Book 1 Chapter 23

Episode 22

They say there's romance in an adventurer's life, but honestly, there's no greater bullshit than that. It's just an extreme job where you risk your life to earn money.

Its original purpose wasn't bad.

Although it had implicitly existed since the early days of the Telsia calendar, the profession of adventurer truly emerged 300 years ago, during the era when Lista was active.

'Originally, it was more like seasoned veterans in the private sector who helped the hero's party, I suppose.'

In modern times, they are like mercenaries against demonic beasts, and are said to resolve matters that are ambiguous for official military mobilization or require a small number of elite personnel.

The Alliance (Adventurers' Guild) was established as the power of adventurers prospered. Now, it's common for most cities to have a branch.

Over 300 years, the Adventurers' Guild has objectified subjective combat power using a level and status system devised with its own unique standards.

Furthermore, it seems they have transformed the profession of adventurer into a trusted combat specialist by dividing ranks according to combat power and achievements.

'Back then, they just felt like ruffians gathered in taverns.'

The Delaiten Adventurers' Guild.

Looking up at the solidly built three-story stone building, a fresh wave of emotion washed over him.

Stepping inside, a spacious lobby unfolded. The inner part of the lobby had reception desks lined up like a public office, while a pub was set up on the outer side.

From morning, numerous adventurers were gathered here and there, chattering loudly.

"So, how's the money-making here these days? There isn't even a dungeon nearby."

"These days? Ever since the Red Dragon Legion left, the Red Mountains have been a goldmine of demonic beasts."

"These days, the Rat-Spiders are a big deal. It's a bit dangerous, but the bounty is amazing."

Rat-Spiders, check.

In this field, information was gold.

"Are there only simple hunting quests?"

"If you want to make a fortune, go to Trident Point. If you're confident you won't die, of course."

As he eavesdropped on the conversation, the queue had shortened, and it was Rain's turn.

"How may I help you?"

The receptionist, dressed in the guild uniform, was a woman with a gaunt face, likely exhausted from overwork.

"I'm here to register as an adventurer."

"Seeing your uniform, you must be a Delaiten student. Do you have your student ID or any other identification?"

"I do."

"Please place it here."

"How long will it take?"

"Delaiten students have confirmed identities, so your adventurer's badge will be ready quickly. It won't even take 10 minutes."

Perhaps because she had dealt with countless Delaiten students, the receptionist, who had been processing everything smoothly, paused when she saw the name on the student ID.

'Rain Ludwig.'

Ludwig? That's a noble from an influential family. I thought he was just a commoner mage because he used polite language. Why would the heir of a great noble register as an adventurer…?

"What's next?"

"Ah, my apologies. Since you can write, please fill this out."

The parchment the receptionist handed over, "[Adventurer Registration - Mage]," was a document for filling out other personal details.

Current magic rank (attach certificate), primary magic used, number of times magic can be used per day (mana capacity), etc.

'Look at this, huh?'

To think those haphazard fellows had developed so much, it was truly a case of 'live long enough, and you'll see everything,' as the old saying goes.

"You don't have a rank… your primary magic is 3-star… and your magic usage count is, hmm…"

The receptionist, checking the parchment Rain had filled out in an instant, found herself in a predicament.

Is he playing a prank?

No, it's hard to ask that.

How many eccentric nobles are there? He might cause a scene, claiming it's rude.

"This is the last item. Could you please check this part?"

"What is it?"

"It's a special clause only for nobles: if any personal problems arise during your adventurer life, the guild bears no responsibility."

"So, there must have been people who tried to hold them responsible?"

"Apparently, there were many such cases 100 years ago. That's why this was created."

The process after that was instantaneous. As the receptionist inserted an iron badge into the magic printing device, magical light burst forth and cleanly etched Rain's identity onto the badge.

"Adventurer ranks are in the order of Iron (鐵) - Bronze (黃銅) - Silver (銀) - Gold (金) - Platinum (白金) - Diamond (金剛)."

Iron is for rookies, Bronze for the experienced, and from Silver rank upwards, they are apparently considered recognized experts in society.

Gold rankers are summoned without fail for hunting mid-to-high level demonic beasts, and Platinum rankers are said to be the top eleven ranked individuals in terms of combat power and achievements.

Diamond rank, it was said, was a symbol of the leading adventurer, with only one existing in any given era.

"Do everyone start as Iron?"

"No. Sometimes, individuals receive a Bronze rank based on their combat experience or skill before becoming an adventurer. For mages, we look at their magical rank."

"Aha."

"However, as you know, Young Master, you haven't taken any rank examinations."

"Roughly okay."

He had no intention of becoming a top-ranked adventurer anyway. The reason he became an adventurer was simply to legitimately accept requests.

Becoming an adventurer allows one to receive rewards for hunting demonic beasts, and quickly dispose of demonic beast body parts used for medicinal ingredients or accessories by entrusting them to the guild.

And with just this adventurer's identity tag, he could enter dangerous areas where access was restricted.

'Let's see, the money I have now is forty-four silver coins…'

The target was the Rat-Spider he'd just heard about.

Looking at the quest board, each one was worth two silver coins. He could earn more money by bringing back their hides, teeth, or bones.

'Since it's half a day's journey from Delaiten to the Red Mountains.'

The cost to rent a decent horse from the guild was three coins a day… I should buy two days' worth of food too. Should I plan to catch 150 in 24 hours?

'I have to return to the Delaiten dormitory before curfew tomorrow, so time is tight.'

Oh dear…

His life, full of only bothersome tasks, was wearying, and a sigh escaped him. Staying cooped up in his room studying math was the best way to spend weekends…

"Instead of sighing, let's go, let's go."

Scratching the back of his head, he sought out the stable master of the Adventurers' Guild. He seemed to be grinning at the appearance of a new easy mark, but upon seeing Rain's adventurer's identity tag, his expression soured.

"What is it, go away. I don't rent horses to Iron adventurers. What if you run off with a good horse? Is being a Delaiten student any different?"

"Is there really no way?"

"Of course. Iron adventurers are nothing but thugs. Real adventurers start from Bronze rank. If you understand, off you go."

"Tsk, guess there's no choice."

The stable master, scratching his protruding belly, glanced at Rain's adventurer's tag as if utterly annoyed.

"What?!"

And at that moment, he suddenly gasped and bowed respectfully.

"Oh my! Young Master Ludwig! You should have told me earlier, hahahaha! Come this way, I'll show you some fine horses!"

"Didn't you just say you don't rent to Iron-ranked adventurers?"

"Oh no! For such esteemed individuals, what does an adventurer rank even matter? Your origin is entirely different. Come this way, Young Master Rain."

To see such a change in attitude without having proven any ability or changed his identity tag, the influence of a great magic family truly was enormous.

"Which horse would you like? There's a really good one here, oh, if you just look at its mane, it's absolutely superb."

This must be one aspect of the status system.

With mixed feelings, both pleased and bitter, Rain followed the stable master and began choosing a horse.

'I should erase the surname Ludwig engraved on my adventurer's tag.'

While receiving such favor was fine, as the descendant of a great noble, he would likely be exposed to more danger during his adventures.

'And I don't particularly want people bowing and scraping just because they recognize me as a noble.'

When he went back to the receptionist and asked, he was able to remove his surname more easily than expected. They said it was possible because his identity was already confirmed or something.

* * *

The foothills of Seonryu Peak, the closest summit of the Red Mountains to Delaiten, had transformed into a bustling marketplace.

"Adventurers are everywhere."

Blacksmiths who maintained adventurers' weapons and armor had set up stalls, and alchemists were also spread out potions for stamina recovery and elixirs on cloths, with prices marked, engaging in touting.

"Hey there! Intermediate vitality potion for just 10 copper coins! Your life can be duplicated for 10 coins, I tell ya!"

Originally, the Red Mountains were a sanctuary where the Red Dragon Legion resided.

But 300 years ago, during the summer when the world was covered in volcanic ash, most of the Legion descended to the South Pole to burn the Abyss.

The last remaining Red Dragon apparently left this mountain range 200 years ago.

'I received a lot of help from the Red Dragons back then.'

After the war, the Red Dragons built a massive wall of flame called <Ten Thousand Miles of Flame> (火焰萬里) at the South Pole, separating the Abyss from the human world and guarding it, so it was said.

To add, Friede, the fire dragon priestess who was a member of Lista's party, was the very woman who served the Legion in these Red Mountains.

"This place is teeming with monsters, I tell ya. Hey, young rogue! Grab a potion!"

Once the dragon race, who were the masters and guardians of this land, departed, the monsters that had taken root in the mountains began to run rampant…

It was an immense boon for adventurers. Because nearby were the demonic realm <Golden Rose> and the city of <Aiden>, the Southern Elector's city.

If anything seemed unusual about the demonic beasts, they could immediately report it and receive military assistance.

"The world has really changed a lot…"

As he walked, observing this and that, he eventually reached the foothills where the uphill path began.

The stone steps that the Red Dragon Legion had built for humans ascending to worship at the Fire Dragon's shrine were still intact.

He left his horse with the stable master, carried a sack of food on his back, and just as he was about to take his first step onto the arduous stairs, someone approached.

"Wait, wait wait wait."

He was tall and dashingly handsome, dressed in a form-fitting leather hunting suit on his slender physique, and his movements were silent.

"You're a mage, aren't you? Don't try to play innocent. My eyes can't be fooled even if a Grand Archmage came."

On his back, he carried a shortbow, typical of archers who prioritize rapid firing, and the adventurer's identity tag dangling from his waist was Bronze.

Rain opened his eyes in a bored, fish-like stare.

"I wasn't trying to play innocent, and it's obvious you'd recognize me since I'm wearing a uniform, so why are you showing off?"

"H-hey, shut up! It's perfect timing. Our party needed exactly one mage."

"Party?"

The archer grinned and pointed behind him, and a massive shadow engulfed both the archer and Rain.

It was truly… an enormous figure. So much so that for a moment, one might think a landslide had come. Even Logan or Owen wouldn't be able to hold a candle to this person.

Black iron armor reflected the Southern heat darkly, and the double-bladed axe slung on his back scattered an eerie metallic gleam everywhere.

"My party member, his name is Bart."

"Don't be ridiculous! How is that a human? Isn't it a monster?"

"You Iron rookie, you're a bit harsh with your words, aren't you? Even though Bart looks like this, he's a very tender-hearted man on the inside!"

Bart looked down at Rain.

A scar starting from his forehead ran down past his left eye and ended at his chin, and his glaring eyes were chilling.

And unlike the archer, he was a Silver-ranked adventurer.

"And this is Sammy. He's an acolyte. Our party's healer."

"Nice to meet you, brother."

A young man with a plump build and gentle impression wore a priest's robe that was nearly tattered and worn out, and held a holy book in his left hand.

"Aren't you guys a human trafficking ring? Luring people to join a party then kidnapping them? That's what it looks like no matter how I see it?"

As he shot back, a stream of tears flowed down from Bart's fierce eyes. The archer patted his back.

"Don't cry, Bart. Stop it now! It's not like it's the first time someone we just met has said something like this."

This is insane…

A person who looks like they wouldn't shed a single tear even if their parents died, has such a tender heart?

"I don't understand. Why specifically me, an Iron rookie?"

"Hmph, ranks don't mean anything. I judge people by their scent. You clearly smell strong."

Then he brought his face close to Rain's, sniffed, and smirked. Rain sighed.

"You've seen something somewhere and now you're trying to con me! I'm leaving."

"W-wait! It was a joke! Actually, Bart can't help himself when he sees cute kids!"

"What?"

As Rain raised an eyebrow, Sammy the acolyte chimed in.

"Brother Bart says he can't bear to see you go hunting demonic beasts alone, and wants to help you."

"Why?"

"Like you, Delaiten students often come here to earn tuition money and end up in accidents. We're not forcing you, so if you really don't want to, then there's nothing we can do."

That monster…?

No, one shouldn't judge people solely by their appearance. Even if it truly were human trafficking, dealing with all three wouldn't be a problem, but this is a bit much.

"It's more convenient for me to act alone in many ways. So, goodbye."

"Is that so? Alright."

As Rain began to climb the stairs, the archer also turned to his companions as if he had no lingering regrets.

"Then let's just go by ourselves. I know a prime spot where Rat-Spiders appear. And we can find the way quickly."

At that moment, Rain quickly scurried down the five steps he had already climbed and stood before the archer. Then he smiled sweetly and extended his hand.

"Please take care of me from now on. My name is Rain. Tell me what magic you want."

At that, the archer scanned Rain up and down, and flashed a wry smile.

"Hmm~? That's strangeee, isn't it?"

"…"

"Someone just said it was more convenient to go alone, didn't they? Who was that? Ah, I can't remember. Who was it again?"

Rain felt his face grow slightly hot.

"Actually, I wanted to try forming a natural party in a dungeon, you see? What I just did was merely a test for you all… Roughly speaking, you passed?"

"You crazy bastard, why did your way of speaking suddenly change?"

"Oh, just let me join the party!"

"No, no no no no. This isn't a problem that ends so easily. You missed a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The world has to be fair, giving you another chance is absurd."

Sammy smiled kindly and suggested they accept him, but Rem shook his head.

Then Bart grabbed the archer's shoulder and slowly shook his head.

And… incredibly, he offered his hand to Rain with a warm smile that seemed impossible for that face.

"I'll take the vanguard, and you and Rem can handle support."

"Hey, Bart!"

"Profits will be divided equally into four. Since you're a Delaiten student, you can use basic offensive magic, right?"

There are moments when you inexplicably trust a stranger instantly.

It was like that when he met Lista, and it was like that now, when Bart smiled and extended his hand.

Rain grinned and grasped the giant hand.

"Is that even a question? You've just seized a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."