Chapter 22
Chapter 22
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 22
Chapter Title: An Adventurer's Life
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They say there’s romance in an adventurer’s life, but honestly, there’s no bigger bullshit. It’s just an extreme job where you risk your life to make money.
The original intent wasn’t bad.
It had existed implicitly since the early days of the Terシア calendar, but the profession of adventurer truly emerged three hundred years ago, during Rista’s era of glory.
‘It was originally something like hidden masters who supported the hero’s party…… I guess.’
In modern times, they’ve become like mercenaries specializing in anti-monster work, handling tasks that are awkward for official military deployment or require small elite teams.
The Alliance (Adventurer’s Guild) was established as adventurers grew in power. Now, it’s standard for them to have branches in most cities.
Over three hundred years, the Adventurer’s Guild developed their own level and status system to objectify what was once subjective combat power.
They also divided ranks based on that combat power and achievements, transforming adventurers into trusted combat specialists.
‘Back then, they were just like ruffians hanging out in taverns.’
<Delaiten> Adventurer’s Guild.
Looking up at the sturdy three-story stone building, a wave of fresh emotions washed over me.
Stepping inside revealed a spacious lobby. The back felt like a government office with reception counters lined up, while the front had a tavern set up.
From morning, adventurers were gathered everywhere, noisily chatting away.
“So, how’s the money-making here these days? No labyrinths nearby, right?”
“These days? Ever since the Red Dragon Legion left, the Red Mountains have been a monster-infested goldmine.”
“It’s Rat-Spider chaos lately. A bit dangerous, but the bounties are insane.”
Rat-Spider, noted.
In this business, information was gold.
“Only simple hunting quests?”
“If you wanna make a killing, head to Trident Point. If you’re confident you won’t die, that is.”
Eavesdropping on the conversation, the line had shortened, and it was my turn.
“What can I do for you?”
The receptionist in guild uniform was a gaunt-faced woman, worn out from the workload.
“I’d like to register as an adventurer.”
“Judging by your uniform, you’re a <Delaiten> student. Got your student ID or identification?”
“Yeah.”
“Please place it here.”
“How long does it take?”
“<Delaiten> students have verified identities, so the adventurer tag comes out quick. Less than ten minutes.”
Having dealt with countless <Delaiten> students, she processed everything smoothly until she saw the name on the student ID and froze.
‘Rain Ludwig.’
Ludwig? That’s a noble house of great influence. She’d assumed I was just a commoner mage since I was polite. Why would the heir of a great noble house register as an adventurer……?
“Next?”
“Oh, sorry. You can read and write, so please fill this out.”
The parchment she handed over, [Adventurer Registration - Mage], was a form for personal details.
Current magic rank (attached certification), main spells used, daily spell usage limit (mana capacity), etc.
‘Well, look at this.’
These roughnecks had developed this far? Like the saying goes, you live long enough, you see everything.
“No rank…… main magic is 3-star…… spell count, hmm…….”
Checking the form I’d filled out in seconds, the receptionist scratched her head.
Was this a joke?
No, hard to ask outright.
Nobles had plenty of eccentrics. She might get offended and cause a scene.
“Last part. Could you check this?”
“What’s that?”
“It’s a special clause for nobles. It states the guild bears no responsibility if something happens during adventurer activities.”
“So, people tried to hold the guild accountable before?”
“Apparently a lot a hundred years ago. That’s why this exists.”
The rest flew by. She inserted an iron tag into the printing magic tool, and magic light engraved my info neatly onto the wooden tag.
“Adventurer ranks go iron (鐵) - bronze (黃銅) - silver (銀) - gold (金) - platinum (白金) - diamond (金剛).”
Iron for rookies, bronze for veterans, silver and up for those recognized in society.
Gold gets called for mid-to-high級 monster subjugations, platinum is the top eleven rankers by combat power and achievements.
Diamond is the symbol of the lead adventurer, only one per era.
“Everyone starts at iron?”
“No. Prior combat experience or skill can get you bronze. For mages, we check rank.”
“Ah.”
“But as you know, young master, you haven’t taken the ranking exam.”
“Roughly okay.”
I had no intention of becoming a top-rank adventurer anyway. The reason for registering was just to legally take requests.
Adventurers can claim monster subjugation bounties, and guild can quickly sell monster parts for potion ingredients or accessories.
Plus, this tag lets you enter restricted danger zones.
‘Let’s see, current funds: forty-four silver coins…….’
Target: the Rat-Spiders I’d overheard about.
Quest board said two silvers per head. Bringing hide, teeth, bones would net more.
‘<Delaiten> to Red Mountains is half a day.’
Renting a decent horse from the guild: three silvers a day…… Stock two days’ rations. Aim to bag 150 in 24 hours?
‘Gotta return to <Delaiten> dorm before curfew tomorrow. Time’s tight.’
Sigh……
Life full of hassles, a weary sigh escaped. Weekends locked in my room studying math were the best……
“Quit sighing and let’s go.”
Scratching the back of my head, I headed to the guild’s stablemaster. He smirked at the new sucker, but frowned at my tag.
“What? Scram. Don’t lend to iron adventurers. What if you run off with a good horse? <Delaiten> student? So what?”
“No other way?”
“Hah. Iron adventurers are just punks. Real adventurers start at bronze. Got it? Beat it.”
“Tch, fine.”
The potbellied stablemaster, looking annoyed, glanced at my tag.
“Huh?!”
Suddenly gulping, he bowed politely at the waist.
“Oh! Young Master Ludwig! Should’ve said so sooner, haw haw haw! This way, I’ll show you the good ones!”
“Didn’t you just say no to iron adventurers?”
“No, sir! For esteemed folks like you, rank doesn’t matter! It’s the bloodline, come this way, Young Master Rain.”
No proof of skill, tag unchanged, yet this attitude shift—the prestige of a magic house was immense.
“What horse shall I prepare? Got a real gem here, look at that mane, just superb.”
This must be a slice of class society.
Bittersweet, I followed him to pick a horse.
‘Gotta erase the Ludwig name from the tag.’
Nice to get favors, but as a great noble’s heir, it’d make me a target during adventures.
‘And I don’t particularly like people fawning once they know I’m noble.’
Back to the receptionist, easier than thought to remove the surname. Possible since identity verified.
* * *
The closest Red Mountains peak to <Delaiten>, Sunryu Peak’s foothills, had turned into a marketplace.
“Adventurers everywhere.”
Blacksmiths had stalls repairing weapons, alchemists spread potions and pills for stamina recovery on cloths, hawking prices.
“Hey! Mid-grade health potion for just ten coppers! Ten coppers clones your life!”
The Red Mountains were once the Red Dragon Legion’s sanctuary.
But three hundred years ago, that summer the world was blanketed in ash, most went south to burn the Abyss.
The last Red Dragon left two hundred years ago.
‘We got so much help from the Red Dragons then.’
Post-war, they raised a massive flame wall, [Flame Myriad Miles (火焰萬里)], isolating the Abyss from human lands, guarding it.
To elaborate, Fride, the Fire Dragon’s Shrine Maiden and Rista’s party member, served the legion here in the Red Mountains.
“This place crawls with monsters now. Hey, young rogue there! Grab a potion!”
With the dragons gone, monsters rooted here took over……
A huge boon for adventurers. Magic capital [Golden Rose] and southern margrave’s city <Aiden> right nearby.
If monsters acted up, report for military aid.
“The world’s changed so much…….”
Gawking around, I reached the foothill where the uphill path began.
Stone steps the Red Dragons made for humans ascending to the Fire Dragon Shrine were intact.
Left the horse with the stablemaster, shouldered rations pack, about to start the grueling stairs when someone approached.
“Wait, wait wait wait.”
Tall and refreshingly pretty, slim build in fitted leather hunting gear, silent movements.
“You’re a mage, right? Don’t play dumb. My eyes fool even a great mage grandpa.”
Shortbow on back favored by rapid-fire archers, waist tag jingling: bronze.
I gave her a deadpan stare.
“Didn’t play dumb, uniform makes it obvious. Why brag?”
“Sh-shut up! Perfect timing. We need exactly one mage for our party.”
“Party?”
The archer grinned, pointing back. A huge shadow swallowed us.
Immense bulk. Like a landslide for a second. Logan or Owen wouldn’t measure up.
Black iron armor repelled southern heat darkly, back double-bladed axe scattered ominous steel sheen.
“My party member, Bart.”
“Don’t mess around! How’s that human? Monster?”
“Iron rookie’s got a sharp tongue? Bart looks tough, but he’s soft-hearted!”
Bart looked down at me.
Scar from forehead across left eye down to jaw, glaring eyes chilling.
Silver adventurer tag, unlike the archer.
“And this is Sammy. Cleric. Handles our healing.”
“Pleased to meet you, brother.”
Plump, mild-faced youth in threadbare priest robes, holy book in left hand.
“You guys a slaver ring? Lure into party then kidnap? Looks exactly like it.”
Snapping that, a tear streamed from Bart’s fierce eyes. The archer patted his back.
“Don’t cry, Bart. Cut it out! Strangers say that all the time.”
What the……
A guy who’d shed no tear for dead parents, that soft-hearted?
“Doesn’t make sense. Why me, an iron rookie?”
“Heh, ranks mean nothing. I judge by scent. You look strong.”
She leaned close, sniffed, grinned. I sighed.
“Seen this sales pitch before! I’m out.”
“Wait! Joke! Truth is, Bart can’t resist cute kids!”
“What?”
I raised a brow; cleric Sammy chimed in.
“Brother can’t stand seeing <Delaiten> students come earn tuition, get hurt. Wants to help. No pressure, if you hate it, fine.”
That monster……?
No judging by looks. Even if slavers, handling three no issue, but still.
“Solo’s easier all around. Later.”
“Alright.”
I started climbing; archer shrugged to her comrades, no regrets.
“Then we’ll go alone. I scouted the prime Rat-Spider spot. Easy path too.”
Instantly, I dashed down five steps, stood before her, smiled, extended hand.
“Looking forward to it. I’m Rain. What spells you want?”
She scanned me, sly smile.
“Hmm~? Weird?”
“…….”
“Didn’t someone just say solo’s better? Who was that? Forgot.”
My face heated slightly.
“Wanted to try natural party formation in a labyrinth? Just tested you…… You pass?”
“Crazy guy, why the sudden switch?”
“Uh, join the party!”
“No, no no no. Not ending this easy. You blew a once-in-a-lifetime chance. World’s fair, no redo.”
Sammy smiled warmly, suggesting accept, but I shook head.
Then Bart grabbed archer’s shoulder, shook head.
And…… incredibly, a warm smile unfit for that face, extending hand.
“I’ll take vanguard. You and Rem support.”
“Hey, Bart!”
“Loot split exact quarter. <Delaiten> student, basic attack spells okay?”
Sometimes, you instantly trust a stranger.
Like meeting Rista, like Bart smiling, hand out.
I grinned, clasped that huge hand.
“You said it. You just grabbed a once-in-a-lifetime chance.”