CHAPTER 48: CHAPTER 47: TEAM RED BAND

Kael stored what he couldn’t fit into his inventory in the basement of his house. Then he came to the other world before evening on Earth.

Morning – Fantasy World

Kael adjusted the light leather armor he wore, the straps snug across his shoulders. It wasn’t anything fancy—just a brown vest reinforced with thin plates—but it offered some measure of protection and made him look the part.

Beside him, Seris walked. She was now completely recovered.

Since Kael’s shop was still being repaired, he decided to do something else today.

"So the mayor gave you such a prime shop and is also paying for its repairs. Isn’t that a bit surprising?"

"Yes, but I can’t deny her. We should take advantage of it while we can. And we need to develop ourselves further."

Seris nodded. "I understand. You’re very intelligent, by the way. Were you also part of a noble family or a sage before you became a merchant?"

Kael snorted. "No. Nothing that fancy. You could say my grandfather was a merchant—a damn good one. He was the one who taught me many business tricks."

"I see. So," Seris asked, "where are we going now?"

"The Adventurer’s Guild."

She raised an eyebrow. "Didn’t you say you never wanted to step foot in there again?"

"I did. But the shop’s under construction, and I don’t want to sit around all day bored out of my mind." He paused. "Besides... I’ve got a plan."

The guild was just as Kael remembered—bustling, noisy, and filled with loud adventurers in mismatched armor.

Although Kael had not had a good experience with the Adventurer Guild Master, he decided to be extra careful about collecting missions this time.

Seris leaned close, whispering, "You sure this is a good idea?"

"I’m not taking any high-level quests," Kael said. "I’m thinking of hiring a party."

"HUH? Why?"

"You can’t sell to people if you don’t understand them. I want to know what adventurers really need when they go out there. What breaks. What they wish they had. What they run out of. That is how I’ll know what to stock."

They approached the counter, where a harried receptionist sorted quest scrolls. Behind her, a broad-shouldered man with a scarred lip barked orders at junior clerks.

That’s the coordinator. Guilds use them to vet parties for high-stakes jobs—balance skills, prevent freeloaders, negotiate pay cuts. They’re glorified slavers with paperwork.

"Good morning," Kael said.

"What can I do for you?"

"I’m not here to take a quest myself," he said. "I’m here to hire a party."

"Hire? For what kind of task?"

"Herb gathering," Kael replied. "Nothing dangerous. I’m looking for a team that’s already heading out. I want to tag along—and I’ll pay for the privilege."

She blinked. "You’re paying... to join a quest?"

"Yes. I’m a newbie. I want to see how adventurers operate. What challenges they face. How they think. And I’m willing to pay to do that."

He placed a pouch of coins gently on the counter.

The coordinator overheard, swaggering over. "We don’t babysit civilians," he sneered.

Kael calmly placed a few bronze coins on the counter. "I want the best team."

"...I’ll see who’s available," the man grunted, snatching the pouch and coins.

Then the receptionist nodded slowly. "Please wait in the lounge."

The lounge was quieter, with small tables and worn chairs. Kael sat across from Seris.

Seris leaned in. "I think that man’s corrupt. He’ll pocket half and assign us idiots."

"Probably," Kael agreed. "But even fools teach lessons. And you’ll be there to keep me alive."

"...I will. Also, you really think this will help the business?"

"I know it will," Kael said. "Right now, I sell whatever I think people might need. But real merchants—great ones—don’t guess. They study. They watch. They adapt."

...

The receptionist entered, followed by a small group.

"Mr. Kael, allow me to introduce them. This is the adventuring party known as the Red Band—and their leader is—"

"That would be me." A young man with short, tousled hair stepped forward.

Hmm. He looked like I’d seen him somewhere.

"I’m Darien, leader of the Red Band," the boy said, extending a calloused hand. "The coordinator mentioned a new adventurer looking to join us, but I never expected it to be you."

"You know me?"

"Yes. I usually buy products from your stall. They’re really great and have been very useful to us."

"Ah. I’m very happy to hear that. I’m very happy to hear that my products have been of use to you."

Darien grinned. "Then let me introduce you to the others."

He turned, gesturing to a towering figure clad in priestly robes stretched taut over muscle.

"This is Garrick, the priest of our party."

Garrick nodded, holding the mace in one hand. "It’s nice to meet you. I look forward to our mission together."

"Thank you, Garrick."

Darien added, "Although Garrick looks calm now, don’t get him angry. When he swings that mace, it’s like the earth trembles."

Kael noticed that Garrick was about 190 centimeters tall and his body was as hard as a rock. His priest’s robe was almost tearing—such a hard body. Either he’s bursting out of his clothes, or no tailor dares tell him they don’t fit.

Darien nudged a slender girl slumped against the wall. "Then, this sleepy-looking girl is our sorceress, Liora."

The girl lifted her head as Darien lightly nudged her shoulder.

"...Hello," she said quietly.

"Oh, yes, welcome, Liora!"

Darien said, "Liora is a little slow, but her magic power is huge. Although her chanting is a little slow, I sometimes get worried."

"...You don’t need to worry," Liora shrugged.

"Then chant a little faster," Darien said softly.

"...I’ll try."

There was a friendly tension between them.

"And this is Mira," Darien said, gesturing to the feline girl beside him.

His tone grew serious.

"Before we go further, I want to say something. If you have a problem with her being here—if you can’t work with a beastkin—we’ll walk away now."