118: First courtesy, then force, attitude changes suddenly

Inside the Task Hall.

The receptionist hesitated when he heard Ron's words.

“This…”

Seeing this, Ron immediately turned to look at Beruke.

Beruke understood and placed his hand on the receptionist’s desk.

Buzz!

The next moment, Beruke activated his Battle Qi, condensing a thick layer of gauze-like energy on the surface of his palm.

Seeing this, the receptionist’s hesitation immediately vanished, replaced by a hint of joy as he spoke.

“An Armed Knight? My apologies, sir, I was unobservant just now and didn’t recognize your strength.”

“Now, I will contact Mr. Monterey immediately. Please wait a moment…”

The receptionist’s attitude was humble, and he quickly found someone to report.

Because according to the Adventurers' Association’s rules, if a newcomer’s strength can reach the realm of an Armed Knight…

Then the high-level administrators of the branch must personally receive him.

Of course, besides that…

If the newcomer is a Mage, or a Potion Master or Alchemist…

Then he only needs to reach the realm of a First-Ring Mage to be warmly received by the person in charge, Monterey.

After all, compared to Knights, the number of Mages is far too scarce.

Especially in Windwhisper Plains, a place with scarce magic, backwardness, and barrenness, it is even harder for Mages to settle down.

Therefore, in Kura City, a veteran First-Ring Mage sometimes holds a more noble status than a Just Knight.

At this moment, Ron and Beruke exchanged glances and waited silently.

After a while, another receptionist hurried over.

“Greetings, honored sirs. I am the secretary of Lord Monterey, the head of the branch.”

“Now, please follow me, both of you. I will take you to Lord Monterey’s office.”

This person bowed, his attitude impeccable.

Ron and Beruke nodded, then followed him to the second floor of the branch, to an office at the very end.

The three pushed open the door and saw a man around thirty-five or thirty-six years old busy inside the office.

“Lord Monterey, these two are the senior adventurers who intend to join our Association.”

The receptionist said, and at this moment, from behind the desk…

Monterey looked up and stood, his face full of smiles, his gaze sweeping over the two.

“Hello, sirs, and welcome to the Adventurers' Association.”

Ron smiled slightly and immediately replied.

“Hello, Mr. Monterey. We have long heard of your esteemed name. If possible…”

“We would like to discuss the Adventurers' salary and benefits with you privately.”

Monterey heard this and was not surprised; he just gave the receptionist a look.

The receptionist understood, immediately bowed, left the office, and thoughtfully closed the door.

“Alright, there are no outsiders present now. You can state your demands.”

“Of course, before that, I hope you can first demonstrate your specific strength and identity…”

Monterey said with a smile, without any guard.

Before this, he had also received many Armed Knights.

They, relying on their profound strength, all hoped to get better treatment.

Just now, when Monterey heard that the two wanted to talk privately, he subconsciously assumed Ron and Beruke were the same.

Therefore, he was not on guard at all, just gesturing slightly with his hand.

However, at this moment, Ron chuckled and spoke.

“I apologize, Mr. Monterey. Actually… I deceived you just now.”

“We don’t intend to join the Adventurers' Association; we just used that as a pretense to meet you.”

When Monterey heard this, the smile on his face immediately disappeared.

He frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, and then said in a deep voice.

“Is that so? Then may I ask, what is your purpose in wanting to see me?”

Monterey’s expression was solemn, and his attitude was no longer as natural as before.

But in his eyes, there was no hint of vigilance or wariness.

Because this was the Adventurers' Association.

Although most of the high-level personnel were out on missions…

Besides him, there were still three Armed Knights stationed in the Association.

If Ron and Beruke harbored ill intentions, he only needed to press the alarm mechanism under his desk.

The three Armed Knights would come to support within half a minute.

Moreover, Monterey himself was exceptionally strong.

He was not only a high-level Armed Knight, just a step away from breaking through to an Honor Knight…

He also wore a Tier 3 Alchemical inner armor, so he was not afraid of anyone attacking him.

“Mr. Monterey, please don’t be nervous. We have no ill intentions towards you.”

At this moment, Ron said with a smile, simultaneously raising both hands to show he was not hostile.

Beruke, next to him, also crossed his arms, a posture not conducive to launching a sneak attack.

Seeing this, Monterey merely looked at the two noncommittally, waiting for them to state their true purpose.

“To be honest, we are actually members of the Thieves' Guild.”

Ron smiled, but Monterey, upon hearing this, couldn’t help but change his expression slightly.

“The Thieves' Guild?”

Monterey’s expression became serious, and he slowly stood up, an invisible pressure radiating from him.

“You two are truly bold, daring to come to the Adventurers' Association’s headquarters to cause trouble?”

Monterey snorted coldly, his gaze sharp and his body tensed at this moment.

It was as if he was about to erupt and capture Ron and Beruke on the spot.

It was well known that between the Adventurers' Association and the Thieves' Guild…

Although they weren’t completely incompatible, they were mutually hostile.

The reason was that both were intelligence organizations, relying on various forces to issue commissions and complete tasks for remuneration.

However, the Adventurers' Association was a righteous organization, generally taking on tasks that did not violate the law, leaning towards defense, guardianship, exploration, and support-type work.

The Thieves' Guild, on the other hand, was different; its members were mostly composed of pickpockets, thieves, and criminals.

The commissioned tasks they accepted were assassinations, thefts, robberies, grave robbing… such work that violated laws and morals and was despicable.

Therefore, although both were intelligence organizations, they disliked each other.

Unless under special circumstances, the two could certainly not coexist.

At this moment, facing Monterey’s threat, Beruke’s gaze changed slightly, and he subconsciously wanted to take precautions.

However, Ron’s attitude remained unchanged, his tone full of smiles.

“Haha, Mr. Monterey, don’t be anxious.”

“As you said, this is the Adventurers' Association’s headquarters.”

“Facing the siege of at least four Armed Knights, where would we get the courage to act recklessly?”

“So, since that’s the case, why don’t you first listen to our intentions before deciding how to deal with us?”

Hearing this, Monterey first raised an eyebrow, as if something had stirred within him.

But very quickly, he let out a cold laugh, his attitude firm.

“I have nothing to say to you thieves.”

“Now… surrender yourselves!”