No sooner had he left the blacksmith's forge than Argon noticed the absence of a helmet in his newly acquired armour. He cursed under his breath, the weight of his near-empty purse a stark reminder of the need for more cores. Yet, he knew brooding would not solve his problems. Resolute, he made his way towards the Adventurer's Guild, intent on seeking better opportunities and higher rewards.
The Adventurer's Guild stood tall in the heart of Duskhaven. Its imposing stone structure was in stark contrast to the rugged charm of the city, an oasis of grandeur amidst the twilight gloom. Stepping inside, Argon was greeted by a lavish hall filled with gruff, battle-hardened men. They wore myriad armour sets, each more ornate and grand than the last, their shiny embellishments an unabashed display of wealth and status.
As Argon surveyed the bustling hall, he realized that these adventurers, through peril and fortune, had carved out a prosperous living for themselves. The sight stirred a newfound determination in him. This career could be lucrative to secure a more stable future in Nekros.
Navigating through the crowd, Argon approached the counter. Behind it was a young woman, starkly contrasting with the grizzled adventurers that filled the hall. Her name was Annie, and her cheerful demeanour was an oasis amidst the sea of stoic faces. She greeted him with a warm smile, her eyes twinkling with kindness.
"Good day, sir. What's your name?" Annie asked, her hands poised over a ledger.
"Argon," he replied, returning her smile with a nod.
Annie proceeded to explain the workings of the guild to him. Adventurers could undertake tasks corresponding to their rank, denoted by a guild ID card. The higher the rank, the more dangerous - and rewarding - the tasks. After registering his information, Argon received his bronze card, symbolizing his status as a novice adventurer.
He held the card, feeling its cool metal against his skin. This card represented a new chapter in his life. He could now accept bronze tasks, setting him on a path that promised thrilling adventures, dangerous trials, and the chance to amass the wealth he sought.
Argon approached the task board with his bronze ID card held firmly in hand. The number of tasks available to bronze adventurers was limited, reflecting his novice status within the guild. His eyes scanned over the quests, carefully considering the information provided.
One particular task caught his attention - the elimination of any goblin settlement near Duskhaven. Argon couldn't help but remember the goblins he'd encountered earlier. He'd managed to defeat one then, which gave him the confidence that he might be able to handle this quest.
The reward was a handsome sum of sixteen gold coins, which made his near-empty purse seem even lighter. He could only dream of the rewards offered for higher-ranked quests. For now, he would start where he could.
Argon made his way back to Annie, his decision made. "I'd like to accept a task," he said, pointing to the goblin elimination quest on the board.
Annie's cheerful demeanour flickered slightly as she glanced at the task Argon chose. "That's a tough one for a novice," she warned, concern evident in her eyes. "Are you sure?"
Argon nodded, his face set with determination. "I've dealt with goblins before."
Annie gave him a long, considering look before finally nodding and registering his name against the task in the ledger. "Just remember, Argon. The guild values the lives of its members more than any task. Don't push yourself too hard."
He thanked Annie for her advice and left the Adventurer's Guild. His steps echoed with renewed determination as he exited the opulent Seric Merchant area. It was a new beginning, a chance for him to prove himself and possibly make a more secure life in the perilous world of Nekros. Argon was ready to face the challenge head-on.
Despite Annie's heartfelt advice, Argon couldn't help but think, They probably don't give a damn about me. He shook off the thought as he exited the lavish merchant area, his journey taking him down the familiar, crumbling streets of Duskhaven towards his humble abode.
He knew his new armour, shining under the eternally dusk sky, painted a target on his back in this part of town. The incongruity between his youthful face and the suit of armour was not lost on the local vagabonds. Four of them, desperate scavengers, took notice.
The first was a scrawny man with missing teeth and a wild look in his eyes. The second, a hulk of a man, had scars crisscrossing his face like a grotesque map of past violence. The third was a wiry woman, her greasy hair falling over cold, calculating eyes. The last was a lanky youth, not much older than Argon, his face still holding onto the vestiges of innocence, now marred by desperation.
Armed with jagged knives and desperate hunger, they sprang forth from the shadows, blocking Argon's path. The narrow alleyway left no room for him to swing his spear effectively, so he drew his newly-acquired sword.
With a swift upward slash, Argon cleaved through the face of the wild-eyed man, turning his battle cry into a gurgling shriek as blood spattered across the grimy alley. Using his momentum, he kicked back the scarred brute who was rushing him from the side, sending him crashing into a pile of crates.
A twist and a lunge later, Argon's sword sank into the shoulder of the calculating woman, her pained scream echoing through the alley. Panic bloomed on the faces of the remaining scavengers. The scarred brute scrambled to his feet and ran while the young man dropped his knife and also ran in terror.
In one fluid motion, Argon pulled his spear from its sling, his arm winding back then snapping forward, sending the spear flying. It impaled the fleeing brute, pinning him to a rotting wooden door with a sickening thud.
The last standing scavenger, clutching her bleeding shoulder, whimpered in fear. "Please... I have a family," she pleaded, tears welling in her desperate eyes.
Argon's face was a mask of icy indifference. "So will the goblins," he said before his sword slashed across the woman's throat. The woman fell, clutching at the fresh wound, his pleas turning into strangled gasps until all was silent.
With the grim efficiency of a seasoned warrior, Argon retrieved his spear, cleaned his blade, and continued his walk home, leaving the grim scene behind.