The Mercenary Guild

When the school year ended, Ernst Institute went on break. Most students chose to go home or explore Fenlai City with friends. Lin Qin, carrying a broadsword carefully wrapped in strips of cloth, made his way alone to the Mercenary Guild in Fenlai City.

The Mercenary Guild was a huge stone building that looked weather-beaten. Men and women carrying knives and swords came and went through its entrance, all with fierce bearing. The air was thick with the smell of sweat and alcohol, and the faintest trace of blood. The din of voices, crude shouts, and clinking tankards blended together, a stark contrast to the quiet atmosphere of the institute.

Lin Qin walked calmly into the hall. The interior was spacious, with huge magic lamps suspended from the ceiling. The most prominent feature was the enormous magical quest board on the far wall. It displayed a constant stream of text in various colors, representing quests of different ranks. There was a dazzling assortment, from the lowest G-rank quests, such as finding lost pets and delivering letters, to the highest S-rank quests, which involved Saint Realm experts or wars between nations.

The hall was packed. Some people gathered around the quest board, pointing and commenting; others clustered around tables in the corners, loudly discussing the details of quests. Still others leaned against the walls, polishing their weapons and sweeping sharp glances over the crowd.

Lin Qin's arrival drew some attention. He looked too young. Though sturdy and composed, his somewhat boyish face and the serene air about him, so at odds with his surroundings, made him stand out.

"Hey, kid, you're in the wrong place, aren't you? The institute district's that way!" a burly man with a scar on his face shouted at him gruffly, prompting a burst of laughter.

Lin Qin ignored him and went straight to the counter. An expressionless middle-aged clerk sat behind it.

"Register as a mercenary," Lin Qin said succinctly.

The clerk looked up at him, then tossed over a form and a low-grade strength-testing crystal. "Fill this out and test your strength. The minimum requirement is Second Rank Warrior or equivalent strength as a mage. The registration fee is ten gold coins."

Lin Qin filled out the form briskly, listing his name, age, and strength as a Level 4 Warrior. Out of habit, he held back a little. Then he gripped the strength-testing crystal and channeled his battle qi. The crystal glowed a steady earth-yellow, its intensity exactly that of a Level 4 Warrior.

The clerk confirmed everything, took the coins, and handed him a Black Iron Badge and a small booklet. "Black Iron Badge, G-rank mercenary. The handbook contains the guild rules and explanations of quest ranks. Complete quests to earn points, and use points to advance in rank. That's all. Next."

The whole process was strictly business, without a single unnecessary word.

Lin Qin pinned the badge to his chest and walked over to the quest board. He filtered out the trivial G- and F-rank quests and turned his attention to the E- and D-rank ones.

Most E-rank quests required some fighting ability to complete, such as wiping out a small band of bandits, hunting specific Rank 1 or 2 magical beasts, or escorting a merchant caravan over a short distance. D-rank quests were more dangerous and might involve Rank 3 or higher magical beasts, or more troublesome enemies.

His goal was to hone himself through real combat and earn some resources for cultivation. He read the quest descriptions carefully, assessing his own abilities.

In the end, he chose an E-rank quest:

[Quest Rank: E]

[Details: Escort a small merchant caravan to neighboring Black Stone City. The journey is expected to take three days. The caravan has three guards of its own and needs to recruit two additional mercenaries to reinforce its protection.]

[Requirements: Level 3 Warrior or higher, or a mage of equivalent strength.]

[Reward: Twenty gold coins, with meals and lodging provided.]

The quest's risks were relatively manageable, the journey was short, and the caravan had a local guide, making it suitable for his first experience. He noted the quest number and returned to the counter to accept it.

Following the quest instructions, he went to the trade district in the west of the city and found the caravan preparing to depart. Several wagons loaded with furs and ore were ready to go. The caravan's owner was a slightly plump, sharp-eyed middle-aged man. Besides three guards in leather armor carrying weapons, there was another mercenary who had accepted the quest.

The man looked to be around thirty, lean and fit, with a curved saber at his waist and a weathered face. His aura suggested he was about a Level 4 Warrior. He glanced at Lin Qin and, seeing the Black Iron Badge on his chest and his youthful face, furrowed his brow almost imperceptibly, but said nothing.

The caravan owner also seemed uncertain when he saw Lin Qin. "Young man, are you... sure you can handle this? We might run into wild beasts or even bandits on the way."

Lin Qin didn't waste words. He released a trace of a Level 4 Warrior's battle qi. Its deep, weighty presence made the caravan owner and the three guards straighten up.

"Level 4 Warrior? My apologies, my apologies!" The caravan owner immediately broke into a smile. "With you joining us, I feel much better about this trip! I'm Old John, and this is Hake." He pointed to the Level 4 Warrior mercenary.

Hake nodded to Lin Qin, his earlier disdain mostly gone. In the mercenary world, strength spoke the clearest language.

"Lin Qin," Lin Qin said, giving his name.

"Good! Brother Lin Qin, Brother Hake, let's get moving!" Old John called out. The caravan slowly set off and rolled out through Fenlai City's west gate.