"Young Master, where are we headed?"

"The Adventurers' Guild."

"Huh? Are you becoming an adventurer?"

"That's right."

"What about me?"

"Just follow me and admire my heroic monster-slaying skills."

"...Okay, Young Master."

The Adventurers' Guild wasn't far from the inn. Soon, Nina and I stood before its grand entrance. It bustled with people, radiating prosperity. Though less grand than my former mansion, the Guild building was still impressive. Two dragon statues flanked the entrance. Inside, the hall stretched wide, packed with adventurers chatting and moving about. Counters lined the far wall, staffed by receptionists handling requests. The scene felt oddly like a bank from my past life.

As Nina and I approached an empty counter, the receptionist smiled. "Hello, how can I help?"

"I'd like to register as an adventurer."

"Certainly. Please fill out this form."

I took the sheet. Name, age, birthplace, occupation—it was simple. After completing it, I handed it back.

"Now, prick your finger with this needle and drip one drop of blood onto the card. It'll set your initial rank based on your level." She offered a needle and a metal card.

Damn, blood? I hate pain. But I pricked my finger anyway. A drop fell, and instantly, patterns and text bloomed on the blank card:

*Coburn William. Adventurer Rank: G.*

Predictable. Lowest rank—I'd never trained before.

"Could you explain the Guild and ranking system?"

"Of course. The Guild is a multinational organization. Ranks run from G to S. You can only accept quests at your rank or one level higher—like your G-rank allowing F-rank quests. Each rank has sub-tiers: standard, plus (+), and minus (-). Special quests appear after repeated failures."

"Complete three + quests, five standard, or ten - quests to rank up. Special quests grant an immediate promotion."

"Clear. How do I accept quests?"

"Place your finger on the card's right side. It'll show available quests."

Whoa, that advanced?

I followed her instructions. Quests flickered into view:

Help Elan of Karn Village gather herbs. Rank G-, reward: 20 copper coins.

Eliminate the goblin nest in eastern Black Forest. Rank G+, reward: 50 copper coins.

Clear the slime colony in city sewers. Rank G, reward: 35 copper coins.

Hunt the giant boar ravaging villages. Rank F, reward: 10 silver coins.

Countless others filled the list. Rewards were pitiful—were G-rank adventurers even human?

I tapped the special quests option:

Destroy the bandit camp in western Black Forest. Special quest, reward: 70 silver coins.

Clear zombies in Goran Grand Cemetery and investigate underground anomalies. Special quest, reward: 35 silver coins.

Clear goblins in Crystal Mine. Special quest, reward: 70 copper coins.

Only three specials, with modest rewards. The real perk was the instant rank-up.

After a moment's thought, I chose the bandit quest. Compared to the others, it promised far better loot.