CHAPTER 8 — THE GUILD BEYOND THE NOISE
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The sky above the grassland began to shift from orange to purple when the three of them finally decided to move. The effortless conversation, Aetheria's occasional soft laughter, and Amura's mysterious smile that could never quite be read—all felt like a dream too beautiful to be real. But the sun cared nothing for dreams. It kept sinking, and darkness began to creep from the eastern horizon.
Aetheria: (Looking at the darkening sky, her voice slightly anxious) "We... we should go home. It'll be dark soon."
Amura: (Standing, brushing small blades of grass from his pants) "Yes. We'll continue tomorrow. There's still plenty of time."
Kyoichiiro: (Also standing, his eyes gazing toward the village now dotted with distant oil lamps) "Tomorrow morning. Here again?"
Amura: (Smiling—a smile hard to read, somewhere between agreement and mere acknowledgment) "Sure. I have nothing else to do."
Aetheria: (Nodding quickly, her eyes bright) "I-I can come too!"
They walked back toward the village. Kyoichiiro in front, Aetheria on his right, Amura on his left. Their steps were slow, unhurried, like three children who didn't yet know that the world out there could be far crueler than they imagined.
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THE NEXT DAY
The sun hadn't fully risen when Kyoichiiro was already outside the inn. The morning air was still cold, and dew still dampened the grass by the roadside. He sat on the wooden bench in front of the inn, watching the village begin to stir. Some villagers had already emerged—some carrying hoes to the fields, some carrying woven baskets toward the well, some just sitting on their porches yawning.
Claire was still asleep inside. Kyoichiiro had left a short note on the table—"Going out for a bit. Be back later."—though he wasn't sure Claire would read it. But at least he'd let her know.
Not long after, Aetheria appeared from the eastern side of the village. Her long blonde hair was tied with a pale blue ribbon, and her simple dress looked slightly too big for her small frame. She walked quickly, almost half-running, and when she reached the inn's front, her breath came in gasps.
Aetheria: (Catching her breath, bending over briefly) "Sorry... I'm... am I late?"
Kyoichiiro: (Flat) "No. We're still waiting for Amura."
Aetheria: (Nodding, then sitting on the bench beside Kyoichiiro—a little distance away, but close enough to speak without shouting)
They waited. Five minutes. Ten minutes. Kyoichiiro began to think that Amura might not come—or might have forgotten, or might have deliberately not come for some reason. But just as he was about to stand and decide to go alone, the red-haired figure appeared from around the corner.
Amura: (Walking casually, hands in his pockets, with the same smile as yesterday) "Sorry, sorry. I can't wake up early. A bad habit."
Kyoichiiro: (Rising from the bench) "Let's go."
Aetheria: (Also rising, a little nervous) "Where to?"
Kyoichiiro: "Just walk around first. Look at the village."
The three of them began to walk. There was no clear destination—at least, not for Aetheria and perhaps not for Amura either. But Kyoichiiro had a destination. He just hadn't told them yet.
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CONVERSATION AT THE MARKET
Fertile Village in the morning felt more alive than usual. Merchants were opening their stalls, shouting their wares. Small children ran between adult legs, laughing, sometimes crying when they fell. The scent of freshly baked bread mixed with the smell of salted fish and fresh vegetables. Aetheria occasionally stopped in front of stalls selling trinkets, but she never bought anything—perhaps because she had no money, or perhaps because she just liked looking.
They passed a small roadside tavern where a few villagers sat enjoying warm tea. And there, by chance, Kyoichiiro's ears caught fragments of conversation.
Villager #1: (A middle-aged man in a straw hat, wiping sweat from his brow) "...yeah, at the Guild too, there are plenty of adventurers who've defeated strong monsters on the eastern border."
Villager #2: (Younger, in shabby clothes, eyes gleaming) "I heard some have even conquered mid-level dungeons alone! Rank A, maybe!"
Villager #1: "Rank A isn't just anyone. From what I know, only experienced adventurers can reach that rank. But I hear at the western trading post, there's a Guild that's quite active. Lots of young adventurers there."
Villager #2: "The western trading post? The one near the old forest?"
Villager #1: "Yeah. About half a day's travel from here. Quite far, but by cart, you could get there before noon."
Kyoichiiro stopped. His light blue eyes narrowed slightly—not from glare, but because he was considering something.
Amura: (Walking beside him, also stopping) "What is it, Kyoichiiro-san?"
Kyoichiiro: (Not answering. He turned toward the chatting villagers, then walked closer)
Kyoichiiro: (In a flat voice) "Excuse me. Is there an Adventurer's Guild near here?"
The villagers turned. They were slightly surprised to see a child—especially one with bluish-white hair and light blue eyes too calm for his age—suddenly appear before them.
Villager #1: (Smiling, though still a little puzzled) "Oh, kid... there is. At the western trading post, about half a day's journey from here. The Guild's quite big. Lots of adventurers gather there."
Kyoichiiro: "Thank you."
He turned and walked back toward Amura and Aetheria. Amura blinked, slightly confused.
Amura: "Kyoichiiro-san... you're serious about going to the Guild?"
Kyoichiiro: "Yes."
Aetheria: (Nervous) "B-but... the Guild is far, isn't it? Half a day's journey..."
Kyoichiiro: "We'll find a cart."
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A FORTUITOUS MERCHANT
They walked to the edge of the village, toward the main road connecting Fertile to the outside world. Not many carts passed here—only occasionally, and usually belonging to merchants delivering goods to neighboring villages.
They waited. Aetheria sat by the roadside, occasionally playing with the hem of her dress. Amura stood beside her, occasionally glancing at Kyoichiiro, who stood a little further away, his eyes never stopping as he scanned the road.
Before long, the sound of wooden wheels and horse hooves reached them. A simple horse-drawn cart slowed in front of them. A middle-aged man with a tired face and a nearly falling straw hat leaned forward.
Merchant: (His voice hoarse, friendly) "Where are you headed, kids? Alone at the roadside like this."
Kyoichiiro: (Stepping forward) "Are you heading toward the western trading post? Toward the Adventurer's Guild?"
The merchant was surprised. He looked at Kyoichiiro—a child's face, still very young, but his gaze wasn't like a child's. There was depth there, as if he had seen too much for his age.
Merchant: (Nodding, smiling) "Yes. I'm delivering orders there. Passing through here by chance. Want a ride?"
Amura: (Stepping forward immediately, cutting in with his bright smile) "Yes please, Uncle! We'll pay for the ride."
Merchant: (Chuckling softly) "This kid... alright. Hop on."
The three of them climbed onto the back of the cart, sitting among sacks of wheat and vegetables. Aetheria sat at the very edge, afraid of dirtying her dress. Amura sat beside her, casually leaning back against a pile of sacks. Kyoichiiro sat across from them, his eyes still scanning the road as it shifted from earth to small stones.
Merchant: (From the front, without turning) "Oh right, the fare is five coins per person."
Amura: (Reaching into his pocket, pulling out some silver coins) "Here, Uncle. Is this enough?"
The merchant took the coins, counted them briefly, then nodded in satisfaction.
Merchant: "Enough. You three rest. The journey's quite long."
The cart began to move. The clatter of wheels and the horse's footsteps became the only sounds filling the journey. Kyoichiiro didn't speak. His eyes remained on the road, occasionally shifting to the green fields stretching left and right. Aetheria shivered slightly—the morning air was still cold, and the wind hitting her face didn't help.
Amura: (Removing his thin jacket, handing it to Aetheria) "Wear this. You're cold."
Aetheria: (Her face slightly flushed) "I-it's okay... I—"
Amura: (Cutting in) "Just wear it. I'm not cold."
Aetheria accepted the jacket, putting it on with shy movements. It was too big for her, but she didn't mind. It felt warm.
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THE TOWN — THE TRADING POST
After a journey that felt like forever—perhaps about an hour, perhaps more—the trees at the roadside began to thin, replaced by more solid stone buildings. The road, which had been small stones, now became neatly arranged river stones. And in the distance, a large gate made of wood and iron stood tall, a flag fluttering above it.
Merchant: (From the front, without turning) "We're here, kids. This is the trading post. The Adventurer's Guild is inside, in the center. The biggest building. You can't miss it."
The cart stopped. Amura climbed down first, then helped Aetheria, still awkward in the oversized jacket. Kyoichiiro descended last, his eyes immediately sweeping the surroundings.
This town—or rather, this trading post—was much larger than he had imagined. Stone buildings stood solidly left and right of the main road, some two or three stories high. Unlike the villages filled only with simple wooden houses, here there were weapon shops, potion shops, larger inns, and even a building with a sign reading "ADVENTURER'S GUILD - BRANCH."
Merchant: (Already off the cart, starting to unload his goods) "If you want to return, there might be another cart passing through this evening. Or you could stay overnight here. Lots of inns."
Amura: (Bowing slightly) "Thank you, Uncle."
Merchant: (Smiling) "You're welcome. Take care on the road."
The merchant left, pulling his cart in another direction. Kyoichiiro, Amura, and Aetheria stood at the roadside of the main trading post, surrounded by passersby—mostly adults, dressed in more varied clothing than what they usually saw in the village.
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ASKING THE BEASTMAN
Kyoichiiro: (Turning to Amura and Aetheria) "Let's find the Guild's location first."
Amura: "The merchant said it's in the center."
Kyoichiiro: "But we don't know the exact route."
They walked along the main road, past rows of shops and stalls selling all sorts of goods—weapons, potions, charms, even some antiques of unclear purpose. Aetheria occasionally glanced at those stalls with bright eyes, but she didn't stop.
At a corner, they saw a large-built man with animal features—pointed ears like a wolf's atop his head, and a bushy tail that swayed slowly. He was sitting on a wooden bench in front of his shop, examining a dagger closely.
Kyoichiiro: (Approaching the man, standing before him) "Excuse me."
The beastman looked up. His yellow eyes narrowed at the three children before him.
Beastman: (His voice deep, but not harsh) "What is it, kid?"
Kyoichiiro: "We'd like to ask something. Do you know where the Adventurer's Guild is located in this trading post?"
The beastman observed them—one by one. Kyoichiiro with his bluish-white hair and calm light blue eyes, Amura with his red hair and sharp red eyes, Aetheria with her long blonde hair and anxious pink eyes.
Beastman: (Smiling—a grin, but not threatening) "Oh, young ones wanting to become adventurers? The Guild is at the end of this road. Turn left at the big intersection, then go straight. The biggest building there, you can't miss it."
Amura: (Smiling warmly) "Thank you very much, Uncle!"
Beastman: (Nodding, then returning to his dagger) "Be careful, you know. The adventurer's world isn't as pretty as you imagine."
Kyoichiiro nodded, then turned. The three of them walked in the direction indicated.
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TOWARD THE GUILD
Amura: (Walking beside Kyoichiiro, his voice low) "That beastman... he knows something."
Kyoichiiro: (Not turning) "Of course. Everyone here knows about the Guild."
Aetheria: (Still holding Amura's oversized jacket) "I'm... a little nervous. This place is so crowded."
Kyoichiiro: "We're just looking around. We don't have to do anything."
They kept walking. The big intersection the beastman mentioned turned out to be a small square with a fountain in its center—a fountain that wasn't flowing, perhaps because it had been neglected. From that square, they could see a large stone building at the end of the road, with a big sign reading "ADVENTURER'S GUILD - WESTBRANCH." A flag bearing the emblem of a hammer and sword fluttered above its roof.
Aetheria: (Whispering) "That's... that's the Guild?"
Amura: (Smiling) "It seems so."
Kyoichiiro: (Stepping forward) "Let's go."
They walked toward the building, passing a few adventurers sitting on the front terrace—mostly adult men with muscular builds, weapons on their backs or at their waists, faces already familiar with danger. Some glanced briefly at the three children passing by, but no one commented. Perhaps they were used to seeing young ones hoping to try their luck.
Kyoichiiro pushed open the heavy wooden door. It opened with a soft creak, and inside—
The interior was vast, far larger than the building's exterior suggested. High ceilings with wooden beams crossed overhead, supporting chandeliers of iron and glass that cast warm light across the hall. The walls were lined with wooden notice boards covered in parchment—quests, bounties, requests of all kinds. In the center of the room, a long wooden counter stretched from one side to the other, behind which several receptionists in uniform stood, attending to a steady stream of adventurers. The air buzzed with the murmur of voices, the clinking of tankards, the shuffle of boots on stone floors, and the occasional burst of hearty laughter from a corner where a group of adventurers were sharing stories.
Kyoichiiro stood just inside the doorway, his light blue eyes scanning the room, absorbing every detail. Amura stood beside him, his expression unreadable but his red eyes alert. Aetheria clung to the edge of Amura's jacket, her face a mixture of awe and nervousness.
The Guild hall was alive with movement and sound. Adventurers of all kinds—humans, beastmen, elves, and some races Kyoichiiro couldn't identify—moved about with purpose. Some were grouped around tables, discussing strategies over maps. Others stood in line at the counter, submitting quest reports or receiving new ones. A few sat alone in corners, nursing drinks and staring into the distance.
Kyoichiiro's gaze settled on a large board at the far wall—the quest board. It was covered in papers of various colors, each pinned neatly in rows. Some had red seals, some had black, some had none. The sheer number of quests was overwhelming.
Kyoichiiro: (To himself) So this is the Guild... The heart of the adventurer's world.
Amura: (Leaning in slightly) "It's bigger than I expected."
Aetheria: (Voice barely a whisper) "There are... so many people..."
Just then, a voice came from behind the counter—a woman's voice, warm but professional.
Receptionist: (A woman in her mid-twenties with auburn hair tied in a neat bun, wearing the Guild's uniform, her smile polite and practiced) "Welcome to the Adventurer's Guild! Are you here to register? Or are you looking for information?"
The three children exchanged glances. Kyoichiiro stepped forward slightly, his expression unchanging.
Kyoichiiro: "Information. For now."
The receptionist's smile widened slightly—perhaps amused by the seriousness of such a young child, perhaps genuinely interested.
Receptionist: "Of course. What would you like to know?"
Kyoichiiro opened his mouth to speak, but before he could form the words, Amura stepped forward with a bright grin, cutting in smoothly.
Amura: (With an easy, charming smile) "We're curious about the Guild system. How does one register? What kind of quests are available? We've heard stories, but we'd like to hear it from someone who actually knows."
The receptionist laughed softly—a sound like bells, warm and kind.
Receptionist: "Well, that's a big question for such a small group. Why don't you come closer, and I'll explain what I can."
She gestured them forward with a friendly wave. Kyoichiiro hesitated for just a fraction of a second, then stepped forward. Amura and Aetheria followed, the three of them approaching the counter like soldiers approaching a battlefield—nervous, but resolute.
For Kyoichiiro, this was more than just curiosity. This was the first step toward understanding a world that had already taken everything from him once. It was the first step toward finding his place in it—or perhaps, toward building one of his own.