Shin stepped out of the adventurer's guild, the sun shining brightly on the bustling streets of the town. The weight of the quest parchment in his hand felt significant, a reminder of the responsibility he had just undertaken. He glanced around, realizing he didn't actually know the way to the forest outskirts where the goblins were said to lurk.
"Guess I should ask someone," he muttered to himself, scanning the crowd for a friendly face.
Spotting an older man leaning against a wooden stall selling fresh fruit, Shin approached him. The man, with a kind face and a weathered look about him, raised an eyebrow as Shin approached. "Excuse me, sir," Shin began, holding up his quest parchment. "I'm looking for the forest outskirts. Could you tell me where to go?"
The man studied Shin for a moment, noting the faint glow of the identification ring on his finger. "Ah, a new adventurer, eh? First quest, I take it?"
Shin scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "Yeah, just got my ring today."
The man chuckled warmly. "Well, you'll want to head toward the Verdant Hollow Forest. That's the closest forest to the town. It's about a half-hour's walk straight down that road." He pointed to a dirt path leading away from the main square.
Shin's eyes followed the direction. "Verdant Hollow Forest… sounds peaceful enough."
The man's expression turned serious. "Don't let the name fool you, lad. Verdant Hollow may look beautiful, but it's got its dangers. The forest is divided into two zones. The outer layer is where you'll find weaker monsters—perfect for someone like you. It's got a danger level suitable for F to D Rank adventurers."
Shin tilted his head. "What about the inner layer?"
The man's tone dropped, and his eyes narrowed. "The inner layer is a different story entirely. That's where the real predators live—monsters and beasts that even seasoned adventurers think twice about facing. It's C to S Rank territory, and if you're not prepared, you won't come out alive."
A chill ran down Shin's spine as he imagined venturing too far into such a dangerous place. "Thanks for the warning. I'll stick to the outer layer."
The man nodded approvingly. "Good. You're not as reckless as some of the youngsters I've seen. Just keep your wits about you. Goblins are crafty little devils. Now, the forest is that way." He gestured again toward the path. "You can't miss it."
"Thank you!" Shin said, bowing slightly in gratitude. With renewed determination, he set off down the road.
The dirt path was well-trodden and lined with tall trees on either side, their leaves creating a canopy that dappled the ground with sunlight. Shin hummed to himself as he walked, occasionally glancing at the quest parchment to remind himself of his objective.
His thoughts wandered to the stranger's warning about the inner layer of Verdant Hollow. C to S Rank monsters… That sounds insane. Good thing I'm starting small.
As he walked, Shin rehearsed his plan. He would use his newfound skills carefully, staying alert for any signs of goblins. Though he hadn't mastered his unique skills, he felt confident he could handle one goblin at a time.
After a while, the trees grew denser, and the air became cooler and heavier. The dirt path widened slightly, revealing the edge of the forest. A carved wooden sign stood at the entrance, its faded letters reading:
Welcome to Verdant Hollow Forest.
Outer Layer: F-D Rank Danger. Proceed with caution.
Inner Layer: C-S Rank Danger. Enter at your own risk.
Shin stopped in his tracks, staring at the sign. The words seemed to hum with an unspoken warning, and he suddenly felt a tension in the air. A soft rustle among the trees made him instinctively place his hand on the hilt of his sword.
The forest stretched before him, its shadows long and inviting but tinged with an underlying sense of menace. The wind carried the faint scent of moss and damp earth, but there was something else—a sharp, acrid tang that made the hairs on the back of his neck stand up.
"This place… it feels alive," Shin murmured, his voice barely audible over the rustling leaves. His instincts, dulled by inexperience, were screaming at him to tread carefully.
He took a deep breath to steady himself. Alright, Shin, you've trained for this. Don't let it get to you. Despite his internal pep talk, his grip on his sword tightened as he stepped forward, leaving the relative safety of the road behind.
The forest seemed to greet him with an eerie silence. The sunlight barely pierced through the thick canopy, casting shifting shadows on the ground. Every sound, from the crunch of leaves under his boots to the distant chirping of birds, felt magnified.
Shin paused at the edge of the tree line, scanning his surroundings. "Outer layer, huh? Doesn't feel so safe to me," he muttered, a nervous chuckle escaping his lips. The weight of the forest's reputation bore down on him, making his every step cautious.
Despite his unease, there was also a flicker of excitement deep within him. This was what he had trained for, what he had dreamt about since stepping into the adventurer's guild. Now, standing at the threshold of the unknown, Shin couldn't help but grin.
"Well," he said, gripping his sword tightly, "time to see what I'm made of."
With that, he stepped deeper into Verdant Hollow Forest, ready to face whatever dangers awaited him.