Chapter 9 – Adventurer's Association
The moment Dannie stepped inside, a wave of murmurs washed over her.
The hall was alive with people—some shouting across tables, others laughing over mugs of something sharp and bitter. Yet most voices were hushed, clustered in tight groups around a massive wooden board at the far wall. Sheets of parchment fluttered there, drawing hungry stares and whispered speculation.
Quests, she realized. Or at least, that's what they looked like.
Her steps faltered. Every detail reminded her she was a stranger here—the strange coins exchanged at counters, the weapons strapped casually to backs and belts, the exotic clothes that hinted at lands she didn't know.
Her grip tightened on Jace's token, its weight the only anchor keeping her steady.
No one here knew her. Yet it felt like every glance lingered, like they all knew she didn't belong.
Swallowing hard, she moved.
The reception desk stood at the heart of the hall, the long counter worn smooth by years of use. Several attendants busied themselves behind it, but one in particular drew her eye—a woman with sharp posture, her hair tied neatly back, her presence commanding yet calm.
Dannie excused herself past a cluster of adventurers, earning a few sidelong glances, before reaching the counter.
"Hello, dear. What can I help you with?" the woman asked, her tone professional but not unkind.
"Uhm… I… I'm new here. To this world, I mean. Sir Jace brought me here." Dannie's words tumbled out, hesitant, as if she were afraid they would sound foolish.
From the nearby crowd, a sneer cut through.
"Another one, huh?" someone muttered.
"Like a frog in a well," another chuckled. "She won't last long."
The laughter stung, but Dannie forced herself to ignore it, keeping her eyes on the receptionist.
"I see," the woman said, unbothered by the background noise. She extended a hand. "May I see the token?"
Relieved, Dannie quickly produced the heavy piece Jace had entrusted her with and placed it on the counter.
The woman inspected the markings with a practiced eye before nodding. "Verified." Then she looked up again, her expression softening. "By the way, my name's Jessica. I'm the head receptionist here."
Jessica's lips curved faintly into something almost like encouragement. "Since you came to this world, that means you were transmigrated. Congratulations on surviving this far. Many don't."
Dannie blinked, unsure whether to feel proud or terrified.
Jessica didn't give her much time to dwell on it. "I'll call someone to give you a proper briefing—basic information about this world, and the options available to you from here."
Later, another attendant approached and gave Jessica a nod before turning to Dannie.
"Please, follow me," the young woman said politely.
Dannie obeyed, clutching the token in her hand as she was guided through a quieter hallway. The noise of the guildhall faded behind her until only the faint echo of her footsteps remained. They stopped before a simple wooden door, which the attendant opened before gesturing her inside.
The room was modest—just a table, two chairs, and a faint glowstone fixed in the ceiling. It felt more like an interrogation chamber than a meeting room.
The woman closed the door gently, then turned to face her with a professional smile.
"My name is Shane," she said. "I'll be the one briefing you about this world and your situation."
Dannie sat across from her, her nerves tightening again.
Shane folded her hands neatly on the table, her voice calm and deliberate as she began.
"This world is called Dhalia. To explain it simply… Dhalia is the shadow of another world: Gaia. The one we originally come from."
Dannie blinked. 'Gaia?'
Shane continued, her expression steady. "Just as every person has a shadow beneath them, so too does every world. Gaia is the physical plane—the origin. Dhalia is its reflection, its mirror, its shadow. What exists there can manifest here in ways twisted, darker, and more dangerous. The two worlds are bound, yet separate."
A chill ran through Dannie as the words sank in.
"Why… why am I here? Can't I go back?" she asked, her voice breaking slightly.
Shane's expression softened, though her answer carried no mercy. "Unfortunately, no. There has never been a single record of anyone returning to Gaia. If there is a way, none of us know it. And as for why you're here… the simplest answer is power."
"Power?" Dannie echoed, her throat dry.
"Yes. Something inside you is awakening—something Gaia would never allow to exist on her soil. That world rejects anyone whose power begins to manifest. So instead… you are drawn here, to Dhalia. This is where you will live. Forever."
The words struck her like a blade.
Shane leaned back slightly, her tone calm but firm. "All transmigrated—and those reincarnated here—are given the same gift: the System. It is Gaia's way of ensuring balance between the two worlds. With it, you can monitor your status, grow stronger, and survive."
She paused, studying Dannie's face before adding, "And perhaps you haven't realized one of its most important features yet."
Dannie frowned. "What do you mean?"
"Language." Shane gestured toward her. "Haven't you wondered why everyone here understands you? Or why you can read signs and speak without struggle? That is the passive effect of the System—universal communication."
Dannie blinked, the realization dawning on her. She hadn't even thought about it before, but it was true. She spoke, and everyone responded naturally, as if there were no barrier at all.
Her stomach knotted. This 'System' was far more invasive than she had imagined.
"Next," Shane said evenly, "it's time for you to move on and start living your life here. You have two suggestions to consider, and after that, the decision is yours."
She raised a finger. "First, you can register as an adventurer. That means formally binding your System to the guild so they can assist you. As an adventurer, you'll gain access to quests, resources, and most importantly, a place to stay—an Adventurers' Residential Boarding House."
Her hand shifted to the second option. "Second, you can apply as an attendant to one of the registered companies in the city. The guild will provide you a list, and if you choose that path, the company itself will explain the benefits and responsibilities once you decide."
From beneath the table, Shane retrieved a parchment and slid it toward Dannie. Neat script covered its surface, detailing the paths she had just described.
"You'll find everything written here," Shane said. Then her tone grew firm. "But take note—you only have one hour to decide. This room is not meant for long stays, and the Association cannot house you unless you make a choice."
Dannie stared at the parchment, her chest tightening. One hour. That was all the time she had to decide her future in this alien world.
Shane stood smoothly and gave a short bow. "I'll return once the hour is up."
And then she was gone, the door closing softly behind her.
Silence filled the room.
Dannie exhaled shakily and lowered her eyes to the parchment. Its words were precise, almost clinical, outlining the classifications of those who arrived in Dhalia.
She traced the lines until she found her own entry. Division: Soul / Spirit.
Her brows knitted. Every transmigrated had a division. Each dictated the foundation of their growth, the roles they could take, and the paths open to them. Roles weren't fixed—they depended on what that division allowed.
Some were common. Others rare.
And then her eyes caught a single word: Specialist.
Specialists were rare individuals with unique abilities beyond their division's norm. They were sought after by guilds, companies, and even powerful factions. Wars had been fought over them.
But most transmigrated never had such fortune. Many had nothing beyond their division.
Her gaze shifted lower. Talent.
But remembering her talent, she felt somewhat disappointed.
"Yes, I have one," she whispered. "But… it doesn't feel like much."
She had a talent, yes. But compared to the dazzling powers others might possess, hers felt so underwhelming—so small.
Her hand trembled slightly as she set the parchment down. Dragged into another world… forced to choose a path… and even here, I'm still just ordinary.
The truth was, she didn't want to mention her status as a Specialist. It felt like such a minor thing, hardly worth acknowledging. And the nature of her specialization—Bee Evolution—was… embarrassing, to say the least.
Instead, she decided she would take on a support role within her Soul/Spirit division. It was safer that way. She could learn the common, practical basics before ever attempting to reveal or explore that strange potential lurking within her.
The clock was ticking.
And she had no choice but to decide.
She returned to the front desk, token in hand, and approached Ms. Jessica once more.
"I've made my choice," Dannie said quietly. "I'd like to register as an adventurer under the support class of my division."
Jessica's expression softened with approval as she drew up the forms. "Good. Let's see your status, then."
Dannie reluctantly written her system's information . She included the basics but carefully omitted certain details—her Specialist path, especially. Some truths were better left hidden.
—
System Status
Name: Dannie Silve
Alias: N/A
Race: Human (100%)
Age: 16 years old
Sex: Female
Level: 2
Progress: 26%
Division: Soul / Spirit
Rank: B
Element: N/A
Attributes
Strength: 3
Agility: 4
Intelligence: 6
Constitution: 3
Points: 2
Obtained Skills
Weapon Mastery: 3
Observe: 2
Jessica's brows shot up. She leaned closer and whispered, almost to herself, "You're actually a Rank B… This is rare, especially in this city. Unfortunately, you have no element at all. There's nothing we can do about that"
Then, her professional composure broke into a bright smile. "Well then, Ms. Dannie, I'll make sure you're well taken care of. I'll personally recommend what you'll need—housing, potential party members, and more."
Dannie blinked, startled by the sudden shift in tone. Wait… that rank is actually important?
The thought stuck with her as Jessica guided her through the next steps of the process.