GameDev Reincarnated into His Own Creation

Vol 2 - Chapter 24.2: Hidden Parameters

Vel's eyebrows rose slightly in surprise. The card wasn't the usual parchment found around Lona, but something more rigid and official-looking—similar to a business card from his old world. She must have received it from Graham after training under him in Elnor. Vel wasn't sure what the card meant, but Celia's confident handling of it suggested she knew exactly what she was doing.

Mori examined the card with newfound interest, her demeanor shifting subtly. She nodded after reading it and handed it back to Celia.

"Let me log your names first," Mori said, reaching for a ledger beneath her desk. After noting their information, she pointed toward the far side of the hall. "Then you can check the bulletin boards over there, where minor requests from the locals are posted."

They walked toward the bulletin area, passing massive central boards where veteran adventurers clustered around posted notices. Above them, the high sunlit ceiling cast natural light across the hall. To his right, arched corridors led deeper into the complex while warm laughter spilled from what was clearly the tavern wing.

As they approached, Vel could see the boards were clearly separated—the large central ones dominated by veteran adventurers, and a smaller board tucked away in the corner, designated for simpler tasks. Even from here, the notices on the smaller board were written on different colored papers, likely indicating varying levels of difficulty or payment.

At the corner board, Vel noticed a group of mercenaries—three men in worn leather armor with basic swords at their hips—already gathered around it, pointing at various notices.

"Can't believe this is what we're reduced to," one of them grumbled, a thick-necked man with a scar running across his jawline.

"You'd rather face the portals?" his companion replied. "I'll take trimming hedges over that any day."

Vel's eyes widened as he scanned the colored papers pinned to the board. These weren't the quests he'd expected at all. There wasn't a single monster hunt, dungeon exploration, or artifact retrieval among them.

WOODCARVER NEEDED
Timbermage or Arcanpenter required for decorative statue carving. Shop opening ceremony in 3 days. Fine detail work essential.
Payment: 2 silver

GUARDIAN SERVICES
Babysitter needed for twin boys (6 years) during merchant guild meeting. Protective ward knowledge preferred. 4 hours maximum.
Payment: 1 silver, meal included

GARDEN MAINTENANCE
Air-attuned worker needed for precision hedge trimming and garden upkeep. Northern district residence. Weekly arrangement available.
Payment: 3 copper per visit

"What is this?" he whispered to Celia. "Odd jobs? I thought the Guild was for, you know... adventuring."

The mercenaries nearby overheard him and chuckled.

"First time, kid?" the scarred one asked. "Welcome to the real world. Not every day is slaying giant spider."

"Especially these days," another added, his voice lower. "With more portals appearing, the real quests go to the big names—teams known across the provinces. The high-ranking ones get first pick of everything dangerous and profitable. The rest of us make do with whatever scraps are left."

Celia seemed equally surprised but recovered more quickly than Vel. She began examining the notices more carefully, occasionally pulling one closer to read the details.

"I guess this makes sense," she whispered. "We're Academy students, not registered adventurers. We can't exactly expect them to send us on dangerous missions."