dead-end roles, and ridiculous amount of ranks to climb, we have a simple ranking system base on their title, since our job is more simple. It's so effective that those Hunters decided to steal it for themselves and sum up their ranks into 4 titles just like us! They have no shame! Anyways...
We too have 4 titles to climb. Most beginner or new recruits are called,
[Wanderer]
They are the initiates who's given reasonable jobs to test their, skills, survivebility, mettle and strength. Then when they have proven themselves enough we then initiate them to become a,
[Adventurer]
This is where you finally get to be like real adventurers! You will be given liberty, time and jobs to explore dungeons, mazes and if you're lucky follow or tag along a higher title holder and explore the blank spots. After accumulating enough achievements and more experience you will be given the title of proper,
[Pioneer]
This is where you are given reign to explore the blank spots in the map I told you about in the previous rank! Or even make a map out of it! Finally, after doing enough of that, the guild will then test you on the final challenge to give you the last title or rank you can achieve as an adventurer,
[Void Explorer]
Their job is pretty simple, you see how sometimes the map just cuts off in the middle of the continent or the sea where there's supposedly tiny island poking out of it? Well, your job is simple! Explore the areas beyond the map's border! Report your findings and map the areas you find! And currently there are less than a thousand people so less than 1% of adventurers have that title but,
Yoo-Ah raise her hands high shouting:
"One famous example of a Void Explorer is the World Strongest, and leader of the World Hunters himself! The one who explored both the blasted south to expand the Eclipse Empire. Then there's his famous find of the Great Abyss located 30 thousand meters below the Quitonic Ocean. Discovering the long lost ancient city from before the Apocalypse!"
Hearing the news, my mouth open wide in shock replying:
"What? I never heard the other one before! That's amazing! There's actually a city deep in the ocean? And how deep is 30 thousand? How many zeroes is that?"
Yoo-Ah shakes her hands and head in excitement replying:
"I don't know myself but that's still super deep! And I heard he even found prehistoric monsters down there that's not even tainted by the dark gods. Oh, and his most unique adventure is probably exploring the outer space through the 3 moons which his camps become the foundation for the colony of the Aologi Empire!"
"Wait, he went to the moon!? How is that even possible!? Can he breathe there!?"
She folds her arms and nod satisfyingly saying:
"I don't know! But it's amazing isn't? You probably wanna be an adventurer more now yeah?"
(Well I would still be an adventurer either way since she can help me but...)
"Yea! Nobody told me I could travel the moon if I became an adventurer!"
"And there's also the chance you might even be able to explore the core of this planet we walk on. Since a certain Void explorer is still recruiting people to dive in."
"What is that? Core? Does that mean inside Zeria?"
"That's right! They call it hell itself."
"Woah! That is very tempting and super dangerous but... Isn't the World Strongest a Hunter? And he's also an adventurer? So we can be both Adventurer and Hunter?"
She looks away replying:
"Well, no, but..."
She looks back at me and slam at the table shouting:
"But that's because he's a very special individual! Only he and he alone supposedly held both occupation. But his World Hunter group still needs to follow the rules after all! And besides, 4/5 of his main 5 groups are all adventurers! His hunter occupation is more of a second job now with how much he is exploring the world!"
"I see... I guess he is the World Strongest, so both guild would benefit with him helping."
"That's right!"
"Hehe, look at you! Good job memorizing all that."
The lady pats her head and Yoo-Ah slaps hear hand away shouting:
"Don't pat me! I'm 15! I'm an adult already!"
"Oh you~!"
"15? I thought you said you're 16?"
Yoo-Ah's face turns pale when she quickly replies:
"I-I mean 16! I'm 16!"
The lady nods and pats her head replying:
"I see, I see."
"Don't pat me!"
She then looks at me with a defeated face saying:
"Well I hope you get along with her okay?"
"Sure!"
She smile replying:
"Good answer, oh where are my manners! My name is Bai-Sumi. Pleased to meet you."
"Oh! My name's Sova Anmao. Very nice to meet you too!"
Sumi tilts her head replying:
"A family name? And runician at that. I guess you're not part of the refugees then. Oh but where are my manners for taking your time. You can fill up your papers and if you need any help you can just ask us here."
"Okay thanks! I'll fill this up now."
"Oh, now I worry if she can pass the physical tests."
"Of course she will! I saw her move before and she's fast! I think she has the chance to be a Pioneer!"
"Is she now? That would be the dream of many people here."
Ignoring her worries and quarrelling, I head to one of the empty seats and start filling up my profile. Since this is a pen I try to make sure my crooked and scrawny writing don't end up messy and wet the paper...
(I wonder if there'll be a time where my writing will be pretty?)
Seeing the same questions proposed by the previous paper to make my ID, they soon ask the weapon I use and expertise or if I have any experience of adventuring before, or of I have any disabilities and more. Now that I think about it, I can't use range weapons other than throwing my spear like a javelin. Then recently I would use magic that shoots out random spells. Now that I can't use my powers, I would just limit myself but if I use my powers even more problems will arise...
"It seems there are few hinderance but I think my physical strength should suffice. This is a good time to test how far I have gone with my skill and techniques alone without qi or my new powers. Or maybe test my the limits of this body with the new powers."
(I should get a notebook as well just in case).
As I write I soon notice a loud footsteps approaching my way. Raising my head to look, my eyes stumbles on her weird-looking shoes which makes her feet to tip toe, before seeing the uniform the governor uses with the same green trims. Going further, I could see a girl near my age with her long brown hair tied with twin-tails, flowing like river that seemingly fit with her golden eyes. She sits across me saying:
"You're Sova yes?"
She asks removing her black transparent cap that fits her twin tail hair perfectly and I nod replying:
"Um yea... Could you be the one Gija-Ssi sent over?"
"Pff! Right, like that low life could order me around. I'm here under Angae-Ssi orders to accompany you wherever you go. I Jade Bone Belluga Jin-Juha have accepted the task of watching someone like you! So be grateful! And don't do anything stupid cause I have orders to bring you back to him immediately."
"R-Right... My name's-"
"Don't need it. I already read your papers back there."
"A-Alright... Nice to meet you..."
(I have a bad feeling about her...)
I put my head down and continue to write when she leans back folding her arms and crossing her feet as it seems to make her look down on me with her sharp gaze.
(Uh... Let's try to just ignore her antics).
"Hey."
"Huh?"
I raise my head to look at her and she points at the paper saying:
"You're an Owlian aren't you? Shouldn't you write your disability?"
"Huh?"
"Don't make me repeat myself! You can't use magic can you? So write that you wench!"
(Wench?)
"I-I see... Thanks..."
"Hmph!"
(So not being able to use magic is a disability huh? Then again it would make sense that you need to let them know I can't use it... Which would be a lie but I need to hide it now).
I continue to write while time moves on the silent lobby. Finishing the 2nd half of the papers was tough as they keep asking situational question like what do you do when rain happens or other survival stuff but luckily I know all of them since I experience most of them and learn from my Sis during training. Though I guess the only one I'm having trouble is the question asking to places I never go like how to survive while in sea, desserts or winter. Writing my name on the signature, I raise the paper up and get on my feet saying:
"Yay! Finally finished! That's a lot!"
"Hold it."
I cheer after writing so many things when Juha stands up and walks close to me wearing her cap saying:
"You shall not leave my gaze nor my presence. Now move."
"Uuuh..."
(Now this is annoying...)
I walk to where Yoo-Ah is when I realize that only she and Sumi is the only two people regulating the adventurers here.
(Woah, where is the other staffs? The Hunters Guild would have rows upon rows of receptionist to serve their endless hunters and customers).
I walk to her when I realize it seems I got to wait in line as some people are waiting for her service as well. I walk to Yoo-Ah's line and wait with the line having ropes serving as the borders. As we wait, I look around and realize that the adventurers are mostly gathered by the quest board and the store I just realize was there. Selling potions, tools, weapons and even servicing or refilling them.
(This place is more complete than the Hunters guild. But where's the dining place? Does the Adventurers Guild not have one?)
While looking around and moving at a snail's pace. Juha, who's waiting behind me taps her feet and soon shouts to the adventurer ahead of us saying:
"Hey, you, move aside."
"Who the hell are you telling a silver bone what to do!?"
(Wait, what is she doing?)
The person turns to answer back but as soon as he saw Juha behind me, he becomes shock and weak. He then turns his eyes at me with a grin then says,
"Aha! So it's you! An Owlian dare-"
"Who are you looking at you cur! I'm the one who speaks! Don't make me repeat myself for I am busy!"
I step aside so he can look at her clearly when his shoulders drops as his face pained replying:
"U-Uh, oh, y-yes. please forgive this lowly me..."
He step out the waiting line's fence and the onlookers ahead of him quickly runs and make way for Yoo-Ah who seems to be in the middle of stamping something.
"Wait! Where are you going!"
Yoo-Ah shouted to the person she was serving as he runs away.
"Well, go ahead. The road's clear. And a thank you would suffice."
"Uh, what?"
"Do I need to repeat?"
She glares at me with her golden eyes that seems to glow. Not wanting trouble than there already is, I bow my head saying:
"T-Thank you!"
"Hmph!"
Yoo-Ah places the papers and card to the side when she looks at me shock saying:
"Sova!? What did you... Oh..."
Yoo-Ah falls silent as she looks at the girl behind me and leans forth to whisper,
"Why is she following you around? Wait, is she the one Gija-Ssi talk about?"
I lean closer whispering:
"Yea, she said she's here from the colonel-"
"Stop your gossiping and do what you need, you Gogijalu!"
"Gogijalu?"
(That's not a word I heard before...)
I asks back looking at her while Yoo-Ah leans even more forward as half her body out shouting:
"Hey! That's too far!"
"What's so wrong with calling her with what she is?"
"Rrgh! She's irritating!"
Yoo-Ah backs away and continue saying:
"Anyways! You done filling it up, Sova?"
I nod and hand her the paper replying:
"Mhm, here you go."
"Alright!"
Yoo-Ah grabs the papers and quickly skim it. Nodding and quickly stamping it saying:
"Alright! Sumi-Ssi, take my clients and check the papers! I'm gonna do her tests like I said! Thanks!"
"Sigh... But remember your promise."
Yoo-Ah grabs a paper board filled with parchments and notes before she exits the reception. Gesturing me to follow her saying:
"Follow me! I already prepared a place for you yesterday."
"Okay."
I quickly exit the line and try to follow up-
"Halt!"
Juha shouts while placing her baton on my shoulders again. She walks beside me before saying:
"Walk slowly. Now you may go."
(Why am I even listening to her?)
I sigh and walk slowly to Yoo-Ah which she grumbles and frown as she match my pace. We walk slowly deeper inside and enter a glorious corridor with many decorations but very few people walking around. Compared to the huge hallway back at Central, this place sure is more fun and better to look at. Passing through many doors with some of them unlock. Peeking inside the cracks from afar it seems they're either empty rooms or offices filled with staffs working inside. Before long we turn to a corner and end up in a dead end with a double door. Yoo-Ah smiles again and present the door shouting:
"Alright! Let's go in!"
"Huh?"
"S-Stop!"
Yoo-Ah pulls me inside despite Juha's advice to stop when I realize the board beside the door writes,
[Training Room]
(Oh? So this would be the same as the exams back at the Central Guild).
We entered an empty open space... Wait, more like those place Sis Rubeca told before where Owlian trains their body.
"A gym?"
There are dumbbells, bench press, treadmills, huge balls, pull up bars, bikes with no wheels, and so much more but... There's even a track field to run but also acts as a line for the things put inside which is equipments of all kinds. From rifles to short daggers with dummies to test them... I dare say this place is kore complete than the Hunters guild.
"No this is... This place is more amazing than that!"
(I'm surprised this is a branch since it's more complete than the training room back at Central which is suppose to be like the pinnacle of luxury).
"I know! Plus since this is the branch guild, you'll be surprised by what you see with the main HQ at the capital!"
"I can't imagine. Even the Hunter Guild is not this luxurious."
"Hmph! Of course!"
Juha finally catch up tapping my shoulder with her baton and continue saying:
"Unlike those Hunters that are run by the government and greedy sponsors, the adventure guild is funded by people with passion, gratitude and donations. Those statues, paintings, and furniture are some examples. Even this training hall as well."
She thrust the end of her staff to my cheeks and continue saying:
"But also, this is my final warning. Do something like that again and I'll drag you back to the Colonel. Okay?"
Yoo-Ah rush between us replying:
"Hell no! Do that, and I'll come as well! Telling how much of a jerk you are! You're just here to watch her, so do just that!"
"Hah! Try it! Between you and me it's clear who he's gonna believe!"
I sigh at the trouble brewing as I realize their bickering have drawn the attention of the few people here. I step between them saying:
"Stop! There's no need to fight!"
"Sova! She's the problem here!"
"I know..."
I took a deep breathe and realize maybe... I look at Juha saying:
"It's just... Juha-Ssi, I know you're trying to do your mission but wouldn't it be better if you follow your instructions? You don't need me to be to close as well do you? I mean I thought he said she'll know her own limits."
"H-He did?"
Juha asks baffled
"Yea, he even said I'm suppose to ask you and you'll gladly help. A companion of sorts in my journey. All I see now is that you're nothing but an annoyance and I'm starting to wonder if the Colonel really did sent you to watch and help me?"
"You... You dare!"
She glares at me but I keep a firm face and stare her back before she bits her lips, closing her eyes with regret and seemingly rage swallowing her, she suprisingly calms down soon after. She keeps her baton and turns around as her cape flutters saying:
"Fine, I'll be watching from the distance. Call me when you need me. But I'm still going to drag you back if you do anything suspicious!"
Her loud heels echo on the barely occupied training hall before she stops to sit at one of the sofas leaned to the walls.
(Phew! I can't believe my bluff work! I thought I sucked at lying. Lucky me!)
"Woah! Nice! Alright! Let's get this rolling! You can remove your other clothing first."
I nod and remove my extra clothes like the cape, gloves, belt and boots. Hiding my bladeless sword inside the cape when Yoo-Ah then gestures me to follow her to the side where it's more empty. She then looks at her paper board and ready her pen saying:
"Alright, first! Stretching!"
"Okay! Here we go..."
I start extending my arms and legs and stretch. I soon realize compared to before, my body seems to be more flexible than before. I push my self further and soon do some of the hard stretching.
"Woah! You're pretty flexible! Nice! That's a plus point!"
"Thanks."
I reply and continue on when Yoo-Ah excitingly asks:
"Can you do the split?"
"Split? Ah sure."
Spreading my legs, I stretch it from end to end and soon bend my body left and right touching my knees with my head.
"Woah! How did you get so flexible!?"
"I don't really know. I train I suppose."
"Uuuh, I wanna follow along but my clothes don't support it. Nor am I capable..."
As I stretch I could see Juha glaring at me and tries to do the same to stretch. Removing her unique sandals and cape to start stretching as well. She didn't really reach much and I can't but smile. She saw me and stops what she's doing and sit again.
"Alright, that's enough stretching. Now we get to the real part! Let's test your strength and constitution! Being an adventurer means travelling unknown vast lands so you must be strong physically as well cause even being prepared or having high magic with spells is not enough! Um... Now drop down and give me your best! (Ah~ I always wish to say that)."
Hearing Yoo-Ah's whisper in the end I stand up and tilt my head asking:
"Drop down? Best?"
Yoo-Ah face reddened and she hide it behind her board replying:
"Um, just show me how much push ups can you do in 60 seconds."
"Oh! Okay!"
I get down in position as I remember Sis teaching me this, there's push, sit, and back... I wonder why they do this? Sis just say it improve my arms, stomach, and back muscles.
"Ready... Go!"
Soon I start following her instruction as I wonder why they ask me to do this stuff to test my limits? Soon she ask me do the others, and then move to doing bench press and lifting 500 kg not that I know how heavy that is which is still pretty light.
"Sova, you don't need to push yourself. I think you can pass with these at least."
Yoo-Ah warns me with worry but I deny her suspicioun replying:
"Don't worry! Next!"
People soon starts gathering around us and watch me do the training equipments here one by one with awe. And it's also thanks to them giving me tips on how to use the equipment here as they laugh to lift what they ask but left awe at my success. Sweat starts to pour from my head and body, also I'm grateful for the ribbon that tie up my hair so that it doesn't flutter around along with my headband keeping my bangs in chek. I can't help but smile since it's been so long since I actually have a safe exercise.
*CLANG*
I release the grip on a machine that makes me pull some bricks on my back and asks:
"What's next? It's been a while since I get to move like this!"
"U-Uh...! Alright then!"
Yoo-Ah seems to can't keep up with her me as she seems to just scratch her papers. Yoo-Ah walks away with the worry in her face gone saying:
"This is it! Follow me! This will be your last test! You said you use a spear right? This should be perfect!"
"Okay? What do you want me to do? I don't think using my spear would measure anything much."
"Well that's true but you'll be surprise by the chances of meeting humans beyond the map. It'll be later we'll get the chance to test your abilities with the tools."
"Really? That's surprising."
(Chance to meet humans beyond the map? I was hoping we could meet some unknown species or something).
I grab one of the training spear with a rubber tip. Swinging it around and realize again that...
(It's actually been a while I use a real spear huh? Recently I used it is fighting that beast-kin. But usually I would use the halberd... This thing is too light and the balance is so far off).
I take a stance and aim at the dummy infront of me that has red spot when Yoo-Ah walks beside it saying:
"Alright, why don't you show me some skills? Like do you train some martial arts or something?"
"Ah yes! I guess I can try."
"Good! You see the red spots? They usually light up when you hit them. Why don't you show us you skills? Hitting one is fine as well."
"Alright then, please back away."
Yoo-Ah runs off in a hurry to get behind me and I took a deep breathe as she does. Focusing on a single point on the solar plexus, I take a low spear stance and think,
[Immortal Tormentor Crane Technique, pillar path: Piercing the Heavens]. (No qi variation)
I step close and gather my strength on the legs, shoulders, and perfect momentum since this technique uses the my weight if not qi.
(Sis told me that even though the skills and technique use qi, they still rely on our bodies to exert the strength and movements. So understanding the concept and rules of the world will help tremendously with it).
I step forth digging my foot to the wooden ground and push my body like a gear, thrusting my spear. When the tip of my spear burns from the exeleration, it touches the dummy and lifts it off the ground. With my added strength my attack soon pierce the dummy through the solar plexus as I see the spear's edge coming out with the molting rubber tip. Most of them open their mouth in shock even Yoo-Ah and Juha in the distance.
(I learn to use this trick from a certain colourful shrimp Sis showed me before. Using speed to boost the power of my thrust. I think she called this shrimp a technique from the western peninsula? Either way she told me I could incorporate it with other technique as well to create new ones).
"Impossible!", "That's the training stick right?", "Hey, you gonna mess with her right? Good luck.", "What? Nah man! What are you saying?", "Wohoho! Impressive!", "Hey you think we might have a Void Explorer in the making?" "It's sad, she's an Owlian. So I doubt that she would make it.", "Yeah, she can't even use qi either. Pioneer would be her limits.", "Who cares! She might be the new rival to that new Special Rank Hunter!"
The crowds that are watching erupted with discussion and amazements as I'm amazed as well at my new limits, but...
(I did this? I wonder if I deserve It?)
Thanks to my strong grip, the spear breaks in half while the dummy falls down. I walk to Yoo-Ah who's still in shock and hand her the remains of the weapons saying:
"Um, sorry. It seems I broke the items. I'll try to-"
"Sovaaaa!!! You really are the Star Child!"
"Woah!"
Yoo-Ah drops the papers and jumps at me, hugging me tight like I'm sort of a treasure. That's when I notice one of the crowd of people making way for a lady walking towards us. She stops beside me saying:
"To think I would get to see the birth of a very promising newbie. Haha, good job finding her, Yoo-Ah."
"Hmm? Aah!"
Yoo-Ah looks at the person speaking and backs away.
"Y-Y-ye..."
Yoo-Ah stutters while I look at her. I could sense menacing amounts of qi surrounding her. Seeing a lady in her late twenties, her aura reminds me back when I was fighting the berserk Sis Rubeca back at the floating Storage. Wearing nothing but a sports bra and spats, she seems to be training as well from the sweat dripping down her body. That's when Yoo-Ah shouts,
"Y-Yeon-Unnie!"
Her long black hair flutters while her purple eyes glow with Yoo-Ah's echo while I wonder where the winds come from. She smiles at me while I wonder who she is before she walks to Yoo-Ah patting her head saying:
"Long time no see, you sure have grown. Ah, you turn out to be a pretty lady yourself!"
"O-oOh! Um, thanks! It's a surprise to see you here! Not only gramps but Yeon-Unnie too!?"
The lady looks up scratching her chin replying:
"Hmm... What was it again?"
She then snaps her finger and point at her with the same hand saying:
"Oh right, that's how dangerous this is I suppose. I mean a monster that has the same abilities as an Owlian steel? That's dangerous I guess? But don't mind that~! You always had the luck of somehow finding people like her. Hehe, mind introducing me to your client?"
(Why is she so unsure?)
"O-Of course!"
Yoo-Ah stands and brush off her skirt before she approach me shouting:
"Sova! You're so lucky! Um! She's one of the only 100 pioneers in this Frontier! And the highest ranking Adventurer in the twin peninsula! Oka Jin-Yeon!
Ooh~ you somehow manage to get her attention! Congrats!"
She bows her head down saying:
"Nice to meet you. Though you have to forgive me for the lack of my manner."
Seeing Yoo-Ah excitement and her politeness, I bow my head down saying:
"No, please it's okay, my name's Sova Anmao. Nice to meet you too!"
"Haha! Nice! Very Nice! I can't wait to see what you can accomplish. Maybe you can pull a peg or two from That Gisa boy."
"Um I'll try my best?"
I tilt my head confused as to what to say next while I wonder what's happening. She then nods and turns around to leave, waving her hand at us saying:
"Well then, it was nice to see such things in a while. Good luck you two! I'm going out on a mission."
"Oh! Good luck to you too, Unnie!"
"Um, may the spirit bless you?"
I answer back until she disappear behind the crowd.
(Wait there's only 100 pioneers in this continent? How many Void Explorer is here then? Still 100 is still a lot is it not? But isn't there like a lot of High-Ranks in this place?)
"Wooah! Sova! This is good! Aah~! We're getting good fortunes now! Suck on that yesterday's bad luck! C'mon! Let's go record your achievements! Follow me!"
"H-Hold on!"
Yoo-Ah runs away grabbing the papers while I try to chase after her. Before I exit, I stop to look at Juha who seems down. When she looks at me, she sighs and the disgust returns to her face saying:
"What are you looking at? Get along! But don't walk too fast!"
"Got it."
I nod and grab the items I drop and carry it all in my robe like a sack while walking out.
(I'm so full of sweat now wearing the clothes now woul not feel good)
Walking barefoot on the empty halls, Yoo-Ah slows down to walk beside me saying:
"Hehe! With this results you could easily become a proper adventurer! Though you still lack experience so you can't skip on those yet!"
Yoo-Ah points at me with her pen as she speaks and I nod replying:
"True, I was planning on taking baby steps either way. And besides, I want to take just the safe missions for now."
"Heh! Good thinking! Hehehe! I can't wait to submit this!"
Seeing Yoo-Ah so joyful, I can't help but be happy as well.
"That's great and all but you should go take a bath. The stench of your sweat is horrific."
"Oh?"
I look back seeing Juha pinching her nose and wonder. I lift my arms and sniff myself. Indeed smelling the heavy stench of sweat around me, I nod replying:
"True, I could use some shower. And maybe wash my clothes as well."
"Good, at least you understand basic hygiene."
Juha nods with satisfaction when Yoo-Ah blocks my way shouting:
"Then that's perfect! We can go to the dorms immediately after I submit these. After that we can go for free dinner here as well!"
"Free dinner?"
I tilt my head asking and Yoo-Ah nods saying:
"That's right! On the second floor of this guild is a fine restaurant and bar with a beautiful scenic view!"
My shoulders drop while I smile weakly replying:
"Now I feel even more out of place here..."
"Don't worry! Just like me, you'll get used to it since the people here is nice! Though..."
Yoo-Ah stares at me for a while before shaking her head saying:
"Nah, I doubt there's nothing to worry when words gets out! Let's go!"
(I wonder how does she even get to this place I wonder? I doubt any normal people can enter here. Especially when there's a huge crowd outside the guild... I wonder what's that all about?)