"Since you're a new adventurer, as I said, you're quite limited in the missions you can take. So for your first mission, you can either gather some potion ingredients for the Alchemy Guild, deliver some letters for Duke Forhingham, or weed out some of the Keeluts," replied Marianne.
"For the first mission, what ingredients would I need to collect?" asked Aadam.
"Well, they're pretty common. Just some Root of Acanthuses and some Iron-Hooved Toad Bile. I can show some drawings of them if you want to take that mission," Marianne answered.
Frank interjected, "Nah, he's needs some real combat experience, give him the mission for the Keeluts. It'll be useful."
"You sure? The Keeluts have been more aggressive lately. Ryork's already on the job to figure out why."
"Give him the mission. He'll be fine."
"Umm... what exactly is a keelut?" asked Aadam.
"It's basically a hairless dog, except it's a chthonic spirit that likes to feast on the dead. Higher ups said that they might be more aggressive due to the lack of food. Recently since the refugees are stuck outside they're the ones getting preyed on. If you're going to take that mission then you're going to want to bring something dead to lure them out or something."
"Thanks, ma'am. I'll be heading off now, if you'll excuse me."
"Wait a second. You can't leave yet!" yelled out Marianne.
"Why not? Did you forget something?" asked Aadam.
"No. But quite frankly, your equipment is shit. How you survived so far is a miracle. You're using an ordinary steel sword for Lusamia's sake. How are even able to cut anything? That won't do, go to the armory and get your basic stuff."
"Come on kid. I'll get you suited up," said Frank.
They walked down a wide hallway, with various paintings littering the walls. They eventually arrived at a large vault, with an imposing door, sealing it's contents from sight.
Punching in the passphrase to enter the vault, they entered, greeted by the sight of an array of weapons, armors, and other miscellaneous equipment waiting to be used.
Guiding Aadam through the various equipment, Frank gestured towards a selection of shelves containing a variety of daggers, knives, swords, axes, spears, etc of startlingly high quality. He then pointed at a sword, glimmering in the light. "You see this, watch this." He injected some mana into the sword and instantly the sword was set afire, roaring with a promise of destruction.
"This sword is one of the finest pieces of this collection. It's slayed hundreds upon thousands of demon-kin as well as calamity grade beasts. It's a national treasure here. No mere person can wield such power."
"Really?" asked Aadam in an excited tone. "So can I have it"?
"No," Frank replied, instantly shutting down Aadam's hopes. "Do you honestly think that you're allowed to wield it. Countless people more worthy than you have tried and been denied. That was just to show you what might be possible. A heavy emphasis on might."
"Screw you! You did all that just to mess with me didn't you?"
"Yep. Anyways, heading right along there's your equipment." He pointed off to a decrepit closet.
As Frank opened the closet for Aadam, the door made eerie squeaking noises, as if it would fall apart anytime now.
"Gather what you want. It's not much but, it's leagues ahead of your shit."
Turning on the light inside the closet, Aadam was greeted by a bunch of random equipment, organized in no particular fashion. "Umm... not to be ungrateful or anything but I don't see how any of this is going to be helpful."
"Kid, you're wearing ordinary stuff. Commoner stuff. Nah if you want to live, you'll trash all that. Okay? Now take your stuff. I ain't got all day. Still gotta get those damn drinks."
Looking back into the pile, Aadam dived in, seeing a suit of armor he decided to take it.
"And what's so special about this"?
"It's made from Bistoph Hide, highly resistant to blunt forces. Much better than your shit. Now stop being difficult and choose your shit."
"I don't anything about these so... can you help me out here?"
"Goddamn it. Fine." Frank dived into the closet and resurfaced not less than 7 minutes later.
"Okay. Here, here, and here. Take those. Go into that room over there. You're going to put them on, okay?"
Being compliant to Frank, Aadam took the equipment and swiftly changed into it. Leaving his own inside there.
"Umm... just asking but where's my old equipment going?"
"Probably going to either being sold to a collector who happens to like old shit like that or be scrapped."
"Umm... okay. So where we heading now?"
"Oh no, there's no we. My job's done now. I'm going to head to Harpie's, put a couple drinks in, you know? You gotta do the rest yourself now. See ya."
Frank turned around and left the room, leaving Aadam alone. Stunned for a second, Aadam collected his thoughts and headed back to the front counters.
"Hey, Marianne. Can you give me any more information regarding the Keeluts?"
"Sure thing. Here's a map telling you where there are. Follow the map and you should be able to find them easily. Reward for the mission is 40 silvers. Should be enough to last you the month."
"Okay thanks Marianne I'll head off now. Have a nice day."