#034. The Guild Union Supervisor is Too Kind (1)

#034. The Guild Union Supervisor is Too Kind (1)

The Guild Union, following Gomorra’s death, was determined to exact harsh retribution on the Sodom Guild.

“The tribute?”

“It hasn’t arrived.”

“That Guild Master of Sodom is, as expected, someone we cannot work with.”

The Guild Union receives tribute and relaxes the screening criteria for minor guilds in nearby areas.

Conversely, guilds that do not pay tribute face standards so harsh they will fabricate flaws that don’t even exist, utterly crushing them.

Of course, in this case, to continue operating normally, they must bribe the supervisor.

Paying far more than the exemplary guilds that willingly offer bribes.

“Sodom will pay five times as much as an exception. If they killed Gomorra and seized his assets, they should have plenty of resources. Go. And shake out every speck of dust.”

The Guild Union’s supervisor, filled with determination, arrived in Sodom village.

‘What is this village atmosphere?’

He had expected the village to maintain a funereal mood, perpetually fearing oppression from the nobles and the Guild Union, but the roads were neatly maintained, and the stores, previously plagued by labor shortages, were no longer suffering.

From dyeing clothes to repairing fences, the atmosphere was neat, as if they had swept up and resolved every task within the village.

“Give me a piece of fruit.”

“Yes, esteemed sir.”

“I heard on my way here that a noble died in Sodom village. But the village atmosphere is bright, considering. Do you know why that is?”

To the supervisor’s sly question, the fruit vendor replied with a voice full of unwavering faith.

“Teresa and the adventurers resolved all the outstanding requests with the adventurer’s guild to protect the village, so how could there only be fear? Even if the village crumbles, the people won’t perish. There is a belief that, no matter where we go, we can survive if we are with them.”

“That’s good to hear. I’m glad I didn’t make a wasted journey.”

“Haha. What brings you, esteemed sir, to this remote frontier village?”

“I came to meet someone. I’m relieved to have gained the certainty that if even the fruit vendor is protecting the village, that person must be holding their ground as well. I hope you prosper.”

The man took a large bite of the apple and placed it on the wall.

The children who quickly reached out from the alley were not as emaciated as he expected.

The fact that children who live by stealing or begging are not so thin that their bones are visible is proof that the village’s generosity is alive.

Twice.

He had felt uneasy twice already since arriving in the village.

[Sodom Guild]

He entered the building, a sword and shield hanging as the sign, standing as firmly as the villagers’ faith. A cool breeze wafted through the interior.

Economic power enough to use an expensive cooling mana board for the comfort of guild users.

Contrary to the expectation that their belts would be tightened to the limit, it was evidence that the guild had spare resources.

“Welcome. Request fulfillment is available at windows 1 through 3, request consultation and application are available at window 4. Please take a number and wait your turn.”

Instead of a line determined by the pecking order, disorderly like a marketplace, the guild organized the queue.

The supervisor’s uncomfortable mood already pierced the sky at the evidence of even the administrative power being alive.

His hawk-like eyes scanned the reception window and spotted a child so young that only their face could barely be seen outside the window.

‘I’ve finally found it. The guild’s weakness.’

The man pulled a ticket, number four, from the dispenser.

Behind window four sat a boy, his shoulder-length hair neatly combed, his expression composed.

Somewhat unexpected.

Did they believe that dealing with clients was less important than tasks for adventurers?

Even with a manpower shortage, putting a child forward couldn’t have been an easy decision.

Or was it the guildmaster’s craftiness, using the boy’s presence as a shield to make hot-tempered clients watch their words and actions?

‘Whatever the reason, this is a huge mistake. And if it wasn’t already, I’ll make sure it is.’

The inspector activated the voice-recording magic, and spoke in a soft voice, inaudible from the next window over.

“I’m here to request an assignment, and I hope it’s okay that adults aren’t present? Seeing you guarding this window, it’s clear you’re a capable grown-up in your own right.”

The boy offered a smile, guileless like only children of that age could, and nodded.

It was, admittedly, a little painful for the inspector to lead this poor child into a trap.

If this was some unintended error, he wouldn’t dare act like a complete nuisance in front of the kid.

But he was a nuisance by design.

He wasn’t about to give the boy a break just because he felt sorry for him.

“I discovered a facility that seems to be an ancient ruin, but I’m reluctant to entrust such expensive exploration equipment to civilians. If monsters appear, the equipment would become scrap metal, and the people would be torn to shreds, wouldn’t they? So, would the guild accept an assignment to escort the equipment?”

“What kind of location did you find the ruin in?”

He had him.

The textbook answer was to call a superior, saying it was beyond his capabilities.

No answer would come from that small head of his, and if he forced an answer to something he didn’t know, that statement would be recorded and used as leverage to attack the guild.

“A cave in the mountains.”

“What kind of equipment are you planning to bring?”

“A large, industrial mana scanner that detects substances that react to mana. It’s mainly used to detect rare metals, mana stones, and high-value artifacts.”

Profitable assignments are welcomed by adventurers and help attract high-ranking adventurers as well.

Adventurers are people too, so it’s normal for them to move to branches where the money is.

Furthermore, a low-ranking guild employee could be promoted to success for just one successful case. If time passes without issues, they could even rise to become a director of the guild.

Guild revival.

Lightning-fast promotion.

A path to advancement.

In the face of an assignment riddled with so many temptations, even adults would find it hard to resist. There was no way a mere boy of his age would be able to hold out.

“I’m sorry, but we cannot accept this assignment.”

Surprisingly, the boy shattered those expectations head-on.

Reject it?

This assignment that reeks of money?

A wide-open path to success?

Thinking that perhaps he was too young to fully grasp the benefits this assignment could offer, the inspector elaborated.

“This assignment could earn a lot of money. If it goes well, it can be converted into a long-term assignment. Isn’t this a big assignment that the Sodom Guild should be doing everything to secure?”

The boy replied with a calm smile.

“It’s not that I don’t know how valuable this assignment is; it’s why I’m rejecting it.”

“Then, what are you thinking? If it’s missed due to a single employee’s mistake, the guild could fire him, and astronomical compensation could be demanded.”

Accept it without another foolish thought.

“A mere child has no right to voice their opinion on such matters.”

Even the supervisor’s intimidation could not break the child’s composure.

“Ancient ruins imply old constructions. Most were built not by carving mountains with specialized mining equipment, but by grinding away at human lives. Introducing heavy machinery poses a significant risk of ground collapse.”

A perfect argument.

The child pointed out the subtle flaws in the request, flaws easily overlooked even by seasoned veterans.

*Rou Neng Zhi Gang.*

Softness overcomes hardness.

The child’s answer, calm yet firm, demonstrating such inner strength, was truly impressive.

The supervisor was certain that, had he posed this question during a hiring interview, he would have stamped ‘approved’ without hesitation.

“Therefore, before a request involving costly equipment being damaged or lost, a request to examine whether the terrain can even support the equipment should be prioritized.”

“Is that so…”

“Regrettably, the Sodom Guild currently lacks an earth mage capable of analyzing and differentiating soil layers, so we are unable to accept the request at this time.”

Intelligence beyond his years.

A character that transcends desire.

The receptionist, appearing more like an angel in a boy’s guise, offered a gentle smile.

“However, fortunately, the village of Sodom has a former adventurer turned miner, one particularly skilled in analyzing unstable terrain such as that found in abandoned mine dungeons.”

“!”

“As the search for an earth mage will require considerable time and expense, commissioning the miner to provide an opinion may not be such a bad idea. Of course, there may be no positive outcome, but the advantage lies in the ability to pursue other avenues while searching for the mage.”

Not a simple rejection.

He articulated the reasons why the original request could not be accepted, considering all the practical risks, while also representing the client’s interests with a sensible alternative.

A broad perspective that encompassed the client, the guild, and adventurers with relevant knowledge, even the retired adventurer now working as a miner.

Most veteran adventurers-turned-staff lacked such poise and skill.

The Sodom Guild was not desperate enough to employ a child as a receptionist, but blessed by fortune to have acquired a prodigy.

“For the miner to risk investigation, he will require the company of reliable adventurers, and fortunately, our guild has an adventurer clan led by Teresa, known as the ‘Mother of Sodom,’ who rose to the 5th rank in record time. If you wish, I can arrange a meeting between the Teresa Clan and the miner. Shall I arrange it?”

“Young receptionist, you are as skilled as a seasoned veteran from a large guild. Very well, I leave it in your capable hands.”

The supervisor thought that perhaps the Sodom Guild would be able to weather the Union’s rigorous examination after all.

Unaware that the boy who had so astonished him was inwardly grappling with the guilt of privately facilitating a request for his family’s benefit.