Guberth: "First of all, we need to prepare for our journey. Jona, what kind of equipment do you use?"
Jona: "Why are you asking?"
Guberth: "I'm a blacksmith! Armor and weapons won't be a problem. I have plenty in stock."
Jona: "Hmm..."
Jona: [I want to wear heavy armor because I've always loved that type of equipment, but given my current physical shape, it's going to be difficult. It's better to wear chain mail or something similar.]
Jona: "I want chain mail!"
Guberth: "Alright, follow me."
Guberth led Jona to his equipment storage in the basement, where he had an array of high-quality items. Even someone like Jona, who knows nothing about blacksmithing, could see that.
Jona: "Very... heavy..."
Jona remarked after putting on a complete set of chain mail armor.
Guberth: "How is it that a person who can send a man weighing 80kg flying with a single blow can't handle chain mail weighing about 20kg?"
Jona: "Well, there's a logical explanation, I just don't know how to articulate it."
Guberth: "*sigh* Regardless, at least wear the chest plate. We'll need to find you a leather armor."
Guberth was clad in heavy armor, without a helmet, and wielded a massive two-handed axe, possibly even larger than himself.
Guberth: "And what kind of weapon do you want to use?"
Jona began looking around, searching for something.
Jona: "Where's that frying pan?"
Guberth: "It's in the closet. Why?"
Jona: "I want it!"
Guberth: "What? Why?"
Jona: "It's just that I really like that frying pan. Even though I delivered a blow with immense strength, it didn't break."
Guberth: "(proud) Of course, it didn't break. I made that frying pan."
Jona: "Oh, really? You're awesome!"
Guberth: "*blush* It's not like I care about your praises."
Jona: [My god, a tsundere dwarf, how magnificent.]
Guberth: "I know you like that pan, but its range is horrible. Why do you want to use it?"
Jona: "I want to defeat the demon lord using the most unique weapon possible, and I think this frying pan would be a great start."
Guberth: "(completely serious) Are you dumb?"
Jona: "A little, but that's not the point."
Guberth: "*sigh* Fine, you can use it. Let's just go to the guild."
By the time they left Guberth's house, it was already morning. As they walked through the suburbs, Jona noticed that people were avoiding them, probably because of what happened last night.
On their way to the guild, the city seemed bigger, with shops, residential areas, and even a huge city hall. The city was bustling, especially on the main road that led to the guild, as a fair was taking place.
Jona: "Wow, what a huge fair. When I arrived here yesterday, this wasn't happening."
Guberth: "It must be because this fair only takes place on this day of the week."
Jona and Guberth continued walking through the fair until they reached the guild. Excitement was clearly visible on Jona's face, as he would finally be able to go on quests and adventures.
Adventurer: "Look, if it isn't the actor boy. How are you?"
Someone was talking to Jona, the man he had spoken to when he first came to the guild. This time, Jona could understand him.
Adventurer: "You're back early. Did you get the money? If you want, I can lend you some!"
Jona: "I don't need it. I already got the money, and not only that, but I also have a friend now."
Adventurer: "That's the spirit. Well, I won't take up any more of your time. Go talk to Shila."
Jona: "Shila?"
Adventurer: "(In love) The most beautiful attendant of all, with her blond hair and her wonderfully sarcastic smile!"
Jona: "Alright... I think... So her name is Shila."
Adventurer: "That's right. Now go there before a huge line of adventurers wanting to accept a quest appears."
So the two greeted the Adventurer and went to talk to Shila.
Shila: "Good morning. How may I help... Look, if it isn't the boy from yesterday. You came back earlier than I expected."
Jona: "We would like to join the guild."
Shila: "We?"
Jona: "Yes, me and him."
Jona pointed to Guberth, who was standing beside him.
Shila: "(Smile) Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't see you."
Guberth: "Jona, this girl annoys me."
Jona: [He said it out loud! He clearly said it! And Shila looks very angry.]
Jona: "*Ahem*, would you explain to us how the guild works?"
Jona said while handing over the money for guild registration.
Shila: "Well, as I mentioned before, the guild is divided into ranks: copper, lead, bronze, silver, gold, cobalt, and diamond. With these ranks, you gain access to missions, and the higher your rank, the higher your access. For example, if you're a copper rank, you can only take on copper rank quests. But if you're a lead rank, you can do both lead and copper rank quests, and so on. Now, let's start the registration. Tell me your names and your specializations."
Guberth: "Guberth, Defender."
Jona: [What? Specializations?]
Jona: "Um, could you explain the specializations to me, please?"
Shila: "Don't you even know that? *Sigh* Well, the specializations are as follows: Defender, a defense-focused specialization usually on the front lines; Fighter, a specialization focused on attacking power, either ranged or melee, but they have weaker defense than defenders; Magic Caster, a specialization focused on magic attacks, which can cause a lot of damage or be used for healing and support."
Jona: "Got it."
Guberth: "I think you fit in as a Fighter, Jona."
Jona: "Yeah, you're right! So, Jona, Fighter."
Shila: "Okay, now what kind of weapon do you use?"
Guberth: "A two-handed ax."
Jona: "A frying pan."
As soon as Jona finished speaking, the entire guild fell silent for a few moments before everyone burst into laughter.
Adventurer 1: "HAHAHAHAHAHAHHA, ARE YOU AN ADVENTURER OR A CHEF?"
Adventurer 2: "HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA HE WILL FIGHT AGAINST HUNGER."
Even Shila couldn't help but giggle.
Shila: "*Chuckles* A-Are you sure you want to *chuckles* use this weapon?"
Jona: "Yes."
Shila: "*Cough* Well then, let's continue the registration. Now take this."
Shila handed them a gray sphere the size of a marble ball and spoke again.
Shila: "Say 'Status'."
Jona/Guberth: "Status."
The sphere lit up and projected a screen with some text.
Shila: "This is your status, and as you can see, it is divided into categories from top to bottom: Strength, Dexterity, Resistance, Magic, Faith, and Charisma. Strength, Resistance, and Magic are self-explanatory. Dexterity represents your skill with ranged weapons. Faith represents your power with support spells, and Charisma... I'm not quite sure what it's for."
Jona: "Okay..."
Shila: "Now let's see, Mr. Guberth, your status is as follows: Strength - 35, Dexterity - 12, Endurance - 42, Magic - 8, Faith - 7, and Charisma - 15."
Shortly after she mentioned Guberth's status, other adventurers started approaching, probably because of his impressive status.
Guberth: "Is my status good?"
Shila: "They're incredible, Mr. Guberth. These are statuses that even some silver-ranked defenders have."
Jona: "Wow, Guberth, your status is incredible."
Guberth: "Of course my stats are incredible, I have many years of dedication."
Jona: [He says that, but I'm sure he was happy to be praised. I wonder what my status is like.]
Shila: "And now, Mr. Jona, your status is: Strength - 8, Dexterity - 5, Endurance - 6, Magic - 11, Faith - 1, and Charisma - 81."
Jona: [The numbers have dropped... except Charisma, what an absurd number is that? Well, I'm not surprised. I was sedentary my entire life, what was I expecting?]
Adventurer 1: "HAHAHAHA, WHAT A LOW STATUS."
Adventurer 2: "EVEN A CHILD HAS A GREATER STATUS."
Jona: "HEY, THAT HURTS MY FEELINGS."
Shila: " Mr. Jona, are you sure about being an adventurer?"
Jona:"(Sad) Yes..."
Shila: "Well then, now we are going to start the practice test."
Adventurer 1: "THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT."
Adventurer 2: "I WANT TO SEE WHAT THIS DWARF IS CAPABLE OF."
Jona: [I also want to see how Guberth fights, but I am a little afraid. After all, his hand is still injured.]
Shila: "Would any adventurer in the gold ranking or higher volunteer to test these two?"
The whole guild fell silent, and people started talking to each other until...
Adventurer in the Back-"I'll test them."
Jona: [It was the Mr. that I had spoken to.]
The Adventurer approached both of them and started speaking with the Attendant.
Mr. Adventurer: "If I test them, would you go out on a date with me, Shila?"
Jona: [HE IS GIANT, AS HE WAS SITTING BEFORE I DIDN'T NOTICE. HE MUST BE AROUND 190cm. And looking closely, he is quite handsome, with blue eyes and short red hair.]
Shila: "The only thing you will gain, Mr. Valz, is a point to increase your rank. And if you keep bothering me, you will get a slap too."
Valz: "So sweet."
Shila: "*Blush* Idiot."
Valz: "Well, you two, let's go to the test area."
After he said that, the adventurers in the guild went crazy.
"OHH YEAH, VALZ WILL TEST THEM."
"THIS WILL BE AWESOME."
Jona: "Wow, they're excited."
Shila: "Of course, Valz is a Cobalt rank Fighter and one of the strongest adventurers in this city."
Jona: "REALLY? WOW."
So they all went to the backyard of the guild, which also served as the testing arena. There were many benches to sit on, and it was an open space, allowing passersby to see what was happening.
Valz: "Okay, first you, dwarf, what's your name?"
Guberth: "My name is Guberth."
Valz: "Nice to meet you, Guberth. My name is Valz, and today I will be your instructor, so please do your best."
Guberth-"Right."
Valz: "You can use your ax. I will use this blunt sword."
Jona: [I'm sure Valz also noticed Guberth's injured hand, and that's why he's acting like that.]
Guberth: "Are you underestimating me?"
Valz: "No, I just can't hold back very well."
Guberth: "I will make you regret that choice."
Valz: "Let's see if you can."
The two took their combat positions. Guberth's eyes were sharp and focused, and even the previously agitated audience fell silent. Then Shila gave the signal to start the test. Guberth was the first to attack, advancing towards Valz and attempting to strike vertically with his ax. Valz quickly defended, and a blast of wind was released— their strength was absurd.
Valz: "That's enough. If this continues, maybe this sword won't hold up."
The sword Valz was using had cracked. A single blow from Guberth had caused the weapon to crack.
Valz: "Very well, let's finish the test. After all, your hand isn't in the best condition."
Guberth: "Humph, alright."
Valz: "Okay, now it's your turn, actor boy."
Jona steps into the arena, and a sense of nervousness is evident on his face.
Jona: [How did he effortlessly block Guberth's blow as if it were nothing? It's surreal.]
Valz: "Don't be nervous, I'll go easy on you. I'll use this wooden sword, what do you think?"
Jona: "Thank you."
Valz: "Alright, what's your name?"
Jona: "Jona."
Valz: "Okay, Jona, let's get started."
Both of them assume their combat positions, or at least Valz does, while Jona's stances appear strange and awkward. The audience in the back starts leaving, probably unimpressed by Jona's stats.
Shila gives the signal, and Jona advances toward Valz, trying to imitate Guberth's movements. He puts all his strength into a vertical attack, and just like before, Valz defends himself. However, this time, his wooden sword shatters into pieces, and the attack comes dangerously close to his face. Valz swiftly moves backward, dodging the blow.
Valz: "Do you really have 8 points in strength?"
Jona: "It's a long story."
The audience begins to return, and everyone stares at Jona, whispering among themselves. Jona looks at Guberth, who is wearing a smile on his face.
Valz: "Looks like I'll have to switch weapons."
After saying that, Valz draws one of the two swords hanging from his waist.
Jona: "Hold on, Valz. I'm a complete amateur when it comes to fighting, and if you hit me, I could die."
Valz: "Don't worry, I'll use the blunt side of the blade."
Jona: "THAT'S NOT THE PROBLEM."
Valz: "(Smiles) I'm sure you can handle it."
Jona: "YOU THINK WITH MY-"
Before Jona could finish his complaint, Valz swiftly advances toward him with insane speed. Jona tries to follow his movements with his eyes but fails, and the only thought that comes to his mind is to run away. However, as he tries to back up, he loses his balance and falls, narrowly avoiding Valz's attacks.
He quickly gets up and attempts to strike Valz horizontally. However, Valz simply takes a step back instead of defending, and at that moment, Jona realizes that Guberth was right about the limitations of his weapon's range.
Valz: "You weren't lying when you said you were an amateur. No, you're worse than an amateur."
Jona: "HEYYYYY ;-;."
The scene of Jona trying to hit Valz while he effortlessly dodges continues.
Valz: "It's time to finish."
He launches an attack aimed at Jona's head. Jona tries to defend himself, but his frying pan is too low, so he uses his arms instead. Valz adjusts the trajectory of his sword, targeting the arm holding the frying pan. Jona quickly uses it to block the attack, but it isn't enough, and he is thrown back by the force, almost reaching the audience.
Valz: "As I thought, you have good reflexes. Well, let's stop here."
Jona: "Right (breathes) thanks."
Jona: [He's too strong. How can a human be this powerful?]
Valz: "One more thing, kid. If you want to get stronger, come to the arena tomorrow morning."
Jona-[Will he train me?]
Without hesitation, Jona bows down and expresses his gratitude.
Valz: "See you tomorrow then."
Jona: "Yes, Sir."
Shila: "Alright, everyone, the show's over. Let's get back to what we were doing. Mr. Jona and Mr. Guberth, please wait inside. I'll talk to Valz to determine your ranks."
Valz: "Shila, I know you just want to be alone with me."
Shila: "Valz, I swear I'm going to hit you."
So Guberth and Jona waited in the guild, an uncomfortable silence filling the air. Jona tries to break the awkwardness by starting a conversation with Guberth.
Jona: "So, Gu, what rank do you think you'll achieve?"
Guberth: "Gu?"
Jona: "Yes, it's a nickname I came up with since we're good friends. Do you like it?"
Guberth: "Hm-Hmpf, I-I don't need those nicknames."
Jona: "Well, if you didn't like it, I'll call you by your name again."
Guberth: "It's not like I didn't like it!"
Jona: "Hahahahaha."
Guberth: "Why are you laughing?"
Jona: "Nothing, Gu."
Guberth: "Hmpf."
And so the two of them engaged in small talk about random things until Shila approached them.
Shila: "Sorry for the delay. We have already determined your ranks. First, Mr. Guberth, thanks to your high status and great proficiency in combat, it has been decided that you will be assigned the bronze rank."
Jona: "Wow, that's amazing, Gu!"
Guberth: "That was expected."
Shila-"Now, Mr. Jona, your status is quite low, and your combat skills are lacking. However, your strength and reflexes are exceptional. Because of that, it has been decided that you will be assigned the lead rank."
Jona: "YEAH!"
Shila: "Here are your adventurer licenses."
The licenses are beautifully designed, and adorned with intricate writings that Jona can't fully comprehend, and they bear the color corresponding to their current ranks.
Shila: "There's the mission board. If you find a mission of interest, simply take it and bring it to me for registration."
Jona: [I'm incredibly excited. I can finally embark on my journey as an adventurer.]