Hacking the Game Didn't Go as Intended

CHAPTER 31: The Path to Vengeance

Harsh tears spilling from his eyes, Daisuke slowly sat on his knees, gazing at the bloodied spot of ground where the canine lay just moments ago.

As the rain drove into his skin like tiny needles, and sorrow and despair coiled around his soul, his heart gradually hardened into stone, and his eyes lost their once innocent luster. Now from their dark depths, a new resolve emerged.

***

The female clerk at the Adventurers' Guild looked the silver-haired boy over assessingly. "How old were you?"

"I just turned twelve," replied Daisuke in a monotone, completely ignoring the piercing gazes of the people dotting the lobby area.

"Mmm..."

The girl evidently didn't seem too convinced.

In this world, the moment a male could father a child, he was deemed a man, which was around the age of twelve. And being a man was the prerequisite for joining the guild, which meant Daisuke was only just eligible.

The Merchants' Guild wasn't overly fixated on its members' age; they recognized the potential for individuals to receive training in the field from a very young age. Prodigies weren't all that uncommon, either.

Merchants were also known for employing mercenaries and adventurers as bodyguards, ensuring their safety during business endeavors. This was all the reassurance the guild needed.

However, as far as the Adventurers' Guild was concerned, early training or prodigious talents didn't magically bestow a physique that could shrug off monster attacks. So, rather than laying out an easy feast for monsters, the guild took more interest in the applicants' age.

"For now, go ahead and take these," the clerk said, handing him a thin piece of polished wood and a sterile needle. "I'll need to verify your age with a drop of blood."

After stepping away to analyze the crimson fluid using a strange magical device, the girl returned with a polite smile. "All done. Now, to continue, please go ahead and complete this form," she instructed, sliding a parchment and pen across the wooden counter.

Daisuke complied with the clerk's instructions, and then she launched into an explanation that was written in the fine print of the document, which also doubled as a contract.

"Allow me to summarize," the clerk began, her tone firm yet informative. "Adventurers are categorized into ranks ranging from S to F, with S being the highest tier and F the lowest. As a new member, you will commence at the entry level.

Quests are posted on the bulletin boards," she indicated, motioning towards the lobby area. "Similar to adventurer rankings, quests are categorized from S to F. However, you can only undertake a quest that matches or is one level above your current rank.

For rankings between D and F, it is imperative that you accept and complete a quest at least once per month to maintain the validity of your ID. Additionally, please be aware that the guild cannot be held accountable for any injuries or fatalities that occur while undertaking a quest."

The woman stepped away from the counter again, this time approaching a device resembling the one at the Merchants' Guild.

Upon her return, she held out the same polished wood upon which Daisuke had placed his blood, but now it bore etched writings—his name, age, rank, and more, with the blotch of blood reminiscent of a watermark in the background.

The design was rustic yet simple.

"I've also ensured that your ID will be recognized across all our branches," the clerk informed, "and since your information is already listed on the Global Census Register, there won't be any additional service fee for its inclusion. Moreover, the guild doesn't impose any registration fees."

I guess it would be counterproductive to charge a registration fee when they're always desperately on the prowl for new recruits. "Are we done here?" asked Daisuke, his tone aloof and unfriendly.

The girl looked him over again, evidently concerned about the many terrible bruises and cuts covering his body. "Y-Yes, but are you—"

"Where can I find records about the monsters living in his area?" Daisuke interjected, cutting her off.

"Oh. Umm. If you take the stairs off to the right, you'll find a public library on the second floor."

Before she could even properly finish her sentence, Daisuke's footsteps were already fading in the distance.

Unnecessary kindness has no place here, he resolved, a dark scowl etching his features. I was betrayed by Brek, used by Reginald, and robbed by Reeza and her goons. I've lost everything again—first in the real world, and now in this one.

Daisuke's belief that his intellect could untangle any knot of trouble had crumbled beneath the weight of reality. Now, it had become painfully clear that power and strength were indispensable companions to his wit.

It was unfortunate he had to learn this harsh truth only after losing those he held dear, but the agony of that loss would fuel his drive to become sharper, fiercer, and more self-centered, no matter the cost.

The paralyzing fear of death that once held him back withered under the weight of his reckless fury. Throwing caution to the wind, Daisuke hurled himself into the library's depths, devouring knowledge about the local monster species—their strengths, vulnerabilities, and habits.

Next, he turned his focus to the wild, delving into books that detailed survival techniques. He meticulously studied the section on foraging, absorbing insights on identifying edible plants and steering clear of those with poisons.

Finally, his research led him to the art of crafting traps. He poured over the pages detailing their construction, taking in every bit of information about various types of snare sand pitfalls, until he stood before the one he had created himself.