Hi there, it's been quite some time. Now with my motorbike learning sessions, I don't really have much free time, but hey, I will think up new stories don't worry. :3
Enough of of the talk, please enjoy.
Chapter 2: Not a welcome you expect
The Gullotin brothers is early, too early, it was only 7 o'clock in the morning. The Akiba Guild Hall won't open until then.
"Perhaps we should look for some food? Nii-san?"
"I think we ought to get better equipments though."
"Then better equipment it is."
With that in mind, the brothers took a detour, instead of going straight to the Guild Hall.
A little walk wouldn't hurt.
*Splash*
Droplets of water fell from above.
Even though the Silver Leaf Tree is a few blocks away from the main street, its branches stretch themselves out, provide cover for a portion of the road.
They took a right turn, heading towards the Open Market.
"They only sells groceries here, Clem."
Maybe the bigger shops are in the Merchant's Hall.
"Let's head there then."
The Merchant's Hall is deep inside Akiba, so it took them longer than they thought to arrive.
They enter.
A big hall, against the walls are stalls. Lots of them.
But it seems like there are only clothes aroung here.
"So many…"
Clem complimented. Indeed there are many.
They stopped by a stall, looking at the mannequins showing off the shop's product.
"Welcome to the Imagin Recreator. Are you guys interested in any apperals in the shop?"
"We are just looking."
"Yeah." Clem followed Ralph sentence.
"OK then, press the bell when you need anything."
The clerk disappears into the storage room.
They all know so well that thieves can be easily dealt with with their current strenght, so there is no need to waste their time looking at their customers.
A mannequin is wearing a blue and white military uniform.
A pair of padding ribbons cover the shoulders. A thin sash drops from the right shoulder to the left stomach.
Pants are navy blue, tucked inside a white and gold boots.
A white hat, more like a crescent cap, decorated with stars and an anchor.
Lastly, the whole set comes with a ceremonial sword, blankly a sheathed white rapier.
The clerk says, if you equip the whole set, including the rapier, you will gain a small boost to evasion and bonus EXP gain.
"It is called H*mel N*vy Officer Uniform."
"Quite good looking, is it?"
"I agree, but with our money, I believe we can't even buy the gloves."
"Then I will store them for you. Young boys. You look like someone who will shine with this magnificent suit."
"Now then, I got some bussiness to do, hope you will be able to take them from me, soon."
An Assassin hah? Even maskes are their specialty.
Using Concealment and Fox Mask won't increase your hospitality you know.
At least show your face when dealing with customers.
Although they are excited to see the exotic clothes, they haven't reach their goal yet.
Exit the Merchant's Hall they asked some Adventurers for advises.
"Excuse me, sir. Mind if we ask, where can we go to get ourselves equipments.?"
"Uhmm? Equipment shops hah…"
A friendly looking Summoner is answering them.
"What is your class?" He asked
"I think the best one is the one run by Marine Agency. Michitaka-san makes fine equipments as far as I know."
"True, true." The Cleric in the squad raise his voice.
"But aren't these guys newbies? So basic equipments and cheap are their priorities."
The Samurai has a point. His eyes are as sharp as his blades.
"Then, for all purpose, I think you should go and see Tatara-san shop. It's in the "Weirdo Cave" part of this town, so be careful."
"Hahaha…don't scare of the kids like that."
"Thank you, thank you very much."
Clem lower his head.
"No problem, happy farming, boys."
The elite party left.
"What are they talking about? Farming?"
"I'm pretty sure we are better farmers than them, Clem?"
"I don't think they are talking about agriculture farming though, Nii-san."
"Tatara-san's shop then."
They have arrived.
It appears to be that Tatara-san is a swordsmith, not a blacksmith.
"Let's just enter anyway, we have come this far."
*ring* *ring*
The bell on the door rings when it is opened.
"I get it, now can you please, there are customers here."
"Okay, I will wait then."
"Just go home already."
The clerk is indeed Tatara-san.
As Clem comes to the counter, he notices that Tatara-san is a Dwarf – one of the many races in this world.
Dwarfs are famous for their crafty minds and hands, no doubt Tatara-san's productions are top-notch.
"Welcome, what can I help you with today?"
The Dwarf Adventurer, cover her face with a pink mask bandana-ish, a pair of smithing goggles and a clothes that resemble a shrine maiden. Energetic one.
"We are looking for weapons and armors."
"Within 400 gold." Clem added
*sigh*
"You can only get the cheapest ones here with that amount of fund."
"What about armor?"
"Armors aren't my specialty, so the prices will be low enough for you to handle, but the weapons…"
Tatara-san looks at the brothers.
"Level 16 and 14…tough one."
The other person in the shop is watching with a smile.
"Is there any way we can get both weapons and armors within the fund we have?"
Clem desperately look for a way out.
"That won't bring profit to us."
Tch.
"I guess I should have told you sooner, Clem. Let's go home. We don't need anything. Our clothes, the hoe and the pitchfork are enough for us." Ralphael blurted out his thought in quite a manner.
"A Hero with a Hoe. Kek"
The voice from the other women.
Blood boils through Ralph head
"What do you know about us?"
He grabbed the nearest estoc, and strike down the one who is laughing,
"Oh, a hot head Lander hah?"
She blocked the strike with her hand, gripping the blade tip.
Crush.
The blade broke in half, and the tip crumble, steel fragments scattering the floor.
*sigh*
"You're paying for that, Noire-san."
Noire24 – simply called Noire.
A Human Guardian. Level 91.
"But isn't he the one attacked me, Tatara-chan?"
"You were the one who provoke him."
Tatara glares at Noire.
"Got it."
Noire lets out a sigh.
Tatara diverts her eyes onto Ralph, showing some ineterests.
"Say, Blonde boy. What's your name?"
Ralph adjust hist belt, and boots, answering Tatara honestly.
"Ralphael Gullotin, children of the Gullotin family."
"Uhm, that was quite a swing there, despite your low level."
"We had to defend our homes from raiders and monster when were younger, so strenght and agility is something we improved over the years."
"Is that so…" Tatara observed Ralph carefully.
"It goes the same for my little brother as well."
Ralph point his fingers at Clem.
"You have clumsy swordplays, and too many excess movements."
"But, the strength and the agility can not be deny as something inferior."
"Interesting, indeed. Alright, weapons are free, but armors will be the same price. That's for entertaining me in this boring shop."
Tatara gives a smile, although under her mask, Clem and can still feel Tatara-san happiness, even just a little.
"Oh, I thought you like to be the shopkeeper, chances you find a handsome Adventurer, or even cute ones are higher."
Noire mocks Tatara because of the offer she made.
"Don't get mix up, Noire. I only love swordsmithing."
Tatara states herself clearly.
"Well then, I humbly apologize for the ruckus and thank you for the offer you made."
Clem lower his head, thanking Tatara.
"The younger one seems to be more polite, hah Old-er Bro-ther?"
Noire mocks Ralph in a cute tone.
That is so out of place.
Ralph enclose the sword racks.
There seems to be more Japanese-styled weaponry than Western-styled ones.
Something caught Ralph eyes, a two-handed sword. Flamberg.
The guard is make to imitate scorching flames, poiting towards the fuller.
"Good eyes."
"Although without proper training, it will become dull."
Tatara compliments made Ralph a bit hesitant to put them in their cart.
It is easy to understand that, a low level player, choosing something like that would require appropriate levels and skills.
"I thought, you ought to use a one-handed sword, if you desire swordplay. Two-handed ones if you're a brute, a rapier for flashy movement, kinda similar to swordplay. And finally…"
Tatara raises her voice with excitement
"Japanese-styled weapons for fast, good damge and of course, it looks."
Tatara indulges herself in her sword fantasy. But, quickly returns to her cool and calm look.
"I will still choose the Two-handed sword."
"Very well then."
"Do we have anything else here, Tatara-san?"
Clem asked while searching for something specific.
"That's all we have in stock for now. What are you looking for?"
"Ranged weapons."
Clem responded immidiately.
"Sadly, we don't. Even in this city, ranged weapons are hard to find. The only place you can look at is the Marine Agency, Michitaka-san. He is a well-knowned Blacksmith. But I doubt he will touch the anvil again."
"How unfortunate. We will be taking these then."
Two leather armors.
Two pairs of leather boots.
Two pairs of copper gauntlets.
A light claymore.
A saber.
An estoc.
"Huhm...that would be 360 golds."
Clem hands over the gold, and take their equipments.
"Say, Tatara, put their bills on my tab, my guild treasurer will handle it."
Tatara glares at Noire, you are up to something again.
"Fine."
A simple reply.
Noire stretchs, and pulled the brothers out of the shop.
"I'll be back." Noire looks at Tatara, saying goodbye in a robotic voice.
"What a lame reference."
*sigh*
"Now, shounen, let's head to our guild. I have something to discuss."
"Let us go, let us…hugh…go!"
Ralph is trying his hardest to get out of Noire's grip.
Clem already escaped.
"Oh, so you know how to use Concealment. Very, interesting."
Noire laughs while still dragging a desperate Ralph.
"Before you say anything else, just accept my hospitality and get into the damn Guild room already."
Noire is quite pissed.
However, her actions are considered impolite, and on top of all, against one's will.
"Now then, can we talk?"
Noire sits on a big chair.
The desk in front of her is made of oak wood. Coated with a glossing paint. On top of the table, a sign.
Guild Master: Noire
"What, a brute like you is a Guild Master? Give me a break."
Ralph crosses his arms, he is also pissed by Noire's actions.
"So, you want be stronger, am I right? To protect your family's farm…"
Upon hearing that, Clem and Ralph straighten their back, they are listening.
"Yes…"
Answer filled with determination from Clem.
"Your desire for power is formidable. However, your goal is…how should I put it? Too normal."
"Heh?" Clem made a sound, questioning Noire.
"To have more power, your desire must be higher, or else, after you gain enough power, you will have no will to fight, and your skills begin to dull."
Noire says so, as if she have gone through it before.
"You brothers, are from the Gullotin family isn't it?"
"Correct…"
What's with that last name?
"Can you tell me about your Gullotin family?"
"If it's necessary for our family's protection, then I guess no harm to tell you our story."
"Our family has eight members, including me, Ralph, my…"
"Stop."
Noire glares at Clem.
"Not that kind of story."
"What I want to know is the origin of your family last name."
It is true that the name gives off an omnious aura. However its origin pique Noire's interests.
"Our family was that of a noble family. Wars happened, Westlande government crippled. Infights, assassinations of Marquis, Count, all of the high ranking Nobles."
"Eventually, the Eastlande took over our city. Our ancestors were stripped off the rights of nobles and were sold to overseas slave's merchants."
Clem continued his sorrowful story.
"The remains of Westlande went into hibernate."
"But, our will has not fade at all. We took many chacnes to strikes back. Two years, prolonging the war would only cost us the country once more, so we took the initiative, and strike them during the night."
"It was called Westlande Empire Strikes Back."
"Hahah, you sure that was the name?"
Noire giggles.
"It was, we won, but our family didn't get our title back. It was then that our ancestors decided to move up north."
"So you moved to Akiba?"
"No." Ralph responds
"We are Susukino's citizens."
"But you are here now? Why is that?"
Noire questions.
"Was it the Catastrophe?"
"Yes…"
Both answers faintly. They are sure they don't want to talk about that.
"Got it. I won't ask you again."
Noire probably got the mood of these younglings.
"We talked our part, it's your turn. Noire-san."
"I've been thinking since we were still in the weapon shop."
"Instead of we protecting your homes, you will do it instead."
"Then what's the point of having us here and talk?"
Ralph stands up.
"Now now, hot head. You haven't listen to my other sentence yet."
Noire also stands up, giving out her hand, suggesting a handshake.
"Here is my offer."
*gulp*
"You will be joining our guild."
"Eh?"
"We will provide you food, shelters, money, training sessions… everything that an Adventurer needs to become stronger in this world. Of course, we will also provide protection to your family while you're here."
"Not only protection, but supplies for them as well."
Noire smirks.
"But there's one thing, you will not be able to join any other guilds, or the option to be with anyone else besides our guild members. You are tied to this place. However, if we, I feel necessary to assisgn permission to accompany others, then you may do so."
Ralph is excited already.
That's true, to be with the Adventurers and becoming stronger with them, that's like a Lander's dream.
However, Clem seems to be suspecting Noire, what is her motive? But Clem can't figure it out.
"Now, shounen. Will you accept my offer?"
"I, Ralphael Gullotin, accept your offer."
Ralph shakes Noire hand.
Now the problem is the younger one.
"Now, Clem, what about you?"
Hesitantly, what about our lives, I know we will be training and adventuring with you guys,. But you guys will revive, but we don't. There must be compensation for our familty if we die."
"Oh, good thinking, shounen, so what price are we talking about?"
If it's for my family, then it shooul be an amount that they can live a better life.
"Four hundred thousand gold for each."
Noire squint her eyes.
"Oya, shounen, that's squeezing our budget."
"And we doubt that your life and contribution to the guild would be worth that much."
Clem clenches his teeth. Isn't that a reasonable price? He thought.
"We will start at two hundred thousand, for both of you. If, you manage to survive each dungeons, raids and boss fights, there will be rewards."
"We can't go higher than that."
"Or should I look for someone else?"
Noire mocks him, but it is the right spot.
"There's no choice. I, Clem Gullotin, accept your offer."
"Good, shounen, good."
"Welcome to our little Guild Kampfer."
"There are ranks in this guild, you are at the bottom of our guilds. Initative."
"To climb your ranks, you need to do material hunting and raise your level, your participation."
*ding* *ding*
The clock rings, it is 3 in the eveing already.
"That's all for today, shounen, you are dismiss."
"Come back here tomorrow's morning."
"Y-Yes, Noire-san."
The brothers leave, although the excitement isn't shown on Clem's face, but Noire is sure that he is also hyped as well.
"Now that they are gone, I think I should drop by the Villain's house, we have a deal after all."
Noire closes the Guild Base door, and head out to town.
It is certain that these potions on Noire's bag can be trade for those papers.
Now that you've done reading chapter 2, I hope you know what is going on, right?
Hehe, it's great that you do, if you don't, then hang on to your seats, cause chapter 3 is right next to you. :3
See you in the next chapter.
