14. Hildenheim
Hildenheim, the capital of Hildenheim County. It wasn't larger than Leventen, the border city where Ian currently operated, but true to its name as the county's main seat, it boasted considerable prosperity. And with Sierra, the count's eldest daughter and childhood best friend of Princess Aria Meliset Tronen—who had recently been named crown princess—appointed as her closest confidante, that prosperity was only growing.
Even before, while there were no standout platinum-rank adventurers, the area had its share of renowned ones, and the territory was developing rapidly. That meant plenty of work within the county itself, drawing in crowds of ambitious folk seeking opportunities.
Which was why the Adventurer's Guild branch here in Hildenheim was naturally packed to the gills.
……Gonna be a busy day again.
Melvis, the receptionist at the Hildenheim branch, sighed inwardly as he greeted the approaching adventurers one by one.
"Hey, got any good quests today?"
"I'm sorry, adventurer. Please check the request board over there."
"Nah, there's nothing decent there……."
"If there's nothing, then there's nothing, sir."
Guild receptionist rule number one: Always be polite to adventurers.
Melvis kept smiling as he spoke, but the adventurer's face suddenly twisted in annoyance.
"The fuck? You talkin' out your ass? You guys always hold back the good shit for yourselves, you prick."
"I'm sorry, sir. We don't have anything like th—"
"You fuckin' bastard…!"
"Ack! What the hell?!"
Melvis panicked as the man grabbed his collar. Damn it, this is why we need female receptionists!
Why stick a guy like me behind the desk?!
Few people could bring themselves to punch a sweet-smiling beauty. And if someone tried, bystanders might even step in. But Melvis was a male receptionist. The other adventurers just shrugged it off like it was business as usual—no one looked inclined to help.
Male receptionists were nothing but trouble.
Fortunately, an adventurer standing right behind intervened, pulling the furious man away from beating Melvis senseless.
"Hey, asshole. No quests? Then fuck off already! Can't you see people behind you got shit to do?!"
"No, what the h—"
The angry adventurer whipped around at the voice behind him. But he forgot what he was about to say in an instant.
"……hell……."
"Move it, mister."
"Yeah, if there's no work, don't hold up the line! Some of us actually wanna get shit done here!"
"Get the fuck outta the way, you mutt! I'm busy!"
"Ahem……."
Dozens of adventurers glared daggers at him. The man's rage, which had boiled over, suddenly deflated. He released Melvis's collar and slunk away like a whipped dog.
Melvis straightened his collar and turned to thank the adventurer who'd helped him…….
"Phew, thanks……."
"Hey, what're you standing around for? Process this request already!"
"Ah, right……."
Before he could finish, the man's bark sent him scrambling back to work.
The guild was that chaotic. Adventurers from other towns and villages in Hildenheim. Ones who'd heard the news from nearby territories. Fresh-faced newbies dreaming of glory. Veterans mixed with riffraff from all over, creating a noisy din.
Then the guild doors swung open, and the newcomers drew every eye.
"Yip! Behold my grand entrance!"
"Dina, if you run and trip like that, you'll get hurt."
"Fear not. This body is sturdy!"
The first through was a petite beauty. Innocent, carefree, utterly guileless—like she'd never known the world's harshness. Her pure, untainted charm shone through. A few adventurers couldn't help but grin at her playful leap through the door.
"Still, falling hurts."
"Doth my Yeonja dislike seeing this one fall?"
"Of course. I don't want our Dina getting hurt."
"Hrmm, very well. This one shall never fall again."
The man holding her hand looked like he'd hastily combed his black hair. Tall, well-built, clearly competent—but his face was utterly ordinary.
"Anyway, let's hurry!"
"Whoa, slow down."
For a split second, people wondered if they were father and daughter. But comparing their faces, everyone shook their heads. No way that plain guy sired a girl that cute.
So what was their deal? The girl looked too young for marriage…….
Then they spotted the bronze adventurer's badge around the man's neck.
Ah, bronze-rank adventurer. So the girl's probably a client?
Two women followed close behind, clearly part of the group.
"Damn, it's packed. Kinda wanna just greatsword the lot of 'em."
"……Bella, please keep those moronic thoughts to yourself."
In that instant, every gaze in the building locked on them. The once-rowdy guild fell deathly silent, like it had frozen over.
"What? So what if someone hears?"
"What do you mean? It's embarrassing."
"Hey, you calling me embarrassing?"
"Yeah, especially since you can't hold your liquor."
"No, fuck…! That's 'cause you're a goddamn monster!"
Her hair was braided long enough to reach her waist. Snow-white skin, striking red lips, a slender jawline. The epitome of ethereal grace. Yet her side-slit skirt revealed long, pale legs that swayed temptingly, ensnaring every man's heart. Her outfit was unusual, but no one cared at that point.
"Anyway, Bella. Every word out of your mouth tarnishes my husband's reputation."
"Tarnishes what?"
"Uh…… y'know, like ink from Yuldo."
"Why the hell would I ink up Ian's face?"
"It's just a figure of speech. Like, dirtying his good name."
"What kinda bullshit is that? I've never done that."
The woman bickering with her possessed a different allure entirely. Fiery red hair like a lion's mane. An eyepatch over one eye, a scar peeking beneath—far from a flaw, it added a feral edge that only heightened her appeal. And her explosive figure was on brazen display in skin-tight leather armor.
"Tch. It's a metaphor, a metaphor. You get that?"
"Jesus, you think I'm actually that dumb? I'm just playing ignorant, you nag."
"……Especially when you're weak to booze."
"No, shit…! Run it back!"
"Think you can win?"
"……F-Fine, but I'll do beer, you do whiskey. We got two bottles of that Dragon Orb left from last time."
"That super harsh stuff? Hrm…… Pathetic, Bella."
"Heh heh. Winning's what matters. So, you in? Or chickening out?"
"Fine, you're on. But prepare to lose."
"Pfft, watch yourself. I'm winning this time."
Ethereal elegance and wild ferocity. Polar opposites, yet they harmonized perfectly. The pair captivated every man in the guild—and drew jealous glares from the women—in a heartbeat.
"……Fuck, they're gorgeous."
"They from around here?"
"Nah, another branch maybe?"
Murmurs rippled through the crowd.
"That level's gotta be magic enhancements or somethin'."
"Eh? Magic can do that now?"
"Dunno, heard the Mage Kingdom does it."
"No way, really?"
Bathed in rapt attention, the four strode straight to the front desk, blatantly cutting the line like it was nothing. No one protested. They'd all been too entranced by the two trailing women to care. Blind to their intimidating aura, mesmerized by sheer beauty.
Melvis, being a man himself, had zoned out ogling the stunning pair for a moment. Then the black-haired man raised an eyebrow at his slack-jawed stare, propped his elbow on the counter, and leaned in.
Tap-tap.
"Hey."
Jingle.
The bronze badge necklace clinked lightly against the desk. Snapping to, Melvis blurted,
"Gah…! H-Hello! Welcome to our guild. How may I assist you?!"
"Here to work, not play."
He spoke with obvious irritation, jiggling his badge. Melvis brushed it off familiarly and pointed at the tag.
"Ah, yes. Let me just verify……."
"Here."
"Bronze-rank adventurer Ian…… From the Leventen branch."
"Yeah."
"And the ones behind you……?"
Ian casually ruffled the hair of Dina, who was peering over the counter with her chin propped up.
"Party members. This cutie here is Dina."
"Yeonja, stroking this one's hair pleaseth, but 'cutie' displeaseth."
"I call her that 'cause she's adorable."
"Hrm…… Very well, for thee, Yeonja."
"And back there, Cheong-ah and Bella, fellow party members."
He jerked a thumb behind him. The two women twitched their brows at the phrasing.
"Hrm, just 'fellow members,' huh?"
"What, just party members?"
"No, I didn't mean it like—"
His voice dropped low and ominous. Ian caught the shift in their moods and hurried to correct himself—
"Sis, ditch that bronze-rank loser and party up with us instead?"
Someone openly picked a fight.