First Lesson Entering Society

Entering the guild hall, Havent noticed that even at this hour, there were still many people inside.

Several bronze chandeliers burned brightly, illuminating the entire hall as if it were daytime. The mingled scent of aged pine resin, rust, and various other strange odors created a peculiar aroma. Standing at the entrance, Havent couldn't help but let out a few loud sneezes.

After taking a few deep breaths and getting used to the smell, he walked towards the center of the hall. Adventurers in various attire were gathered in small groups, looking at the blackboard hanging on the wall.

Staff members continuously updated the mission information on the blackboard as they arrived. After a quick scan, Havent walked towards a round counter not far away.

Behind the counter, a girl with dark brown hair was engrossed in writing something. Hearing someone approach, she asked without looking up:

"Taking a quest or completing one?"

"Hello, I'd like to ask if there are any merchant caravans heading to the Imperial Capital."

"Inquiries aren't handled here. Turn right at the entrance."

Saying this, she impatiently looked up and pointed towards a platform on the other side of the entrance.

"Ah, wait a moment, what did you just ask?"

Havent, who was about to leave and inquire at the place the girl indicated, stopped when he heard her call him.

The girl quickly tidied her hair, which had become messy from work, a blush rising on her cheeks. She smiled at Havent.

"Um, hello, I was wondering if there are any merchant caravans heading to the Imperial Capital?"

Havent, feeling the girl's gaze, thought there might be something on his face. He reached up and touched it, finding nothing. He then asked the distracted girl again.

"Hello? Are there any?"

Her thoughts interrupted, the girl's expression became noticeably flustered, and the blush on her face deepened.

"Yes, yes, let me check for you. What's your name? I'm Lina."

"My name is Ha..."

He stopped midway, suddenly remembering his teacher's words, and quickly changed his answer.

"My name is Will. Will Hill."

"Hmm~ That's a very nice name. Will, did you just arrive in Streamwood Town? I haven't seen you before."

Lina flipped through a notebook on the desk, chatting casually with Havent.

"Yes, I just arrived today. This town is truly beautiful. Of course, I never expected to find such a lovely lady here."

Hearing Havent's compliment, Lina giggled.

"Will, it's so pleasant chatting with you. I only have two more hours until I finish work. Would you like to have dinner together? Granny Winnie's roasted chicken breast is very good, and perhaps we could have some drinks too."

Hearing the girl's bold suggestion, Havent awkwardly rubbed his nose, unsure of how to respond.

Fortunately, at that moment, Lina found the relevant information.

"Hmm, there is indeed one. You've come at a very opportune time. The Apocaya Merchant Guild is planning to return to the Imperial Capital and is currently recruiting guards. Let me see~"

Lina wrinkled her small nose, her finger sliding down the paper.

"Hmm~ Currently, three mercenary groups have accepted employment from the Apocaya Merchant Guild: Gale, Oath of Iron Shield, and Blood Wolf. Among them, the Gale mercenary group is still recruiting. You could try there. By the way, have you registered at the Adventurer's Guild?"

Havent shook his head at Lina's question.

"Not yet. Can I register now?"

"Yes, you can, but I can't register you here. Come on, I'll take you."

Seeing Lina's excessive enthusiasm, Havent quickly waved his hands to refuse.

"It's alright, Lina. I can do it myself. You have work to do, and I wouldn't want you to get in trouble for leaving your post."

"Oh! Alright, Will, you're so considerate. The registration place is over there. Make sure you come find me after you're done!"

Havent nodded, his scalp tingling, and fled from Lina's workspace as if escaping.

Looking back after walking away, he was surprised to see Lina still watching him. When she saw him look back, she even waved. Startled, Havent immediately turned and continued towards the registration desk.

'Damn, young ladies are so aggressive. My goodness, I feel like I'm standing in front of a dragon.'

Calming himself down, he arrived at the registration desk. Havent cautiously glanced towards the counter first.

'Okay~ it's a man. Phew~~~~'

"Hello, I'd like to register as an adventurer."

"Name, age, gender, profession, level," the bearded man behind the counter asked without looking up.

"Will Hill, 17 years old, male, Gale Swordsman, low-tier level 12."

The bearded man quickly jotted down the information in his notebook.

"Give me your level badge and submit 30 Copper Bicks."

Havent took a black iron sword and shield badge and thirty silver coins from his pouch and handed them over.

"Alright, this is your adventurer's badge. It has a bloodline array on it. Drip a drop of your blood to activate and bind it. You'll use this badge to accept quests from now on."

Once you accept a certain number of quests, your level will increase. Here's the Adventurer's Guide for you."

Havent picked up the badge and the book, intending to leave. He didn't expect the bearded man to call out to him.

"The Adventurer's Guide is 5 Silver Grol."

"?"

Finally, under Havent's murderous glare, the bearded man expressionlessly took the 5 silver coins from Havent's hand.

Havent, who had left, clutched the Adventurer's Guide in his hand and grumbled indignantly about being forced to buy. On the principle of "since I've already bought it," he opened it and started reading. As it turned out, the teacher had mentioned most of the contents before.

Flipping to the last page of the manual, blood rushed to Havent's head. It clearly stated:

'May all adventurers have a wonderful start and a bountiful harvest - Adventurer's Guild (Official Suggested Price: 50 Copper Bick)'

"Damn it, I'm going to burn this place down!!!! Burn it to the ground!!!!!"

After circling around and listening to other adventurers chat for a while, Havent approached another counter.

"Where is the Gale Mercenary Group, and how can I join them?" This staff member was more normal.

"They are at the Badian Tavern. They are recruiting recently, you can find them there."

Havent nodded coldly upon hearing the answer and walked towards the door. He didn't want to stay in this dark place for another moment.

Exiting the Adventurer's Guild, Havent went to a roadside vendor to ask for the location of the Badian Tavern and walked over without looking back.

Badian Tavern

"Captain, we've recruited eight people so far. We still need two more. It should be enough by tomorrow."

A burly man wearing a sleeveless leather vest listened to his subordinate's report and nodded, reaching for a notebook to look at it.

"Baki, how is Okro's gathering of supplies going? This is a big deal, and we need to be fully prepared."

Baki quickly put down his wine pot upon hearing the captain's question.

"Okro said that everything is going smoothly except for the horses. Because Baiman City is recruiting soldiers, the price of horses has increased a lot."

"Damn it, tell Okro to hurry up. The caravan is about to depart."

Just as the captain of the Gale Mercenary Group was about to say more, a young man who appeared before them interrupted them.

"Hello, is this the Gale Mercenary Group? I heard you're recruiting."