Chapter 4 ~FrostShield Guild~

In the 『Shehnard City』, people were bustling away, doing their jobs. Many were trying to sell different merchandise, - food, clothes, weapons, books etc. The city was filled with merchants from everywhere, trying to make living.

The 『Shehnard City』had many adventurers and travellers. It made for a great spot to sell items.

In the now busy street, where you can barely pass by each other, was Noah, easily making his way through towards an Inn.

It was very easy to spot him in this crowd filled with mainly brown coloured heads, and other colours, with his white hair. He was also quite tall, making him even more obvious.

Many were looking at him as he passed by, as they were enchanted by his features.

Noah passed by every person easily, and looked around at the various shops.

Originally, it would have taken him at least an hour before he could arrive at this city.

But with the help Roe, he made it here in less than 20 minutes.

He soon took a left turn, and came across a path that was not as crowded as the previous one.

The path he had just come from was the 『Shopping district』.

He was now at the 『Inn district』.

He looked around at many different coloured buildings, that had people advertising themselves.

Unlike all these Inns, there was one Inn, that mainly players like him had gone to.

[Eagle Inn].

It was a place that players were guided to once they entered this city.

Noah slowly walked farther and farther, and soon reached an inn with a sign of an eagle resting in it's nest.

This was [Eagle Inn].

The inn for adventurers, or players. The reason it was called as such, was because, other than being lead here by the game, you could easily find tasks here, that could lead to even the main quest itself.

It was a famous inn for players for this very reason.

Noah opened the door, resulting in sound of a bell ringing.

The inn looked a little shabby on the outside, but was very clean on the inside.

There was a young man with black hair and purple eyes, that was leaving on a table.

His hair was so black it looked like there was a disturbance in space.

The young man was a whole head taller than Noah.

(A/N - Please look up 'vantablack' for the idea of the colour.)

"Welco-..."

The young man with the purple eyes started speaking but soon stopped.

His originally expressionless face, turned to a shocked one as soon as he looked at Noah.

'Why is he acting like that? Did he not expect me? That shouldn't be it. Even if this inn mainly had players as it's customers, there were still quite a few NPCs that came here....

Also, who is he? I've never seen him in this inn before, while playing the game.

Maybe something changed since it's real life now?..

So confusing...'

"Hello. I'm here to book a room for a week."

The taller man with the pitch black hair did not reply, and only stood there while looking at Noah, with his still shocked expression.

Noah - "Hello? Can I stay here for a week?"

The man had still not replied, even as Noah called him again.

But soon he broke out of his trance, as a new voice had appeared.

It was the voice of a woman.

"Arteus, is there a customer?"

The woman had a chubby figure, with a kind look. She was a cat woman, as seen by her cat ears and tail.

She had brown hair, with closed eyes.[1]

She she came from a room, she looked at the young man called 'Arteus' and then at Noah.

"My! It seems we do indeed! Welcome sir! I am Leanna, the wife of the owner of this inn. May I know if you would like a room or a meal?"

The woman named Leanna asked with a happy tone.

Noah - "I would like to book a room for a week please. Including the meals and bath, I'll pay for it right away."

Leanna - "Yes. Please come in. For a week, including melas and bath, it would be 10 silver Awile, sir."

Noah - "Yes, here." He immediately brought out 10 silver Awile, and gave it to Leanna.

Awile, was name the name of the currency used in [Vokrairin Kingdom].

Leanna - "Then, Arteus, please lead our customer to the best room we currently have available. Sir...?"

Noah - "Noah. My name is Noah Erasil."

Leanna - "Yes, Sir Erasil. Please follow Arteus here to your room."

Noah - "Alright."

Arteus, the young man who had been quite all along, finally spoke.

"Follow me."

It was a short statement, that was a bit rude for a customer, but Noah didn't mind.

'This.. Arteus, there was no such character in the game. Well, at least in the inn.

With such a face, he would've been very popular even if he wasn't anything special.

Is he a hidden character? Probably?

Or was he added in the new update?

I did indeed not go to the inn during the quest for a while.'

Noah brooded over this unknown character for a while before he gave up.

As they went up, Arteus took a key with the number 205, and lead Noah up to the second floor.

The second floor, room 205, the most luxurious room in this whole inn.

Many tried multiple times to get into this room, for the inn quest.

No one had ever been able to complete it, Because the chances of getting this key were extremely low.

And now, Noah had just gotten this key so easily.

'If the players saw this, they would be kneeling down and crying. This quest is the only one, other than main quest, that has not been completed. I also have that infinite luck thing, so that probably played a part in this.'

The .

It was a quest related to this very inn, and gave the instructions to find the secrets of this inn.

The only hint it gave was room 205. With the description -

There was apparently a book in the room, which everyone thought was a legendary-level spell book.

After they arrived at room 205, which had it's entrance at the end of the hallway, Arteus opened the door, and went in.

Noah as well entered and looked at this room, that even he, the top player, was never able to enter.

Unlike it's outside appearance, the room was extremely big, with even a balcony.

There was a large bed in the middle, that was mainly red and black in colour.

The curtains, furniture, floor, walls, rugs, everything was either red or black.

If it was anyone else, they would've been scared out of themselves, but Noah had a similar colour scheme for his room, in his previous life.

Other than the red and black, there were many decoration in gold, a bunch of plants, and flowers in purple.

Despite it's dark colour scheme, it was pretty warm and cozy.

Perfect for someone like Noah who doesn't like bright and lively things.

"This is perfect. Thank you."

Noah went around looking at the various furniture and other poems in the room, not noticing the look Arteus was giving him.

"Hmm."

It was a perfunctory reply.

Arteus looked at Noah with an unreadable gaze, following his every moment.

His eyes not leaving him for a second.

Arteus - "If you'll be coming down for lunch, tell me what you'd like to eat."

Noah looked at Arteus and replied - "I'm not staying for lunch, I'll be going out. There's no need to prepare anything."

"K. Then for dinner?"

Noah - "I'll be coming back for dinner. Though I might be a little late since I'm going to FrostShield."

Arteus didn't reply and looked at Noah instead. There was silence between them for a few minutes before Arteus spoke -

"When are you leaving?"

Noah - "Huh?"

Arteus - "When are you leaving for the guild? I'm going as well."

Noah - "Oh, I'm not particularly sure. Once I'm done unpacking.. maybe?"

Arteus - "Tell me when you're going."

Arteus said one final thing and immediately left, throwing the key to the room to Noah, who immediately caught them.

'That was weird. He was really bossy towards a customer, but it was...cool. I guess.

Also does he also work as an adventurer?'

Noah brooded over this fact, while unpacking and placing some clothes in a cabinet.

In a few minutes he had finished, and now laid on his bed.

'I completely forgot about the system. I can ask it who that Arteus is...

System?'

《Yes, host. To your Question - there is no answer. The being you're asking of is an outside being.》

'That was quick... outside being..?

Like me? That's probably it? It's not impossible for outsiders like me to have been here before me.

Then, can I at least look at his profile? That probably isn't locked as well..?'

《Checking for status- Arteus - Locked.....

permission not give-..,

Interference-

Message has arrived -

Host has been granted permission.

Status -

Name - Arteus ?

Age - ? (20?)

Height - 7 ft 1/216.4 cm/2.1m [2]

Race - ?

Level - ?

Status access has been limited.》

'I can't access all of it? He's crazy tall. 20. So he's older than me.

There really isn't much useful information. His level as well can't be seen.

Oh well, I can't do anything about it now, so I'll let it be.'

Noah, despite having limited information, was not worried.

Right now, he seemed to want rest as he closed his eyes, and fell asleep, after informing the system.

'System, wake me up in an hour.'

《Command accepted. Starting Timer.》

————————

Arteus came down from the second floor as he was distracted.

He enters through the door Mrs.Leanna oxborg had come from before.

Leanna and her husband, Max, turned towards him, and quickly kneeled down.

""Esteemed One, we greet yo-""

Arteus - "I've sent him to room 205."

Mrs/Mr. Oxborg - "Sir. Why would you?"

Arteus - "Him. He's.. back. He's finally come back."

Mr.Oxborg - "Sir, do you mean...?"

Arteus - "Yes."

"We Understand."

Arteus - "Give him complete protection. Get someone to secretly guard. The highest level. Everything he does should be reported back to me."

Leanna - "Yes sir, we will prepare everything immediately."

Max - "Do not worry, Sir."

The whole conversation went extremely quickly, with very little information left out.

—————————————————————————————————

Noah was woken up by his Shem an hour later.

He blankly started at the ceiling, not yet completely awake.

After a few minutes, he got up from his bed, and changed his clothes.

He changed into a more comfortable outfit, that was suited for fighting.

It was still all black.

This outfit had immense defence power.

He arrived downstairs and looked around for Arteus.

"Arteus...?"

"Yes?"

Noah flinched.

He turned around to look at Arteus who was suddenly behind him.

Despite this sudden appearance, Noah's face was still expressionless.

But, Arteus's face was no longer the same one from before.

As in, 'He's smiling?'

That was new for Noah, who so far, had only seen him(A) expressionless. It's sad that he (N) had no way to know what had happened before.

"Are you going to the guild?" Arteus asked in a warm voice.

"Yea, I am."

"Then let's go."

"Right..."

Noah looked at Arteus with a slightly questioning gaze.

Arteus noticed this and smiled towards him - "What is it? Is it about me going to the adventure guild?"

Noah - "Yeah. I don't get why you're working as adventurer, when you're already working at the inn."

Arteus - "I'm not working at inn. I'm the owner. I was originally an adventurer. And, for your information, I'm not Mrs.Oxborg's husband."

Noah - "oh. That.. makes sense. But, who's Mrs.Oxborg?"

Arteus - "That's Mrs.Leanna. Her husband is Max. I've just asked them to look after the inn, as I'm busy most of the time."

Noah nodded with an undertaking gaze - "I see."

As they walked the slowly got closer to each other. Not only as they talked about their interests, but also physically.

Noah had noticed how Arteus had started walking slowly to match up to his own pace.

This little attention to him made his heart flutter.

It was out of nowhere, but he had not noticed.

He had also not noticed Arteus's love struck and obsessed gaze directed at him, whenever he(N) wasn't looking at him(A).

'He's co cute. I want to hug him. But I can't do that, it's still to early.

He doesn't know anything yet. I'll have to wait.

Either for him to fall in love with me, which Is, sure will happen, or t for him to regain his memories.'

Arteus's thoughts were another bit of information for their past.

—————————————————

Soon, they arrived at the 『Guild district』. Just like it's name, there were many guilds here.

The 『Guild district』and 『Shopping district』made up most of 『Shehnard City』.

Noah and Arteus made their way through to [FrostShield].

The guild was not what would be typically thought of a guild.

It was had a large lobby, with the reception area at centre. There was much space in the front, where many adventurers looked for missions, or relaxed.

Behind the reception area, was the place where the butchers, herb and magical ingredient processors, better know as H.M processors, existed.

They had separate rooms for separate things.

The place where magical ore, (Monster Ore), and 'shards', that were rarely found in this city, were processed were in a different part of the building.

At first many did not give much attention to Noah and Atreus, but soon, all eyes were on them.

The reason for this was Atreus, he seemed to be a regular figure here as everyone looked at him.

However, everyone's gaze soon switched toward Noah.

Of course, the reason was due to his looks.

"Look, it's Black Knight! He's here with some newbie."

"Who do you think that boy is?"

"The newbie has the same features as that person!"

"You're right!!"

They all whispered amongst each other.

Noah and Arteus only glanced at those people, and moved forward.

The receptionist spoke to them once they arrived in front her - "Welcome back Black Knight. Are you here to accept a mission?"

Arteus, whose expression was warm, now looked at receptionist with no emotions - "No, I'm not. I'm here to help him register."

The receptionist spoke, now with a hint of fear in her voice - "Y-yes. Well, hello young sir, I'm Lydia. Welcome to the FrostShield Guild. I would like to ask you for your Identity card to register you."

Noah who's as originally looking at now expressionless Arteus, looked at the receptionist Lydia. His gaze was the same as Arteus, making the receptionist shiver under their gazes. The woman who was originally looking up at their tall statures now had her head lowered, cowering in fear.

Noah blankly looked at her and gave his identity card.

Lydia immediately took it, and pressed it against a blue transparent orb, seemingly made of glass.

A few seconds after, on the stack of paper right next the blue orb, a page had the information on his card filled, and other part left for him to fill.

Lydia picked up the paper and gave it to Noah along with the card.

"Please fill the parts left out in this form. It will then be taken to make a guild card."

"Hm."

After his short reply, Noah immediately started filling the form.

On the form, there wasn't much to fill.

He had write down if he has any familiars. If he did not want to specify their race, he could just mention the number, or their names.

Since he had not yet known how many familiars he had, nor their race, he had decided to choose 'Later'.

Then came his profession. In this they gave two boxes to write down your profession.

There were also a bunch of boxes below them, where you circle two occupations.

In [Evergreen Land], you could choose two occupations.

Your main occupation and secondary occupation.

Everyone can choose any occupation, even if they went against each other.

Though usually, they chose ones that would help their Main Occupation.

Noah, however, could do all of them.

So, he wrote down 'All'.

After he finished filling up the rest of the form, he gave it to Lydia, who took it with shaky hands.

The whole time, Atreus was looking at Noah with a warm smile, which frightened not only the receptionist, but also everyone also in the lobby.

Lydia looked over the form, stopping at the Occupation part, where 'All' was written.

"Young S-sir.. can you do all professions?"

Noah looked down at her, due to his tall height. His hands were currently crossed over -

"Hm, I can use all of them."

Lydia - "A-are you really sure? If you can, t-this means, you are the second person to be able to do so..."

She finally lifted her head up to look at Noah with sparkling eyes, her voice filled with excitement.

This look of hers made Atreus frown, but he soon moved back to how he looked before.

With his warm smile, that scared everyone except Noah.

"I am. Is there someone else?"

Lydia - "Yes! Sir.Black knight, beside you! He was the first and only person to be able to do all professions!!!"

Noah turned his head up to look at Atreus, who taller than him.

His(N) height was only up to his(A) shoulder.

However, Atreus had slightly bent his knees, though he still was a bit tall.

Then Noah looked back at receptionist -

"I see. Then, please do make guild card."

"Yes! Yes!"

Lydia almost ran off, but before she did she said - "Please wait over there, the making of the guild card takes quite a while.

And, since you're able to use all professions, we'll be letting you start from D-rank!"

After which she truly ran off.

Noah was pleasantly surprised by the fact that he got to start form rank D.

The adventurer ranks were as simple as they could ever be.

From lowest to high, F,E,D,C,B,A,S,SS,SSS.

There were other ranks above SSS, however no one has been able to unlock them so far.

Actually, they weren't yet an available feature in the game.

They only way players knew about this through the ranking board.

There were others that they could not see on the ranking board above SSS.

Arteus said to Noah after Lydia had left -

"Let's go wait over there. Like she said, it takes a while."

"Okay."

They both went over to an empty area where there were couches and a table with drinks and snacks, including books for amateur adventurers.

They sat down.

Arteus took one of the plates with chocolate truffles on them, took one, and placed it in front of Noah, like he intended to feed him.

Despite saying he couldn't get too close to Noah yet, he still did such things. Mainly out of habit.

Noah who had completely let his guard down, took a bit of chocolate truffle.

He happily ate it, realising a few seconds after of what he had just done.

"...Sorry..."

"It's fine. I fed it to you anyways."

Noah apologised, while Arteus replied back like it's nothing.

Though Noah wanted to say sorry again, his mouth was stuffed with another truffle.

He looked at Arteus with shock, his ears turning slightly red.

Arteus just smiled, and waited to feed him another.

Noah who thought of not accepting it again, ruled that idea looking at Arteus once again.

He was enjoying this. Both of them were.

So much so, they didn't realise others gossiping about them.

"D-did Black Knight, that person, THAT Arteus! Just feed that boy!?"

"Oh my god! Am I  dreaming!?"

"This is IMPOSSIBLE!!"

"How do you think Victoria will react to this!?"

"Look at them! There's literally pink bubbles coming out of them!"

"Victoria's gonna freak!!"

"We need to find out that white haired boy's name! He can not only use all professions, but also looks like the 'Beloved child of the Gods'!

Once again, the 'God's Beloved Child' was brought up.

Many started to talk about Noah similarities to that person, now that someone had pointed it out.

Around half an hour later, Lydia had come back and gave Noah his guild card.

"All your information is listed on the guild card, only name, age, and race can be seen by others, as well as the guild you are associated with.

The rest of your information will be kept a secret, unless you've given someone permission.

Since you didn't fill in your level, we have left it blank as well.

Please let us know when you'd like to add it.

And, Young Sir, you'll have to meet the Guild Master soon, due to your powers.

We'll contact once you need to.

You can contact us through the guild card as well.

It works as a communication device.

That is all."

"Okay, I understand. I'd like to accept a mission."

"Then please head over to the Mission Board over there. Since you're D rank, you'll be able to access F-C rank missions."

"Okay."

Noah looked I've this guild, card once more, and then went over to the mission board.

Arteus followed behind him, like a loyal dog following his owner.

His face continuously had a smile, as he looked at Noah.

Noah arrived at the board.

The mission board was actually not a board, it was more like the system screen.

There were different floors for different ranks.

The lobby for F-D, C-A 1st floor, S-SSS+ 2nd floor.

You need to place your guild card on top of the stand that was made out of marble, which allows you to look at missions, suited for your rank.

'For now I'll choose an easy one. Maybe herb gathering?'

You could also specify the type of mission you'd like.

'Let's see...'

The screen appeared in front of Noah.

Unlike the system screen, this was visible for all.

There came up a bunch of missions for herb gathering.

Noah looked through them.

His eyes quickly scanning everything, despite the speed at which the screen was moving.

The only everyone else could see was nothing but a blur.

He finally stopped at one.

It was simple request to collect the herb 'Heart Leaf'.

It was leaf that shaped like a heart, blue in colour, used for cooking.

It acted as a great ingredient to enhance the taste.

It was also used for other medicine, usually colds.

'This one's good. It's easy, and they can be found pretty easily. I'll do this one.'

Noah clicked on the screen and accepted the mission.

You could accept a mission on the screen itself, instead of having to report to a receptionist.

He accepted it and turned, only to step back.

All this while, Arteus was right behind Noah, looking at him.

Arteus asked - "Are not going to accept a subjugation mission?"

Noah shook his head at this question.

"I'll do one next time. For now, I'll accept this one."

"Hm. Then, let's go. I don't have anything to do so , I'll go with you."

"Are you really that free? From what I see, everyone freaks out when they see you. You certainly aren't a low ranking adventurer."

Arteus chuckled. 'He's so cute and smart. I really want to kiss him right here and now!'

"You're right. I'm an SSS-ranked adventurer."

"Really? How old were you when you started?"

"I was 14."

"Oh, and now you're 20. You're the youngest person to be at SSS-rank. There are only two aren't there?"

"That's right. One is me. The other is the Guild Master. We're friends, so when you meet him, I'll come with you."

"Mn, Thanks."

'Even in the game, there were two SSS-rank NPCs, but only the Guild Master was known. So he is a NPC. Not an outsider...

But the... why couldn't I access his information?

Could he be different?

There are different way. Maybe this man directly entered this body?

Hmn, that must be it. I'll leave this for later for now.'

Noah don't question the fact Arteus could be lying.

Though he thought so, something in him told him, he would never never lie to him.

———————————————————————

Around a 45-minute walk from the city, a small forest was to the next of the [Cresstall Forest].

This was a normal forest, with nothing special to it, except for the herbs.

In this forest, Noah and Arteus looked around for the 'Heart Lead'.

Actually, Noah was just using the system, and Arteus was following him.

There wasn't much work done by the two of them.

The credits go to the system.

As they walked around, they found a few slimes.

In [Evergreen Land], slimes were not considered (Monsters), they were considered (Animals).

Slimes did not attack you, as long as they weren't threatened.

And right now, they were trying to run away, due to Noah's and Arteus's scary presence.

Except for one. This blue slime quickly wobbled it's way over and stopped right in front of Noah.

Noah, who was suddenly stopped by a blue slime, blinked his eyes, and stared at the slime.

The slime, as well, stared back at him.

They both continued to stare at each other, like they were having a staring contest.

Actually, they were communicating through telepathy.

Slimes can't talk ya'know?

(Master! Master! I'm your familiar. I felt your presence! So I've come here! Please name me! Now!)

'That was sudden. My familiar? A slime... that's one of them. So now I have two...

Right, the name...'

(Master! Quickly name me!!)

The excited slime urged it's soon to be master.

Noah who was being urged, picked up the blue slime.

Arteus, who did not like his 'beloved' not giving him attention, looked angry, but changed his face once Noah turned to look at him.

"This is...?"

He asked like he didn't know who this is. Sigh~

"It seems to be my familiar."

"Seems to be?"

"Yep."

"Right."

"Suggest a name."

"What?"

Arteus who was jealous of the slime in Noah's arms, looked up, genuinely surprised by this request.

Noah casually repeated - "Suggest a name for it. I can't come up with one..."

Arteus replied back, a bit hesitant - "R-right... umm..."

Arteus of course I'd not want to name the slime. He was jealous. Why would he?

But he succumbed to his darling's request.

"Soo?"

"Soo?"

"Yeah, Soo. It's random, but it fits..?"

"That's true. It's cute, just like Soo. Then your name will be Soo."

(Yes, Master!)

Noah had names the slime Soo, as per Arteus's decision.

Arteus looked devastated.

'I didn't want to name it. But, I can't not name it! Sigh~ is it going to take his attention away. He's always weak towards cute things.'

- |Noah is weak towards cute things.|

'Now that I've named Soo, I should finish my mission and go back. I need to be back for dinner, we've already been here for many hours.'

Despite having to only find a single herb, they ended up spending more time playing around with the animals, than to collect the herbs.

"We should go back. We've collected more than we needed. It's already late."

Arteus - "Right, let's go back quickly."

And so ended Noah's first day in this world.

He went back with Arteus and had a hearty dinner, sleeping well.

With a stalker looking at him as he slept.

—————————————————————————————————

This has 4000+ words!

I thought it might pass 5000, but it didn't ʅ（◞‿◟）ʃ

[1] - closed eyes -

[2] - The height was decided randomly, I'm not good at this stuff.

Please do inform me if there's a need to reduce it.

Remember, Noah's height reaches till Atreus's shoulder.

And, for the romance, while it might be going fast, there is a reason.

I don't plan on making them have an official relationship in the next chapter itself,

I plan to actually improve it. I want them to know each other more.

Well, Noah to understand Arteus more.

This isn't going to have much angst, it's more easy and mainly for fun.

Thank you for reading!

ARoseRRRSS.