Chapter 6
Chapter 6
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 5
Chapter Title: Newbie Adventurer Bern (3) - The Sky-Blue Haired Adventurer
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Bern's incident in the middle of downtown quickly became the hottest topic heating up the Adventurer's Guild.
My god, the newbie we'd only known as hardworking and diligent beat up senior adventurers like they were dust on a rainy day?
"Ugh, I should've gone to see it with my own eyes!"
"Hahaha! Right? An adventurer's gotta have that kind of grit!"
"Those guys were bound to get their asses handed to them big time sooner or later!"
Bern tilted his head at the reactions around him.
The guild receptionist who'd explained the situation to him, Blanca, spoke up.
"What's up?"
"No, just wondering if this is the right reaction. They got beaten by a total newbie who just joined not long ago, right? Fellow guildmates and all."
"Seems like you're under some weird misconception, but adventurers in the guild don't really have any camaraderie or sense of belonging to each other."
Blanca gave a cynical analogy.
"For example, say you're a regular at some famous trading company. If another customer there—a total rude jerk—got beat up outside, would you get mad?"
"Is this the same context?"
"Pretty much. Just like you have to compete with other customers for limited stock at a store, adventurers compete with each other for good requests. The shop owner would step in if customers fought inside the store, but outside? Not their business. Same with the guild."
"So no penalties for this incident, then."
"If you'd taken the same request as those guys and backstabbed them midway, it'd be different. But as it stands, yeah."
"Hmm, I see."
Lucidra, lurking in his shadow, asked.
[Sounds like you're disappointed? Isn't this good news?]
'No, I was kinda hoping for the "How dare this arrogant newbie defy his sky-high seniors!" plotline.'
[......]
Unaware or not of Lucidra's icy glare, Bern bowed his head to Blanca.
"Thanks for answering all my questions."
"No problem. Not like you had to thank me that much. Anyway, I called you over because I had something to say."
"Something to say?"
Thud. Blanca placed a wooden tag slightly smaller than her palm on the reception counter.
"This is the adventurer tag starting from Rank 2. Means you're officially recognized as a full-fledged member in the guild now."
"Oh ho."
Bern picked it up with a hint of excitement.
Unlike his groundbreaking displays as a Rank 1 adventurer, this reaction was just like any other newbie's, so a few staff at the counter watched him with fond, amused gazes.
The other adventurers in the guild lit up too.
Rank 1 adventurers were basically errand boys, but from Rank 2 on, they were treated as true professionals.
Especially since requests started involving real combat, having a competent teammate could make or break your survival odds.
In that sense, Bern was prime talent.
He looked young, worked diligently—no burden there—and while not overly friendly, his personality wasn't prickly either.
Above all, if he could take down five guys his size solo, his skills were legit.
Just as they started slyly eyeing each other and preparing to approach him...
"Bern. Wanna try partying up with me?"
The adventurers—and even the guild staff—were floored by Blanca's sudden offer, as she'd just been handling his reception.
"W-Wait a sec, Blanca. What? A receptionist joining a party?"
"I was temporary hire anyway, and that term's almost up. Scheduling a bit early's no issue."
"Not renewing your contract? The Guild Manager..."
"Not renewing."
Her tone was resolute.
The guild staff exchanged bewildered looks, while the adventurers who'd been outmaneuvered started murmuring.
"What's with everyone? Looks like she's gonna steal him—hurry up and block her!"
"She's Rank 3, though. And a mage. Kinda hard to butt heads directly."
"Heard her recent results have been crap."
"Still a Rank 3."
"Man, clinging to a newbie like that? Kinda desperate."
They tried lowering their voices, but couldn't hide it completely.
Bern's enhanced senses caught every word, and while Blanca pretended nonchalance, her cheeks flushed faintly with suppressed anger.
Bern spoke up.
"Can't give a firm answer right now. Too many eyes here—got a quieter spot to talk?"
"...6 PM. Echo Inn front. If you can't wait, we can go now."
Implying she'd drop receptionist duties on the spot if he wanted, Bern shook his head.
No need for that rush.
"Got it. See you then."
"Yeah. Later."
As Bern turned to leave, Lucidra's mocking whisper tickled his ear.
[Mr. Popular? That girl's been eyeing you weirdly. Kinda plain compared to the original, but guess this face sells too.]
'Ms. Lucidra.'
[What?]
'That habit of twisting everything sexual? It's a disorder.'
[You little shit...]
"Hey, Bern. How about joining our party? We'll teach you survival skills or whatever—just bring your body."
"Nah, come to ours! Newbies usually get shorted on reward splits by custom, but we'll give you equal shares special-like."
While waiting out his appointment time, tons of adventurers pitched to Bern, but he politely declined, citing prior plans.
Of course, he hadn't committed to partying with Blanca either.
The guild's weird reactions made it clear she had baggage.
Uncovering rumors about Blanca was easy, and Bern wrapped up a rough investigation before their meetup.
-Third-year veteran adventurer.
-Rare mage among adventurers, skilled in both offensive and healing spells—ace-level popularity.
-Expected to hit Rank 4 soon, but half a year ago, botched a request by burning a noble's hunting grounds.
-Lost most assets to reparations; main staff broke in that fight, nerfing her prized magic power.
-Kicked from her Rank 3 party, now occasionally teams with Rank 2s but struggles to mesh, posting mediocre results.
[Scrap metal.]
Lucidra summed it up bluntly.
[Rank 3 in name only—real skill's Rank 2 level. Bad rep too. If she gets uppity about rank, it'll just tire you out.]
'Hmm.'
[No need to agonize. Better grab some clueless newbie to raise—they listen better.]
'I'm a newbie too—what newbie would I raise?'
[You're no newbie, you fraud pretending to be one.]
'I am as an adventurer. Plus, I'm curious.'
[About what?]
'Why she'd smash her own rep in front of everyone just to recruit me.'
From Bern's view, Blanca's current ridicule stemmed directly from poaching him publicly when Rank 2s were circling.
Her rep wasn't stellar before, but as receptionist, no one voiced major gripes—probably known only in small circles.
But going for Bern under all those eyes spiked her notoriety overnight.
And Blanca didn't know that? A third-year adventurer who'd even worked reception temporarily?
Bern was intrigued by her intent, and after hearing it straight from her, his curiosity turned to admiration.
"Why do it in front of everyone? To pique your interest even a little."
"You tanked your rep just for my interest?"
"Had to show that level of resolve so you'd know I'm serious."
Her sky-blue eyes locked straight on Bern.
Requesting privacy led to her inn room; at this point, "bold" felt understated.
[Run, dude. Heavy type for sure. Entangle and regret.]
Ignoring the yapping from his shadow, Bern asked.
"Unique negotiation style. Cutting off your own retreat like that puts you at a disadvantage, no?"
The other recruiters had all done it differently.
Want you as a teammate. But we can manage without. Neutral stance.
That's not bad—textbook negotiation, even.
Blatantly showing "I fail without you!" lets them demand the moon without refusal.
"Then you'd just see me as one option among many. Might not even get this one-on-one chat."
Fair enough, Bern conceded.
Had Blanca pitched "normally," he wouldn't be this hooked.
"And even if talks go against me, fine. Long as my one demand sticks, I'll pay any price."
"Any price?"
"Yes."
She knew what that implied.
Her fist trembled faintly.
She'd flushed at the jeers earlier—not emotionless or oblivious.
Just had a goal worth suppressing it for.
"Not just 'team up and adventure.' What's the specific aim?"
"Lich subjugation."
Bern's eyes widened briefly at the ready answer.
"That lich? Continental threat rating minimum 5. 6+ is national crisis level?"
"Right. The one I'm after's a fresh lich, weak among its kind, but still a life-or-death fight."
"Life-or-death" was understatement.
It commanded dead souls at will—pinnacle of necromancy.
Screw up, and death wasn't enough; you'd wander eternally as its slave.
"Specific intel?"
"Guild has it, but high monsters like liches? Low-rank adventurers or receptionists can't access. We'd need Rank 4 at least, you or me."
"Other teammates? Backers?"
"None. Gotta recruit more now."
"Your public rep a front? Actually Rank 4+ mage?"
"...Sorry, pure skill's barely Rank 2. My mana amp staff shattered."
As questions dragged, Blanca's shoulders slumped, shadows crossing her face.
"I know it's insane. But I have to kill that bastard no matter what."
"Why?"
"It holds my mentor—my mother's—soul captive."
Not light talk for someone she hadn't even teamed with yet.
Spilling it openly showed how much she was banking on Bern.
Bern paused, then spoke.
"Conditions."
Blanca's face lit up, then tensed.
"One, I'm still green as an adventurer. Can you share all your knowledge freely and back my activities?"
"I'll do my utmost."
"Two, I might use weird powers or skills you can't grasp. Can you stay silent on them?"
"My lips are sealed by nature."
"Three... nothing comes to mind. This'll do for now."
Bern extended his right hand.
"Looking forward to working with you, Ms. Blanca."
Blanca eyed him suspiciously—like, that's really all?—but his "for now" hinted at more later, so she gripped it readily.
"Same here, Bern."