Guildmaster Simon

It was six in the morning of the next day that is Friday.

The sun slowly rose above the horizon in the east, the direction opposite of the Northern Mountains. For those in Roastberry, the sun only shines when it rises above the metal walls.

The city became lively as the roosters crowed signaling the new day. Businesses opened as as people went to work. Black smoke began to billow from the smoke stacks signaling the beginning of the work day.

...

In a different part of the city, the lively atmosphere was very different.

Rows of four or five-story brick and concrete buildings lined the very narrow streets. blocking the majority sunlight for any part of the day. Wires moved between each building as neon lights glowed.

Many kinds of businesses and stalls were present. The streets were crowded with the majority of people on foot and others on motorcycles with supplies, while cats and dogs roamed the streets.

Rats in the dark would occasionally scurry around in alleys looking for food remains in dumpsters alongside homeless people. Not everyone gets to enjoy the economic prosperity.

On the third floor is a room with two windows, plaster walls, a ceiling light, and concrete flooring lined with poor quality carpet. There was not much decoration aside from a bed, a bedside table, a desk, and a dresser. Connecting to this room is a small kitchen and bathroom.

This is where George Foster lives.

"I haven't seen that dream in months."

George had already gotten out of bed a ten minutes ago and put on a clean t-shirt and pants.

He had just finished eating his homemade meal and was brushing his teeth while staring at himself in the mirror. With indifference, he spat in the sink and cleaned his mouth with water. George grabbed a comb and adjusted his long hair so it smoothly ran down.

As usual, he stuffed his backpack sitting in the corner with basic supplies and attached his dagger to his waist. George put on his backpack, shoes, locked the door, took the elevator to the base level, and left his apartment.

Squeezing through the crowded streets, he went in the direction of the adventurer guild.

...

Hester, Abe, Bernice, and Emma had left and arrived at the adventurer guild. The only one in a bad mood the entire time was Hester, whose face was gloomy from a lack of proper sleep.

Upon requesting for the guildmaster and showing her their [Status Card], the receptionist's face turned to shock. She quickly and quietly contacted someone to request the guildmaster.

A few minutes later, they were guided through a corridor leading to the guildmaster's office.

They were greeted to a luxurious polished wooden room lined with books, a wooden desk, and various items being displayed. The guildmaster sat at his desk doing some paperwork and writing with a pen.

The guildmaster is a late middle-age slightly handsome man with many wrinkles, a slightly greyed out long beard, and black hair that reached his shoulders. His high quality business outfit enhanced his status.

"I knew the Guild Association had sent you out here, but I did not know you had already arrived. You must've hidden your guild cards at the city gate right?" The guildmaster greeted them with his husky deep voice.

"Apologizes, Guildmaster Simon. We didn't want to cause a commotion." Emma bowed slightly along with the others. Even Hester, who was in a bad mood, did not dare show any arrogance and bowed as well.

After all, the title of [Guildmaster] is a highly esteemed position within the Guild Association regardless of the person's rank.

...

The Guild Association is a powerful organization with influence that spans all of Akora. They have access to a lot of resources, powerful forces, and are a major lobbying group within the United Federation's government.

Ever since the end of the war, however, they have been on the decline because of the growing influence of the Aeternum Empire's military. The firearm class has long been a powerful presence in the military since the invention of gunpowder, and military technology has made it easy for mortals to kill powerful creatures.

In particular, there has been a growing rivalry between the archer class and the firearm class. Why use an arrow when a gun can hit targets far away at much faster speeds?

There have even been some calls for the military to handle dungeons from now on due to their danger, under the excuse that civilians should not be risking their life. Some extremists are even saying the Guild Association should merge with the military.

Regardless, they are still very powerful and offending them is not wise.

...

"No worries." Guildmaster Simon waved his hand as if it did not matter before glancing at their party members one-by-one. He gently narrowed his eyes in seriousness.

"So, what brings you to my office?"

"You see..." Emma expressed the party's agreement over needing a guide to bring them to the stronghold deep in the mountains. They were likely to get lost even with the compass and map they have. They even explained the B-rank dungeon and the incoming adventurers in case he did not know.

After all, there is no trail leading to the stronghold since the mountains were devastated by the chaos during the war. Thirty years have passed and most of the craters and scorched earth has been covered by regrown vegetation

To make matters more complicated, the high elevation, cold temperatures, year-round snowing, and the location of the stronghold deep in the mountains would make building a path/road an expensive logistical nightmare.

That is why nobody really lives deep in the mountains despite the plethora of resources.

"You all think smart." Guildmaster Simon nodded in satisfaction for their concerns. He leaned back in his chair, gently tapping his finger while rubbing his beard in thought. It is obvious that he is thinking of a potential candidate.

The party did not dare interrupt his thoughts.

Ten seconds later, Guildmaster Simon's eyes suddenly widened upon thinking of a person. He straightened his posture and laughed boisterously, much to the confusion of the party members.

Only when he started coughing did he speak.

"I have a great candidate who can guide you very well. I've been thinking of a way to reconcile our relationship, and now I have the opportunity!"

"So..."

"I'll contact my secretary to bring him over. His name is George Foster. I'm sure you'll like him very well." He had a big smile on his face indicating his happiness.

""""George Foster?""""

The four party members looked at each other in surprise, especially Emma and Hester.

'Him?! Why him?! Why can't it be anyone but him?!' Hester's face turned very gloomy.

'George Foster? Wasn't he the guy I was thinking about yesterday after that incident?' Emma's face was filled with confusion as she thought back to yesterday.

Seeing their reaction, Guildmaster Simon had a hunch.

"So you've already heard of him?"

"Well, yes. The adventurers told us about his conflict with your son. We also ran into some minor conflict with him yesterday." Bernice carefully explained while glancing at Hester from the corner of her eye.

Hester's face turned even gloomier upon her mentioning the "conflict".

"Conflict? What happened? Please explain." Guildmaster Simon became serious again as he looked at Bernice.

"Er, well. This is what happened." Emma did not want to talk about the incident, but took the chance to explain after having to deal with Hester the entire journey. Guildmaster Simon listened very carefully. Upon hearing it fully, he sighed and looked at Hester, whose face was red from humiliation.

"Young lad of the Flintblaze Family, I suggest you either go apologize to George or avoid him if possible. I highly doubt he'll bother you with the matter based on my understanding of him and the current situation, but offending him is incredibly terrifying."

"You would think George is a mere E-rank commoner trying to make a living, but you are far from the truth. Let me tell you the short story of when I tried to fight him."