Chapter I
Malgos. The City of Endless Possibilities.
Or so the King and his people call their city. Malgos is the capital of the Northern Kingdom, located right at the edge of the continent, and was the most prominent city of all Northern Continent. Before the First Great War ends, Malgos was the name of a relatively small kingdom that no one cares about. The population was only a few thousand people at best and they have no army nor armory to even defend themselves. And yet the way they took the flag and won the First Great War were unbelievably the truth that everyone who lives in the continent must accept. Malgos now is a tremendous city equipped with modern weaponry and high-class magic in every corner of its huge wall. The city is now the home of millions of people who live inside and outside the walls. The number of races was vast and the number of loyal soldiers was no joke. Most of the adventurers took their advancement rank here and the best of them usually recruited to become part of the army. Every week thousands of new adventurers can be found in Malgos looking for a living.
“Whoa, this is the capital? This is huge!” I said to Anne when I looked at the entrance of the gate.
We are now right at the edge of a huge wall surrounding the capital. After a few hours' walk past a few districts, we finally arrived at the center of the capital. Most of the districts were slums and clusters for the people who worked inside the capital but cannot afford a place to live inside it.
We are not at the capital yet, Cyan.
Anne replied.
“Huh? What do you mean?”
The citizens with IDs can go freely inside and outside the wall but those who didn’t have one need to apply for a permit first. It might take them a few months until they get a permit.
“Ehhhhhh????”
And the kingdom guards will also check their background thoroughly to make sure nothing would endanger their capital.
“Ah… make sense…”
My excitement only lives a few seconds.
But I think you could make it a few days if you show them your adventurer IDs.
“Really??”
My excitement resurrected.
Let’s find a local guild to see what we could do there and then find a lodging afterward.
“Let’s go!”
I throw my punch into the air and start walking towards the gate with Anne on my shoulder.
A few walks later I found myself in front of a Guild named Vigorous Liquidators. A strong alcohol smell with loud cheering and yelling noise could be smelled and heard from outside its door.
“It’s a bar isn’t it.”
…
I pluck up my courage and start walking to the so-called guild. The smell is much worse inside. The guild is packed. Several long tables are occupied by, what must be separate groups who have bonded over great food and conversation. The other, smaller tables are also occupied by people who are clearly having a good time. Even most of the stools at the bar are occupied, though nobody seems to mind more company. Laughing voice could be heard across the room and a lot of adventurers are drinking like there is no tomorrow.
“Yep. A bar. Let’s go find another guild, Anne.”
I still have my hands on the door and start turning back my body to exit the guild when a loud voice sneered in my direction
“EY!”
I stopped and turn my head towards the shout.
“Need something ey little girl? Don’t be shy and come in!”
A bald muscular guy at the bar shouts again.
“Um… I…”
“Don’t you worry! These guys only have the looks but not the balls!”
A cheer replies from the tables near the bald guy.
After a slight hesitation, I squeezed myself onto the only vacant seat at the bar–a stool with a torn leather seat. Beefy adventurers slouched to either side of me, the collection of empty shot glasses and beer mugs in front of them suggesting heavy drinkers. Anne still sitting on my shoulder with a disgusted look on her face. Or at least that's what I thought.
“So, anything you wanna drink?” The bald guy asked me after I sat.
“Umm… I’m a minor so…”
“Asked just to be safe, there was a halfling who I thought was a kid, and believe me my guild was in pieces after I didn’t serve him.”
“HAHAHA! YOU EARNED IT!” A laugh with a sneer heard from some distance.
“Here, one glass of orange juice.”
“… Thanks.”
The bald guy serves me a drink and I say my thanks nervously. I mean, I’m not supposed to be here!
“You need a way to get inside the capital, little girl?”
“!”
“How do you know?”
“Typical adventurers. We got a lot of newcomers looking to find a dime inside the city only to find themselves lurking around outside the walls for years. YEA I’M TALKING TO YOU, YOU LAZY BUMS!!!”
““BOOO!!!! HAHAHA!!”” A few men shout their protest.
“Is it that hard to get inside the city?”
“Hmm, I wouldn’t say hard. It’s just tricky.”
“Is there a requirement to be filled?”
“Either you loaded with cash or strong. Sooo strong that the guards have to think twice to forbid you to enter the city.”
“Won’t this help?”
I put out my 11th Rank Pendant that I got after I trade the Goblin Shaman’s ear to the local guild before I came here.
“Hee… You were an 11th Rank Adventurer? You sure you didn’t steal this from somebody?”
“How could you think a little kid like me could steal something from an 11th Rank Adventurer?” I then pick up my card from my bag and show it to the bald guy.
“Wait a sec.”
The bald guy then brings up the green stone with runes embedded on it and starts screening my card.
Cyan Bernalette.
Origin: Portland.
Member of: Portland Guild.
Rank: 11th.
My card description shows up in front of his eyes.
“Wow, adventurers these days were sooo young huh?”
“Believe me now?”
The bald guy gives back the card and the pendant.
“You came to Malgos for advancement?”
“Yep.”
“I guess you were in luck. or late. If you came here a few years ago, you would be welcomed with open arms by the guards.”
“How is that in luck?”
“You were in luck because in the next few days the Spring Tournament began.”
“Spring Tournament?”
“Yea, it’s actually free for all battle for everyone, ranked or not ranked, and will be observed by local authorities. The winning rewards are some golds and the ten best performers will get a certified pass to Malgos.”
“Does that means Malgos only allow ten-person each year to get inside the capital?? That’s crazy”
“No, no, there are many ways to get inside the city but if you were strong, you can prove it there. And this is a quick way to advance your class as the authorities will surely take notes on the winning champions.”
“Nice! Where do I sign in?”
“You need permission from a local guild master to participate.”
“And you are one of them right?”
“Hahaha is it that obvious?”
“Pretty much.”
“The name’s Yorn. You can call me whatever you like.”
“Baldy?”
“WHATEVER you like.”
“NAILED IT KID!” the bar shouts again.
“I have already registered five people under the Vigorous Liquidators banner and I definitely looking for a win. Those guys have been here for too long and your 11th Rank experience will definitely help. I’ll call them in tomorrow and let you guys meet to discuss strategy.”
“Didn’t you say it was a free for all battle?”
“Yea, but the ten-certified pass has made this tournament became something like a mini guild war for years.”
“Hmm, make sense.”
“Now drink up and enjoy the day!”
“Will do!”
“EYYYYYYY!!!”
The so-called guild cheers after Yorn shouts.
To be continued to Chapter Two.
~Terti
