Chapter 12 – Silver Fang Guild
When the glow finally faded, Dannie slowly opened her eyes. A heavy weariness weighed down her body, as if she had been awake for days.
Two hours had already passed since she began absorbing the basic knowledge about this shadow world.
Even so, a small smile tugged at her lips. She felt relieved—content, even. At last, she understood the rules she needed to follow, the dangers she needed to avoid, and the places worth exploring.
From the information she gained, she learned that Carreon City wasn't the only settlement. There were villages scattered nearby, home to people who couldn't afford the high cost of living within the city walls.
But the difference between the two was vast. While Carreon City enforced order and rules, the villages outside were a different story. Security was almost nonexistent. The so-called laws barely held any meaning there. Bandits and thieves prowled freely, and the poor were left to fend for themselves.
Life in the city was expensive—but at least one could feel safe. Life in the villages was cheap—but survival was never guaranteed.
Dannie exhaled slowly. At least I made the right choice coming here first…
Shaking off the fatigue, she stood and stretched. Her next goal was clear: if she wanted to survive and move forward, she needed allies. And in Carreon City, the best way to find allies was through its guilds.
⸻
The following day, since Lira had errands of her own—and because Dannie preferred to face this challenge alone—she set out into the city.
The streets were alive with activity. Merchants shouted their offers, adventurers bartered over supplies, and scattered groups swapped stories about their latest quests. Snippets of conversations drifted to her ears—rumors of rare beasts sighted near the outskirts, whispers of dangerous dungeons, and debates over which guild held the most prestige.
One name kept surfacing again and again.
The Silver Fang Guild.
"They say Silver Fang has the best scouts in the city."
"I heard they wiped out an entire bandit camp last month."
"Tch, they're getting too arrogant… but if you want protection, that's the guild to join."
The name sparked her curiosity. Strong, respected, and well-known—if she wanted a foothold in this world, the Silver Fang Guild sounded like the perfect place to start.
Her footsteps carried her through the bustling avenues until a large building came into view. Its entrance was marked by a silver emblem shaped like a wolf's fang, gleaming proudly under the afternoon sun. The structure stood tall and imposing, its wide doors thrown open as if daring newcomers to step inside.
Dannie tightened her grip on her purse, her heart racing with both nerves and anticipation.
This is it… The Silver Fang Guild.
With a deep breath, she pushed the doors open.
Inside, Dannie was immediately greeted by a young man in neat uniform, clearly an employee of the guild. His posture was professional, but his welcoming smile put her at ease.
"Welcome to the Silver Fang Guild," he said politely. "How may I assist you today?"
Dannie took a steadying breath before stepping forward. She reached into her bag and carefully pulled out a folded envelope.
"I was told to bring this," she said, presenting the letter with both hands. "It's a recommendation from Jessica of the Adventurer's Association."
The employee's brows lifted slightly, his tone shifting from routine courtesy to faint surprise. "A recommendation from Miss Jessica?" He accepted the letter with both hands and gave a respectful nod. "In that case, please wait a moment while I confirm this."
He gestured for her to follow and led her toward a reception desk along the side of the hall. The guild's interior bustled with activity—armored adventurers laughing over mugs, cloaked figures exchanging intel in hushed voices, and a group of hunters laying down their spoils to be assessed. The air carried the weight of both competition and camaraderie.
As Dannie waited, she couldn't help but clutch her bag tighter. The Silver Fang Guild was everything she had expected—grand, lively, intimidating. And now, with Jessica's letter in hand, she was about to take her first step into their ranks.
The receptionist carefully broke the seal of the letter and scanned its contents. His eyes flicked toward Dannie more than once, as if reassessing her.
After a moment, he straightened his posture and offered a respectful nod.
"So it's true… You came recommended by Miss Jessica herself. And it also states here that you hold an Aptitude Rank of B."
The nearby adventurers who overheard perked up, a few glances thrown in Dannie's direction. Whispers stirred.
"B-rank aptitude?"
"Already? Without even taking the guild test?"
"Damn… must be nice to have that kind of backing."
Heat rose to Dannie's cheeks under the attention, but the receptionist quickly gestured for silence.
"With Aptitude B, there's no need for you to undergo the entrance examination. Normally, recruits must prove their ability through trials, but your rank speaks for itself. Combined with Miss Jessica's endorsement… your acceptance is guaranteed."
He gave her a genuine smile, his earlier formality softening. "Congratulations, Miss Dannie. From this day forward, you are officially a member of the Silver Fang Guild."
A small breath escaped her lips—half disbelief, half relief. It had been easier than she expected, though she knew the real challenges were only just beginning.
The receptionist gave a small bow before setting the letter aside. "Please, follow me. As a new member, there are some formalities we must complete."
He guided her toward a smaller counter tucked to the side. A glass case displayed rows of silver insignias—wolf fangs engraved on polished metal, each tied to a thin leather cord.
"This will serve as both your proof of membership and your identification," the receptionist explained, carefully handing her one of the badges. The silver fang emblem gleamed faintly in the light, cool and solid against her palm.
Dannie traced its edges, a strange warmth rising in her chest. Her very first guild badge.
"Along with this," he continued, sliding a small booklet toward her, "you are entitled to certain perks as a member of Silver Fang. These include discounted lodging in partnered inns, access to our library of bestiaries and maps, and priority purchase rights on basic supplies."
He paused, then added with a professional smile, "And because you joined with a B-rank aptitude, you also qualify for training privileges normally reserved for higher-ranking members."
Dannie blinked. "Training privileges?"
The receptionist nodded. "Yes. Instead of rushing straight into dangerous missions, we recommend you begin with guided exercises. These are designed to help new members adjust—combat drills, survival training, and shadow energy control. Completing them will prepare you for official quests while still granting contribution points to your record."
That explanation soothed some of the tension in her chest. She wouldn't be thrown into the fire immediately—she would have time to learn, to adapt, and to grow stronger.
The receptionist leaned forward slightly, lowering his voice just enough to sound conspiratorial. "Most recruits have to fight tooth and nail to even qualify for these privileges. Consider it Miss Jessica's goodwill—and a sign that our guild already holds expectations for you."
Heat touched Dannie's cheeks again, but this time it wasn't embarrassment—it was determination. She curled her fingers around the silver badge, gripping it tightly.
"I understand. I'll do my best not to disappoint."
The receptionist's smile widened. "That's what we like to hear. Welcome to the Silver Fang Guild, Miss Dannie. May your fangs shine sharp and bright."
The receptionist flipped open the small booklet he had given her and tapped on a page filled with neat writing.
"These are the recommended beginner exercises for new members, especially those of higher aptitude like yourself. Think of them as guided training before you begin official missions."
He pointed to the first entry.
1. Combat Drills – "Sparring sessions with veteran members to build practical battle instincts. These will help you adapt to fighting styles unique to the beasts and other adventurers."
2. Survival Training – "Simulated expeditions outside the city walls. You'll be taught how to track, set up camp, secure food, and manage stamina in hostile environments."
3. Mana Harmonization – "With an Aptitude B, your mana reserves are naturally strong. This exercise will help you harmonize your flow of mana, stabilize its output, and improve control during battle or spellcasting."
4. Field Exercise – "Your first supervised assignment. Instead of a dangerous quest, you'll join a small group for a low-risk expedition, usually gathering herbs or hunting lesser beasts. Contribution points are awarded upon completion."
5. Soul Division Support Training – "Every guild member benefits from learning the fundamentals of Soul Division support. This training focuses on strengthening mental resilience, developing resistance to illusions, and learning how to synchronize with support-type abilities that can shield allies or enhance team coordination."
Dannie's eyes moved over the list, her heart thudding faster with each line. None of it sounded easy—but compared to the chaos of being thrown blindly into missions, it was exactly what she needed.
The receptionist smiled knowingly. "Complete these, and not only will you be ready for real quests, but you'll also earn the trust of your fellow guild members. Many will be watching your progress closely."
She pressed the badge tightly to her chest. Good. This way, I'll be prepared when the real challenges begin.