Chapter 62

After returning to my dwelling and changing into clean clothes, I noticed the dirt that had clung to my hair. Looking at myself, I smiled wryly. I’ve become so pampered. When I lived in the forest, a quick wash in the river in the morning was enough.

While this feeling is still fresh, I might as well buy some new clothes. A robe in the color of a raven’s wet feathers, perhaps. I can probably find something like that if I look. I’m aware that I’m usually indifferent about clothes, so I probably wouldn’t buy anything if I didn’t feel like this now.

But first, I need to exchange some items for money. I need to sell some magical artifacts.

When I stood in front of the counter, the receptionist merely bowed to greet me. Her attitude wasn’t dismissive, but it was hard to say that I was welcomed. In fact, she hadn’t said a word yet.

"Please exchange this for money."

I placed the glass pocket watch on the counter of the exploration guild. After I said that, I realized it sounded no different from a transaction with a rock merchant. I just changed the place where I came to sell things. I smiled a little, and the receptionist looked at me with a puzzled expression.

"Um... Is something the matter?"

"No, nothing’s wrong."

Even as I tried to explain, her gaze didn’t change.

"May I ask what this is?"

Without touching it, the receptionist looked at the pocket watch. Her cold eyes gazed down at it as if it were an uninteresting toy. However, her expression soon changed.

"It’s a magical artifact, found in a ruin. With this, I can earn more, right?"

"…Yes, indeed."

As I finished speaking, the receptionist’s face, which had been momentarily puzzled, broke into a smile. It was a typical business smile, but it was a stark contrast to her cold eyes from before, and her bright smile was somewhat overwhelming.

“Don’t forget to use the code phrase ‘earn more’ when you exchange items. Without it, it’s just a regular sale.”

There was no point in doubting it now, but Reshid’s information was correct. Indeed, the receptionist was acting like a completely different person compared to before.

"May I confirm, where did you get the location of this ruin?"

"From a senior at this exploration guild. Do I need to give their name?"

"No, that’s fine. Now, are you familiar with the effects of this magical artifact?"

"It seems to emit heat and light, like a pocket watch. It’s not bright enough to be a light source, but it provides some warmth."

"Hmm."

She gave a short reply and slowly picked up the glass pocket watch. After examining it against the light, she nodded slightly and rang a small bell at her feet. Soon, a man who looked like a staff member walked over from the back.

"Please check this magical artifact. It’s been tested and emits heat and light."

"Understood."

The man took the glass pocket watch, bowed to me, and disappeared into the back.

"The appraisal of the amount is being done now. In the meantime, I’ll proceed with the full registration."

"Full registration?"

"Yes. Since you know the code phrase, you must be aware that things will change from now on. This is the procedure for that. It will take some time, but it’s necessary, so please bear with us."

As she spoke, she bowed with a full smile.

This was the purpose of my visit. I had no intention of refusing.

"May I have your guild registration card, please?"

The receptionist placed a leather tray-like object on the counter. I was supposed to place my card on it.

"Is this okay?"

"Yes, thank you."

As she said this, she took the lizard badge and went under the counter. She started doing something with a clacking sound. After less than a minute, she seemed to have finished. She looked up at me.

Then, she placed a metal dish with a small indentation and a needle on the tray.

"I’m sorry, but I need you to drop some blood on this. One drop is enough, please."

"Blood?"

Even when I asked if I had heard correctly, she replied cheerfully.

"Yes. We need the scent of Mr. Crow for communication when there are named requests. This is the procedure for that."

I didn’t understand, but if it was necessary, there was no choice.

I hesitated to hurt myself, but there was no other way.

I silently disinfected the needle with magic, cast a pain-relief spell, and pricked my fingertip.

There was no pain, but a slightly slimy sensation ran through my finger. Then, drops of blood began to fall. I didn’t want to waste it, so I let a bit more than necessary fall into the dish.

"Thank you."

I wiped the needle with my finger and returned it to the dish. I immediately healed my finger. I’m not used to my own blood.

"Thank you."

She took it respectfully and placed the dish under the counter, then started working on it again. Soon, the process was complete.

The badge was placed on the leather tray.

"Here you go. The registration card update is complete. It looks a bit different, but you can use it as you did before."

"Thank you."

I took it and examined the badge closely.

I couldn’t see any significant changes, but where had it changed? I hadn’t really looked at my previous badge much, so it was natural that I didn’t notice.

"The color has changed."

Looking at it as she said, I noticed that the color had indeed become darker towards the tail. And I noticed one big difference.

"There’s an eye in it?"

The eye, which was just a depression before, now had a reddish-black color, like a tiny crystal.

...Could it be...

"Yes. It’s the processed blood you provided. It won’t come off unless you try to remove it, but if it does, please come to the guild as soon as possible to have it reattached. Of course, it’s not the only way to identify you, but it’s a significant marker for Mr. Crow."

"…I see. By the way, how will you contact me?"

The badge would be used as a marker for some kind of communication. I remembered that Niksky and Reshid also received named requests, but I didn’t know how they were contacted.

"We use birds trained by the guild. We’ll train them using the blood you provided, so in Mr. Crow’s case, the actual operation will start a bit later."

Like homing pigeons, perhaps.

"But if I’m in a dangerous place, they might not reach me."

Leaving it to birds meant there was a possibility of accidents. I remembered that in my previous life, the use of homing pigeons had issues with large birds attacking them or them getting lost.

What kind of countermeasures do they have? I couldn’t think of much besides releasing a large number of them.

"Rest assured, that’s part of the training."

The receptionist smiled brightly, and for some reason, I didn’t feel like arguing.