Abyssal Sovereignty

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Chapter 7: The Adventurers Guild And Measuring Device

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"This is your Adventurer's Card," announced the receptionist, her voice carrying a melodic lilt that accompanied the swish of her elegant attire as she distributed four golden cards—one to each member of the group.

"While your abilities are undeniably impressive," she continued, "to ensure the quality of our adventurers, you will not be permitted to undertake requests of D rank or above until you have completed a certain number of lower-ranking tasks. Only then will you unlock those higher-level assignments."

As the receptionist spoke, Aris and her companions began to scrutinize the cards they held in their hands. The craftsmanship of the cards was nothing short of exquisite; their appearance alone betrayed the luxury of fine materials.

Yet the cards were more than mere trinkets. Intricate magical circuits were etched into their surfaces, enabling a connection to the Adventurer Guild’s local ‘magic net’. They also possessed the ability to display personal information and control what one chose to keep hidden. Such technology, contained within a slender card, far surpassed the magical artifacts used before the Great War—a feat attributed to a new discipline known as ‘Magical Engineering.’

"Ah, by the way, Aris, your card has undergone special treatment as requested," the receptionist added, her eyes sparkling with a hint of intrigue.

Aris held up her own card, also resplendent in gold, representing ranks B and A, which corresponded to tiers six and seven of high-ranking adventurers. According to the assessment by the vice president of the Guild, her card should have been at least platinum—indicative of a special class adventurer. However, to maintain a facade, Aris opted for the modified card to conceal her true power.

Of course, as the saying goes, "You never know who will turn up among adventurers," and the Guild had become accustomed to unusual requests.

"Hey! You finished your assessment!" called out Marlyno, her voice ringing with enthusiasm from just outside the room, where the ‘Eclipse’ team awaited. Elyssa and Diana were among them.

"What were the results?" she queried, her eyes glimmering with anticipation.

"Look!" Misako announced as she brandished her Adventurer's Card.

"Goodness, a high-ranking adventurer?" Marlyno gasped, her expression subsequently shifting into one of sheer disbelief as she laid eyes on the gleaming card.

"What is happening here? Did we just encounter a wandering child more skilled than ourselves?”

"Wait a moment… you were this powerful all along?"

Marlyno chuckled, her determination infectious, though it was nearly interrupted by the incorrigible antics of Sisi.

"Hahaha! The Crimson Demon Tribe never falters in the face of strength!"

In that instant, the usual slap that might have been deducted to Sisi for her overzealous remarks failed to transpire, much to everyone’s relief.

"Ah, indeed. A true adventurer must never shy away in the face of a stronger foe. Thank you, Sisi," Marlyno said, nodding thoughtfully.

"Ha! No need for thanks; simply worship at my feet!" Sisi proclaimed, caught up in her own grandeur.

"I take back my earlier gratitude," Marlyno commented drily, watching as Sisi puffed up with satisfaction.

"So, what are your plans from here?" Marlyno inquired, her keen curiosity piqued.

"Well, we can’t tackle any high-ranked requests just yet, so we’ll likely begin with some of the lower ranks," Misako replied.

"Well, if that’s the case, why not join us?" Marlyno proposed, her smile bright.

"Are you not nearly high-ranking adventurers yourselves? Surely you needn't stoop to lower-tier tasks?" Misako interjected, her tone soaked in skepticism.

"Not quite. Truth be told, after handling numerous requests, we recognized a pressing issue: we are short-staffed. Just the three of us cannot manage all special circumstances. Hence, we’re recruiting new members—Elyssa and Diana are our fresh recruits. Yet, despite their strength, like you all, they're also new adventurers, and thus need to undertake lower-ranking requests," she elucidated.

This explained why the adventurers had only noticed the trio and why Elyssa and Diana could escape with such ease.

"Then... very well, if you don't mind," Misako relented after conferring briefly with Aris and the others.

"Let us first accept our assignments and prepare what we need."

...

Returning to the bustling main hall of the Adventurer’s Guild, the excitement that had surged upon the return of the ‘Eclipse’ team began to wane as adventurers resumed their tasks—accepting requests or enjoying their brews for the evening.

"The request board is right here. If you’re eager to unlock things quickly, simply select E-ranked requests," Marlyno gestured enthusiastically.

The group began to scour the board for suitable assignments. Lower-ranked requests typically entailed herb gathering, hunting small creatures, or tasks set by townsfolk, such as repairing walls.

"…Hmm? Aris, what’s wrong?" Farkonia suddenly noticed Aris fixated on a particular corner of the request board.

"Tell me, how long have I been in the Abyss?" she asked cryptically.

"About eighty thousand years, give or take? Haven't you already known this?" Farkonia replied quizzically.

Ignoring the tone, Aris pointed firmly to a section of the board which bore the inscription, ‘Date: Source Calendar Year 541, 10th Month, 3rd Day.’

"I fell into the Abyss in the year—533."

“What…!?” came the stunned response.

In the Abyss, the flow of time differed drastically, sometimes by a magnitude of up to ten thousand times. Aris had spent eighty thousand years in the Abyss, yet only eight years had passed in the outside world. This anomaly implied that time within the Abyss had been perversely fixed at its maximum speed throughout her ordeal.

And that was decidedly abnormal. Time within the Abyss was chaotic, zipping unpredictably, yet here it had evidently become stagnant.

The only entity capable of such time manipulation could be…

'That Witch… What are you scheming?' Farkonia reflected inwardly, recalling the figure that had single-handedly thwarted them—a being of such apathy that she seemed unfazed by the notion of annihilating worlds.

Even more perplexing was the hazy veil that clouded Farkonia's memories of her features, as though a veil rendered her details intangible.

"Ah, you’re unfamiliar with the term ‘Source Calendar,’ I presume. It marks the end of the ‘Demons And Dragons War’ on the first day of the year one."

Stunned by this revelation, Farkonia's eyes widened.

Even without accounting for Aris’s time in the Abyss, they had spent an extended duration down there, yet scarcely over five centuries had only elapsed above ground.

"What in the world is going on…?"

Suddenly, Misako appeared beside her, interrupting her spiral of thought.

"What’s wrong, Misako?" Farkonia queried, trying to redirect her swirling emotions.

"I’m just saying, the likes of her doesn't need to trouble herself to harm us, does she? Or perhaps, powerful beings generally disdain such trivialities, let alone someone whose very existence defies the meaning of ‘power’… Besides, even if she did, we’re utterly helpless against her,” Misako reasoned, her words striking a chord within Farkonia.

Yes, facing that Witch was beyond their grasp, and judging from her demeanor, it was likely she was not inherently evil. There was little point in fretting unnecessarily.

“Alright, Aris, are you listening?… Aris?” she called out, noticing the eerie smile gracing Aris's features, a look that sent chills down her spine.

“...Wait! Calm her down!”

In a flurry, Misako and Farkonia lunged forward, desperate to stave off the chaos brewing within Aris.