The journey to Sirius was indeed a test of endurance, stretching over four long hours. Yet, by some stroke of luck, I managed to reach my destination before the cloak of night descended upon the land.
[+45 was added to STA]
Once again, I brushed aside the notification. Understanding this mysterious system, which I had whimsically dubbed 'the system', would have to wait until a more convenient moment. As I trudged wearily through the streets, I noticed the sparse foot traffic—likely the denizens had retired to their homes for the evening.
"Map," I muttered under my breath, summoning the familiar interface. With a quick glance, I located the nearest inn and made my way toward it. A few minutes later, I found myself standing before the Ivanlot Inn, its warm glow beckoning tired travelers like myself.
Stepping inside, I was greeted by the cozy ambiance of a rustic pub. Wooden furniture dotted the room, and a counter at the far end was manned by a young woman with a welcoming smile.
"Welcome to Ivanlot Inn, how may I assist you, sir?" she inquired politely, her hazel eyes sparkling with hospitality.
"Good evening. I'd like to rent a room for a couple of nights," I replied, returning her smile.
"Would you care for dinner as well, sir? And if so, what might you fancy?" she offered, her tone friendly and accommodating.
"Surprise me," I responded with a shrug, realizing my lack of familiarity with the local cuisine.
"Very well, sir. That will be 45 silver coins," she informed me, retrieving a key from behind the counter.
I reached into my inventory pouch, grateful for the funds provided by Lord Silvamilion, and counted out the required amount. With a nod of thanks, I accepted the key and made my way upstairs to my designated room.
Upon entering, I surveyed the simple yet comfortable accommodations—a bed, a sturdy wardrobe, and a quaint rug adorned the space. With a sigh of relief, I removed my cloak and settled onto the bed, feeling the weariness of the day wash over me.
"Now, where were we?" I muttered to myself, recalling my earlier intention to explore the intricacies of the system.
"Menu," I called out, summoning the familiar interface once more.
MENU
[Status]
[Store]
[Inventory]
[Map]
[Settings]
"Status," I commanded, eager to assess any changes.
STATUS
Name: Kaizaki Sato
Class: ? ? ?
Title: ? ? ?
Level: 4
Race: Human
Age: 19
STR: 65/1000
DEX: 65/1000
STA: 70/1000
EXP: 10/1000
MP: 25,000
SP: 150
Aside from the increase in stamina, there appeared to be little change in my status.
"Settings," I ventured, curious about the options available.
SETTINGS
[Guide]
[Background music]
[Reset]
A guide could prove invaluable, especially in navigating this unfamiliar world. With a sense of determination, I opted to activate it.
GUIDE
[Guide: a genderless voice that offers information, instructions, and advice to the user when asked.]
[Would the user like to activate the guide? Yes/No]
Choosing 'Yes', I felt a surge of anticipation at the prospect of newfound guidance. As for background music and reset options, I deemed them unnecessary distractions and moved on.
Now, with a clearer sense of direction, I resolved to seek sustenance and perhaps some camaraderie in the inn's tavern.
The following day dawned with renewed purpose as I embarked on my quest to explore the intricacies of the adventurers guild. After a hearty breakfast at the inn, I set out with determination, guided by the map within my inventory.
The guild hall loomed ahead, a bustling hub of activity teeming with adventurers of all shapes and sizes. Laughter and conversation filled the air as I pushed open the door and stepped inside, eager to immerse myself in this new world.
The main room resembled a lively tavern, with wooden tables and chairs scattered about. Groups of adventurers clustered together, sharing tales of their exploits and planning their next adventures. It was a sight to behold, a vibrant tapestry of life in motion.
I made my way through the crowd, drawn to the reception desk at the far end of the room. A young woman with a friendly demeanor greeted me as I approached, her eyes bright with curiosity.
"Excuse me, Miss. I would like to register with the adventurers guild," I said, trying to keep my voice steady despite the excitement bubbling within me.
"Certainly, sir. Please fill out this form," she replied, sliding a parchment and quill across the counter.
I quickly jotted down my name, age, and other relevant details, eager to join the ranks of these seasoned adventurers. I couldn't help but chuckle at the absurdity of it all. Here I was, a mere mortal, about to embark on a journey of epic proportions—all thanks to that bastard Silvamillion and his twisted sense of humor. After reviewing the document for any errors, I handed it back to the receptionist, who smiled warmly as she processed my application.
"Congratulations, you are now an E-ranked member of the adventurers guild," she announced, handing me a small badge emblazoned with the guild's insignia. "Welcome to the guild, Kaizaki Sato."
Pinning the badge to my cloak with a flourish, I couldn't suppress the grin that spread across my face. It was official—I was now a bona fide adventurer, ready to take on whatever challenges this crazy world threw at me.
But before I could bask in my newfound status for too long, I was interrupted by a voice—a voice tinged with mischief and a hint of danger.
"Excuse me. Is this seat taken?" the voice inquired, drawing my attention to a figure standing nearby.
"No, it's all yours," I replied, gesturing to the empty chair opposite me as I turned to face the speaker.
"Thanks," she said, flashing a grin of her own as she took a seat. "I'm Grey Fulgora. Mind if I join your party?"
I couldn't help but laugh at the audacity of her request as I lounged in my seat. With a lazy glance, I sized her up—a frail, weak-looking girl, whose presence seemed almost comical amidst the rugged adventurers surrounding us.
"Seriously? You? Join my party?" I couldn't resist the urge to mock, a smirk playing at the corners of my lips. "What's next, am I taking old men too?"
Just as I was savoring the hilarity of my own jest, a sudden surge of energy crackled through the air, followed by a deafening blast that sent me tumbling backward. I collided with the wall, feeling the impact reverberate through my bones, yet thankful for the slight cushion my enhanced stats provided.
As I struggled to regain my composure, I looked up to see the frail girl looming over me, her eyes ablaze with fury and her hands still crackling with residual energy. It was evident that my joke had struck a raw nerve, and she was not about to let me off the hook.
"Alright, alright, my bad. I'm sorry," I muttered, genuine contrition lacing my voice as I scrambled to my feet. But before I could utter another word, she spun on her heel and stormed off, leaving me to nurse my wounded pride amidst the stunned silence of the onlookers.
Dusting myself off with a sheepish grin, I couldn't help but quip to the bewildered adventurers around me, "Well, that escalated quickly, didn't it?"
Yet, their lingering stares as she departed hinted at a deeper mystery surrounding the seemingly frail girl. And I couldn't shake the feeling that I'd unwittingly stumbled upon something far more intriguing than I had bargained for.