84 CHAPTER 84: NIGHT’S SURVEY

"80000."

"What?" After looking through everything, Elrad tells me a number, I don't understand what he is saying.

"80000 wellis for everything. I have removed the maintenance cost of your weapon. For the armor, it is impossible to repair. Too much damage."

"Is there anybody who can repair it?"

"Elrad is the best-known blacksmith of the town. That's why the guild hired him. I don't think somebody else here could repair it if he can't."

So that's how you call them, blacksmiths. "You said known? There are others who people don't know?"

"Unofficial blacksmiths." This time, it is Elrad himself who answers. "If you don't register yourself as a blacksmith, you normally can't work, but there are guys who don't want to because-"

"It costs less?"

"Ah, so you knew then." No, actually, I just read your mind.

There are apparently people who work without licenses. Because a license needs to be re-established every year and it costs a lot, blacksmiths and other workers without talents prefer to give up or work under somebody else. And some others work undercover and sell their things to the black market. I wonder what a black market is. Maybe a market that opens at night. Though those who are discovered doing that go to jail directly.

"So, what do you say?"

"How about 120000?" I know you have a limit at 130000 so…

"Hmm…Well, okay. That's good. Though most of them have bloodstains and will need to be cleaned, I can take them at that price."

"Okay." Elrad shakes my hand and takes my raizen.

"I will repair it while you go and receive the money. Come and take it tomorrow."

"Please follow me." Anriette is already at the door. While we walk downstairs, she seems troubled. I read her mind to know what she is thinking about:

'Where did he find all those armors? And so much blood on them? Did he kill all those people, I didn't even ask his name? Well, I will find a way to do that.'

"Kevin Dragonroad."

"Pardon?"

"My name, Kevin Dragonroad. I forgot to introduce myself earlier. I apologize for that."

"Oh… Oh, please don't worry, Mr. Dragonroad. This way, then."

Back at the counter, I enter the door next to it. There is a sofa and a small table there.

"Please sit, I will bring a receipt and the money."

After two minutes, Anriette returns with a wood plate. On it, coins, and a piece of paper.

"As discussed earlier, 120000 wellis and your receipt. Thank you for your business."

"Likewise."

"Also, although I shouldn't really do this. I recommend you to come back for your future businesses here. Unlike the guild, shops in town sometimes sell fake items and tend to buy your products for less than half the price. But because they also have higher class items than the guild, people tend to go there. It is not a bad idea if you know a lot about weapons, but if not, you will surely be scammed."

"Okay, understood." I can read minds, so I should be fine if they try to scam me.

"Also, would you like to register to the guild?"

"How do you know I am not registered yet?"

"Because you didn't present your card when you finish your transaction earlier, even though if you did, your weapon maintenance would have cost you half. That's one of the benefits we provide to the guild's members."

"How can I register then?"

"Ah, it is simple, I will just need your card, a bit of blood and the job you choose."

"Jobs?"

"Yes, you need to choose out of three jobs when you register on your card."

Anriette sits right next to me. Wait, aren't you too close? She looks like we are the same age.

"First, we have the ADVENTURERS. They usually take care of bandits or escort people and carriages between towns. Then we have EXPLORERS. They are like scouts. Their principal activity is to explore unknown areas and draw maps. The army requests their services a lot. WORKERS like Elrad and I are special cases because we are hired most of the time. Though, if you are confident enough, you can come and pass a test. And finally, we have MEISTER. They can take care of all kinds of missions and generally receive requests from particular individuals like second or first-degree nobles who want them specifically. Though, to become a meister, you must have more than five years working with the guild with at least ninety percent of success on your mission."

"That's not a lot of jobs."

"Oh, don't worry. It is more than enough. It is also easier for us to keep tracks of our personnel that way."

She leans even further ahead, her breasts start pressing on my arm.

"I will register as an adventurer then."

"Great!! Give your card, and please put a bit of blood here." She brings out a small vial and put it on the table.

I give her my card, and while she is looking at it, I cut my finger quickly, the wound closes so fast only some droplets of blood leaked out.

"Will this be enough?"

"Yes, I think so. Here, for your wound."

"Thank you." I take a small piece of white cloth she gives me, but she frowns a bit, looking at my hand. Yep, I know, it is weird the first time you see it.

Anriette goes out and comes back five minutes later with my card. When she gives it back, there is now a new word written on it. Adventurer, it is placed right below my name. And above what seems to be my birthday? Birthday? Who told Selene about my birthday? Wait, that date is wrong. It says I was born during the month if the seeds. But I was born during the month of high colds. I have four months less than my actual age on that card.

"From now on, you are part of the guild. Please, do accomplish quests from time to time. If you aim to become a meister, of course. The guild will provide all the necessities you need, such as maps, information, and the like. There is also an annual fee you must pay to the guild to maintain your status and your account here."

"Account?"

"Yes, you can save your money and keep your items here at the guild if you fear that you may be robbed at some point. We have a contract with the army for the sake-keeping of those belongings, so don't worry. They will be safe with us. The annual fee is 1000 wellis."

"Okay, when I will need it, I will come again. Also, do you have a map of the town."

"Yes, we do. Let's go, and I will get or you."

We go outside, and Anriette takes a rolled piece of paper and gives it to me. After saying goodbye, I get out of the guild. The sun is now up high, and there is still a lot of time before the night. I go back to the forest near Nargil and call K'nor then we go hunting, eat and sleep. When I wake up, the sun is setting. I should start preparing.

***

"You stay here K'nor. I can't bring you with me." I pat his head lightly while he whines. Then he sits back and starts sleeping again.

I enter through the gate like normal, and then I go in front of the guild, I look at the map Anriette gave me. The stabbing beer is not that far from the guild. It is just ten houses far from it. I go and see a big symbol of a mug stabbed by a knife. A weird insignia for sure.

"Fuuu…Let's do this." I enter the tavern, which seems to be noisy. There are a lot of people inside. So much that there is no place to sit. Ah, there a place at the counter.

"What is your order?" when I sit, the guy behind the counter looks straight at me. He looks frail, and his white skin has a weird complexion. It is white, but it's like there is something else. He also has sleepy cat eyes.

"I want something to eat and a cup of water, please." Let's order like a normal customer and observe the situation.