Episode 19: Qualified

 

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After returning to the royal capital, the sun had completely set and darkness enveloped the surroundings.

 

Once back in town, we needed to report the completion of our quest at the Adventurers Guild. Sion intended to go straight there, but wisely decided against it.

 

Just to be safe, it would be better to have our bodies checked at the capital's clinic. Sion insisted he was fine and since his injuries had been healed with recovery magic, there shouldn't be any issues. However, since it was the first time he used such magic, there was always a chance of something unexpected.

 

Unlike in games, in this world once someone dies, they do not revive, and every single NPC like myself has their own life scenario. Without confirmation, it's impossible to be completely reassured.

 

—Now, walking alongside Milia, we returned to the Adventurers Guild.

 

"Ah, Rain-san. You've returned safely. That's good to hear."

 

As we entered the building, the receptionist who had handled our quest processing earlier greeted us.

 

It seems she had been worried.

 

"I completed the quest, but it took a bit longer due to various reasons. Could we settle the payment?"

 

"Of course. I'll take your guild cards."

 

The receptionist received our guild cards and efficiently processed the quest payment using a dedicated machine.

 

The quest processing machine... It didn't quite fit the medieval European fantasy world aesthetic, but I was used to seeing similar things in games, so it didn't feel out of place.

 

"Processing complete! Congratulations. Milia-san, you've passed the special examination!"

 

"R-Really?!"

 

Milia, visibly relieved, looked at me.

 

While the exam hadn't been particularly difficult for her, she's a kind person who probably worried about whether she would cause me any inconvenience until she received confirmation of her passing.

 

"Congratulations."

 

"Thank you so much, Rain!"

 

Milia smiled happily.

 

Now, starting tomorrow, Milia will be able to handle quests as an adventurer alongside me.

 

My ultimate goal is still to defeat the Demon King and eliminate all monsters, but looking at it from the perspective of someone who has already cleared the game, we still lack power.

 

To level up, I want to continue facing stronger monsters, but based on how easily we handled today's quest, F-rank quests are too simple for us.

 

I want to rank up sooner and face even stronger monsters.

 

"I have a question... Rankings increase based on the guild points received upon completing quests, right? How many points do we get for this quest?"

 

"Since this was a special exam, guild points are not awarded. However, for a normal quest, you would receive 10 points."

 

"How many points do you need to rank up?"

 

"From F-rank to E-rank... you need 100 points for promotion. Given how well you handled today's quest, you should be able to rank up soon!"

 

"...I see. Thank you."

 

It seems it will take more time than I thought...

 

Oh well, nothing to be done about it.

 

"Now, let's proceed with the reward for this quest. Please wait a moment."

 

Come to think of it, while this quest doesn't count towards guild points, we still receive a proper reward for completing it as a regular quest.

 

"Oh, wait a moment."

 

"Is something the matter?"

 

"I was thinking, could you also purchase the materials I collected from the monsters?"

 

"Materials...?"

 

The receptionist looked at me, puzzled, seeing that I was empty-handed.

 

Come to think of it, isn't the item box not normal in this world?

 

Oh well, I put my hand in the item box and took out the head of a 'Black Wolf'.

 

"Eh!?"

 

"Using a special magic, I can store materials in a different space."

 

"I-I see...! Of course, I'll evaluate them for purchase! Please place them on the counter next to mine, and I'll assess them right away!"

 

She said, pointing to the nearby counter.

 

However, it was too small.

 

It seemed to fit only a few normal-sized monster items, but it didn't look like it could accommodate even ten other monsters, let alone a 'Red Dragon'.

 

"No... there are quite a few. If there's a larger place, it would be good..."

 

"I-I see...? In that case, please follow me to the warehouse. Could you come this way?"

 

"Yeah."

 

Milia and I followed the receptionist.

 

We arrived at a large warehouse in the vast backyard of the guild.

 

Various monster materials, from fangs and horns to hides and bones, were sorted and stored on shelves.

 

It seemed that carcasses were also dismantled here when brought back whole, and freshly dried materials were also seen.

 

I walked to the center of the warehouse—where there was nothing.

 

"If possible, it would be great if it were closer to the dismantling area...?"

 

"Well, I think this place would be fine. ...Probably."

 

Ignoring the receptionist's slightly troubled face, I took out all the monster materials including the 'Red Dragon' from the item box right here.

 

"Eh, wh-whaaaaat!? W-What is this!?"