Early the next morning, Helant, Momonga, Mino, and Narberal arrived at the E-Rantel Adventurers' Guild.
The spacious hall buzzed with the low hum of activity: adventurers checking the massive bulletin board, clerks sorting parchments behind the counter, and the occasional clink of armor or weapons being adjusted.
Sunlight streamed through tall windows, illuminating the colorful array of quest notices pinned across the enormous board.
The four of them stood frozen before it, staring at the rows of looping, angular script.
"Helant-san," Momonga sent via private message, "do you recognize the writing?"
"I don't," Helant replied, eyes narrowed at the abstract scribbles. For a long moment, he was genuinely speechless.
He had completely forgotten: Japanese was not the universal language of the cosmos.
"Heh, don't tell me you're illiterate." Mino nudged Helant's waist with her elbow and flashed a mischievous grin.
Helant looked down at her seriously. "You can read it?"
"I can't," Mino admitted with a shrug, completely unbothered.
"..."
They had been standing there long enough that their striking appearances—Helant's holy, silver-haired beauty, Mino's doll-like priestess charm, Momonga's imposing black armor, and Narberal's cold elegance—began drawing stares and murmurs from the other adventurers in the guild hall.
"Those people… why have they been standing in front of the bulletin board for so long?"
"If you ask me, they're probably nobles trying to experience life, and now they're stuck worrying over quests."
The other adventurers in the guild hall cast their gazes toward them.
Even while wearing armor, Momonga felt a little uncomfortable.
Just as he was about to pick one at random, Helant moved.
Helant stepped up to the receptionist and smiled. "Excuse me, may I take on Mithril-rank quests or higher?"
"Certainly… wait, no!" The receptionist slapped her cheeks to snap herself out of it. "Sir, your rank is Copper. For your safety, I really cannot process quests of Mithril rank or higher for you."
"I am a magic caster capable of using third-tier spells, and my friends are all warriors and magic casters of the same caliber." Helant paused, a look of disappointment suddenly crossing his face. "I thought I would be able to take on quests that matched our actual strength."
Helant lowered his eyes slightly, giving off a melancholy air that tugged at the receptionist's heartstrings.
She quickly said, "Please don't worry. I will find the most difficult Copper-rank quest for you and make sure you reach Mithril rank as quickly as possible."
Helant turned back and gave Momonga a wink. "Done."
"Being handsome really has its perks," Momonga could not help remarking.
"Heh, a man who sells his looks." Mino's eyes were still glued to Helant.
"Um, excuse me. Since you want to level up quickly, why not assist us?" Peter Mauk approached Helant and extended an invitation. "We are a Silver-ranked adventurer group. If you help us on our Silver-rank quests, you'll level up faster than by taking Copper-rank quests."
After saying that, Peter gave a kind smile and stood beside the Swords of Darkness team.
He scratched the back of his head. He had noticed Helant and the others earlier. They were good-looking and dressed exquisitely, so Peter judged them to be nobles out to experience life.
A team of pure rookies like this taking on quests blindly could easily suffer heavy losses. Remembering his own awkwardness when he first started as an adventurer, he decided to help them.
Helant looked at Momonga, and both nodded in agreement.
"Then, we'll be in your care."
...
Inside the first-floor lounge of the Adventurers Guild.
"I am the leader of the Swords of Darkness, Peter Mauk," Peter said as he introduced them one by one. "This is the ranger, Lukrut Volve. This is the druid, Dyne Woodwonder. And finally, this is the magic caster, Ninya."
When Ninya was introduced, she gave Helant and the others a shy smile. "Hello."
The frivolous-looking Lukrut chimed in, "Don't underestimate her. She's a natural talent holder."
"Oh?" Momonga's interest was piqued.
"Her talent is [Magic Aptitude], which cuts the time needed to learn magic in half," Peter continued, proudly introducing Ninya.
"I'm honored to be born with this ability," Ninya said shyly. "However, speaking of talents, there's someone in this city who is quite famous."
"Nfirea Bareare, right?" Helant interjected.
"Yes! Nfirea Bareare's talent is the ability to use any magic item," Peter continued.
Upon hearing this, Momonga immediately became alert and sent a private message. "Helant San, this Nfirea Bareare is dangerous!"
Being able to use any magic item meant he could freely use many items with strict requirements but extraordinary power.
Momonga could not help but start worrying. If such a talent existed in just the city of E-Rantel, then how many people in the entire world possessed even more outrageous talents?
He had to be cautious.
"Don't worry, Momonga. He'll come looking for us on his own in a bit. We'll have plenty of time to study him then."
After finishing the private message, Helant turned to the group and said, "After all that, I forgot to introduce us. I am Helant. He is Momon. And these are Mino and Nabe."
"Hello," Mino and Nabe greeted coldly.
Just then, a guild attendant knocked on the door and said, "Mr. Helant, the apothecary, Mr. Nfirea Bareare, has specifically requested you for a commission."
Momonga looked at Helant in surprise. "Impressive, Helant San. He really did come."
He had not forgotten that, whether it was yesterday or just now, Helant had said the apothecary Nfirea Bareare would actively come seeking them.
Downstairs, a thin, yellow-haired figure stood in the hall.
Seeing Helant and the others, he called out in greeting, "Hello, I am Nfirea Bareare."
No sooner had he spoken than Narberal took a few steps forward, preparing to draw her sword and slay Nfirea.
At the same time, Momonga moved quickly and delivered a chop to the top of Narberal's head.
Narberal clutched her head and turned in confusion. "Lord Mo… Lord Momon, but…"
Momonga whispered helplessly, "Don't act without thinking."
Even if you are going to kill him, do not do it in front of everyone.
Fortunately, it all happened in an instant. Aside from Helant and Mino, no one noticed Narberal's movement just now.
Mino looked at Narberal, who was holding her head with a cold expression, and smirked. "Oh, Narbe, how cute."
Narberal sighed helplessly. "Lady Mino, please do not mock me."
Helant walked straight down the stairs to Nfirea and asked, "Why did you specifically request us?"
"I heard from other adventurers that a very powerful lady came to the tavern yesterday and defeated a Copper-rank adventurer in a single move." Nfirea turned his head, his gaze falling on Mino. "So I figured that since you are with her, you must also be very strong."
"Besides, you are all Copper-rank adventurers, so the commission fee is relatively cheap."
After saying that, he scratched his cheek in embarrassment.
It was not because he wanted to take advantage of them, but because a red-haired female adventurer had come to his shop yesterday, and the extremely valuable potion she produced had come from the hands of the person before him.
As an apothecary, he understood the value of that potion very well.
It just so happened that he was going to Carne Village tomorrow, so he could use this commission as an excuse to get close to them and investigate properly.
In truth, his attention was on Helant because the potion the girl had brought yesterday was of astonishing quality, something almost impossible to refine successfully with current human techniques.
Helant looked at Momonga, who nodded and said, "Then let's add the Swords of Darkness team as well."
"No problem," Nfirea Bareare agreed readily.