The way to the Guild Hall led through the busy streets, leading him to see all sorts of people that ventured the city as well. From those with ears like cats to scaly skin like lizards, there was no shortage of peculiar figures.
There were a lot of gazes in his direction, making him question what would earn him any attention, though he quickly figured out they weren’t for him. Right beside him, he glanced at the orc, who wore a hood and hung his head, though it hardly hid his identity.
’Right...I forget that in this world, seeing Redrum walking the streets is probably like a grizzly bear being out in public. All they see is a cold-blooded killer,’ he realized.
"You alright?" Noah asked, looking up at the red-skinned giant.
The orc nodded quietly, "It’s nothing that I didn’t expect."
Otto glanced back, "Just make sure to stick with us. Otherwise, well, you’ll definitely be targeted."
It was hard to miss the Guild Hall; it was undeniably the largest structure within the city, with tall, ivory pillars decorated with pale flags presenting its entrance. More than that, it was quite hard to mistake it by the people that came-and-went; some wearing full suits of armor, carrying swords the size of their bodies, or mages with pointy hats and staves–and everything in between.
’So, this is it...Guess I’m about to become an adventurer. Right now, it really feels like I’m starting a new save in an MMORPG. What class would I even be? Axe...So, like, warrior?’ He questioned.
While in thought, he followed the twin elves through the front doors with the orc right behind him. Almost immediately, the atmosphere drastically changed when inside. Tables were full of boisterous adventurers; those with scars that told of their battles, others with trophies of their hunts.
Despite the seeming rowdy attitude of the members, the wooden floorboards were spotless; the same for the oaken walls, kept clean and polished.
"So, what’re we doing here?" Noah asked, looking around.
Astrid pointed ahead towards the reception desk, "You and Redrum have to go up there to get registered as adventurers, then you can officially start questing! Oh, it’s exciting, isn’t it?"
"I feel like I’ve already gotten enough of a taste, but sure," Noah accepted, nudging his shoulder against the orc behind him. "Let’s go, big guy. Guess we’re becoming official adventurers."
"Heh," Redrum quietly expelled his amusement. "An orc adventurer...Never thought I’d see it."
"You’re it," Noah corrected.
At the front desk, a man in a black vest and a long, white dress shirt stood; clearly a professional by his slicked back, dark hair and the glasses he pushed up with his knuckle.
"Welcome to the Tiras Guild Hall, travelers," the Guild Receptionist greeted, though raised an eyebrow at the tall one beside the man. "That one, is he–?"
"He’s here to sign up to become an adventurer," Noah explained. "I am, too."
"I see..." The Guild Receptionist pushed his glasses up, giving another look to the orc before grabbing papers from the desk, jotting down some quick words before handing them over. "Start by filling out these documents with all the information required. Turn them in, then the trial will take place."
He gave a nod, walking over to an empty table and sat down, with Redrum sitting right across from him. It looked like a tad bit of a difficult fit for the large figure to fit in the wooden seat, sounding like a moment away from giving in.
"Alright, history of monster slaying? Magic affinities? Weapon masteries?" Noah read out the empty slots on the document, filling each in.
Writing in "axe" for weapon mastery, he looked up to check how his companion’s paperwork was going, finding a stranger standing right behind the orc.
"Hey, we don’t want your kind around here–you’re stinkin’ up the place, monster," the cold statement came from a fox-eared, muscular man dressed in dented, silver armor.
By the looks of it, the man was a tenured adventurer, if not by the scar over his right eye, then the massive, studded hammer strapped to his back. Noah tried to say something, though fell silent as he watched the fox-eared warrior tip the mug in his hand, dumping the golden liquid right onto the orc’s hood.
"There," the adventurer said with a smirk. "Should make you smell a lil’ better."
Laughter broke out in the building, though some looked on quietly; the twins noticed from the quest board, though Otto stopped his sister from intervening.
Noah sat there quietly, looking at the one across from him as the orc’s fists clenched, observing just what he would choose to do. There were many choices, though most of them would be wrong, as he saw it.
"Gettin’ pissed? C’mon, try something then, big red," the fox-eared man challenged, taking a step back with his arms spread.
As the orc stood from his chair, Noah called out, "Redrum, don’t–"
The quiet giant subtly waved his hand before sliding his drenched hood down, unveiling the inhuman face beneath, "Did your hand slip?" Redrum asked.
"What?" The hammer-wielding antagonizer responded with a raised eyebrow as his ears twitched.
"Accidents happen," Redrum said calmly. "I’m a bit strapped on gold right now, but I’ll buy you a mug when I get my first quest done."
"The hell?" The adventurer scoffed, shrugging his shoulders as he walked off. "You’re not making it past a week out there. Don’t try to act like you can make it."
There was some silence in the hall before the chatter resumed, though the orc was still left soaked.
Redrum sat back down with a quiet sigh, lifting the now soggy paper, "Urgh...Think I can still turn it in like this?"
"Should be...fine," Noah said with a squint, putting the quill down. "Listen, you handled that the right way. Violence would’ve been just giving that guy exactly what he wanted–an excuse."
"I’d be lying if I said the idea didn’t cross my mind at the moment, but I thought about it for a moment," Redrum recalled, wiping his paper. "Before I never...second guessed violence. There was never anything to tell me otherwise, that there was an alternative."
"Well, now you know."
Together they turned in their documents to the receptionist, who gave a slight look of disgust at the soaked document before taking it in all the same.
"Please make your way to the Trial hall in a timely fashion," the Guild Receptionist instructed.
"Right, thanks," Noah nodded.
"Thank you," Redrum followed his gratitude.