Chapter 6: Dean, Amir, and Kaina
The next day, I headed to the Kanum Adventurer’s Guild bright and early. To register as an adventurer, you either pay a fee or complete a request from the guild for free. I opted for the quicker route and paid the fee.
Inside the guild, the lighting was dim due to the lack of windows. Why is there a tavern attached to this place? It seems like a terrible idea to have drunkards around when lives are on the line in a job that requires physical activity. Or maybe it’s just for celebrations after work?
While waiting for my adventurer tag to be ready, I didn’t want to mingle with the drunks so early in the day. Fortunately, there was a resource room in addition to the tavern, so I asked the staff for permission to read some materials. Some required a fee to access, while others were available for purchase.
I started with the materials on the Demon Forest: its terrain, common locations for Demon Beasts, how to defeat them, and what they could be used for. I skimmed through the history of battles.
“So? You want to learn the basics of being an adventurer? And you’re looking for a bodyguard request?”
“Yeah. I’d appreciate some advice on the procedures, and I’m not sure what my own capabilities are.”
As I was reading the Adventurer’s Guide, a man approached me.
It was my first time fighting, and I had no idea how capable I was. I heard anyone could submit requests, so I decided to put in a request for an escort to a safe party that could serve as a model. The guy gave me a strange look, though.
Only one person came. I couldn’t judge people well, so I was at a loss if they were self-selected. After all, given my past experiences, everyone seemed like a potential enemy.
“I’m Dean, Silver Two-Star rank. I have to mentor five newcomers as part of a forced request, and you’re the last one.”
I expected to meet a well-behaved party, but instead, the instructor showed up. It seemed he wasn’t self-selected? He looked to be in his late twenties, a well-built guy.
Adventurer ranks go from Bronze, Copper, Iron, Silver, to Gold. From Bronze to Iron, there are five stars, while Silver and Gold have three. The three-star Gold rank is the highest.
“I’m Jean. Nice to meet you for the day.”
I used my original name, Jin, but adapted it a bit to fit in. I panicked and elongated it a little after hearing Dean’s name, which made it sound somewhat similar.
“Hey, Dean! Don’t just pick someone without permission!”
I thought a Silver Two-Star would be a great catch, but then a guild staff member showed up.
“Shut up. I told you I’m not interested in babysitting nobles! Don’t use me for that!”
Dean glared at the staff member, who approached us in a flustered manner.
It seemed the guild wanted Dean to babysit a noble. This guild must really favor nobles; it sounds like a hassle.
“I don’t want to get caught up in unnecessary complications.”
“Sorry, just wait a moment. I’ll sort this out.”
Apologizing, Dean turned back to the staff member, who kept glancing our way. He looked around my age or slightly older, but his demeanor was quite childish.
His strawberry blonde hair, a rare mix of blonde and red, was complemented by pink hair that was loosely curled down to his shoulders. I wondered if I could get used to this colorful world.
“Chris will be back tomorrow. If it’s him, he’ll gladly deal with nobles even without a forced request. The request is for a Silver Rank, not me, right?”
“That’s true, but if we rely too much on Chris, it’ll fixate our interactions with nobles.”
“I’m not going to be a point of contact. Handle it through the guild without relying on adventurers.”
“I want to avoid that, which is why I don’t want to lean too much on one person. There are only two Silver Ranks here right now, so I’d appreciate some cooperation.”
She pouted like a duck, glancing at me occasionally.
Can I just go home now?
“Amir, stop it. You’re being too spoiled just because you’re siblings.”
“Kaina-san!”
“Kaina, thanks for the help.”
“This is the result of Dean spoiling you. Dean, you can refuse to mentor if you want, but you have to choose from the candidates the guild provides. I apologize for showing you such an embarrassing scene.”
Finally, Kaina, the guild staff member, bowed her head to me. So that’s why she seemed overly familiar; they were siblings with a significant age gap. Either way, it was still a problem.
“No, it’s fine. I’ll withdraw my request.”
“Thank you very much.”
Amir, misunderstanding something, thanked me.
“I’ll reach out to a suitable party instead.”
It seemed she thought I was withdrawing my request for Dean.
“Please withdraw the request.”
Ignoring Amir, I turned to Kaina and repeated myself. Whether the request was accepted or not, there was a fee involved, and it wasn’t refundable. I should have been able to withdraw it verbally.
Nobles are troublesome, but siblings seem to be a landmine. I’m sure there are normal, friendly siblings out there, but I can’t see that clearly right now.
“Hey.”
“I’m really sorry for the trouble. I’ll refund the request fee.”
Kaina interjected over Dean’s words, apologizing again.
“It’s fine. Can I take this instead?”
I held up the Adventurer’s Guide I had in my hand. It was cheaper than the request fee.
“Yes.”
Hearing Kaina’s response, I ignored the looks from Dean and Amir and left the guild.
I really wish they’d handle their business elsewhere.
I stuffed the siblings into the memory-obliteration box and called it a day. Here, I won’t tolerate any relationships!
I’m enjoying my freedom!