After finishing the test, I came back to the guild counter. Milia, the receptionist, handed me a silver card with a smiling face.
"Congratulations on passing the test! Here is your adventurer registration card. Please make sure there are no mistakes with your name or gender."
The guild card is a thin silver metal plate about the size of my palm. On the front of the card is inscribed, "Adventurer Registration Card: Kou Kosaka, age 29, male, human, adventurer rank F."
"Even so, Kou-san, I'm surprised that you were able to defeat the instructor in one blow. You're really strong, aren't you?"
"No, it's just because my skills are strong. I'm just a small-fry, you know?" Or that's what I'm about to say, but then I stop myself.
It would be disrespectful to the instructor who fought me to be so demeaning here. However, I don't feel comfortable boasting about my strength, so I just say, "Oh well."
"The guild's rules can be found in this booklet. If you have time, I can explain some of the important points. I think my explanation is easy to understand, so I recommend you listen to it!"
Is it really that easy to understand, or is it just a feeling? But if she said that, I'm wondering if it's really easy to understand…
"I have time. Can I ask you to explain?"
"I understand! First of all, there are seven ranks for adventurers: S, A, B, C, D, E, and F, respectively. Rank advancement is determined by the guild, taking into account the number of requests you complete and your history of achievements. On the other hand, if your completion rate is too low or you haven't received any requests for a long time, your rank may be reduced, or you may be expelled."
"And by that long time, I mean how long?"
"C, D, E, and F ranks are three months, A and B ranks are six months, and S rank is one year. Exceptions will be made for illness or injury, so please be sure to notify us. In addition, false reports to the guild, betraying the client, and falsifying the guild card will be punished severely, so please do not do so."
"Okay, I'll keep that in mind."
"Next, regarding requests, please bring the request form posted on the quest board and your guild card to the counter. Requests are classified by rank, but you will only be able to receive requests up to your rank. Please note that you will be charged a penalty if you fail to complete the request within the time frame."
Okay, I think I'm starting to get it.
After all, the Adventurer's Guild system had a rather game-like feel to it.
The explanation continued for a little while after that, but I didn't feel much discomfort.
"Last but not least, if you reach B-rank, you will be paid compensation if you are injured, and after you retire, you will receive a pension based on your achievements up to that point. With your ability, I think you will be able to move up in rank in no time. Why don't you aim for the B-rank first? …And that's all for now; thank you for your attention."
Milia bowed as if she had just finished a lecture.
I gave a small clap.
I think it was a clear explanation, and the last piece of information was important to me.
If I reach B-rank, I will get compensation money and a pension. If I'm thinking about the future, I'd like to get at least a B-rank.
"If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. Is there anything you don't understand?"
"There is one thing I need you to tell me."
"Yes, yes, what is it?
"For example, how do I prove that I've defeated a monster when I've accepted a subjugation request?"
In some web novels, you might have to cut out the monster's body and submit it as "proof of subjugation," but I wonder how it works in this world.
"Ah, I'm sorry, I forgot to explain. The Adventurer's Guild has a special magic tool that can be used to track your achievements. However, we're still working on it, so I'll show it to you later. Do you have any other questions?"
"No, I'm good for now."
"So, Kou-san is now a member of the Adventurer's Guild. I'm looking forward to working with you."
"Me too. …oh, by the way, don't you have to pay a registration fee or an exam fee for the guild?"
"We used to charge a fee, but because of that, we lost a lot of people to the mercenary guild. That's why it's free now."
It seems that the rivalry between the Adventurer's Guild and the Mercenary's Guild has affected things like that as well.
Personally, I think there should be registration and testing fees to prevent strange people from becoming adventurers, but this is a different world. The culture of this world is completely different, so free of charge may be appropriate.
"Kou-san, why don't you take a quest right away?"
"I don't mind, but please don't make it too difficult. I'm just starting out."
"That's okay. I've chosen a job that is suitable for a new adventurer. This time, the one I recommend to Kou-san is… here!"
Milia spread out the request form on the table, again in the manner of a late-night shopping show.
"It's a gathering-type quest, and the client is the Pharmacists Guild. You need to collect at least fifty bundles of Naose grass from the nearby forest. Naose grass is very commonly used as a raw material for medicines, but it only grows in monster habitats, so the Adventurer's Guild has agreed to collect it for them. As for the reward, it's 400 Komsa per bundle of Naose grass."
"So the reward is at least 20,000 Komsa. That's a lot of money."
"The demand for medicines is high, and since you will be collecting them in a monster's habitat, you will also be paid for the danger. …Now, here comes the important part. Kou-san, please listen carefully."
And what on earth is that?
As Milia leaned forward from the guild counter, I couldn't help but listen.
"In fact, when new adventurers go on their first quest, a senior adventurer accompanies them. If there's anything you don't understand, you can ask the senior adventurers any questions you want."
"That's pretty generous support."
"That's how we differentiate ourselves from mercenary guilds. Now, what do you want to do, Kou-san? If you are ready to accept the quest, I'll go talk to the A-rank adventurers who are available now."
"Do you think it'll be that easy to get them to accept…?"
"Fufu, you can trust my bargaining power! …Well, in the first place, Kou-san is rumored to be the 'Bear Killer,' and all the high-rank adventurers are very interested in you, you know?"
"Is that so?"
"It's not surprising. In addition, Kou-san easily defeated a former A-rank instructor in the practical test. You have become the talk among others as an expected super rookie. Of course, everyone has their eyes on you."
If you put it that way, it makes sense. Since I came to the Adventurer's Guild, I've done nothing but stand out.
"I understand. Can you go find me an A-rank adventurer for now?"
"Yes, leave it to me!"
Milia walked out of the counter and ran briskly toward the lobby.
Shortly after, she returned with a female adventurer.
She was a beautiful woman. Her hair, tied up with a yellow ribbon, was long and red ─ shining like the setting sun.
Her eyes were a beautiful crimson, shimmering as if they were filled with melted jewels. Her face looks somewhat fragile and cold, but there is no doubt that she is beautiful.
The first thing that attracted my attention was not her large breasts… but the two thin horns that extend from behind her ears.
In my opinion, they look like dragon horns.
"This is Irisnout Fafnir, an A-rank adventurer from the dragon-folk tribe! Woohoo, clap, clap!"
As Milia clapped, I was convinced by myself.
The dragon-folk tribe is one of the most common races in fantasy, and their appearance varies from story to story, but in this world, they seem to resemble humans. Their skin is white and translucent, and there are no scales to be seen anywhere. The only dragon-like feature was the horn on her head.
She gave a slight bow and spoke to me in an indifferent tone.
"You must be the rumored 'Bear Killer.' Nice to meet you. You can call me Iris."
"I'm Kou Kousaka. Thank you for your time, and I look forward to your guidance."
I bowed deeply to Iris.
…Oh no. I inadvertently used polite language because of her seniority.
I heard that adventurers don't use polite expressions, but I can't seem to get rid of my Japanese habits.
Iris stared at me for a while, but then she gave a small laugh.
"You don't have to be so formal. We're all adventurers here, so just talk to me like you normally would."
"I understand… No, I get it. I've been living in the mountains for so long that I'm not familiar with common sense. If there are any other strange points, please do not hesitate to tell me."
When I told her that, Milia opened her mouth to add to it.
"Kou-san is a man of uncommon ability, but he grew up in the mountains with no common sense. …I'm sure that Iris-san also had a lot of difficulties when she first came to human land because of the difference in common sense, and I would appreciate your guidance in this regard."
"…If that's the case, I'm certainly the right person for the job."
Iris nodded as if she was convinced.
I, on the other hand, am a bit impressed with Milia. She had brought Iris along with her in a light-hearted way, but she hadn't chosen her at random; she had a very good reason.
I guess she's the type of person who pretends to be frivolous but does her job well.
I don't dislike people like that. In fact, I find them desirable.
I was in a good mood as I accepted my first quest.