Unexpectedly, the Guild was extremely enthusiastic toward a “mere mortal” like Green.
Hardly had he explained his situation to the receptionist before he was personally invited into the branch manager’s private office.
“So, Mr. Green, you agree to authorize our Guild to publish your masterpiece?”
Beneath a high-slit skirt, smooth and slender legs shimmered under the glow of the magic-crystal lamps. Betty, the manager of the Raven Town Adventurer’s Guild and a former five-star adventurer, extended a delicate hand and personally pulled out a chair for Green.
“Yes. I’ve just been expelled from my team and need to find a new job,” Green replied sincerely, not bothering to hide his current predicament. “Besides, I still owe the young lady a large sum of money.”
“Owe money?”
Betty’s light makeup masked her momentary shock. She paused, covering her mouth with her hand. “Uh, Mr. Green… while you served as the record keeper for the Star-Moon Adventurer Team, did you receive no compensation at all?”
Compensation?
Betty’s words ruffled the calm surface of Green’s thoughts. To be honest, he had never considered it. After all, when he first crossed over, he was penniless. It was the young lady, Freya, who had taken him in by chance. After naturally joining her team, the concept of a “salary” never crossed his mind.
“It’s only natural, isn’t it?” Recalling how Freya had recently belittled his contributions as worthless, Green gave a small yawn. “After all, I’m just a mortal. Besides, intelligence analysis isn’t worth much these days; there are plenty of top graduates from the Royal Academy looking for work.”
Huh?
Hearing Green’s “expert opinion,” even a woman as experienced as Betty was stunned.
Intelligence analysis isn’t worth much? High-achieving graduates are everywhere?
Yes, under normal circumstances, a team with the prestige of Star-Moon wouldn’t lack applicants. But… those were normal circumstances.
Was Green a normal person?
As a senior executive of the Guild, Betty knew very well that although Green had never managed to become a professional for some unknown reason, his analytical skills and judgment regarding intelligence were top-tier—unique in the world.
How many times had the Guild’s own internal intelligence teams analyzed data only for Green to spot a fatal flaw with a single glance? How many times had high-ranking adventurer teams suffered crushing defeats, while Star-Moon avoided every trap and succeeded solely because of Green’s superior analysis?
To be honest, outsiders might not know, but within the inner circles of top-tier adventurer teams, Green’s name was like a thunderclap.
And such a talent had been kicked out?
At the thought, Betty’s breathing quickened slightly. “Mr. Green…”
She swayed forward, leaning toward him, her silhouette fully on display. Betty said softly, “Since you’ve left your team and are now a free agent, have you ever thought about… joining our Adventurer’s Guild?”
“Join… the Guild?” Green never expected that a discussion about publishing would lead to a direct job offer from an executive.
“Yes. Our Guild offers stable benefits and excellent pay. Plus, you wouldn’t have to risk your life every day like those adventurers…”
Green nodded slightly. Hearing Betty put it that way, a position at the Guild did seem quite suitable for a mortal like him. However, did pie really fall from the sky? Seeing Betty’s calm exterior but ravenous eyes—looking at him as if he were some delicious, exquisite meal—Green couldn’t help but feel a bit worried.
Ultimately, Green didn’t immediately agree to join the Guild, but at Betty’s warm invitation, he temporarily moved into the staff quarters of the Raven Town branch.
Though it was a branch in a remote town, its location at a major crossroads meant its specifications were incredibly high, rivaling those in the Royal Capital. Compared to inns and taverns, the internal dormitories were like a paradise—comfortable warm beds, a full set of furniture, and most importantly… the peace of being alone.
Back in the Star-Moon Team, the daily lives of those noble ladies were almost entirely dependent on Green’s care. From laundry and cooking to managing daily supplies, and from preparing equipment for raids to negotiating rewards, Green had handled everything single-handedly.
But here at the Guild, his status had undergone a total reversal. He was now the one being served, even though he hadn’t officially started working yet.
“Thanks to Miss Betty.” Green flopped onto a comfortable lounge chair and picked up his Adventurer’s Log. “Now I can finally focus on the simulation.”
Although time in the simulation flowed at less than a second per reality-second, it was still awkward to stand in the cold wind holding a book.
Hum—
The familiar white light enveloped him once more.
Alice, the girl he had raised, was now gradually growing up. Since that teaching moment at the academy, she no longer felt inferior because of her slum background. On the contrary, to some extent, Alice used her tragic past as fuel to drive herself forward.
“Exorcism… Strike!”
In the courtyard of the house in the Upper District, Alice swung a wooden sword repeatedly. Large beads of sweat covered her forehead, and her rounded face was flushed red as she gasped for air. Yet, she stubbornly set her jaw, refusing to give up.
Whoosh—
Her sword forms were perfect; even the most critical swordmaster couldn’t find a flaw. A few wooden stakes a short distance away were sliced into pieces by the sharp air currents generated by her exquisite skill.
Level 30.
At barely ten years old, Alice had successfully advanced to a Level 30 professional. This achievement would be rare not just in Abundance City, but in the entire Kingdom.
But Alice was still not satisfied.
“Phew… why?” Alice looked at her wooden sword in confusion. “Why can’t I get a response from the Holy Light like Godfather does?”
“Good work, Alice.”
Green, who had been observing from behind, poured a glass of iced tea and handed it to the girl. Unlike the timid, insecure girl of the past, Alice had blossomed. She was now a bright, vibrant girl, her clear eyes sparkling with life and her fiery red ponytail looking like an eternal flame.
Yet, a thick cloud of frustration hung over her face.
“Godfather,” she looked up and asked, puzzled. “How can I be recognized by the Holy Light just as you are?”
Looking at her innocent face, Green fell into his own simulated memories. By all rights, given Alice’s supreme talent, she shouldn’t be unable to sense the Holy Light. Had the hidden trauma of her past not been fully uprooted?
At the thought of her origin, Green’s brow furrowed slightly. Instead of answering directly, he tapped her forehead gently. “Alice, you’ve been in this home for nearly two years now, haven’t you? Last year I gave you a dress for your birthday. What do you want this year?”
What do I want?
Alice blinked, not understanding why he was changing the subject. But the thought of receiving a gift made her heart feel warm. She didn’t care about the value; to her, the intent behind Green’s gift was worth more than anything in the world.
“I don’t want anything.” Alice leaned happily into Green’s arms, nuzzling him like a kitten with a satisfied smile. “As long as I can be with Godfather, that’s enough.”
“I really can’t do anything with you.” Green patted her head. “Later, I’ll take you to an evaluation. We can buy a gift on the way back.”
“An evaluation?” Alice’s curiosity was piqued. “You mean the Paladin evaluation!”
Not every professional could transition into a Paladin. One had to receive a blessing from the Holy Light and be knighted by the Church to become a true Paladin. They owed no allegiance to secular authorities, answering only to the leaders of the Church. Alice now understood the immense weight that the title “Paladin” carried in the human world. She was deeply proud of her great godfather.
“Archbishop Lawrence has heard of your feats. He wants to meet you.”
Green looked at the prodigy before him with satisfaction. He began to envision a future where Alice went to the Great Temple in the Royal Capital for advanced training, her strength skyrocketing, and the massive rewards he would receive once the simulation ended.
“Alice, I am proud of you,” Green said with total sincerity.
However, Alice’s pupils did not sparkle with excitement at the praise.
Archbishop Lawrence…
Alice, who already understood the Paladin training system well, suddenly felt a surge of panic. Was Godfather going to send her away to the Great Temple?
No! I don’t want to!
Alice looked up sharply, her resolute face suddenly streaked with tears as her body trembled slightly. “But… but I don’t want to be apart from Godfather!”
“Pfft, you dummy.”
Seeing her crying, Green shook his head, caught between annoyance and amusement. “What are you thinking? Even if I wanted to send you to the Great Temple for further studies, you’d still have to pass a whole series of exams first! The Archbishop is only coming to see if you have the potential to become a Paladin.”