Status Window Chapter 26 : Vocational Experience as an Adventurer (2)

26. Vocational Experience as an Adventurer (2)

"This is the Adventurer's Guild."

Towering before us was a massive structure resembling a fortress. The walls, constructed from layers upon layers of grey stone, were so high when looking up close that they emitted a heavy, solid presence.

At the entrance stood two large sculpted pillars, dignified, both carved with the sword and wing crest symbolizing the Adventurer's Guild. Although there were scuff marks showing the passage of time, they seemed to shine somewhat proudly.

The doors were wooden but thick, reinforced with iron bands, as if saying, "Only those with resolve may pass from here on."

Around us, adventurers carrying luggage on their backs came and went, and the entrance stairs were crowded. The sound of armor clashing, the click of weapons. Various sounds mixed together to create a liveliness unique to the guild.

"Wow, amazing. It's like a castle!"

"Awesome!"

"It's this huge!"

I muttered unintentionally. My heartbeat quickened. This is the Adventurer's Guild of another world. Thinking that the world I saw in novels and manga is spread out before me, I can't stop my excitement.

"Come on, let's go. It's the real deal from here."

Prompted, I started walking toward the large doors. When the lady opened the doors, what spread out there was the world I had seen in novels and manga.

A spacious hall continued endlessly, the ceiling was high, and numerous magic lamps hung from the beams, making it bright despite being indoors. The polished stone floor reflected the light, and footsteps echoed lightly.

At the front of the hall, a long counter lined up, and at each seat, people who looked like receptionists were busily processing documents. Adventurers formed lines, handling consultation and reports on requests one after another.

Among them were large men carrying huge hammers on their shoulders and mage-like people wearing black robes; just looking at them was overwhelming.

At the edge of the hall, a rest space with tables and chairs spread out. There, adventurers were drinking alcohol, spreading out maps for meetings, or maintaining their weapons. Laughter, shouting, boasting of adventure stories—all kinds of sounds flew about, creating a bustle like a market.

"This is... the Adventurer's Guild...!"

"Amazing... it's like a dream..."

"Wow, it's really just as I imagined!"

My chest grew hot. This is the world of adventure I yearned for. Thinking that I'm stepping into it makes my body feel like trembling.

"Seeing you so happy makes me happy guiding you too. Then, I'll explain little by little."

The lady smiled and spread her hands lightly to indicate the whole hall.

"First, this is the main hall, the center of the Adventurer's Guild. Accepting requests, reporting subjugations, purchasing materials... almost all business is conducted here."

"Then, do we accept quests over there?"

When I pointed to the counter, the lady nodded.

"Yes, staff and adventurers interact at that reception counter. Accepting quests, reporting clears, it's all done there."

"Then... is that the notice board?"

"Yes, that's it."

At the end of the lady's gaze was a huge bulletin board covering one entire wall. Densely posted papers, marks where papers were torn off, places where new papers were layered on top. Several adventurers stopped there, reading the request details with serious expressions.

"Adventurers choose and peel off the quest papers from there themselves. If they think they can take it, they bring that paper to the reception, and the system is to formally accept it."

"Heeh...! Is it true there are jobs other than quests?"

"You know well. That's right."

The lady nodded with satisfaction.

"Even calling them requests, not all are posted on the board. Nominated requests, emergency requests, and requests with sensitive content—sometimes candidate adventurers are chosen and approached directly at the reception."

"There are requests from nobles too, right?"

"Yes, of course."

The lady shrugged her shoulders slightly.

"Since noble requests have high rewards, the responsibility is heavy too. Basically, they are passed to high-rank adventurers. Among them are big jobs like escort missions or searching for missing persons."

The more I listened to the explanation, the hotter my chest became with excitement. The reality that was once virtual is spreading out before my eyes, and I feel my heart throbbing.

"I think you have various things you want to ask, but—here, I have one major announcement!"

The smiling lady's voice resonated clearly even amidst the hall's bustle. We instinctively looked at each other. A major announcement, at a timing like this?

The lady watched our reactions mischievously, then put both hands on her hips and said.

"Hey, everyone. Do you know what kind of jobs adventurers have?"

"Diving into dungeons to gather materials!"

"Jobs to defeat monsters outside the town!"

"Adventuring!"

"Yup, yup. Everyone understands well."

The lady nodded happily. But the next moment, that smile became much more brilliant.

"So, for this vocational experience... we will specially have you experience a dungeon!"

That single statement echoed in our heads like lightning. The sound of three gasps overlapped simultaneously.

The lady puffed out her chest proudly. As if saying, "How about that? Amazing, right?"

We trembled with excitement and looked at each other. And then—

" " "Awesome!!" " "

To think we can enter a dungeon! We jumped up and down repeatedly in joy.

"Fufu, seeing you so happy makes me happy as a guide too. However, this is just an experience. We'll only have you enter the safe zone where monsters don't appear. Is that okay?"

"It's fine! Rather, just that is more than enough!"

"Hyahhooi! It's a real dungeon!"

"Alright, alright, alriiiight!"

Just entering is like a miracle. I'm so happy my chest feels hot deep inside.

While we were making a huge fuss, the lady dropped another bombshell statement.

"Also... this time, there's an adventurer attached to guide you inside the dungeon. And it's an A-rank adventurer!"

" " "Eh... A-rank!?!?" " "

A-rank. The second-highest rank among adventurers. A longed-for realm that cannot be reached unless you are considerably strong.

To have such a person guide us, today is an outrageous day!

"Then, I'll introduce you. Let's see... ah, she should be over there... ah, found her!"

The lady pointed to a corner of the table seating. We turned our gazes there all at once and froze right there.

The lady started walking ahead. We followed while gulping. And the moment we came right near the person in question.

"...Ghh..."

My breath stopped.

The woman there had an outrageous presence. The word 'tall' wasn't enough. She was large, with a trained body so big it overflowed the chair.

Her black hair grew long, and atop her head stood two sharp wolf ears characteristic of beastkin, not twitching even a bit.

Leaning against the table was a huge greatsword, so heavy I couldn't even imagine.

And above all, those eyes. Sharp. Sharp enough to give the illusion of being cut.

Expressionless, unreadable emotions, just staring straight ahead, yet just approaching made my spine feel like freezing.

Surrounding adventurers also kept their distance, not approaching carelessly. Truly, the very "territory of a fierce beast."

An overwhelming powerhouse. This is an A-rank adventurer... scary. But more than that, cool! Uoooooh, this is an A-rank adventurer!!!