The night spent with Karen, Prim, and Beatrice was nothing short of unforgettable, a whirlwind of passion that left my hips aching and my body pleasantly exhausted. As a result of my encounters with Prim and Beatrice, I gained two new A-rank skills: [Shooting (Advanced)] and [Barrier (Advanced)]. [Shooting (Advanced)] was likely an upgraded version of my B-rank [Shooting (Intermediate)], promising even greater precision and power. [Barrier (Advanced)], as its name suggested, allowed me to conjure a defensive shield, a skill that seemed tailor-made for surviving the dangers of this world. Both felt like invaluable additions to my arsenal, especially for the battles that surely lay ahead in my new life.
After a brief rest, our group set out, and within an hour, we arrived at the Adventurer's Guild. The building loomed before us, a sturdy stone structure bustling with activity, its heavy wooden doors swinging open to reveal a lively interior.
"So this is the guild…" I murmured, taking it all in.
It was exactly as I'd imagined from anime and manga—a chaotic hub where adventurers of every stripe crossed paths. Swordsmen clad in gleaming armor, mages with flowing robes and glowing staves, clerics radiating serene auras, and rogues skulking in the shadows—all moved with purpose, their outfits so fantastical they could've stepped out of a cosplay convention. The sight hit me with a fresh wave of awe, a vivid reminder that I was truly in another world.
"Let's head to the exchange counter," Karen said, her voice snapping me out of my reverie. "Prim, Beatrice, what about you two?"
"We've got to report on a separate quest," Prim replied, her pink hair bouncing as she spoke.
"After that, we're off for our next job, so we'll be leaving the guild," Beatrice added, her silver ponytail swaying with a nod.
"So this is goodbye, then…" I said, a pang of reluctance settling in my chest. Our journey together had been brief but packed with moments—intense, intimate, and unforgettable.
"It'll be lonely without you two," I admitted, my voice softening.
"We're all adventurers, so we're bound to cross paths again," Prim said with a bright smile, her optimism infectious.
"Especially since they're both so skilled," Karen chimed in, her tone teasing but warm.
I chuckled, scratching my head. "Well, I'm not exactly an adventurer… yet."
"But you're right," I added, meeting Prim and Beatrice's gazes. "I'd love to see you both again."
"Definitely," Prim agreed, her eyes sparkling.
"Count on it," Beatrice said, her cool demeanor softening with a faint smile.
They leaned in close, their voices dropping to a whisper that sent a shiver down my spine.
"When we meet again, let's have some fun like last night," Prim murmured, her breath warm against my ear.
"Next time, hold me even tighter," Beatrice added, her tone low and inviting from the other side.
My face flushed, heat spreading through me. "Y-Yeah…" I managed, my voice catching in my throat.
They pulled back, their smiles radiant, and each planted a soft kiss on my cheeks—chu—before turning to leave, their figures disappearing into the crowd.
"Hmph, quite the lovefest, right in front of me," Karen huffed, her cheeks puffing out in a mock pout, her emerald eyes glinting with playful indignation.
"W-Wait, Karen, you're not mad, are you?" I asked, flustered.
"Nope, not at all~," she teased, her pout lingering, though the twinkle in her eyes betrayed her amusement. Yeah, she was definitely a little jealous.
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Karen and I headed to the exchange counter to report the demon subjugation and claim the reward—a hefty sum of 1,000 gold coins. Instead of physical currency, the amount was recorded on Karen's guild card, a sleek, magical device that doubled as a cash card, allowing her to withdraw the funds later at a bank. The guild's blend of medieval aesthetics and modern convenience was oddly fascinating.
"Oh, by the way," Karen said, turning to me with a thoughtful look. "Why don't you register as an adventurer while we're here?"
"Huh?" I blinked, caught off guard.
"It'd be useful," she pressed, her voice practical but encouraging. "With your skills, you could easily earn big rewards as an adventurer. Plus, it's a great way to make a name for yourself."
"Big rewards…" I echoed, my throat tightening with intrigue. The idea of steady income was tempting, and becoming an adventurer would likely mean more chances to cross paths with Karen, Prim, Beatrice, and others in this vibrant world.
"Alright, I'm in," I decided, a grin spreading across my face. "Let's make it official."
This felt like a reemployment of sorts—a fresh start in this otherworldly life.
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"Here you go, Kairi. This is your guild card," the receptionist said with a polite smile, handing me a sleek, rectangular card.
I'd just completed my adventurer registration, officially joining the ranks of the Adventurer's Guild. The card served as both an identification proving my membership and a magical device that recorded quest rewards and other pertinent details. Despite its unassuming appearance, I was told it contained intricate magical circuits, granting it a range of advanced functions—a testament to the blend of magic and technology in this world.
The surface of the card bore the following details:
Name: Kairi
Class: Magic Warrior
Adventurer Rank: F
My class, "Magic Warrior," was chosen because I could wield both magical and close-combat skills, thanks to my growing repertoire of abilities. Apparently, adventurers could declare their own class, though the guild reserved the right to reject anything too far removed from one's actual capabilities. My rank, F, was the starting point for all new adventurers, a baseline regardless of skill. The receptionist explained that only those with exceptional reputations—like renowned mercenaries transitioning to adventuring—could skip ranks and begin at a higher tier, such as A-rank.
"So, I'm officially an adventurer now," I said, turning the card over in my hand, a grin spreading across my face.
"Fufu, welcome aboard, Kairi," Karen said, her emerald eyes twinkling as she extended a hand. "Nice to have you officially."
"Likewise," I replied, shaking her hand firmly, a sense of camaraderie warming my chest.
"It's exciting to be fellow adventurers," Karen added, her smile infectious.
"Haha, I'm glad you're here, Karen. It's reassuring to have you by my side," I said, meaning every word. After all, she was an S-Class adventurer—an elite among elites.
"But, seriously," I continued, a touch of doubt creeping in, "is it okay for an F-rank like me to hang out with you? Don't S-class adventurers usually team up with other high-rankers?"
Karen tilted her head, her fiery red hair catching the light as she gave me a radiant smile. "Normally, yeah, but you're an exception, Kairi."
Her words caught me off guard, and my heart skipped a beat. "An exception?"
"Sure, you're F-rank because of the guild's system—everyone starts at the bottom," she explained, her tone matter-of-fact but warm. "But in terms of skill? You're easily S-Class material. That demon fight proved it."
"S-Class, huh…" I murmured, the idea both daunting and exhilarating.
"So, I'd love to work with you again on our next job," Karen said, her smile softening, a hopeful glint in her eyes.
"With me?" I asked, surprised by her eagerness.
"If you're up for it," she added, her voice gentle but earnest.
"Count me in," I said without hesitation, my excitement matching hers. "I'd love that."
"Yay, that makes me so happy!" Karen beamed, her face lighting up with a grin so genuine it was impossible not to feel warmed by it. Her beauty, amplified by her joy, struck me anew—fierce, radiant, and utterly captivating.