A horse-drawn carriage rolled along the busy road, cutting through a sea of people trading and bargaining. Everyone seemed used to the carriage's presence, continuing their activities without a hint of disturbance. Budi pulled aside the canvas cover and stared out in awe.
Unlike the area around the Crimson House, this district was filled with small stalls selling basic necessities. Blacksmiths and eateries lined the road, but there were very few residential houses.
Far in the distance, a grand building towered proudly. Emerald green dominated its structure, decorated with brown accents and white ornaments along every wall and pillar. The roof was breathtaking—a giant dome of stained glass forming a beautiful mosaic pattern.
"That's the Guild Headquarters?!" Budi exclaimed with excitement. The coachman next to him chuckled.
"The pride of Liros City! It's your first time seeing something that magnificent, isn't it?" the coachman boasted.
Budi shook his head. "I've seen something taller and more extravagant… but this is on a whole different artistic level!"
"What do you know about art?" Iris scoffed beside him, poking her head outside as well.
"Not… anything, actually." Budi scratched his head sheepishly. "I'm just excited to experience so many new things. You don't look impressed at all though—have you seen it yesterday?"
"Hm? I stopped caring about that building long ago. It's nothing more than fragile arrogance—a symbol of fanaticism and shackled ideologies." Iris replied casually, completely ignoring the fact someone just praised the building.
"You're right, miss. Adventurers really are arrogant." The coachman nodded repeatedly.
"There's no point in glorifying it anyway. In the end, it doesn't belong to the kingdom nor the people. Pride of Liros City? The city of adventurers? It sounds more like a dying kingdom selling itself to outsiders." Iris rested her chin on her palm and watched the scenery lazily.
"What exactly happened to the kingdom?" Budi asked, bewildered.
"I don't know every detail. But in short, Victoria Kingdom's trade routes were disrupted after the Demon King's revival. A lot of monsters and demons appeared near the borders, threatening traders." Iris stretched. "So the Guild proposed building an Adventurers' Association here in Liros to deal with the crisis. Why Liros? Because the western region is closest to the border."
"Damn adventurers! Because they're in demand, they jack up their prices however they want!" the coachman growled.
"Doesn't the kingdom have knights? Why not send them instead?" Budi wondered.
"Knights only serve nobles, Budi. They only escort merchants from influential families. They swore loyalty to the kingdom, so they don't have the same freedom adventurers do." Tia joined the conversation, suddenly appearing next to Budi.
"And there's a big war on the eastern front. Many knights were deployed there. That shortage became the perfect opportunity for adventurers to become the final option—for them, it's the perfect stage." The coachman adjusted his hat and wiped the sweat on his temple.
"Import and export prices skyrocketed fourfold. Many merchants went bankrupt and became fake adventurers just to survive. These years have been rough." Tia sighed and leaned against the luggage.
"We've arrived!" the coachman announced.
Budi couldn't help but stare in amazement. The building truly was majestic. Lion-shaped carvings decorated the structure, sculpted from premium wood. White ornaments caught his attention as well—he ran his fingers over a carving of a white serpent spiraling around a pillar.
"Thank you for letting us hitch a ride, Uncle!" Tia bowed gratefully.
The coachman chuckled. "Ahaha, you're welcome. Be good adventurers, okay? And one more thing—tell Elizabeth I sell wine now. Poor girl will ruin her liver if she keeps drinking cheap liquor at her age." With that, he waved goodbye and drove the carriage away into the bustling road.
"Ugh, I'll… tell Master properly." Tia forced a smile, then turned around and motioned Budi and Iris to follow her inside.
"Welcome to the Guild Headquarters!" Tia declared proudly.
It was way beyond what Budi imagined—this grand hall was stunning. Gleaming marble tiles covered the floor, pure white yet luxurious. From the stained-glass dome ceiling, gentle sunlight poured in naturally. Taxidermy heads of beasts and monsters adorned the emerald-painted walls, along with shiny weapons—swords, maces, hammers, scythes, daggers, spears, bows, and countless others.
"Hey, Budi! Come on!" Tia called.
Snapped out of his daze, Budi ran down the stairs to join Tia and Iris standing before a towering tree. Because the ceiling was designed exceptionally high, multiple ancient trees grew inside the hall—and the largest was right in front of them.
"Let's determine your Classes first," Tia said, heading toward the receptionist.
Adventurers turned to watch the group. Tall armored men whispered among themselves, and patrons paused from their drinks just to size up Budi.
"Eh—why are they staring?" Budi whispered to Tia.
"They think you're a noble because of your blonde hair. Some noble families have that trait." Tia explained.
"You didn't think I was a noble?" Budi asked.
"No noble has a name like 'Budi.'" Iris replied bluntly.
'Fair enough…' Budi sighed.
"Welcome to the Guild Headquarters. How may I assist you?" A kind-looking woman in a light-green uniform greeted them warmly.
"They're registering as adventurers, but they don't know their Classes yet." Tia pointed to Budi and Iris.
The receptionist nodded, bowed briefly, and returned with two sheets of aged parchment. She handed them to Budi and Iris. A threatening aura washed over the air as the adventurers watched—tension rose the moment "noble blood" was suspected.
"Please drop your blood onto the parchment." She placed two needles before them.
Budi hesitated, but Iris immediately bit her thumb and smeared a generous amount of blood on the page. Instantly, the parchment reacted—the surface darkened, twisted letters formed, and a staff-shaped emblem with a spiral tip appeared.
"I can't read this," Iris groaned. Tia happily read it aloud.
"Class: CasterTalent: ContractorSkill: —Level: 1" Tia nodded with satisfaction.
"You can learn from me or from Master!" Tia hugged the white-haired girl. Iris smiled and returned the embrace.
"Looking forward to working with you."
"Not for free though!"
"Budi will pay." Iris pointed at him.
"Hey!" Budi planted his fists on his hips. With a sigh, he turned to his parchment, growing even more curious about his own Class. He copied Iris and pressed blood onto the page. Some faint white letters appeared. Tia read it carefully.
"Class: —Talent: —Skill: —Level: 1"
Tia froze. She examined Budi from head to toe.
"I was sure you'd at least get Warrior… this is strange." She scratched her head.
The tension in the hall evaporated instantly. Adventurers burst into laughter, their anxious expressions melting into relief. Some even patted Budi on the shoulder.
"So you're just a normal kid! I thought you were some arrogant noble with insane Talent." one armored man jeered.
"Hahaha! Just a weakling!" a mage howled.
"I was sure he was some brat sent to strip us of our ranks."
"Haha! What happened? Did your family kick you out?"
Budi's heart sank. He gripped the parchment tightly, refusing to believe what he heard. Tia looked guilty and tried to comfort him. Mockery echoed across the grand hall—ridiculing the clueless newcomer.
"Hey, pretty girl! Why don't you join my party instead? You'll level up fast! Dump that useless noble kid, I'll pay you way more!" a mage flirted with Iris.
"Come with me instead! I belong to an elite guild, your life will be set!"
Adventurers swarmed Iris—each trying to recruit her. Tia, however, stayed by Budi's side, gently patting his stiff shoulder.
"Move. I'm not interested." Iris shoved through the crowd, grabbed Budi's wrist, and dragged him to the receptionist's desk.
"Miss! Issue our Adventurer Cards and a Party Registration form!" Iris declared firmly.
"Of course. What is your party's name?" the receptionist asked.
"Budi's Adventurer Party!" Iris announced with pride.