Chapter 249: The Quest
Chapter 249: The Quest
We returned back to the guild again after the test. Why is the test so far away in the first place?
Even if I ended the test too fast, the original mission is just about fifteen minutes, right? Maybe the guild should build an arena somewhere in the city instead.
Even once we returned to the guild master's office, the receptionist who was tasked to prepare the quest hasn't arrive yet. What a problem…
"I'm sorry. It seems that she hasn't returned yet. Please wait a little longer." The guild master said.
"Since we have shown our faces, there's no need to have all of us here, right? Then the three of you can go home first. Roy and I will stay and wait." Kayla suggested.
"Wait! Me too?"
"Obviously. You're the leader after all."
Sigh… I guess that's true.
The guild master permitted the other to go home. Now, there's only four of us here. With Nana who is still fainted. We brought her here since it will cause trouble if we left her unconscious outside.
"Guild master, you need to build some kind of arena here so we don't need to go outside." I suggested.
"That is a good idea, but we lack the budget for it. The noble in charge of this city also doesn't allow us to build arena. He thought that it's just a waste of money and space." The guild master replied.
Well, the noble in charge of this city will be changed soon. I think the new guy will allow the arena to be build. And also, since the competition Albert and I made will be commenced soon, interpersonal battle will be more popular and more people will use the arena.
There is an arena in this city, but it's only for the students of magic academy or the introductory school to go to. And it's only used when they have events like sparring, or practical exam like what I did in school in Melk. I guess the guild can just cooperate with the academy.
While we are still waiting for the quest, Nana finally awake.
"This is… the guild?" Nana asked in confusion.
"Yeah. Sorry if I was too rough, but that's the easiest way to win that I can think of." I apologized.
"You! Tsk! I'm leaving this city! I don't want to meet you ever again!" Nana stormed out the guild in anger.
I guess locking her in a tight space is too much for her. I'm sorry.
But I don't think we will meet again in the future, so goodbye.
"You are too cruel with your method. But your decisiveness in doing it make you a great leader. That's why you passed the test. And you are also sharp. You know that I'm testing the leader just because of the mission given. But I think it will be difficult for you to receive any jobs if they found out how cruel you are." The guild master said.
"I don't mind. It's not like I will accept every request given to us. Why don't you tell us about the quest we will take first?"
"Alright. Since it will be a while until the request arrive, I'll tell you about it. It is a request that can only be shown to S-rank hunters, so you won't find it on the board. The quest is to investigate something."
"Investigation?" Kayla asked in surprise.
I guess it is indeed surprising. Why would such request can only be taken by S-rank hunters? And why is he giving us this quest?
"I know that you are confused, but it's a difficult quest that no one has ever completed. It used to be put on the board to let any hunters of any rank to take, but it's an unpopular quest. And those who have taken this quest never returned. That's why we made it so only S-rank hunters able to take on this quest. But no S-rank hunters wanted to take this quest at all. That's why we asked you to do it."
"So, what is it that we need to investigate?" I asked.
"About missing people in a certain village. The request giver is someone from that village who is now living in this city. He said that there are multiple cases of missing people in that village. So, he brought all his family to live in this city because he's afraid. It's just an investigation, but if you can take care of the source, the reward will be doubled. Since there are too many hunters disappear after taking this quest, the guild will be responsible for the reward. It has been months since we received this request, but no one able to complete it. We're in a bind since even the guild's staff who went to investigate also never returns." The guild master explained.
"Hmm… what would happen if we refuse to take this test?" I asked.
"According to the new rule about clan creation, if you refuse to take this quest or fail to finish it, you are banned from building a clan for a year."
"…I guess we can't refuse it then. So, who is the one that gives you this quest? Where does he lives now?"
"He opened an inn in the residential district. His address is…"
"Alright. Kayla, you go and ask him about his village and the missing people. And also tell the others what kind of mission this is. I'll wait here."
"Okay."
This makes only us two alone in the office. Since we have nothing else to talk about, the guild master returns to his job.
I have nothing else to do, so I transformed Victoria into a bed so I can sleep.
"That's one convenience summon." The guild master said.
"Just using whatever I have. This one cannot die no matter what I do, so I'll just use it however I like."
I didn't lie. It was from my previous live that I tried to kill Blobby.
Summoner can get a new monster once their slot is open after the previous monsters died. But Blobby can't die. That's why I need to learn to live with the used to be useless black slime.
But now, she has become a part of my life. And I also learned the secret of summoning element. There's no way I would ever want to part with her.
I think I slept for about an hour when the receptionist finally returns.
"Why did it take you so long!? Our guest has been so comfortable that he's building a bed!"
"I'm sorry! But the noble who is in charge of that village seem to have been caught doing some crime and he's taken to the prison. I don't know what to do, so I asked other nobles about it. Seems like someone else will come to substitute him from tomorrow." She said.
…I guess that's my fault. That noble should be one of the three that I met that night.
"Do we need that noble's permission to go there?"
"Because of the missing people, he put a checkpoint between that village and this city to not let anyone pass unless they have received permission. You can take the quest, but you won't be able to pass that area." The guild master said.
"Is there only one path? What about flying? Or through the forest instead of the main road?" I asked.
"Well, you can do that. But the monsters around that area is too strong for normal hunters. I guess it's fine with you since you have an S-rank hunter. I don't think you need to get permission to pass that area if you pick different route. Alright! You can take the job."
"Good. I and some others will leave to that village first, but we will leave some people in our base. Once you have gotten the permit, just bring it over to our base. I will go through another way, while those who stays will go through the main road once they received the permit. They will give the permit and report about us taking the quest to the guards in the checkpoint. That's easy, right? No need to waste our time like this." I suggested.
"Then we'll do it. I hope you will succeed with this mission."
"Me too."
I finally left the guild. I should contact Albert so he can quickly send someone here.
Once I returned home, I told everyone what happened. That it was just a waste of time waiting there. Though I end up napping for an hour.
"Kayla, what do you got?"
After telling the others that we can take the quest, I asked Kayla if she received some information.
"He said that he doesn't know what happened. Every night, someone from the village suddenly disappear. He was the son of the chief. The chief told him to ask the guild for help, and also to have him and his wife to never return to the village until everything is over. That's the only thing I got." Kayla said.
"At least that's something. So, we can conclude that at least the kidnapping only happened at night. Alright. Tomorrow, I will go to that village and open up a portal for you guys." I said.
"Wait, Roy! Just because it's faster that way doesn't mean it's good! Don't take away the fun of travelling!" Kron protested.
"But…" I looked at everyone's expression. It seems like they agree with Kron. "Fine. We'll go tomorrow morning by horse carriage. Or maybe wolf carriage. Let's go there normally."
We're now one step closer to the creation of our clan, Wolf's Crown.
Since there are many hunters that went missing, I guess this mission will be difficult. I told everyone who will come to prepare themselves and get some rest.
I asked Lina and Ian to stay behind in case the guild's staff come to give us the permit. As for Lina's summon, we'll only bring Sunny with us. Elsie is useful for the protection of the house.