The place where Ian’s party arrived following Grace was the mercenary corps office at the edge of the square.
“Please, come in.”
Receiving Grace’s kindness as she personally opened the door, the five who stepped inside were met with an office kept quite tidy.
Of course, as befitting mercenaries the atmosphere was the very picture of dreariness, yet it was a space that hinted at the personality of the one who used it.
Then, Grace—who had entered last—pointed to an empty rectangular table and spoke.
“Have a seat.”
The five, Ian included, lightly bobbed their heads and took the empty seats.
However, with the tension fading, the fatigue that had briefly subsided reared its head once more. So Ian cut straight to the chase.
“So, what did you need us for?”
“First, allow me to offer my thanks. Thank you for helping the village.”
Grace rose from her seat and bowed deeply to Ian.
While everyone was flustered by the sight, she continued.
“To tell the truth, last night we were out on an expedition, so we could not fight in the defensive battle. It was the first time a monster wave began this early, after all. Though we hurried back, had you not helped us, Ian, things would have grown dangerous. Once again, truly, thank you.”
Ian recalled the scene from last night.
‘No wonder. So that’s why I didn’t see any seasoned combatants.’
Those who had defended the village alongside Ian had mostly been hunters who made their living hunting. As expected of those who had endured defensive battles for a long time, their teamwork was solid, yet they had not given off an air of exceptional combat prowess.
That was why Ian had wondered how they had managed the battles until now, but to think there had been such circumstances. While Ian nodded in understanding, Grace posed a question.
“But I heard you are a traveler, Ian. Are you leaving immediately?”
“No. There is something I must find, so I plan to stay here for the time being.”
“Then these people as well….”
“Well, basically. We’re in the same position as her. Probably more people will arrive around this afternoon?”
“Is that so?”
Just as Adrian said, many players had made plans to head for Winsley starting today. It was a distance one could cover by evening if one moved diligently from morning, so unlike before, there was no need for Ian to devote herself to the defensive battle alone.
“Certainly, if there were many people like you, Ian, the defensive battles would become easier.”
However.
Grace’s gaze swept over everyone.
“It may sound presumptuous, but we cannot allow just anyone to participate in the defensive battle.”
“What do you mean?”
“The loot that drops from monsters is one of this village’s main sources of income. At present, we only grant permission to officially recognized groups. Participating unaffiliated is not a problem in itself, but you will be excluded from the loot distribution process.”
That was why the most outstanding performer in this defensive battle, Ian, had been given nothing more than a free bathhouse pass. The loot from the monsters had been monopolized by the hunters.
Therefore, to participate in the next defensive battle and receive a share of the loot, the players needed an officially recognized group as well.
However.
“Even if you say a group, we can’t exactly make one.”
As Adrian said, the only guild currently considered meaningful among players was the Arcadia Vanguard, created by Emily. Aside from that, there was not a single system-recognized guild.
Because the item required to create a guild had been given only to Emily.
“You need not worry about that.”
At that moment, Grace placed four flags down upon the table.
People’s eyes widened.
“What are these?!”
“They are founding authorities that allow one to create a group… it seems you already know what they are.”
How could they forget? It was the exact same item Arca had handed to Emily after the Zone 2 raid.
While everyone stood there in blank, speechless confusion, Grace extended one of the flags toward Ian.
“The first I shall give to you, Ian, as a token of gratitude for this defensive battle.”
“Just like that?”
“Please consider it a personal favor, including what happened earlier.”
Ian received the flag in a daze.
Then Adrian asked Grace a question.
“Then what are you planning to do with the rest?”
“You said many travelers have not yet arrived.”
The moment everyone nodded, the corners of Grace’s mouth curved upward.
“The rest I intend to give as rewards to those who complete my request.”
***
The next day.
Ian had gotten plenty of rest until this morning, but when she stepped outside, she was sighing with an exhausted expression in a corner of the village.
“Aah… why is everyone coming at me like this….”
Until recently the streets had been filled with NPCs, but starting from yesterday many players had crossed over into Winsley.
And that was the problem.
“Ian, could you not give that flag to me? I shall pay you handsomely.”
“No, sell it to me. I’ll give you a fine weapon too.”
“I’ll give you the vice guild master position! So please sell it to me!”
Ian had no idea where they had heard it, but everyone from acquaintances to strangers was shouting and asking for the flag.
Because of that, she had to hide and flee from people’s eyes for quite some time. The moment she showed herself, eyes gleaming with greed chased after her.
“Seriously, what kind of hassle is this because of you.”
Ian, who had been sitting and resting for a moment, struck the flag in her hand down against the ground, thump thump. It was nothing more than venting her frustrations, but she couldn’t bear it if she didn’t do at least that.
But she couldn’t keep running away forever.
“What should I do with this?”
She scraped the ground with the end of the flag and worried over how to use this item she had suddenly obtained.
There were two ways. Use it by herself, or transfer it to someone else.
‘Using it myself is a bit…’
She was someone who didn’t even form parties with others. And yet they wanted her to be a guild master? A shudder ran through Ian’s body on its own.
Of course, if she set her mind to making a one-person guild, it wasn’t impossible. From what she had heard from Emily, there were various buffs, so if she used them her leveling would become smoother than it was now.
But did she really need to? She was already someone whose level far surpassed the local monsters thanks to this and that reward. Even if one or two buffs were added here, the amount of experience she gained would still be minuscule.
Moreover, if the fact that she had created a one-person guild became known.
‘It would get quite annoying.’
She did not know what the future held, but at this point in time, the opportunity to establish a guild existed only four times, including the one Ian possessed.
And since each guild could recruit twenty members, if Ian used the flag, nineteen people’s worth of spots would sit empty meaninglessly, and arrows of criticism would rain down on her.
She did not want to make enemies in that fashion. Especially in Arcadia, where she had no idea what might occur.
If so, only one method remained.
“I just have to transfer it to someone, but….”
At first, she had actually tried to give it to Adrian’s party. Having hung out with them several times, they were people she could trust.
However.
“Sorry, but we want to obtain one ourselves. We gratefully accept the sentiment.”
Since they said that, she couldn’t force it upon them. Yet she couldn’t just hand it over to anyone either, so the flag remained in her hands.
“Should I hand it out as a request reward or something too?”
Mercenary Corps Captain Grace had said that she would give the remaining three flags as rewards on a first-come, first-served basis to those who completed her request.
She did not know what the request entailed. Grace had said she would announce it when she judged enough people had gathered.
However.
‘They’re going to tear each other apart.’
Dozens of parties would compete for a mere three flags. If things went wrong, the possibility of players drawing blades on each other was high.
And.
‘The aftermath would reach me too.’
Even now they were clamoring for it; she couldn’t even guess how many more would swarm in as time passed. She couldn’t guarantee there wouldn’t be people trying to take it by harming her.
Even apart from that, no proper request or trial topic came to mind either.
Then would simply using it be the right thing? She would earn resentment, but she might be able to quell conflict among the people.
However.
“Argh, my head hurts.”
No matter how much she racked her brain, the conclusion did not come easily. Trapped in thoughts that spun endlessly like a millstone, she tore at her hair.
She wanted to pour out a torrent of complaints at Grace, who wasn’t even here, for giving her this as a reward and making her worry so much.
“Damn it, I don’t know. I’ll think about it later.”
She shoved the flag into her inventory and stood up abruptly.
When her head was this tangled, swinging her sword in simple fashion was best. Planning to go outside to fight monsters—both to conduct the exploration she had missed yesterday and to avoid people’s eyes—she began to move.
—Clang, clang!
A female mercenary in full plate armor entered the corner where Ian stood.
Ian’s eyes narrowed.
‘Evelyn, was it?’
While Ian was engulfed in doubt about why she had appeared here, Evelyn blocked Ian’s path.
At the sudden appearance of an unwelcome guest, Ian pressed her brow firmly and spoke.
“What is it this time? Have you come for some personal revenge or something?”
However, Evelyn’s reaction was the exact opposite of what Ian had expected.
“I am sorry for yesterday!”
Shouting loudly, Evelyn bowed her head deeply toward Ian. While the flustered Ian could not continue speaking, she kept shouting.
“I will accept any punishment! If you tell me to kneel, I shall kneel, and if you tell me to strip, I shall strip! So please, forgive yesterday’s disgraceful behavior!”
“…I understand, so please be quiet for a moment.”
“I cannot! Until I am forgiven, I shall not move a single step from here….”
“I said quiet!”
In the end, responding in the same manner, Ian urgently clamped her own mouth shut.
A brief silence.
Fortunately, she did not sense anyone approaching, as if no one had heard the outcry.
Only then did Ian finally pat her chest in relief and wave her hand at Evelyn.
“Yes, yes. I forgive you, so go. And don’t do that again.”
“Thank you so…!”
“Don’t shout.”
“…Yes.”
It was an awkward ending, but Ian had no leisure to concern herself with Evelyn right now. Her head was filled entirely with how to handle the flag that had rolled into her possession.
Evelyn, who did not leave but simply stood there before her eyes, was incredibly irritating.
“Why aren’t you leaving and just standing there?”
Evelyn awkwardly tapped the back of her head and spoke.
“That is… there is a gift I truly wish to give you as an apology.”
“Haah, then give it quickly and leave.”
“The thing is… it is not here at the moment. It would be somewhat problematic if others saw it.”
“What kind of nonsense is that?”
Ian was dumbfounded.
A gift that shouldn’t be seen by others? What was this, it wasn’t as if she was giving a bribe; where in the world was there such a gift?
But Evelyn once again politely bowed her head to Ian.
“In that regard, could you spare some time? It will not take long.”
Not wanting to engage in a troublesome argument, Ian reluctantly nodded.
“Fine. I just have to go, right?”
“Thank you very much. Please follow me.”
Evelyn’s guidance wound through alleys away from prying eyes. Thanks to that, Ian—who had avoided any troublesome encounters—let out a murmur of admiration.
“You seem to know this place’s geography well.”
“It is my hometown. I have lived here ever since I was born.”
Following Evelyn like that, the place they arrived at was a shabby warehouse building. She pointed to a passage leading to the basement inside.
“It is here.”
“The basement?”
“It is a secret warehouse we mercenaries use. I placed the gift inside, so you should find it quickly.”
“Then you could have just brought it.”
“I could not do that when it is a gift. Now, I shall open the door, so please enter.”
It was suspicious, but Ian let out a deep sigh and stepped through the open door.
Darkness where she could not see an inch ahead, and the stench of musty dust and mold greeted her.
Wanting to escape this unpleasant place quickly, Ian immediately scanned her surroundings.
However.
“Hey, there’s nothing here….”
The place where she stood was an empty space with nothing in it. Wondering what was going on and trying to ask Evelyn, at that very moment—
—*Boom!*
The door behind her slammed shut. It seemed to be a structure locked from the outside; no matter how much strength she used, it would not open.
“What are you doing?”
“Keh! Stupid fool. I apologize a little and you get all cocky. You really are an idiot, aren’t you?”
Hearing the mocking voice from outside, Ian let out a deep sigh.
‘No wonder. She was being far too submissive.’
Yes, she had to admit it. The fact that she had grown soft from only meeting good people all this time.
And she resolved.
When she got out of here, she would strip off every piece of that armor and hang her naked in the village square.
However, the thick iron door showed no signs of opening, and outside Evelyn’s laughter echoed noisily.
“Reflect on your actions in there. If you can survive, that is. Ahahaha!”
Her laughter gradually faded away. The presence beyond the door was no longer felt.
And.
—*Grrr….*
From behind Ian, a monster’s growl reached her ears.