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A Time Bomb at the Border and Worries of the Adventurers Guild Receptionist – Part 03

“Hello, Freya.”

“Oh.” Light instantly returned to Freya’s eyes.

“About that escort commission, there’s no adventurer rank restriction. Does that mean I’m qualified to take it?”

“Hikaru?!”

The sudden appearance of the adventurer caused a stir among the surrounding crowd. Hikaru, being young and donning clean gear, didn’t look like a typical adventurer, which irked them even more. Freya’s delighted reaction only added fuel to their irritation.

“I didn’t know you were in Pond.”

“I travel back and forth between the capital and Pond. So, about that commission.”

“There are no restrictions, but the guild will choose the party to take on the commission. Are you still in a party with Paula and Lavia?”

“Yes. Now that you mention it, we haven’t settled on a party name.”

Upon hearing that, the adventurers laughed.

“Seriously? A newbie? This isn’t a commission for a little kid who doesn’t even have a party name.”

“What he said. Pretty nice gear you got there. Did you use the power of money to butter up to Freya? You’re an eyesore. Get lost.”

While it was fortunate for Hikaru that there was no rank restriction for taking on the commission, he also thought that, for the sake of gaining some respect from the other adventurers, it might be better to raise his rank a bit.

Hikaru and Lavia were at the lowest Rank G, and Paula had been Rank F before meeting Hikaru, having completed commissions with her childhood friends.

“Quiet down!”

A voice echoed in the lobby, and the adventurers froze. A white-haired Man Gnome—Unken—appeared.

“Who’s the old timer?”

“I’ve seen him at the butchery.”

“Is he guild staff?”

Young adventurers didn’t know Unken, but the high-ranking ones—those with decent equipment—regarded Unken silently. They knew that Unken was the guildmaster.

“I didn’t think it would get this chaotic,” Unken said. “About the guild-issued escort commission, party leaders who wish to take it will stay and submit their application. The rest, please leave the building. You’re disrupting our regular operations.”

Adventurers who didn’t know who he was looked confused.

“What?”

“Who does he think he is?”

“Guildmaster, I have a question.” A man raised his hand.

He wore the most expensive-looking metal armor in the guild and carried a long spear on his back. He looked around thirty years old. Earlier, he mentioned something about being from a Rank D party, the highest in Pond. Possessing deeply chiseled features, he looked around cunningly.

Upon hearing the word ‘guildmaster,’ adventurers unfamiliar with Unken looked concerned, while those who knew him impatiently urged the man to continue. Unken appeared displeased for having his identity revealed.

“Jonathan, leader of the Blue Summit. What is it?”

“Regarding the commission, the reward is quite good, and everyone is delighted.”

“Yes. And?”

“How many parties can take it?”

“Only one. We don’t need dozens of people to escort one person. The guild has deemed it relatively safe as well.”

“I see. So, a lot of parties are fighting for that one slot, right? Including a party of newbies.” His eyes flickered toward Hikaru.

“What are you trying to say?”

“I’m just saying that the Adventurers Guild should be fair in their selection. I don’t want it based on personal connections or favoritism, but on past achievements and combat strength. What do you all think?”

Adventurers agreed, then directed their gaze at Hikaru.

“I-I don’t show favoritism to Hikaru,” Freya argued.

“Freya,” Hikaru said. “If they need proof of my abilities, I don’t mind showing what I can do. Are there any pending commissions that might help?”

“Wh-What are you saying?!”

“How about this?” Unken went to the bulletin board and took a piece of paper. “Exterminate Hell Tarantulas.”

A jolt rippled through the lobby. Heavy silence fell; not even a gasp could be heard.

“I just need to kill spiders? All right, then.”

Hikaru took the commission form.

【Monster Hunter】

【Extermination】A goblin settlement near Satin-elka, a village at the foot of Mount Kenmes, was annihilated by a lone spider. Known as a Hell Tarantula, this monster tends to stay in an area for extended periods while consuming its food. It could target Satin-elka next, so exterminating it is top priority. Viscount Clement and Baron Ricker are currently on a mission to kill it, so if you encounter the army on-site, be ready to cooperate with them.

【Basic Reward】300,000 gilans

【Special Note】Equivalent to at least a Rank C quest. No rank-based restrictions.

After reading the form, Hikaru couldn’t help but wonder what went on in Unken’s mind. It clearly said “at least a Rank C quest.” No wonder the lobby fell silent.

“S-Sir Unken, this is absurd!” Freya protested. “Hikaru, please say something to him!”

“I’ll take it.”

“Of course. Yup, you—wait what?!”

Hikaru stared fixedly at Unken. “If I complete this, my party gets priority for the escort commission. Is that acceptable?”

“Sure.” Unken grinned.

“I’ve got your word, then?”

“Yeah. What about the rest? If anyone else wants to take on the Hell Tarantula Extermination quest, now’s your chance.”

There was only silence. Not one person raised their hand.

“I suppose that’s that, then,” Unken said. “Hikaru, Hell Tarantulas have been exterminated several times in the past. You can check records on the second floor—”

“I know about them. Three have been exterminated within the kingdom, all by parties of Rank B or higher. It’s not big, doesn’t form groups, but it has sharp senses that are able to detect prey within 100 meters. The danger lies in its venomous hair; contact with the venom melts the skin, and if it gets into your bloodstream, you’re dead within five days.”

“Exactly.”

Hikaru turned away from Unken and Freya. “I’ll be going, then. I’ll be back within three days.”

And then he left the guild.

“Ah…” Freya couldn’t stop him; she could only blink repeatedly.

“He’s a goner,” said one adventurer.

“Idiots like that are everywhere. They want to act cool and end up dead.”

“Do we really have to wait three days?”

The lobby bustled once more.

“We’ll need some time to prepare, so we’ll announce the party taking the commission three days from now and have them depart immediately,” Unken announced.

“Hikaru!”

I have to stop him, Freya thought.

Unken believed that Hikaru had potential and decided to train him, so how could he do this? How could he egg him on to take that commission?

“Where are you going?”

Before Freya could move, Gloria grabbed the sleeve of her uniform.

“I’m going to stop Hikaru.”

“Why?”

“What do you mean why? I-If he takes that commission, he will die!”

“Adventurers are free to choose their commissions.”

“But if the receptionist deems a commission beyond their capabilities, it’s their duty to intervene!”

“The guildmaster himself gave his approval.”

Freya froze. Should she challenge the decision of her superior?

“I-I get that, but lives are precious!”

“Even if you go, you’re unlikely to change his mind.”

“What? Wh-Why not?”

“He had a clear understanding of how dangerous Hell Tarantulas are. Perhaps more than the guildmaster. How do you plan to persuade him?”

“I…”

Gloria was right. Her mind knew that.

“Still, I have to go!”

But her heart couldn’t agree with it. Freya darted out of the guild through the back entrance and searched for Hikaru.

---

“Oh, my. She must be so infatuated with him.”

Wearing a faint smile, Gloria watched Freya race down the road.

“…”

She narrowed her eyes, a habit of hers when pondering something.

Her thoughts weren’t about her colleague Freya; she was thinking about Hikaru. That adventurer with black hair and black eyes.

He’s hiding something.

Gloria suspected Hikaru of possessing a high-level Blessing. Blessings granted by guild cards were special, capable of boosting one’s abilities in this world. A Blessing from a five-character god could elevate someone to a veteran-level adventurer, while a Blessing from a four-character god could make one a celebrity.

I might learn something from this commission. Besides, no matter how fast you travel, it takes two days to reach Mount Kenmes. A round trip in three days is impossible. He knows that, but he confidently declared that he’d be back in three days. There has to be something there.

Gloria licked her lips.