Chapter 10: What is an Adventurer?
ㅤ”In the first place, what is an adventurer?”
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ㅤThe priest-san asked a troublesome question.
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ㅤ”Um, they’re people who make a living by taking on dangerous day labor, right?”
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ㅤ”Th-that’s not wrong, but…… You’re so young and yet so lacking in romanticism.”
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ㅤThe priest-san said, looking troubled.
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ㅤOops, was I too straightforward?
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ㅤ（Then it’s just a black company, isn’t it?）
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ㅤWell, I definitely think it’s a 3K (Kitsui – Hard, Kiken – Dangerous, Kitanai – Dirty) job to the extreme.
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ㅤThe priest-san clears his throat and says,
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ㅤ”As a profession, there is certainly that aspect to being an adventurer. There’s just so much of it.
ㅤHowever, in the first place, the three guild founders who were the first adventurers were not adventurers to earn a daily wage.
ㅤThey were adventurers in the truest sense of the word 『adventurers』━━dreamers who risked danger and dreamt of exploring unknown territories.”
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ㅤ”Um……”
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ㅤThe story is getting grand.
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ㅤSeemingly noticing my lack of interest, the priest-san gives a wry smile.
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ㅤ”This may be irrelevant to you. Let me explain briefly.
ㅤThose three, the first adventurers, are the founders of the three great adventurer guilds━━the Warrior’s Guild, the Magician’s Guild, and the Thief’s Guild.
ㅤSince the founding of the guilds, the three have been considered the model for the division of roles among adventurers.
ㅤMoreover, the three founders are now the guardian deities of adventurers. They are truly grateful beings who bestow various benefits according to the adventurer’s experience.”
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ㅤ”Benefits…… you say?”
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ㅤ”Yes. By pledging allegiance to the three guilds, it becomes easier to acquire the skills, intuition, and knowledge necessary to work as an adventurer.”
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ㅤ”……Is that true?”
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ㅤAccustomed to being skeptical of religion, I can’t help but ask.
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ㅤThe priest-san takes a small breath.
ㅤRather than being dumbfounded…… for some reason, it’s a nuance of admiration.
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ㅤ”You’re quite cautious for someone so young.
ㅤIn fact, there are unaffiliated adventurers, so you can see the difference if you compare them. There are countless stories of skilled adventurers who left the guild being overtaken in a year by guild-affiliated adventurers.
ㅤIf you doubt it, you can easily find out by asking around.”
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ㅤ”No, that’s alright.”
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ㅤActually, I’m a little skeptical, but it wouldn’t do any good to show that here.
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ㅤ”Then, let me answer your previous question.
ㅤA thief is different from a rogue. The reason they call themselves thieves, a name that is easily misunderstood, is to commemorate the fact that the founder of the Thief’s Guild was known as the greatest thief of his lifetime. Since being just a thief didn’t sound very good, they changed it to Thief in line with the other guilds. I hear the founder was an orphan and a former thief, but it is said that he played an indispensable role in the party as an adventurer. Also, it is said that he washed his hands of all criminal activity after becoming an adventurer.”
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ㅤIs that true?
ㅤThe skeptical me thought so, but I asked a question before my expression could be read.
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ㅤ”What do thieves do?”
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ㅤ”They scout ahead of the party, unlock locked doors and treasure chests, and detect and disarm traps.
ㅤIt’s suited for those who are small and agile. I can’t say for sure without seeing your aptitude, but it seems like it would suit you. Generally, it’s suited for people who are wary.
ㅤOh, I’m not being sarcastic. You really are suited to be a thief. A thief without vigilance gives me the chills.”
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ㅤThe priest-san shivers.
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ㅤ”How do I register with the guild?”
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ㅤ”This city has the Warrior’s Guild and the Thief’s Guild. If you go to either of them, they can assess your aptitude.”
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ㅤ”There’s no exam or qualification?”
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ㅤ”The founder, who is the guardian deity, will judge your aptitude. No one can object to that.”
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ㅤI see.
ㅤIn that case, it seems like there won’t be any unnecessary, attention-grabbing, cliché combos like going to register at the guild → being picked on and getting into a fight → defeating the opponent and getting recognized.
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ㅤ”If you have no further questions, let’s move on to the aptitude diagnosis. Is there anything else?”
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ㅤ”What does it mean to pledge allegiance to the guild? Are there any obligations or restrictions?”
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ㅤ”Don’t worry. It’s just a formality. There are differences in which guild you take jobs from, but there are no restrictions.
ㅤThe first adventurers, who are the founders and guardian deities, loved freedom above all else. In fact, if you impose strange restrictions, you will be punished by God.
ㅤOf course, it’s different in emergencies, such as when a city is attacked by a horde of monsters, but even then, a sufficient reward is promised.”
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ㅤ”If that’s the case……”
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ㅤAnd so, I decided to have my aptitude as an adventurer assessed.
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ㅤ……Unwittingly, I found myself a little excited, like it was a game.