Shattered Innocence: Transmigrated Into a Novel as an Extra

The guild receptionist cleared her throat, preparing to give the necessary details. She placed the stack of documents on the counter and gestured to Lucavion and Valeria, her professional demeanor fully intact.

"Let me first explain the ranking system within the Adventurer's Guild," she began, her voice clear and steady. "As you may already know, adventurers are classified by rank, starting at Rank F and going up to Rank S. The higher your rank, the more prestigious and dangerous missions you are allowed to undertake."

She glanced briefly at Lucavion, who gave her a nod, signaling his understanding.

"Rank F," she continued, "is typically reserved for beginners—those just starting out in the guild. These adventurers are assigned simple tasks, such as gathering materials, escorting merchants, or helping with small disputes. The pay for Rank F missions is modest, but it provides a good starting point for those wishing to build experience."

Valeria, standing quietly beside Lucavion, listened intently as the receptionist went on. This was the first time she was informed of the details of the adventurer's work.

While she knew the outline of the work like most people, she wanted to know more about the adventurer world itself.

'Let's see.'

"As adventurers progress and prove their skills, they can ascend to Rank E, where the missions become a little more challenging. Here, you might find yourself hunting down weaker monsters or defending villages from minor threats."

"Rank D and Rank C," the receptionist said, picking up the pace, "are where things start getting interesting. Adventurers at these ranks can accept missions involving larger monsters, such as dire wolves or trolls. They may also be tasked with investigating mysterious ruins or handling more complex political situations between towns."

Lucavion, still leaning casually against the counter, raised an eyebrow as she continued. "What about the upper ranks?"

The receptionist's expression shifted slightly, a hint of respect in her eyes. "Rank B is where elite adventurers begin to stand out. Rank B missions often involve eliminating powerful creatures, dealing with dangerous rogue mages, or handling large-scale threats that could endanger entire regions.

At this rank, adventurers also start gaining influence and may even work directly with nobility or royal officials."

Her tone lowered slightly as she spoke about the next ranks. "Rank A adventurers are some of the best in the world. Their missions frequently involve dealing with creatures of immense power, like dragons, or taking on high-stakes political assignments that could alter the fate of entire nations. These adventurers are often sought after by kingdoms and empires alike."

She paused for a moment before continuing. "As for Rank S… they are legendary. Rank S adventurers are rare, and their missions can involve fighting beings from other realms, like demons or even Primordials. Many of them operate with near-total independence and are only called upon in times of crisis."

Lucavion nodded, clearly interested, but his casual demeanor remained. "And what about commissions and payments?"

The receptionist nodded and flipped through a page in the documents she had prepared. "The guild takes a standard commission on every mission completed. For Rank F and E missions, the guild's commission is 20%. As you climb the ranks, the percentage decreases—Rank D and C adventurers only lose 15% to the guild, while Rank B and A adventurers see a 10% deduction."

"Rank S?" Lucavion asked.

"For Rank S adventurers, the commission is negotiable on a per-mission basis. In most cases, they retain almost all of their rewards, as their work is deemed critical to the guild's reputation."

Valeria stood beside Lucavion, watching the receptionist finalize his rank. Her mind churned with thoughts she kept to herself, but the weight of them pressed heavily on her.

Valeria's mind was sharp and focused as she compared the life of a knight to that of an adventurer. Listening to the guild receptionist explain the ranking system, she could see the appeal—the freedom, the variety of challenges, and the thrill of pursuing personal goals rather than those dictated by duty.

Yet, for all its allure, the world of adventurers lacked something fundamental: structure, honor, and a clear path of responsibility.

Knighthood demanded adherence to strict codes of conduct, principles she had been raised on since childhood. Discipline, loyalty, and selflessness were the cornerstones of her identity.

As a knight, her duty wasn't to herself or the rewards of individual glory, but to a greater cause—to th qe kingdom, to justice, and to protecting those who could not protect themselves. While adventurers might face dangerous beasts or venture into the unknown, there was a selfishness in it. They fought for coin, for reputation, or for personal gain.

Her hand brushed the hilt of her sword, a reminder of the weight of her responsibility. The life of an adventurer, with its constant shifting allegiances and willingness to bend or break rules for a reward, would never fit her.

'Adventurers, knights, two different worlds… yet both fight. For what, though? Glory? Gold? Honor? For adventurers, it seems to be whatever goal is closest at hand, nothing more than a paycheck.

But knights—knights fight for something greater. For duty, for a cause that matters beyond the self. So why, why does this path seem so… appealing?'

She thought back to Lucavion, his carefree nature and reckless disregard for rules. It was the very essence of what she couldn't stand. And yet… there was something to be said about the independence adventurers had. No titles, no expectations, just raw survival.

Her hand brushed the hilt of her sword again, a familiar comfort in moments of unease. She glanced briefly at Lucavion, who stood as though he didn't have a care in the world, soaking in the guild atmosphere with an amused grin on his face.

'He never takes anything seriously. Not the rules, not the risks. Everything's just a game to him. How can someone like him be trusted in a system that's supposed to have structure? He'll just find another way to twist it to his benefit. How can someone who bends rules for fun… be given more opportunity than those who follow them?'

Her thoughts wandered briefly to Lucavion's earlier confrontation. There had been no loyalty, no higher cause—just a man testing his limits. That irked her. She glanced at him now, standing as though the world were his playground, entirely comfortable bending the rules when they suited him.

Yet, here he was, about to be welcomed into the ranks of adventurers, a path of opportunity clearly laid before him.

The receptionist finished explaining the guild system. Then, with a glance at Lucavion, she added, "Due to the recommendation letter from a knight, you'll start at Rank D." She raised an eyebrow. "Though, should you prove your capabilities, an advancement to a higher rank isn't out of the question."

'A recommendation from a knight. Of course. Even here, connections hold power.'

Valeria couldn't help but be intrigued, even if it bothered her. A recommendation from a knight? Lucavion never mentioned having such connections, and for someone like him—a free spirit with a blatant disregard for structure—it seemed even more unlikely.

Her curiosity piqued, but she kept her thoughts to herself, unwilling to ask directly and give him the satisfaction of knowing he had sparked her interest.

As the receptionist continued explaining the guild's procedures, Lucavion leaned against the counter, as relaxed as ever, absorbing the information with a nonchalant air.

"Now that we've gone over the rankings and commissions," the receptionist said, glancing between them, "let me explain how you'll take on missions."

She reached beneath the counter, pulling out a small, gleaming card. It shimmered faintly with a soft blue glow, the edges intricately carved with arcane symbols that seemed to pulse with latent magic. She handed it to Lucavion, who took it with a raised eyebrow.

"This," the receptionist continued, "is an adventurer's card. It's a recent breakthrough from the Mage Tower—something we're quite proud of. It's a magical artifact that allows you to register for missions through the guild's bulletin board without needing to come in person."

Lucavion turned the card over in his hands, his eyes glinting with interest. "Fancy," he muttered, running a finger along the edge. "How does it work?"

The receptionist smiled, clearly pleased to explain. "Once you receive a mission from the bulletin board, the card will automatically record the details—location, objectives, and even any important conditions related to the mission. You can access that information at any time by channeling a small amount of mana into the card.

It's connected directly to the guild's system, so it updates in real-time."

Valeria watched closely as Lucavion examined the card, her own curiosity quietly growing. She had heard of magical artifacts like this—pieces of technology that bridged the gap between magic and practicality—but seeing one up close was a rare experience.

"You'll also need this to track your progress within the guild," the receptionist added. "All missions you complete will be registered through the card, which will automatically update your rank and records. It's a system that keeps things simple and efficient."

Lucavion nodded, clearly impressed, though he still carried his usual casual demeanor. "Convenient," he said, tucking the card into the inner pocket of his coat. "So, what's next?"

The receptionist smiled and gestured toward a bulletin board at the far end of the room. "You can browse the available missions on the board, or you can use your card to look them up remotely once you've decided on your next move. Keep in mind that some missions are restricted by rank, so you'll only be able to accept those suited to your current level."

Valeria, standing beside him, couldn't help but wonder more about the knight who had given him that recommendation. Who could it be? she thought, glancing briefly at Lucavion, who seemed completely unbothered by the question that lingered in her mind.

Though she didn't ask aloud, her thoughts churned. For someone as unpredictable and reckless as Lucavion to have earned the favor of a knight? It didn't add up. There was more to him than he let on, and it was becoming increasingly clear that his carefree attitude hid layers she had yet to understand.

Lucavion caught her gaze for a brief second, a flicker of amusement in his eyes as if he could sense her silent questions. "Ready to head out?" he asked, his voice light, but there was an unspoken challenge there.

Valeria gave a small nod, pushing the questions aside for now.

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