To the Guild Hall

As Kuonh took a deep breath, he prepared to deliver his final words to Xeness, who regarded him with a perplexed expression.

"DUDE, YOUR INFORMATION IS ON POINT! THANKS TO YOU, I GOT TO MY DESTINATION ON TIME! I'll buy more information later! Goodbye!"

With a cheerful wave, Kuonh dashed away from Xeness, leaving the information broker somewhat baffled by the abrupt departure. Xeness watched him inquisitively, not entirely sure what had just transpired.

A moment later, a soft ping echoed in the air, and a notification appeared on Xeness's screen. It was a message from Kuonh:

[A little gift for you.]

Xeness couldn't help but chuckle, appreciating the unexpected gesture of gratitude from the enthusiastic newcomer.

However, before he could reply, he sensed someone approaching him. A player, clearly in need of information, approached with a question.

"Hey, can I possibly buy your information too? Do you know where the cathedral is? I've been looking for an hour, and I still haven't managed to find it."

The urgency in the player's voice brought Xeness back to the present moment, prompting him to realized the "gift" Kuonh had sent. He couldn't help but smile beneath his hood as he realized that Kuonh had indeed left him something valuable.

"Yes, I know where it is. And since this is our first transaction, I'll give it to you for free. But in exchange, accept my friend request."

The player's face lit up with gratitude as he eagerly accepted the offer, saying, "For real? Let's do it!" Meanwhile, another player, who had overheard the conversation, hurriedly approached them.

"Hey, me too, me too! I want to know a place. do you know where the jizz tower--"

But before he could even complete his request, Xeness, with a deadpan expression, simply replied, "Sir, please get out."

"understandable"

*

**

Standing before the imposing entrance of the guild hall, I marveled at the sheer grandeur of the building. Thanks to Xeness's guidance, I had arrived at my destination, and the guild hall stretched before me like a monument to the collective endeavors of the NEuEarth players and the people of this world.

The guild hall stood tall and imposing, reminiscent of a massive Viking longhouse crafted from rugged, weathered timber. Its structure, built from large wooden beams and adorned with intricate carvings, evoked an aura of strength and resilience. The exterior walls, constructed from sturdy logs, were designed to withstand the harshest of virtual snowstorms, mirroring a place meant for a frigid, snow-covered landscape.

Enormous wooden doors, embellished with ornate Nordic patterns, stood as the main entrance, welcoming players into the heart of the guild's abode. These doors, though imposing in size, were expertly crafted to allow for smooth ingress and egress, and they bore the insignias of various player guilds, showcasing the unity and camaraderie of NEuEarth's inhabitants.

I couldn't help but be impressed as I stepped through the massive doors. The interior was equally breathtaking, a bustling hub filled with players of all races and backgrounds. Here, a towering player with a massive body conversed with a petite elf, while a character with fins engaged in animated conversation with a player adorned in scales. Even someone as small as a child-like avatar had found a place in this diverse gathering.

As I glanced around, my attention was momentarily stolen by an adorable child avatar, prompting me to utter a playful "Cute~" under my breath. However, my comment was immediately met with an unexpected *tanchan* sound notification.

My eyes widened, and a bead of sweat formed on my brow as I anxiously checked the notification. It felt like an ominous turn of events, with "FBI OPEN UP" flashing through my mind in a moment of panic.

But to my relief, the sound I heard was merely a normal achievement notification:

[Entered guild hall for the first time]

+3 status points

"Pweh~" I sighed in relief as I looked around, taking in the bustling atmosphere of the guild hall. It was quite a sight to behold, a place teeming with players from all corners of the hall, each engrossed in their own adventures and conversations.

The guild hall's interior was a mix of rustic charm and dynamic activity. Wooden tables and chairs were scattered about, occupied by players huddled in discussions, strategizing for upcoming quests, or simply sharing stories of their virtual exploits. The hall was alive with the chatter of adventurers, creating a warm and inviting ambiance.

In the midst of it all, a grand staircase rose through the center of the hall, leading upward with a sense of regal elegance. The wooden steps, worn smooth from countless ascents and descents, hinted at the long history of this gathering place for virtual adventurers.

Glancing to my left and right, I couldn't help but notice two imposing figures clad in full-body silver armor. They stood vigilantly, like the knights of old, their presence lending an air of security to the bustling guild hall. Perhaps, I thought, they were the guardians entrusted with maintaining order in this vibrant hub.

"hm?"

As I wandered through the guild hall, I couldn't shake the feeling that some of the people inside were casting curious glances my way. It wasn't the usual camaraderie I had witnessed earlier but rather a different kind of attention, one that left a faint sense of unease settling in the pit of my stomach.

Nervousness began to creep over me like a shadow, my footsteps growing tentative as I tried to discern the reason for these peculiar stares. Did I stand out in some way? Was there something amiss with my avatar or equipment?

As the minutes passed and I continued to garner those perplexing looks, a realization dawned upon me like a ray of clarity piercing through the fog of uncertainty. Could it be that the cause of this curiosity, this almost alien gaze, was simply because:

"I'm a human?"

Recalling the diverse array of avatars that had filled the guild hall, I suddenly became aware of the conspicuous absence of human players. My own presence as a representative of the human race in this fantastical world seemed to stand out like a beacon, drawing attention from those who may have rarely, if ever, encountered a human race before.

The thought left me both intrigued and apprehensive. Had humans become such a rarity in NEuEarth that encountering one was an event worthy of note? Or was there some deeper significance to the reactions I was receiving, something rooted in the world's lore or history that I had yet to uncover?

I shook my head, determined to stay focused on my quest. As I scanned the bustling guild hall for someone who could help me, my gaze settled on a figure perched on the counter. An elf sat there, and I couldn't quite discern their gender. Their features were so captivating that they seemed to defy traditional distinctions. However, I reasoned that if there was anyone I could approach for directions, it should be this intriguing individual.

*steps*

As I approached the registration counter, a curious question crossed my mind—'wait was racism a feature in this game?' I couldn't help but smirk at the thought, finding it rather absurd. After all, this was just a virtual world, a game. But as I continued walking, uncertainty gnawed at me.

A group of imposing figures stood beside the counter, their strength evident in their stature and equipment. My earlier jest about racism began to feel uncomfortably real. The closer I got, the more I couldn't shake the feeling that these formidable individuals might jump at me, not because of my character, but simply because I was new and unknown.

I tried to keep my nerves in check, reminding myself that this was a game, and such concerns were likely unfounded. Nevertheless, a sense of unease lingered as I approached the counter, wondering which of them I should ask for directions.