Vol. 2 - Ch. 29 - Consignment Store [Part 2]

Just across the street from the Consignment Store, all three sat side by side on the wooden benches placed along the flowerbeds."Sorry about that. There are several Guilds you see..."

"And I assume the like-minded companions are like a faction."

"Exactly."

What Leo was trying to say was that there were members of various Guilds inside the Consignment Store.

As such, if he tried to talk about Guilds in depth inside there, he would probably get interrupted.

"How many Guilds are there?" Ash asked.

"About 10. However, you'll have an easier time thinking of them as the top three Guilds and all others."

"I'm guessing that those top three Guilds have a lot of members."

"That's part of it. How should I say it, well it's best that you learn about them earlier than later. I don't think the young lady over there has ever been briefed on it either, so this is the perfect time."

Clara, who had been quietly listening, instantly looked uncomfortable.

Although Clara had been on the island for a year she was well aware that she was out of touch with the island's affairs.

Leo held up his index finger and began to explain, "The first of the Top Three Guilds is Red Fang. It's a guild with about 100 members. They're a bunch of roughnecks, but the bonds between them are stronger than any other guild. Though, they have drinking parties, so you'll rarely see them up and kicking in the morning."

"Judging by that I assume it's all men over there." Ash remarked.

"By the way, that Darrion you had a beef with is one of their members."

"He sure does fit the Guild's image perfectly." Ash chuckled, and Clara nodded emphatically next to him.

Leo, perhaps seeing this gesture, chuckled, and then continued his explanation,

"The second of the Top Three Guilds is Soleil. An all-female guild with about 40 members. Although its members are scarce, they are all as fierce, if not even fiercer than the men. And, most importantly, they are all total beauties."

"It sure is completely different from the first Guild you mentioned."

"Ash, you seem kind of happy..." Clara remarked.

"I'm a man after all." Ash said confidently, to which Clara puffed out her cheeks.

"Come to think of it, if it's all women wouldn't you be able to get in easily, Clara?"

"You think I can get in?"

"I'm sorry I brought it up..."

"I just can't with you..."

Clara really was a child who changed her expression from one moment to the next. S~ᴇaʀᴄh the NʘvᴇlFirᴇ.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of nøvels early and in the highest quality.

Leo then went on, completely disregarding Clara, who was on the verge of tears.

"At last, but not least, is Albion. The Guild that's all about justice. Its members number about 60. The average floor conquered by Albion is higher than that of any other Guilds, because each of their members is a powerhouse. Also, since most of Albion's members are earnest, they are on bad terms with Red Fang, which has a lot of ruffians."

The image that Ash got from Leo's story was that Albion was likely the strongest Guild.

Clara, in turn, suddenly began to speak in a grumpy tone.

"You know those people that sometimes patrol here and there? Those are from Albion." she explained.

"You know about them?" Leo asked in surprise.

After nodding, Clara spoke, while still seeming slightly upset,

"They caught me once when I was wondering if I should go into a store or not..."

"You probably spent a lot of time in front, right?" Ash asked.

"That's..."

(Seems like I hit the nail on the head.)

Ash too had to agree that Clara's behavior had certainly been extremely suspicious.

However, he didn't like that they were taking matters into their own hands without being affiliated to an official organization.

He also believed that their play of cat and dog with Red Fang might pose a problem.

"Still, this place seems way bigger than I originally thought." Ash remarked.

"It sure does. And after those three come the small Guilds like mine."

"Yours? Are you in a Guild as well, Leo?"

"Let alone being in one, I'm the Guild Master." Leo said, puffing out his chest proudly.

Ash couldn't help but be taken aback.

The fact that Leo was a Guild Master was quite a shock to him.

"You did it for the butts, didn't you?"

"That's right. All of our members have supreme asses that are too big to fit in my hand, while also being bouncy enough to... Hey! Just what are you making me say..."

During the first part of his speech Leo seemed to be on cloud nine, however, he quickly managed to come to his senses.

"All the members are good people who cherish their friends. Just watching them moves my heart." Leo said with kind eyes.

However, to Ash it only seemed like Leo's eyes were looking at something entirely different.

After a moment, Leo's relaxed gaze shifted back to his normal one, and with an air of nonchalance he spoke, "Ash, how about joining us?"

"A place whose Master starts drinking in the middle of the day?"

"T-That was... I swear! We do not slack off. We are serious about hunting." Leo said, frantically trying to defend himself.

Ash, in turn, couldn't help but giggle at seeing him like that.

"Jokes aside, sadly I'm no good at working with big groups of people." Ash explained.

"That's unfortunate. But I got the feeling you'd say that. You seem like the type of person that paves their own road." Leo said.

"You're quite an awful dude to ask even after knowing that."

"It just goes to show how much I like you."

Ash was amazed that Leo would think so highly of him despite Ash being only a Grade 2 challenger.

Ash could figure that Leo was likely not simply judging him by his floors.

"What about you, Clara? If you want you can join."

"What? Me?"

"If you want to, we'd gladly welcome you, Lady Clara." Leo said, showing a gentleman's side which was quite unlike him.

(I'd really love it if he could act like that on a regular basis.)

As Ash was thinking that, Clara sneakily grabbed him by the waist of his clothes.

"I-I won't join as well." she said, looking at Leo.

"So you're turning me down, too..." Leo smiled bitterly and stood up quickly.

"Sorry, Leo. Even after you went through the trouble of inviting us." Ash apologized.

"It's fine. However, if you do happen to change your mind, be sure to let me know. I'd gladly welcome the both of you."

"Sure. If we do, I'll be sure to hit you up."

Ash had no intention of joining a Guild at this time.

However, if he were to one day decide to join one, he wouldn't choose any other but Leo's Guild.

"Still, without a Guild's help it might be hard for me to get money." Ash thought, his expression becoming a bit grim.

At the same time Leo reached out to him, "How about taking on a Quest?"

"A Quest?"

"You get a reward for defeating a designated number of monsters. Most of the time the reward comes in the form of Duri, but you can also get Enhancement Stones, Enhancement Stones and even Magic Stones. Anyway, it's a great means, so you should check it out."

(To think there was such a thing!)

As Ash was excited about the new information he looked at Clara, who in turn, looked away in panic.

(She forgot, didn't she... Or, she knew about them, but didn't recommend them because she's never actually used them. If I were to guess, it'd definitely be the second.)

"By the way, where can I receive those?"

Leo turned his attention to the large mansion standing next to the Consignment Store.

"At Venus' Mansion."