ITWOK Chapter 5: Raising the stakes

A stern voice cut through the crowd's excited chatter. "Make way! Make way!" A tall, impeccably dressed man shouldered his way through. His attire marked him as a high-ranking servant, likely a butler or chamberlain. "This Yxlier is the property of Lord Ashton. Show some respect and disperse." He gestured sharply to the carriage driver, who hastily threw a rough brown tarp over the cage. It didn't fully conceal the Yxlier though. Her bound feet and the tips of her white wings were still visible, but it was enough to finally disperse the crowd.

Haru watched as the others walked away, having gawked at the girl as if she were property to be admired. What the king and the princess had failed to mention was that the kingdom of Crown Almighty was the epicenter of the slave trade, using slave labor to fuel its economy. The others would not know about this until it was too late to change their minds about helping the kingdom.

"Hey, you, scram!" The chamberlain glared at Haru and gestured for him to leave.

Haru glanced once more but ultimately sighed. Drawing the ire of a noble would unfortunately, cause a wretch in his plans so he had no plans to help.

Back when he was newly summoned and still naive about this world, Haru had witnessed the cruel treatment of other races. Humans stood at the top in this world, mercilessly enslaving every other race to make their lives easier or more pleasurable. The atrocities he had seen were enough to make the average person from his own world avert their gaze and retch in disgust. In his past life, he had tried to intervene, but it always backfired. Over time, he had grown callous to these scenes. Putting himself in danger for little reward simply wasn’t worth it.

‘Sorry… there isn't much I can do.'

As he began to walk away, Haru couldn't help but turn back one last time. Their eyes met. He saw the hopeless desolation in the young girl’s eyes, a look of resigned fate. Haru’s heart thumped loudly. He bit his lip, trying to stop himself from making a mistake.

Suddenly, a tall young man with meticulously styled red hair emerged from the edge of the market. His sharp features and green eyes carried a hint of arrogance. He wore a deep green velvet doublet adorned with golden embroidery, dark trousers, and polished boots. A signet ring bearing his family’s crest gleamed on his right hand. This was Lord Ashton, a noble of a relatively small territory.

“Is everything in order, Thaddeus?” he asked

The chamberlain, Thaddeus, bowed respectfully. “Yes, my lord. All the papers are sorted, and the Yxlier is ready to be transported.”

Lord Ashton approached the cage, lifting the edge of the tarp to inspect its contents. His gaze lingered on the Yxlier's white wings and deep purple eyes, satisfaction crossing his face. “A relatively pureblood,” he mused aloud. “It was worth spending all our money to acquire this one. Once I present this Yxlier to the Duke, I will surely be invited to The Society, and my status will finally elevate!” He laughed wildly.

“Indeed, the lord's wise decisions will lead the house to great heights,” the chamberlain agreed.

“How's her health?”

“Manageable, my lord. We've only given her a spoonful of water and haven't fed her anything since she was captured, so she won't be able to use any mana or even have the energy to try to escape. According to my sources, the Duke also prefers the non-feisty ones, making this Yxlier perfect.”

Lord Ashton nodded. “Putting a slave collar on her would’ve made it easier, if only taking them off was just as easy as putting them on.”

As he was about to instruct Thaddeus to prepare for departure, Haru appeared from behind and, without warning, bumped into Lord Ashton with a thud. With a subtle twist of his wrist, he slipped a piece of jerked meat into the cart without anyone noticing.

"What the hell?" Lord Ashton roared.

"My word! How dare you touch a noble so casually!" Thaddeus exclaimed.

"Ah, sorry about that, mister!" Haru quickly began brushing the noble's cape, patting off any dust.

Looking as if someone had insulted his mother, Lord Ashton grabbed Haru by the collar, a vein bulging on his forehead. "Do you have a death wish?"

"Sorry, sorry! I didn't mean it, I swear! I was just taken by the sights. Everything is still so new after being summoned," Haru said with a wry smile.

"Wait—summoned?" Lord Ashton's eyes widened in shock as his grip loosened.

"Yeah, just today. Let me pay for your dry cleaning—no, wait, I don't have any money." Haru put on a serious expression, as if genuinely trying to figure out what to do.

"You… were you summoned from the palace?"

"That's right," Haru responded truthfully. "Is there something wrong?"

Lord Ashton dropped Haru and asked, "What's your name?"

"Name's Jack, nice to meet ya!" Haru extended a hand. An obvious fake name, but this noble didn't have to know that.

"Jack… that is a foreign name." Lord Ashton fell into thought for a moment before remembering Haru was still in front of him. He coughed and took Haru's hand. "Very well, given that you are new here, I will overlook this minor transgression. Be more careful next time. Not all nobles are as forgiving as I. As you are new, I will also introduce myself. I am Lord Frederick Ashton."

"Hey, that's pretty chill of you." Haru gave a light laugh. "I'll be on my way then. If we meet again, I'll treat you to some lunch." He turned to leave, and as he passed, he saw the Yxlier girl now chewing on the jerked meat he had left her. Her lips moved, and though no sounds came out, it was apparent she was saying thank you.

As he melted into the crowd, Lord Ashton continued to stare in the direction where Haru had disappeared.

"That was quite kind of you, my lord. I'm a little surprised given your usual… temperament," Thaddeus remarked.

Despite the backhanded compliment, Lord Ashton remained deep in thought. "What do you think about that Summoned, Thaddeus?"

"He's certainly strange, my lord. Had it not been for his unusual clothes and mannerisms, I would not have suspected him to be one of the Summoned."

"Right. I heard that the Summoned would be assessed before the auction. Do you think they let him out because he's special?"

"That is difficult to say, my lord."

"In any case, it doesn't hurt to avoid making an enemy of the Summoned until we know what they are truly capable of." Lord Ashton then turned back to the Yxlier. "You are my ticket to the world beyond my insignificant territory. Once I get into the hands of the Duke, I will be invited to all sorts of events and make valuable connections. You're my prized key into the world of upper nobility!"

The carriage soon left, but not long after, a man in a cloak appeared. Upon closer look, it was Ren, hot on Haru's trail.

***

Haru stood before his destination—the Adventurers' Guild. The guild was housed in a large, imposing stone building, its emblem depicting a mythical dragon. The heavy wooden doors creaked as Haru pushed them open, stepping into the spacious interior.

The guild hall was lively and boisterous, filled with the clamor of adventurers from all walks of life. The air was thick with the scent of sweat, leather, and the faint aroma of ale wafting from the adjoining tavern. Weapons and armor hung on the walls, each piece telling a story of battles fought and quests undertaken.

In one corner of the hall, a group of adventurers gathered around a table, their laughter and cheers infectious. They clinked their mugs together, toasting to a successful quest completed and the spoils they had acquired. The camaraderie among them was palpable, their faces flushed with the warmth of ale.

Haru made his way through the crowded hall, weaving past the boisterous adventurers who paid him little attention, too engrossed in their own chatter.

As he approached the reception desk, he was welcomed by a woman with bright, inquisitive eyes and a warm smile. Her auburn hair was neatly tied back in a bun, and her simple yet elegant attire highlighted her petite frame. Despite what he was wearing, she greeted him with the same professionalism as if she were talking to anyone else.

"Welcome to the Adventurers' Guild!" she chirped enthusiastically. "How may I assist you today?"

Haru leaned against the desk. "I'm new here and looking to join the guild. What do I need to do to get started?"

The receptionist's smile widened as she reached for a stack of papers. "Ah, a new adventurer! We're always excited to welcome fresh faces. First, you'll need to fill out these registration forms. They ask for your name, background, and any relevant skills, abilities, or experience you might have. Once that's in order, you'll simply have to pay a one-time fee."

"About that," he began, his voice carrying a hint of sheepishness, "I'm actually one of the newly summoned heroes. I don't have any money or skills to speak of yet."

It took a second before the receptionist's eyes widened in surprise, her mouth falling open slightly. "A summoned hero?" she repeated, almost in a mutter. "I... I… excuse me!" She quickly left, and the guild hall fell silent as the other adventurers turned their attention towards Haru. Murmurs of disbelief and curiosity rippled through the crowd as they craned their necks to get a better look at the supposed summoned hero.

A burly adventurer with a weather-beaten face and a thick beard stepped forward, a mug of ale in his hand. "A summoned hero, eh?" he boomed, his voice carrying across the now-silent hall. "We've heard rumors of your kind being summoned, but never thought we'd see one in the flesh. What brings you to our guild? Aren't you lot being trained at the palace?"

Haru straightened, his eyes scanning the crowd. "Ha, no way. If I were to train there, I would have to sell my soul to the demons. I want to be free like all of you. That's why I came here the moment I stepped out." He suddenly pointed at himself and proclaimed loudly, "My name is Haru, and my goal is to be the greatest adventurer that ever lived!"

The crowd erupted into laughter, not with mockery, but with cheerful amusement. They hadn't seen such a bright-eyed boy in a long time, and hearing such enthusiasm from someone who had just been summoned reminded them of their own early days.

"Hahaha, that's quite a proclamation, boy! But do you have what it takes to back those words?" an adventurer called out.

The receptionist re-emerged from the back, trailed by a ruggedly built man with black hair, clearly in his middle years. His hardened face bore a few scars, each telling a story of its own. The man approached Haru, towering over him by a head and a half. He extended a hand. "Name's Becker, Guild Leader of the Adventurers' Guild in Crown City."

Haru took his hand, his grip firm. Becker nodded approvingly. "Nice grip. However, it's unfortunate, but I don't think I can let you join us."

Haru's expression remained neutral as he asked, "How come?"

"Firstly, let's address the main issue—you have no money. This means you can't afford to register, let alone buy any gear, weapons, or supplies. Any quests issued by us, even the easier gathering quests, require at least some preparation. Secondly, while the Adventurers' Guild is based in Crown City, we are not affiliated with the kingdom. Our relationship is strictly professional, they don't interfere with us, and we don't interfere with them. As a Summoned, you are in a gray zone for us. We wouldn't know how to handle it if the kingdom suddenly demands you back."

Becker leaned in closer to Haru, his face mere inches away. "Lastly, you're newly summoned, which means you're not familiar with our world. It's not as simple as waltzing in here and becoming an adventurer. Even a child who sets out on an adventure must be prepared for the challenges that lie ahead. You're a liability, and frankly, you wouldn't even be worth raising, even if you are a Summoned. Don't you think you're underestimating the dangers of adventuring just a bit too much?"

The hall fell silent, but Haru simply laughed, not backing down. He stepped even closer, meeting Becker's gaze directly. "Who says I'm underestimating anything? Just because I'm newly summoned, you think I don't know anything. Aren't you just jumping to conclusions?"

Some of the adventurers gasped, their eyes wide with surprise. Becker was known for his abrasive attitude, and those who dared to cause trouble in the guild would quickly find themselves on the receiving end of a few broken bones and a lengthy stay in bed. His reputation as a hard-ass guild master was well-deserved, and no one in their right mind would dare to challenge him without expecting fierce retaliation.

Becker furrowed his brow. "What do you mean?"

"First of all, I've already cut ties with the kingdom, and they let me go without a fuss. They summoned 99 others besides me, so they aren't exactly lacking in manpower. In fact, they were more than happy to see me go. Secondly, you're right that I don't have any money, which is why I'm asking you to sponsor me. Not for free, of course. I can guarantee it'll be worth your while!"

He paused, then swiftly grabbed a blade from one of the nearby adventurers before they could react. "Wha—hey!"

He slammed the weapon down onto the counter with a resounding thud, a confident smile spreading across his face. "My only goal is to live freely and to do everything I want without regrets. I won't let anyone stop me from achieving my dreams—not monsters, not the kingdom, and not even the demons. I have an adventuring spirit that is second to no one here, and I'm willing to wager my life on it!"

Becker's eyes narrowed, but a hint of a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. He seemed to appreciate Haru's boldness. "You've got some nerve, kid… Haru, was it?" The guild leader paused, his gaze intense as he studied Haru. "Alright, since you're willing to wager your life, I'll give you a chance."

Becker extended his hand. "Here's the deal. Take my hand. If you can hold on for more than 10 seconds, I'll consider sponsoring your adventuring license."

Haru stared at the hand and smirked. "How about throwing in a Skill Revealing Scroll too?"

The crowd gasped at Haru's bold request. In the world of Kladin, the Skill Revealing Scroll was a valuable and rare item used to uncover a person's innate skills. However, not everyone possessed innate skills; perhaps only 1 in 10 did, and even then, the skill might not be particularly useful. Given the high cost to create a Skill Revealing Scroll, ordinary people could never afford to use one. Thus, the scroll was typically reserved for the sons and daughters of noble lineage or those with lots of money.

Becker chuckled, flashing a wicked grin. "Fine, but I'm raising the stakes. You'll have to endure for 20 seconds. Show me what your adventurous spirit is worth."