Infinite Mana Exorcist
Chapter 43: Party Registration II

Chapter 43: Party Registration II

Thank you for the castle

The Adventurers’ Guild House was a towering structure of wooden supports reinforced with obsidian bricks, their dark luster standing out starkly against the building’s otherwise rustic appearance. Though its exterior seemed modest, the guild house was far stronger than it appeared, a fortress of stability and protection for those who walked the perilous path of an adventurer.

This place was more than just a building; it was a sanctuary. A haven where adventurers could rest, recruit new members, upgrade their equipment, and accept missions to earn their keep. Every soul that entered its halls sought something—whether it was power, wealth, or merely a moment of respite from the dangers lurking beyond its walls.

From the outside, it looked like any other large establishment, but stepping through its doors revealed something entirely different. The guild house was enormous on the inside, almost impossibly so. Multiple sections stretched into vast corridors, and a grand inn occupied one of its wings, offering more than fifty rooms for weary travelers. It was clear that some sort of pocket dimension was at play, bending the laws of space to fit far more than should have been possible.

Asher and his newly-formed party entered the first section of the guild house, immediately met with the sight of countless adventurers scattered throughout the waiting room. Some sat slouched over wooden tables, laughing and exchanging tales of their latest conquests. Others stood in groups, speaking in hushed tones, their conversations filled with strategy and plans for future expeditions.

This was merely the first section of the house—the waiting room—but it was not where Asher’s team intended to linger. They moved forward with purpose, weaving through the crowd as they made their way toward their true destination.

A turn to the left led them to another door, one that was markedly different from the others. Without hesitation, Asher pushed it open, revealing a stark contrast to the lively waiting room behind them.

The chamber they stepped into was silent.

Empty.

There were no decorations to boast of, no signs of grandeur or warmth. It was a simple room, its minimalistic design betraying its purpose.

A lobby.

Asher’s sharp gaze took in his surroundings. He had never physically been here before, but he understood the function of this place all too well. It was a transition zone—a point where decisions were made and paths were chosen.

And he knew exactly what had to be done next.

E-ranked parties rarely recruited members from within the guild house. That privilege was usually reserved for the strong, for those who had already carved their names into the annals of adventure. But Asher was not one to be swayed by the norm.

He stepped forward, his boots echoing slightly against the wooden floor as he approached another door at the far end of the room. His hand met the cold metal knob, twisting it with a few deliberate motions before pushing the door open.

Beyond it was a much larger space, a counter standing proudly in the center of the room. Three individuals sat behind it, their uniforms crisp, their eyes fixed on the paperwork spread out before them. They moved with practiced efficiency, flipping through documents and scribbling notes, seemingly oblivious to Asher’s presence.

Classic NPCs. Eyes glued to their work, same repetitive clothing, same lifeless behavior...

Asher’s lips curled slightly in amusement at the thought. He approached the counter at a measured pace, only stopping when he was directly in front of them. It was only then that the attendants seemed to acknowledge him, their eyes flicking up from their work.

One of them, a thin man with sharp features, grimaced slightly before speaking.

"Are you here to register or find a party, Demon Walker Asher?" His voice carried a forced neutrality, but the discomfort was evident.

This game and its damn low-budget NPCs... Fine, if they want me to play along, I’ll play along.

"I’ll be creating a party," Asher stated coolly. "Four members, starting at D-rank. I’ll pay a thousand gold coins upfront, so spare me the unnecessary questions and get to it."

He stretched out his hand toward his teammates, gesturing for the attendants to take note.

"I assume I don’t need to introduce them," he continued. "Their information is already at your disposal. Just process it quickly—I don’t have the luxury of time."

His tone was sharp, carrying the weight of urgency. Every second mattered. He was working against the clock, chasing a lead that could vanish at any moment. If he missed this opportunity, he would be back at square one.

While Asher stood rigid with focus, Fey lingered in the background, his eyes drinking in the vastness of the guild house.

He longed to explore.

To stay longer.

To uncover the secrets this place held.

Can I find him? The thought came unbidden, pressing against his mind with an almost painful weight.

No... I’m not strong enough yet.

He clenched his fists, forcing the thought away, burying it deep where it couldn’t surface. Now was not the time.

The registration process was swift, thanks in no small part to Asher’s impatient prodding. A notification flashed across their vision, confirming their official formation as a party.

The task was done.

And now, Asher had only one goal in mind.

But before he could take another step, a firm hand gripped his shoulder, stopping him in place.

"Wait, Asher," Logan’s voice was calm, but there was an underlying insistence in his tone. "We just got off a long ride. Don’t you think we should rest, at least for a bit? A meal wouldn’t hurt."

Asher barely turned his head, his expression unreadable.

"We have a lead," he stated coldly. "When we’re done, we can talk about leisure."

Logan’s grip tightened slightly, his voice dropping lower.

"You’re not a machine, bro. You can’t fight when you’re running on fumes."

Asher stopped in his tracks.

The air between them shifted.

A low sigh escaped Asher’s lips, his hand falling slowly to the hilt of his weapon. The silence that followed was deafening.

Logan’s hands slipped into the pockets of his coat, readying himself for whatever was coming next.

Then—

"You guys should go eat," Asher finally said, his voice leveled. "I won’t be paying. Use your own money. I’ll get an updated map in the meantime."

Without another word, he turned and walked off, his pace unchanging, his resolve unshaken.

The remaining two members of the party exchanged glances before looking at Logan with newfound appreciation.

"Well then," Malvarick smirked, stepping up to Logan. "I guess that means the bill’s on you, right?"

Logan’s heart nearly stopped.

Shit. This expensive devil... Where’s Asher? I change my mind!

---

Meanwhile...

A woman stood in the guild house, her posture rigid, her sharp nose lifted slightly as she sniffed the air. There was something primal about her stance, something almost predatory.

Her long, fluffy ears twitched as she took in the scent, her golden eyes narrowing in recognition.

"I smell him," she murmured, tilting her head toward the figures behind her. "Asher’s scent is thick. We finally found him."

Behind her, two men stood—massive, menacing figures whose very presence commanded unease. And alongside them, a younger girl, barely past adolescence, her expression unreadable.

The larger man stepped forward, his heavy footsteps reverberating through the wooden floor. His face was carved with a deep scowl, a silent promise of violence.

"Then let’s find him quickly," he growled, "and kill him."