I Build a Modern Shelter in Fantasy World

"What help?" asked the young man, confused.

Gideon pointed his hand to the side, toward the woman dressed in navy blue holding a wand.

Everyone's attention shifted, staring at the awkward woman who suddenly became the focus of Gideon's gesture.

"Her?"

"You mentioned magic earlier. You must be a witch?" Gideon asked, stepping a little closer.

Her companions quickly reacted, standing in front of her protectively as she looked frightened and anxious.

Rumors had spread recently about groups kidnapping mages, though no one knew the truth of it.

"Mage. We don't call them witches!" said the adventurers' leader firmly.

Gideon fell silent, realizing his action had startled them and made them suspicious. He exhaled and slowly closed his eyes before stepping back without turning away.

"I won't hurt you," Gideon said.

"Is there any magic that connects different worlds?" he asked, still staring at the female mage.

They looked confused, instinctively turning to their mage companion. The woman grew more embarrassed and nervous under everyone's attention. Her words came out broken and unclear, almost like rambling.

"Looks like I made her uncomfortable," Gideon muttered.

He stepped aside and pulled open the carriage door. The sound startled the two people sleeping inside. Gideon called Lena several times.

"Lena… wake up!"

"HWAAAH!"

"What is it?" Lena asked softly, her eyes half asleep.

"I met a mage. I need you to ask her about magic that connects worlds," Gideon explained.

Lena slowly opened her eyes wider, exiting through the other door since the left side was blocked by food crates. She walked toward the adventurers, standing beside Gideon.

"Who are they?"

"Adventurers," Gideon replied.

"Wouldn't it be better to talk in—"

"Um," the mage woman cut in, drawing Gideon's and Lena's attention.

"I'm only a bronze-ranked mage. I don't know many spells. I doubt I can answer your question," she said.

"I understand. Are there higher-ranked mages in the city?" Gideon asked.

"The only place you could find them is the city guild."

Lady Mitsuko had once mentioned something to Gideon and his team about guilds and adventurers. But with so many conflicts at that time, Gideon ignored it.

Now, in the city of Girona, Gideon finally had the chance to learn what adventurers were and maybe find a higher-ranked mage there.

"No harm in trying," Lena said.

"Alright."

"You lead the way," Gideon told them.

"O-Okay."

Gideon climbed up onto the driver's seat of the carriage while Lena returned inside to wake Luke, who was still passed out from drinking her wine.

Their carriage moved slowly along the city street, following the adventurers toward the guild.

It wasn't far, only about fifteen minutes from the shop earlier. The carriage stopped in front of the guild hall, a building shaped like a cathedral but without crosses or religious ornaments.

"That's the place."

"Alright, thank you. You can go now," Gideon said.

They nodded and hurried off, leaving behind Gideon and Lena, whom they thought strange. But it wasn't only them, everyone in the guild hall reacted the same way.

The reason was simple. Gideon and his team didn't look like typical adventurers. Their clothes were different, their weapons looked odd.

Luckily! No one there knew anything about the Ghost Team.

Gideon didn't care. Still wearing their gear, they stepped into the guild hall, seeing the lively crowd inside. The sight reminded Gideon of the village tavern, with many people drinking ale and relaxing.

For commoners, ale was cheap and enough to satisfy their thirst for alcohol. Wine was only for nobles.

"W-Welcome to Girona City Guild," said one of the receptionists nervously.

The appearance of three strangers in black and green uniforms drew a lot of attention. People turned and stared, some whispering among themselves, calling them freaks.

"Are you adventurers?"

"No."

"Are you here to register as adventurers?" she asked.

"No," Gideon replied.

"Then what brings you here, sir?" she asked again, curious.

"I'm looking for a high-ranked mage. Is there one here?"

"Mage hunters!" people shouted.

They immediately rose from their seats, drawing their best weapons: swords, maces, and spears.

Lena and Luke quickly prepared, switching off the safety of their M4A1s and aiming them.

Gideon raised his hand, signaling Lena and Luke not to act without his order.

He tilted his head slightly, his expression cold, staring at the experienced adventurers who felt threatened by him and his team.

"Who are mage hunters?" Gideon asked.

"A group of people who kidnap mages and turn them into pawns," one of them answered.

"Do you think that's me? If I were a mage hunter, I'd do it quietly."

"What are you doing? They'll suspect you!" Lena whispered.

"Calm down, Lena. Stay sharp."

Just as both sides were about to clash, a woman in a beautiful black dress and wide-brimmed hat stepped forward, facing Gideon.

Gideon's face reddened, not from alcohol but because her appearance was sexy: her thighs were bare, and her breast showed a tempting cleavage.

She wasn't alone. Another woman followed, dressed in a long robe, looking more modest.

"Lady Milena?" the crowd asked.

"What he says is true. Mage hunters wouldn't openly ask about mages in public," Milena said, her soft voice almost enchanting Gideon.

Lena noticed Gideon losing focus. She stomped his foot hard, making him flinch and grimace.

"What's wrong with you?" Gideon asked, lifting his foot.

"Focus!" Lena snapped.

"Hahaha!"

"I'm Lady Milena, a mage from the Capital's Magic Institute," Milena introduced.

"This is my student, Xia."

Gideon nodded, signaling Lena and Luke to relax and lower their rifles. The threat was gone. He had finally met a mage whose aura and presence were far stronger than the adventurer mage earlier.

"What rank are you?" Gideon asked.

Milena glanced at him while playing with her fingers. "Gold."

Higher than the previous mage.

Gideon stretched his hand and shook hers, introducing himself without revealing their true identities. Milena smiled, clearly hooked by him, especially since his face matched her type.

"What do you need from me?" Milena asked.

"Is there any spell that can connect two worlds?" Gideon asked.

Milena froze, shocked, her eyes shifting aside as she saw the seriousness on Gideon's face and his team's. A faint smile appeared, surprised that someone would want such magic.

"Why?" she asked.

"We need it to go home," Gideon answered.

"Is there such a spell?" Gideon pressed.

She stayed quiet for a while, staring at her delicate hand with its tattoo, a pattern like henna tattoo.

Milena finally looked back at Gideon. "Yes."AC