A long walk to the guild.

  “Even now, I still forget to buy a horse,” I pondered before walking into the guild and standing in front of the counter.

  The receptionist from before seemed to be… taking a nap.

  “Hello,” I said softly.

  “Hm..? Are you here to apply or something...?”

  She lifted her head softly before rubbing her eyes.

  “Please wait a few moments so I can get the pap—”

  She widened her eyes.

  “You! Old guy! Pex?”

  “Pax.”

  “Okay, Sir Pax… You can't just willy-nilly grab a random quest off the board and run off!”

  She slammed her hands on the table slightly.

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  “You must give me the quest before you go and hunt! It's in the guidelines! I thought everyone knew that!”

  She pointed at me.

  I didn’t know that, truly.

  Before I retired, hunters were able to pick a quest without the receptionist's confirmation.

  Trusting the hunters to pick a quest that aligned with their rank.

  Which was one of the reasons why many died before.

  It was definitely a good decision by the guild…

  “Hey! Are you listening? Okay… Sir Pax.”

  She held her hands together.

  “There are two classes! The Fundamentum and The Animus! And both have ranks!”

  She puffed.

  “You are currently in Fundamentum, Lapis, which is the lowest rank! There are five ranks in it! Lapis, Ferri, Stannum, Aes, and Cuprum! And for Animus... Argentum, Plum—”

  “Plumbum, Aurum, Mercurius, and Obsidian,” I said, cutting her off.

  “Oh—so you do know! Look, Sir Pax… WAIT—actually, give me your quest, let me see what you took!”

  She held her hand out.

  I was slightly intimidated… the previous receptionist before my retirement was more… reserved.

  I reached into my pack and handed her the quest. She snatched it quickly.

  “… This is for Stannum! These are two ranks above yours!”

  She scolded me.

  “Ah, sorry. I must have gone senile. However, I did finish the quest.”

  I bowed my head slightly.

  “… Really? Did you bring evidence?”

  She asked me sternly, with a bit of curiosity.

  I lifted up my sack and placed it on the counter.

  She then began to open it before investigating.

  She then looked at me suspiciously.

  “A Lapis… finishing a Stannum quest… let alone solo…”

  She moved the sack to the side slightly.

  “Sir Pax. Are you perhaps a criminal?”

  She asked sternly.

  “Fortunately, no. I've done hunting before since I was young. I've decided to come back again.”

  I said truthfully, but she still seemed suspicious of me.

  “… I guess that's reasonable. You don't seem like someone who lies.”

  She sighed softly.

  “Still… Stannum quest… solo?”

  She asked before waving a hand.

  “It's fine, it’s fine, I guess. Anything can happen.”

  She scoffed.

  “And honestly, you made my day eventful. Even for a few minutes.”

  She began rummaging in a chest and slid two silver coins on the counter.

  “Here is your reward for the quest, Sir Pax. Please continue your hunting~”

  I sighed slightly before grabbing the coins.

  I still have some money left over since retirement, but I’ll still take it.

  “I will, Ellis.”