Gathering Husbands with a System in a Game Like World [BL]
Chapter 10: The Adventurers Guild

Chapter 10: The Adventurers Guild

Morning sunlight spilled across the streets. The city had only just awakened, yet the roads were already alive with activity. Horse-drawn carriages rolled over the cobblestones making a comforting clutter sound . Merchants arranged colorful displays of fruits, enchanted trinkets, and freshly baked bread. Blacksmiths opened their workshops, and the rhythmic sound of hammer striking steel echoed through the district.

Kai stepped out of the modest inn where he had spent the night and took a deep breath.

"So this is the beginning."

One month. That was all he had. Thirty days to prepare himself before the Imperial Academy entrance examination. Thirty days to grow stronger, to gain experience, and to learn how this world truly worked beyond the memories of the game.

His silver-blue eyes remained calm as he mentally listed his priorities.

"First, I need a stable source of income. Second, combat experience. Third, knowledge. I can’t rely on the game’s story forever."

The system appeared before him.

[Preparation Quest Issued.]

[Objective: Become a worthy Academy candidate within twenty Eight days.]

[Suggested Activities: Complete quests. Increase combat proficiency. Improve reputation. Expand practical knowledge.]

[Reward: Based on overall performance.]

[Failure Penalty: None.]

Kai smiled.

"No punishment?"

[Growth achieved voluntarily produces better long-term results than growth achieved through coercion.]

He chuckled.

"I suppose I can’t argue with that."

The translucent screen disappeared. Kai adjusted the strap of his travel bag before walking into the bustling streets. Unlike yesterday, he was not wandering without direction. Today he had a destination. The Adventurer’s Guild.

Kai had barely walked two streets before he noticed something strange. People looked at him. Not openly or rudely. Just longer than usual. A florist arranging bouquets paused for a second as he passed. An elderly bookseller lowered the novel he had been reading. Two young women walking in the opposite direction whispered to each other before quickly looking away when Kai glanced in their direction.

"Did you see him?"

"Mm."

"He’s handsome."

"Don’t stare."

"I’m not staring."

"You absolutely are."

Kai continued walking as though he had not heard them. A few moments later a little boy accidentally bumped into him while chasing a wooden toy.

"Oh!"

The child stumbled backward. Kai instinctively reached out and caught him before he could fall.

"Are you alright?"

The boy nodded.

"Y-Yes..."

His mother hurried over.

"I’m so sorry!"

She bowed repeatedly before taking her son’s hand. The little boy looked back at Kai with wide eyes.

"Big brother... You’re really pretty."

Kai blinked. The mother turned bright red.

"Kyle! Don’t say things like that!"

"No, it’s alright."

Kai smiled gently.

"It’s an honest compliment."

The embarrassed woman thanked him once again before leading her son away. Kai sighed to himself.

"This is going to happen a lot, isn’t it?"

The system answered immediately.

[Passive Trait: Beautification Beyond Measure. Current Effect: Exceptional Appearance. Host naturally attracts visual attention.]

Kai pinched the bridge of his nose.

"I was hoping you’d tell me it wears off."

[Negative.]

"Of course."

Kai stopped walking. His eyes drifted toward a tailor’s shop across the street. Several dark traveling cloaks hung outside the entrance. A few minutes later he stepped inside.

The elderly tailor greeted him warmly.

"Welcome. Looking for traveling clothes?"

Kai nodded.

"I’ll be spending some time outdoors. I need something durable. And something that covers my face a little."

The tailor raised an eyebrow.

"Running from debt collectors?"

Kai laughed.

"Nothing like that. I simply prefer not attracting attention."

The old man looked Kai up and down before bursting into laughter.

"My boy, with a face like yours, that’ll be difficult."

Kai smiled helplessly.

"I thought as much."

The tailor disappeared into the back room. After several minutes he returned carrying a long charcoal-black cloak woven with faint silver threads. The hood was large enough to cast a shadow over the wearer’s eyes without obstructing vision.

"It isn’t enchanted. But travelers love it. It keeps off the rain. It blocks most sunlight. And the hood sits naturally."

Kai tried it on. The hood concealed the upper half of his face. Only his nose, lips, and jaw remained visible. The difference was immediate. He no longer looked like an elegant noble wandering the streets. Instead he resembled a mysterious traveler.

The tailor nodded approvingly.

"Much better."

Kai looked into the nearby mirror.

"I like it. I’ll take it."

After paying five silver coins for the cloak, he fastened it securely around his shoulders. The cool fabric settled comfortably against his body. He pulled the hood over his head once more. Much better. People still glanced his way occasionally. But they no longer stopped to stare. Exactly what he wanted.

Kai smiled beneath the hood.

"Problem solved."

The system remained silent. For once it seemed to approve.

Leaving the tailor’s shop, Kai continued deeper into the city. The buildings gradually grew larger. The crowds became rougher. Elegant nobles gave way to armored warriors, robed mages, beastkin mercenaries, elven archers, and dwarven craftsmen. Every race and profession seemed to converge toward one destination.

Then Kai saw it. At the end of the avenue stood a colossal stone building adorned with crossed swords and a soaring gryphon carved into its façade. Hundreds of adventurers entered and exited through its massive oak doors. Laughter. Arguments. The clinking of weapons. The smell of food and ale. The Adventurer’s Guild.

Kai looked up at the towering structure. A small smile appeared beneath his hood.

"Time to get serious"