The Adventurers' Guild and Our First Quest

At the Adventurers' Guild, the process went: pay money, receive card, get an explanation. Isn't that order a bit backwards?

Is this their way of saying "don't bother coming if you're broke" and "don't make us waste time explaining"? Harsh.

"… Well, since you came with the gatekeeper, we gave you the cards first. So from here, we'll conduct an inspection, and if you fail, your guild cards will be confiscated and a guild staff member will personally throw you out of town."

"What the heck, that's scary."

"Oh, and we won't be refunding the money."

"That's even scarier. You money-grubbers!"

"The inspection has already begun, you know?"

"Hahaha, just kidding. It's only natural to take such precautions with outsiders. Yes, I completely understand."

"I'm glad you understand."

That was close. Getting thrown out would only lead to trouble.

By the way, we're in a separate room now. If we pass the inspection, they'll give us the explanation here.

And they're almost certainly using lie-detection magic tools in here.

I need to answer carefully.

"Now then, I'll ask you some questions… Where are you from?"

"Ah, umm, I can't answer that. I don't really know."

"… Me neither."

I wonder how Japan would be classified in this world. Another world…?

"… What are your strengths? You can also state what class you'd like. Please mention any combat experience you might have."

"I've never been in combat. I'd like to be in the rear guard. Oh, how does one become a mage?"

"I can work with my body. I'm okay with being hit."

Niku-san? Why do you look slightly happy when saying you're okay with being hit?

Also, apparently to become a mage you either train under a master or buy scrolls from a magic shop. But scrolls are ridiculously expensive, so it's basically impossible unless you're nobility.

"Why do you want to become adventurers?"

"To make a living."

"Because Goshujin-sama told me to."

All I want is to sleep safely. I'm not after some get-rich-quick scheme…

"… That was very informative. Now then, do you have any major criminal history, or anything you can't discuss? Also, are those your real names? If you're using aliases, please tell me your real names."

"It's my real name. Things I can't talk about… let's see… Oh, did you want to hear about my fetishes?"

"I don't remember well, so I don't know."

For the record, she said "That won't be necessary" while looking at me like I was something filthy.

Looks like I managed to deflect that, but maybe she caught me sneaking glances at her feet (in leather boots) under the table…

W-wait, could there be a magic tool that reads thoughts?! I definitely couldn't deal with that!

"… What do you think about little girls? Please answer honestly."

"Huh? … They're cute, I guess?"

"I won't lose."

Hm? I don't understand the intent of that question. This isn't some reverse pickup attempt, is it? Receptionist-san has nice breasts and a pretty face. What was the right answer supposed to be?

And Niku, what do you mean "I won't lose"? Oh, is this about Rokuko? Did something happen?

"… Alright, thank you very much… There don't seem to be… any problems, so congratulations. You are now officially adventurers."

"Thank you."

"I'll continue with an explanation of the guild."

What's with her? She looks really displeased.

But since we passed, there shouldn't be any issues.

According to her explanation, the guild uses a ranking system with S at the top, followed by A through G. Since we have no experience, we start at the lowest rank, G. Ranking up is based on quest completion points and guild evaluations.

Quests are posted on the bulletin board, and you just bring one matching your rank to the counter.

(If you can't read, there's an additional fee and they'll work something out. Doesn't apply to us though.)

Also, if we commit any crimes, the Adventurers' Guild won't help us at all. Our guild cards would be invalidated and confiscated, and there might even be a bounty placed on us.

"I see, I understand. Oh, is there anything else I should watch out for while staying in town?"

"… You'd best avoid the slums outside the south gate. Also, even if she is a slave, I have concerns about how you're treating her."

Hmm. Is this her telling me to treat my slave more like a slave?

I really don't feel comfortable treating Niku poorly though… she's a kid, after all.

"Thank you for the advice…"

I didn't add "but I won't" though.

She was glaring at me anyway, so she probably got the message even without me saying it.

 

＊ ＊ ＊

 

There were no template-like welcoming events for newcomers. Those adventurers who'd been drinking? Passed out drunk. Nice that there's no hassle.

Well then, let's check out the quests.

What I'm looking for is information about the "Dungeon" or "Ordinary Cave."

… Oh, there it is. "Investigation of Dungeon 'Ordinary Cave.' Reward: 1 Silver Coin. Rank F or Higher. 2 or More People."… Wait, F or higher? What do I do? G-Rank can't accept it.

This means I need to rank up. That's going to take time… Ah, crap. Suddenly this feels like such a pain. I want to sleep…

"Niku, are there any quests we can take at G-Rank? Something easy if possible."

"Um… ah. How about this one?"

The quest Niku found was "Toilet Cleaning. Reward: 8 Copper Coins. Any Rank. 1 or More People."

Yeah, makes sense. I wouldn't know what to do if it said something like herb gathering.

Huh? But can't you just use [Purify] for cleaning? Thinking that, I took it to the counter to ask.

"… Oh, yes. This quest is to clean something that [Purify] couldn't remove. Will you take it?"

"Let me think about it for a moment."

Just how filthy is it…? As I was thinking that, Niku whispered to me.

"If it's Goshujin-sama's [Purify], it'll be okay. It cleans better than normal."

"Oh, really?"

"Goshujin-sama's goes all fizzy. It'll be okay. If it doesn't work, I'll clean it."

Is that so? Magic depends heavily on mental imagery, but I didn't realize there'd be such a difference.

… Well, if Niku says she'll clean it if my [Purify] doesn't work, might as well give it a shot.

"Um, we'll take this one."

"… Alright, accepted. The location is the blacksmith in the western industrial district. Don't get lost. Give the client the quest slip, and don't forget to get their signature after completion."

What's her problem? Did I do something to Receptionist-san?

She's looking at me with eyes like she's seen something utterly disgusting. Her words are all prickly too.

Is it really about treating Niku more like a slave?

Anyway, the quest was accepted, so off we go to complete it.

The map she showed me was quickly taken away, but I could see it in the menu so no problem. Western industrial district it is.

It seems Niku can't see it, so the menu is probably invisible to others. I should probably avoid looking at it in public though. I'd look like some weirdo with my eyes wandering around at nothing.

I'd been letting the cloth golem handle my walking, and it suddenly stopped. Looks like we arrived at our destination. Nice not getting lost.

I handed the quest slip to the client to get this over with quickly. The client was a man who gave off the vibe of a seasoned, taciturn craftsman.

"… A slave owner, huh. So that slave's gonna do the cleaning? She's pretty small though…"

"I'll take a look first. We technically accepted this quest together."

"… That so? This way."

When I peeked into the toilet, a distinctive stench of human waste wafted up at me. Ugh, I feel like throwing up.

"You can puke if you want, but clean it up yourself. I hired you to clean, not to make more mess."

"… Y-yeah."

"Call me when you're done."

The client left quickly. How convenient.

"… You seem fine, Niku?"

"I'm used to it."

What kind of environment were you living in? While thinking that, I tried out [Purify].

Since I was at it, I imagined bleaching everything with chlorine-based detergent.

"[Purify]"

The entire toilet was engulfed in foaming bubbles. After fizzing over the walls, floor, and toilet bowl for a while, the bubbles vanished. What remained was completely spotless, with a faint scent of chlorine cleanser and lavender air freshener wafting through. It felt exactly like a bathroom right after cleaning.

… Oh, so that brown thing was originally white ceramic. And toilets here have the same shape as back home, huh.

"That's amazing, Goshujin-sama."

"Heh, no big deal."

But it was over in an instant… Hmm, I don't want to make a name for myself as an adventurer, and standing out too much would cause various problems. Maybe I'll kill some time with a little nap.

"Alright then, Niku. Pretend to be cleaning the toilet for me. I'm going to do a bit of information gathering. If anyone comes, tell them we're still cleaning and don't let them in… Let's see, keep them out for about an hour. You have your golem watch, right? Does it have enough mana? … Oh, check the time discreetly so no one sees it."

"Y-yes… one hour, got it."

"If no one comes, just wait until I get back. If anyone shows up after the hour, get the completion signature and wait for me."

"U-understood."

I left Niku in the toilet and quietly slipped outside.

… Clean as it may be now, I really don't feel like taking a nap in a toilet.