The interior was even more impressive than the exterior had suggested. The main hall was enormous, easily fifty feet across and stretching back at least that far. The ceiling was high, supported by thick wooden beams that gave the space an open, airy feeling despite the crowd.
The left side of the hall was dominated by a massive quest board. It had to be twenty feet wide and ten feet tall, covered completely in papers of various colors. Each paper presumably represented a quest, and there were hundreds of them. Maybe thousands. The board was surrounded by people, a dense cluster of bodies all trying to read postings or snag papers to bring to the counter.
'Half of them are definitely players,' Cid observed, noting the telltale signs. The way they studied the quest papers like they were reading game descriptions. The animated discussions about quest difficulty and rewards. The occasional person who would pull up what looked like an invisible screen, probably checking their status.
The right side of the hall held tables and chairs where groups sat talking, planning, or simply resting. Some were eating food, suggesting the guild also served as an informal gathering place. Others were examining weapons or gear, probably showing off new acquisitions or discussing upgrades.
The far end of the hall featured the reception desk. It was a long counter made of polished wood, easily thirty feet long, with five stations marked by small signs. Behind the counter stood five receptionists, each handling a line of people waiting for service.
Tomas led Cid directly to the counter, bypassing the lines and approaching one of the middle stations where a young woman was currently finishing up with another adventurer.
She was maybe eighteen or nineteen, with dark brown hair pulled back in a practical ponytail that kept it out of her face while she worked. Her eyes were a warm hazel color that seemed friendly even when focused on paperwork. She wore what appeared to be the standard guild receptionist uniform, a neat white blouse with the guild symbol embroidered on the chest pocket, and a dark green vest over it.
When she looked up from her paperwork and noticed Tomas approaching with Cid in tow, her professional expression shifted into a genuine smile.
"Tomas! What brings you by?" Her voice was pleasant, with a slight lilt that suggested genuine friendliness rather than forced customer service cheer.
"Official escort duty, Rina," Tomas replied with a grin. "Found this kid at the gate wanting to register. First time out of his home village, no papers, looks like he's had a rough time of it. Thought you could help him out."
Rina's expression shifted to sympathy as she looked at Cid properly, taking in his bedraggled appearance. Her eyes lingered on Regulus and Rimuru for a moment, brightening with clear appreciation for cute creatures, before focusing back on Cid's face.
"No papers at all?" she asked gently. "That's going to make things a little more complicated, but we can work with it. What's your name?"
"Cid Raimon."
"Nice to meet you, Cid. I'm Rina." She gestured to the station in front of her. "Why don't you come around this side of the counter? We'll get you set up properly. Tomas, thanks for bringing him. I've got it from here."
Tomas gave a friendly wave and departed, leaving Cid alone with Rina at the reception station.
Rina was already pulling items from beneath the counter. A strange device that looked like it combined an orb made of some kind of crystal with a flat metallic surface that had a thin horizontal slot. A blank card maybe the size of a playing card. A small jar of what looked like ink.
"So," Rina said conversationally as she arranged the items on the counter, "first time registering with a guild? Must be nerve wracking."
"A little," Cid admitted.
"Don't be nervous. The process is pretty straightforward." She smiled at him, and there was genuine warmth in it. "And between you and me, you're handling it way better than most people do their first time. I've had grown adults cry during registration because they were overwhelmed."
That surprised a small laugh out of Cid. "Really?"
"Really. You'd be amazed." Rina picked up the blank card and the device. "Okay, so here's how this works. This device is called an Identifier. It's enchanted to read a person's basic information and transfer it onto a guild card. All you need to do is place your hand on this surface here." She indicated the flat metallic portion of the device. "The orb will glow while it's reading your information, and when it's done, your card will come out of this slot with everything recorded."
"What kind of information does it read?" Cid asked, curious despite himself.
"Basic stuff," Rina assured him. "Your name, your age, your rank, your class. Nothing invasive or personal. Just the information needed for quest eligibility and record keeping." She set the blank card into a small slot on top of the device. "Ready?"
Cid placed his hand on the metal surface. It was cool to the touch, smooth like polished stone.
The orb began to glow immediately, a soft white light that pulsed gently. Cid felt a strange tingling sensation run up his arm, not painful but definitely noticeable. It was like the faintest electric current, flowing from his palm through his body and then back out again.
'It's reading my status,' he realized. 'Scanning me somehow. Probably accessing the same system information that displays when I call up my status screen.'
Rina watched the process with the practiced ease of someone who had done this hundreds of times. While they waited, she made small talk.
"So what made you decide to become an adventurer? If you don't mind me asking."
"Needed a way to make money," Cid replied honestly. "And adventuring seemed like it would be more interesting than farming or working in a shop."
"That's fair. Adventuring definitely has its excitement." Rina glanced at Regulus and Rimuru, who had remained remarkably still throughout the process. "And you've already got companions. That's unusual for someone brand new. Did you tame them yourself?"
"Something like that."
"They're adorable. I love the lion cub. What's his name?"
"Regulus. And the slime is Rimuru."
"Regulus," Rina repeated, clearly charmed by the name. "That's quite distinguished for such a little guy." She reached out slowly, telegraphing her intention. "May I?"
Cid nodded, and Rina gently scratched behind Regulus's ears. The cub tolerated the attention with what Cid could feel through their bond was extreme forbearance. The Lion Emperor was allowing this indignity only because maintaining his cover required it.
Rimuru, seeing Regulus get attention, wobbled more vigorously on Cid's other shoulder. Rina noticed and smiled.
"Don't worry, I haven't forgotten you," she said to the slime, reaching over to pat Rimuru's gelatinous form gently. The slime practically vibrated with pleasure at the contact.
'Rimuru is completely shameless,' Cid thought with amusement. 'Zero dignity. All he wants is attention and affection. Meanwhile Regulus is mentally composing a list of everyone who has dared to pet him so he can glare at them later.'
The orb's glow intensified for a moment, then faded. A soft mechanical sound came from the device, and the card emerged from the slot, no longer blank.
Rina pulled it free and examined it, her eyes scanning the information now displayed on its surface. Her expression shifted to surprise, eyebrows rising slightly.
"Oh," she said, looking from the card to Cid with new interest. "You're only seventeen? And you're already adventuring?"
"Is that unusual?"
"A bit, yeah. Most people wait until they're at least eighteen. Some of the noble families start their kids earlier, but for commoners it's pretty rare." She looked back at the card, her expression thoughtful. "And your class is Summoner? That's interesting. Don't see many of those."
Cid's heart skipped a beat. 'She can see my class. Of course she can. It's right there on the card. But she doesn't seem suspicious. Just interested.'
"Is that a problem?" he asked carefully.
"Problem? No, not at all!" Rina smiled reassuringly. "Summoners are actually really valued in parties. Support and damage in one package. You'll probably have people wanting to team up with you pretty quickly once word gets around."
She turned the card so Cid could see it properly.
The card was simple but elegant. At the top was his name in clear lettering: Cid Raimon. Below that, several lines of information:
Rank: Iron
Class: Summoner
Age: 17
Affiliation: Springvale Guild
"The affiliation just means this is where you registered," Rina explained. "You can take quests from any guild branch, but your home branch is always listed. Think of it like your official starting point."
Cid studied the card, noting what was included and what was not. His level was not listed. His attributes were not shown. His familiars were not mentioned. It was basic identification, nothing more.
'Good,' he thought. 'The less detailed information that's publicly available, the better. Let people underestimate me.'
Rina set the card down on the counter and leaned forward slightly, her expression becoming more serious but still friendly.
"Okay, so now that you're officially registered, there are some important things you need to know. Rules and systems that every adventurer has to follow. I know it's a lot of information all at once, but it's important, so please try to remember as much as you can."
"I'm listening," Cid assured her.
"First and most important: every adventurer is required to complete a minimum of ten quests per month." Rina held up ten fingers for emphasis. "That's not optional. It's a guild rule that applies to everyone regardless of rank. If you complete fewer than ten in a month, you get a warning. Two warnings and you're suspended from taking quests for a month. Three warnings and you're expelled from the guild entirely."
'Ten quests minimum per month,' Cid noted mentally. 'That's roughly one every three days. Manageable if the quests are short. Could be tight if they're complex.'
"However," Rina continued, "while ten is the minimum, taking more quests is encouraged. The more quests you complete successfully, the higher your reputation score. Reputation affects how other adventurers and guild members view you, and it can open doors to better quests and opportunities later."
She pulled out a small pamphlet from beneath the counter and opened it to show a diagram. It depicted a ranking system with stars.
"Adventurers are ranked by stars," Rina explained, pointing to the diagram. "You start at starless, which is where you are now." She pointed to the bottom of the diagram. "Above that is One Star, then Two Star, and so on up to Ten Star at the top."
"How do you gain stars?" Cid asked, genuinely curious.
"That's the tricky part," Rina said with a slight grimace. "Stars aren't given out just for completing a lot of quests, though that helps. To earn a star, you need to perform a feat that demonstrates strength significantly above your current rank. Something that shows you're ready for more difficult challenges."
She tapped the diagram. "Think of it like proving yourself. A starless adventurer might earn their first star by successfully completing a quest rated for One Star adventurers. Or by defeating a monster that should be beyond their capabilities. Or by showing exceptional skill in some other way that catches the guild's attention."
"So it's about exceeding expectations," Cid summarized.
"Exactly!" Rina looked pleased that he had grasped the concept so quickly. "And once you have a star, the process repeats. To earn your second star, you need to do something that proves you're ready for Two Star level challenges. And so on."
She moved to the next section of the pamphlet. "Quests themselves are also rated by stars. Starless quests are simple things. Gathering herbs, delivering packages, helping with minor monster problems. Nothing life threatening if you're careful."
"And right now I can only take starless quests?" Cid guessed.
"Right. You can only take quests rated at your star level or below. Once you earn your first star, you become eligible for One Star quests while still being able to take starless ones if you want. The progression is always in order. No skipping ahead."
'Makes sense from a game design perspective,' Cid thought. 'Force players to progress through content at a measured pace. Prevent new players from taking on challenges that would just get them killed.'
Rina flipped to another page. "There are other important things to know. Monster remains can be sold at the Bestiary, which is a shop about two blocks east of here. They buy parts from defeated monsters and resell them to craftsmen or alchemists. You can also buy weapons, armor, and other equipment there, though they specialize more in the buying side."
"Good to know."
"Every registered adventurer is entitled to a monthly allowance of ten silver coins," Rina continued. "It's provided by the guild as basic support to help cover living expenses. Your first allowance will be available starting next month since you just registered today."
'Ten silver per month,' Cid calculated. 'That's not a lot but it's something. Enough for basic food and maybe a cheap room at an inn. Quest rewards will need to supplement that.'
"Oh, and whenever you earn a new star, you have to take an exam," Rina added. "It's a formal test administered by the guild to verify that you actually deserve the promotion. The exam is different for each star level and usually involves some combination of practical demonstration and knowledge testing."
She closed the pamphlet and pushed it across the counter to Cid. "You can keep this. It has all the basic rules and information written out. Review it when you have time."
Cid took the pamphlet and tucked it into his pocket along with his guild card. "Thank you. This is really helpful."
"You're welcome." Rina's smile was genuine, and Cid found himself appreciating her patience and thoroughness. She could have rushed through the explanation or been dismissive of a new adventurer, but instead she had taken the time to make sure he understood everything properly.
There was something comforting about her presence. Maybe it was the professionalism mixed with actual kindness. Maybe it was just having a normal conversation with someone who treated him like a person rather than a threat or a resource. Whatever it was, Cid felt more at ease than he had since arriving in this world.
"So," Rina said, gesturing toward the massive quest board across the hall, "now that you're registered, you're free to take quests. The board is organized by difficulty, with starless quests on the bottom three rows. Just grab a paper for any quest that interests you and bring it back here. We'll log it in your name and you'll be officially assigned to it."
Cid followed her gesture, looking at the board properly for the first time. Now that he was paying attention, he could see how crowded it was. Dozens of people clustered around the bottom rows, jostling for position, trying to read the starless quest postings.
And as Rina had said, at least half of them showed the telltale signs of being former players. The way they moved. The expressions on their faces. The occasional transparent screen that flickered into existence as someone checked their status.
'They're all doing the same thing I am,' Cid realized. 'Trying to establish themselves. Trying to figure out this new reality. Taking quests to earn money and gain strength.'
It was oddly comforting, in a way. He was not alone in this situation. Thousands of others were navigating the same challenges, facing the same uncertainties.
But it was also competitive. Every quest on that board represented resources. Experience. Money. Reputation. And there were far more people than there were quests.
'I need to be strategic,' he thought, his mind already working through the problem. 'Can't just grab any random quest. Need to find something that plays to my strengths. Something I can complete efficiently with Regulus and Rimuru's help.'
Rina was watching him with a knowing expression. "Overwhelming, isn't it? The first time you look at the quest board as a real adventurer rather than just a curious observer."
"A little," Cid admitted.
"Take your time. Look through the available quests. Find something that seems manageable for your first one." She leaned forward slightly, her voice dropping to a more conspiratorial tone. "And between you and me? If you ever have questions or need advice, you can come find me. I'm usually working this station, and I don't mind helping out new adventurers who seem like they'll actually make something of themselves."
There was something in the way she said it that suggested this was not standard receptionist behavior. This was personal interest. Maybe she saw something in him that reminded her of herself when she was starting out. Maybe she was just naturally inclined to help people who seemed like they were trying their best.
Whatever the reason, Cid appreciated it.
"Thank you, Rina. Really. You've been incredibly helpful."
"Don't mention it." She smiled, and it reached her eyes in a way that suggested genuine pleasure at having been useful. "Now go look at those quests. And good luck with your first one, whatever you choose."
Cid nodded and turned toward the quest board, Regulus and Rimuru still perched comfortably on his shoulders. As he walked across the hall, weaving between tables and groups of adventurers, he felt something he had not felt since arriving in this world.
Not quite hope. Not yet. But possibility.
He had a guild card. He had an identity in this world's systems. He had two powerful familiars disguised as adorable pets. And he had a kind receptionist who seemed genuinely willing to help him succeed.
'This is the start,' he thought, approaching the crowded quest board. 'First quest. First real step toward building power and finding answers. Toward eventually finding a way home.'
Regulus shifted on his shoulder, the cub's red eyes scanning the crowd with the wariness of a predator evaluating potential threats. Through their bond, Cid felt approval. The Lion Emperor recognized that they were moving forward, taking action, beginning the journey toward strength.
Rimuru wobbled happily, apparently just pleased to be included in whatever was happening.
Cid Raimon, level three Summoner with a Legendary class and everything to prove, stepped up to the quest board and began reading through his options, ready to choose the first quest of his new life in this impossible world.