Guilds and Goods

Then I pulled the Giant Boar out of my inventory and quickly processed it but only minimally. I cut open its chest and found a glowing yellow mana gem. I took the tusks and hooves and skinned it. 

I got to my feet and made my way toward the town. It was a peculiar feeling to be walking again after such a long time, but I had no other choice. With my wings wrapped around me and my robe and cloak secured, soaring through the air was not an option. I pushed myself to move quickly, knowing I needed to settle into the town fast to relish the time before I had to transform back into my bat form.

 I walked along the gravel path that led me to a town encircled by a high brick wall. At the entrance stood a double wooden gate, with a sign overhead that read, "Welcome to Goldengrove." One of the gates was slightly open, and I noticed a solitary guard napping in a chair. This was fortunate for me, as I lacked any form of identification, and skipping the toll was a relief given my scant resources. I had only a few coins I had taken from Herald's bag, and I was still trying to understand the worth of money in this unfamiliar realm. Moreover, I wanted to keep my appearance under wraps; I could only pass for human if no one examined me too closely.

I slipped into the town without a sound, passing the guard who remained utterly oblivious, his head tilted back as he snored loudly. I raised an eyebrow at his complete lack of awareness.

As I entered the medieval village, I found myself on a winding gravel path that meandered through the heart of the town, descending gently down a hill. Flanking the pathway were vibrant wildflowers, dancing gracefully in the breeze. The charming cottages, crafted from an eclectic mix of wood, stone, clay, straw, and branches, added to the village's rustic charm. Some properties were bordered by low stone or branch fences, while a serene river flowed along the left side of the town. To the left of the path, expansive fields of grain stretched out, interspersed with fruit trees, while the right side featured cozy homes and flourishing vegetable gardens. Additional paths branched off to the left, inviting further exploration.

The further you traveled into town, the more delightful the homes became, culminating in the sight of a magnificent manor in the distance. Next to the river, a large structure housed a gigantic waterwheel that turned with a soothing rhythm, the sound of splashing water adding to the serene atmosphere. A bridge crossed the river, leading to an array of substantial buildings, including a blacksmith and a pet store. Beyond these, a large barn and a field where blue-gray sheep grazed peacefully awaited. Flanking the main path were various shops selling clothing, spells, household items, wands, potions, and more. In the town's center stood ten significant buildings: the shrine, adventurers' guild, crafters' guild, gourmets' guild, guardhouse, mage's tower, town hall, a magic school, a bank, and an inn, all surrounding a spacious area designed for lively festivals.

I approached the Goldengrove Inn, an impressive structure crafted from white stone and topped with a wooden roof. Inside, the main room was spacious, featuring a large desk at the back, while a cozy fireplace crackled merrily in the stone hearth along one side. Round tables dotted the area, where patrons savored their meals and sipped from hefty stone mugs. A petite blonde girl, dressed in a flowing brown dress and a waist apron, flitted between tables, her cat ears perked up and her tail wagging joyfully while taking orders, replenishing drinks, and serving up hearty food.

A bartender was diligently filling glasses behind the bar, and at a small desk in the back, a tall, thin woman with striking red hair was distributing room keys. Two hallways and a staircase leading to the upper level were visible behind her. I made my way to the redhead, who had a slender frame and wore black-rimmed glasses, her face set in a serious, no-nonsense expression. Her deep red hair was straight and shoulder-length, cut at a sharp angle. She glanced up from her writing, her intense green eyes meeting mine as she placed her pen aside.

"Are you interested in securing a room?"

"That's correct. Are there any single beds available? And what do you charge for them?"

"A single bed is available for one week at the cost of five coppers, or you can pay one copper for each night. If you hold a guild membership card, you'll receive a fifty percent discount. 

"I'll return in a bit."

"Unfortunately, we only take reservations for regular customers. With the Harvest Festival approaching, we expect a busy period with many tourists."

I nodded and turned, saying, "Appreciate the heads-up," as I strolled away from her desk.

I walked out of the inn and made my way to the gourmet guild. The building was on the smaller side, but the gigantic storage facility behind it was quite impressive. Inside, I spotted a bulletin board covered in request notices lining the left wall.

At her desk, a blue-haired elf casually filed her nails, her gaze fixed on an orb that displayed the face of someone else. Her eyes, a lovely shade of robin's egg blue, matched her hair, and her features were sweetly delicate. With a slim physique and charming curves, she wore a cropped peach sweater and dark blue slacks. "Come on, she should just dump him already. He's the worst!"

 Next to the desk stood a door that led to a hidden room, and beside it was a small table holding a clear container filled with steaming brown liquid and tiny clear cups. The aroma wafting from it was undeniably coffee, and I couldn't help but focus on it. Could it really be coffee? In this strange world?

I made my way to the table and poured myself a cup, taking a moment to inhale the rich scent before tasting it. It was a bold, robust coffee with a hint of sweetness as if someone had added a splash of creamer. Pure bliss. Before I realized it, I had downed the whole cup and was pouring another. I was so captivated by the drink that I lost track of my surroundings until the sound of someone clearing their throat snapped me back to reality.

 I glanced up, gripping my cup of that divine brew, and strolled over to the desk, savoring another sip. "I want in on the gourmet guild."

"So, like, there's this tiny registration fee of one copper, and you also have to bring back an ingredient that's at least three stars. If you do that, you'll get paid for whatever you bring in, plus you get first dibs on buying ingredients. You can also grab requests from our board, and you'll get this membership card that lets you into some restricted areas. It's pretty cool because you can hunt and fish in places that are usually off-limits, and you'll score some sweet deals at various spots. Oh, and your membership card doubles as an ID, showing your level and giving you access to your guild info. Anyway, here's a list of items you can use to get into the guild," she said as she heaved a massive book from within her desk, letting it thud onto the surface with a resounding bang.

I stared at it, frustration creeping in. The thought of digging through that entire beast was the last thing on my mind. "Do you guys take Giant Boar meat?"

"Wait, are you actually saying you have giant boar meat? Because if you do, we'd be more than thrilled to buy all of it! Giant boar is always a hot item, especially with the Harvest Festival just around the corner. We can offer a nice amount based on the quality of the meat. So, whenever you're ready, just bring it over, and we can take a look in the back."

 "I'm good to go right now, just say the word if you've got a moment."

"Awesome!" she said, practically leaping out of her chair. She grabbed the tiny crystal ball hanging from a chain and tossed it over her head, wearing it like a necklace. It was roughly the size of a big marble. "Hold on a moment while I get my manager.

"This way, Sir. Oh, and I'm Flo," she said while talking to the door beside the desk and opened the door wide open for me. 

"Great to meet you, Flo. My name's Enzo."

Walking into the enormous metallic space, I was captivated by a colossal scale that stood at the heart of the room. On one side, several workbenches were arranged, while the walls were lined with three full shelves, each filled with an eclectic mix of glass jars housing different plants and powders. The back wall had a prominent pulldown door, adding to the room's fascinating design. Next to the back pulldown door, there was another door. She swung it open and retrieved a large metal basket from a shelf in the walk-in closet, which was filled with various types and sizes of baskets.

She positioned the basket on the massive metal platform scale and pressed a button to reset it to zero before stepping back. "You can place the meat you're interested in selling on the scale now. One moment, please," she said, grasping a marble-like object from her necklace. With a press on the bottom, it expanded to the size of a baseball. "Contact Manager Berry," she commanded the orb. A beeping noise followed, and a man's face appeared. "Berry, there's a gentleman here with Giant Boar meat he wants to sell as his item to join the guild."

"Wonderful! Help him weigh the product and I'll be there momentarily."

"Yes," she said, pressing the button on the orb's base once more, causing it to shrink back to the size of a large marble.

I heaved the massive boar out of my storage area and dropped it into the basket—well, more like on top of it, since it was way too big to actually fit inside the basket she had given me.

 "An Elite Giant Boar," she breathed, her voice filled with wonder as her eyes sparkled with a strange blue glow.

 It's crucial for me to understand the worth of things in this world to ensure I'm compensated fairly. At least she's not putting on a front; her manager might be a tougher nut to crack. I need to have a clearer picture of the value before he shows up.

"Not too many Elite Giant Boars roaming this area, huh? I moved one a couple of weeks ago in Rapid River, which is where I typically sell. But since I'm here now, I thought I'd see if the local guild might be willing to make me a fair deal. If you're keen, I'd be up for some business while I'm in town. My storage is pretty reliable, so I'm not in a hurry to sell, but I'd be willing to part with it if the offer suits me." Hopefully, Rapid River is a real place, or at least sounds like it could be a real place.

"Absolutely! We'd love to do business with you. We have more than enough resources to provide prices that are on par with the Rapid River district," she said while clenching her fist in determination. 

Coming Next Time: Great Gourmand Guild