Chapter 46
Chapter 46
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 46
Chapter Title: The Adventurer's Guild
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Players Chapter 46
The interior of the Adventurer's Guild resembled a tavern, complete with a bar. The spacious hall was filled with tables and chairs, and one wall featured a large bulletin board covered in various papers.
A group of what appeared to be adventurers were either engrossed in their own affairs or casting furtive glances at the new arrivals.
While Seong Yu-jin and Choi Yu-ra looked around, Hunt stared straight ahead at the bar-like reception desk in the center of the building and walked toward it.
A middle-aged man standing at the center of the desk greeted Hunt warmly.
“Oh, Mr. Hunt. Has it been five days?”
The man had slightly faded brown hair, black-rimmed glasses, and wore a suit that seemed neat yet had a hint of sloppiness.
I had half-expected the Adventurer's Guild to be staffed by a burly retired warrior or a cranky-looking mage, like in the games. It seemed my prejudices were unfounded.
Hunt returned the greeting with an amiable smile.
“It has. Your memory is as sharp as ever.”
“It’s part of my job. I’m Henry, from the Roselburg branch. A pleasure to meet you.”
The middle-aged man—Henry—smoothly introduced himself to Kang-seok’s party.
After a moment's hesitation, Kang-seok nodded and replied.
“I’m Choi Kang-seok.”
“I’m Seong Yu-jin.”
“Choi Yu-ra.”
After they had all given their names, Henry let out a small gasp.
“Are you Players?”
It was a question that hardly needed asking. In this world, only Players from Korea used Korean-style names like theirs.
Hunt spoke up again.
“These are the people I worked with on the Keeman Merchant Guild job. They expressed a great deal of interest in the Adventurer’s Guild, so I brought them here.”
Hunt deliberately mentioned the ‘Keeman Merchant Guild job,’ and for a moment, a flicker of understanding appeared in Henry’s eyes.
He was clearly aware, at least in part, of what had transpired at the Cannell family’s headquarters the previous night.
“Hoh, in that case, are you wishing to register with the guild? If you’re the ones who defeated ‘Shapeshifter’ Park Gwang-sik, then you have my trust.”
Henry spoke bluntly, looking directly at Kang-seok. It seemed he had judged Kang-seok to be the leader of the group.
Kang-seok didn't answer right away, pausing for a moment. He was willing to register with the guild, but there was a proper order to things.
Swallowing dryly, Kang-seok took a deep breath. His expression turned solemn as he spoke.
“Before that, I wish to report a death.”
The unexpected words brought a look of confusion to Henry’s face.
Without needing a signal from Kang-seok, Seong Yu-jin placed the item she had brought onto the counter. It was Leif’s shield, the one she had used before acquiring the Demonic Armor Arnak.
“Don’t tell me this is…?”
Panic spread across Henry’s face. It was the equipment of a five-star adventurer—a rank held by a select few and practically the highest one could encounter in Roselburg. It was only natural that he recognized it.
Kang-seok nodded.
“It is a memento of the five-star adventurer, Leif Eriksson.”
* * *
Henry led the party to a reception room located in the back of the guild hall.
After tea was served and they had a moment to catch their breath, Kang-seok briefly explained the circumstances under which they had discovered the bodies of Leif and his companions.
Leif and his comrades, found on the lowest floor of the Labyrinthos dungeon and the one just above it.
After hearing the whole story, Henry closed his eyes and let out a breath that was almost a sigh.
“He was like the wind.”
Five-star adventurer, Leif Eriksson.
A veteran who didn't belong to any specific party but moved between many, taking on various missions.
Seong Yu-jin asked cautiously.
“Did he not have any family?”
Before obtaining the Demonic Armor Arnak, Seong Yu-jin had relied almost entirely on Leif’s equipment. It was natural for her to feel a particular connection.
Henry shook his head.
“He was a man who walked alone.”
It was common for adventurers not to start families until after they retired.
As Hunt had said, adventurers of this era were essentially ‘mercenaries.’
Since their profession involved risking their lives against all sorts of dangers, many had lovers, but it was extremely rare for them to marry and raise a family.
Such luxuries were only possible after retirement.
Kang-seok asked again.
“Mr. Henry, it seems Mr. Leif had two other companions. Is there any way to find out about them?”
The woman who had fallen beside Leif, and the nameless ‘hero’ who had perished with the Demonic Beast Barbatos on the lowest floor.
Unlike Leif, whose name was recorded in the Labyrinthos dungeon guide, the identities of the other two were a complete mystery.
“Do you have any clues at all?”
“Other than their appearance, not really…”
Kang-seok once again described the appearance of the two. The female adventurer’s body had been relatively intact, so there was much to describe, but describing the ‘hero’ was a difficult task in itself.
The only clues were the hero’s equipment, but even that wasn’t much help.
The three swords—Durendal, Almace, and Laevateinn—were not the hero's, as Kang-seok had initially guessed. They were items left behind by the Demonic Beast Barbatos.
The demonic sword Dainsleif, which the hero had plunged into the chest of Barbatos, remained, but Henry seemed to know nothing about it.
“Hmm… I think I might know the woman you mentioned. It’s likely she was Aeril, another five-star adventurer. She and Mr. Eriksson often partied together.”
Becoming a five-star adventurer in one’s mid-twenties was not a common feat.
Moreover, as a mage, and a female one at that, Aeril was a prominent figure among adventurers.
“I have no idea about the other one. I suspect he may have been a member of the Knights Templar from the Four Great God Cults… and at least a Captain, but I can’t be certain.”
Depending on which god’s Knights Templar they served, a Captain was a figure comparable to at least a five-star adventurer.
Athos of Cnut, one of the world's eight superhumans and hailed as the strongest Captain of the Knights Templar, boasted outstanding martial prowess as befitting the captain of the Sword God's order.
It was said that even the seven-star adventurer, Alvaro the Mercenary King, was a step below Athos.
Once the conversation reached a lull, Henry once again gazed at Leif’s shield resting on the reception room table.
His eyes held a sense of nostalgia that outsiders like Kang-seok’s party could only guess at.
“Thank you so much for informing us of Leif Eriksson’s passing.”
Henry bowed his head deeply. The sincere gratitude created a solemn atmosphere, and a brief silence fell over the room.
After some time had passed, Seong Yu-jin, who had been fidgeting with her lips as if to soothe her impatience, could no longer hold back and asked in a cautious yet urgent voice.
“Um, Mr. Henry? May I ask you just one question?”
“Of course.”
Perhaps because of the news about Leif, Henry had become even more amicable than before. Seong Yu-jin forced a smile and asked.
“Is it possible to look up the roster of adventurers belonging to other branches?”
The magic of this world and the civilization built upon it were far more advanced than Kang-seok’s party had imagined. Just last night, they had seen an airship.
Since the Adventurer's Guilds in each country were semi-governmental institutions, they might have a well-established information network, much like the modern internet.
Henry blinked once before answering. It didn't take him long to grasp Seong Yu-jin’s intention.
“Are you looking for a particular Player?”
It had only been a few months since the Great Summoning. It was far more likely that Seong Yu-jin was looking for a Player who had registered as an adventurer in another city than an adventurer native to this world.
Seong Yu-jin nodded quickly, as if she had nothing to hide.
“Yes, I’m looking for two people.”
“Hmm, it’s not difficult, but… to do that, the three of you will have to register with the Adventurer's Guild first. I can’t give out information about guild members to outsiders.”
It was a reasonable statement.
Her face brightening at the news that a search was possible, Seong Yu-jin looked ready to ask for registration forms on the spot. Choi Yu-ra lightly tugged on her arm and smiled slyly.
“Come on, Henry. Shouldn’t we first check if they even exist?”
Henry seemed pleased by Choi Yu-ra’s friendly yet sharp smile.
“You have a point. Could you tell me their names? I’ll look them up right away.”
“It’s a man and a woman. The man is Kim Kang-san, and the woman is Park Han-yeong.”
“Understood. Please wait here for a moment. I’ll be right back.”
As Henry left the reception room, Seong Yu-jin sank deep into the sofa and let out a sigh.
“Ugh.”
“Are you that worried?”
Choi Yu-ra asked, tilting her head. Seong Yu-jin pursed her lips before answering.
“That they won’t be on the list.”
“Geez, you worry too much. But hey, Yu-jin, if we ever get separated, you’ll look for me this hard, right?”
At the playful question, Seong Yu-jin’s eyes widened. She quickly grabbed Choi Yu-ra’s arm.
“Why would we get separated? Don’t say such strange things.”
There was a hint of fear in her voice. For a moment, her face showed genuine worry at the thought of Choi Yu-ra disappearing.
Seeing Seong Yu-jin’s startled-rabbit expression, Choi Yu-ra burst into laughter and hugged her tightly.
“Don’t be so surprised, I’m just kidding. Just kidding.”
After saying that, Choi Yu-ra glanced over at Kang-seok, as if hoping he would say something too, but Kang-seok merely offered a faint smile.
After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Henry returned to the reception room. He addressed the anxious Seong Yu-jin with a bright face.
“I’ve confirmed both of them. They are currently registered as two-star adventurers.”
They had found Kim Kang-san and Park Han-yeong.
Henry didn't offer any more information, and Seong Yu-jin understood why. Kang-seok asked on her behalf.
“What’s the procedure for joining the guild?”
It wasn't just to get information about Kim Kang-san and Park Han-yeong. Joining the Adventurer’s Guild was necessary for their future as well.
Henry smiled and replied.
“It’s not difficult.”
* * *
To the people of this world, ‘Players’ were ambiguous beings—neither to be treated with hostility nor with wholehearted welcome.
The oracle of the Great Summoning.
The oracle never revealed who had caused the Great Summoning. Therefore, the people of this world couldn't deny the possibility that the very gods they believed in and served were responsible.
There were not dozens or hundreds, but thousands of Players.
Each one was a superhuman with extraordinary abilities.
The Adventurer's Guild readily accepted Players' registrations not just because they coveted such talented individuals. The stronger motive was, in fact, ‘control’ and ‘management.’
Kang-seok’s party registered with the Roselburg branch as a three-star adventurer ‘group.’
Starting at three stars was unusual, but it seemed their feat of defeating ‘Shapeshifter’ Park Gwang-sik had been highly valued.
The city where Kim Kang-san and Park Han-yeong had registered as adventurers was ‘Aachen,’ located southeast of Roselburg.
Since it was a journey of more than two days even on horseback, the party decided to focus on resupplying as originally planned instead of rushing off.
“Anything too heavy will be uncomfortable to wear, you know? Do you have any idea how much the arrows alone weigh?”
“Ugh, but still…”
Seong Yu-jin pouted, holding a well-made chain mail shirt. Choi Yu-ra, seemingly more interested in weapons than armor, led her over to where ranged weapons like crossbows were displayed.
The weapon and armor shop was located right next to the Roselburg Adventurer's Guild.
As a place frequented by adventurers, it was stocked with a wide variety of items.
With Seong Yu-jin able to read item stats, there was no risk of being scammed. Thanks to the gold coins from the Labyrinthos dungeon and their recent reward, they were flush with cash and had no financial worries.
Unlike Seong Yu-jin and Choi Yu-ra, Kang-seok showed more interest in potions and medicinal herbs.
It was unlikely he would find a weapon better than the Durendal he was currently using—according to Roxley, the Thirty-Seven Star Swords were essentially a ranking of the top 37 swords in the world—and since Kang-seok’s fighting style was based on speed, he couldn’t afford to be weighed down by armor. The more one focused on defense, the heavier the armor became.
In the end, all the party bought from the weapon shop was a new crossbow for Choi Yu-ra, along with a cartridge and a set of bolts, and a leather armor set for her that Seong Yu-jin had insisted on.
Their next stop was the bustling main street of Roselburg.
They were there to buy clothes.
“Women must have two types of stamina: their normal stamina, and their shopping stamina.”
Hunt muttered quietly from a sofa set up for resting in a corner of the clothing store, and Kang-seok nodded in agreement. Seong Yu-jin and Choi Yu-ra were tirelessly browsing through the shop.
After shopping, they would visit Roxley to say their farewells, then return to the hotel.
The next morning, they would depart for Aachen to find Kim Kang-san and Park Han-yeong.
Hunt was not part of this concise itinerary. That was why Kang-seok chose his words carefully. He casually asked the man sitting next to him.
“Mr. Hunt, would you like to come with us?”
It was a somewhat abrupt question, but having spent the entire day together, Hunt understood what Kang-seok was asking. He looked back at Kang-seok and asked.
“Are you asking me to join your party, Mr. Kang-seok?”
“Yes. It’s better to be in a group than alone.”
They had easily resolved the Keeman Merchant Guild incident because Kang-seok’s party and Hunt had worked together. If either side had been alone, they might have succeeded, but it would have been several times more difficult.
A strange new world.
Seong Yu-jin was desperately searching for Kim Kang-san and Park Han-yeong because they were comrades who had shared life and death with her in the Labyrinthos dungeon. But Kang-seok’s reasons were slightly different. He was thinking a little further ahead.
Trustworthy companions.
People he could entrust his back to in this unfamiliar world.
Though they had only worked together once, Kang-seok was certain.
Hunt was a man he could trust.
His abilities were also incredibly useful and had great potential.
Kang-seok's party had martial strength, while Hunt had the ability to freely control various vehicles. It was a perfect combination where they could compensate for each other's weaknesses.
But Hunt shook his head.
“I appreciate the offer, but I don’t think I can.”
Hunt paused, gauging Kang-seok’s expression. He continued with an apologetic smile.
“It’s not that I dislike your party, Mr. Kang-seok. In fact, my honest feeling is that I’d like to continue with you. However… embarrassingly, I’m still a little afraid.”
“Afraid… you say?”
It was an unexpected response. Hunt scratched the back of his head.
“I talked big about mastering how to earn Kron, but it’s really just a form of self-hypnosis. I still feel a sense of dread every time I see my remaining survival time.”
The remaining survival time, ticking down even at this very moment.
The absolute reason why Players had to continuously earn Kron.
“Mr. Kang-seok… have you ever seen someone die because their remaining survival time ran out?”
Kang-seok shook his head, his face grim. He could already guess what Hunt was about to say just from his expression.
“I have. A Player I was with during the tutorial lost their life when their time ran out.”
Hunt didn't describe the scene in detail.
But Kang-seok could imagine it. The death of Ahn Jae-min, which he had buried deep in his memory, resurfaced in his mind.
Ahn Jae-min, who had vanished into light.
How much terror must that person have felt, dying as their remaining survival time expired?
You die when the time in front of you runs out.
When that time dwindled to minutes, then to seconds.
Kang-seok squeezed his eyes shut. It was the worst kind of death, one he himself would have experienced if not for Seong Yu-jin.
How did the Player who died from running out of time act in their final moments?
Did they beg the other Players, beg Hunt, to share their Kron and time? Or did they suffer alone, unaware that such a trade was even possible?
Hunt took a moment to calm his ragged breath.
“This life I have now, doing small quests and slowly increasing my remaining survival time… I’m afraid to change it. And as I said before, fighting isn’t my forte.”
Kang-seok didn't think of Hunt as a coward.
That was why Hunt was able to open up and speak his mind so freely.
Seong Yu-jin and Choi Yu-ra were busy holding up clothes to themselves, and eventually, they held hands and went into the fitting room together. It was clear that soon they would come to him and bombard him with questions about how they looked.
The sight of the two of them helped to lighten the mood.
Hunt, his expression returning to normal, spoke.
“I’m saying this out of concern, but be careful of the adventurers of this world.”
“Mr. Hunt?”
“I’m not just talking about simple goodwill. There are adventurers who aren’t like this, but… most of the ones I’ve met harbor feelings of jealousy, great or small, towards Players.”
It was something he hadn't considered until now.
Hunt provided the answer.
“Players get strong too quickly.”
The Shapeshifter, Park Gwang-sik, was a four-star adventurer. But he had only been in this world for a little over two months.
Kang-seok’s party was the same.
Even though they had obtained the bodies of superhumans, they had grown explosively stronger in less than two months.
How would such Players appear in the eyes of the people of this world?
What would they think of Players who gained power in such a short amount of time?
The answer was simple. It didn't require much thought.
“Thank you for the advice.”
“Don’t mention it. If you’re ever passing near Roselburg, feel free to call on me anytime. I look forward to the day we meet again.”
Just as their warm conversation concluded, Seong Yu-jin and Choi Yu-ra approached Kang-seok and Hunt, just as expected.
Seeing the two women's flushed, excited faces, Hunt and Kang-seok swallowed dryly.
* * *
The next morning.
After bidding farewell to Hunt, who had come to see them off, the party left Roselburg.
A few steps later, Choi Yu-ra glanced back toward the Roselburg city gate. She could see Hunt’s back as he walked away without a single look back.
“A shame. It would’ve been nice if he came with us.”
Since Kang-seok had already spoken to her, she didn't press the issue, but Choi Yu-ra was still disappointed.
Seong Yu-jin seemed to feel the same way, as she followed Choi Yu-ra’s gaze to Hunt’s retreating figure.
Kang-seok shrugged.
“Mr. Hunt must have his own plans. We can just meet him again later, right?”
“Well, I suppose so, but…”
If one were to pick the most sentimental person in the group, it would undoubtedly be Seong Yu-jin.
She always seemed to get down whenever they parted ways with other Players.
Though Hunt had skills befitting a criminal due to his origins in Taedo Online, he was the most polite and gentlemanly man among all the Players they had met so far.
Kang-seok, who felt the same sense of disappointment, had been mulling over an idea all night. He voiced it in a slightly playful tone.
“Should we, you know, actually create a guild?”
Seong Yu-jin and Choi Yu-ra turned to Kang-seok at the same time. Kang-seok continued calmly.
“I’m not just saying it… I think it’s something we should seriously consider.”
Their current three-person party.
It was good. It was well-balanced, and being a small group made them mobile.
But they couldn't stick to this three-person system forever.
“There will be quests that require a large number of Players, like what happened at Gawain’s temple. And it’s highly likely that the World Quest will be the same.”
They had figured out how to earn Kron.
They had regained some measure of stability.
But that didn't mean they were completely free from the pressure of their remaining survival time.
It wasn't just about returning to their original world.
To survive, they had to clear the World Quest.
A guild.
A group of Players.
“We also need to unite as Players to deal with the people of this world. And if we’re going to gather our strength, wouldn’t it be better to be in a proactive position rather than working under someone else?”
It was only natural that a group held more power than an individual.
In the future, when coordination moved beyond parties to the guild level, they needed to be a guild themselves to maintain their voice.
After hearing Kang-seok’s explanation, a bright smile spread across Choi Yu-ra’s face.
“I’m in. I’m in with Kang-seok as the Guild Master. But I’m against Kang-seok naming the guild.”
Kang-seok, who had been smiling along with her cheerful, rhyming voice, winced at the last part.
Choi Yu-ra cackled and continued.
“What if you name it something like ‘Dark Destiny Knights’? Ugh, just imagining it is terrifying. It’s like my inner eighth-grader is awakening to the darkness of the dark.”
“I agree with Yu-ra. I’m not letting you name the guild.”
Seong Yu-jin said primly, and Kang-seok gritted his teeth. But it didn't end there.
[Quest: Create Guild]
[Using System Yggdrasil, Players can establish a ‘Guild’.]
[* Establishing a guild requires three or more Players and 10,000 Kron.]
[The guild name cannot be changed, so please choose carefully.]
The three of them—Kang-seok, Seong Yu-jin, and Choi Yu-ra—all widened their eyes at the glowing text that appeared in their minds.
More than the words ‘System Yggdrasil,’ it was the last line of glowing text that captured everyone’s attention.
A single sentence that seemed to be specifically telling them not to let Kang-seok name the guild.
Choi Yu-ra clutched her stomach, laughing. Seong Yu-jin, too, couldn't hold back her laughter.
It was a sight of two beautiful women laughing happily, yet why was it so infuriating to watch?
“See? Right, Kang-seok?”
Kang-seok didn't reply to Choi Yu-ra’s teasing question. He let out a growl, then spurred his horse and rode ahead alone.
Aachen, the city where Kim Kang-san and Park Han-yeong were staying.
It was the start of a new journey.