"This isn't like the Guild I imagined..."
Without caring anymore about the losers still lying in the streets, Kei stepped inside and began observing her surroundings.
The building was made of brick mostly painted clean white, decorated with large banners depicting the Guild's official symbol. From the outside, the building appeared proportional, but once she set foot inside, Kei immediately changed her mind.
The interior was extraordinarily spacious. Large windows allowed sunlight to enter abundantly, illuminating the emerald green floor so clean that Kei could see her own reflection.
On the left, there were rows of desks where adventurers queued to exchange magic stones from the Dungeon into valis coins. In the main section, various staff employees were busy communicating with adventurers of various levels.
"Let me guess, the Guild in your view is... a place with a dark atmosphere, rough wooden tables, rough adventurers drinking beer, and maybe some waitress girls in minimal clothing?" Charlie guessed with a small smile, mentioning the typical guild stereotype in many isekai anime.
"That's right." Kei answered a bit embarrassed. "That's what I imagined when Charlie-san mentioned the Guild. With this, I understand my knowledge can only be used as reference."
Her behavior of constantly looking in all directions with eyes full of wonder clearly showed this was the first time she set foot in the Guild. Usually, in situations like this, a Guild staff would immediately approach, ask about the purpose of the visit, and direct them to the appropriate counter.
However, this time not a single staff approached. The reason was simple: Charlie was walking beside Kei.
Who didn't know about the rising Level 5 adventurer, Solo Leveling, Charlie Avalon?
On the main information board, there was a large pamphlet containing Charlie's level-up data complete with a portrait of his handsome face.
That was the reason why Jack earlier could immediately recognize Charlie as Solo Leveling.
Not surprisingly, Charlie's presence immediately attracted all attention inside the Guild.
Every Upper Class adventurer was a strategic asset and peak power in Orario—even in this world.
The emergence of a new Level 5, especially one who leveled up at a speed considered impossible, was a major event that triggered curiosity, admiration, and also jealousy from various circles.
But Charlie didn't care at all. Ignoring all the scrutinizing, admiring, or envious gazes directed at him, he guided Kei to a counter that appeared deserted to start the registration procedure.
"Hi, Rose. Long time no see."
Arriving in front of the counter desk guarded by a woman with red hair and an unfriendly expression, Charlie greeted her with a warm tone that sounded nostalgic. For him, it had indeed been more than two years since they last met.
"Find better lines if you want to flirt with women. We just met not long ago."
Rose without changing her curt attitude. Even facing a Level 5 adventurer, she still gave no face. Her eyes glanced at Kei standing beside Charlie, then returned to Charlie with a slightly sneering look.
"What brings you here with this little girlfriend of yours? You're the type who only comes to the Guild when there's business."
"You know me quite well, even though we rarely interact, Rose." Charlie said with a light smile.
"Hmph!" Rose only snorted as a reply.
Of course she wouldn't admit that she had actually secretly been observing Charlie's activities and development all this time—as a responsible Guild staff, that was part of her job, wasn't it?
"I came to help her register." Charlie said while gently pushing Kei's shoulder forward.
"A beginner adventurer, huh..." Rose muttered, her voice sounding slightly softer when speaking to Kei.
Perhaps because they were both women, or perhaps because she saw an impression of innocence and seriousness on Kei's face.
"Wait a moment."
She took a pen and a form, then began the standard registration procedure.
"First of all, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Rose Fannett, and I'm one of the Guild employees. May I know your name?"
"My name is Shirogane Kei. Nice to meet you, Miss Rose." Kei answered politely, bowing slightly.
"No need to be formal." Rose said while starting to take notes. "Are you from the Far East?"
"Yes. I come from the Far East. As an orphan, I decided to come to Orario to become an adventurer."
That was the background Kei prepared. Charlie had already told her that in this world there was a country called Far East whose culture and physical characteristics of its inhabitants were very similar to Japan in her world. So, using Far East as background was the safest way to cover her true origins.
"..."
Rose fell silent for a moment hearing that Kei was an orphan. A bit of sadness crept into her heart, but she was used to it—many adventurers lost their families to monster attacks or were simply abandoned. She continued professionally.
"Have you already become part of a god's Familia?"
"I'm a member of Astraea Familia."
"Huh?"
The pen in Rose's hand fell upon hearing that name.
"Astraea Familia?! Didn't that Familia already disband after all its members died in the tragedy caused by Rudra Familia who were Evilus?!"
"Maybe Astraea-sama is rebuilding her Familia? That's not impossible."
"I heard Astraea Familia only accepts female members, just like Hera Familia."
Their conversation attracted the attention of adventurers around who had been secretly listening all along. Upon hearing the name Astraea Familia, many were shocked and whispered full of astonishment.
After being stunned for a moment, Rose picked up her pen again and continued with her professional attitude.
"Next is the last step."
She took out a small device shaped like a crystal disc.
"Now I just need to take a drop of your blood to check how long ago you received Falna. In the past, some people lied about when they received Falna just to try to break the Level 2 record."
"This isn't because I don't trust you. All beginner adventurers are required to undergo this procedure."
Charlie had already told her about this beforehand, so Kei just nodded, showing she didn't mind.
Rose then took a sterile needle, gently pricked Kei's fingertip, and dripped a drop of blood onto the crystal device. Several numbers and delicate symbols appeared on its surface, showing time data.
"From what I read, you received Falna less than a day ago. With this, we're done." Rose said while closing her notebook. "Do you have any questions?"
"None. Thank you very much, Miss Rose."
Together with Charlie, Kei felt she already knew everything she needed to know to start her adventure in Orario.
"Any other business? If not, please leave. The exit is over there. I'm busy." Rose shooed with a curt tone, pretending to focus back on the pile of documents on her desk.
"Don't be hasty, Rose. There's still something I need to report to the Guild." Charlie said calmly, completely undisturbed by her usual unfriendliness.
"Don't tell me you leveled up again, right?" Rose replied with a sarcastic tone, more intended as light mockery than a serious question.
However, unexpectedly, the man in front of her nodded.
"Your guess is correct. Not long ago, I leveled up again."
Charlie paused for a moment, then delivered the sentence that shook the entire room.
"I'm currently Level 6."
"..."
Instantly, the Guild atmosphere fell into suffocating silence.
Instantly, the atmosphere inside the Guild building that had been full of murmurs and the sound of footsteps fell into suffocating silence.
Whether veteran adventurers, beginners, or Guild staff who were busy, everyone turned toward Charlie simultaneously.
Their expressions were uniform: stunned, mouths slightly open, and eyes almost popping out of their sockets.
An adventurer who rose from Level 1 to Level 5 in less than three months was already an anomaly that shook Orario. But reaching Level 6 only days after the announcement of his Level 5?
That was no longer just terrifying talent—it was an insult to the common sense of this world.