Jonathan, now equipped with a set of light armor, a sword, a bow, and 10 arrows, felt a renewed sense of preparedness. As he walked through the marketplace, he couldn't help but appreciate the uniqueness of Lunaria's trading system.
He walked back to the building where he and his group were staying. As he approached the entrance, he saw Alvin standing outside, leaning against the wall. Alvin noticed him and smiled.
"Oh? I can see that you've equipped yourself with some gear," Alvin said, eyeing his armor and weapons.
"Yeah, I got them from the marketplace. Can I ask you something?" Jonathan said.
"Sure, what is it?" Alvin said.
"I want to earn some resources to trade and live in this kingdom. I'm good at killing zombies, so is there any work like that here?" Jonathan asked.
"Do you want to join the army?" Alvin asked.
"No, I don't trust the government. Is there any other option?" Jonathan said.
"I see. Well, you're not the only one who feels that way. That's why His Majesty created the mercenary guild. It's a guild that operates independently from the government, but under its supervision. You can find it in other bases too. The mercenary guild offers quests that are requested by civilians or the government. They can be anything from escorting caravans, hunting bandits, clearing out infested areas, or even spying on enemies. By completing these quests, you can earn rewards such as resources, equipment, or information." Alvin explained.
"Mercenary guild, huh? That sounds interesting. I'll talk to my teammates about it. Thank you for your help," Jonathan said.
"It's my pleasure. I hope you find what you're looking for," Alvin said.
Jonathan walked into the building where he and his group were staying, carrying his new armor and weapons. His teammates saw him and gasped in surprise. "Wow, you look ready for a fight," Margie said, sitting on the couch.
"Yeah, I guess I am. Listen, I learned something that might interest you. In this kingdom, they don't use money, they use barter. You trade goods or services for other goods or services. And if you don't want to work for the government, there's another option. There's a mercenary guild, where you can take quests and earn resources. Some of these quests involve killing zombies," he explained.
However, his teammates didn't share his enthusiasm. "What? You still want to go outside and risk your life? This place is peaceful enough. Why don't you just settle down and enjoy it?" a man in their group said.
"He's right, Jonathan. We've had enough of fighting and running. We want to start a new life here, a normal life," another one said.
"Jonathan, it seems like we all have different goals now. Maybe it's time to disband the group and go our separate ways," Markie said.
"I see," Jonathan said, smiling sadly. "Well, I'm happy for you all. You deserve to do whatever you want."
"Thank you, Jonathan. You've been a great leader and a friend. We owe you a lot," another man said.
Jonathan nodded, feeling a pang of nostalgia. He understood their desire for a peaceful life within Lunaria's walls, but he also felt a different calling. He wanted to see more of the world, to face new challenges, to make a difference.
"I get it," he said, his voice calm. "You all want a fresh start, a chance at a normal life. That's admirable."
As they talked about their plans, Margie asked him, "Jonathan, what about you? Are you going to join the mercenary guild?"
He grinned, "Maybe. Killing zombies is not just about survival; it's an opportunity here. But I respect your choices, and I appreciate our time together."
Markie looked around the group, feeling a mix of emotions. "It's been a journey. We've been through a lot, but we've also grown a lot. Now it's time for each of us to find our own paths."
They agreed to disband the group and wished each other well. Jonathan, now armed with his new gear, felt a surge of excitement. He realized that Lunaria offered more than safety and stability; it also offered order and adventure. He wondered what the mercenary guild had in store for him, and what possibilities lay beyond Lunaria's walls.