Chapter 88

"Here is your C-rank Guild Card."

Yu took the silver-shining Guild Card from Colette and put it in his item pouch. Nina and Rena, upon receiving their Guild Cards, couldn't suppress their smiles. Marifa had gone to Mago's shop to deliver potions and receive payment.

Colette cleared her throat in a businesslike manner and took a deep breath.

"As a benefit of the C-rank Guild Card, you can use the Adventurer's Guild storage! In particular, you can withdraw money from other branches, which I highly recommend. Why don't you consider depositing your money with the Adventurer's Guild? Rest assured about security. The Adventurer's Guild's storage has repelled all attacks by numerous criminals in the past, making it a safe, secure, and impenetrable storage! And the best part is, it's free to use!"

There was a reason for Colette's enthusiastic speech. Once adventurers reach C-rank, their earnings are vastly different from those of ordinary citizens. On the other hand, many adventurers are careless with money, and it's not uncommon for them to squander their earnings and end up with nothing when they retire due to injuries sustained during adventures, leading to unfortunate endings.

To prevent such occurrences, the Adventurer's Guild actively encourages adventurers to deposit their money. Of course, the Adventurer's Guild also benefits. The amount of money entrusted by adventurers is enormous, and the guild uses this money to lend and buy land, generating profits that support the guild's operations.

Incidentally, receptionists who successfully recruit adventurers receive a 1% commission of the deposited amount. In the Free State of Hamelin, a receptionist who persuaded ten A-rank adventurers to deposit their money and became a major merchant with the commission is a figure of admiration among receptionists at various branches.

However, Colette's purpose was not the commission but a genuine concern for Yu and his companions...

"Colette, how much does the guild instruct you to have us deposit?"

Yu asked Colette a slightly mischievous question. Nina and Rena, who had been looking at their Guild Cards, turned their gaze to Colette.

Colette, maintaining her usual smile, responded to Yu's question.

"Any amount is fine. It's like insurance in case something happens to you. I just want you to deposit an amount that won't be a burden."

Yu stared at Colette for a moment. Since they arrived in the city of Kama, Colette had remained unchanged. She always thought of others, regardless of race, appearance, or gender. This was one of the reasons why she was beloved by many adventurers.

"Yu, Yu, being stared at like that makes me feel a bit embarrassed."

Colette's words made Yu realize and apologize, then he tried to take out the money from his item pouch.

"I'm sorry for keeping you waiting. Is it alright if we take a moment?"

When Yu and his companions turned around, they saw a muscular dwarf and a middle-aged man with a scotch-shaped beard standing there.

"Mr. Bernd and Mr. Rops, are you here to post a quest? If so, please wait your turn."

"Hey, isn't that dwarf the blacksmith Bernd?"

"That's the owner of Rops' Shop. For them to come to the Adventurer's Guild, it must be something important."

The surrounding adventurers whispered and glanced at Yu and his companions. From the context, the muscular dwarf was Bernd, the head of the Blacksmith's Guild and the largest blacksmith in the city of Kama. The thin man stroking his beard was the owner of Rops' Shop, another major store in the city.

"No, no, we're here to talk to Yu."

"To Yu?"

"Indeed. Recently, branches of the spirit tree have been sold to the Adventurer's Guild from my shop. Spirit tree branches are excellent for making staves and bows, but they are hard to come by in the Kama area. When I investigated, I found out that an adventurer named Yu obtained and sold them to the Adventurer's Guild. I asked Mr. Rops, who has connections with the Adventurer's Guild, to arrange an exclusive contract with you."

"Then why don't you post a quest with the Adventurer's Guild?"

"Hehe, we are looking for a stable supply of spirit tree branches. Weapons and armor made from spirit tree branches have mental skills attached and are sold at high prices. It's a material that any blacksmith would want desperately.

This time, spirit tree branches were found in the newly discovered dungeon, and I heard that you, Yu, found the dungeon."

While it's not a problem for adventurers and stores to deal directly, there have been various troubles in the past, such as adventurers running away with contract money, taking on requests beyond their capabilities and dying, and disputes between clients and adventurers. The Adventurer's Guild has been resolving these issues by acting as an intermediary.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Rops, the owner of Rops' Shop. This is Bernd, the blacksmith who supplies weapons and armor to Rops' Shop. I'm sure you know him.

Shall we talk here?"

Rops led Yu and his companions to a table. By approaching them in the Adventurer's Guild and talking at a table inside, rather than in another place or room, Rops was essentially declaring that he was taking away the guild's profits and excellent adventurers. Indeed, some receptionists and guild staff did not look pleased.

However, Rops himself seemed to have no qualms about it, and his arrogance was evident. Bernd, standing next to Rops, sighed lightly and shook his head slightly.

"I'll join you too! I'm worried as your handler."

Rops made a visibly displeased face and glanced at Yu's expression.

"That's fine. The Adventurer's Guild would also want to mediate to prevent any trouble."

"That's right! I have no ulterior motives."

When Yu and his companions sat down, Rops took out a cloth bag from his item pouch and flipped it over. Gold and silver coins spilled onto the table with a clatter.

The adventurers who had been eavesdropping opened their eyes wide and started to chatter, and Rops smiled lecherously, satisfied with the reaction. Yu looked at Rops with a cold eye, Nina covered her ears in surprise at the loud noise, and Rena glanced at the scene before starting to read a book, apparently losing interest. Colette was flustered, looking back and forth between Rops and Yu.

"I've prepared 9 million Madoka here. 3 million per month for three months as a contract fee. In addition to the contract fee, I'll pay 1 million per spirit tree branch and 5 million for higher-grade spirit tree branches as a reward.

I think this is a bargain price. An average D-rank adventurer can earn 1.5 million Madoka a month at best. For a newly promoted C-rank adventurer, an opportunity to have an exclusive contract with a major store like mine won't come again."

Rops, who didn't expect to be turned down, had even prepared a contract.

"Is that all, Mr. Rops?"

"Yes. Let's build a mutually beneficial relationship."

"I'll have to decline this offer."

Yu's words didn't surprise Rops, who instead smiled smugly.

"Hehe, all adventurers react the same way.

You're trying to reject it first to drive up the contract fee and reward, but that won't work.

As I said, this is a bargain. Any adventurer would want an exclusive contract with a major store like mine."

Rops folded his hands under his chin, sending a look to Yu as if urging him to sign the contract. Bernd, standing next to him, had been silent with his eyes closed.

"Mr. Rops, I have no intention of driving up the price. I think it's better for you to leave quickly."

Yu had a reason for urging Rops to leave. He had noticed a reaction from the Adventurer's Guild, someone running towards them. From the way they were running, their build, and their breathing rhythm, Yu knew who it was.

"Hehe, adventurers should not get too cocky. I am the owner of Rops' Shop. Such an attitude—"

Just as Rops, who had been calm, turned red and raised his voice, the door to the Adventurer's Guild burst open.

The adventurers and receptionists inside turned their gaze to the door, where a dark elf girl stood. The dark elf girl, who must have been in a hurry, had disheveled hair and sweat on her forehead, but she straightened her hair and clothes, found Yu, and smiled.

"Master, I kept you waiting."

"You didn't keep me waiting. You didn't have to rush back..."

"That's not the case. This—ah!"

Marifa let out a surprised sound and stumbled, causing dozens of coins to fly out of her item pouch.

Rops, seeing the coins that had fallen onto the table, gradually tensed up and stood up abruptly.

"Platinum coins!?"

Rops' loud voice and the surrounding adventurers' even louder reactions, louder than when he had scattered gold and silver coins, filled the air.

"Excuse me. By the way, what is this... money?"

Yu sighed and muttered, "How did you get platinum coins to fly out of your item pouch?" He had urged Rops to leave to avoid this, but it was too late. Yu, looking at Rops, thought that his efforts were in vain. Rops, meeting Yu's gaze, his initial confidence gone, alternated between looking at the platinum coins and Yu, muttering that a newly promoted C-rank adventurer couldn't possibly have such wealth.

"Mr. Rops, as you can see, I don't lack money. I sensed from your words that you think adventurers are being used by you, but don't misunderstand. Adventurers are the ones using you. Without the materials that adventurers risk their lives to gather, your shop would be in trouble."

"Th... That's sophistry! I will make you regret this!"

Rops hastily collected the gold and silver coins and left the Adventurer's Guild in a hurry. The surrounding adventurers muttered, "Serves him right" and "Good riddance."

"Mr. Rops, I've done him a disservice. Yu, will you consider the exclusive contract?"

Bernd, who had been silent and indifferent until now, unfolded his arms and bowed his head.

"I thought I had declined that offer."

"The real work starts after the refusal. Mr. Rops can be a bit difficult, but he's not a bad person. I hope you can forgive him."

Bernd, unlike Rops, now exuded a grandfatherly aura despite his initial impression.

"I don't think it's a bad deal. A stable income, and having a connection with me is a big plus. If you bring me the weapons, armor, or materials you want, I can prioritize making them."

"I have a blacksmith in mind for an exclusive contract."

"I know. Woods, right... He's not suitable. Because—"

"The items he makes don't have skills attached."

Yu's words made Bernd look surprised.

"You knew. Then, wouldn't it be more beneficial to be my exclusive blacksmith?"

"Using specific materials can attach skills.

Even for skilled blacksmiths, the success rate of attaching skills is at best 50%, and the skills that can be attached are not selectable unless you are a top-tier blacksmith. The value of a blacksmith shouldn't be determined by such a thing."

Bernd was silent for a moment, then burst into laughter. The loud laughter made Nina jump, and Colette covered her ears. Marifa, with her keen hearing, maintained a calm appearance, but her mouth corners were twitching, indicating she had been holding back.

"Oh, I'm sorry. You're right, that's not important for a blacksmith.

I'm glad I came today. If you have any problems, come to my shop."

Bernd left the Adventurer's Guild in high spirits, though it was unclear what had made him so happy.

"Marifa, did you ask Mago?"

"I'm sorry."

"I'm not angry, but it's not a good thing. Also, your acting was poor."

Yu's words made Marifa's head droop, and Nina patted her head. Rena, closing the book she had been reading, said,

"Was there any point in having Colette here?"

Rena's words made Colette and everyone else chuckle. Blacksmiths are the higher rank of blacksmiths.