4 The Adventurers Association (1/2)
There stood Jack, in front of a large building not too far from the city center. It wasn't too imposing or heavily decorated, unlike Jack's original thoughts. Looking almost rundown and worn from long time use, it was simply a large building with a sign saying, ”Adventurers Association.” Jack hoped that the inside would be in far better shape and entered.
There weren't too many people in the open room. On one side was a bar that wasn't even half full despite being near sundown and the other was a reception area to welcome guests. A head popped up from behind the reception counter and greeted Jack, ”Welcome to the Adventurers Association. How can I help you?”
”My name is Jack, I'm interested in joining the association,” said Jack with a slight smile to the cute, brunette behind the counter.
”Really!?” she shouted in excitement, standing up to see Jack properly.
”Yeah, is that surprising?” Jack asked.
”We rarely get visitors, let alone adventurers wanting to join. My name is Maura. I'll take you upstairs, but first I'll need some basic information. What's your full name?” said Maura enthusiastically.
”Jack J. That's it,” said Jack, implying to not ask further.
”Okay…” said Maura, weirded out by the lack of a last name. ”I'll need your level and class before I can take you upstairs for an interview.”
”Umm, I can tell you, but can you please keep it a secret?” asked Jack nicely.
”Sure, but I'll have to at least tell the branch chief, he's the one in charge of the association within the whole kingdom,” stated Maura, intrigued to hear more.
”That's fine,” Jack agreed. ”I'm a lv. 1 hero.”
”What? Lv. 1?” Maura was disappointed to hear such a low level. ”Wait, you said, 'hero' is your class?”
”Yes, I'm a lv. 1 hero. Can I go see the boss now, or do you need to know if I'm a virgin too?” asked Jack with a wry smile.
”No, no, that's enough,” uncomfortable, Maura went up the stairs and left Jack alone at the reception desk.
”Hey, brat!” a voice yelled across the room from the almost empty bar.
”Huh?” responded Jack, appearing to be annoyed.
”You said you're a hero. That true?” a large, bald man covered in scars and past wounds turned around, obviously buzzed.
”Yeah, what of it?” asked Jack as he walked across the room.
”That's great news!” yelled the man, throwing his arms to the sky. ”A hero in the Adventurers Association, could anything be better?”
Jack sat down beside him and noticed that there was no one serving the bar, the few people there were serving themselves. He asked, ”Why is that so great? There must be plenty of strong adventurers in your ranks.”
”Nah, we don't got nothing!” the drunken man laughed loudly. ”But with you here, we can change everything! What's your name boy?”
Having second thoughts about the Adventurers Association, Jack tried to calm the man down. ”Relax old man, I'm just checking it out. I'm not joining anything just yet.”
”Say that again,” said the man, suddenly acting more serious.
”It's no big deal, I'm just curious about the association. That's why I came to see—”
”You've already applied, and I've already accepted you. You're already a member and wish to quit without a reasonable explanation? You'll have to prove your able to with your strength,” stated the man. He pounded his fist on the bar, splitting it in half and leaving only splinters where his fist made contact.
Confused and concerned for his safety, Jack looked at the others who used to be peacefully drinking at the bar. They were unaffected by the large man's attitude, almost like they expected it.
”There you are!” Maura shouted as she came back down the stairs. ”I forgot you were at the bar. We have a new appli—”
”I know, I've already accepted Mr. Hero and he's already wanting to quit,” the man interrupted her.
”Wait, your—”
”I'm Zariff, chief of this here branch,” the drunken man interrupted Jack all the same. ”I've already accepted your application and you've already become a member of the Adventurers Association, are you sure you want to quit now?”
”You can't just force me to join! What would everyone think about your precious Adventurers Association after they hear about this?” Jack threatened.
”I don't care if I have to curse out the king himself, let only you. All I know is that I have an unruly association member and he needs to learn his place,” Zariff glared at Jack with ice-cold eyes.
”But—”
”No buts! Come with me brat, let's get you geared up,” Zariff motioned to the stairs, not caring about Jack's personal feelings or whatever rumors may spread about him.
”Please Jack, just follow him,” Maura plead with puppy dog eyes, one of Jack's few weaknesses.Find authorized novels in Webnovel，faster updates, better experience，Please click for visiting.