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After hearing Jonahim’s explanation, Merc and the rest of the Blazing Impact members headed to the Adventurers’ Guild. As they grew closer, more and more people began to approach Jonahim and the others. As one would expect of Grade 2 Adventurers, they were well-known.
　
There were few people who mocked them, as the majority of the comments they received were ones of praise and envy.

“It must be nice being surrounded by women.”

Unexpectedly, one of the men in the crowd said.

“What was that?”
“N-Nothing…”

However, as Elea drew her spear and pointed it at him, he bolted. It was certainly a pitiful sight. However, it just served to emphasize how well-known Elea’s and the other’s abilities were.

“Just a bit more, huh.”
“What? Merc, do you already know where the Guild is?”

Elea inquired as if she had overheard Merc’s mutterings. As soon as Elea asked that question, Merc began shaking her head in panic.

“I-It’s just that there are more adventurers now. That’s why I thought that we must be getting close.”
“Hmph. You have quite a keen eye. You’re right. It’s just there.”

It was quite unusual for Elea to compliment Merc in this way. Even though the compliment had been mixed up with other phrases, Merc felt a little guilty about receiving it. She hurriedly pointed to the building in front of her and spoke in an attempt to hide her guilt.

“That’s the Adventurers’ Guild, isn’t it?”
“That’s right. It stands out quite a bit, doesn’t it?”

The Adventurer’s Guild was a massive stone structure with a coat of arms in front of it depicting a sword and a staff crossing in front of a shield. No matter how one looked at it, the building screamed Adventurers’ Guild.
　
Merc didn’t feel unfamiliar with the place, despite the fact that it was meant to be her first visit.

“We’ll go and report about taking down the Ghezo Velche. In the meantime, Merc, you should go to the inquiry counter with your recommendation.” Jonahim said after they had already entered the Guild.

Merc lowered her gaze to her envelope after being caught off guard by the large number of individuals inside the Guild.

“Will I really be okay with this recommendation?”
“Haha, of course you will. After all, it’s no different than ‘This boy has the potential to become Grade 1. I guarantee it’.”
“Huh?”

When Merc heard a line that sounded similar to the one in her recommendation, she was taken aback. She then raised her eyes to Jonahim, who was slightly flushed.

“That’s what was in the recommendation that Master wrote for me. I was able to take the exam with it, so yours should be fine as well.”
“The hero wrote that, huh…”

When Merc initially received the recommendation, she thought it didn’t really feel like Jonahim had written it, but it turned out that was because he had simply borrowed his master, Foldia’s words. Looking at it now, Merc thought that it really did look like something that Foldia would write.
　
With that in mind, she couldn’t help but give in.

“If it doesn’t work I’ll just write you a new one. Either way, you should go now.”
“I will. See you later.”

After parting ways with the members of Blazing Impact, Merc proceeded to the inquiry counter.

During her time as Estert she had visited this branch a couple of times. There had been no such thing as an inquiry counter at the time, so Merc assumed it had been invented in the last 15 years.

Merc, on the other hand, had no trouble finding it thanks to the Inquiry Counter having a plate with its name on it.

“Should I line up here?”

It was only natural that the Mission and Reward counters, which were mostly used by adventurers, had long lineups.

However, Merc was taken aback by the fact that there was also a big line in front of the Inquiry Counter. Despite being slightly surprised, she took her place at the back of the line and spoke to the man directly in front of her.

“Excuse me.”
“What’s your deal?!”

After being approached by Merc, the man turned around and spoke furiously with a condescending tone, perhaps not wanting to be looked down on. However, he instantly froze when he saw the lovely young lady in front of him.

“So, can I ask you something?”
“S-Sure… What is it?”
“This is my first time visiting the Guild so I was just wondering, is there always such a line in front of the Inquiry Counter?”
“What? Oh, this. It’s always like this. But that’s only because this place serves another purpose. It’s also the place where people come to sign up for the adventurer exam. I’m guessing that most of the people in front of me are here to sign up.”

After recovering from his initial shock, the man spoke. His tone and manner of speaking suggested that he was attempting to show Merc his best side. In contrast, Merc simply smiled inwardly at the situation.

Well I’m not surprised. Everyone would do the same thing if a beauty spoke to them out of nowhere.

Merc regretted speaking to him, but there was nothing she could do now. Given it had already happened, the least she could do was extract as much information as possible from him.

“Does that mean you’re not applying for the exam?”
“That’s right. I’m already an adventurer. Hehe, you may not know, but I’m known as Rephren the Stone. I’m quite famous, you know.”
“Oh, you even have a title. What a cool nickname.”
“You have a keen eye, missy. How about coming for a drink with me, after you’re done?”
“Let’s talk about that after I’m finished here. I can’t promise anything right now.”

Merc said, politely rejecting Rephren’s invitation rather than flatly declining it.
　
Merc had no intention of going out to drink with him, but she needed to maintain a pleasant demeanor until she was able to extract as much information from him as possible.

“That so. In any case, I’ll be finished in no time. I just need to pay back some money that I borrowed from the Guild.”
“You borrowed money? You can even borrow money from the Guild?”
“That’s right. However, the amount, as well as the interest rate, is determined by your grade. And because the Guild deducts the money directly from your mission rewards, it’s impossible to avoid repaying them. Quite the nasty bunch if I dare say so myself.”

When Merc heard Rephren’s statement, the words, “Then don’t borrow in the first place,” came to mind, but she held them back because she didn’t want to ruin his mood.

“However, because the money for the loan is taken directly from your rewards, is there any point in paying for the loan yourself?”
“Hehehe. You see, I found myself a side mission without the Guild’s help. After completing it I also earned a decent amount. That’s why I’m paying for it myself.”
“I see…”

Merc was intrigued by the mission that Rephren was able to obtain without the Guild’s assistance, but she opted not to inquire. After all, even if she did, he’d probably keep it a secret from her. It would certainly get her into trouble, and she definitely didn’t want that.