Chereads / Death Mage in Another World / Chapter 9 - Guilded Beginnings

Chapter 9 - Guilded Beginnings

Kai left the inn, stepping onto the bustling streets of the city. The sunlight was bright, casting a warm glow over the cobblestone roads. As he walked, his eyes wandered, taking in the activity around him. Children ran past, laughing and playing games, their joy a stark contrast to the chaos of the previous day. Vendors shouted to attract customers to their stalls, selling everything from fresh produce to shiny trinkets. Nearby, a group of workers hammered away at a half-rebuilt wall, the remnants of the bandit attack still visible in the charred wood and broken stone.

Kai muttered to himself as he walked, his tone casual. "Well, this place bounced back quick. You'd think a bandit raid would leave more lasting scars, but nope. Everyone's just back to their lives like it's nothing." He smirked, dodging a pair of kids running by. "Still, not bad. It's lively."

The city's energy kept him entertained for the short walk. After a few minutes, he arrived at the guildhall. The large wooden doors stood slightly ajar, and the sound of clinking glasses, laughter, and heated arguments spilled out. Pushing the door open, Kai stepped inside.

He paused, taking in the scene. The guildhall was a large, open space with high ceilings and wooden beams crisscrossing above. The walls were lined with boards covered in papers—probably quests and notices. Tables were scattered throughout, occupied by adventurers of all kinds. Some were deep in conversation, others were laughing loudly, mugs of ale in hand, and a few were already drunk, yelling incoherently or arguing over who-knows-what. In the far corner, a small brawl had broken out, with a group of adventurers cheering it on.

Kai raised an eyebrow, a small grin tugging at his lips. "Well, this is a scene straight out of a storybook. Classic adventurers' guild. Loud, messy, and full of characters."

As he walked further inside, his eyes landed on a row of desks near the back, where guild workers were busy handling paperwork and talking to adventurers. Among them, one person stood out. A beautiful catkin woman with vibrant orange hair and striking green eyes was seated behind one of the desks, sorting through a stack of documents. Her ears twitched slightly as she worked, and her tail swayed lazily behind her.

Kai's grin widened as he approached her desk. The woman noticed him as he got closer, her eyes meeting his with a professional but friendly gaze. "Welcome to the Emerald Blade Adventurers' Guild," she said smoothly. Her voice was warm and inviting, though there was a certain sharpness in her tone that suggested she didn't tolerate nonsense. "How can I assist you today?"

Kai leaned casually on the desk, his red eyes glinting with amusement. "Hello there," he said, his tone light but polite. "I'm Kai. Just got into town and thought I'd check the place out. And you are?"

The catkin woman smiled faintly, tilting her head slightly. "I'm Lyra," she said, her tail flicking once behind her. "I handle new registrations and inquiries. Are you looking to join the guild, or just exploring your options?"

Kai chuckled softly. "A bit of both, maybe. Figured I'd see what all the fuss is about first. So, what's the deal here? How's this whole adventuring thing work?"

Lyra's smile widened slightly, and she gestured for him to take a seat across from her desk. "Well, Kai, the adventuring guild is fairly straightforward, but there are rules and guidelines you'll need to follow if you want to join." She began flipping through a ledger as she spoke, her tone patient but professional.

She explained the rules in detail, and Kai listened, asking the occasional question. "Alright," he said after a while. "Let's do this. Sign me up."

Lyra nodded and pulled out a registration form. "Fill this out," she said, sliding it across the desk to him. "Name, skills, and a brief description of any combat or magical experience."

Kai scanned the form with a raised eyebrow. "So official. You'd think I was applying for a government job."

Lyra smirked. "We take our responsibilities seriously here. Now stop stalling and write."

Kai grinned and began filling out the form, humming softly as he wrote. As he worked, he glanced up occasionally, striking up conversation. "So, Lyra, how long have you been working here?"

Lyra tilted her head thoughtfully. "About three years. It's a good job, though dealing with adventurers like you can be… interesting."

Kai laughed. "Adventurers like me? What's that supposed to mean?"

Her green eyes sparkled with amusement. "Confident. Cocky. Full of questions but never following directions."

Kai feigned offense, placing a hand over his heart. "Ouch. You wound me, Lyra. I'll have you know I'm a very cooperative guy."

"Sure you are," Lyra said dryly, though a small smile tugged at her lips.

After a few more minutes of lighthearted banter, Kai handed back the form. "All done. What's next?"

Lyra checked over his form, nodded approvingly, and stood. "Now, you'll need your guild card." She walked over to a nearby device, inserted the form, and began the process. A faint glow emanated from the machine, and moments later, a small card slid out. Lyra picked it up and handed it to Kai.

"Here you go," she said. "Congratulations, you're officially a member of the Emerald Blade Adventurers' Guild."

Kai took the card, holding it up to inspect it. "Huh. Looks pretty cool. You know, this is the first time I've ever joined anything official."

Lyra raised an eyebrow. "First time for everything. Just don't lose it, or you'll have to pay for a replacement."

Kai smirked. "Duly noted. So, Lyra, what's the best quest for a guy like me to start with?"

She leaned on the desk, her tone teasing. "Something simple. Maybe gathering herbs or delivering supplies."

Kai groaned dramatically. "Come on, give me something more exciting than that."

Lyra laughed softly. "You'll have to prove yourself first. The exciting quests come later."

Kai grinned, sliding the card into his pocket. "Alright, alright. I guess I'll have to behave, for now. Thanks, Lyra. I'll be back soon—try not to miss me too much."

Lyra rolled her eyes, though the faint blush on her cheeks didn't go unnoticed. "Just go before you cause any trouble."

Kai laughed, giving her a playful wave as he headed toward the quest board, already looking for his next adventure.

Kai walked over to the mission board, his eyes scanning the dozens of papers pinned up in neat rows. Each sheet detailed different quests, ranging from simple errands to dangerous hunts. The board itself was divided into sections based on rank: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and beyond. His gaze settled on the Bronze section, where he knew he'd have to start as a new recruit.

"Alright, let's see what we've got here," Kai muttered to himself, leaning closer to read the details.

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**Bronze Missions:**

1. **Herb Gathering for Local Alchemist**

- Description: The local alchemist requires fresh medicinal herbs from the nearby forest. Gather at least 10 Sprigleaf plants and return them to the guild for inspection.

- Reward: 10 silver coins.

2. **Delivery to the Market**

- Description: Help transport goods from the guild to the city's central market. Beware of possible interference from pickpockets or petty thieves.

- Reward: 8 silver coins.

3. **Goblin Problem on the Outskirts**

- Description: A small group of goblins has been sighted harassing travelers near the northern outskirts. Eliminate them and ensure the road is safe.

- Reward: 15 silver coins.

4. **Lost Pet Rescue**

- Description: A child in the southern district has lost their pet cat. Search the city streets and bring it back safely.

- Reward: 5 silver coins.

5. **Clean Up the Guild Hall**

- Description: The guild requires assistance cleaning and organizing its storage areas. Minimal danger but plenty of lifting involved.

- Reward: 6 silver coins.

6. **Bandit Spy Capture**

- Description: A suspected bandit spy has been seen lurking near the eastern gate. Track them down and bring them in for questioning.

- Reward: 12 silver coins.

7. **Escort Merchant Caravan**

- Description: A merchant caravan heading to the nearby village requires protection from potential threats along the road.

- Reward: 20 silver coins.

---

Kai raised an eyebrow, a small grin tugging at his lips. "Well, this is a scene straight out of a storybook. Classic adventurers' guild. Loud, messy, and full of characters."

His eyes drifted to the Goblin Problem mission, and his grin widened as he read the details. "Now that's more like it. A little action never hurt anyone… except the goblins."

He glanced around to see if anyone else was watching, then reached up and pulled the goblin quest sheet from the board. Holding it in his hand, he walked back to the guild desk where Lyra was waiting.

She raised an eyebrow as he approached. "You found something?"

Kai held up the paper. "Yep. Goblin hunting. Sounds like a good way to stretch my legs."

Lyra took the sheet from him, scanning the details briefly before nodding. "It's a Bronze-ranked mission, so it's suitable for someone at your level. Just remember, goblins can be tricky if you're not careful. Don't underestimate them."

Kai smirked. "Don't worry about me, Lyra. I've got this."

Lyra rolled her eyes but smiled faintly. "I'll mark this as accepted. Once you're done, bring back proof of your success—usually a goblin ear or something similar—and we'll process your reward."

Kai slipped the paper into his pocket. "Got it. Thanks for the advice. I'll make sure to bring you the biggest, ugliest goblin ear I can find."

Lyra chuckled softly. "Just don't get yourself killed."

Kai winked as he turned to leave. "Not a chance."