Chapter 4: Glocked In

After the incident with the Swipe Foxes, the Kanezuka household erupted into chaos the moment Meisatsu stepped through the door.

His mother was the first to reach him, eyes filled with worry. 

“Are you hurt anywhere?” she demanded as her hands flew over his body at breakneck speed, searching every inch of him as if she might discover some hidden wound he hadn’t noticed.

His father loomed behind her, clapping him so heavily on the back, Meisatsu was sure the walls rattled.

“That’s my boy!” Ragan bellowed, his voice loud enough to shake dust down from the rafters.

Ayame stood a short distance away, gazing at him with a look that was…questionable at best. And Meisatsu rubbed the back of his neck, trying to play it cool.

Ayame then stepped forward and tilted her head. “Satsu, you should check your current level.”

 Level...? RPG mechanics, huh? He then blinked. “How’s that work, exactly...?”

She sighed, as if she’d expected him not to know. “Remember that space you entered when you closed your eyes at the temple? That’s the key. You should see a sort of scroll floating in front of you. Normally it’s silver or bronze depending on your class. You can see pretty much all the stuff you need to know.”

Meisatsu gave her a sheepish grin. “Mine’s golden…and honestly, a bit too bright sometimes,” he said with his voice cheeky.

The entire family burst into soft laughter, their tension finally easing.

Ayame wiped a stray tear from the corner of her eye. “Go on. Check!”

He closed his eyes. A heartbeat later, he opened them again, looking a little dazed. “I saw it—‘GUN HERO Level 1’”

Ayame’s eyes sparkled. “Perfect. Now we can both join the Explorers Guild.”

An Explorers Guild too, huh? Meisatsu pondered. Guess they explore?! Just like that one show... What's the name aga—

“Stop spacing out!” Ayame scolded, giving him a playful flick to the forehead. “Go get ready. It’s an hour’s walk to the Guild.”

“An hour...?” Meisatsu may have been reborn, but part of his previous life's laid back attitude definitely reincarnated with him. "Do we have to...?"

“You heard me. No teleporting! I want to enjoy the walk with you!!!”

Meisatsu sighed but couldn’t suppress a small smile. She really was overprotective.

✦✦✦

The walk passed in a blur of light conversation and soft morning light. When they finally reached the guild’s entrance, Meisatsu paused to take in the building.

It was humble but sturdy, the thick beams weathered but solid. Above the door hung a large bronze plaque stamped with the guild’s crest—a silhouette of a person standing tall atop a mountain, arms spread toward a rising sun.

They stepped inside together, crossing over the polished floor to the front desk.

The receptionist was hard to miss. She had a cool, reserved expression—and, to Meisatsu’s dismay, a figure that almost made him choke on his own tongue. Woah....

Long black hair cascaded down her back, contrasting sharply with the deep violet that was her vest and skirt. Gold buttons tightly held together the vest, which seemed to stretch slightly to accommodate a note worthy bust. 

Rectangular glasses with red accents sat neatly on her nose, giving her a look of calculated intellect… and an almost intimidating confidence that made it impossible for him to look away.

His face completely flushed as his gaze drifted against his will. An action, that resulted in Ayame’s hand cracking down on the back of his head in a flawless karate chop. “Sorry, I saw something in your hair!”

“T-thanks...”

The receptionist arched a brow, clearly amused at the two.

“Welcome,” she said, voice smooth and composed. “I’m Akane, receptionist of the Beetho Explorers Guild. How can I help you today?”

Meisatsu swallowed, straightening his back. He tried to keep his tone cool and stoic. “I’m here to join the Explorers Guild…and do whatever it is you all do.”

Ayame placed a hand on his shoulder, beaming with something between pride and exasperation.

“He’s…new to the concept,” she explained.

Akane nodded understandingly. “That’s quite all right. To begin with, the role of Explorer falls under the Commoner Class. Long ago, when this kingdom was under siege by the Demon King, monsters overran this very town. But then, a single man—said to be the very first Explorer—picked up a bronze sword and rallied the youths to fight back. They saved countless lives.”

Her eyes softened as she spoke, her voice growing reverent. “Explorers are jacks-of-all-trades. They excel far more in combat than any other Role in the Commoner Class and can raise their levels much faster. That’s why anyone—regardless of what class they were given—can register as an Explorer. A Role doesn’t mean you must follow it strictly…it simply reflects what you’re most gifted at.”

Dang, Meisatsu thought as he listened. It’s spot on. If there’s one thing I can do…it’s guns!

Akane continued with her expression earnest. “There are two requirements to join. One: reach Level 1. Two: spar with a veteran Explorer—Level 5 or above—who will gauge your skills and your resolve.”

She paused, folding her hands neatly atop the desk. “May I ask what your given class is?”

A small smirk tugged at Meisatsu’s mouth. “Hero.... the GUN Hero...”

For a moment, silence swallowed the hall. But someone from the back finally yelled, “What in the world's a GUN? Some sorta snack?!”

Why would you even think that?!!! Meisatsu lifted a hand up to his head.

Murmuring spread like wildfire. Then, from the crowd stepped forward, a man who looked like he’d fought a hundred battles—and won most of them.

His black hair was slicked back, a thick scar slashing diagonally across his left cheek reaching all the way to the right. He wore a rugged, sleeveless black shirt with an open, loose collar—like something a hardened mercenary would throw on without giving it a second thought. 

The fabric clung to his broad shoulders but hung a little looser around the waist, giving him an air of what would best be described as casual intimidation.

Below that, he wore black trousers, somewhat loose to allow movement, tucked neatly into sturdy black boots scuffed by years of hard, gruesome fights.

Crossing his arms over his chest, his gloved fingers tapping idly against the old scars that lined the fabric. He regarded Meisatsu with a look of deep skepticism.

“This brat's the new Hero? Gotta say…not impressed.” He then turned to Akane, voice gruff. “Ya sure about this?”

Akane raised a hand, gesturing to a young girl in priest’s robes. “Lysa, if you please.”

The girl stepped forward with a polite smile.“H-hello, I’m Lysa...”

She held out a glassy crystal orb, warm light flickering within. “Please place your hand here.”

And Meisatsu complied, doing so with a flourish. The orb pulsed brilliantly, projecting golden letters in the air—

GUN HERO

Gasps filled the hall. No one moved. Everyone knew the Hero always joined the Explorer’s Guild to eventually gather a party of trusted allies—a small, elite fighting unit—liked a tradition. It was common knowledge.

The veteran crossed his arms. “Well, kid. I guess that settles it. I’ll be ya examiner.”

He proceeded to cracked his neck with his stern eyes narrowing.“Buckle up.”

Meisatsu tilted his head, a slow—partially forced—confident grin spreading across his face.

“Sure.” A thought lingered at the back of his mind. Though I just got here... But, meh!

At that, the entire guild erupted into cheers. Everyone pressed forward to get a better view, eager to witness a duel between the new Hero and a High-Level Explorer...