Sargon facepalmed when he heard the guard's surprised voice. Looks like Hajime forgot to hide the contents of his Status Plate before they spoke to him. Thinking quickly, Sargon came up with a valid excuse to explain the absurd stats,
"We got attacked by monsters on the way here, which resulted in a few inconveniences. Namely, this one's Status Plate being broken and the golden haired one losing hers during the fight. The demi-human obviously doesn't have one, though I'm sure I don't need to say why."
The guard was a little perplexed by the news, but then calmed down as it sort of made sense. After all, who in the world would be able to have stats over 10,000?
"I-i-is that so? Hmm," he said as he took another look at the Status Plate before handing it over back to Hajime. "And what about you? How's your Status Plate?"
Sargon walked over calmly and handed his over, "I was fortunate enough to be able to keep my Status Plate safe, hence it isn't broken."
The guard looked over the Status Plate and though he raised his eyebrows in shock, it wasn't as drastic and dramatic as when he observed Hajime's.
"Damn, pretty good. Around 70-80 huh? And all at level 50? Yeah, I can see you handling yourself well," the guard looked on proudly.
Sargon smiled and bowed slightly, "Thank you for saying so. Are we clear to enter now?"
The guard handed the Status Plate back over to him and nodded, "Yeah, you're good to go. The adventurer's guild is on the main street."
Sargon nodded and ushered to the others to follow, which they did.
After walking for a bit, they spotted the entrance to the adventurer's guild and walked in. When they did, a woman greeted them from the front desk.
"Welcome to the Adventurer's Guild of Brook! What can I do for you today?"
Sargon walked up to the receptionist and said smoothly, "We've come to trade some materials."
The receptionist smiled, "Alright then. Please show me your Status Plate."
Sargon did as instructed and handed over his Status Plate.
"Adventurer's huh? Are you all just starting your occupation as adventurer's?"
Sargon nodded, "Yes."
The receptionist responded, "Then you can register here. Do you want to do that along with the trade?"
"Yes, that'll be fine. Hajime, if you would," he motioned to Hajime, who in turn handed him a small bag. "Here you go."
The woman took the bag, opened it, and took out a bit of its contents. What she took out made her eyes widen a little.
"These are fangs from the Sea of Trees monsters."
Hajime raised an eyebrow at her reaction, "Is there a problem?"
The receptionist shook her head, "Not really a problem per se, but normal adventurers couldn't handle those types of monsters no matter how hard they trained. You sure you all want to trade them here?"
Sargon smiled reassuringly, "We appreciate your concern, but here will be fine, thank you."
The receptionist nodded in acceptance, "Very well, I'll get the payment out now," she said as she left the desk.
A moment later, she arrived with a tray of coins, "That'll be 48,700 Ruta. You are now registered as adventurers within this guild. I've also given you a map of the city as a service."
Hajime and Sargon were a little surprised that she gave the map, even more so when they looked and saw how detailed it was.
"You sure you want to give this to us for free," Hajime asked.
The receptionist smiled and waved her hand, "Don't worry about it, this is something I do as a hobby."
The boys looked at each other and shrugged, accepting the response.
"Alright then, we'll be on our way," said Hajime.
Sargon bowed a little to the receptionist, "Thank you Ms…." he trailed off as he didn't know her name.
"Catherine," she responded quickly. "Catherine's just fine."
Sargon nodded, "Thank you Catherine."
Catherine responded with a wave, "No worries! Also make sure to stay in a good Inn! Boy's will go crazy over those 2, I'm sure!"
Hajime smiled a little, "Yeah, that's true. Now let's go find ourselves an Inn."
[A Few Minutes Later]
"Welcome to Masaka Inn," said the innkeeper.
Hajime walked up to her and held out a piece of paper, "We found this guild thanks to this guide Catherine gave us. She also recommended this one as well."
The innkeeper looked at the paper and nodded in confirmation, "Ok, how long will you four be staying," she asked.
"One night will be enough," he responded.
"And about the rooms," she asked again.
Hajime answered again, "2 rooms for 2 people."
"Ok, got it," said the innkeeper.
After a few more minutes, the group of four got their respective rooms. They managed to get rooms that were right in front of them, in case they needed each other's assistance in whatever may arise.
Once they got situated in their rooms, Yue called Shea.
"Hey Shea, why don't we get some new adventuring clothes for you?"
Shea's eyes widened a little in excitement, "Really? Yeah, let's do it!"
Sargon chuckled at her excitement while Hajime smirked a little. Yue and Shea then proceeded to leave the Inn to go look for new clothes for Shea to wear.
"So, what will you be doing while the girls go shopping," Sargon asked Hajime.
Hajime responded, "Preparing a surprise for Shea."
Sargon smirked, "So that's why Yue took Shea out clothes shopping. Did you do that on purpose," he asked.
Hajime continued to smirk and huffed in amusement before turning towards the room entrance and entering, though Sargon wasn't done with Hajime just yet.
"Preparing surprises for another girl besides Yue? My my, Hajime. Will I need to tell Yue about this," he said with a wide grin.
Hajime stopped in his tracks as his smile strained and a tick formed on his face. He only got more annoyed when he heard the amused chuckle from Sargon.
In response to Sargon's teasing question, Hajime simply raised his right hand and pointed his middle finger in the air, to which Sargon's chuckle turned into an open laugh.
After Sargon got over his laugh, he asked Hajime, "What do you say I help out a little with your little surprise gift to Shea?"
Now it was Hajime's turn to put on a smug grin, "Oh? Want to surprise your 'damsel in distress' huh?"
Sargon rolled his eyes and shook his head at the provocation and continued on.
"If that's how you want to think about it, sure."
Hajime snickered a little, "Alright then, have it your way," he said as he motioned Sargon into his room.
[Around 5 Minutes Later]
"We're back," said Shea animately.
True to what she said, both Yue and Shea returned, the latter in a new outfit, which looked, from a design standpoint, identical to her first outfit, excluding the white parts being blue.
Sargon comments on the outfit change, "Although the design looks practically identical to what you've already worn, it still suits you nonetheless."
Shea, upon hearing the compliment from her crush, blushes and shies away a little.
"Thanks. Though about the design, everything else was too tight to move around in," she said looking down at her chest.
When she said that, Yue's face darkened a little and her eyes grew cold in jealousy as she stared at Shea's chest. Sargon noticed this bitter jealous look on Yue's face and couldn't help but smile a little in amusement.
He then looked at Shea and spoke, "On another note, Shea. We have a little surprise for you. Hajime," he called out.
Said person walked forward and held out his hand as a metal hammer materialized in front of him.
"This is for you Shea. Sargon and I made it for you while you 2 were away."
Shea looked at the hammer in awe, tried to take it, but slumped a little due to the unexpected weight.
"Wahh! It's so heavy," she bemoaned while trying to stay up.
Sargon chuckled a little at the scene while putting a hand up to his face.
Hajime continued, "This is your special warhammer. See that handgrip part that looks small? Try injecting some magic into it," he said with a smile.
Shea looked at the part and did as instructed. As soon as she did, the section of the hammer increased in length to form a proper grip for a weapon so large. Shea looked at the weapon now with awe,
"Whoa!"
"This is your personal warhammer artifact, Drucken," Hajime said with a smile. "There are a few more gimmicks in that thing that will help draw out your power to its maximum, so try to get used to it. If you're going to be traveling with us, we can't have you dying on us now. Especially not with him around," Hajime finished with a smirk looking at Sargon.
The man in question simply closed his eyes with a strained smile as a tick formed on his cheek at the provocation,
'This guy is trying really hard to get a reaction out of me.'
Shea looked at the hammer and held it close before saying, "Thanks, you 2. With this, I can now become even stronger so I can follow you all anywhere you go!"
Everyone who wasn't Shea in that room smiled in approval at her determination and will.
[Later In The Grand Canyon]
"Hiiiiiiyyyyyyaaaaaa!!!"
Shea roared as she slammed her hammer on the ground trying to strike a wyvern-like monster. Although she missed, the shockwave and debris caused by her attack pushed the monster back.
Another wyvern-like monster tried to fly in from her blind spot, but before it could, Shea's weapon transformed as she rested the head of the hammer on her shoulder.
"Drucken, Canon Mode! Take this," she said with determination.
After she said that, her weapon fired off missiles in the direction of the incoming monster and exploded.
Hajime took notice of her increasing proficiency with her hammer and immediately brought it up,
"Hmm, looks like you're getting the hang of using that hammer."
Shea looked back at Hajime and puffed her chest, put her hand on her hip, with her hammer still resting on her shoulder, all proud at both the compliment and her performance.
Sargon watched her with a smile and nodded in agreement, "Indeed and while I'm glad you're improving Shea, the fact that we still haven't found the Labyrinth even after 3 days is quite troubling," he said with a frown.
Hajime sighed in annoyance, "You're telling me. It's getting dark out, so why don't we set up camp?"
Sargon nodded in acceptance, "Sounds good to me," he said as he started yawning.
Hajime, seeing this, was reminded once more about the slight and subtle differences between Sargon and him.
"Ah, I honestly keep forgetting that despite your abilities, you're still technically human," he said wryly.
Sargon sighed as well, "You aren't the only one."
Hajime then offered a suggestion, "I'll watch over the tent for the first half, out of all of us, you may need a little more rest than we do," he said in mild concern for his friend.
Sargon looked at Hajime and smiled thankfully, "I appreciate your concern, Hajime and will take you up on your offer. But although I may be human, I'm not without my strengths. I'll be able to keep up with you all should the need arise," he said as he walked behind him.
[After Setting Up Camp]
Hajime was sitting down next to the fire a short distance away from the tent. Then from the opening of the tent, Shea came out. Hajime looked over in confusion.
"Shea? What's wrong? It's not time to shift yet."
Shea looked away a bit embarrassed, "I need to go….um."
It didn't take long for Hajime to guess what she was trying to say. When he did, he turned back to the fire and said,
"Alright, don't take too long now."
[A Few Minutes Later]
"Hajime? Where did Shea go," Yue asked as she woke up.
Hajime looked back at the tent and responded, "Oh she went to go take a–"
"Guys! Come over here, quick," screamed Shea.
Hajime and Yue became alert while Sargon awoke from the screaming.
"What happened? Was that Shea?"
Hajime got up quickly, "Yeah, she told us to come to where she is. Let's move."
After running to the source of her voice, they found Shea.
"What's wrong, Shea," said Sargon.
Shea pointed at a rectangular section in the wall and said, "Look!"
The remaining 3 looked at where she pointed and were a little surprised by what they saw.
"
After he did, everyone aside from Shea looked at each other pointedly with Hajime following up with,
"What the hell is this?"