An awkward silence ensued.
Xing Liyun did not know what face to make. Ying's response was too peculiar, so bizarre that it made him speechless.
So he didn't speak.
And so the silence was prolonged.
"I was only joking..." Ying laughed as he stepped forward, walking to Xing Liyun. His light-hearted laughter seemed to instantly clear the tense atmosphere.
Reaching Xing Liyun, Ying asked, "So what are you going to do with them? Leave them here and go?"
Hearing this question, Xing Liyun began to ponder with a deep contemplating look on his face. His facial expression showing how seriously he was considering this problem.
"Let's..."
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In a small, cramped room with only two beds inside of an inn.
There were four people laying on the wooden floorboard of the inn room while two people stood over them, chatting.
"How are they still asleep?? It's already so late and I want to rest!" One of the two people crankily complained.
"I used some strength when I knocked them out so it might take a while more before they wake up."
"Fuu, we can't go to sleep when there's a possibility that they might wake up during our sleep and attack us!"
Actually, they won't be able to sneak-attack me even if I'm asleep, Xing Liyun thought to himself. However, he didn't tell this to Ying, after all, in the end they were together only because he needed Ying to teach him about this world. It was only a commensalism relationship between them. Therefore he did not feel it necessary to have Ying know about one of his abilities.
There was no need for a mere acquaintance and temporary partner to know about his strengths and weaknesses.
That aside, they should be waking up soon.
There was a reason why Xing Liyun brought the four kids who had attempted to rob him back instead of just leaving them behind in the alley.
After getting to know that guilds existed in this world, Xing Liyun had asked Ying about what kind of guilds there were.
In this world, there exists the Merchants Guild, Aetos Guild, and the Mercenary Guild.
They are all large organizations specializing in their own fields.
The Merchants Guild deals with any and all businesses, deals, and trades. Their members are both big and small business owners, merchants, and even people who want to find work. They are more of an organization that keeps track of the business-doers than anything else. However, registering to be a member of this guild has its own benefits as well.
The Aetos Guild gathers people who are looking for fun and excitement. For those who want thrill in their life, and perhaps even face life-threatening danger. They do missions to earn money and at the same time satisfy their adventurous hearts.
Though of course it's not just those types of people who join Aetos Guild, there are also those who join in order to explore unexplored parts of the continent or to make discoveries about the mysteries of the world or both.
If someone joins to become a member of the Aetos Guild, if they discover a new place, animal species, plant species, or explore and map out unknown areas, they would get rewarded handsomely by the guild. And then they would sell their findings to the guild.
Even though they would also make money if they sell their findings elsewhere and choose not to be a guild member, they might not necessarily earn a lot, or their finding's worth.
On the other hand, their hard work resulting from their blood, sweat, and tears might even get stolen if they are alone without any form of backing.
In this case, people like them would choose the best option in their best interest—to join the Aetos Guild for money and protection.
Killing two birds with one stone. They join the Aetos Guild in return for money for their hard work and protection from harassment and theft.
Lastly, the Mercenary Guild. Anyone and everyone is welcome to join no matter their background. Members are ranked according to the number of missions they do, the rank of the mission, and of course how well they accomplish the mission.
The Mercenary Guild's structure is similar to the Aetos Guild, however, its fundamental core is different. Rather than joining to seek thrill and the like, mercenaries tend to get their hands dirtied with the color red. They fight and they kill to get their job done. It's different from the Aetos that have more innocent tasks such as picking herbs, finding kidnapped children, or observing beasts.
The Mercenary Guild gives out disparately ranked missions, while the members of the guild accept and do only missions that are allowed for their rank. The ranking system from S to E rank mercenaries are what delineates what mission a particular ranked mercenary can do.
The mercenaries have to give 20% of their earnings from their mission to the guild in return for the guild's help in giving them a money-earning job.
It's a mutually beneficial relationship between the guild members and the guild for all the three above-mentioned guilds.
Unlike smaller guilds, these three guilds are the most influential and affluent guilds in the whole continent and are known as the Three Major Guilds.
What's more, they are not affiliated or under any kingdom or territorial administration. They are like independent domains of their own led by the top boss of their respective guild.
And Xing Liyun plans to continue one of his occupations from the previous world: mercenary. He plans to join the Mercenary Guild for now to make money. After all, making money is a must, without money one cannot survive, no matter in which world.
But Xing Liyun understood even more that he needed reliable and trustworthy subordinates and followers if he wanted to stay safe and unbothered in this world. Especially since he set his mind on working as a mercenary once again. As a mercenary, it is a very easy thing to create enemies, that's why he needs all the help he can get.
And, unexpectedly, these troublemaking kids had appeared at the right time. That's why he decided to bring these 4 robber-kids back with him and Ying to the inn they were currently staying at.
Even if his enemies come to find him, he can completely obliterate them, with some help from his subordinates.
Though, annoyingly, they are in need of a lot of training. But Xing Liyun does see potential in them to become loyal to him, and loyalty is what he needs most right now.
Just then, Xing Liyun sensed movements from below.
"Mmm..." Gasps and groans resounded and rebounded within the small room quite clearly as four people woke up from their deep unconscious state all at the same time as if planned.