That being said, the two still went to the bank first. The gold obtained from the Lich was too much, and it was heavy, so carrying it around was dangerous.
After Teest deposited the money, he bought two beast-skin pouches with locks on his way out. He filled them with gold wheels, took one, and gave the other to Nol.
"Don't worry about whose money it is. Having money is always better than not," he said.
Fifteen minutes later.
The two-story building of the Mercenary Guild was in sight. Nol realized that when Teest had mentioned "a full friends list", he wasn't joking.
Even with the assistance of the game system, Nol could easily see Teest's combat instincts and reaction speed. Teest was undoubtedly a veteran Player, and in the game, veterans always have plenty of friends.
Even though Teest carried the curse of "God's Forsaken", the curse didn't break their engagement, so Teest's friendships in the game were probably normal—the game system had always been cautious about punishments that may affect innocent Players.
Nol looked at the sign of the Mercenary Guild. The wooden sign was coated with fine grease, suspended by thick silver chains, with the words "Whitebird City Mercenary Guild" gilded. On both sides of the main gate, there were marble statues of a young man and woman, with flames dancing incessantly within the statues' lanterns. The gilded characters reflected the flickering light, as if they too were on fire.
The "Mercenary Guild" was an important design in "Tahe", and its routine was traditionally set up—Players needed to come to the Mercenary Guild register, meet mentors of different professions, find like-minded partners, and then embark on various adventures.
Teest's in-game friends were definitely here. Hopefully, they were also skilled Players.
Just as Nol was about to enter, Teest pulled his clothes.
"You're heading to the guild?" Teest asked. "I'm in a hurry. If you're really anxious, we can split up."
Huh? Nol slowly turned his head.
"No, I'm not in a rush," he said, following Teest in confusion until the latter went straight into the "Miscellaneous Merchant Fleet Introduction Office".
Compared to the Mercenary Guild, this place was equally grand, but in a different manner. The Mercenary Guild felt solemn and rugged, with designs infused with the strength of blood and fire. The "Miscellaneous Merchant Fleet Introduction Office", however, was somewhat flashy, resembling a business KTV. Its door plate was embedded with colorful glass, attached with low-level magic, making the glasses shimmer constantly.
The young men and women greeting at the door were real and dressed even more daringly than the statues. They wore flower crowns, and their smiles were exceptionally sweet.
In the game's setting, this was more like an "Information Exchange Office". Merchants always had the latest news, and this was a place dedicated to caravan supplies.
Players usually came here to buy clues or pick up sidequests. It was unlikely for them to work here. The reason was simple; the jobs here were quite…
"Do any caravans need a cook?" Teest promptly went to the bar.
…grounded, and mostly involved heavy physical work, Nol silently recalled.
"A cook? Fifteen are hiring. The information is on the recruitment wall. You can choose whichever you are interested in." The girl behind the counter was polite. It was evident that effort had been put into staff training, as all the employees, regardless of gender, were young and attractive.
"A glass of 'Pigeon Blood', keep the change." Teest placed a gold wheel on the counter, smiling gently. "We plan to head south and stay here for a few days. I'd like to hear your suggestions."
Nol winced.
In the setting of "Tahe", each country's currency was universal. Gold coins, called "gold wheels", were small but had the purchasing power equivalent to about 1,000 yuan in the real world; silver coins, called "silver hooks", were worth 100 yuan. There were also ten-yuan large copper coins and one-yuan small copper coins. Below them were even smaller copper buttons, rarely used by Players.
Nol would bet that the wine named "Pigeon Blood" didn't cost more than a silver hook, yet Teest paid with a gold wheel.
The girl behind the counter gracefully pocketed the gold wheel, gave Teest an appreciative look, and smiled even sweeter.
"If you're heading south, let me think. The Alva Merchant Group is hiring, but their requirements are strict. I personally recommend the Rizzi Caravan. They offer good treatment, easy tasks, and plan to stay in Whitebird City for about a week."
She twirled a curl of her chestnut hair and gazed at him with smiling eyes.
"Other caravans… It's hard to say." She then handed over the wine. "Here's your drink."
The vibrant red wine swirled in the glass, its deep hue reminiscent of blood, and it gave off a rich fruity aroma.
"Thank you." Teest lifted his glass to the girl and left the counter.
"Do you drink?" Once the girl was no longer looking, Teest asked Nol.
"No."
"Alright," Teest murmured. He went to the corridor and gave the wine to the first laborer he saw carrying luggage. The laborer, around fifty with a limp and emanating a sour odor, took it.
"Cheers, friend," Teest said gently.
Knowing he had nothing to lose, the laborer didn't hesitate for even a second and downed the wine. "You're a good man, sir." He grinned, revealing yellow-stained teeth.
"I don't drink either," Teest explained after the gesture.
...
The inn where the Rizzi Caravan stayed wasn't far away. The entrance of the inn was adorned with a profusion of flowers. A white stone fountain was constructed there, which sprayed water mixed with an elegant perfume. The moment a guest entered the hall, the attendant would ring the silver bells that decorated it, producing a pleasant melody.
'Not bad,' Nol thought. Perhaps they wouldn't have to look for other hotels.
However, when they reached the room of the recruiter, there was already an applicant present.
He was a fat man, not more than 1.6 meters tall. He looked to be in his early forties, with thinning hair on top, and sported a finely trimmed small mustache. A roll of flesh circled his neck, and the buttons on his stomach were stretched tight, looking like they might pop at any moment. Despite this, his clothing was of high quality, and he didn't smell unpleasant—in fact, he smelled of fresh cream and caramel.
Upon seeing Teest and Nol enter, the chubby man scrutinized them, then lifted the corner of his mouth in a barely concealed sneer.
The recruiter was a tall, thin middle-aged man, currently seated at a round table in the living room. He politely gestured to the empty seats.
"The market has been good lately. The goods from Inato are more than expected," the tall man started. "We've hired enough temporary workers. Now, the problem is, they need to be fed for the next half month."
The fat man coughed and spoke up first—
"I am Kurt, the head chef of Egret Restaurant," he said with his hands crossed. "The owner of the Egret Restaurant—I mean, that damned heretic—was just executed by the Temple a few days ago. The restaurant is closed…. so here I am."
"Oh, I heard about that. It's unfortunate. Bad things can happen to anyone," the tall man replied sympathetically.
Encouraged, the fat man continued, "Sir, I've been a chef for nearly thirty years. I can make the most delicious desserts with the most basic ingredients. Making ordinary meals is even easier for me!"
"Good." The tall man nodded, turning to Teest. "And you?"
"Teest, a traveler. I can hunt, skin, process meat, and make both beast and monster meat palatable," Teest replied.
The tall man raised his eyebrows, clearly intrigued.
"Palatable…" The fat man muttered under his breath.
"You, come here." The tall man beckoned Teest, who obediently moved closer. The man sniffed him, checked his eyelids, and pinched his upper arm. Finally, he asked Teest to show his hands, examining his nails and calluses.
"Very good," he commented at last. "Healthy, sturdy, clean… Just wish you had more calluses. Would've been better if you knew how to use weapons."
"I'd have to find a job at the Mercenary Guild then," Teest joked.
"You'll be responsible for ninety people, two meals a day. They're all laborers and need two catties of meat a day."
"Of course, we'll bring some dried meat and goats with the caravan… but who knows what we'll encounter on the road? You might need to hunt. If you get good pelts, we'll buy them at market price."
The tall man sat back down, smiling. "That's about it for your job. Room and board included, three gold wheels for half a month, paid in full when we reach our destination. How does that sound?"
Teest turned to Nol. "I'd like to bring my friend along."
"Hmm, we don't usually take outsiders. But if you insist, room and board would cost him one gold wheel."
"I'll work alongside Teest," Nol interjected.
The tall man eyed him for a moment. "We'll waive that gold wheel, but I'll put it in the contract."
Nol was taken aback.
By now, he could guess Teest's intentions. Pretending to apply as a cook was just a ruse. He wanted to hitch a ride with the caravan. Caravans knew the fastest and safest routes and usually had mercenary guards, making it the safest and most convenient way to travel.
Indeed, he was really "cozying up". Teest didn't want to take any risks.
On the other side, seeing that the two were about to strike a deal, Kurt became agitated. Jumping off his stool, his face turned red. "Beast meat is hard to make palatable! No matter how it's prepared, there's always a foul taste, and monster meat is even worse—"
"I accept the job," Teest cut him off. "Sir, could I have a word in private with Mr. Chef?"
"I'll step out for a smoke. Come tomorrow morning to cook two dishes for a trial. If all is well, we'll sign the contract," the tall man nodded and left.
"I have nothing to say to you. You're not even a real chef!" As soon as the tall man left, Kurt furiously shouted.
"Sir, the Alva Merchant Group's caravan is in Whitebird City. They are also hiring chefs, real chefs." Teest laughed. "You know, they want experts who can make lemon cakes and know how to roast pigeons. Not amateurs like me who only know how to skin and cook things till they're done."
Mr. Kurt opened his mouth, his face reddening even more. "Ah… you… but I didn't see…"
"The benefits offered by the Alva Merchant Group are incredibly good. If they publicly recruited, half of the city's people would try their luck." Teest sighed. "I only got to know this because I have some inside connections."
Mr. Kurt remained silent for a long time.
His round face was still flushed, and his eyes looked slightly moist. After a while, he looked up, his tone more sincere.
"Thank you. I'll give it a try," Kurt said. "Whether it works out or not, I owe both of you a drink tonight… I was too hasty earlier. My attitude was, well…"
"Oh, it seems I can only take advantage of your generosity then," Teest remarked.
...
Kurt took them to his home, which didn't seem as affluent as his appearance might suggest.
His house was in a good location and spacious, but it was empty. After a look around, Nol figured that the most valuable items in the large room were probably the few sets of silverware. Some parts of the floor had different colors, suggesting that decorations used to be placed there but were now gone.
Mr. Kurt slowly walked to a cupboard, and from its depths, he pulled out a bottle of wine. The bottle was covered in a thick layer of dust, but it couldn't conceal the rich wine inside.
"We can't drink alcohol due to our constitution," Teest stated. "Lemon water, tea… just make anything you like."
Mr. Kurt sagged a little, dusting off the wine bottle before putting it back. He then skillfully put on an apron and took out some fruits, nearly used-up honey, and a few sprigs of fresh herbs.
"I'll prepare a special drink for you," Kurt said, wiping his hands with a hint of embarrassment. "This place is a bit humble. I'm planning to sell it next week."
"Why?" Nol asked.
"My daughter is studying magic on Wintergreen Street. She's a very talented child." As he spoke of this, Mr. Kurt puffed out his chest with pride. "My wife rented a servant's room there, so she can be close to our precious one. I'm alone here… I don't need such a big house."
As he cut two limes, his voice grew softer.
"God bless, I hope the Alva Merchant Group will hire me, so my lovely little Kate won't have to worry about tuition. Studying magic is so expensive!" After finishing the drink, he raised his voice with hope. "Learning magic is very expensive, truly!"
Kurt placed two large cups of a refreshing green drink on the table, which had the fresh scent of mint and the sweet aroma of fruit. For himself, he opened a bottle of subpar wine and began to drink directly from the bottle.
"Actually, we just arrived recently. We only saw the notice today. Who exactly is this 'Mad Monk'?" Nol tried to change the subject.
"You don't know about the Mad Monk? Oh, young people nowadays…"
Kurt took several gulps of wine. "He's a psycho, a murderer, a blasphemer. He, she, or it has been running rampant for over a decade. Even the Temple doesn't know if that guy is human."
Teest seemed intrigued. "Then how do they know the kidnapper is the 'Mad Monk'?"
"It was Miss Swain who said so. A while ago, she claimed she had encountered the Mad Monk and even saw his golden thread. The City Lord dismissed her as delusional and even hired a psychiatrist. And then… poof! She vanished into thin air at the City Lord's mansion."
"His Lordship was full of regret, and the Temple's Investigation Knights were dispatched. But to what end? Miss Swain disappeared as if she had melted like a snowman, with not even a strand of her hair being found."
As he spoke, Kurt shook his head.
"If it were me, the moment I heard of the 'Mad Monk', I'd protect my child immediately. Now, those with children at home guard them more closely than their money."
"It seems this 'Mad Monk' targets children," Teest tried to summarize.
"Worse than that." Kurt lowered his voice, adding a hint of mystery. "Regardless of age or gender, the Mad Monk doesn't discriminate. After killing, he mutilates the bodies and then sews them back together with golden thread."
"He doesn't stop there. He positions the bodies to mimic images of disciples from the holy texts, placing them at the church's entrance as a challenge. He even insists on sewing a smile onto their faces!"
Got it—a religious-themed nutjob. As someone from the modern age with extensive knowledge, Nol quickly grasped the situation.
He might fail the quest he accepted, but it wasn't a big deal. At least he would learn about the issue of "mission AI going crazy writing R-18G* sidequests".
*R-18G includes things such as heavy gore and violence (given the Mad Monk's modus operandi).
Kurt poured the wine into his mouth, and his tone became drunken. "The 'Mad Monk' must be from the Eternal Church. Only the Eternal Church would do such a beastly thing. Only the Eternal Church would hate the Temple of Life so much… Fuck the Eternal Church… They all deserve to die…"
Teest and Nol exchanged glances.
"You mean like the owner of the Egret Restaurant?" Nol asked cautiously.
"Ha ha ha ha."
Kurt laughed. He buried his head, so they couldn't see his expression.
"Yeah, my boss… Even with the Investigation Knights here, he dared to meet with people from the Eternal Church and got caught… Everyone said the arrest was successful, and only a young man died…"
"Do you know the funniest part of this?"
Kurt raised his head. His face was smiling, but his eyes were bloodshot.
"My son, our sensible good son, was killed by those Eternal cultists. As a result, because I work at Egret, everyone thinks our family is involved with the heretical church, and no one wants to hire me or my wife."
"Isn't it ridiculous? …Ah, haha."
...
When the two left, Kurt was so drunk he was unconscious. Nol pondered for a moment, then neatly packed up the silver tableware and tucked it under Kurt's pillow.
Before closing the door, he looked at the empty living room for a long time.
"I want to check out the missing person notices again," Teest suddenly said.
"What?"
Teest yawned. "Since we can't leave for now, I have to find something to do."
This meant he was about to take on a quest. Nol felt an inexplicable relief. "Mm, I'll go with you… I didn't expect you to have a soft side too."
"Who says? I'm just curious." Teest rubbed the back of his head. "Where to next? The Mercenary Guild? The inn?"
"Inn!" Nol answered decisively.
The author has something to say:
Nol: Inn! Inn! Desperately need a roof to return some san*.
*Sanity value.
Teest: In the presence of the producer, discard the main storyline and head straight for the sidequests.
By Chapter 11, our newlyweds finally have a bed to sleep in…