The Adventurer’s Guild of Kagurem sat nestled in a corner of the central plaza. Its exterior walls, built of obsidian and forged steel, were thick and sturdy, resembling a small fortress. A heavy metal sign hung over the entrance, engraved with a crossed sword and shield—a symbol of the spirit of adventure and protection.
Balin led Yggdrasil through the bustling crowd and into the guild. The heavy doors closed slowly behind them, sealing away the clamor of the outside world. The interior was dim but warm, with several magical lamps hanging from the ceiling. A quest notice board stood against the wall, covered in various scrolls and announcements.
"This is the Guild," Balin said, patting Yggdrasil’s shoulder, his stout, heavy palm landing with a solid weight. "Our dwarven guilds aren't as flashy as the human ones, but we have every system they do."
Yggdrasil nodded, his gaze drawn to the female dwarf behind the counter. She wore a deep red uniform and glasses; her eyes were sharp, giving her an air of utter efficiency.
Balin stepped forward and offered a hearty greeting. "Morning, Marlene. You’re looking as lovely as ever today."
Marlene rolled her eyes, but the corners of her mouth twitched upward. "Save the flattery, Balin. Who is this?"
"This is Yggdrasil. He just arrived in Kagurem and wants to register as an adventurer. He’s a good lad; even though he’s a rookie, my gut tells me he’s got a bright future." As Balin spoke, he nudged Yggdrasil with his elbow, a gesture of easy intimacy.
If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.
Yggdrasil offered a polite smile. "It's a pleasure to meet you."
"Welcome," Marlene nodded. She opened a drawer beneath the counter and pulled out a silver-colored card engraved with magical circuits, along with a simple form. "I’ll briefly explain the registration process and the adventurer ranking system."
She placed the card on the table and pointed to the form. "This is your Adventurer Card. It will record your name, age, origin, specialized skills, and current rank. Initial registration starts at Rank F. Once you complete a few quests, you will be eligible for formal rank evaluation. The Guild promotes members based on efficiency and the difficulty of completed tasks."
She paused before continuing. "The ranks are categorized from F, E, D, C, B, A, to S. F and E are the novice stages. Starting from Rank D, you can participate in most regular quests. Rank B and above are elite levels assigned to high-risk missions. As for Rank A and S... those are the legends who only appear once in a while, capable of taking down calamity-class monsters single-handedly."
Yggdrasil committed this to memory. Though the card was small, it represented his official identity in this world—a symbol of his first real step.
"Please fill out this form," Marlene said, handing him a quill. "Once finished, we will conduct a simple ability test to arrange your initial tasks."
Yggdrasil took the pen and began to fill in the data. With every stroke, a strange emotion welled up in his heart—this was no longer a cold corporate report from his past life as a salaryman, but the beginning of a brand-new life.
Standing beside him, Balin stood with his arms crossed, his belly rising and falling gently with his breath, a smile of encouragement and a hint of pride on his face.
"Once you’re done with the paperwork, the beer is on me! Our Kagurem ale is guaranteed to be unforgettable!" He laughed heartily, patting his rounded belly.
Yggdrasil smiled. He instinctively glanced at Balin; that rounded, steady physique warmed his heart, and an unspeakable emotion began to quietly ferment in his chest.
