Midnight Dawn

The room we entered was quite spacious with large windows; it kind of reminds me of some of the rooms found in the castle. Similarly, the decor reminds me of Mr. Enzo's office, filled with luxurious-looking wooden furniture, a desk in the back, and a couple of sofas and chairs.

Inside were three people. My view first focused on two girls sitting on a sofa. They are two girls who were also training in the castle but were on another team, so I didn't speak to them much.

The girl on the left, if I remember correctly, is called Sophie. She is a pretty brunette with brown eyes in a fancy aquamarine dress.

The other girl sitting next to Sophie appears Asian, just like Shalia. I guess she's also from [Oido] territory. She has black hair tied up in a ponytail. I think her name is Ari.

Now that I think about it, the two of them are always seen together. I guess they are good friends.

"Ahhhh!!" I heard Shalia raise her voice behind me in surprise, "You guys also decided to join Midnight Dawn after all!?"

Sophie with a big smile and with her hand raised she began to wave after noticing Shalia, "Shalia, I knew I would find you here!"

Shalia stepped past me to where the two girls were and Sophie greeted her with a big hug.

"Shalia knows them?" I asked.

"She met them recently. All three were training with Syvis this past week." Leona answered me.

"I see!"

While in that part of the room everything was joy, in the back, leaning against the wall, was Gerald. It seemed really strange to see him here since I thought that he, like most of the nobles, would join Oblivion. In the past, he wouldn't stop being arrogant and shouting everywhere that he was from the Levine family. But after what happened with Caroline, he stopped making so much noise and distanced himself from everyone. Even from his noble companions with whom he used to hang out.

Gerald turned to see us for a second and then returned his eyes to the front.

"Gerald was invited to this guild?" Ryul asked incredulously, "What was Dante thinking?"

"I don't know but he must have had his reasons." I reply.

"Whatever his reasons, he made a mistake." Ryul said before walking to where Shalia was.

I turned to see Leona, who is the one who had the most troubles with Gerald at first. She looked serious as usual but didn't seem bothered by his presence.

Before I asked anything, when she realized I was staring at her, she told me, "I'm fine, I don't care at all." To then walk behind Ryul.

In the same way, I approached where everyone was. Shalia seemed like she was introducing her two new friends to us.

Seeing me approach, Shaila walked to where I was and took my arm, "And this person here is Darx! He may look a bit intimidating at first glance because of his eyes, but he's actually quite docile."

"Docile? I'm not a dog." I reply.

"I know him. We have met a couple of times in the corridors of the castle, haven't we, Darx?" Sophie spoke.

"Ah, y-yes..." I don't know if that counts as knowing someone.

Ari then got up from the sofa and took a step towards me raising her hand to which I thought she wanted to shake my hand to which I was going to do the same but suddenly the speed of her hand accelerated to my neck holding a kunai.

"AHHHH!!!" "DARX!!!" "WHAT?"

Everyone was surprised not knowing what was happening. Out of nowhere, Ari put a kunai to my throat. I could not move because I was afraid that if I made a move, it would be my end.

"W-What are you doing?" I asked confused.

Ari looked serious with a cold expression until she finally said something, "Were you surprised?"

"Ah???" What is she talking about? "I-I don't understand."

"I asked you if you are surprised?"

"Y-Yes..."

Ari smiled and removed the kunai from my throat. Then she turns to see Sophie with a big smile and said, "Did you see!? I did it well!"

I am so confused right now.

"A-ARI, I-I didn't mean, you put a kunai to people's throats when I told you to surprise people." Sophie spoke agitatedly, "I-I'm so sorry! Don't take it the wrong way, Ari didn't mean to hurt anyone."

"AHHH? What are you talking about?" Ryul stated, "She put a knife to my buddy's throat."

"It's a kunai! "Ari muttered.

"That doesn't matter!!" Ryul continued. "You are crazy!!"

"What did you said?" Ari replied mad holding her kunai in her hand again.

"PLEASE STOP AND LET ME EXPLAIN!!" Sophie yelled, "E-Everything is a misunderstanding. You see, Ari lived all her life in the mountains. She is a member of a hunter clan and never left the mountains until she decided to come here to become an adventurer recently, so she is not used to dealing with people normally yet."

"Wait, wait. Not knowing how to speak with people is one thing, but putting a knife to someone else's throat it's a completely different story." Ryul responded.

"It's a kunai! "Ari muttered again.

"WHATEVER!! IT'S THE SAME SHIT!" Ryul yelled.

"Yell at me again pointy ears and I'll kick your ass. I saw you staring at Sophie's big tits like you were in a trance before. You're disgusting." Ari responded holding the kunai in her hand again.

"EHHH!!??" Sophie yelled with a red face.

"W-W-What did you say? I-I did n-not...." Ryul, incredulous stuttered.

"Stop already!" "You two seriously are like little kids!"

Shalia and Sophie intervened stopping Ryul and Ari who were about to start a fight. The scene resembles two mothers restraining their young children from fighting. It was kind of funny to see.

"A-As I was saying," Sophie continued while holding Ari, "I met Ari while we trained in the castle, but apart from me, she couldn't make more friends even though she wanted to. So I advised her to surprise people to get their attention, but I think she took it the wrong way. So, I'm sorry Darx. It's partly my fault. I should know by now that Ari understands things weirdly."

"O-Ohh, don't worry. I understand..."

Sophie and Ari's contrast is peculiar. While Shopie seems like a delicate noble lady, Ari on her part is the opposite. I am sure that from now on we will get to know them better and it will be entertaining. Excluding that Ari and Ryul act like a cat and a mouse, I think we'll get along.

"Looks like you have a party here. I can hear you from the other side of the building." I heard a woman's voice speak and at the same time the door opening.

As I turned around, I saw a woman in a black corset and tight black pants enter. Although the most striking thing was her long red hair and her attractive face with a deep black eyes color.

I remember her. I saw her the time she was in the castle informing the queen about the demons. Her name is Estella and she is the older sister of Dante, but the most important is that Harold told me that she is the guild master of Midnight Dawn.

Walking behind her was Dante, waving his hand at us.

Estella looked at us one by one and smiled, "Seven! It's a nice surprise to see so many recruits considering that six months ago we only received one new member."

"Aside from that, each one of them has great potential." Dante added.

"I welcome you all to Midnight Dawn! My name is Estella and I am the Guild Master."

Estella has a firm, but feminine voice at the same time. At first glance, I would say that she is in her late twenties or early thirties, but without a doubt, she is a very attractive woman. She has that authoritative presence that reminds me a bit of Syvis.

Estella sat cross-legged on the desk and Dante stood next to her.

"As you must already know, this guild doesn't have an S-Rank, so the position of guild master was passed to me by the old guild master and mentor of me and Dante. As I already told you, my name is Estella and I am a Beast-Tamer of Rank-A. That said, I would like to get to know all of you a little more, so please introduce yourselves."

One by one we introduce ourselves. Saying where we are from and our classes plus some other details. While we introduced ourselves, she fell silent smiling while Dante added details about us. And once we were all done she spoke one more time.

"It's nice to meet you all! I just want to say that I hope you will soon think of Midnight Dawn as your home. Being new adventurers, we will help you make things more manageable so that you can soon be self-sufficient. I am sure you are excited, but before you go out to see the world, there are certain things you should know."

"Is it about our responsibilities?" Shalia asked.

"You are right. Midnight Dawn, being one of the three great guilds, receives some of the most important quests. This type of quest is less frequent, but it requires high-level adventurers since most of them are the elimination of monsters of A and B Rank or confrontations with other adventurers who are also of high rank. This type of mission, being considerably more dangerous, pays a lot better, and to ensure the completion of the said quest without casualties, we place certain requirements."

"Requirements!?" Gerald asked, "What requirements?"

Dante replies to the question, "Every quest is processed by the guild and after being analyzed, an estimate is given taking into account a reasonable profit for the guild and the group of adventurers that will carry out the quest. Once the guild and the contractor reach an agreement the requirements of the quest are set. For high-risk quest, a minimum of required members is placed since in the past, for desiring to win a little more money, adventurers try to do the quest with fewer people and ended up losing their lives."

"Wait and what happens if we don't have enough members?" Ryul asked.

"I knew you would ask that" Dante answered, "In the guild, there are many parties already formed. However, it is common to borrow members from other teams to carry out this type of quest. Also, in some quests, it is required to bring members with certain roles, so it is convenient for all of you to meet the other members of the guild. That way when you or any other team that requires help, will know who to turn to."

I can't imagine what A-Rank monsters look like. Thinking that in the future I will face them makes me a bit of nervous but it also excites me. To think how much I have improved from when it was difficult for me to even face a small carnivorous plant. I can't help but smile from emotion. And I plan to continue moving forward.

"You said those quests are less common." Sophie spoke, "So what should we do while those quests show up?"

"There will never be a lack of work to do." Estella replied, "In the guild hall you will find a blackboard with hundreds of quests to do. You will find quests as simple as collecting plants on the outskirts of the city to quests that will take days as bodyguards or traveling to other cities and of course the elimination of monsters."

"I see!" Sophie smiled.

I'm sure we are all feeling the same. The feeling of knowing that we are finally adventurers and the hundreds of adventures that await us.

"If none of you have any other questions, I will conclude this meeting by welcoming you to Midnight Dawn once again and wishing you luck in this new life." Estella spoke getting up from the desk.

"I have a question." Shalia raised her hand, "I thought we would receive a pocket watch upon joining. As far as I know, each guild gives its members an emblem upon being recruited."

"You are correct, but Elina will take care of that. She will give you a tour of the guild and explain other things necessary in your daily life."

"Elina?" I asked.

"She is the girl who brought you here." Dante reply, Then he looked at the door and said, "Elina, you can come in."

Moments later the door opened and the girl with glasses who brought us to this room entered.

"From now on you will deal with her a lot. She is like the manager of our members. Whenever you have any questions you can go to her." Dante told us.

Elina adjusted her glasses and turned to see us, "Nice to meet you! As the vice-captain said, you can come to me when you have questions."

"Please don't call me that..." Dante said with a depressed tone.

"If you follow me, I'll give you a tour of the guild." Elina said completely ignoring Dante.

After saying goodbye to the guild master and Dante we left the room following Elina. Leaving the room we take the same corridor from which we came. We seem to be heading back to the guildhall.

Seeing Elina from behind, she is not very tall and seems delicate. I wonder if she too is an adventurer. Also walking behind her I can see her pocket watch hanging from her waist on a chain. I wonder if I'll get mine soon.

"If you have any questions you can ask me now." Elina said walking in front of us.

"Elina, are you an adventurer too?" Ryul asked.

I was wondering the same thing.

Elina adjusted her glasses, "I am. I'm a member of the guild master's party."

"You are?" Ryul asked with a doubtful tone.

"Is there a problem?" Elina questioned Ryul without stopping walking.

"Ah, no... it just, well... You don't seem to belong on the battlefield."

"If you go out onto the battlefield underestimating people because of their appearances you will have a short life, Ryul." Elina responded.

"Sorry... Wait, you know my name?"

"Dante gave me your files, so I already remember the names and faces of all of you."

"Elina." Shalia spoke, "The guild master introduced you as the manager of the guild members. I was wondering if the guild master's party also goes out to do missions?"

"In the past, before Estella became the guild master we used to do it. But since she took the reins of the guild, there has been no time. As you have seen, she is always busy and we, the members of her party, decided to assist with tasks outside the battlefield to keep the guild in order. In my case, I am in charge of managing the guild members. Dante for his part makes important assignments entrusted to him by Estella and the other members.... well, you will meet them soon."

It must have been an extraordinary team considering how strong Dante is. And from what I've seen, the guild master and Elina also look very powerful.

"I see, it must be difficult to maintain the guild." Shalia said.

"More than you think." Elina reply as we reached the guildhall, "We arrived at the first point of interest."

Because of how nervous I was when we arrived I couldn't contemplate this place well, but wow, it is incredible! It is quite spacious and the ceiling is very high. From where I am I can see the corridors of the upper floors that surround the place. In the center, there are tables spread out with people eating and drinking. There are decorations everywhere and on the left side, there is a small room with a window with people lined up. Elina took us to that place first.

Elina began to speak pointing to the window where the people were lined up, "When completing a quest you have to come here and if you completed it satisfactorily you will receive payment for your services. If the quest required the delivery of any materials, then you will make the delivery here. If you need me, you can also ask for me here."

Looking inside the window I can see several girls working filling papers and counting materials.

"Let's continue," Elina said and walked to the back of the guildhall where there were several blackboards on the wall in line with papers stuck on them, "Here you will find the quests that you can do. From left to right you will find the quests depending on their difficulty. On the left side are the quests of a D-Rank difficulty and on the other side are those for C and B-Rank. The A-Rank ones are given directly so you won't find them here. Once you choose a quest, take the paper to the window where we just went and it will be registered."

In front of the blackboard, there are a couple of adventurers looking at the papers. They must be choosing which one to do. There are quite a few papers. The guild master wasn't exaggerating when she said there was never a lack of work.

"Let's continue." Elina told us.

"So these are the new members?"

I heard a man's voice speak behind us. And when I turned around I saw a group of adventurers approaching who I suppose are also members of the guild.

"Ohh, Seto, I didn't know you guys were back already." Elina spoke.

It was a group of five which is quite peculiar. Obviously, they are adventurers since they all wore weapons and armor and it is easy to guess the class of each of them by the type of weapon they carried. The man in front of the group who is talking to Elina seems to be a samurai since he has a katana. His name seems to be Seto.

"We came back yesterday, but these girls already want to start another quest. It's hard to keep up with their rhythm."

An elf girl with a bow who was next to Seto replied to him, "Maybe you're just getting old and that's why you can't keep up with us."

Seto turned to his right side where an elderly man was, carrying a sword on his side and a shield on his back, "Did you hear what Rina said, William? I think she is referring to you."

So the elf girl is named Rina and the elderly man is named William. Rina is very pretty but to be honest all the elf women that I have seen are very beautiful. I wonder if it's a common thing. Her long blonde hair and long legs are very attractive, especially since she is wearing a rather short skirt. On the other hand, William seems to have been an adventurer for a long time. He is full of scars and has a patch over one of his eyes. Adding that his hair and beard are white according to the age he appears.

"Haa... Rina is older than me so I don't know what she's talking about." William replied in a raspy voice.

"Don't call me old!" Rina expressed growling her eyebrows, "You can't compare the age of elves to humans. By elven standards, I'm quite young and beautiful as you can see."

Seto turned to see us and smiled, "It's a nice surprise to see so many new members. I hope we can work together soon."

"Thank you, I hope we can get to know each other better soon." Sophie replied politely.

Seto turned to see a girl behind him, "Aren't you happy Nuku? You won't be the new one anymore."

"Mmm...? I guess..."

Neku spoke in a low, almost inaudible voice. She has a pretty face but she looks like she's falling asleep. She seems like she is bored and she doesn't feel like talking. What I can say is that it is difficult to see her face since my gaze is tempted to go down to her chest. She's not very tall, I'd even say she's shorter than Elina, but her breasts are incredibly big. Her hair has a dark silver color and adding all those characteristics makes her quite fascinating. I'm sure that walking through the streets everyone is staring at her. And from what Seto said I guess she was the only recruit from six months ago that the guild master mentioned. For some reason, I looked back at Ryul and just as I thought he was staring at Neku's breasts without blinking.

"Let's stop taking their time. I'm sure Elina and the new members still have things to do and we also have to leave as soon as possible."

The girl who spoke is the last member of that group.

"Hisa is right," William spoke up, "If we don't hurry we won't catch up with the army."

So her name is Hisa. From her outfit, I would say that she has a magic class. She is a beast-Kind, but the interesting thing is that her ears and tail look like a fox. Besides, she is also quite cute and her tone of voice sounds very sexy for some reason.

"Well, we're going. Come to me if you need help." Seto said as he walked away with his group.

Seto seems to be very friendly. Although I wonder what Willian meant by 'reaching the army'. Did something big happen?

"We have wasted a lot of time." Elina said, "Let's get on with the tour."

While we were starting to walk, Ryul came close to me and spoke in a low voice, "We are lucky! There are many beautiful girls in this guild! I think I will finally be able to get a girlfriend. Do you think Neku has a boyfriend? Her boobs are awesome! I would love to touch them."

Leona who had been walking in front of us turned to look at us with a threatening look. To which both Ryul and I lowered our eyes.

"I think she heard us. "Ryul muttered.

"I think the same..."

The tour that Elina gave us lasted a long time. She took us through various points of interest such as the training fields that are in the back of the building. A large library that they have on the second floor. She also gave us a tour of the bedrooms that are on the floors above. She explained to us that we can stay in the rooms offered by the guild, but we have to make a monthly payment. The payment is 7 silver coins which seemed reasonable considering what we can earn doing quests. The guild is quite large, so we toured some interesting places to end up on the first floor. Elina took us to the end of a corridor to later take some stairs that descended to the basement. The lower we went the hotter it got. When we got to the end, I saw that many machines had what looked like molten metal and in front of a table was a short man striking something with a hammer.

"Fitgrot I bring you some work!" Elina said out loud, but the dwarf didn't seem to hear her, "FITGROT!!!"

"Ahh?" Fitgrot, turned around, "Ahh what did you say? Mmm, who are they?"

"I said I bring you work! I need seven watches for our new members."

"Don't you see that I'm busy? I don't have time for that." The dwarf said angrily and went back to hammering.

"UGHH, It's always the same..." Elina sighed, " It doesn't seem like it but Fitgrot is one of the best blacksmiths in [Riledo]. He can make all kinds of weapons, but he has a very bad temper. If you find good materials on your travels, you can bring them to him and he will give you first-rate weapons and armor. Well, If you are lucky that he listens to you... wait here a moment." Elina said before going to where Fitgrot was.

Now that I think about it, I'm going to need a new sword. Now that I have obtained the [Dual Wield] skill, I can use two swords simultaneously and if I add the ring that Syvis gave me, I can use magic without the need for a staff.

Elina returned moments later, "Okay... I convinced him to make your watches, but it cost me to buy him a few drinks... Oh well..."

"T-Thanks" Is the only thing we can said to her...

"Hey! Tell me your names before I change my mind." Fitgrot told us.

"Ah, yes!!"

Finally, we are going to receive our emblem that shows that we are part of Midnight Dawn. I can't wait.