9 The Adventurer's Guild
Leaving without much preparation, I silently followed Fina. The only thing she took along with her was a beige cloak that covered her appearance.
("What is she doing?") [Solace]
Fina exited the dorms with a hood pulled over her face. It seemed she wanted to be as discreet as she could.
("The cloak kind of makes her stick out though…") [Solace]
After passing multiple wandering gazes, I realized that Fina went as far as to leave the school campus. The extravagant school buildings began to grow smaller in the distance, and more unfamiliar buildings began to surface.
("Is that housing?") [Solace]
We passed by buildings that I found somewhat familiar. Made of bricks and other materials, it reminded me of earth.
("It looks like a residential area.") [Solace]
Fina continued on as I scanned our surroundings. There were no signs of cars on the streets, and there were numerous occasions of people walking idly by. Each of them were usually equipped with some kind of weapon. The only ones who weren't armed were either elderly or children since they seemed to be accompanied by another.
("How much longer is she going to walk…") [Solace]
I watched the surroundings pass by, but Fina kept walking. After at least thirty minutes had passed, new buildings began to pop up.
("Woah… Is this a market or something?") [Solace]
The area we had entered was crowded with people. Stalls lined up the sides of the streets, and many people were doing street performances unfamiliar to me.
"Alert. Multiple readings of skill usage have been detected." [Spirit Guide]
("Hm?") [Solace]
I glanced around in search of anything eye catching. The only conclusion I was brought upon was the street performers making objects vanish and appear out of thin air.
("Maybe they're actually using real magic?") [Solace]
I ignored the Spirit Guide as Fina went towards a certain building. The front door was similar to one of those bars that I saw in western films a long time ago. Not only that, it had a large wooden sign at the front reading, "Adventurer's Guild".
("This… is the place?") [Solace]
Before walking in, Fina took something out of her pocket. It looked like a necklace with a piece of copper attached to it, along with the inscription that was auto-translated thanks to my skill.
("...It's literally just the letter E.") [Solace]
Pushing through the front doors, Fina entered the Adventurer's Guild.
("Guess I'll sightsee a bit.") [Solace]
The inside of the Adventurer's guild was incredibly busy. Most of the building was composed of tables and chairs for dining, and a row of receptionists far at the back. Near the receptionists was a wall covered with many sheets of yellowish paper.
"Hey! If it ain't our girl Fina!" [???]
As if they were waiting for Fina, a voice immediately called the instant she set foot inside.
("Damn, at least let me get a look around.") [Solace]
Glancing around for a little longer, I focused on the voice.
"Ah, Mr. Burnes!" [Fina]
I saw a man sitting by one of the many tables in the room, waving with a wide grin on his face.
("So his name is Burnes…") [Solace]
"Come join us!" [Burnes]
Fina came towards him, giving me a closer look.
("...Wow.") [Solace]
The man was covered in an uncountable amount of scars. He wore green clothing that seemed to be made out of the skin of a lizard. On top of that, he had small iron plating wrapped around other places of his body like his fore-arms and shins.
("He's pretty decked out.") [Solace]
"Are… you currently on break?" [Fina]
"Mhm. Just had to deal with a bunch of paperwork since I don't get many people requesting me. I mean… with my scars and all." [Burnes]
He pointed at the scar on his face, just underneath his eye.
"So, the usual?" [Burnes]
"Yes please!" [Fina]
Burnes stood up and motioned for Fina to follow.
"I'll see you over here." [Burnes]
He led Fina over to one of the receptionists desks, and took a seat on the other side.
"Have you thought of which quest you're going to take?" [Burnes]
"Maybe… goblins?" [Fina]
"Again?" [Burnes]
Burnes leaned back in his chair, releasing a deep sigh.
"I have no clue why you would want to deal with them. You're strong enough to aim higher." [Burnes]
"I think it's enough though." [Fina]
She stared Burnes in the eye, unyielding to her own opinion.
"...Alright. The quest will be complete after bringing five goblin ears. The pay will be 10 mel per ear. Any extras will also be taken, but at the price of three mel." [Burnes]
He brought a hand underneath the desk, bringing out a yellow sheet of paper.
"Here's the quest pamphlet. It has the location and description of goblins. Stay safe." [Burnes]
Burnes looked a bit down as he gave Fina the paper, but she seemed happy instead.
"Thank you." [Fina]
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Fina left town after accepting the quest. We passed through something similar to a large gate before entering a clearing with an unpaved road.
"North… Northeast?" [Fina]
She mumbled to herself while holding the yellow paper. It seemed that it had a map drawn on the back.
("For someone so smart… She's pretty clumsy sometimes.") [Solace]
I appeared before her and poked the map with my face. Yes, I poked it with my face. Unlike before, I didn't have any hands.
"Solace?" [Fina]
I tried to turn the map with my body, but I lacked the strength to do so.
"Do you… want me to turn the page?" [Fina]
It wasn't the exact thought I had in mind, but I nodded anyways.
"Okay…?" [Fina]
Flipping the page upside down, she did exactly what I wanted.
("...She's confused, but she's getting there.") [Solace]
As she looked at the map, realization crossed her face.
"Oh…" [Fina]
("...Yep.") [Solace]
The map was upside down the entire time. I only helped Fina return it to its original place.
"Let's… Let's just go." [Fina]
Walking at a fast pace, her ears were red with embarrassment.
("What a troublesome master I have.") [Solace]
