THUNK-THUNK.
The wooden bridge creaked and groaned as Daisuke crossed the moat that surrouhe town. The lofty walls were more imposing up close, their impressive shadows stretg far and wide on the ground.
“Wele to Wonderelle,” one of the two sentry guards greeted warmly.
Wonderelle. Acc to the ats, it’s in the Arium Kingdom—the ohat banished and he Percivals.
Pushing the unpleasant thought aside, Daisuke stepped onto the cobblestoreets of the town, surrounded by medieval-style houses that exuded an air of history and charm.
At the heart of the town sprawled the bustliral pza, a hub of activity where pyers streamed in and out of the ?Gate?—an ogee-shaped structure featuring a swirling blue vortex, instantaneous teleportation to distant realms.
Because the game promoted free roam and preferred if pyers explored the open world, it only allowed users to teleport free once per month. Otherwise, they had to pay an exorbitant amount of gold for the fee.
From the tral hub, busy districts radiated outwards, alive with the stant movement of horse-drawn wagons loaded with foods and other supplies, and carriages that transported nobles and merts.
Market stalls lihe thhfares, the shopkeepers eically advertising their varied wares to passersby. Among the crowd, a mix of people from different races and species mingled animatedly. an array of armor, some practical and others orhey painted a vibrant picture of diversity.
Zephyr’s witched as something delightful coaxed his olfactory receptors. Wafting on the wind was a ménge of aromas, ranging from the entig fragrance of freshly cooked food to the alluring sts of various etid perfumes.
He couldn’t identify any of them.
But there was one smell in particur that was especially attractive, and he salivated in response.
“Whoa!” Daisuke excimed as the e’s head popped out from the V of his shirt. He had suggested that Zephyr hid in his clothes because he wasn’t sure what the w on animals… monsters—whatever, was iown.
“Kyuu~”
Daisuke grinned wheed the pup’s excited animation, its tongue finding its way outside its mouth in a ravenous pant as they were about to pass a stall hosting the entig smell.
“Oi, my boy,” the shopkeeper called upon spying the e’s opehusiasm. “Your little friend here knows quality barbecue when he smells it! Here’s a sample; a token of my appreciation!”
The ary genius held a perfectly cooked cutlet of barbecue pork in front of Zephyr’s easing, suffog him with a bst of the heady st.
The pup looked to Daisuke for permission, beaming with glee when he nodded with a smile. Almost immediately, Zephyr tilted his head bad opened his mouth, happily accepting the shopkeeper’s kind offer.
He chewed passionately, relishing the unfamiliar and delicious blend of seasonings and sauces that defihe chef’s unique recipe.
The man hugged his chest and grinned with evident triumph. “It’s always a pleasure to serve those who tell good quality with but a single whiff of the nose. And you’re no exception, little guy.”
“Kyuu~”
“Thanks, Mister,” Daisuke said with a wave.
“No problem! Be sure to e by again; there will always be free samples for you and your friend!”
While Zephyr was busy trying to lick the remains of barbecue sauce from his nose, Daisuke was busy looking up at the Merts’ Guild signboard while deliberating.
I’ve been stuck within the game for a few years now, and during all that time, I haven’t been able to pull out a sole like a normal pyer would. That leads me to one clusion: I’m probably an NPC.
Surreptitious gazes and whispers among finely dressed men and women arrested the lobby area of the guild. The merts who were ongrossed with broadening their work and sharing information were now gng at the silver-haired boy who was dressed in rags.
What business could such a degee have in a fiablishment like the Merts’ Guild?
Ign their gl, Daisuke proceeded toward the front desk. Zephyr had already hidden himself again.
As opposed to pyers who respawn indefinitely after death, NPly have one life. Does that same ly to me? I ’t be sure, which is why I’ve mostly been refraining from putting my life on the line.
Instead of being an adventurer, I’ll bee a mert and use that wealth to lead a fortable life. In time, I would also have the resources to find and help April and the others—and I may as well try to figure out what happeo me while I’m at it.
“Hello,” the female clerk greeted with a bright smile. “How may I be of service to you today?”
The choice of words had Daisuke fleetingly taking a glimpse at the woman’s generous bust. “Hi. I would like tister for the guild.”
“Certainly. Have you ever been a part of the Mert’s Guild?”
“No, I haven’t.”
“In that case, please allow me to give you a brief rundown of the process,” she said courteously while resting a rge old book on the ter. “The Merts’ Guild is a private entity that isn’t affiliated with any try, church, anization. We are pletely ral and focused entirely on enrig our members.”
Her ly manicured finger hovered over the timeworn page of the book. “As you see, there are five ranks in the Merts’ Guild.”
Daisuke skimmed over the chart.
Merts’ Guild Rankings:
1st ? Adamantium Rank:
For Prestigious Trading Empires (with numerous branches)
Enrollment Fee: 8 Gold s
Annual Fee/Tax: Calcuted based on branch t
2nd ? Orichalcum Rank:
Suitable for Mid-Scale Trading Houses (with multiple branches) Enrollment Fee: 4 Gold s
Annual Fee/Tax: Calcuted based on branch t
3rd ? Mithril Rank:
Ideal for Small-Scale Tradiures (reasonably sizable enterprises)
Enrollment Fee: 2 Gold s
Annual Fee: 5 Gold s
Annual Tax: 6% Gross Profit
4th ? Gold Rank:
Suited for Indepe Establishments (such as roadside apparel or produce shops)
Enrollment Fee: 1 Gold
Annual Fee: 2 Gold s
Annual Tax: 6% Gross Profit
5th ? Silver Rank:
Appropriate for Traveling Merts and Street Vendors (g physical premises)
Enrollment Fee: 5 Silver s
Annual Fee: 1 Gold
Annual Tax: 6% Gross Profit
“Your yearly fees, busiype, and size will be determined by your rank,” the woman tinued. “Do you have any questions?”
“Not yet.”
“In that case, what kind of venture do you pn to establish?”
Daisuke rubbed his in thought. I don’t have any appraising abilities, so I’m not sure what the crystals are worth. The guild would likely only buy them at market price, but if they’re a rare odity, pyers might pay more. Right now, what I need most is information.
“I won’t have much of a physical store at the get-go, so I guess I’ll be starting off as a street-side vendor.”
“Then it appears the introductory Silver Rank would be the most suitable choice for you,” informed the clerk as she slipped him a piece of part with a feathered pen. “Please go ahead and fill out this application form.”
Daisuke plied and handed back the dot as instructed.
“Perfect,” the woman said after verifying the information. “Now then, Haxks… to plete your enrollment, all I will need is the registration fee of five silver s.”
Before entering the town, Daisuke discreetly moved the purse from its secure strap on his ihigh into his pocket. It held the ey of the hard-earned loot he had accumuted from various odd jobs around Dusthaven to eventually bring his mother to see a doctor.
Hesitantly, he poured out the ominously light tents of the purse into his hand and breathed a sigh of relief when he ted five silver and three copper pieces. A trembling hand handed over his life’s savings to the clerk.
“Thank you. Please wait here a moment.”
As she stepped aside, a short, elderly woman came up to the ter from the backdoor.
“What is she doing?” Daisuke asked her curiously.
“She’s creating your ID card aering it on the Merts’ Guild magietwork. This allows you to use it at any one of uild locations worldwide.”
“Whoa~”
“By the way,” the woman began, her eyes narrowed shrewdly. “What is it that you have in your clothes?”
Fear of monsters & the unknown: 7.6%
