The Adventurers' Guild

Meanwhile Hotaru was still on her way. Road seemed to not ending at all, probably because of the similar looking buildings, which were still impressing her, along with lively decorations made from vines and pennons in various colors on string hanging from one house to another on opposite side. It looked more like a residential area than public one.

After some time she finally noticed building outstanding from others. It was indeed impressive and bigger comparing to other buildings. What was weird for her was that it seemed like it was placed on kind of hill. She looked back and noticed that she really did go uphill.

A lot of people were already gathered around the Guild. On the one hand it shouldn’t be a surprise while today is an launch day, but on the other hand it was absolutely overwhelming. There were many different people, some were already in groups and exchanging their thoughts on the game so far, others were looking for a party and trying to meet new people, still others were overwhelmed by what was going on.

Hotaru passed the crowd and entered the building. It wasn’t better there, place was overcrowded as well. She didn’t know to who she should go while there were so many people.

„Welcome to the Adventurers' Guild! How can I help you today?”

Girl was approached by a woman, she looked like a employee of this place.

„Hello, I... I actually want to join the Guild.”

„Of course, after me, please.”

They went left to different room where there were a lot of people as well. It was smaller than main hall, but could hold around 200 people at once. Hotaru noticed someone using a device similar to ticket machine. That was unusual for her. If that was really ticket machine, then they need to have electricity in this world. She looked up to the ceiling to check the light source of the room. It looked like the chandelier had light bulbs in it, but it was hard to tell. They approached the mentioned machine, but from closer distance it didn’t look like a typical ticket machine in Japan. It was build from other material and was much more simplified. Also, it wasn’t connected to any socket.

„We are using the latest technology in our branch. By having an interaction with this device, it’s giving out a small piece of paper with a number on it. Let’s try it out, shall we? Please get your hand closer to it and it should react to that.”

Hotaru got her hand closer to this device. Normally she would press a button for a ticket, but this kind didn’t have one. While her hand was sufficiently close, the device reacted to that and gave out a piece of paper with number 351 on it.

„Brilliant. This number represents the place in the queue, every person has its own. When your number will be called out, it will be seen on the screen above, also with information to which station you should go.”

Girl looked at the screen which showed the progress of the queue. Unfortunately, she had to wait a bit longer than anticipated. The current number was 168.

„We are currently overwhelmed by amount of people to be served, but we are doing everything to make things go smoothly. We do apologize for any inconvenience. If you will have any questions or require support, please let one of our staff know. Thank you for your patience.”

„Thank you.”

It will take some time to get through the whole queue, so Hotaru moved somewhere else and started looking around the room. Again, the crowd seemed to never stop, it was making her uncomfortable. She felt like she’s having not enough place for herself, but she couldn’t find a better spot, so she was forced to stay there.

She was observing how the queue is going to anticipate the waiting time. As predicted, it can take at least half an hour for Hotaru's turn.

While she had nothing to do, she was looking around the room. She recalled the ticket machine and was wondering how it works without electricity.

‘If they have an access to it, why they didn’t think of using it instead? Maybe this other method is more efficient? But how did they connect this ticket machine with the screen? I don’t think they have any internal system for it.’

They actually have.

Whole system was based on quite sophisticated magic. It works quite similar to the one known on Earth. Starting with the ticket machine – it has a built-in sensor, so by simple waving a hand, the machine recognises the interaction and it gives out a ticket with an unique number on it. It oscillates in the range of 1 to 999, after reaching the 999, it starts counting from 1 again. It’s the most basic method, but works every time. Next, this information goes to the system, system puts this number to the existing queue and when it's this number's turn, it appears on the screen.

But when does system knows when the next number will be called? Each station has a special place to put used tickets there. Whenever someone has been served, employee puts the ticket into this place and then it burns out. This is an information to the system when to call out the next number in the queue.

Everything has been made by using the magic, but one can say it looks like it has been programmed as well and this person will be right. It's more laborious, but that’s the only way to do it there.

Hotaru looked up once more on the screen, number has changed to 325, so very soon will be her turn.

She didn’t know what else to do, she wished she had her phone with her. Best time killer ever made. After some time spent on looking around finally her waiting was over. She approached the first available desk. Behind the desk was a young woman.

„Number 351, right?”

„Yes.” Hotaru gave the ticket to woman.

„Thank you. How can I help you?”

„I would like to join to the Guild.”

„Certainly. I will need you to fill this short form. It will provide us with informations we need to register you. I will be back shortly with the agreement and starter pack.”

‘Agreement? What for? Hmm... I wonder if it has something in common with what Hachi told me.’

Woman went somewhere, meanwhile Hotaru took the form and had a look on it. It really was short, it had only few general questions. Could be worse. She started filling it.

1. Name: Ayane

2. Class: Warrior

3. Sex: Female

4. Age:

‘Why they need my age? It’s not that I have a problem sharing it, just, for what? Anyway...’

4. Age: 17

5. Have you ever been registered to the Guild before? If yes, when was it? : No

Guess that was it. When Hotaru has finished filling the form, the lady came back.

„Thank you for waiting. Have you finished filling this form?”

„Yes, I just did it.” she gave the filled form back.

„That’s brilliant, thank you.” woman put it under the desk and placed instead another piece of paper and something similar to waist bag, but more comparable to regular bag and made from stronger material. „Registration is almost completed, we only need you to read this agreement and sign it.”

„What is this agreement for, if I may ask?”

„Putting it shortly, it’s a security for all sides. We had a lot of fraud reports, which caused a great impact for us. Adventurers wanted more money from our customers, some were even threatening them. There were also opposite situations, when customers didn’t want to pay adventurers for their work. That’s why this agreement was made for. It guarantees you, the adventurer, that you’ll receive the money for your work. Same as it guarantees our customers the reliable contractor, and us, that both sides will be satisfied. Otherwise, if any of the sides is unhappy, it’s a hit to our reputation. Personally, I think this agreement was needed, it gives security for all and draws away potential troublemakers.”

„Right, in this case it was really needed... But what about the people that will cause problems anyway?”

„It depends on a situation and whose fault is it, often it’s either additional fee or ban from services., but it’s better explained on a paper.”

„I’ll read it anyway, just to have peace of mind if anything happened.”

„Of course, take your time.”

Hotaru knew it will be better to read it to not be surprised later. While she was going through agreement, she noticed stuff the lady mentioned.

„The amount shown on the request is an amount which will be fully payed to the Adventurer after successfully completing the request.”

‘Soo... It’s already after the deductions, it seems. At least the Guild won’t try to scam you on some hidden fees.’

„If the request cannot be completed, the amount of money will be varied on the done progress. If during the request, there had to be done another job not mentioned in description, e.g. defeat stronger enemy/ies, the money reward will increase depending on difficulty of this objective.”

‘That’s fair. Hmm...’ she was browsing further through the agreement. ‘Guess that’s it. Everything is almost like she said, but on the paper it’s explained a bit better and clearer. Also everything is pretty obvious, but I think I caught it up, just in case.’

Agreement had only two pages, but everything necessary that had to be included in it it's there. Hotaru didn’t think much over it, she had to sign it anyway. So she did it and gave it back.

„Thank you, this concludes the registration. I officially welcome you to the Guild and I’m looking forward to work with you.”

„Thank you and likewise... Eh? You’re an adventurer yourself, madam?”

„Ahh, no, no. Normally I work at the front desk as an senior advisor, but temporarily I’m here to help my workmates. Probably after few days I’ll back to my old post.”

„I’ll be looking forward to it.” Hotaru smiled.

Woman smiled back. „Oh, the pack!” she gave the bag to girl. „I almost forgot about it. This is for you as a welcome gift.”

Hotaru reached the bag and opened it, but something was odd.

„This bag is a little bit different from normal ones. You can put a lot more things in it, also there are already some items.”

Girl took out everything from the bag. She was surprised how spacious it was inside even if it didn’t look like it. Bag included handbook, map of Nagato and surrounding area, burgundy scarf and pin, both with Guild's crest.

„Handbook contains helpful tips from experienced adventurers and general knowledge about hunting monsters, survival and things like that. I would actually recommend to check it out. Also, there is a map of our little region and a pin. For now, this pin is a prove that you’re working for a Guild. If anyone will ask you for a plate, you can say that you’re waiting for one and show them the pin.”

„People are that cautious?”

„Usually people know that adventurers, who are coming to them, are from the Guild, but some want to be sure of it and you have to show the proof, otherwise they won’t talk to you.”

„And when I’ll receive the plate?”

„I think it will be ready in 3 days, so please come at this time.”

„I will, thank you.”

„Can I help you with anything else?”

„Umm... May I ask where can I get a world map? It’s pure curiosity.”

„Hmm... If I’m correct we should have some somewhere. If you can give me few minutes, I can go and find one for you.”

„If it’s not a problem, I'd be thankful.”

„We don’t really use them, so it’s absolutely fine. Now if you can excuse me for a moment.” woman went through the door and disappeared.

Meanwhile Hotaru came over with a thought about the map.

‘If they have such maps and they’re not using it, why they won’t just give them away or sell? Sooner or later they will be needed and I’ll have to get it from somewhere, but from where? Good that I asked, one thing less to do.’

„Thank you for waiting. I’ve found one, here you go.”

„Thank you.” girl took the map and put it everything back to bag. „May I ask as well why they’re not distributed to people while you don’t have an use of them?”

„I have no idea, I wonder myself as well. Bags are pre-packed and we work under certain procedures so...”

„Right. Anyway, thank you very much for your help.”

„You’re very welcome, it’s my job anyway. If you’ll need any help, please don’t hesitate to come, we’re here to help. If you won’t be able to find me, ask for Yoko.”

„That’s your name, madam?”

„Correct.”

„Thank you very much, Yoko-san. I do appreciate it.”

„No problem. Have a pleasant journey, Ayane-san.”

Hotaru was surprised that Yoko memorised her name, that was very kind for her.

„Thank you, Yoko-san. I wish you all the best at work.”

Woman smiled. „Want to hear a little tip from me?”

„Huh? Sure, I guess.”

„I know a good spot for polishing your skills. It’s in Nagato and few people know about this place, soo, you should be able to focus without fighting for a monster to beat.”

Yoko told Hotaru a bit more about it. This place was somewhere in dock area and had a characteristic feature by which girl won’t miss it.

„Thank you, I’ll definitely go there. Once again, thank you very much.”

„You’re welcome. Have a good day.”

„You too. See you later!”

„See you around!”

Hotaru headed to the exit. Outside, she checked the time. She has been told to come for a lunch at around 4 pm and the time shown exactly 4 pm.

‘I haven’t done anything yet and already spent so much time doing nothing. Guess now I can finally enjoy the game, but have to go for a dinner already, uhh. Hopefully I’ll be able to play more today.’

After that she logged out.

Meanwhile Yoko took a break and went to her colleague. Everyone called him Boss, even if he wasn’t one.

„Oh, Yoko-chan, what brings you to me?”

„I’ve found someone he may be interested in.”

„Oh, really?” man actually didn’t expect she could find someone.

„Yeah, I guess so. When I was talking with her, I had a feeling to have an eye on her.”

„Well, in the end it’s up to him, but I can mention it when he will appear again.”

„Sure thing.”

„How does she looks like?”

„Um, small, light blue hair, there are not many like her.”

„Fine, I’ll tell him.”