"So... the building should be ahead, I assume?"
I had traveled a few blocks, and surrounding me was a lively marketplace, full of stalls. It was very likely that this was the Adventurer's Guild I'd been looking for this entire time, because otherwise why would there be so much stalls?
This is basically a no-brainer if you want to attract customers and adventurers. Food, weapons, potions, or whatever weird stuff exists in this world—you name it. They'd need it, and in response to that need, it would generate a sale or at least some form of business. Supply and demand at its finest.
Even in a fantasy world, capitalism thrived.
...I don't even know what the currency here is called. Broke beyond compare, indeed.
I passed through, avoiding the crowd. So many distinct scents... freshly baked bread, roasted meat, and something distinctly herbal? There's a lot that I don't recognize.
No idea what half these scents were, but my stomach sure did. I felt it give a slight rumble, reminding me of how empty my pockets—and stomach—were.
Classic isekai experience, of course. Starving in another world when you're supposed to be a hero or something.
If the worst was to come, I'd have to probably sell my green jacket. Although, I have no idea how much it'd even go for—in case you're wondering why I didn't mention begging for money or working odd jobs, I'd rather die than to lower myself to that level.
Is pride a good thing? Maybe it is, maybe it isn't.
Either way, I need to move.
Finally, I stopped in front of the building. It was really grand—far more impressive than I expected. A large wooden double door stood at the entrance, flanked by banners and lush green ivy that climbed up the walls. Right above the doors, was a massive emblem bearing a golden crest that shone proudly.
I gulped.
Almost scary, but when desperate times come... desperate measures have to be taken. I'm not antisocial, I can handle this!
Oraaah!!
I took a hold of the handles and pushed the doors open with all the confidence I could muster.
Loud voices, clanking mugs, bursts of laughter—I wasn't prepared for all the sound that came rushing into my eardrums.
I remained in my spot as the doors closed behind me, in disbelief of how adventurous the place looked. Who am I kidding, it is the Adventurer's Guild, for fuck's sake!
"Welcome!" A female waiter holding four cups of what seemed to be ale greeted me with a bright smile. "If you're here to eat, please take any open seat. If you need job guidance, head to the counter inside."
"Uh, thank you," I muttered, awkwardly as she moved away from her spot, probably back to her duties.
Anyway... Job guidance, huh? Either I could become an adventurer assuming I don't need to pay anything, or just pick up whatever job I could find.
I began taking my first steps into this place, glancing around as I was overwhelmed by the loud voices and drinking.
"Oi, do that thing with the cigars, Jotaro!"
What?
I turned my gaze towards the voice, and there was a large, muscular man who looked really intimidating, wearing a hat with a golden sphere on the center. He was... smoking 5 cigars at once?!
"Hahaha, that's the stuff! You're really good at this, Jotaro!"
Nope, nope, nope, nope. I don't need to pay attention to that stuff, no way.
I quickly looked away and walked toward the counter the waiter had pointed me to earlier, focused on the task at hand. I had a goal: become an adventurer, earn money, and get some food and a place to rest for the night. Simple enough, right?
WRONG!
Partly.
"Oi," a burly lad, clad in shoulderpad armor and drinking ale, called out to me. "Haven't seen ya aroun' here before, miss."
Eeeep! I momentarily stepped back. There he was, a probable seasoned adventurer!
"And what's with the weird clothes?" He pointed at me, still holding his jar of ale.
...Yeah, my jacket is quite unusual, even if it's just a plain green colour. It doesn't really align with the fashion here.
However, I can't back down. Random bullshit, go!
I walked towards his table, and got up close.
"I actually come from a very far land, and recently moved into town." I started with all the confidence of a professional bullshitter, placing my forearm on the table he was sitting at. "I'm planning to become the greatest adventurer of all time, and one day... defeat the Devil King."
The Devil King is a very generic final boss, so all I have to do is pray that he's actually the one reason adventurers exist here.
"Is that so, you reckless girl?" he asked, taking a sip of his ale, before he placed it back down on the table with force. "Welcome to the gates of Hell!"
He exclaimed as his eyes locked with mine, tinged with slight madness. Scary.
"If you're lookin' for the guild admission desk," He pointed behind him with his thumb. "It's over there."
I could swear I literally felt a bead of sweat travel down my neck.
"Uh..." I stammered. "Thanks, I suppose."
With a final glance at the intimidating man, I quickly turned and walked in the direction he'd pointed.
There was two lines of people, and only one open spot free of people. Naturally, the best choice is to go for the empty spot.
I took a few more careful steps, getting into the empty line. In the stall, was a beautiful woman with blonde, wavy hair, and—holy hell. Are those proportions normal in this world? The shirt seemed like it was hanging onto dear life.
I didn't stare for long, though, only a brief glance. I don't wanna seem disrespectful.
"Hello. What can I do for you today?" she said, her arms professionally crossed on the counter.
I waved my hand at her, "Greetings. I'd very much like to register as an adventurer, please."
"I see," she gave me a smile while tilting her had, "In that case, you'll have to pay the registration fee."
...Huh? Pardon?
"A registration... fee?" I repeated with a forced smile, just to make sure I heard that correctly.
"Yes, indeed. The cost is just around 3000 eris."
That number meant absolutely nothing to me. It could be pocket change or the equivalent of a month's rent, and I wouldn't know the difference. But considering my current net worth was precisely zero, it didn't really matter either way.
Anyway, this world's currency is called eris? That's pretty cool to know.
I cleared my throat, putting my hand awkwardly behind my back.
"Sooo... Let's say, hypothetically, I don't really have the money on me right now...?"
The receptionist's smile didn't falter. If anything, it looked like she had heard this exact excuse at least a hundred times before. "Then, you'll have to earn it. You're looking for a job too, correct? That's why you're looking to become an adventurer."
"…Yeah, that's the case," I admitted with a sigh.
She nodded knowingly. "In that case, you can look for low-risk tasks to do at the guild board. I believe there's... manual labour such as painting walls, mining, delivering goods, gathering herbs, or even assisting shopkeepers. I'd recommend mining, because while it is demanding physically, it pays quite well. It's 6 hours of work daily, but it pays exactly 5000 eris after one shift."
No way. 5000 eris for just six hours of work?! Forget delivering stuff—I'd rather work my limbs off for that much! That was more than enough to cover the registration fee, food, drink, and maybe even a place to stay for the night.
I had no idea what the actual cost of living was in this world, but in that moment, I felt my eyes light up like Mr. Krabs with a kachiiing sound effect ringing in my head.
"I'll take the mining job!" I declared with zero hesitation.
She looked a little taken aback and slightly surprised, but pointed at where I assumed was the guild board. "Well then, the jobs are over there with the directions you need. They already provide you with equipment, so do not worry about it."
Oh, hell yeah. I wouldn't even have to buy my own tools? Talk about cash money.
"Thanks!" I nodded, then turned on my heel and made my way toward the board, weaving through the crowd of adventurers and mercenaries.
The guild board was a large wooden structure plastered with various job postings, some neatly arranged, others barely hanging on. I skimmed through them, looking for the mining job.
After a few seconds, I spotted it—Beginner-Friendly Mining Job: 6 Hours, 5000 Eris Payment Upon Completion Of Each Shift. Equipment Provided. Report to the Overseer at the Listed Location.
I'm gonna fill my pockets, and then I'm going to buy me some food and maybe a few treats.
And then, I'll become an adventurer!
At least, that was the plan. If only I had known what I'd walked into.