The fear of spiders, a rational fear. One I do not suffer from. If I see a spider I kill it, if a spider is on me I flick it off and then kill it, simple.
What now you may ask? Death, betrayal, anger, and a new chance at life. As many stories start.
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.
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"Grab your sword, we're going on hunt." Eruf grumbles.
He stands in the doorway with his usual intimidating figure, tall and muscular, with scars decorating the little skin he has exposed under his bulky armor.
He strokes his beard, waiting impatiently.
"Yes sir." I say obediently, no slave dare disobey their owners word.
However I am the slave of the best mercenary in the kingdom, which gives me my own power, just because of who owns me.
I walk to my bed, a mere blanket on the hard wooden floor and pick up my chipped sword from beside my bed. Turning around and exiting the house.
I walk beside Eruf towards the Elephant Mercenary Guild, better known as the EMG.
We treck down the road, reaching the EMG in mere minutes. A giant building stands before us. With many people outside the building chatting away.
Many are dressed in heavy armor and weild swords, axes, bows, staffs and more. Mercenaries, all of them, chatting with fellow party members.
Eruf opens the doors and enters, where we are greeted with Eruf's party members. They exchange brief greetings, eager to quest. Today is a day they've well prepared for after all.
We walk to the the high rank quest board. Eruf looking at many of the papers on it but not choosing one.
He turns to his party members.
"What should we do today boys?" He says with a huge grin.
They give him an equally large grin, giving him the go ahead.
"ARCY!" Eruf Shouts. "We're here to take down the X quest of the Elephant Mercenary Guild!"
Eruf and his party stare at one of the girls behind the guild counter. The girl that is supposed to manage the X quest and those who challenge the rumored unbeatable quest.
Everyone in the guild erupts into a cheer.
She nods her head, going into one of the back rooms, returning with papers in hand. She looks at the men before her, even sparing a glance at the shabby looking slave of the 'Mercenary King'.
The worn and torn rags the slave is in, the terrible sword he weilds, the slim yet muscular body he is forced to maintain, and the scars that decorate his body, battle wounds, and torture wounds.
She looks at him with pity in her eyes.
Returning to her task at hand, she slides over the papers to Eruf, he grumbles in return. "This is the part I hate the most about bein' a merc...papers!"
Many guild members laugh at his, undoubtedly stupid and unflavorful 'Joke.'
"As required by the guild, I must inform your party of the X quest." Arcy says softly. In turn all the chattering guild members quiet down to hear her.
"The Lair of Spiders, one of the most difficult dungeons to ever exist. Said to have taken the lives of 500 roaming Adventurers and 6 thousand of the Elephant Guilds members for decades. With the reward of a successful dungeon clear being 5 things of choice from the King being given to each and every living member of the party. Today the party of Eruf the Mercenary King have declared to challenge this dungeon. Thus, the King shall set a time for the party to be set off in honorary tradition. Please let these brave men have a cheer as they head off to see the King himself!!"
The crowd of guild members erupts in cheers and shouts of encouragement as Eruf's party slowly exits the guild to see the King himself.