Party Registration
Following the gatekeeper’s directions, if you go along the stone-paved road from the village entrance, you quickly arrive at a wide plaza.
The stone road that Dorothy had found so fascinating spread out as it reached the plaza, forming a large circular shape.
Several large buildings stood surrounding the round plaza, and between them were narrow roads that extended outward, lined with more buildings.
The “Adventurers’ Guild” building with Santa painted on it was the largest among them.
But this is strange.
Why is Santa in a world like this? Wearing a red hat and outfit, no less. And painted right there on the Adventurers’ Guild sign? It made no sense. Surely Santa wasn’t the first guild master or something ridiculous like that… right?
While Juhwan was staring at the sign, Lizzy guided the wagon closer to the guild building.
As soon as they stopped in front, a boy who looked about ten years old came running over.
“Welcome! Are you here for the guild? You must be new to this village!”
The boy was carrying a box that looked far too big for his body. It had handles on both sides, and he struggled to hold it up with both hands.
Before Juhwan could even get down, the boy quickly placed the wooden box beside the driver’s seat.
“Sir, step on this when you get down!”
It felt like watching one of those shoeshine boys from old movies—the kind that practically snatch your shoes without asking.
The boy grinned brightly and continued,
“Sir, would you like me to watch your wagon and horse? It’d be terrible if someone stole something. And the horse needs rest too!”
“...”
Honestly, you look like the one I should be worried about.
Juhwan silently observed him.
The boy wiped his runny nose on his sleeve and grinned again.
“If you stay at our place for more than three days, we only charge half price for horse feed! If you haven’t decided where to stay, come to our place. We’ll treat you well!”
Before he could finish, a skinny man rushed over and grabbed the boy by the back of the neck.
The boy choked, struggling, but the man didn’t let go.
“Hehe, sir, our lodging is much better than this brat’s place.”
Juhwan frowned.
Even if they were competitors, was it really necessary to treat a child like that?
The boy struggled to break free, but it was useless.
“Stop.”
Juhwan grabbed the man’s wrist.
The boy dropped to the ground as if he’d been thrown.
The skinny man muttered a few more things while glancing nervously at Juhwan, but when it clearly wasn’t working, he quietly backed off.
The boy sniffled, tears welling in his eyes.
“I’m sorry… Our place is poor… and small… My father is sick, so he can’t work. He just stays at home… My mother works alone and it’s really hard… But our food is really good, sir.”
Juhwan felt a bit sorry for him.
If the price was the same, staying at this boy’s place might not be bad.
“Not sure yet. I don’t know if we’ll stay here.”
At those words, the boy’s face lit up. He bowed repeatedly in thanks, then held out his hand.
“Sir, I’ll watch your horse! If I’m guarding it, no thief will dare come near!”
“...”
The offer was nice, but if they didn’t end up staying at his place, it would feel awkward. And honestly, he still couldn’t fully trust the kid.
As Juhwan hesitated, the three adventurers they had seen earlier at the gate came out of the guild.
The boy flinched, then quickly bowed.
“Sir, I’ll keep watch from afar! Don’t worry about your wagon!”
Then he hurried off and disappeared into an alley.
…What was that?
Juhwan looked down. The boy had even left the wooden box behind.
The three adventurers approached.
“Hey, it’s that guy from before.”
“Was he an adventurer?”
They clicked their tongues and looked toward the alley where the boy had run.
One of them muttered,
“He ran when he saw us… Still lying to people after getting beaten for it, huh.”
Juhwan looked at them, confused.
Another one smirked.
“That kid—did he say his father was hurt or dead or something?”
“He said his father just stays at home.”
At that, the men burst out laughing.
“Looks like he changed his story after getting scolded.”
“His father’s perfectly fine.”
“He’s an adventurer, actually. Mostly retired, but still takes jobs sometimes.”
“He tricked us too when we first came here.”
“He’ll say anything to attract customers.”
“And then he’ll casually overcharge you for beer too.”
One of them kicked the wooden box beside the wagon.
Seems it was filled with beer.
Juhwan was a bit stunned.
Not just the beer—but lying about someone being injured or dead? What if that kind of thing came true?
“...”
More than anything, it’d be exposed the moment someone visited his inn. Guess he’s just a kid… not thinking things through.
“Hey, listen. If you go behind this building, there’s a proper place to leave your wagon and horse. Guild staff are there, so you won’t get robbed. That kid definitely offered to watch your wagon, right? Then he’d ask for money afterward.”
“…Thank you.”
This place really is the kind where you have to stay sharp.
After the adventurers left, Juhwan turned back to see Lizzy looking shocked.
Only Dorothy remained peaceful, staring up at the sign.
Then it hit him.
Maybe Dorothy had never seen colorful drawings before.
Their old village didn’t even have shops, let alone signs. Probably no books either.
At her age, she should have been looking at picture books.
It made him feel a bit sorry.
Lizzy drove the wagon behind the building, where there was a stable area.
They parked in an empty space and tied up the horse when a caretaker approached.
“Need feed or water? One copper will cover it until night.”
Juhwan recognized the term.
Lizzy had explained the currency before.
Copper coins—the lowest denomination.
But in their old village, even that was rarely used. Most trade had been bartering.
Which meant…
They had no money. Not a single coin.
They had planned to sell fur once they arrived, but didn’t expect to need money this quickly.
What now…
“Can we sell rabbit fur at the guild?”
“Of course.”
The caretaker smiled.
“Don’t worry. Parking your wagon here is free. Rabbit fur prices are high these days. I’ll watch your wagon, so go on in. And once you sell your fur, come back and feed the horse. That’s my side income.”
Juhwan nodded and headed toward the guild.
The inside of the Adventurers’ Guild was quite large.
To the left of the entrance was a wall covered with papers, and to the right were tables and chairs.
Rough-looking men sat at the tables, surrounded by weapons and backpacks.
Clearly adventurers.
Across the room was a reception desk with several clerks—like a bank.
The far-right counter looked slightly different—more spacious.
That must be for buying goods.
Hopefully the rabbit fur would fetch a good price.
Juhwan looked around again, but there was no sign of Santa inside.
What was that sign about?
As he stepped in, everyone’s gaze turned toward him.
Lizzy stayed calm, but Dorothy clung tightly to his leg.
“Dad… everyone’s staring…”
“It’s okay. We just look unfamiliar.”
Juhwan picked her up and walked to the counter.
“I’d like to sell rabbit fur. Do I need to join first?”
The clerk’s eyes lit up.
“We only trade with registered adventurers. You’ll need to join first.”
He smiled warmly.
“Are you an adventurer? If so, we can begin registration immediately.”
He glanced at Juhwan’s axe.
“Your main weapon is an axe? Good choice—cheap, easy to use. We rank adventurers into six levels. New members start at the lowest rank.”
The clerk didn’t even pause.
“Have you paid your head tax? If not, you can pay it by next winter. Many join the guild because of it. A lot of people fall into debt and become slaves when they can’t pay…”
He pulled out papers.
“Life isn’t easy. Some die right after joining. Others fail to pay taxes and meet bad ends. The guild isn’t a charity, after all.”
Then—
“What weapon should I write? Axe?”
Finally, Juhwan spoke.
“I’m a mage.”
“…?”
The clerk tilted his head.
“An axe?”
“A mage.”
“Whaaaaat?!”
The clerk leaned forward in shock.
“A mage? With that appearance? Incredible.”
“…”
“Well, not all mages have to be frail… But are you sure you want to join? Mages usually go to nobles—it pays better.”
He seemed flustered.
Before Juhwan could respond, Dorothy proudly declared,
“My dad is an amazing mage! He makes fire and goes bam bam with his axe and kills goblins!”
The clerk nodded slowly.
“I see… so the axe.”
“Yeah! The fire disappears fast, but he’s super strong!”
“…Right.”
The clerk smiled awkwardly.
“Children can’t lie, after all. I’ll write ‘mage’… and also ‘axe user.’”
Lizzy giggled.
Dorothy puffed out her chest proudly.
At that moment, another clerk approached.
“I’ll handle purchasing your rabbit fur while you register.”
He examined the pelts.
“Oh—not just one.”
After inspecting carefully:
“Excellent quality. Whoever processed these is skilled.”
“…Thank you.”
Lizzy smiled shyly.
“You did this? Impressive. This is an old hunting method—rare nowadays.”
“I learned from an old hunter.”
“That’s fortunate. This raises the price significantly.”
Another clerk added,
“With the war blocking fur imports, prices are sky-high. Even nobles are using rabbit fur now.”
Good to know.
Then—
“I’ll register you as a mage.”
“Wait.”
Juhwan spoke.
“I’d like to register with others. As a party.”
“Ah, a party? Of course.”
“With these two.”
“…?”
The clerk looked at Lizzy and Dorothy.
“I’m sorry, but party members must contribute somehow—combat, management, cooking… something.”
Juhwan looked at Lizzy.
“She handles leather processing and party management.”
Then Dorothy.
“…And this child…”
He hesitated.
At that moment, Oz’s ears popped out of her pocket.
Juhwan spoke.
“She can command magical beasts.”
“Whaaaaat?!”
At the same time—
“Dad, I have a magical beast? Where is it?!”
“…Probably in your pocket.”