The Guild

The man was strange compared to the other individuals Asher had seen, and he wore fine clothes that spoke to his status as someone with power. At first, Asher thought that he might be noble, but he would be looking over his territory if he were. A thought dawned on Asher. 'Man, I am an idiot. I should have done this from the start.' Asher focused on the man, and the system chimed.

[Scan Complete]

Name: Elden van Lancet

Species: Human

Title: Vice Merchant Guild Master of Corin

Age: 18

HP:100/100

PWR: 500/500 (deci)

STR: 32

VIT: 53

AGI: 74

PER: 219

Asher's eyes went wide as he could not believe what he saw. This man's stats were much higher than his and had a unique title. The merchant guild had almost the same level of authority as some noble. The Merchant Guild Master controlled all Merchant guilds. However, each city handles the daily affairs of the Vice merchant guild. Sure they still had to answer to the duke for the most part. As long as they did not cross any lines, They were free to do as they wished.

Asher finally pieced the events together. More than likely, the shady salesman had pulled a similar scam in the past, and Mr. Lanclet wanted to stop him, leaving a good impression on the youth. Thus this man's statement about making friends, in Asher's mind, was a load of bull. He was trying to profit from all parts of the problem: a classic salesman.

Elden was delighted to help the young man that stood in front of him with a quizzical gaze. "Oh right, I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Elden, but everyone calls me El. Nice to meet you, um?" Elden held out his hand for Asher to shake as he introduced himself.

"Veras," Asher replied. He knew he could not use his real identity in town, so Asher came prepared with a backup identity to use while he would be in Corin. Asher felt he was rather clever and exciting to have a secret identity.

El's eyes lit up at the mention of Asher's fake name. "Veras. I work over at the merchant guild, so if you have any trouble, be sure to ask for me. You can ask me to help you sell merchandise or acquire items you need for your adventures as a young mercenary."

"Mercenary?" Asher had mentioned nothing about being or becoming an adventurer, so how did he pick up on it. "I don't recall saying anything about being a mercenary." Asher's eyes narrowed at the slender man.

"Ohhh. I just assumed that you are wearing magic gear. It is intermediate-level gear, correct? you must be good at what you do." El spoke as if the fact that Asher was wearing magic armor was something natural as rain. While Asher was wearing magic armor, magical equipment was not distinguishable from standard equipment. They give off light energy, but a person should not be able to sense it from just a glance.

"I am going to the guild to register," Asher explained breifly not wanting the conversation to continue.

"I see. Your family must have a lot of faith in you to get that armor. I have some business with the mercenary guild." El explained. "I will be happy to walk with you there." El gave a simple smile. Asher had no choice since he did not know where the guild was. He nodded and motioned for El to lead the way. As they walked, El went on and on about the different shops in the city. Asher mostly tuned him out, not caring about the random stores. "Veras. Veras. Hello."

Asher snaps back to attention. "Sorry. What? I am sorry I was not listening."

"I am sorry am I boring you?"

"No, I am just thinking about some things." One shop caught his eye, and it was a quaint little shop with a sign out front that read "Cynthia's Magic Attiqueites." "What is that shop?"

"Oh, you have a good eye. It is a magic shop. There are several across the entire city, but I know the owner of this one, and she is accommodating. You can buy magic tools and grimoires."

"Really," Asher thought for a moment before asking, "Can you buy Alchemic and Enchantment tools?"

El's eyes lit up with the chance to show off his economic acumen. "Yes. I could introduce you to the owner. She is a nice elderly lady and will take good care of you." El was happy to explain everything he could about the store now that he had Asher's attention. "You can also have her refine monster cores into mana crystals. It is a great place to get anything magic to relate." El puffed out his chest like knowing all this was some accomplishment. "Since you are interested in alchemy and enchanting, you must have those elements. What other element do you have?"

"Yes. I am just a hexamage, though."

"A hexamage. If you think a hexamage is unimpressive, you must be from one hell of a family." El looked at Asher with a questioning gaze. Asher kicked himself for saying something so stupid. For commoners, being a hexamage was considered to be talented. Asher almost outed himself without thinking.

"Yeah. Are we almost at the guild?" Asher quickly changed the subject. He did not want this man to continue to press the issue, or it would cause a scandal for his family. He was supposed to be bedridden with mana sickness.

El pointed to a large building that looked like a pub. "Yes, it is right there." Asher took a deep breath before opening the door. As soon as he did, El slipped his finger into Asher's collar and yanked him back as a human came flying past Asher's head. Asher's jaw dropped as the man flew past him into the street, landing with a thud on the ground.

"Ya crappy drunk, go home and sober before I gut ya like a fish." Asher turned to the voice and found a sizeable muscular individual towering over everyone. Asher's heart stopped as the figure's attention turned to him. The furious expression disappeared and softened. "Well, Mr. Lancet, welcome. The guild master is waiting in their office. And who is this little darling?"

"Darling?" Asher questioned, and the system chimed up as it answered his question.

[Scan Complete]

Name: Helen Jucard

Species: Human

Title: Mercenary Guild Administrator

Age: 67

HP:200/200

PWR: 500/500 (Penta)

STR: 120

VIT: 109

AGI: 81

PER: 150

Asher's eyes widened as he realized that this 6 foot 2 woman was more muscular than most bodybuilders. However, he thought it made some sense. The man that she along the street was stumbling about and was highly intoxicated, and she would have to be strong to handle many of the drunk mercenaries.

"This is Veras. He is here to join the mercenary guild." El introduced Asher to Helen.

"Oh. How adorable is he!" Helen exclaimed, "You just a big strong man who wants to be a big strong mercenary? You're probably trying to help out your family." Helen pinched Asher's cheeks, and it felt like she was trying to rip his cheek off. She let go of Asher's cheek. "You're so cute. There is nothing more charming than a youthful man with a noble heart. Come on, baby, we'll get you all set up."

When she let go of Asher's cheek, it was bright red and sore from abuse. Asher rubbed his reddening cheek as he followed Helen into the guild. El said goodbye as he when up the stair to what only Asher could assume was the location of the guild master office. Meanwhile, Helen led Asher to the front desk.

"This is the main lobby," Helen directed Asher to the large area with tables lined up neatly. People were drinking and talking rather loudly, and many wore wizard robes or a complete set of armor. "It is a place to relax, plan jobs, find work, or get advice." She continued to a counter toward the front of the guild.

A young girl with two cat ears poking out of her soft black hair. She leaned over some books that she was scribbling something down. A tail swayed back and forth behind her. She looked from her work as Helen and Asher walked up. "Oh, hi. What do you need, sweety?" The cat girl asked sweetly as they approached. Asher was rather shocked to see a demihuman. Not that he was unaware of their existence, but they were a rare sight in the holy empire as a whole.

"He is joining the guild. Grab a registration form and the id card." The cat girl skipped to the back and began to look around for the items. "We use an id card to identify a member of the guild. They also keep track of your rank as well as your jobs. So make sure you don't lose it. Otherwise, it will cost one gold to replace."

The cat girl walked back with a box. "Here you go, sweety. Just fill this out." She places a form for Asher to fill out.

"Thank you, ma'am." Asher took the quill that the girl handed him as she giggled.

"Honey, I am not a ma'am." The cat girl smiled. "My name is Talan, and I am a guy."

Asher's jaw dropped for the second time in less than ten minutes. With the cat boy's delicate and soft features, even his soft and tender voice and mannerisms, Asher could have sworn that he was looking at a girl. In his head, he cursed himself. 'A muscle granny and cat trap. That's it; I am reincarnated into an anime or some bullshit. Just what am I getting myself into." Asher looked back and where the other mercenary and realized that not all of them looked like normal humans.

Some looked like a wolf with human features; one looked human but with wolf features. Several had horns or pointed ears. Some had creatures following them that could only be called monsters. It was the first time since he reincarnated that he felt that he was in a fantasy world. Humans were not the only species that could threaten his new life.