78. contact (1)

unofficial mission.

Originally, the number of people who could be entrusted with unofficial missions consisting of personal requests was limited.

The upper echelons of the guild ask for personal work, or the rich nobles who can lobby the guild for a huge amount, or the nobles who have the power to benefit just by doing a favor without lobbying.

However, the current adventurer’s guild disregarded such qualifications and accepted all missions from those who were judged to be able to pay properly. It was because they had to catch the escaped adventurers and provide them with dangerous jobs.

“…Unofficial missions come in a lot more than official missions.”

The head of the Guild of the Royal Capital was struggling with the task list in front of him. His fat chin twitched, covered in scars from his adventures long ago. The branch manager picked up the paper with the request written on it with thick fingers.

As the royal family started to reduce the adventurers’ influence, the adventurers belonging to the guild’s dissatisfaction piled up day by day.

If that’s the case, I’m just digging herbs in the hills. Why would I pay the dues to the guild?

I’d rather enlist and work as a private.

If escort missions are no longer received, what are the remaining missions that can be substituted?

I wonder if leaving only missions with no possibility of success like this is not to just stop working.

I heard complaints dozens of times a day, and about a quarter of them actually left the guild. And the bad rumors about the guild spread even to the adventurers who were working without any complaints.

The number of subscribers is decreasing day by day, and the number of unsubscribers is increasing day by day. In order to fill the number of people, even those who did not meet the qualifications required by the guild had to be accepted.

What he came up with as a last resort was to accept more unofficial missions, and even if he could have dispelled the adventurers’ dissatisfaction, the tail was getting too long.

“If we really go on like this, it will only be a matter of time before sanctions come in directly from the capital.”

Unofficial missions are illegal. However, it was illegal on the line that could deceive the eyes of the inspector, or it was illegal on the line that could be solved by feeding bribes. Or, there were cases where even the supervisor was unable to do anything about it.

now…

“Ugh.”

All I could do was hope that the person in charge of the inspection would take into consideration the situation of the guild and the loyalty of the past even after seeing this situation. Of course, that could never happen.

“…Let’s think about it later.”

The branch manager read the updated list of missions. Wondering what other ugly and greedy missions will be written this time.

“what’s this?”

The branch manager could only frown as he read the list.

“In tailing, light sabotage… is this kidnapping? But why is the reward like this?”

The contents of the mission were not that different from usual. However, the pay was completely inconsistent with the content of the job.

“…Stay still.”

The branch manager worked hard on the jjambab he ate at the guild and sought common ground between the well-paying missions.

“…Is it a royal affair?”

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Nobles would have no choice but to keep a keen eye on it.

The head of the branch pictured the situation in the royal family, which was extremely confusing. Count Benning joins hands with the Magic Tower, takes control of the court, and kills several court nobles without even knowing it. Absorb the surplus forces, and discard the forces that have not been absorbed.

“If they were really watching the Benning family, they wouldn’t even try to contact them.”

While the adventurer’s guild continued to be checked, there were not many people who could handle going against the planting of Count Benning, who had emerged as the strongest family in the kingdom, and contacted the adventurer’s guild.

Or just those who don’t know the subject.

The head of the branch sorted in his head the adventurers to be assigned to nobles whose names he had never even heard of. If you get caught by nobles who can’t even handle it, you’ll probably lose your life.

“I can’t even assign good guys.”

I guess I’ll have to look at the faces of the adventurers on the mission and decide.

After reaching that conclusion, the branch manager picked up the paper with the list on it and stood up. After leaving the room, the inside of the main guild building was quite noisy. It was always the case that the guild was noisy, but the noise now was a noise that was far from raucous.

“Ah, the branch manager…”

The employee in charge of the reception desk quickly approached the branch manager. Her face straightened in delight, as if she was looking for him. The sound of the staff’s shoes ringing was drowned out by the noise of the guild.

“What’s going on?”

When the branch manager asked about the commotion on the first floor, the staff member shook his head in disbelief. On the one hand, trouble was showing on his face.

“A guest has come to visit, and they are asking to see the branch manager…”

“customer?”

“Yeah. So, I told you to wait first, but…”

Knowing what kind of person he was, he asked the branch manager how to send it to him, the staff member said.

“Is that why it was so noisy?”

Well, the reason the adventurers were making such a fuss was not because they were worried about the branch manager, but because of simple curiosity.

“What should I do, branch manager?”

“… tell them to come up.”

Did the first person who asked for it come? The branch manager said that while handing over the list to the staff. The employee accepted the task list and nodded hesitantly.

“All right.”

The branch manager sighed as he looked at the back of the employee as he descended. The situation with the royal capital was unusual. The person who came to visit him this time must be a helper of a noble who is keeping an eye on the situation in the capital.

“If only I could get away with just a moderate amount of gain.”

The branch manager murmured. He was well aware that it was not him who was holding the hilt. I had to walk a tightrope where even if a variable occurred just once, I could literally run away.

“I wonder if I can remove it.”

“The head of the Royal Road Adventurer’s Guild must be very worried.”

The branch manager pulled back at the chilling sensation running up his spine. The man who spoke to me in the tone of an old man was looking at the branch manager with a much younger face than I thought.

“…Who are you.”

The branch manager asked without letting go of his guard. I didn’t feel any hostility from the customer. To be precise, it would be said that the branch manager was so crowded that he couldn’t read any momentum.

“There is something I want to ask about a request.”

The guest spoke in an attitude as if he were visiting a neighbor’s house on business. The branch manager expressed more doubts about the man’s light tone and behavior.

“It’s not a request. I don’t think there’s an adventurer who can handle things as well as you. What did you come to the guild for?”

“Uh-huh, if you want to talk at length, wouldn’t it be better to go in and talk?”

The branch manager was trying to answer the man’s words with a smile, but the man carelessly uncovered the pattern on his chest, visible through the hem of his cloak.

“…you, no way.”

“So, let’s go somewhere quiet for a moment and talk.”

A noble flower set in pure silver and platinum.

The branch manager’s eyes trembled as he confirmed the pattern, which is only allowed for members of the royal family.

—

“Don’t let anyone in. Well, unless there’s a sudden big fire on the first floor and you have to run away, absolutely! Don’t let anyone in until I call.”

The branch manager yelled at the poor employee. The staff stared alternately at the branch manager’s pale face and the relaxed attitude of the customer, and when the branch manager twisted his mouth in a fit of screaming, he bowed his head and said he knew it only then.

The overgrown body of the branch manager was buried on the sofa. The sofa in the old branch manager’s office creaked under its weight.

“Whoa…”

The head of the branch was refusing to accept the current situation as it was. The man wearing the royal pattern was sitting on the reception sofa in the branch manager’s office, facing the branch manager with a meaningful expression on his face. Should I talk first, or should I just keep my mouth shut and wait and see what he will say.

The head of the branch manager looked at the man while counting the number of possible cases.

“What are you thinking so complicated about? You can see all your thoughts on your face.”

If you were like me, how could you not think about everything right now, the branch manager asked himself. Perhaps even reading the branch manager’s heart, the man let out a smile.

The branch manager took a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped his sweaty face. It was the habit of the branch manager who came out whenever he was stressed. The branch manager finally asked a question to the man who was watching the branch manager’s actions with a questioning eye.

“What the hell is that pattern?”

“It is as you see it. It’s no use pretending you don’t know.”

The branch manager was almost out of breath. The branch manager’s appearance must have been very funny, so the man let out a small laugh. The head of the branch almost burst into tears at such a man’s laid-back attitude.

“No, why the heck…”

“I told you, we need a quiet place to talk. If I stayed, I thought they would hold me in the hallway until I revealed my identity.”

The branch manager sighed again, not knowing how many times he had sighed. How many people can come to the adventurer’s guild wearing a badge like that of the royal family? The king’s direct escort? Or is it a relative of the royal family?

With the head of the branch getting complicated, the man hardened his expression at the thought that he had to get to the point. After reading the changed atmosphere in the company, the branch manager also stopped complaining and focused on the company’s story.

“Yes, I apologize for coming without telling you. There is a reason why I couldn’t give you a word in advance. The branch manager who is reputed to be brilliant, I believe you will understand.”

After listening to the man’s words, the branch manager was convinced that the man who had come looking for him was not here to harm the guild or himself.

“…You’re not from the count.”

“Not bitter. Who would have known that the day would come when I would have to open my hands to you like this?”

The man laughed self-deprecatingly.

“It seems that I am certain that I will stand on the side of His Majesty the King.”

infinitely blasphemous words. It was a kind of provocation and test. The man did not overturn the desk in anger or urge the branch manager, but responded with a calm attitude.

“At least I’m sure you’re not on the sidelines with Benning.”

Well, since he did not calmly accept the pressure from the palace, including Benning, and received unofficial missions here and there, it was strange to think that he would stick with Benning. However, the branch manager did not just nod his head, but instead shook his head.

“The Adventurers Guild never behaves rashly.”

The branch manager regained his breathing. At first, the appearance of being suppressed by the man’s momentum was gradually erased, leaving only a seasoned negotiator and an adventurer who had gone through all the battles.

“know. Because you guys, the adventurer’s guild is not only in Korea. But on the other hand, how long do you think the protection of the adventurer guilds of the previous continent will continue? Do you think they will be able to keep you safe if they seize full power, and begin to oppress the other great nobles in earnest?”

The man shrugged. The branch manager shrank as if he had been stabbed.

“This is not the time to make leisurely noises like walking on a tightrope, branch manager.”

“I made a mistake.”

“…That doesn’t mean you can’t change your mind right away. However, I hope I have been able to instill awareness enough to reconsider this situation.”

“no. Let’s hear the story first.”

The branch manager clearly acknowledged it and decided to listen to the request of the man in front of him. The man smiled with satisfaction at the fact that the branch manager had given up halfway.

“Now then, let me tell you about the request. I don’t know if you can call it a request.”

Indeed, what kind of mission did that mysterious man bring? The branch manager groaned and swallowed. The man touched the table in front of the sofa with his finger.

“I want you to find someone. Maybe an adventurer.”

you’re a person In the Adventurer’s Guild?

While frowning, the branch manager spoke of one possibility that came to mind.

“Do you want to take on a nomination request?”

“Well, so to speak.”

The man nodded and acknowledged.

“Who are you looking for?”

“A nameless adventurer.”

The branch manager sighed involuntarily, saying, “Huh.” The man’s eyes were shining.

“I hope you don’t say you don’t know.”

“No, I am well aware of it. It’s just that I didn’t expect to mention a person I thought was famous only within the adventurer’s guild and didn’t fit the situation that well.”

“The eyes and ears of the royal family are not very dark. I know what is worth knowing. Also, don’t you know everything about the Adventurer’s Guild?”

A nameless adventurer.

A person who solved requests that were considered impossible for an individual to solve many times, and always showed his face in the adventurer’s guild while wearing a hood.

“If you know that well, you know very well that you can’t find that person just by looking for them.”

“If I had been able to find it personally, I would not have bothered to ask for it in this way. I was following the clues that were there.”

There were many adventurers who did not want to reveal their names, but if you wanted to know information about them, there was nothing you couldn’t find out.

But this nameless adventurer was different.

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No name, no age, not even a face was known. It’s to the point where I wonder how a person can go that far without revealing their traces. He had a clear memory of coming to the guild and pointing out the by-products, claiming that he was the beast he had caught.

“I know you completed a request a while ago.”

“So you came to Burinake.”

As if acknowledging it, the man nodded.

“You never know when that adventurer will appear again.”

“It doesn’t matter. If an adventurer finds a guild again, there is absolutely no need to tell me…”

The man took out a paper bag from his pocket.

“Please pass this letter here.”

There was nothing written on the paper bag. The branch manager himself knew better than anyone else that this paper bag should not be opened. The branch manager took the paper bag and stayed quiet for a while. He was probably calculating what would happen and how it would affect the guild.

“…Won’t your tail be stepped on?”

The word that came out at the end of that thought was really difficult even if the branch manager himself thought about it. The man generously answered the questions as if he understood the branch manager.

“That adventurer has never revealed his identity, and no one knows who I am either. I understand that you have doubts about the royal family, but you don’t have to worry about that.”

The man finished speaking and got up from his seat.

“So, just do what you normally do.”

After that, the man left the branch manager’s office. The branch manager was left empty and glared at the tightly closed paper bag with his head wrapped around his blank head.

From now on, until the nameless adventurer comes to the guild again, I had to hope that the paper bag would be sealed tighter than the walls of the royal capital.