Σ>―Noah Solomon→
[Day 31]
I've wandered around the city to see if there is anything new or change. I decided to go to the Adventurer's Guild to sign up as a new adventurer. After a few minutes of walking, I finally found the place... The Adventurer's Guild. It was still the same old place I knew. I entered and saw lots of adventurers conversing amongst themselves heartily. All receptionist is busy except for one. It looks like he's new here so most adventurers rather talk to an experience one than a newbie. So I went to his almost empty line and took a quick glance at his status so his name is Kane huh.
"Hi! Welcome to the Adventurers Guild! How may I help you?" He asked.
"I'd like to become an adventurer and here is my recommended letter." I handed the letter to him.
"Ah yes give me a minute." Kane took the letter and brought out a big orb and said.
"Please put your hand to the orb."
I obeyed what he said and placed my hand on the orb. The orb glowed and turned into blue then suddenly it showed my status. The orb shook and generated a card showing my current status.
Status Card
Name: Artemis Zapherius
Gender: Male
Status: Normal
Race: Human
Type: Human
Class: Paladin
Rank: E
Level: 150/500
"Since this is your first time registering as an adventure I shall now explain the basic rules of the guild. First, there are 5 ranks Copper, Iron, Silver, Gold, and Platinum and 5 danger levels for monsters which are Goblin, Demon, Catastrophe, Death, and Hell."
I already know all of this of course but for me to not be suspicious I need to listen to it again.
"Copper ranks are for low-level adventurers who have no experience at all. Iron is for adventurers who are experienced and can take care of themselves. Silver is for adventurers who have achieved a lot of hard quests and gained many contributions to the guild. Gold is for adventurers who have the power of a hundred man combined and can easily overpower strong monsters. While Platinum is like god-like humans who can equal dragons and is the backbone of the guild.
"The ranking for monsters will be like this."
Danger level: Goblin = Rank F- to E+
Danger level: Demon = Rank D- to B+
Danger level: Catastrophe = Rank A- to S+
Danger level: Death = Rank SS- to SS+
Danger level: Hell = Rank SSS- to SSS+
"Even though we never had a danger level: Hell monster in the history of humanity if it appeared now it will be a threat endangering the survival of the inhabitants of Invumia." (The world is named Invumia.)
"Every month we held a test for new adventurers who registered and test them if they're ready to be an adventurer. Good thing you registered today because the test will be on tomorrow morning. Oh, by the way, we have a slight change in the rules of the guild. We have removed the rule of every new adventurer will automatically start as a Copper rank. Instead, we will evaluate your combat prowess, intelligence, combat experience, wits, and potential before giving you your appropriate rank."
Hmmm... Does it mean I can skip ranks if I perform well? Nice! I will at least aim for Silver rank then I will do the hardest quest available for my rank. This will quickly help me rank up to Gold rank and attain all the information I need.
I better be prepared for tomorrow's test. "Goodbye, Sir. Kane."
"See you tomorrow Sir. Artemis!"
Now, where shall I go next? I think I should go take a quick peek on what's happening to Adamas and the others.
"Adamas are you there?" I communicated through telepathy.
"Yes, Master."
"Any news over there?"
"We have some good news for you Master we have conquered 21st floor to 27th floor and expanded our territories. We have leveled up a lot when you were out."
"7 floors in 4 days? not bad and don't conquer the 30th floor yet. Tell me when you reach it I will join you."
"Yes, Master... I wish you luck!"
I guess It's time to go home.
===
(At the Adventurer's Guild)
After Noah left, Kane goes up to the 3rd floor to see the guild master.
*Knock* *Knock* *Knock*
"Ughh! who is it? not right now! I'm busy unless it's important stuff come back later!"
"It's me, Kane, sir! Just now a man named Artemis Zapherius registered as an adventurer and has a recommended letter. You need to look this up especially because the test will start tomorrow."
"Artemis? Never heard of him. Fine come in..." Kane entered and saw a bottle of wine under the table.
When you said 'busy' this is what you mean? Is fighting all you can do? When will you take your job seriously.
Kane handed him the letter.
Let's see here the one who recommended him is the Lisa Fol Einshelt?! He was personally recommended by the Imperial Commander?! That demon actually recommended someone? This is getting interesting... I was so bored right now you just came at the right time.
"Kane..."
"Yes sir?"
"Can I have your honest opinion? What's your first impression of Artemis?"
"Impression huh...? He was the type to not trust someone even for a long time. When I interact with him earlier he was on guard the whole time for some reason. To be honest I don't want to get involved with someone like him."
Ho? Even the famous Kane of the underworld said something like that to him?
"Interesting! Interesting! I'm looking forward to tomorrow's test Artemis."
==
[Day 32]
(The next morning)
As the Guild Master examines the participants his eyes landed on me and sneer at me.
"Everyone gather up! We have quite a lot of participants this year. As you know we always change the test, so please listen carefully, What I will say will be important. The test will be held at the Forest of Lukberght. All of you will be watched by 30 Gold Rank Spy so don't do anything idiotic. There are three options for you to pass the test 1. Catch me 2. Steal at least 20 cards of other participants 3. Reach the end of the dungeon in the Forest of Lukberght. The moment we reach the forest we will begin right away the time limit will be three days. We will give you three hours to prepare that's all of it I wish you all good luck!"
So he became a Guild Master huh. He finally achieves his dreams. Now it makes me remember the past... In the past, he was just a muscle head adventurer aspiring to be the number one adventurer. Always clinging and begging me to train with him. Now look at him he's now a proud Guild Master that looks in his face, It makes me wanna defile it... did I really just said that? What's wrong with me? Maybe I'm just tired...
We have arrived at the Forest of Lukberght after a few hours. The Guild Master and other adventurers that were supposed to watch us disappeared.
"So it has begun."