Chapter 8

Passing through the unnecessarily large and ornate door, we enter the Explorers Guild.

Inside the building, there are people either sitting alone on chairs or gathered around tables, chatting with each other.

What they have in common is that their clothing isn’t ordinary. They wear practical gear like plate carriers or vests with many pockets.

Moreover, unlike the predominantly human Outlands, here and there among them are members of non-human races with distinctive appearances.

Jingle jingle—

As the bell attached to the door swings and spreads its noise, the gazes of those inside turn toward us.

Perhaps because they are people who have overcome many trials and dangers, even just being the focus of their gazes makes my skin tingle and an indescribable sense of pressure weighs on me.

Explorers.

The only people, aside from the Academy and the Ark Defense Force, allowed to freely enter and exit the Ark.

Those who scavenge through the abandoned old city and ruins, finding useful items, are another source of supplies for the Ark and are key members of its society.

“…So, this time we should go somewhere else-”

“Did you hear that? I learned it at a tavern yesterday…”

As time passes, the gazes begin to disperse one by one.

“Ah, auuu…”

Mili lets out a small sigh after the explorers’ gazes move away, perhaps intimidated by the atmosphere.

“…Where should we go?”

Sita’s voice, asking this question, sounds normal, but her body and face clearly show her tension.

“We need to go to the registration desk, over there.”

I point with my fingertip.

The registration area, located further in from the entrance, is a space divided by a large, long table. Above it, a hologram with the inscription “Registration” continuously flickers.

And beyond the table, there are the female humanoid robots—automatons—with charming appearances dressed in monochrome formal suits. They are incessantly performing their duties.

Oh, an automaton! Come to think of it, automatons are also widely used in the Explorers Guild!

Ah, this is embarrassing. Drool is coming out.

“Hem… excuse me-”

“Yes, how may I assist you?”

The moment I speak, the automaton stops what she was doing and comes to the registration desk. A nameplate on her slightly protruding chest displays what appears to be her product name and serial code: WM1-OU/458024.

Her expressionless face contrasts with her captivating beauty, but certain features subtly reveal her to be a robot, which further captivates the heart.

Grgh, this is it!

“…Visitor?”

Tilting her head slightly and asking again, I realize I shouldn’t be distracted by the robot, no matter how fascinating. Now is not the time.

“I want to register as an explorer.”

“Is it registration? All three of you wish to register?”

“Yes.”

“Understood, please wait a moment.”

With that, she walks to a storage cabinet, opens a drawer, and returns with three palm-sized sheets of paper and pens, which she gives to us.

“Here are the registration forms. Could you please fill in your information?”

I take and inspect the form. Despite its purpose as a registration document, it’s a simple form asking only for a name, age, and gender.

Even within AOE, I’ve heard expressions like “simple” and “brief,” but the actual explorer registration form is so concise it almost seems careless.

“Huh, there’s not much to fill out?”

“Yes, we’ve designed it to be easy to register and revoke.”

“Aha.”

Though subtly stated, the meaning is clear—many people register, and the same number cancel their registration.

Of course, that can’t be helped.

Unlike the Ark, the surface world is filled with countless dangers. A small mistake can lead to fatal consequences, even costing lives. That’s the current state of the surface.

People didn’t hide underground, underwater, or in the skies for no reason.

“Do you not verify skills or abilities?”

“Yes, skills and abilities are the explorer’s personal assets, so we don’t collect them as a guild. The guild is only concerned with results.”

“I see.”

The same policy as the Explorer’s Guild in AOE, confirming that, I proceed to hand over my information while seeing Mili and Sita hesitating.

Ah, that’s right. These two probably haven’t received basic education, so they can’t write.

“Here, let me do it for you.”

“Yes, yes. Thank you very much…”

“…I’m sorry.”

“Nah, don’t worry about such a thing.”

I quickly fill out the blanks by asking them for their information, gather the three forms, and hand them to the automaton. She swiftly checks the forms after receiving them.

“Verification completed. Please wait a moment.”

“Yes.”

The automaton retreats again.

She checks each registration form, operates her mobile terminal a few times, and retrieves a file from the storage cabinet, inserting our registration forms at the back.

“Digital registration and storage completed. Would you like to issue explorer IDs right now? IDs come in a physical card format or can be registered to the Ark citizens’ IDs.”

“I’ll take the digital one, and these two prefer the physical cards.”

“Understood. For the registration, could you please turn your heads this way?”

“Yes, Mili?”

“Yes, yes.”

Mili turns me around and helps me sit on the table.

“Then, excuse me.”

As she speaks, I feel a cold, slightly tickling sensation on my neck as her fingers touch me a few times before moving away.

“ID registration is complete. Now, two of you, we need your photos for the physical cards, so please look this way.”

“Yes, yes.”

“Understood.”

Mili, tense, and Sita, expressionless, gaze at the automaton as a brief flash of light emanates from her right eye, followed by a slight bow.

“Photography completed. I’ll prepare the physical cards for the two of you, so please wait a moment.”

“Yes.”

The automaton steps away again, and Mili lifts me down from the table.

In the meantime, I glance at the efficient automaton and think how nice even small robots are, when suddenly, a shadow falls over my face.

What is it?

“Hey, kids, you newbies?”

A voice from right next to me. Turning my head, I see a man whose face looks menacing, standing beside us.

Mili flinches nervously while Sita immediately becomes cautious upon seeing the man’s face. Given his dirt-streaked and practical combat-like clothing, along with the rifle strapped to his back, he’s an explorer.

But this guy doesn’t ring any bells.

“Keheheh, So these are some newbies, eh?”

Another man suddenly appears on the other guy’s right side with an impudent appearance.

“Hoooo, a new recruit. Can’t hold myself back…”

Now, on the guy’s left side, a bulky man with a rough breathing emerges.

Ah, this is it. That classic event in comics or novels, right? The troublemakers that serve as a measure of the protagonist’s fighting ability.

Although it’s a cliche, since we’re here to build a reputation in the Explorers Guild, I’ll willingly play along.

“What?”

“Kehehe, stop looking at us so apprehensively. We’re good people.”

While giggling, the impudent man adds. Nevertheless, his nonsense causes me to instinctively frown.

“…With that face?”

“Keheheheh…”

As I shoot back, the man’s laughter quickly vanishes, and his expression hardens.

Good, this is the start. I’ll summon the Little Drone before he attacks—

“Th-that… Sorry for trying to be friendly.”

“…Huh?”

But his next reaction was far from my expectation.

“Of course such a face being approached by someone impudent must be uncomfortable, right?”

With that, the impudent man steps back, tears welling in his eyes, looking ready to burst into tears.

“It’s fine, Chunshik, you showed courage already!”

“Y-yeah, hold on, buddy.”

The other two pat the impudent man’s shoulder.

“Eh, eh?”

What is this? Their unexpected reaction makes me feel like I’m the bad guy now.

“Ah, they’re at it again.”

At that moment, a woman’s voice comes from behind me, and the men look up.

“Lianna senior.”

Lianna? Turning reflexively, I see her.

Short red hair, an innocent look, a cute face resembling a cat’s, slightly short in stature but with a nicely voluminous figure.

Her stylish leather pants are form-fitting, and a short-sleeved shirt with a sleeveless vest makes her look nimble and light.

No doubt, this woman is the famous ‘Rapier Flash Lianna’.

“I’m sorry, they caused trouble. I apologize on their behalf.”

While speaking, Lianna bows her head humbly to us.

Being among the top five most skilled in the Explorers Guild and yet willing to bow to complete strangers reflects her admirable character beyond mere settings.

“Gu, it’s fine…”

“…I was just surprised.”

“I also share the same feeling with these two. Please, raise your head, Miss Lianna.”

“Alright, thank you.”

Only after hearing our reply does she lift her head, meeting us with a pure and friendly smile.

Rapier Flash Lianna.

In AOE, she possesses high levels and well-distributed stats, excels in combat, and is easy to recruit as an ally. With her charming looks, she consistently ranks high in the NPC popularity polls.

So much so that even old codgers who’ve played AOE frequently comment under posts about her with nonsense like “Hehehe, when will Lianna be mine?”

While recalling old memories, Lianna suddenly spins around and faces the men.

“You guys! I told you that randomly approaching new recruits like that causes trouble, haven’t I?”

“Of course we remember. Senior, but how can we just leave newly minted explorers alone?”

“Also, we worry so much we couldn’t sleep last night…”

“Keheheh, being rejected hurts, but ignoring our conscience feels worse!”

Through their answers, genuine goodwill, unnoticed at first glance, becomes visible in their eyes.

…I reflect on my earlier assumption that dismissed them based on appearances alone.

Though there was no indication in AOE that Lianna associated with such a group, it seems there are subtle differences here as well.

“Yeah, your intentions are admirable! But next time, try to consider others’ feelings more, okay?”

“Absolutely, Senior!”

All three men respond in unison just as the automaton returns after finishing her tasks at the registration desk.

“Milii and Sita.”

“Yes, yes.”

“Yes.”

“Your Explorer ID cards are now ready.”

Saying this, the automaton hands over bronze-colored cards to Milii and Sita. The simple design of the metal card includes their images and names engraved on them.

“Thank you very much.”

“…Thank you.”

Holding their Explorer ID cards, Milii and Sita inspect them curiously. Watching them for a moment, the automaton slowly continues.

“In the case of physical cards, the first issuance is free, but there’s a fee for reissuance, so please be careful not to lose them.”

“Yes, yes!”

“Yes.”

The two quickly respond, and the automaton bows respectfully.

“Then, the registration process is complete. I look forward to your exploits as explorers.”

“Yes, thank you.”

With that, we finish greeting the automaton. Our tasks at the Explorers Guild are done, now it’s time to ascend to the surface and experience a storm of growth!

…so I thought, until a glance crosses with Lianna’s waiting group behind a step away.

It seems they have something to say. I take the initiative to ask her.

“Miss Lianna? Is there something you would like to say?”

“Yeah, is your registration done?”

“Yes.”

Upon hearing that, Lianna’s face lights up with a smile.

“Alright, then, let’s take this as fate. Shall we go together?”

“Huh?”

“You are going to the surface next, right? This time, let me help you!”

“O-”

Her words erase every plan that’s been going through my mind. A high-level NPC offering a free service? There’s no way I can pass that up.

“Then, may I humbly ask for your assistance?”

“Yeah, leave it to me!”