Chapter 25: Guild Master

The elf man spoke.

“I’m Guildmaster Keith. Is it true that you guys exterminated the big rats? A false report will result in your adventurer card being stripped.”

The elf who called himself Keith openly doubted us.

“There is an error in that report. We didn’t report that ‘the giant rats were annihilated’. We only defeated about 300 giant rats. After that, we descended to the third basement floor and returned to the ground, we didn’t encounter any other rat.”

“…Did you just say you got down to the third basement floor? Don’t lie. There’s no way you could return alive from the third underground floor.”

Oh man, I messed up. I didn’t want to attract the attention of the elf, either in a positive or negative way.

If I were to say now that it was a lie, they might revoke our adventurer cards… This is troublesome. Mia seemed to have reached a similar conclusion and looked at me with an anxious expression.

Forget it. I’ll just report about the Arachne too and sell all the magic stones today.

If I quietly stay in the workshop until tomorrow, it should be fine.

“There was an Arachne on the third underground floor.”

“I see, that information hasn’t been disclosed. Fine. I’ll acknowledge that you went to the third floor…”

Keith stood up without making a sound and suddenly shot a magic arrow at me without an incantation.

Gakyin! The magic arrow was repelled by the ‘Heart Wall’ barrier.

“So, this is your true strength. We’ve received reports that your occupation and skills are nothing special. In that case… it must be your equipment. What kind of equipment do you have? How did you repel the magic arrow?”

Did he just test me? One wrong move and I’d have been dead.

Is this the Guild Master… No, is it the elf’s values?

“I cannot disclose that information. Revealing your tactics to someone who attacks you out of the blue is suicidal.”

“Oh, you’re quite outspoken. Well, fine. It seems like the extermination of the rats is true. What about the Arachne? Did you defeat it?”

I decided to sell all the magic stones today, and I don’t want to come here anymore.

“I defeated it.”

“…You defeated it. Do you have the magic stones?”

“I don’t have them right now. If you’re willing to buy them, I’ll bring them.”

“Alright., I’ll make arrangements for that. Bring the magic stones to this room.”

◇

We returned to Kukuto’s workshop, and I quickly consulted with him.

“Kukuto-san, something terrible happened. The Guild Master has taken notice of us!”

“Well, calm down. Tell me what happened.”

I explained about defeating the Arachne in the abandoned mine and the events at the Adventurer’s Guild, and then told him that we would go to the Adventurer’s Guild again.

“…I see. It seems it would be best to leave this city immediately. We’ll depart the day after tomorrow in the morning. Finish your preparations tomorrow.”

“I’m sorry. It’s my fault for letting slip… Anyway, I’ll return to the Adventurer’s Guild.”

“Don’t worry about it. It just means that the equipment we made is amazing. Wahahaha!”

When I looked at Marle-san, she smiled and winked at me, saying not to worry.

They said it would take a week for preparations before departure. It won’t be finished in just one day.

Despite her small appearance, she truly has a big heart. I have nothing but words of gratitude.

Mia and I took out the bag containing the rest of the magic stones from the stuffed animal’s pocket and decided to return to the adventurer’s guild.

◇

— Adventurer’s Guild

When I called out at the reception, I was led to the Guild Master’s room.

Upon entering the room, Keith was busy with paperwork at his desk.

“You’re late. So, did you bring the magic stones?”

“Here they are.”

I placed three bags filled with magic stones on the coffee table.

“Hey, check the contents of the bags.”

Keith had the receptionist woman verify the magic stones.

“Ah, there are two Arachne magic stones, 112 Arachne larvae magic stones, 35 Big Spider magic stones, and 18 Dango Worm magic stones…”

Then Keith asked the receptionist woman a question.

“When combined with today’s extermination of the rats, what would be an appropriate adventurer rank?”

“Arachne is a B-rank monster. Moreover, there are over 100 larvae. If two people defeated them, B-rank would be appropriate.”

Keith rubbed his chin and glared at us.

Then he looked us up and down as if searching for something.

“Are you interested in selling your equipment?”

“These are precious to us, so we have no intention of selling.”

“…I see. How was the excavation site on the third floor of the abandoned mine?”

“We returned immediately after defeating the Arachne, so we haven’t investigated it.”

I was surprised that he readily gave up on the equipment.

I thought he would try to negotiate and haggle more.

After a while, Keith suddenly had a grin on his face.

Then he gave an order to the receptionist.

“These guys are promoted to B-rank. Also, arrange the purchase of their magic stones.”

“Y-Yes, understood. Congratulations, everyone from the Arrange team. I will prepare for the promotion and purchase of magic stones, so please come to the counter later.”

Saying that, the receptionist left the room.

After saying that, the woman at the reception left the room.

“Tomorrow, go investigate the third floor where the Arachne was. Of course, I will request it as an official quest. I promoted you to B-rank. Can you handle it?”

I hadn’t planned on coming back here anymore.

But it seemed like it would be more troublesome to refuse.

“Do we just need to investigate and report?”

“Yes, that’s all.”

We accepted the quest and left the room.

Before heading home, we renewed our guild cards at the reception and sold the magic stones.

In total, it amounted to about 7,000 gold. Now we should have enough travel funds.

On the way to the exit, the old guy from “Spirits Hunter” approached us.

“Hey, I heard you guys have some amazing equipment. Where did you get it? Tell us too.”

“Are you talking about this Mithril shortsword? I bought it at the weapon shop.”

“What kind of magical attributes does it have?”

“It doesn’t have any. It’s just sharp.”

“…Ah, I see. I understand. Thanks, B-rank heroes.”

How does he know? This guild seems to have a serious issue with leaking personal information.

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