Chapter 4
Chapter 4
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 4
Chapter Title: VIP Attendance Reward
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It was already the third day since I was dragged into Elsia.
Today also marked the end of the rookie training period.
As usual, I woke up early, washed up quickly, and went down to the dining hall.
Unlike the first day, people in similar attire were gathered in small groups, eating.
We were provided not only with meals and a place to sleep, but also a set of clothes and underwear.
They weren't modern in style and the quality was poor, but they weren't too uncomfortable to move in.
Above all, it was better than wearing the same unwashed clothes for three days straight.
I grabbed a tray, got my food, and found a spot in the corner.
Perhaps because it was the last day, the meal was better than usual.
Soft white bread, different from the usual hard bread.
The soup was full of ingredients, and there was a fried egg and a rather thick slice of bacon.
“Which guild are you going to join, sis?”
“The Red Lions have slightly better terms, but I heard Eden is a bigger guild, so I'm still thinking about it.”
“They say it's always better to go with a big one. Come to Eden with me, sis.”
Everyone around me had pushed their meals aside and were busy discussing which guild to join.
During the training period, most people had interviews.
They called them interviews, but it was really a time to review offers from guilds that had assessed the new summons' Traits.
Over the three days of training, most of the summons received offers from at least one guild, but I was never called for an interview.
Well, I'd pretty much expected it.
My Trait had been judged as useless, after all.
It wasn't just me; a total of seven people, myself included, didn't get an interview.
We were called aside, though.
We were told that no guilds affiliated with the Guild Alliance wanted us, but that some small and medium-sized guilds not in the alliance would be visiting today, so we should keep our hopes up.
As for me, I wasn't expecting much.
After mulling it over during the three days of basic training, I had already decided to act alone.
Joining a guild had clear advantages, like immediately solving housing and food issues and entering the labyrinth together, but it wasn't without its downsides.
Taxes.
Half of all profits earned in the labyrinth had to be paid to the guild as taxes.
They said it was collected to cover the guild's operating costs, welfare, and common goals, and that the rate would decrease with seniority or promotions, but half was just too much.
After finishing my meal and taking a short rest in my room, people from the Silver Wolf Guild instructed all the summons to gather on the first floor.
When I went back down to the first floor, I saw not only the usual Silver Wolf Guild members but also many people in various uniforms.
They seemed to be from other guilds, here to pick up the summons.
They called out names one by one and led people away, but surprisingly, many summons were left.
What's this?
Weren't there only seven of us who weren't chosen?
But Ju Yeon-seong and Lee Ji-a were still here.
“Those joining the Silver Wolf Guild, follow me.”
The vice guild master who brought us here led a group of people away.
So the Silver Wolf Guild was taking some people after all.
With that large group gone, a total of seven summons remained.
A few members of the Silver Wolf Guild stayed behind, but they were busy cleaning up and didn't spare us a single glance.
Perhaps because it was a gathering of the unchosen, the atmosphere was quite gloomy.
No one spoke; we just eyed each other warily. Then, a Silver Wolf Guild member who had been cleaning up the kitchen area saw us and approached.
“Look at me, spacing out. Hanson, bring the papers.”
Another Silver Wolf Guild member brought over seven sheets of brown parchment.
“Here you are.”
For a moment, I wondered if the Silver Wolf Guild was going to take the rest of us, but that wasn't it at all.
“Everyone take two copies, sign one, and hand it back.”
[Debt Confirmation Form
I hereby pledge to repay the sum of 30 silver, equivalent to the value of the lodging, meals, and clothing provided by the Silver Wolf Guild during the rookie training period, within one month.]
...It wasn't a guild application, but an IOU.
“What is this...”
“Excuse me. That vice guild master of yours said he would provide basic training for new summons, so what in the world is this...”
“I doubt our vice guild master said he'd do it for free, did he? Nothing in this world is free.”
A few people protested, but the guild member's words weren't entirely without merit.
He said he would provide basic training.
He never once said it would be free.
“Still, 30 silver seems way too expensive...”
I thought so, too.
The instructor had clearly told us not to get ripped off, explaining that a day's stay at an inn similar to this, including meals, costs about 4 silver, and clothes are about 1 silver.
For three days of lodging, meals, washing, and clothes, 15 silver should have been more than enough.
They had practically doubled the price.
“Did you forget about the training fee?”
An extra 15 silver wasn't an exorbitant amount, but for someone who was flat broke, it was a huge sum.
It was a bit different for me, but for those who had played Elsia before, the information probably wasn't that valuable...
More importantly, if they were going to charge us later, shouldn't they have refrained from spouting all that nonsense about helping new summons?
“That may be, but why only us...”
“We're not just asking you. For those who were picked up by other guilds, their guilds will be paying.”
He gave us a subtle, intimidating glare, so everyone signed the documents and handed them in.
I thought it was unreasonable, but I signed and submitted it anyway.
Thanks to my Trait, my stats were decent, but getting into a brawl with someone who wasn't a new summon was a risky move.
With my Trait, I'd be able to earn plenty of money in the labyrinth anyway. There was no need to take a dangerous path.
Besides, everyone else had submitted theirs.
With a final warning not to even think about skipping out on the debt, the guild member left, and the endless waiting began again.
The Silver Wolf members who were cleaning up also left, and after about twenty minutes of waiting in heavy silence, I suddenly felt like an idiot.
If I wasn't planning on joining a guild, there was no reason to wait.
Everyone was staring intently at the door. Just as I was about to stand up, it opened.
“The new summons?”
The other six all stood up and approached him.
They all seemed quite desperate. The man who entered took two of the men with him and left.
Soon after, one or two more people arrived, asked about their Traits just like the first man, and took someone with them.
One by one, people left, until only three of us remained.
Looking at their Traits, I could see why.
One was a woman who used to be a webtoon artist; her Trait was Path of the Artist.
It was an ability that made her better at drawing, which was pretty far removed from conquering the labyrinth.
What's more, while she drew better than an average person, she wasn't exceptionally skilled.
She said she'd used a tablet for so long that she wasn't very good at drawing by hand.
The other was a delivery driver whose Trait was Swift Rider, which increased his movement speed by about 30% when on a mount.
But mounts were expensive.
A pull from the Summon Shop's gacha, regardless of type, cost 110 jewels for a single pull and 1,000 jewels for ten.
Even regular horses cost several gold.
Furthermore, we were told during training that while there were areas in the labyrinth where you could use a mount, you mostly traveled on foot, so pulling for mounts wasn't recommended.
I hadn't been trying to listen, but being near them, I naturally learned about it.
“I'm going to head out first.”
It didn't look like anyone else was coming, and it was almost time for us to leave.
I didn't want to waste any more time.
“Where are you going?”
“They said the labyrinth opens tomorrow, so I need to find a place to shelter for the night.”
“Another guild might come for us...”
“If they were coming, they would have been here already. You heard what they said, right? If we don't leave by the eviction time, we'll be sent to jail.”
The expressions on their faces darkened, but it wasn't my responsibility to take care of them.
I was about to walk out the door but turned back.
I couldn't take responsibility for them, but since we were all dragged here together, a word of advice should be fine.
This wasn't a company or a university, but in a way, you could consider us peers.
“We all paid a high price for that training, didn't we? So...”
“Are you really planning to go into the labyrinth?”
The former webtoon artist cut me off and asked, which I found a little absurd.
How sheltered was she?
“If I don't, where am I supposed to earn money? To survive in this crappy world, we have no choice but to go into the labyrinth and make a living. We might not have a guild to advise us, but we can still access the Summon Shop, can't we?”
Worried the conversation might drag on, I said my piece and immediately opened the door and left.
Thinking what a fine day it was, I walked for about ten minutes and arrived at my intended destination.
A magnificent seven-story stone building designed with colorful bricks that harmonized with the large trees around it.
Kabisada, the finest luxury inn in the labyrinth city of Kramis.
The instructor had said that even its cheapest room cost over 50 silver a night, but he highly recommended visiting at least once after making a lot of money, praising its food, service, and quality.
Without a moment's hesitation, I strode forward confidently.
But I had barely taken a few steps inside when a muscular giant, who looked to be nearly two meters tall, approached me.
“Kabisada doesn't admit peddlers.”
Treating me like a peddler. How rude.
Then again, the clothes I was wearing were hardly expensive.
Even the giant in front of me was wearing clothes that looked far better than mine.
“You seem to be an employee. Weren't you trained properly? You shouldn't treat a guest like a peddler.”
“A guest? Pahaha! Even if you sold everything you're wearing, you couldn't afford a single night, not even a single meal here. What nonsense are you spouting...”
I scowled and reached into the right pocket of my tunic.
Clink—
The platinum-colored coin I tossed rolled to a stop at the man's feet.
Ah, was the right pocket for platinum coins?
I'd meant to toss a 1-gold coin, but I got them mixed up. It didn't really matter, though.
“I don't even want to waste my breath on you. I'm tired, so why don't you just show me the way before I call the owner and have you fired.”
“G-Guest, sir! You were dressed so... casually... N-No, that's not it. I am truly sorry.”
His face stiffened as he quickly snatched up the platinum coin and bowed his head repeatedly.
Whether in the modern world, a medieval one, or a game, you really do need money.
His attitude had changed in an instant.
“Well then, hurry up and lead the way.”
“I-I'll show you this way, sir.”
Further inside, there was a counter where a beautiful woman sat with a bored expression.
“Luke?”
She frowned upon seeing me, but her attitude changed instantly after Luke whispered something to her.
“Welcome to Kabisada, esteemed guest. Thank you for visiting. Are you interested in our dining or lodging services...?”
“Both. I'll be dining in my room. What's the best room you have?”
“Ah, the Royal Suite is currently occupied, but we do have one Premium Suite available.”
“I'll take that one, then. How much?”
“It's 20 gold per night. Meals are included in the price. Normally, you can pay upon checkout, but... since this is your first time visiting...”
The 'first visit' seemed like an excuse; it was probably because of my appearance.
She must have heard that I'd casually tossed an employee 10 gold, but with my clothes looking like this...
Still, it seemed she was trying not to offend me, so I guess their customer service training was decent enough.
“Make it two weeks—no, that's a hassle. Let's just do a month. I'll pay now.”
Buying a house would be better, but I'd learned the process was surprisingly complicated.
Managing it myself would be a pain, and people might find it strange if a new summon who just arrived in this world had enough money to buy a house.
I could also become a target for criminals.
“A-A month, you say?”
“Is there a problem?”
“N-No, not at all. We offer a 20% discount for long-term guests, so that will be 480 gold.”
Oh, a discount too? Sweet.
Even if you have a lot of money, a discount is always welcome.
I took a pouch of platinum coins from my tunic and paid.
“I will show you the way, guest.”
We went up the stairs and arrived on the fourth floor.
“This is your room.”
As expected of the price, the room was quite spacious and nice, but I didn't like the way the employee who showed me here kept smiling.
Thinking about it now, 10 gold might have been a bit too much.
“Your name was Luke, wasn't it?”
“Yes, guest. Is there anything else I can do for you?”
“Use the money I gave you earlier to buy me a few sets of clothes.”
“Understood. I'll quickly have the finest clothes befitting you tailored, so there will be no more misunderstandings.”
He was still smiling from ear to ear. It seemed he'd have plenty of money left over even after buying the clothes.
“Ah! Add two or three outfits suitable for the labyrinth, too.”
“Understood!”
Tch, his voice was still booming. He must still have a lot of money left even with the extra clothes.
Asking him to buy a tent and other equipment for the labyrinth seemed like overkill.
It felt a bit tacky to give him money once and then keep asking him to buy this and that.
Well, I had more than enough money anyway.
Ah, I haven't collected today's reward yet.
‘Claim VIP Attendance Reward.’
As soon as I thought it, a system window appeared.
[You have received the Day 4 VIP Attendance Reward (10,000 Gold, 4,000 Jewels).]