The bard fantasized again.

Chapter 140 Guilds and Adventurers

Chapter 140 Guilds and Adventurers (4.2k views, please subscribe)
"You can roughly think of the Adventurers' Guild as two parts, upper and lower."

The upper floor is mainly used as an office and living area.

To use a room, you must first confirm that you are registered in the guild, and then you can rent a room for one day for 5 silver coins.

Additional discounts are available for long-term rentals such as monthly and yearly rentals.

As for food, you can go to the [Deep Pit Restaurant] on the top floor, where they provide the food that each race needs—if you are a frogman, they will even offer you a fly platter.

Of course, if you're not in a rush, I wouldn't recommend choosing this restaurant.

Because it's a real rip-off.

After all, there are a large number of adventurers coming and going from the guild, so most of the food in the restaurant is packaged in sealed bags for easy access, but the prices are not cheaper than outside.

If you need emergency medical services or to store items within the guild, the upper levels can also meet your needs for a fee of gold.

The guide, Hope, enthusiastically introduced Tang Qi and the others.

As a race with 'hellish blood,' most of their names are derived from 'Purgatory'—a language used by devils or demons.

Some young Tifflins, seeking a space to survive, would try to find an 'alias' to represent themselves, which was usually a word from a common language.

For example, 'Hope' represents 'hope'.

This woman, Tiflin, has scarlet, flame-like skin. She wears a short leather jacket and pants, revealing her shapely arms and waist, and outlining her rounded hips.

Her two long, bright red legs were eye-catching, her tall leather boots were clean and tidy, and she carried a small gray bag across her shoulder. Her short hair, which reached her ears, made her stand out and look neat.

Two large, backward-curving goat horns grew from her forehead, one of which appeared to be broken, giving her beautiful face an asymmetrical and fragmented beauty.

She walked at the front, turning back every now and then to scan behind her with her dark eyes, the pupils of which shone like fire, lest she lose her employer:

"If you already have a suitable place to stay, there is no need to visit the upper floors."

Let's turn our attention to the lower levels—

Broadly speaking, you can think of the entire lower level as four parts: the main hall, the octagonal cage, the deep well entrance, and the "trading corridor" that connects them.

As you can see, the lobby is where you handle a series of related business such as registration, hiring mercenaries, and accepting missions.

From small tasks like finding a neighbor's cat or dog to large-scale expeditions to explore treasure vaults in the deep well… it records not only the missions of Dragon Gold City, but also the requests and registrations of everyone in need across the entire Lord Alliance region.

Following Hope's fingertip, Tang Qi's gaze passed through the bustling adventurers and landed on the sandalwood quest boards that occupied every wall of the hall.

The crystal chandelier on the ceiling casts a bright yellow light, like warm sunshine, which envelops every smooth wooden panel and reflects a hazy glow.

The four dwarves, with their brown-red hair and different hairstyles, had no choice but to cross their arms, stretch their necks, raise their heads, and squint as they searched for the quests on the quest board.

They were very perceptive and seemed to have noticed Tang Qi's gaze.

Hope paused quickly, taking two steps forward and covering Tang Qi's eyes:
"Oh, that's the [Shorty Alliance], an adventure team of four mountain dwarves, with outstanding strength and reputation."

But don't stare at them for too long, or they'll think you're mocking their height, even if you don't mean it that way.

That's what I actually meant.

Tang Qi didn't say much, but then saw another group of adventurers rushing towards the corridor on the left side of the hall—

"The 'Orcs Must Die' and 'Glory of the Orcs' are fighting again! Let's see who the 'mouse' will be bitten to death this time!"

Hope took this opportunity to introduce:
"Going through the corridor on the left leads to the octagonal cage—which is usually used by adventurers to practice their skills, but sometimes adventurers who have a conflict will choose to settle their differences in the octagonal cage."

Where there are winners and losers, there are casinos, especially between two adventuring teams that have been at odds for a long time, right?

"Orcs Must Die" is a small group that has trekked from the Southern Wall. They frequently clash with "Glory of the Orcs" in the dungeons, and after returning alive, it's common for them to challenge them to battles in the octagon.

Tang Qi didn't even bother to ask them why the conflict had broken out, and instead looked at the crowds coming and going through the passage on the right—

Clearly, the adventurers who stepped into the right-hand passage were all radiant with joy.

On the contrary, the people who came out of the passage were mostly filthy and smelly, and their faces looked fierce and menacing.

Some people still had festering wounds on their faces, while others were simply lying on stretchers, short-weight, being carried upstairs by guild staff...

"Oh my god, I recognize that man who was carried away, just two weeks ago—"

He and his team, Goblin Slayer, hired me to help guide them and register them.

They boasted that they had slaughtered ten thousand goblins before coming to Dragon Gold City, making them experts in the field. Heaven knows what trouble they encountered in the deep well this time…

As Hope sighed, she drew a symbol of faith on her full chest.
"But you might also see that if you walk through the passage on the right to the end, you will find the entrance to the [Deep Well] underground city."

The connecting corridors linking several key areas are what I previously referred to as the "trading corridors".

By paying a stall fee, one can rent a spot in the connecting corridor to sell items needed by adventurers.

You might be able to buy instructions on how to use some combat skills there, but you need to be careful, since it's hard to say what good combat skills are being sold by third parties.

Therefore, I always recommend that newcomers who want to become adventurers hire a retired senior adventurer from the Adventurers' Guild to learn their skills.

Although the price is a bit higher, and the guild takes a cut of the referral fee, at least they can give you a complete introduction, so you won't be rushed into dungeons to die before you've even mastered a smattering of skills.

As she spoke, she led Tang Qi through the crowd to the service counter at the far end of the hall.

The counter stretches across the entire inner wall, with twenty windows, and is not categorized according to the different services offered.

Fortunately, it was morning, and most of the adventurers with irregular schedules were still unconscious in the taverns from their hangovers, so there wasn't a long queue.

This allowed Hope to tap on the transparent window of the counter with her finger bone:
"Hey, cutie. I'm here to lead a new squad to register."

"Hope? Your business has been doing well lately."

Upon closer inspection, Tang Qi realized that the saleswoman in front of him appeared to be an "Eagle Man" woman.

Its face is human-like, but its ears and wrists are covered with obvious feathers.

Two wings were tucked behind its back, obscuring its feet, which were hidden behind the counter—were they claws or legs?

Not all races with bestial characteristics are cursed beastmen.

The teller in front of me must be a hybrid of a pure-blooded eagle-man and a human.

The former is more like a large bird, and its appearance is similar to that of an eagle. Their humanoid posture can only be seen when they walk upright.

In my memory, on the [Forgotten Continent], humanoid creatures rarely encountered reproductive isolation among themselves.

Therefore, Tang Qi can not only see humans who resemble eagles, but also eagles that resemble humans.

This depends on the proportion of bloodline in the body.

"Come on, this gentleman clearly asked around for the price. This time I'm leading the way at cost price."

"You're making a profit even at cost price?"

"Wasn't that so I could save more money to marry you?"

"I would never marry a Tieflin—a woman, no less!"

"Don't say that. Didn't your feathers tremble that night?"

"Stop! We were all drunk that night, you should know that—now, shut up, don't say a word!"

Hope hummed a little tune at her shyness, took out four gold coins and placed them on the counter, waiting for Miss Eagleman to take them.

After receiving a registration form and a quill pen in return, she handed them to Tang Qi, not forgetting to wink at him:
"I have to earn something, don't I?"

"of course."

Tang Qi wouldn't comment on her orientation.

After all, he had seen the little white pig before.

He offered 5 gold coins because he only had 5 gold coins.

Since registering a team costs 5 gold coins, why not have a hot and beautiful woman act as a guide to give you a general idea of the situation?

At least he remembered the "Short Guys Alliance":
"So, what name should we come up with for our squad?"

Looking at the "Name" column on the registration form, Tang Qi felt a headache coming on.

Only a suitable, eye-catching, and easily recognizable name is appropriate to serve as the team's signboard.

[The Shorty Alliance], [Orcs Must Die], [Goblin Slayer]... any one of these names has the potential to become a legend and be celebrated.

Because it is easy to remember and has high recognizability.

Tang Qi needed a similar name to promote his fame:

"Oh, I've got it."

His eyes lit up, and he wrote down the five words: "Donch Weinberger." Hope blinked, extended her slender index finger, and touched the handwriting, reminding him:

"This column is for the team name."

"Yes I know."

Tang Qi then filled in "Tang Qi Weinberg" in the "Squad Members" column.

"You used your own name as the name of the squad?" Hope finally realized.

"Is it not allowed by the rules?"

Tang Qi looked up at her with a puzzled expression.

"No, no. It's just a little...strange."

Hope told the truth.

Since the purpose of the adventure is to spread one's fame, it's definitely better to choose one's own name—and it might even be reflected in one's "log".

What's the use of a nice-sounding name? A squad's name won't increase their combat effectiveness by a single point!

However, the benefits of increased fame are obvious!
While thinking about the practical implications, Tang Qi wrote down the names [Aye Dawn] and [Kuru].

But clearly, Chenxi had objections:

Why can't it be [Tang Qi and Chen Xi]?

"Tang Qi, Chen Xi, Rua!"

Kuru also cares a lot about naming rights.

"【Tang Qichenxi Rua】? Don't be ridiculous. If other members join later, can we keep ranking them? We need a fixed name."

"But I also want to feel involved."

Chenxi stubbornly insisted,
"I want people to know about my achievements."

"Participation, merit!"

Kuru joined in the commotion.

Tang Qi sighed.

He is a leader who values team atmosphere and respects team members' ideas.

Considering team unity, this team name might be somewhat inappropriate.

It carries the suspicion of self-promotion and may not be conducive to long-term development.

But after thinking for a long time, it was hard to come up with a team name that could satisfy everyone.

As he pondered, he heard a deep, angry roar from the other team in the next section:

"What?! I led a group of people and painstakingly explored most of the Dawn and Dusk Forest, and now you're telling me that mission has been canceled?!"

He was a burly minotaur who always made a rumbling "moo" sound when he roared, spitting his saliva onto the transparent glass of the counter.

The teller, who was dealing with him, took two steps back, still maintaining a polite smile.
"I'm so sorry, Mr. [Bull]."

However, after investigation by Wendy Silver Shield, formerly known as the "Daughter of Wealth" and now known as the "Silver Medal," it has been confirmed that the employer for the mission you accepted has died, and the deposit previously paid by the employer was already paid when you accepted the mission..."

"But we used all that money to buy [True Vision Eye Drops], do you know how expensive that is!?"

"This is your personal behavior and has nothing to do with the guild."

"I'll steal your grass!"

The minotaur spoke a phrase from his native dialect.

"They haven't even paid the money, how the hell can they die?"

"That's enough, bro. You should at least be grateful you survived that mission!"

Adventurers are always well-informed, not to mention big news that is known throughout the city.

Another group of adventurers, separated by a column, waved to the bull.
"The 'Daughter of Wealth' was completely lost in that forest, with only one survivor returning to report the news."

"They were all wiped out!?"

The bull turned its head in horror.

"I just got wrecked by them a while ago!"

"So, if the mission is over, it's over. The most important thing is to come back alive! If it doesn't work this time, there's always next time—"

The adventurer chuckled twice, spread his hands, and said...

"Not everyone can be like that 'group of adventurers' reported in the newspaper, who could carry three hundred burdens through the Dawn and Dusk Forest while also taking down a fourth-circle necromancer in one fell swoop!"
After all, even the [Wolf Pack Mercenary Group] fell into this trap, not to mention that [Rising Star]!

"Ha, you've only just risen to fame, and now you've already fallen like a shooting star?"

"I saw that his house was already listed for sale."

For ordinary adventurers, a single fourth-circle spellcaster is enough to make them tremble with fear.

Not to mention the feat of 'escaping from the orcs'.

"Damn, where did these guys come from?"

The bull couldn't help but mutter.

"An adventure team with this kind of ability must be very famous."

"Who knows? The guild has been waiting for these people to show up lately, but they seem to have disappeared without a trace—"

Perhaps it's because they left Longjincheng?

"Damn it, looks like I'll have to find some other missions..."

The bull, realizing the reality, left the counter sullenly.

The brief farce ended, and Miss Eagleman's call pulled Tang Qi back to reality:

"Mr. Tang Qi, have you decided on a name for your team?"

Tang Qi blinked, then quickly wrote down some characters with his pen and handed it back:

"Okay, then—"

"A group of adventurers, how about it?"

He smiled sarcastically.

"A group of adventurers!?"

Hope suddenly exclaimed.

Tang Qi looked at her with some surprise, only to see her wink at him playfully, as if she had figured out the meaning behind Tang Qi's choice of the team name—

She is very smart.

Tang Qi did indeed want to become famous.

More undeniably, it is very effective.

The noise gradually faded away.

The large and bustling guild fell silent because of a single sentence.

For a moment, Tang Qi thought this wasn't a chaotic adventurers' guild.

Instead, it was the opera house where the show was about to begin—

They held their breath and remained silent.

Miss Eagleman's fingertips trembled slightly as she took the paper and pen, and the quill pen inadvertently fell to the ground.

It made a slight, yet trembling sound.

"Snapped--"

It was like turning on a spotlight.