Adventurer of Many Professions

"Eliminate the 'Runaway Rabbits' causing trouble around the ranch. Estimated numbers: five to eight. Reward: ten silver coins… Client: Ranch owner, Beth Geer."

Raymond's eyes drifted to the next commission, murmuring the details aloud as he read.

"Get rid of the slimes that are devouring crops in Tos Village's fields. Expected numbers: six to eight. Reward: eight silver coins… Client: Village Chief of Tos Village."

His gaze then landed on another, slightly more lucrative task. "Head to the edge of Moonlight Forest and collect white crystals. We need around ten kilograms. Reward: eighteen silver coins. Completion required within two days… Client: Mr. Green, owner of Green Blacksmith Shop."

He let out a low whistle. These jobs seemed straightforward, yet there was an overwhelming number of them posted on the White Porcelain level panel. It was the largest section on the bulletin board and packed with commissions. Just as he finished reading one, a staff member posted another, a constant rotation of tasks, some vanishing almost as quickly as they appeared.

Raymond noticed a peculiar dynamic unfolding among the adventurers gathered around. As soon as a particularly rewarding commission went up, there was a quiet but intense scramble. Adventurers would snatch the commission letters off the board the moment they decided on one, competing with each other not only in strength but also in speed. Some commissions were claimed by several people at once, leaving the final taker to be whoever had the fastest reflexes.

Most of these tasks involved eliminating low-level monsters or gathering resources, with rewards hovering around ten silver coins. But commissions with stricter time limits or those needing immediate attention offered better pay, and were instantly grabbed by those quick enough to react.

Raymond witnessed such a scene when he spotted the task to gather white crystals. Before he could even process the details, a lean figure beside him had already snatched the paper off the board. A murmur of disappointment rippled through the crowd as several adventurers realized they'd been beaten to the prize.

Raymond glanced at the man who had claimed the commission. He was a wiry, thin fellow dressed in simple leather armor, a short dagger hanging at his side. His right hand, holding the commission, bore a distinct symbol, a palm facing downward.

"Ah, he's a thief," someone muttered with a scowl. "No wonder he was so quick to grab it."

The thief gave a smug grin, shaking the commission paper in a showy gesture before strolling off toward the counter, clearly enjoying the frustration on the other adventurers' faces.

Raymond watched, intrigued. The thief had been standing right next to him, but somehow, he'd moved faster than anyone else, snatching the commission right from under their noses.

"I guess being a thief has its perks…" he mused quietly. He knew that, if he wanted, he could awaken as a thief too. The requirements were straightforward; much simpler than the fighter or priest classes. In fact, it was known to be one of the easiest classes to awaken.

But there was a catch. The awakening requirement for a thief was… unusual, to say the least. The task was to successfully "steal" a girl between the ages of fifteen and twenty and bring her to your room, all without being discovered.

Raymond suppressed a shiver of disgust. It wasn't just difficult; it was downright creepy. The whole idea made his skin crawl. "There's no way," he thought, recoiling at the very notion. "I'd rather die than become a thief!"

The thought crossed his mind that maybe the thief who just snatched the commission had completed such a bizarre task. Did that mean… the thief was, well, a bit of a pervert?

Shaking his head to rid himself of the unpleasant thought, Raymond turned his attention back to the commission board. In the lower right corner, he noticed a special section labeled "Long-Term Commissions." Curiously, he scanned through the jobs posted there.

There it was, the commission for clearing out mutant rats in the sewers, just as the counter lady had suggested earlier.

"Clean out the mutant rats in the sewers of West Town. Bring back their ears as proof… Reward: one silver coin for each rat killed! Client: Alchemist Association."

Raymond raised an eyebrow. The "Alchemist Association"? He hadn't heard of them before. And what kind of organization would pay for rat extermination? Moreover, did that mean "alchemist" was a profession here?

Questions buzzed in his mind. This association had its own commissions and, from the sound of it, valued these mutant rats for some purpose. It piqued his curiosity. Why would they be so interested in these mutated creatures? And what exactly did an alchemist do?

Still, he knew he couldn't spend all day mulling over the mysteries of alchemists and thieves. He had a choice to make, and the mutant rat commission seemed like a good starting point. It was steady work, paid per rat, and came with the added bonus of helping the town. Besides, if he truly wanted to progress as an adventurer, he had to start somewhere, even if it meant plunging into the grimy sewers.

Taking a deep breath, he reached up to take the commission letter for the mutant rats.

Raymond opened his panel, scrolling through the list of professions available for awakening. There was no "Alchemist" profession listed among them.

"Could it be… that 'Alchemist' isn't a profession I'm able to awaken?" he wondered aloud, his brow furrowing. The panel only displayed paths he could potentially follow, meaning that certain professions, ones beyond his reach, simply wouldn't appear.

But then another thought crossed his mind. "Or maybe it's because I haven't met anyone with the 'Alchemist' profession yet. Perhaps that's why it doesn't show up." He shrugged, deciding not to dwell on it. There was still much he didn't understand about the world of adventuring, and he'd learn more with time.

He glanced back at the bulletin board, his eyes roving over the different commissions. Each one seemed to pulse with the promise of adventure. His fingers twitched with excitement; deep down, he felt a pull toward the thrill of the unknown, the challenges and rewards of a life as an adventurer. And, of course, there was the appeal of the payment.

But where to start? He was brand new to all of this, fresh from awakening, and had no real gauge of how tough these monsters would be. Would he be able to handle them? Some commissions would require him to travel far from West Town, which wasn't ideal given his inexperience and lack of supplies.

After much consideration, Raymond decided the counter lady's suggestion made the most sense. Clearing out mutant rats in the sewers was the safest bet. These rats, though mutated, were just ordinary creatures at their core, not actual monsters. It would be perfect for honing his skills and getting a feel for combat without risking too much.

And as a bonus, the task was located right here in West Town; no long treks through dangerous terrain required. Plus, it was a long-term commission, meaning he could start, stop, or return to it whenever he wanted without the threat of failure hanging over his head. Unlike other commissions, which had strict deadlines and failure penalties, the sewer rats mission offered more flexibility and didn't require him to commit fully.

He'd heard that if an adventurer failed a task three times or kept a low success rate, they'd be demoted. Not only that, but their future rewards would be halved until they managed to complete a task successfully to rebuild their reputation. No wonder the lady at the desk recommended it, this task was practically tailor-made for new adventurers.

"Yes, this is definitely the right place to start," he murmured to himself, feeling more confident in his choice.

Just as he turned to leave, he felt a gentle tug on his sleeve. He glanced down, surprised.

"Hey, do you want to team up with me?"

Raymond blinked, turning to face the speaker. A girl, around his age, stood there with a warm but determined look in her eyes. She wore a flowing blue mage's robe and a pointed hat that hinted at her profession. A slender staff with a sparkling sapphire at its tip rested in her hand, marking her as a magician. Her golden hair cascaded down her shoulders, catching the light in a way that made her stand out in the bustling hall. She was clearly no ordinary novice.

Raymond noticed that she was gripping his sleeve, the fabric of her delicate hand contrasting with the rough material of his armor. She looked up at him confidently, her gaze unwavering.

"I saw you standing here, staring at the board for quite a while but not taking any commissions," she said, a slight smile quirking at the corners of her mouth. "Why not team up with me? We can tackle some of these missions together; it'll be easier, and more fun."

Her directness caught him off guard, but her openness was disarming. "Oh, uh… I'm Raymond," he replied, managing a small smile of his own.

"Nice to meet you, Raymond! I'm Sylph," she said, her voice bright and clear. She pointed to the nameplate hanging from her waist, which was also white porcelain like his. Raymond couldn't help but wonder why she had chosen him, out of the dozens of adventurers milling about the hall, as a potential partner.

Before he could ask, she seemed to read his mind. "There are too many people here; it's too noisy to talk," she said, gesturing toward a quieter corner. Without waiting for his response, she grasped his arm and guided him toward a pair of stools in the corner of the hall.

Her decisiveness was a little startling, but Raymond found himself intrigued. He followed her, weaving through the bustling crowd, his curiosity growing with each step.