The Association, an independent organization that had no tie with any nation and managed everything related to adventurers. They gathered quests from the people, and negotiated fees and rewards before presenting it to the adventurers. Basically, the organization was a broker between those needing help with parties that might be able to assist.
The Association also reviewed performance of their adventurers. Those that performed exceedingly well were promoted to higher rank and received prestige, and those that misbehaved or violated the rules would be demoted. Furthermore, not all adventurers were respectable people, unfortunate, but that was reality. Some only care to exhibit their strength, greed, and lust without caring of their surrounding safety. In this case, the Association would use its power and authority it possessed to apprehend and put said adventurers behind bars.
For adventurers, the eyes of the Association were everywhere, since it has branch in almost every city in the continent. Thus, there would be no good deeds go unrewarded and no bad deeds go unpunished.
"Going against the Association is the epitome of foolishness for adventurers" some veterans said.
In a large city like Anspia, it was almost certain there was a branch of the Association, because since olden days troubles bound to appear where large number of people gathered in one place, that's an undeniable truth, and it meant business. The branch was presented by a gigantic three story building designed with peculiar architecture to display its strong presence and the Association's emblem was clearly seen on top of the building's main entrance. Thus, no one would mistake it for any other establishment.
The building's first floor was used for administrative activities related to progress of quests and status of Adventurers, as well as a general store. The second floor was a cafeteria providing delicious foods and beverages, and perpetually crowded with customers, and the thied floor was a rarely-vacant boutique hotel with generous service. Thus, the incredibly lively atmosphere due to combination of the three was nothing sort of ordinary.
At the back of the wide registration counter in the first floor, stood Vanessa Welsh, a senior counselor.
Counselors had 3 (three) main duties; assisted people who wanted to be adventurers or submitting a quest, provided guidance to adventurers under his/her care, and evaluated performance of those adventurers based on their quest progression. It seemed like a normal desk-job, but being a counselor required one to have wide knowledge so that they could give useful advice or tips to adventurers. Vanessa, fortunately, had experience as adventurer and even achieved silver rank, the third highest rank. Therefore, she was able to understand the mindset and struggle of adventurers and assist them accordingly, and arrived in her current position within just a year.
She was a lady that could pleased most of people's aesthetic sense when looked upon, and currently wore a counselor's uniform which consisted of white tube-top and blue long-skirt, which matched her emerald hair and brown eyes, and the uniform even accentuated her curvaceous figure. Many of the Association's staffs and adventurers had been trying to get close to her, but she refused them all by saying she was busy, seemingly uninterested in romance.
Even though Vanessa had been living as adventurer for years, she still observed the other adventurers' activities with interest, every single day.
The large hall in front of her already stuffed with various adventurers surrounding boards that displayed available quests, despite the early morning. This was understandable, because for adventurers the quests represented money. Thus, they want to get the best quest before anyone else. Early birds got the (fat) worms.
Among them, there was a blond human male fully-clad in magnificent white armor, a broad sword with golden hilt hanging on his left waist, and a sturdy round-shield on his left arm. He was the exact depiction of the white knight in fairy tales. Though, talking to him only led to disappointment, as she did. Regardless, that man's combat ability in delivering and blocking heavy blows was remarkable.
"With that kind of equipment it will be impossible for me to take even a single step"
Vanessa imagined her appearance wearing those equipment and how hard it would be to move. No, wait, after intensifying her imagination, it would seem she could not even move at all. Impossible.
Not far from the armored human, there was an elegant elf equipped with an equally elegant long-bow and arrows. The female elf was specialized in ranged combat, and each of her attack was comparable in power to a cannon. Her pair of long ears only served to make her appearance looked magical and majestic, just like fairies in myth and legend. Typical of elves, many of them looked young and they could retain that youth for ages, that spec of them always invited envy from other races, especially on how female elves had the same body shape no matter how much they ate.
"I practiced archery before, but the only target I managed to hit was my teacher's favorite painting"
Vanessa smiled wryly remembering that incident and her teacher's ghastly expression. After that day, she decided to stop archery due to being afraid of hitting innocent target. Her aim was simply awful, nine out of ten, she missed when throwing something to a rubbish bin.
A little further away from the elf archer, a grumpy dwarf, wearing an expression indicating he may snapped at any moment, was looking at a quest paper on his brick-like hands. Thick beard, robust body, and holding a large battle axe. One hit from that axe would cause tremendous damage to his enemies. His presence would be huge in a battlefield simply by swinging around that behemoth.
"How many push-ups needed before I can lift that battle axe? A thousand?"
Vanessa pondering on a seemingly unattainable task and decided not to dwell on it. Oh well, each person had their own strength. It was preferable to focus on that, much more efficient.
At the corner of the hall, a tough-looking demon was seating quietly. Their race boast high physical prowess, definitely leagues stronger than average human. Unfortunately, many had a somewhat negative view on them due to historic event that happened in the distant past. His horns and blazing eyes were intimidating, easily casting fear into anyone who encountered him. Just like a phantom.
"I really don't want to meet him in dark places"
Vanessa had goosebumps thinking about that possibility, imagining a pair of red eyes shining and floating in darkness, especially, since she was not good with ghost stories. In fact, she hated it. But, contrary to his appearance, she knew that in reality he was just a timid person who had difficulty in conversing with others.
And, other races that never ceased to amaze her every time she saw them.
"This quest ta subjugate a Rock Golem seems interesting, and da reward is good too!"
"Maybe, but for now, since my main equipment still being repaired, I rather take an escorting quest to be safer"
"Oh, you mean the one requires us to protect a group of merchant that will set off to the capital city the day after tomorrow? Count me in!"
"Hey, we should take this quest to explore an ancient ruin, we might find heap of goods with high value"
"But, you know, in an ancient ruin you never know the danger until after you are in it"
"Plus, sometime, you just don't find any valuables at all"
"True to that"
Hearing the contents of their conversation were more than enough for Vanessa to ensure that anyone of them was in high spirit and aware of their own circumstances.
Some willingly take higher risk to gain more reward.
Some are moderate, only taking quest with acceptable risk.
Some are very calculative, only taking a quest after long consideration. Maybe too long? Sometime, when they are ready to accept the quest, another adventurer already completed that quest.
They all have different point of view, fortunately, through experience everyone was willing to have discussion with one another to seek new point of view. As a result, each one of them gained more information and capable of making better decisions. Although, there were also those that were too full of themselves, ignored suggestions, and met their ends at fairly young age.
"Excuse me miss..."
Suddenly a voice called out to her, when Vanessa followed the source of that voice she saw a man standing in front of her counter.
'Not good'
It seemed her attention was wandering off and did not realize when the man was coming up to her counter.
"Yes, how may I help you?"
However, Vanessa quickly regained her composure and showed her professionalism to the man. At the same time, she instinctively analyzed the man in front of her. A habit she had been developing after working as adventurer, and this habit had helped her survived by choosing the right acquaintances.
The man was around 177 cm tall, his hair and eyes were as black as night, rare, but other than that he had no remarkable feature. He wore a blue shirt and black trouser. There was also a sling-bag hanging from his left shoulder to his right side. From appearance alone, she guessed he did not come to apply as adventurer, rather to submit a quest, or offered something.
"I'm Alfraed Logick, and I want to introduce my products"
"Certainly Mr. Logick, what products do you bring sir?"
The Association had a general store in each branch, selling everything required by adventurers and they made considerable profit from this side business. So, as long as the offered products were interesting, they would welcome any sellers with open arms.
"Potions"
"I see, do you have other product by any chance?"
"No, just potions"
Adventurers often faced dangers when completing quests, and potions are a must-have item for them. Therefore, the Association of course had potions ready in stock all the time, and they were selling it through the general store.
"I'm sorry Mr. Logick, but our store already have potions, and we have no need for new suppliers at the moment since the stock is plenty"
"But, my potions taste more fresh, and I guarantee is enjoyable to drink"
"Regardless, our potions are selling just find... unless..."
"Unless...?"
"No, it's nothing"
Unless, he could provide hard-to-find Greater and Perfect Grade potions. Yet, even their current supplier who had been doing business with them for years was unable to prepare such items, and judging from appearance it was doubtful the man had the capability to do so. Thus, Vanessa did not elaborate her thought to him.
"That's unfortunate, can I at least give my name card? In case you need something in the future?"
"Yes, of course you can, I'll put a note on it, so we know who to call if the needs arise"
Vanessa received the card from Alfraed and saw a hand-written address on the back, believing she would never need it in the future, and was proven wrong at the very same day.
Instant later, adventurers and staffs in the building were caught off guard when the atmosphere inside the building intensified and filled with magic energy. Then, white, sophisticated magic circle quickly and suddenly began to form on the spacious hall's wooden floor.
"Teleportation magic!" shouted an alarmed female wizard who recognized the magic pattern.
Everyone was vigilant after gaining that information, not knowing what would materialized from the circle.
Fortunately, once the circle was completed and the magic withered, no enemy appeared, but the figure of two gold-ranked adventurers. The first figure belonged to an extremely attractive female dark elf and the second, a sturdy human male, and it took all their strengths just to inhale and exhale air from their lungs...