The Information Guild
html, body { margin:0; padding:0; } Porter: Johann33
Information Guild
A guild specializing in handling information. While the Adventurer's Guild deals with a lot of info too, and most adventurers get their intel there, the Information Guild handles even more specialized stuff.
People sensitive to info, like merchants, will pay extra to use the Information Guild. For finding people, they'd probably trust it more than the Adventurer's Guild.
Unlike Start Village, the guilds in Wandering Village were scattered all over. The Blacksmith Guild was in the workshop district full of forges, and the Merchant Guild was smack in the village center amid all the general stores and food shops.
The Information Guild was tucked away in a somewhat remote spot. You had to weave through several dingy alleys to get there.
No proper signboard either, so I had to ask around to find it. At first glance, it felt like I'd stumbled into an Assassins' Guild. Who knows, maybe they moonlight in that shady business too.
"Creepy exterior, huh."
Unlike the flashy stone Adventurer's Guild building, this was a rough wooden shack. Patches unrepaired everywhere, like an abandoned warehouse left to rot. Didn't inspire much confidence on looks alone.
A few beggars who looked like homeless guys were crashed out right by the entrance. The kind of sight that'd make customers uncomfortable.
The guild apparently didn't give a damn. Guess they figure users will come anyway?
Bold move.
I stepped inside. The rickety wooden door creaked open with a groan. Could use some oil.
The interior was just as shabby as the outside. No cute cat-eared receptionist girl giving a warm welcome like at the Adventurer's Guild—instead, a rough-looking guy with an eyepatch over his left eye looked up at me.
No chairs to sit and wait. Not that there were other customers anyway, so probably no wait.
I approached the guy who seemed to be the receptionist. The gruff-faced bastard didn't say a word until I plopped down right across from him.
His scrutinizing gaze rubbed me the wrong way. If I didn't need something from him, I'd have poked out his good eye too.
"Customer?"
"What else? You think I'm a robber?"
I shot back coldly, matching his icy reception. He didn't seem offended at all.
Unexpected reaction. Figured a guy like him would be hot-tempered.
"What do you need? Fair warning: we're expensive. For everyday info, better off at the kiddie playground."
Kiddie playground—probably the Adventurer's Guild.
Talking big for a rundown shack like this. Wonder if it's just pride or if they've got the skills to back it up. Guess we'll see soon enough.
"Looking for someone."
"Dead or alive?"
"Don't know."
I figured he was probably alive, but he might've kicked the bucket already.
He let out a thoughtful "hmm~" at my answer. A spark of interest flickered in his cold eyes.
"Finding someone in this big village when you don't even know if they're dead or alive ain't easy. Definitely not playground material. You came to the right place."
"Not sure it'll get solved here either."
"If they're in this village, we can sniff out even an ant. It'll take time, of course."
"Name's Vints. Adventurer. Made a name for himself in Start Village. Tracked him here based on intel. Might've already left Wandering Village."
"He's still in Wandering Village."
The answer slipped out of his mouth way too easily. Unexpected.
"Vints. That unusual hero who uses his real name, right? No way we'd miss a guy like that."
"More capable than you look. Where is he?"
"Not in the village right now. Off dungeon diving. Glacial Lake Dungeon. You new in town?"
"Yeah."
"Glacial Lake's north of the village. High difficulty—even big-name adventurers can end up monster chow if they're careless. Vints headed out yesterday. Probably a two-day round trip, give or take."
"Two days."
Waiting around for him means two days wasted. No telling when he might snag some lucky encounter—I don't wanna sit on my hands that long. Better to go meet him myself.
"Any more info on him? Like what powers he uses."
"Sorry, haven't gathered that yet. He's only been here recently."
"Who're his party members?"
"Hero Vints at the center: one mage, one priest, one thief. Classic hero party. Need personal details on the others too?"
"All of it."
"Hmm. Gotta take a deposit then. Info on four people ain't cheap."
He eyed my outfit as he spoke. I casually tossed him a pouch of silver coins. Worth it for solid intel—no skimping.
He hefted the heavy pouch and cracked a grin. First smile I'd seen from him.
True to form for an Information Guild employee where thoroughness is life, he shook out every coin and counted them one by one. Ninety-two silvers in total.
"Change left over."
"Keep it. Buy candy for the kids."
"Aw, worrying about other folks' brats too? Generous client."
He stood and rummaged in the cabinet behind him. Probably pulling files on Vints's crew.
Once he found the docs, he took them to a machine that looked like a copier. Made of wood and stone, but definitely a copier.
Seen 'em at the Adventurer's Guild too. Dungeon drops, apparently. Weird-ass world.
"Here."
He handed me the copied sheets. About thirty pages total—half on Vints.
Quick skim: mostly useless fluff like height and weight. No real meat. Better temper expectations.
"Thanks. Might drop by again sometime."
"Big spenders like you are always welcome. Oh, pro tip—watch your back on the streets."
"Huh? What for?"
"Mugging incidents popping up lately. Happens every other day in back alleys full of thugs, but this one went down broad daylight on the main drag."
Hero's handiwork.
"Interesting. They catch the perp?"
"Gone without a trace. In broad daylight, but no solid suspect."
"Weird. Village guards must be a joke."
"Happened so fast, witness accounts are all over the place. Common thread: definitely a stigma-powered hero. Nobody else could've slipped away that quick."
"A stigma hero as a criminal... Now that's interesting."
"Guys like that are walking disasters. Keep your guard up, pal. Not cursing you or anything, but the big spenders I've seen? They tend to meet bad ends quick."
"Appreciate the advice. Noted."
I left the Information Guild. Solid haul—lucky break. I'll pore over Vints's party files back at the inn.
My crotch itched like hell. Definitely caught something from Tanya. She said even the brothel tossed her out. Her body's condition wasn't normal, that's for sure.
Still, first time wasn't bad. Felt like downing strong painkillers. Tanya's gentle touch soothed my weary body and soul just fine.
Street sleeping's no biggie. Common enough camping in dungeons. First night on the pavement ended, dawn broke.
"Hey, mister. You okay?"
Bin called out to me.
"Yeah. Used to roughing it."
"Hero material. Streets claim plenty who can't hack even a day—especially in this flaky weather. Watch yourself. Gotta snag you a blanket today."
"Thanks for looking out."
"What're allies for in this mess? Holler if you need anything. And if you make it big, don't forget me."
I gave a wry smile at Bin's words. Couldn't picture my own success.
"Bin. Sleep okay?"
Wangcho approached us.
"You look like you barely slept, old timer. You sleep like the dead—what's up? Nightmare?"
"Like getting whacked with a wet noodle outta nowhere. Guards came sniffing around last night."
"Sniffing around?"
My body went rigid at Wangcho's words. Tried not to show it, but my tongue tasted bitter. Relax my face, and emotions would leak through.
"Mugging in town—they're investigating."
"Sheesh. With all the beatings in these alleys every day, they poke around for that? Guards got nothing better to do."
"Victim was a merchant tight with the Merchant Guild. Happened in the village center, not some alley—that's why the fuss. Anyway, none of our business. But guards poking everywhere kept me up all night."
"Damn. Gonna be a pain for days. Anyway, off to work. Hero, you wanna tag along? Show ya how to line your stomach."
"Nah... I'm good. Appreciate it, but got my own plans today."
I turned down Bin's offer. Needed to lay low for now. One slip with the guards, and it's game over.
"Suit yourself. Catch ya. Old timer, crash some more."
"Planned on it."
Bin headed to work, Wangcho to sleep. Left alone, I scanned around. Needed somewhere tighter, darker. Hide out till the heat died down.
No telling when, but staying exposed? The anxiety alone would choke me.