The streets buzzed with life as I walked through the market district. Merchants shouted about their wares, the scent of fresh bread mingling with spices and the occasional stench of unwashed bodies. It was a chaotic mix of sound and smell, but it was alive, bustling in a way that reminded me why I was working so hard to keep this kingdom standing.
Still, something felt... off.
The weight of the kingdom's problems sat heavily on my shoulders. Housing and infrastructure reforms were one thing, but what about the threats outside the castle walls? Monsters weren't just prowling in the southern forests—they were popping up near villages and trade routes. People were scared.
And I needed to know more.
I passed a large building almost at the center of the district, its entrance guarded by a pair of men heavily armed. A wooden sign hung above the door, carved with the image of a sword crossed with a staff.
The Adventurers Guild.
I stood still for a moment, staring at the building. There were always rumors and tales about such places: of mercenaries and monster hunters, who'd take on all sorts of jobs for gold. Still, it's different to see it.
The guild was alive with activity. All shapes and sizes of adventurers crowded the entrance, from full armor to oversized weapons or staffs glowing with faint magical energy. Their laughter and shouts carried out into the street, stark contrast to the grim work they were known for.
"Your Majesty," Gregor's voice cut through my thoughts. He was walking a few paces behind me, his expression torn between concern and disapproval. "You shouldn't be here. The Adventurers Guild is. chaotic at best. Unpredictable."
"That's exactly why I need to see it," I said, striding toward the entrance.
"But—"
"No buts," I interrupted. "If these people are fighting monsters, I need to know who they are—and what they're capable of."
Gregor let out a long sigh, but followed in silence.
The noise knocked me sideways as I walked inside. The guild hall was huge, with the high ceilings and wooden beams that made it look pleasantly rustic. Long tables, filled with adventurers eating and drinking and arguing over maps and contracts, took up the center of the room. At one end stood a large board, covered with parchment notices.
Behind the counter stood a woman in her thirties with sharp eyes and a no-nonsense demeanor. Her leather armor and dagger strapped to her thigh told me she wasn't just a desk worker.
The moment I stepped inside, the room seemed to shift. Conversations faltered, heads turned, and the once-bustling hall fell quiet.
"Is that....the king?" someone whispered.
"What's he doing here?"
A burly man with an axe slung over his shoulder leaned back in his chair, his gaze narrowing as he looked me over. "Doesn't look like much of a king to me."
I ignored the murmurs, walking straight to the counter. The woman behind it raised an eyebrow as I approached, clearly unimpressed.
"Welcome to the Adventurers Guild," she said, her tone professional but curt. "How can we help you, Your Majesty?"
"I want to know how the guild works," I said simply.
Her eyebrow rose higher. "How it works?"
"Yes," I said, glancing around the room. "The ranks, the quests, the rewards—everything."
She studied me for a moment, then nodded. "Alright. Adventurers are ranked from E to S, based on their skill and experience. E-rank handles basic jobs—gathering herbs, escorting merchants, that kind of thing. D through B take on tougher monsters and more dangerous missions. A and S? That's when you're dealing with high-risk, high-reward jobs—dragons, wyverns, ancient ruins. The kind of stuff most people don't live through."
I nodded, absorbing the information. "And how do quests work?"
She gestured to the board. "Jobs are posted there. Adventurers choose what they want to take on, based on their rank and what they think they can handle. Complete the quest, bring back proof, and get paid."
"And Rankers?" I asked.
Her eyes flickered at the word, her pupils seeming to move slightly, acknowledging. "Rankers are elite adventurers-A and S ranks who have made their name. They are whom people summon when a town is under attack or a demon manifests. They're rare. Many travel solo, or they contract themselves out to nobles willing to pay them handsomely for the job.
I glanced back at the adventurers, most of whom were still staring at me. Some looked curious, others skeptical.
"Do adventurers ever work directly with the crown?" I asked.
"Rarely," she said. "Most prefer to keep their independence. They don't like answering to kings or generals—they answer to the guild."
Interesting. That explained why they seemed so confident, almost cocky. They didn't see me as their ruler.
The murmurs grew louder as I turned back to the board. One of the parchments caught my eye—a monster-slaying quest with a bold red stamp reading B Rank.
The details were simple: a pack of trolls had been spotted near the northern cliffs. Dangerous, destructive, and a major threat to nearby villages. The reward was hefty—500 gold—but the risk was clear.
"Who's taking this one?" I asked, pointing to the notice.
The room went quiet again.
"That's. no one yet, Your Majesty," the woman said cautiously. "It's a high-risk job. Trolls are tough to handle, even for B-rank teams."
I pulled the notice from the board and turned to face the room.
"I'll take it."
The reaction was immediate.
"What?" someone blurted out.
"Is he serious?"
"Does he even know how dangerous trolls are?"
The burly man with the axe stood up, a mocking grin on his face. "Your Majesty, no offense, but this isn't a game. Trolls don't care if you're wearing a crown. They'll tear you apart just the same."
I met his gaze without flinching. "Then maybe you should come watch. You might learn something."
The room erupted into laughter and jeers, but I didn't care.
I turned back to the woman at the counter. "How do I sign up?"
She hesitated, clearly unsure if I was serious. But then she handed me a small token with the guild's insignia.
"Take this," she said. "It marks you as the quest-taker. And. good luck, Your Majesty. You'll need it."
As I walked out of the guild, the notice in hand, Gregor caught up to me, his face a mix of concern and frustration.
"Your Majesty," he said, his voice low. "What exactly are you trying to prove?"
"Nothing," I said, glancing at the notice again. "But if these trolls are threatening my people, I'm not going to sit back and let someone else deal with it."
Gregor sighed but didn't argue. He knew better.
"Let's see what these trolls are made of," I muttered, a faint smile tugging at my lips.