Chapter 7: The Guild's Request

The tavern started to stir up after my brief conversation with the tavern keep, those who already knew me or my work went on and continued to their time lounging around or whatnot. I felt curious gazes as I patiently sat at my table, contemplating whether it’s a bad idea to eat here in the first place.

“Looks like it started to get lively around here.” Zephyr said, looking around for anything interesting. None of those curious gazes fell into the spirit scouting the room. At the meantime, Laurel went out of the satchel and started to explore around the table.

Laurel then approached the spirit and began bubbling and jiggling its body next to him, as if they were trying to catch his attention. Zeph didn’t take notice of them, still engaged to the whatever is happening to the tavern. I always forget that not only I’m the first one meeting a spirit, but its probably also the first time a spirit has been here.

But an uneasy feeling started to swell up. No one was able to take notice of Zephyr the entire day except one. Does it only affect people or is Laurel truly special in this case. I don’t get it. What’s going on here?

Before thinking any further, the group of adventurers who were eating earlier approached me. One of them approached forward, his confident look being the most remarkable trait about him. He was wearing simple leather armor with fur covering the rest of his upper body. He was holding a spear in one hand and a piece of paper in another one.

“We are here at the request of the village elder to help out with your instruction later” he said as he handed me the paper.

The moment I looked into the paper I recognized the emblem; The Starlink guild, one of the famous adventure guilds scattered all around the continent. That emblem was posted in front of the building next to the Archiver’s building. though, it looked pretty empty whenever I looked inside, with their receptionist just sitting around lazily.

The emblem of the Starlink Guild was shown in the top right corner with the iconic 4-point star interlocked by a chain in the emblem, with the words surrounding it describing the guild’s motif:

“To unite the continent through helping those in need.”

[The Guild’s Request] Location: Wilderhern

Posted Location: West Orion

Requested by: William Wilderhern

Type: Escort / Peacekeeping Mission

Rank: 1 – 3

Description: as part of the village’s effort to improve their security, they hold out special defense training for most of their residents once a year. You are to give support to the instructor who will be guiding the villagers, making sure to minimize any harm and injury to them during their training. Resolve any problems caused by the villagers, making sure that the event goes through smoothly.

Factors: • You are to stay in Wilderhern for 3 days, the cost of the inn (The Knocking Log) will be covered by the Guild. This will include the basic breakfast and dinner course. • The instructor may be inexperienced as it will be their first time instructing the event. Guild Watchers may be stationed to supervise the request. Make sure to ask the village elder to know how the event will go. • Wilderhern belongs in one of the safer regions of Alder (region reference 6A), it is uncommon for monsters to attack there. • Reports say of an unexplored cave system up north of the village, you may refer to the Hemlock Archiver’s Guild - Wilderhern branch for more information.

Reminders: • Make sure that you check-in with Starlink’s Guild branch in both the location posted and the destination before starting the quest to prevent multiple groups participating in the same Guild Request. • Our Guild is not responsible for any harm caused through the request given. Each adventurer is responsible for their own lives as per terms according to the Guild Contract. • The information used for our requests is managed together with the joined effort of the Starlight Alliance and the Hemlock Archiver’s Guilds, all information is made without any bias and is verified with our Guild’s personal information system. If you are a victim of any misinformation, please contact the Guild immediately. • As part of the Starlight Alliance, any intentional damage done to one’s reputation, health and/or property without a justified reason will be punished severely. • Please remember our Guild’s key values.

Below the line are rewards and the team reference, both blurred out. I would assume it was magic as each letter kept on moving around making it impossible to read.

At the bottom of the paper were their team’s name, “Furlong Explorers” with 4 signatures right below representing the 4 adventurers in front of me. Honestly, I was taken aback when one of the factors to consider is that I can be incompetent. I have seen how my parents do the training enough times whenever it’s their turn to show. It may be my first time, but I know exactly how this event goes step by step. I don’t need some adventurers to tell me what to do.

I looked up and down again, looking around at their equipment. Their journey must be long to reach to the village, can they help me if they aren’t in their best condition?

“Are you all ok with going with me in this condition?" I pointed to their weapons, some of them on the verge of breaking.

“We don’t have the time to get them repaired in time.” The spear wielding guy shook his head, I looked over his shoulder and saw that he had a spare spear except that the tip was broken off leaving a wooden stick.

“We don’t have enough money to buy new ones.” One of the other adventurers drooped down, a small, green robed magician, his hat covering most of his curly hair. He looked down to the floor, looking as if I was angry at him.

My confidence with them started to tip over. The atmosphere darkened with the adventurers exchanging awkward glances and muttering to themselves, some evolved to small bickering that only lasted for a few moments. It’s probably their first time going through this type of request.

The Tavern-keep came to my table, with a tray in her hand. She brushed past the gloomy adventurers and placed the food in the table.

As much as I want to leave the party by themselves, I wouldn’t want to waste my food I had already paid. I took a sigh and sat down at my table, calling to the group.

“Alright let’s discuss the meeting today.” I said as I started eating.

This is going to be a long day.