SIGILBORNE: The World Beyond

The Rules Of The Guild

The receptionist gave the three newcomers a brief look before offering a polite smile.

"Before we proceed with your registration, there are a few things you should know about the Adventurers Guild."

She placed several documents on the counter and began explaining the basics.

The guild had five standard ranks, starting with Bronze, followed by Silver, Gold, Diamond, and finally Platinum. Newly registered adventurers were assigned Bronze rank, the lowest of the five. Advancement depended not only on completed requests but also on an individual's abilities, accomplishments, and conduct.

Diamond and Platinum adventurers were exceptionally rare. Most never reached those heights, making Gold the highest rank that an ordinary adventurer could reasonably hope to obtain.

Eiran listened carefully, occasionally glancing at the documents. Arthur, on the other hand, seemed particularly interested in the possibility of reaching the higher ranks.

The receptionist soon moved on to another subject.

The guild classified beasts according to their nature and physical condition. There were four main classifications, each describing a different kind of creature.

Wildlife referred to ordinary animals that had undergone no unusual changes. They could still be dangerous, especially when dealing with particularly large or aggressive species, but their behavior and physical characteristics remained within what was naturally expected.

Corrupted beasts were more common. Their bodies could become larger, their features might change, and some developed unusual abilities. They were the creatures adventurers were most likely to encounter during their careers, and their danger varied considerably.

Mutated beasts were far rarer. Their physical alterations were much more extreme, sometimes changing their entire anatomy. Their bodies could develop grotesque structures, unusual limbs, or features that made them almost unrecognizable from the creatures they once were. Even experienced adventurers were advised to avoid them without sufficient support.

Then there were Aberrant beasts.

These creatures were so unnatural that even experienced scholars struggled to understand them. Their appearances and abilities could defy ordinary expectations, and some barely resembled living creatures at all.

Their classification, however, did not automatically determine their threat grade. An Aberrant could remain dormant in an isolated location and pose little immediate danger as long as it was left undisturbed. That did not make such creatures harmless. Their potential was often difficult to predict, and disturbing one could have disastrous consequences.

There were stories of Aberrant creatures causing devastation on an unimaginable scale. One particular account spoke of a kingdom that had been practically erased after encountering one. Its cities were destroyed, its territory devastated, and countless lives were lost. The creature had proven beyond the ability of ordinary armies to defeat.

It was the previous emperor, the man who had reached the pinnacle of Aura and possessed all Ten Aura Rings, who eventually brought it down.

Arthur looked surprised when the receptionist mentioned the emperor. Eiran, meanwhile, found himself thinking about the stories he had heard of the man's strength. Defeating something capable of destroying an entire kingdom was an achievement difficult to comprehend.

Some beasts also possessed intelligence beyond what one would expect from ordinary animals. A few could understand human speech and behavior, and there had even been rare cases of intelligent beasts being tamed. However, such instances were uncommon, and intelligence alone was never a reason to trust a creature.

The receptionist then explained the guild's threat grading system.

Unlike the four classifications, which described the nature of a creature, threat grades measured how dangerous it was. The scale ranged from F to S, with F being the lowest and S the highest. Strength, speed, intelligence, abilities, and the danger a creature posed to its surroundings were all considered when assigning a grade.

A Corrupted beast could be S-grade, just as a less dangerous Aberrant might receive a much lower assessment. The two systems served different purposes and were not interchangeable.

There were also exceptional designations such as Calamity-Class, Disaster-Class, and Eclipse-Class. These were reserved for creatures whose existence or potential danger was extraordinary. They were not simply additional grades above S.

The receptionist briefly mentioned that a Disaster-Class creature existed somewhere within the empire's territory. Despite its designation, it remained dormant and was not considered an immediate threat as long as nobody disturbed it. Its location was known, but approaching it was strictly prohibited.

"That's quite a lot to remember," Arthur remarked.

"It is. You don't need to memorize everything immediately. The guild provides information and assessments whenever possible. Just remember that a creature's classification or recorded grade should never be treated as a guarantee of safety."

With that, she set the documents aside and moved on to their registration.

The registration f*e was eighty silver coins per person. Once registered, each adventurer would receive a card serving as identification within the guild and as proof of their rank when accepting requests.

Newly registered adventurers could only accept requests graded between F and D. Anything higher required a promotion, and taking a request beyond one's assigned rank was strictly prohibited.

There was also a requirement to remain active. Every registered adventurer had to complete at least one guild request within a two-month period. Those who failed to do so without a valid reason risked having their cards revoked.

Arthur raised an eyebrow.

"What if someone travels for a long time and can't find a guild branch?"

"The guild makes allowances for certain circumstances. However, you should inform a branch beforehand whenever possible."

Arthur nodded before looking at the receptionist again.

"Then how does the guild keep track of everyone's completed requests? Do you send letters to every branch?"

The receptionist smiled.

"Not anymore. We have a much more efficient method."

She reached beneath the counter and brought out a small rectangular device. Its outer casing was made of polished metal, with a dark surface in the middle and several engraved markings along its edges.

"This is a communication device. It was developed through the combined efforts of engineers, inventors, and several Voltis Sigil users."

She placed it on the counter and briefly demonstrated how it worked.

The device relied on electromagnetic principles to transmit information through the air. Specially designed receivers could detect the signals and relay the information to other connected devices. By establishing networks of these receivers across different locations, messages and records could be transmitted over considerable distances without relying entirely on messengers.

The technology still had limitations. Its range depended on the availability of connected receivers, and establishing and maintaining the network was expensive. Nevertheless, it had become an important part of communication across the empire.

The royal court and several kingdoms maintained their own networks, while some wealthy nobles and important institutions possessed similar devices. The Adventurers Guild had them installed in its branches, allowing information about completed requests, beast sightings, important announcements, and other records to be shared much faster.

"So, when someone completes a request, the branch records it and sends the information through these?" Arthur asked.

"Precisely. Other connected branches receive the information and update their records accordingly."

Arthur nodded, then leaned slightly toward Eiran.

"Your family doesn't have one of these, right?" he whispered.

Eiran looked at him with a puzzled expression. "Have what?"

Arthur subtly pointed toward the device.

"That thing. Your family doesn't own one?"

"No. I've never seen anything like it."

Arthur stared at him for a moment.

"...Seriously?"

Having practically grown up in the Wycliffe household, Arthur knew the family well enough to remember that they didn't possess one. He had simply assumed Eiran would at least know what the devices were, considering his family's status.

Eiran, however, only looked at the strange object with curiosity.

"Never mind," Arthur muttered.

The receptionist returned the device beneath the counter before preparing their registration documents. She asked for their names and ages, then instructed them to place their hands on a small engraved plate. A faint glow passed over its surface as their details were registered.

A few minutes later, three cards were placed on the counter.

"These are your adventurer cards. Keep them safe. Losing one will require you to go through the replacement process, and your registration details are recorded within the guild's system."

Eiran picked up his card and examined it. His name was engraved on the front, along with the guild's emblem and his newly assigned rank.

Bronze.

Arthur examined his own card with a grin. "Well, looks like we're officially adventurers."

Seren held hers carefully between both hands. She seemed a little uncertain, but there was a hint of excitement in her eyes.

"Thank you," Eiran said to the receptionist.

"Take care of yourselves. And please, don't let your curiosity get the better of you inside that ruin."

"We'll be careful."

With that, the three left the guild.

They didn't waste much time before heading toward the excavation site. The ruin was located a short distance from town, surrounded by several temporary structures and groups of people carrying tools and equipment. Workers were still clearing the surrounding earth, while a handful of adventurers stood near the entrance.

The entrance itself was smaller than Eiran had expected.

It looked like little more than a narrow opening in the ground, partially surrounded by exposed stone walls. A few wooden supports had been placed around it to prevent the entrance from collapsing.

Arthur looked down into the darkness.

"That's it?"

"Perhaps the rest is underground," Eiran replied.

They approached the guards stationed nearby and presented their adventurer cards. After checking their ranks and identities, the guards allowed them through with a brief warning to remain cautious.

Before entering, Arthur adjusted the axe he had purchased earlier. It was a simple weapon, not particularly impressive, but sturdy enough for someone with little experience using one.

Eiran carried a lamp and a small pack of supplies. Seren had food, water, and another lamp among her belongings. Neither of them carried a weapon, something Eiran had considered but decided could wait until they understood what they might encounter.

The three stepped inside.

At first, the passage was narrow enough that they had to walk one behind the other. The walls were made of dark stone, and faint traces of carvings could be seen beneath layers of dirt and dust. Their lamps illuminated only a small portion of the passage ahead.

After walking for a short while, the path opened into a much larger chamber.

Arthur stopped.

"...That's quite a difference."

The chamber stretched far beyond what the entrance had suggested. Its ceiling was high, supported by enormous stone pillars. Several passages branched away from it, leading deeper into the ruin. The walls were covered in unfamiliar carvings, some of which had been damaged by the passage of time.

Eiran looked around with genuine interest.

"From the outside, I thought this place would be much smaller."

"Me too," Seren replied.

They continued forward, keeping close to one another.

The first section of the ruin was crowded. Adventurers and scholars moved between the chambers, examining the walls, marking passages, and discussing their findings. Some carried equipment for excavation, while others carefully recorded the symbols they discovered.

There were even a few people sitting near the walls, taking breaks from their work.

Eiran found himself slowing down several times to examine the carvings. Some appeared to be decorative, while others seemed to form patterns that repeated across different sections of the walls. He couldn't make sense of them, but their arrangement reminded him of the symbols he had copied from the cave.

He resisted the urge to stop and study them for too long.

They had come to explore, not spend the entire afternoon staring at walls.

As they moved farther from the entrance, the number of people gradually decreased. The chambers became quieter, and the passages less frequently traveled.

After roughly half an hour, they reached a section where no other adventurers were present.

Only the three of them remained.

Eiran looked back at the empty passage.

It was strange. He had expected to encounter at least a few people deeper inside, especially considering how many had gathered near the entrance. Yet the further they went, the less activity they found.

Still, he couldn't say he was disappointed.

Having fewer people around made it easier to examine the ruin without being disturbed.

He also noticed something else.

They hadn't encountered a single trap.

Not one.

Considering the receptionist's warning and the number of people who had entered the ruin, he had expected at least a few mechanisms to have been triggered already. But the corridors remained undisturbed, and there were no signs of anyone encountering trouble.

Perhaps the traps were located deeper inside.

Or perhaps the people who had explored this section had already dealt with them.

Either way, Eiran remained cautious.

"Should we take a break?" Arthur asked. "We've been walking for a while."

Eiran glanced at Seren. She nodded slightly, looking a little tired.

"All right. Let's rest here for a bit."

They chose a spot beside one of the walls, away from the middle of the passage. Arthur placed his axe within reach before sitting down. Seren unpacked some food and water, while Eiran set his lamp down nearby.

For a while, the three ate in silence.

The food wasn't particularly good, but it was enough to keep them going. Eiran took a drink of water and glanced toward the passage ahead.

He was still curious about what lay deeper within the ruin.

There was something strangely peaceful about the place, despite the warnings they had received. The stone walls, the unfamiliar carvings, and the silence made it feel as though they had stepped into a place that had been forgotten by everyone else.

Arthur swallowed the last of his food and leaned back against the wall, stretching his legs.

"Well, at least we haven't encountered any traps."

"That's a good thing," Seren replied.

"Of course. Though I was starting to wonder whether this place even had any."

Eiran smiled faintly. "I'd rather not find out."

Arthur chuckled and shifted his weight, settling more comfortably against the stone.

A faint click sounded behind him.

His smile disappeared.

"...Did you hear that?"

Eiran looked up.

Before anyone could answer, a low rumble echoed through the passage. The stone beneath them trembled, and a section of the wall slid open with a grinding noise.

Arthur turned his head.

Several narrow openings appeared across the opposite wall. A split second later, a volley of sharp metal spikes shot out of them.

"Move!"

Eiran grabbed Seren and pulled her away as Arthur threw himself to the side.

The spikes tore through the space where they had been sitting and slammed into the opposite wall. Their tips buried themselves deep in the stone, leaving a few fragments scattered across the floor.

For a moment, the three remained frozen.

Arthur slowly looked at the spikes, then at the wall behind him.

"...I take back what I said."