TFLA 05

“Greetings. I am Vaiolea Niko Fortesia. Right now, I am riding my horse while carrying a random severed head and a large amount of jewelry.”

In the days after I decided to go to the guild, several other Rank 3 adventurers came as well… and ended up stripped of everything they owned and buried in the mountains. Thanks to that, I have become quite well-provided.

The bandits seemed reluctant to part with me, but I have a goal called revenge. I cannot afford to remain a bandit forever.

So, while they saw me off with regret… and perhaps also a bit of relief… I left the bandit hideout and headed toward town.

“It’s been a while since I’ve seen a proper town.”

The place I arrived at was the town of Elzemarin, where the academy is located. A glamorous port city overflowing with dreams of commerce and adventure.

…Well, it is also a perfectly convenient place to operate in or hide in from now on.

There are noble districts full of refined elegance, lively commercial districts full of color, adventure districts brimming with romance, and a grand cathedral heavy with history.

And then there are the back alleys, open only to those who know they exist.

…Yes.

Elzemarin is a picturesque city favored by nobles, with academies for young ladies, a large harbor, and even a grand cathedral. But behind all that brilliance lies a savage and dirty underworld.

The back streets of Elzemarin—those I was forbidden to approach at the academy. I do plan to sell part of the jewelry I took from those noble “prey,” and if I do, it will be through the black market in those back alleys.

For now, the first place I should go is the guild. If I obtain a guild certificate, I can get discounts at inns, and more importantly, the guild is the perfect place for me to earn money.

And so, I arrived at the Adventurers’ Guild.

Since it was just before noon, it was moderately crowded—not too busy, not too empty.

Most adventurers leave first thing in the morning to take on full-day requests, so early morning is actually the busiest time here.

…However, the moment I entered the guild hall, I immediately drew attention. Perhaps it was my overflowing noble aura that captivated everyone… though most likely it was the severed head hanging from my side and the fur I carried on my back. Or perhaps the fact that I still wore a full-face helmet to conceal my identity.

Yes. A full helmet is very convenient at times like this!

“I would like to sell these. If you would be so kind?”

Without hesitation, I placed the fur on the counter. The receptionist looked surprised—but that is her problem, not mine.

Next to it, I piled up teeth and various other materials. When living in the mountains, encountering monsters is only natural. That means plenty of fur and tusks.

“…Killer Grizzly fur and teeth…? There’s hardly any damage. Did you defeat it with magic?”

“With arrows and magic.”

I gave only minimal answers, not elaborating further. As for my reason for living in the mountains, I claimed it was “training.”

“I see… then the purchase price would be around this much.”

The amount presented was three gold coins.

Now then… is that high or low?

If this were the black market, I would grab the dealer by the collar and shake them until they paid properly. But this is an official guild transaction.

Even including bounty rewards for monster subjugation, this amount is… honestly disappointing.

Still, fine. Three gold coins should be enough to survive for now.

I accepted the offer and took the money.

Now, the real issue begins.

“…About this severed head.”

“E-eh?”

I placed the head on the counter with a thud, then lined up the accessories beside it.

“These belonged to bandits. These items were hoarded by them. Perhaps this counts as a request completion?”

The receptionist quickly went to check, and soon returned with confirmation.

“We were able to confirm it… From the insignias on these accessories, we identified the client. It appears this bandit group was indeed registered as a guild request.”

“I see. How lucky.”

I acted as though I had no idea this was a request and waited for her explanation.

It was a request that Rank 3 adventurers had repeatedly failed. At minimum, it should be Rank 3… perhaps even Rank 2 by now.

But then—

“This request was classified as Rank 4, so your reward is five silver coins.”

The receptionist said this with a smile, as if it were completely normal.

“…What?”

She was still smiling, but this was absurd.

Me… Rank 4?

Right after crushing multiple Rank 3 adventurers?

A Rank 4 request?

Is she insane?!

…At least, that is what I thought—without showing any of it on my face.

But then I noticed something: the receptionist was hiding the request document under the counter.

And suddenly, I understood.

This receptionist was lying to me.

In other words… she’s skimming the rewards.

I was certain I had no way of knowing this request was actually difficult. After all, it would be strange if “I”—the bandit leader who stripped nobles bare—knew anything about that.

Yes. I am innocent. Completely innocent. I have nothing to do with bandits whatsoever.

So I, regrettably, “did not know” that this request was high difficulty.

But of course, higher difficulty means higher reward.

Which means this receptionist has been downgrading requests—classifying this bandit extermination as Rank 4, paying me a reduced reward, and secretly pocketing the difference.

What a thief! Smiling while committing embezzlement!

However, protesting here would be unwise. I am currently on the run. I cannot draw attention.

So I could only accept it… and be content with Rank 4.

“Congratulations on completing a Rank 4 request. Here is your reward.”

“Thank you very much.”

I smiled back sweetly at the clearly insufficient payment (though my helmet probably hid it completely).

And I made a decision.

I will make this corrupt receptionist regret it.

“Here is your guild card.”

The hated receptionist handed it over. I registered under a false name: “Airu Kanone.”

My rank: 4.

Humiliating. At least give me Rank 2, you thief cat!

“Now then, please show me your available requests.”

“For Rank 4, we have…”

“No. Show me requests that are not Rank 4.”

She tilted her head.

“Rank 5? Or Rank 3…?”

“No. Show me Rank 1 requests.”

She clearly did not understand.

“I said show me Rank 1 requests. The ones that suit me.”

The moment I said “suit me,” her expression changed slightly.

Did she really think I hadn’t noticed the skimming? How foolish.

“Go on. Show me the Rank 1 requests in this area.”

“But… a Rank 4 adventurer suddenly taking Rank 1 quests is…”

“There is no rule preventing a Rank 4 adventurer from taking Rank 1 quests!”

I leaned forward.

“Guild ranks are merely evaluations! They are not restrictions on what requests adventurers may take! Isn’t that right?!”

“W-well yes, but…”

Her face was turning pale.

I was not wrong.

If a request does not require a specific rank, then it is entirely up to the adventurer whether they take it.

And failing and dying is also the adventurer’s own responsibility.

The guild cannot possibly stop that.

After all, I—who wasn’t even registered—had already completed Rank 3 or 2-level requests. The same could happen in reverse.

“I SAID SHOW ME THE RANK 1 REQUESTS!”

“Eek… F-fine… but don’t blame me…”

Eventually, she gave in.

The board contained Rank 1 and Rank 2 recommended requests.

Naturally, there were also requests where clients explicitly wanted Rank 1 adventurers, such as escorts.

And among them—

A bounty appeared.

A bounty for “Vaiolea Niko Fortesia.”

Fortunately, there was no illustration—only written characteristics.

As long as I keep wearing this helmet… I can manage for now.

However, there was something mildly irritating.

My bounty was Rank 2.

They were underestimating me. How annoying.

“Ah. This one looks good.”

I picked up a request.

“W-WHAT?! Are you serious?!”

Yes.

It was a dragon subjugation request.

“Th-this is a public request. Other adventurers might complete it first…”

“I understand.”

“It’s dangerous… you might die…”

“I understand.”

“And the guild’s policy is to discourage low-rank adventurers from chasing dragon-slayer dreams…”

“Shut up already. Or I’ll sew that mouth shut.”

She fell silent immediately.

I took the request.

This type of public request is first-come, first-served.

Of course, few would challenge a dragon.

But that does not matter.

Many adventurers were watching me.

And many of them… were the type who dream of becoming dragon slayers.

How troublesome.

“Has anyone already taken it?”

“Well… it’s been posted for two weeks… some have taken copies… but no one has completed it.”

“Then it’s fine.”

If someone interferes, I will simply feed them to the dragon. No one can prove anything outside the town anyway.

“Then I will be going. Don’t be surprised when I return with the dragon’s head.”

“U-uhh…”

And so I left the guild.

Now then…

What should I do?

I want a proper inn for once. I have enough stolen wealth for that.

But if I delay, someone might steal the dragon kill.

I doubt any novice can beat me, but still… risk exists.

To silence that annoying receptionist, I might need to push forward without rest.

“Um!”

Someone called out to me.

I turned.

It was the boy who had been staring at the dragon request board earlier—eyes shining with excitement.

So… he has business with me?