Chapter 8

We arrived in the town of Woz.

We came to the guild to register as adventurers.

Thanks to the merchant who told us the location, we were able to come here without getting lost.

The adventurer guild hall in the town of Woz was a simple two-story building.

The front was a bar, and the back was the reception counter.

"We're going to register as adventurers here, right..."

Muse was looking around, a bit fidgety.

"Are you not good with places like this?"

"Actually, I'm not really fond of people in general..."

Hmm... She is a slave, and a half-elf at that, who is despised.

She must have been treated badly by people around her before coming here. It's understandable that she would become distrustful of people. Poor thing.

"But, but! Lord Hira is special! I like you a lot, a lot, a lot, a lot, a lot!"

"Hmm, I see. Thank you."

We first headed to the reception to register.

The receptionist greeted us with a cheerful smile.

"Welcome to our guild! How may I assist you?"

She's very energetic. And she looks young.

She must be a new employee.

"I want to register as an adventurer. For me and her as well."

"Understood! Please place your hand here."

A crystal ball was placed on the counter. Hmm... This is the Eye of Truth, I see.

"This is the Eye of Truth, which checks your occupational skills and status."

The Eye of Truth has the same effect as a skill appraisal.

In other words... Hmm. Only my occupation will be revealed.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing, it's fine."

Even if my occupational skill turns out to be a dud, so what?

I don't care what others think. I just do what I have to do.

Noblesse Oblige.

To fulfill the duty imposed on the one who possesses it. That's all.

"I'm going to touch it."

*Pata.*

*Snap...!*

When the light from the crystal ball faded, a card appeared in the air.

"This is a guild card, which you need to accept quests. It also serves as an ID, so please don't lose it!"

"Guild card, got it."

"And the card shows your adventurer rank and... occupational skill... E, eh!?"

...As expected, this happened.

There's nothing to be done about it.

"H, 'Open'...? What is this... Ah!"

Hmm, it seems she realized her mistake after saying it out loud.

Occupational skills are personal information. It's a problem to reveal them without the person's permission.

"I'm so sorry...!"

The receptionist bowed repeatedly.

Hmm, there's nothing to be done about it. She looks like a new employee.

"It's fine. Don't worry about it. Everyone makes mistakes."

"Truly, Lord Hira! You have a broad heart!"

*Condition met*

*SP 150 → 200*

...Hmm, my SP increased again.

It's probably the Unique Skill, Gratitude, kicking in.

But I don't understand what in our conversation made Muse happy. It's a mystery.

"Hey, 'Open'...? What's that...? I've never heard of it... Haha, it must be a dud skill, hahaha!"

Hmm, well, this was obvious.

But since I knew it from the beginning, I don't care if people look down on me.

"I'm really, really sorry..."

"It's not a problem. Everyone makes mistakes. Just be more careful next time."

"Okay! I won't make a mistake next time! I won't shout, even if your occupational skill is amazing! I promise!"

That's the spirit.

"Next, it's Muse's turn, then."

"Okay! Excuse me!"

*Pata.*

*Snap...!*

"Wh-What!? Sage...! Amazing! The highest-level occupational skill... Ah!"

Hmm.

Well, there's nothing to be done about it. Muse's Sage occupation is rare.

"I'm, I'm so sorry!"

"It's okay. People can't immediately correct their mistakes."

"Hau...♡"

*Condition met*

*SP 200 → 250*

Hmm...?

The Skill Gratitude kicked in again?

Did I make Muse happy again...?

Just then,

"Hey, pretty lady?"

"...What do you want?"

A man approached us.

He looked like a bad guy.

"Hey, don't talk to your senior like that!"

"Hmm... Do you need something from me?"

"Yeah. Lady, how about joining my party?"

"I won't. I already have the best partner, Lord Hira!"

Muse said this with a snort.

Hmm... This could get troublesome.

The senior adventurer looked at me with a disdainful gaze.

"The best? Hahaha! This dud skill holder? What makes him the best, lady? Hahaha!"

"This...! Insulting Lord Hira is punishable by death!?"

Muse was about to cast a spell, so I stopped her by tapping her shoulder.

"Stop. Don't bother with this guy."

"Y-Yes! You're right!"

The senior adventurer's forehead veins bulged.

"What!? You, a dud, are getting cocky! Die!"

The senior adventurer drew the large axe he was carrying and swung it at me.

*Crack!*

"What the...!? My axe... shattered into pieces!?"

The senior adventurer was stunned.

Meanwhile, Muse's eyes widened. "What just happened...?"

In my hand, I held a sword made of ice.

"I shattered your axe with a sword made of magic."

"B-But that's impossible! It's a dragon-scale axe! It has the same hardness as a dragon's scales! It can't be broken!"

"Hmm... Even so, it happened."

By combining magic and swordsmanship, I was able to generate enough power to shatter even a dragon's scales.

"Amazing..."

"Amazing! As expected, Lord Hira! What do you think, you rabble? My Lord Hira is the best!"

*Condition met*

*SP 250 → 450*

My SP increased again.

Hmm... I wonder when and who I made happy. I don't understand.

In any case, we successfully completed our guild registration.