Chapter 08: Adventurer's Guild

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Amber stood in front of me with her arms outstretched in a welcoming attitude. Even though it wasn't an invitation to hug her, this was how she presented the city. She smiled in a sincere way and continued:

"Allow me to introduce you to the city of wind, of dandelions, of bucolic music, the Capital of Freedom... Traveler from far away Inazuma, welcome to Mondstadt!"

I took a close look at the structure of the city that stretched out before me. Its concrete streets traced an urban layout very similar to the medieval houses of Europe that I had seen in fantasy animes of my past life.

The main avenue ran in a straight line from the huge gate in the city wall. To the side, lined with houses and stalls of modest size. Numerous stalls that did not have a store offered their wares.

A short distance from the main entrance, a smaller side street branched off to the left. Although less busy, it still housed a few scattered establishments. Nevertheless, one of these stalls especially caught my attention.

"Come on, boy, more strength! Is that little hammer a toy? Put your heart into it or the sword will never stay sharp!"

"I'm...going...as hard...as...I can."

Located behind a building, an anvil and barrels revealed the presence of a smithy. As the stall had only a roof and did not particularly possess any walls, I could watch as a middle-aged blacksmith shouted to a young apprentice, as they both pounded red-hot metal over the forge.

The young man was thin and with a face full of sweat, could only hammer with all his might.

"No 'I'm going'! You've got to hit it like your life depends on it! Bang, bang, bang! That's the way I like it, don't stop!"

The blows echoed in the forge. Young apprentice could give no more. His thin arms were shaking like jelly.

"Ayyyyyyya I can't stand it master! Can I rest?"

"No way! The sword still doesn't shine like the full moon! Keep pounding those pieces of iron if you want to reach my level someday!"

Passersby couldn't help but laugh when they heard the shouts and complaints amidst the sparks from the forge. I couldn't help laughing either. This scene perfectly conveyed the feeling of having entered Mondstadt for the first time in the game.

But there was something about it that made it out of place... After crossing a glance with Amber, I understood what such awkwardness was about.

"Adult citizens faces reveal a far greater concern than that of the children. No doubt the threat of Stormterror hangs over this city."

Even though the adults were accompanying their children, I couldn't help but notice the anxiety permeating them.

"Sadly it is so. The dragon shadow has spread fear. Although there is also hope. There is nothing to worry about as long as Jean is with us!"

"Ah. You mentioned that name earlier. For you to have so much confidence in her, she should be a very amazing woman, right?"

Amber mentioned Jean's name earlier. If my memory didn't fail, she was one of the five-star playable characters in Genshin Impact.

"She is the Acting Grand master of the Knights of Favonius and protector of Mondstadt. With Jean on our side, not even a calamity like Stormterror could stand up to her."

It appeared that Jean not only led the Knights of Favonius with a firm hand, but also went out of her way to look after the welfare of the citizens. Her fame must have been more than justified if she had earned such loyalty.

"Let's move on, I'll present you with something exciting!"

We resumed our march toward the center. Then I noticed a small stall next to the main street. Its semicircular structure hovered over a counter behind which a girl watched us silently. Her face was emotionless and her hair barely brushed her shoulders.

Amber eagerly pointed to the booth, "This is the Adventurer's Guild! It's amazing, isn't it? A lot of adventurers get their rewards from this place."

The Adventurer's Guild appeared to me very differently than I had seen it in anime. Usually they used to be large two-story buildings where stout men drank and caused a ruckus on the first floor while the beautiful receptionists looked around with a smile on their faces.

But here there was only an expressionless receptionist standing behind a counter next to the street. Behind her was a modest house that surely housed what was needed for the guild.

Although guilds are a cliche in anime and light novels, experiencing a more different version in person proved somehow refreshing.

I then looked up at the sign hanging above the receptionist, written in a language unknown to me. But with the context obtained it suggested to me that it was about the "Adventurers Guild".

This is bad, really bad... Isn't it a complicated situation? I can talk but I can't read. Well, since I can converse I might as well ask someone to teach me.

Dear goddess, if you gave me the ability to understand, you could have also given me the ability to read.

Although I thought so, I was actually very grateful to Astraia. After all now I could use various skills, for sure others would find me a cheat... I can't complain having these advantages.

But goddess... I don't want to study.

"You said you were looking to be an adventurer to get a source of income, right? Here's the perfect place!"

"Umu. I appreciate your help."

"It's nothing, I'll gladly recommend you personally. I'm sure the receptionist will check you in without a problem once a recognized Knight like me introduces you."

As I was immersed in my thoughts, suddenly a voice interrupted my self-absorption.

"No introductions are necessary, traveler from a faraway place. Ever since you set foot in our beloved city of Mondstadt, you have captured my attention." She said calmly. Although her tone was calm, the receptionist's expression did not change one bit.

But unlike her usual serene expression, this time I felt her gray eyes assessing me up and down, as if I were some singular specimen.

"Ad astra abyssosque! Welcome to the Adventurer's Guild. I am Katheryne, the receptionist of the Adventurer's Guild in Mondstadt".

'This girl... I could swear she's a robot if it weren't for her very human-like movements.'

"Why do you say that, miss? I don't understand why someone like me would attract attention. I'm an outsider with no remarkable skills. I thought a guild would focus on experienced adventurers."

I moved closer to the counter, being escorted by the cheerful Amber. The receptionist cracked her mask for the first time.

"Hehe, you're funny outsider. I dare say you're the most interesting person I've ever seen." She said with a slight smile. On her thin lips peeked a charming smile.

"..."

The receptionist's last statement seemed to flip a switch in Amber's curiosity. She turned to me with sparkling eyes and scanned me up and down.

"That's right, Kaito! Your outfit is really strange. Who is that person stamped on your chest? Oh, and most importantly! I could clearly see how you were manipulating the Anemo element, but where is your Vision?"

Shit...

Stamped person? I didn't understand what she was referring to. Since my arrival in this world, I was already wearing this clothing created by the goddess when she gave me body form. I hadn't paid attention to it until now, however, I was sure that there was nothing strange about my clothes, but at her inquisitive gaze, I looked down at my torso.

And then I saw it. A chibi of the goddess Astraia printed on the white shirt. She was posing with her index finger held high and raising her other hand in victory, while her flushed cheeks expanded into a huge smile.

'Cute. But previously she hadn't... Is she teasing me?'

My clothes that were based on the fashion of the modern era actually stood out a lot compared to the fashion of this medieval style city. Therefore, it was no wonder Amber found my attire strange.

I raised an eyebrow. If the goddess wanted to create trouble for me, then I was more than willing to mock her.

"I mean... She's the person who gave me a fresh start. My beautiful girlfriend, who declared her undying love for me and gifted me these clothes to remember her by during my travels."

"I see. She must love you very much."

"Umu. Of course-"

*boom!

"Huh? Will it rain?" Hearing the thunder in the sky, Amber raised her head and brought her hand up to cover her eyes, "But it's sunny.... No clouds either. It doesn't look like it's going to rain."

Truth be told, I didn't have a reason to tell them why I lacked Vision. If I did, I was sure to become the target of stares and questions. So I took advantage of Amber being distracted by looking at the blue sky to change the subject.

"Ehm!". Two women rolled their eyes at me. "I don't know why you think I'm someone interesting, Katheryne. But at the moment I'd like to join the adventurers, if I may. Should I take some test or something?"

Katheryne shook her head, making her short hair dance. "Not at all. Other nations usually require entrance exams for new adventurers, but in Mondstadt we're short-handed. The guild master of the Mondstadt branch guild, Cyrus, does his best to recruit, but hardly anyone wants to be an adventurer. So we gladly welcome anyone who wants to join."

"That's right..."

"Now, you just have to fill out a form to join." Katheryne said with a smile, reaching under the counter. She pulled out some papers and a black colored pen. "Here."

But I scratched my cheek, chagrined. "This...will you help me? I still can't write or read well."

"I'll help you!" Perhaps because she felt left out, Amber volunteered right away.

They only asked for my name, age, place of birth. Amber wrote in neat handwriting and Katheryne checked.

"Done. Now all that's left is..." She went inside the room behind her and returned with a black card and a needle. "I just need your blood."

Katheryne did it smoothly and quickly. It didn't hurt at all.

The formerly black card became somewhat grayish and some data appeared on it.

[Name: Kurogane Kaito

Level: 35

Adventure Rank: 0

Mora: 0]

Katheryne briefly looked at my card and her eyes went wide. "Level 35! You're very strong, sir Kaito, were you even a hidden adventurer before?"

"Is that so surprising?"

"Of course it is!" Amber exclaimed to get my attention, "Most adventurers don't go past Level 20. I'm barely Level 32 myself. You're also quite young, which shows good potential for the future."

"Amber is right. You are quite an anomaly, how did you manage to get such a level?"

When I realized my uncommon Level, it all made sense. It was no big surprise that I could smash a Hilichurl's head with my bare hands before. Sure the goddess gave me these stats focused more on strength and endurance for this life.

But I couldn't tell that to Amber and Katheryne, so I told them that in Inazuma, we had to train hard just to survive every day. They sighed as if understanding me, since Inazuma is not an easy place either.

"Welcome to the adventurer's guild, sir Kaito! Ad astra abyssosque!" Katheryne said with a smile.

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