Chapter 59

Unsettling words aroused my vigilance.

"I'm scared, so please let me get used to other requests first."

"I don't mind, but weren't you dissatisfied with those other requests?"

"Yes, but..."

Indeed, I was dissatisfied with the rewards.

However, it feels wrong for me, who hasn't taken on a single request yet, to be promoted.

Or rather, what does promotion even mean?

"By the way, what exactly is promotion? As far as I know, there are no ranks or positions for guild members, right?"

There was nothing about this in the rulebook, nor was it mentioned during registration. I don't even remember receiving a proper explanation during registration.

Could there actually be some kind of ranking system?

"There's no clear system, but there are those who get requests from the guild and those who don't. That's the distinction."

"Isn't that decided based on your usual performance?"

"Considering you were with the old man, that's quite a model answer."

Reshid snorted. I just want him to get to the point.

"Think about it. How is performance evaluated? By the frequency of taking on requests? Or by the client's feedback? Or the difficulty of completed requests?"

"Considering all of that, comprehensively..."

For example, setting points for requests and determining it by the points accumulated, or by the transaction amount, and so on.

"Thinking about it won't help. But the Exploration Guild is different."

"Is there no evaluation department?"

There's no one to compile such data... That seems a bit far-fetched.

"The original purpose of the Exploration Guild was to explore ruins and collect magical artifacts. Requests were added later."

"I heard that the original purpose has become a formality."

"From the old man?"

"Yes, more or less."

I nodded, recalling my conversation with Gustav. He said that ruins have been thoroughly explored and the excavation of magical artifacts is almost non-existent.

If that's the case, there's no point in exploring ruins anymore.

It makes sense that it has transitioned to the current form, where they move based on requests.

"The formality is correct, but only in terms of making money."

"Reasons other than making money... Could it be for evaluating abilities?"

"You catch on quick."

Reshid smiled contentedly. He seems pleased that I've been taken in.

"To become an explorer who gets requests from the guild, there are two conditions. One is the ability to use martial arts or magic."

Reshid bent his thumb and pointed at me, then continued, bending his index finger.

"The other is to sell magical artifacts to the guild."

"Sell, you mean?"

Not just excavate.

"Back when the guild was founded, there were people who wouldn't sell the magical artifacts they excavated to the guild. You can guess why, right?"

"If it's a useful tool, they would use it themselves, right?"

"Exactly. Of course, that would help their exploration and increase profits if done well. There's nothing inherently wrong with that."

He agrees, but given the context, there must have been a flaw.

I thought about it, but the problem was obvious.

"But if they monopolize it, it won't benefit the guild."

"True. If everyone did that, it would hinder the guild's operations."

"That's why they started to favor explorers who sell to the guild over those who just bring things back."

"That's right. It's an old story, but it has been passed down, leading to the current situation."

Reshid pointed at the bulletin board with a mischievous smile.

"So, the guild is being cut out quite a bit, right?"

"Quite a bit. If it were only those bulletin board requests, the guild would be laughing all the way to the bank."

That explains the low rewards.

"I see. So, the secret promotion test you mentioned earlier..."

"It's a secret review, hence 'secret.' And it's a promotion test because it involves meeting conditions for better treatment. Got it?"

Yes, that makes sense, but it's not really a test. However, pointing that out would just make him angry.

I nodded silently.

"In other words, you want me to get a magical artifact."

"If you do, you'll get better requests. It would be a loss not to."

"You're right."

If that's the case, I can do it between requests.

But that leads to the next problem.

"Can I just buy a magical artifact?"

"It has to be something you found during exploration, so that's not allowed."

Reshid scratched his head and replied.

If that's the case, I have to go to a ruin, but are there any ruins left with magical artifacts?

"But if they've all been explored, you can't find magical artifacts anymore, right?"

"If that were the case, I wouldn't make this proposal."

"Well, you're not that mean, right?"

He pouted, looking displeased at being suspected. If he had a cute face, it might be okay, but it doesn't suit his wild look.

"There are a few ruins known only to explorers. They're difficult, but you should be able to get something there."

"Ruins that Gustav didn't know about!?"

I was surprised, and Reshid laughed happily.

"They're kept secret within the guild, so no one outside knows. Many explorers don't know about them either. Still, the old man didn't know, huh? I see, I see."

I inwardly sighed.

Only now did I realize. From my words and actions, Reshid concluded that Gustav didn't have information within the Exploration Guild.

I inadvertently lowered Gustav's reputation.

It's a small thing, but it made my chest feel uneasy.

It's possible that Gustav deliberately didn't tell me. It was premature to assume he didn't know.

He didn't know about the internal affairs of the healers, so he might not have known about explorers either. No, there's Niksky.

He probably deliberately didn't tell me.

I wanted to slap Reshid's cheek as he continued to laugh and explain, but I held back. That was my mistake.

"...Is there anyone who can get a magical artifact without knowing about these ruins?"

I suddenly wondered. If there are explorers who don't know, it means the information is deliberately kept secret. If that's the case, the chances of a new explorer advancing are almost zero.

"No, that's the first hurdle. You should ask a senior for this information. I'm glad I was here today!"

He slapped my shoulder hard, but it wasn't out of malice, and the pain was somewhat comforting.

I see. Despite the sudden proposal, I've made up my mind.

"Then, can you tell me the location? I'll get it while doing other requests."

Let's give it a try. This secret promotion test.