The Guild Hall buzzed with a steady hum, the kind that signaled a place operating at full capacity. It wasn’t the chaotic noise of a tavern; instead, it was the sound of people lining up, papers rustling, boots shifting on the floor, coins clinking together, and voices rising and falling in quick bursts as missions were accepted, completed, debated, and paid for.
The large counter on the left had been divided into sections as Boren intended: one for registration, another for accepting missions, one for turning in completed tasks, yet another for paynts and rewards, and finally a space dedicated to handling complaints before they escalated into conflicts.
Five receptionists in matching Guild uniforms moved with an ease that suggested years of experience despite it only being days since they started.
Their smiles were calm but not naive; their pens moved quickly across paper while their eyes remained sharp enough to catch any hint of deceit. They looked tired from dealing with a constant stream of visitors since morning.
Boren no longer sweated like he used to or dashed around like a ssenger; instead, he sat further back behind the counter with reports stacked beside him and a ledger open before him.
He checked numbers and skimd through brief notes from the training ground, stable, and front gate. Occasionally he would lift his head to offer small instructions accompanied by that polite manager smile that made people underestimate him.
"Next," Mira called from the registration section in a voice that was sweet yet firm as she tapped her pen twice against the table. "Na, age, and your Warrior Rank. If you lie now, we’ll find out later and you’ll pay a fine, so save us both so ti."
The young warrior standing before her swallowed hard but tried to project confidence. "T-Temir. Twenty. 3-Star Expert Knight."
"Good," Mira replied without showing much emotion, just doing her job.
"Sign here. Fingerprint here," she instructed while handing over a badge and an ID card. "Keep it safe; if you lose it, you’ll have to pay for a replacent."
Temir nodded eagerly as he accepted the badge like it was his ticket to a brighter future while behind him the line continued moving forward, there was no ti to waste today.
At the mission acceptance section nearby, Selene leaned forward with her polite smile. "You’re interested in an escort contract? Which route? The Eastwatch Port or Silverpine? The port route pays less but is safer; Silverpine pays more but isn’t exactly peaceful right now."
Across from her stood a rugged man marked by scars yet wearing an air of calmness. "Silverpine," he answered decisively.
Selene didn’t pass judgnt; she simply nodded in acknowledgnt. "Team size?"
"Four."
"You can accept it if you sign this risk clause," she said as she slid over the paperwork. "And rember to report back here afterward, even if nothing happens."
On the far end of the hall, Rosaline managed paynts with a gentle smile that held firm resolve.
"Count it," she instructed a rchant settling a contract.
"Don’t try to short us and then bla your own hands for miscounting."
The rchant chuckled awkwardly. "Would I do that?"
Rosaline’s smile remained unchanged. "Yes."
A ripple of laughter passed through the hall, not loud but enough to redden the rchant’s ears. Even Valeria, leaning against a pillar near the counter, cracked open one eye briefly before closing it again, as if to say, Good. Keep them disciplined.
Boren observed the scene for a mont before returning his focus to his ledger. He muttered under his breath, "If the boss sees this, he’ll act like it’s all part of the plan," and resud checking daily numbers with his pen.
Just as he was about to call for the next report, an unusual sound at the front door caught his attention.
It wasn’t the typical noise of patrons entering; it was louder and more assertive, soone pushing the doors wider than necessary for all to notice.
Gradually, conversations faded away, not due to any command for silence but because instinct warned everyone that trouble had arrived.
Words trailed off mid-sentence as chairs scraped lightly while so Adventurers shifted uneasily. Heads turned toward the entrance in unison until nearly everyone in the hall was focused in one direction.
A young man strode in with an air of ownership over the space. Dressed in a crimson coat adorned with gold thread, a fabric too fine for this dusty quarter, his polished boots glead almost out of place on the wooden floor. His hair was neatly tied back; his face smooth; sharp eyes surveyed everything around him; and a small proud smirk hinted at soone who had never truly faced rejection.
Following closely behind were four guards bearing the City Lord’s crest on their armor, moving as if they expected others to step aside without being asked.
Boren’s gaze slowly lifted from his papers. He didn’t leap up or show panic; instead, he assessed and quickly understood who had entered.
Valeria opened both eyes this ti and kept them wide open.
The young man paused just inside the hall, surveying it as if appraising market stalls before addressing those present in a voice designed to carry without raising volu.
"So this is it," he remarked with half amusent. "The famous Adventurer Guild branch everyone keeps talking about."
Boren stood up deliberately and set down his pen as if ti were on his side.
Leaning slightly over the counter in a polite yet controlled manner, he replied, "Welco to the Adventurer Guild, my lord. How can we assist you today?"
The young man’s eyes narrowed, clearly displeased by the calmness in Boren’s voice. "My lord?" he echoed, a hint of sarcasm lacing his tone.
"Good. At least you understand titles. That suggests you might grasp the significance of my next question."
Boren maintained his smile. "Go ahead and ask."
The young man stepped forward, boots tapping against the floor, and positioned himself at the center of the counter area where everyone could hear him.
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