I heard someone calling my name.
"Yu! Yu!"
The loud, high-pitched voice belonged to a familiar girl. I scanned the surroundings, and there she was—my younger sister Sakura.
In the virtual world, she looked even more stunning. Her graceful presence, fresh and elegant appearance, and radiant black silky hair perfectly complemented her shining eyes and flawless skin. Despite wearing a violet, tattered robe, her beauty still radiated, captivating the attention of those around her.
'I should really protect my sister from future harm'
Concern for my sister's well-being filled my thoughts. As she ran towards me, she suddenly stopped, revealing her slight pointed ears akin to the Alv race. Curious, I asked,
"Alv race?"
She simply nodded, a smile gracing her face.
"Aren't I pretty?"
She asked, twirling around happily.
"Definitely, you look just like our mom,"
I replied. Instantly, her expression turned gloomy, and I could see the worry in her eyes.
At that moment, a boy appeared beside me—a familiar face, my younger brother Kuga.
With his lengthy pointed ears, he clearly belonged to the Elves race. While Elves were known for their feminine appearance and physique, Kuga's features combined femininity with handsomeness. His golden hair shone, partially obscuring his eyes. He wore a plain, tattered white cloth and fitted brown leather pants, accentuating his petite frame and flawless fair skin. Despite his girlish appearance, his deep, masculine voice distinguished him as male.
Contrasting our siblings' glowing and youthful appearances, no one would guess that we were related by blood. Suddenly, Sakura burst into laughter, teasing Kuga as she playfully patted his shoulders.
"Aren't you just a pretty sight?"
She exclaimed. Kuga, embarrassed, shrugged it off and sought refuge behind my back.
"You're handsomely charming, Kuga,"
I reassured him, smiling.
"Alright, let's focus on the game. Besides, don't you both have classes tomorrow?" I interjected with a stern look.
"We'll only play for an hour, nothing more," Sakura responded.
Time in the game matched real life, so as it was nighttime outside, the virtual world mirrored the same.
Out of nowhere, a holographic screen materialized before me, displaying a newly emerged quest. It was my very first quest.
[Quest - Adventurer's Guild
As a novice adventurer, completely unfamiliar with the surrounding land, you are given the responsibility to enlist with the esteemed Adventurer's Guild. Joining this guild will prove invaluable in your pursuits and provide significant assistance along your journey.]
Glancing at my younger brother and sister, it became apparent that they were on the same quest as me. With a shared sense of purpose, we embarked on a stroll through the area, determined to locate the Adventurer's Guild.
After a brief walk, we found ourselves standing in the town square. Dominating the center of the square was a weathered building that seemed to have been repurposed. Its exterior bore clear indications of age and usage, with chipped and cracked wooden planks and bricks. Displayed prominently on the front was a sizable wooden plaque that read "Adventurer's Guild."
Eagerly spotting the sign, we promptly made our way inside. The interior greeted us with a modest arrangement of worn wooden tables and chairs, bearing the marks of numerous years of service. Along the walls, tattered banners and faded paintings added a touch of character to the space. Nestled in one corner of the room stood a small wooden board, unassumingly displaying a limited number of weathered parchment papers securely fastened with rusty nails. Adjacent to it stood a worn wooden counter, where a group of fatigued-looking women stood, seemingly overburdened by their duties.
As I surveyed the surroundings, a thought crossed my mind,
'This seems rather shabby for a place meant to welcome new players.'
Despite its worn-out appearance, the place was teeming with individuals doing their own thing, specifically adventurers or players who had recently just started on their game journey.
We approached the counter, and a warm greeting awaited us from a woman named Eleanor, the representative of the Adventurer's Guild Eldoria branch. Her tired eyes belied her bright smile, evidence of her sleepless hours.
"Welcome to the Adventurer's Guild Eldoria branch! I'm Eleanor," she greeted us. "You all look like new faces. Are you here to register?"
We nodded in response, and Eleanor retrieved a crystal ball, placing it on the counter. She gestured for me to go first, pointing towards the crystal ball.
"Place your hand on this crystal ball," she instructed.
Following her guidance, I laid my hand upon the crystal ball, which emitted a brief, white glow before subsiding. Withdrawing my hand, I witnessed a wooden plaque materialize from the crystal ball. Eleanor retrieved it and handed it to me, and I proceeded to read its contents.
The wooden plaque revealed the following information:
[Name: Yu Kagami
Race: Human
Class: Warrior Level: 1
Subclass: Locked
Guild Rank: F]
While I read my wooden plaque, Sakura and Kuga were also presented with theirs. Eleanor then continued speaking, her words flowing without pause.
"This wooden plaque serves as a versatile tool, establishing your identity and facilitating quest acceptance. Once you acquire a quest paper from the notice board, bring it to a staff member for assessment. We will determine if the quest is suitable and recommendable for you or your party. After completing the quest, proper documentation is necessary. Additionally, the plaque provides access to various guild facilities and serves as a means of communication within the guild network."
Eleanor shifted gears seamlessly, transitioning to an explanation of the guild's ranking system.
"Allow me to explain the ranking system here at our guild. We have a range of ranks from SS, which is the highest achievable rank, down to F, which serves as the starting point for our newest members, including yourselves today."
She proceeded to elaborate on how adventurers could advance their ranks.
"To elevate your rank, you must demonstrate your worth through a combination of factors. Successful completion of quests is paramount. Your performance, efficiency, and ability to overcome challenges will be closely observed. Furthermore, exhibiting exceptional skills, resourcefulness, and leadership qualities will greatly contribute to your rank advancement."
Without missing a beat, Eleanor continued her discourse, sharing a crucial detail.
"Ah, one more important detail. It's vital to understand how quest assignments align with your current rank. You will be eligible for quests that correspond to your rank or one rank higher, provided the guild staff deems them suitable and accomplishable for you. This careful evaluation ensures your safety, as we prioritize your well-being throughout your journey. While we aim to challenge and push you to grow, we must also consider your capabilities and limitations."
We nodded in understanding as Eleanor concluded her explanation.
"Now, go forth and embark on your journey!" she exclaimed with excitement in her voice.