Chapter 99 - 99 Spider Sense Or Non Sense? (1/2)
”Wow...look at all these adventurers lining up at the House of Grundy... Its already coming to 10 pm and these adventurers are queuing up to hand in their applications for the membership? Wow... Look at all these Rangers and Assassins... It is unbelievable.” I said in amazement and saw a long line that snaked around and it has more than 50 new adventurers signing up to be members of the House.
Some were equipped with a light bow, a crossbow or Assassin compact one-handed crossbows. The Assassins were simpler and all they had is a short sword and a Karambit on their backs. Looks cool though and I wonder if the House of Grundy gives away quests just like we do.
”House of Grundy does give out quests but mainly to test the Agility and Dexterity of these applicants. If they were unable to get a high passing mark of 90%, they were disallowed from being a part of the House in the inner circle. However, they may apply to be in the outer circle of the membership until they are competent enough to take the following test.”
”They have to sit for a test every 3 months and if they failed to achieve a minimum of 80% in the outer circle, they have an option to leave the House and be contracted to other Noble's, merchants and so on. These apply to Assassins.”
”As for the Rangers, they might be assigned to other outposts such as a mining outpost and all they have to do is to be a hunter as well as a ranged guard against the wild beast,” explained Patricia as we walked among the candidates who were lining up to hand in their applications.
There were a few dejected-looking applicants who emerged from the House of Grundy since they either qualify to be in the outer circle even. A few of them congregate outside and I heard them squabbling, ”Do you think the House of Keating would accept us? We have failed to even qualify for a measly 80% of the passing mark and now all we could be is just a wayward renegade adventurer.” said one of them in the group.
”We had paid a 1000 credits for this application alone and there's no refund... Such a waste. Do you think the House of Keating has that kind of application fees? I heard the House of Keating is well to do and have several establishments around this town. My friend's mother is working with them as a plant employee.”
We were standing quite a distance away and I used my spider-sense to eavesdrop on their conversation, but in actual fact, I was just squatting beside them and was nodding to them as I heard their conversation. Hah hah hah... Spider-sense my ass... Spider can hear that far, meh? Sure or not...? I thought its bat sense? Or non-sense... Hah hah hah...
”I heard the last two months that the person in charge of the House of Keating, I don't quite remember his name... It ends with Mars... Bruno Mars, I think... Went into the dungeons and wallop the beasts with his bare hands and no armour from level 1 and level 5 and emerged victoriously.”
”The beasts were so traumatised that some were sent for psychiatric evaluation after they saw a crazed looking madman coming at them by using his own fists and legs. Maybe he was determined to show that these puny beasts could be defeated without any weapons at all, right?” one of them said and retold the story of what I had done before when I had a little squabble with Patricia.
”The quest that was given to the Quest Master there doesn't even have any requirements, you can go in alone or in pairs but the more people partying inside, the number of the beast would be doubled. I haven't ventured in there but I heard the failure rate is 25%. There's no fee or whatsoever. The Quest Master's missus is also a Quest Master and her quest does look simple but it is surprise that one had to handle first.” another one said as he took a stick and pokes at an anthill.
”Haish... We go there tomorrow then, both the Quest Masters are handling the sales at the store. Hmm, it seems House of Keating is not only involved with adventurers but also sales, business, marketing and so on.” a Ranger dressed in maroon spoke up.
”Alright, see you at the House of Keating tomorrow after breakfast... See ya guys there.” and soon the 4 Rangers and 1 Assassin dispersed and went back to their own homes.
”You hear that, Audemars... This House charges a 1000 credits just for an application alone. This is sure a cut-throat business. It's like having land pirates invading these poor adventurers. They had already paid for their gears and yet have to pay a non-refundable fee to apply. I wonder how much they need to pay as a member once they are in.” remarked Patricia and she counted that the House of Grundy could easily earn a 200k credits per day or 6 million per month just doing nothing but accepting the fees only.
”I think I know what to do... But I need to talk to the Keating's... Which mean you and Prius. You are holding to more than 25 million credits, right? I think I know how to beat the odds and bring about the name of House of Keating and bring it to the top spot soon.” I explained as I looked at Patricia and saw she has more than 25 million credits with her in physical wealth and I could easily make some Level 4 Iron rings and sell it to NoOne for 40 credits a piece.
”Back to cheating the system again, I guess.” I thought to myself as I would like to raise at least 10 million credits more just in case I need the funds anyway. Furthermore, the plan I had in my mind is big... It is as big as the Court of Aermagh and if one is to succeed, they have to think BIG... And I mean REAL BIG.
”Come, darling, let's pick up the children and head back. Furthermore, it's closing time for the store and tomorrow is yet another day. By the way, you said you are a Wizard and the children did ask you when you are going to pick up your staff right?” I asked as we walked back to the store.