Chapter 7: A Penalty Fee Is Incurred [Side: Ghuftok]
The next day, when we went to the guild, we were told something outrageous.
“Um… yesterday’s quest has been marked as retired midway…”
“Huh? What about it? We just gave up because the item didn’t drop.”
I’m just stating the facts. It’s not like we did anything wrong…!
However, the receptionist woman had a troubled expression.
“Um… that’s fine, but… in that case, you needed to file a retirement application on the same day…”
“Huh…!? There’s a system like that!? Hey, didn’t any of you do it…?”
“S-Sorry, Ghuftok-sama!”
“Damn… what useless women.”
I’ve rarely quit quests midway before, so it’s natural I didn’t know.
After all, I’m strong, and I’m careful about choosing quests.
Come to think of it… I’ve never been told anything like this before…
“Did the system change…?”
“No… that’s not quite it.”
That’s strange. Who on earth has been handling these procedures until now?
I remember something like this happening before, no… a little while ago…?
“Um… Ghuftok-sama. Last time, I think that person called Loin probably did it.”
“What did you say…!? Loin!?”
Unbelievable… No wonder I overlooked it then.
Tch… I got scolded because I kicked that guy out.
Next time I see him, I’ll harass him even more. It’s all his fault.
“Um… Ghuftok-san?”
“Huh? Is there something else…?”
I glared at the receptionist woman.
“This is difficult to say, but… when something like this happens, a penalty fee is incurred.”
“Huh…? If it’s a quest cancellation fee, I’ll pay it, but…?”
“Yes, if you file for retirement on the same day, only the cancellation fee is required. But for an undeclared withdrawal like this time, a penalty fee is incurred.”
“What did you say!?!?!”
Seriously, trying to rip me off… what a total bitch.
“Hey! Don’t mess with me! I’m a customer!”
“Um… adventurers are merely registered with the guild, so strictly speaking, you’re not customers…”
“Hah…!? Are you underestimating me!? Why the hell should I have to pay some ridiculous penalty fee!”
“Well, that’s the rule… Everyone else pays it. If there’s no quest retirement application, other people can’t take that quest. During that time, the time until the quest is cleared gets extended… so this system is in place.”
“Damn it…! I’ve been pissed off since yesterday.”
“That has nothing to do with us…”
Unbelievable. This guild’s female receptionist has a terrible attitude!
I yelled and screamed, banging on the desk to intimidate her.
Most people listen when I do this.
“Um… is something the matter?”
The one who spoke to me from behind was another guild employee.
It was an elderly man wearing a suit.
With his distinctive white hair and beard, he had the appearance of a dandy gentleman, an old geezer I instantly disliked.
“Who the hell are you!?”
“I am Simmons, the Guild Master here.”
“Oh, so you’re the Guild Master, huh! This woman is blabbering about me paying a penalty fee!”
“Is that so… And…?”
“Huh…?”
“And…? Are you going to pay, or do you want to be kicked out of this guild right now? Which is it, you little brat!”
“Hieeek…!?”
I couldn’t help but tremble at the old man’s angry shout.
This guy… despite being so slender, he seems pretty capable…
I instantly saw through his capabilities.
“Y-You don’t have to shout like that…”
“My apologies… So…? Will you be paying?”
“A-Alright, I get it… This should be enough, right?”
“Very well, I’ve received it. Please ensure this doesn’t happen again, alright?”
Damn it…! My already scarce remaining funds…
But well, it’s better than not being able to use the guild…
“Hey, let’s go! I’m in a foul mood. We’re going drinking.”
“Y-Yes! Ghuftok-sama…!”
I left the guild, feeling thoroughly irritated.
“…Hm?”
“What’s wrong?”
“No… it’s just… nothing.”
As I was leaving the guild, I passed by a strange guy.
A fellow I hadn’t seen before, decked out head-to-toe in the Holy Knight’s Armor series.
Hmph… A Holy Knight, huh? Playing prince charming on a white horse, are we…
I bet some unlikeable bastard is wearing it.
“Still… that guy was carrying quite a few Rare Drop items…”
Some guys have all the luck.
And here I am, just paying out money since yesterday…
“Damn iiiiiit! This is so frustrating!”
It goes without saying that I then drank heavily all night and squandered even more money.