Chapter 4 - The First Year

Seth was on his way to the city and planned to go straight to the adventurers guild was he arrives. He was given some funds for the entry fee by his family and hoped it was enough for the entrance to the city and to take the guild test as well.

He wished he had his cousins with him but they had decided to go to different cities so they could train on their own and build their own reputations. And this way they could each keep one city safe in case of incoming demonic threats.

He was also thinking about the friends he made in each tribe. The beautiful and caring Centorea of the centaurs. The fierce but kind Kijo of the onis. The caring and friendly goblin girl triplets from the goblin wanderers. The peppy and cute tigress Ana. And the wonderful and powerful arachne Titania.

He was thinking of how each girl gave him lessons and aid in his training to help him overcome his weaker body. They all seemed to enjoy helping him grow and they seemed to always like spending any amount of time with him. Even when multiple tribes came to visit their village as a group they all seemed to fall into a party together anyway. He smiled at those memories and knew they would carry him through to see them again after age 20.

During his journey to the city Seth had some thoughts about what he could do to get stronger.

He fought random monsters such as wild slimes, mushcaps, goblins, and the odd wolf here and there. And no matter which one he fought he got the same notification.

*You Defeated a ---- gained 1 exp point!*

It kept repeating no matter the monster.

He already missed his village. He also felt slightly guilty at killing the goblins. But they were the wild feral kind. Not the friendly sociable kind.

His guilt came from him having been friends with the nomadic tribe of goblins that came to his village during his younger years. They visited annually and every year they always came to see his family.

He became great friends with the chiefs daughters of the tribe. The triplets were named Rin, Haru, and Kairi.

They were great friends with him and even joined him in his magic and combat lessons. Not to mention his mother seemed to enjoy their company and taught them sewing, cooking, and tips in child care. He never understood that but he still enjoyed his time with them.

They came every year after his 5th birthday and were there every year after to celebrate with him. This happened up until his 14th birthday when they said they would be going to the goblin kingdom to get their classes and become full adult goblin women. And they promised they would be back to see him and join him on his journey to train and practice with whatever party he gathers.

This was why they weren't there with Centorea and Kijo to say goodbye to him and wish him luck with his journey.

He sealed the deal with a promise to them that he would be waiting for them with open arms.

He missed all three goblin girls so much but he did wonder one thing.

"Why did they seem to enjoy being with me despite my weakness curse?" He was wondering out loud during his journey to the city. "I remember their father telling me that goblins respect and are attracted to strong mates. So the fact that I was level limited and at a disadvantage in training means that I should have been rejected by them almost immediately after meeting them. So what made them want to stay by my side as friends?"

He thinks harder and then shrugs giving up while thinking, "I guess this goblin tribe had different standards for what they look for in a mate."

He continues on his way while hunting what he can for drops and materials to sell in the city for living expenses.

He even levels up a few times on his way there.

He travels for 5 days and nights on his way to the city and finally reaches it on the sixth day.

It was a large city due to many dungeons being within its walls being well regulated and maintained by the knights and adventurers inside.

For those that required greater challenges or didn't have money for entry permits there were a number of dungeons located a mere hour long walk from the city walls.

He knew that in order to save money he would be heading to those dungeons first to gain experience and build up his rank.

He went to the gates and greeted the guards while paying the entry fee. The guards all asked him the same thing, "You're sure you want to do this kid? You look like a sword would cleave you in two with your lack of muscle mass, but hey I can't stop you if this is your life choice just be careful." Other similar comments came but at this point he was turning them into back ground noise. It was a nice change compared to how many bullied him for weakness. Instead they seemed to be worried for him. But it was still along the lines of getting to be annoying.

He went in and was in awe. The dungeon city was second only to the royal capital itself. It boasted an impressive 350,000 person population making it a great city that has survived many demon war generations across the history of this great nation.

It was an amazing city with many adventurers, craftsmen, and other famous individuals making their names. However as he looked around for guidance he noticed the looks he was getting.

Many of them along the same lines.

"Who is that twig?"

"Is he some sort of sick person?"

"Nah he's gotta be a starving man."

"Get real it's obvious he's some sort of son of a serf who wasn't able to feed him right, he has the guts to try to be an adventurer at least."

And more and more comments came but he just sighed and went to the Adventurers guild.

Here many individuals came and went. Some human, elves, and dwarves made up the bulk of the races seen. Others were nice orcs, goblins, lamias, giant kin, lizard men, dhampires, and centaurs made up other races for example. There were more but these were the ones he took note of first.

As he entered and glanced around he saw many equipment combinations. That denoted fighters, archers, mages, clerics, rangers, hunters, barbarians, bandits, rogues, assassins, and so on and so forth.

He was in awe but soon the chatter in the guild stopped as he took a fee steps inside towards the counter.

He noticed and heard the comments start up only this time... they were mixed.

"Wow he must be desperate for cash given how unfit he looks."

"Poor guy looks so skinny a breeze could snap him."

"Dang must not see a bunch of sunlight."

And many more followed. Gulping down the comments he finally goes to the registration and meets a cute cat eared girl who cringed immediately before putting her mask of professionalism back on when she sees Seth frown at her reaction.

"Terribly sorry customer. You just remind me of some orphans who came in not too long ago to try and become adventurers. You don't look too healthy. Are you okay?"

Seth thinks, 'Well shit just call me a walking string bean thanks to this curse at this point.'

He sighs and goes, "I would like to register as a beginner rank F adventurer please."

She nods and keeps her mask on while glancing at him and furrowing her eyebrows or her ears flicker in annoyance and agitation from worry about his physical health.

She pulls up the magic machine to generate his card based on his stats. And has him be scanned.

The machine beeps after finishing the scan and pops out his guild card for records.

It proudly shows rank F on it and he thanks her before going to the quest board. And finds he can submit materials for at least 12 F ranked quests from the board immediately.

He shocks the receptionist with the pile of quests and pulls out his magic storage bag to pull out the fangs and pelts of wolves, slime cores, feral goblin horns, orc meat, etc.

By the time an hour has passed he has been awarded 3 silver and 52 copper for 12 F ranked quests being completed. And for completing more than 10 F rank quests within a week he has been given the promotion to E rank.

Everyone claps and has a better respect for him now. And many comments have turned to complimenting his skill despite his lack of muscle mass or healthy glow. He sighs as they at least changed somewhat.

Seth knows it won't last thanks to his stuck level. To become anything higher than D rank you need quests completion, a good level, and to defeat the C ranked proctor of the advancement exam.

He wouldn't do well in the last one. The proctor is at least level 50 and on his way to a class upgrade. And his average stats usually near 200+ at that rank and level.

Seth sighs as he realizes he will forever be a C ranker no matter how many appropriate leveled quests he completes. But he just needs to try his best to find a way through that limiter!

So after thanking them and grabbing an inn room for only 5 copper a night he manages to look at his new stats.

Seth Silverfang

Age:15

Race: Human

Class: Hero (Soul curse)

Level: 4/30 (Rest of levels sealed)

HP: 200

MP: 100

Str: 44 (+35)

Agi: 44 (+20)

End: 44 (+22)

Magic: 44 (+12)

Skill: 44 (+12)

Equipment:

Heroes sword of legend (God rank): X5 users level added to str and agi

Heroic gauntlets of the chosen (Legendary rank): x3 users level added to end and str

Grimoire of the Sage (Legendary Rank): x3 users level added to magic and skill

Holy symbol of Saints (Legendary Rank): User is immune to all diseases and poisons

Basic leather armor set: +10 End (Level requirement 1)

Seth smiles as he realized his years of training was added to his stats. Thanks to the limit of training boosts added to his stats he knew that he shouldn't skip on any of the daily lessons his family told him to do. He promised that he would do his best to live and grow in this city. To be the Hero the world will need in the future.

However... his road was soon blocked by the reality of the situation. He was stuck.

Over the following weeks Seth was able to grow by hunting in dungeons that were a ranked D and E to grow his level. He wasn't making much progress thanks to the curse. But he knew slow and steady would allow him to practice all techniques his father and uncle pounded into him during training.

He conquered all the F ranked dungeons outside the city during his first year in the guild. And the adventurers were more than happy to see him reach D rank in just three months. Some of the female adventurers even began to see him in a new light. People began to call him the champion of the low rankers.

But alas reality always rears its ugly head.

His growth slowed down after that. He only conquered a new dungeon every few weeks instead of every week. He still had a steady and solid completion of every quest he went on. But the girl he tried to date after his fame was made public dumped him after a few weeks. She tried to see past the his lacking progress in his growth physically and his still small muscles but she was a somewhat shallow girl and wanted a man with a proper build. And with his accomplishments slowing down her opinion of him dropped fast.

He shrugged it off as he knew it wasn't time to look for a steady girlfriend yet. Especially once that notification came back to the fore front of his mind. He had future wives to be ready to care for! And instead, just focused on his growth and savings to buy a house for himself and future family.

He ended his first year. On his birthday in the city as the conqueror of all 20 local F ranked Dungeons, 8 E ranked dungeons, and being a D ranker with these stats.

Seth Silverfang

Age:16

Race: Human

Class: Hero (Soul curse)

Level: 15/30 (Rest of levels sealed)

HP: 750

MP: 375

Str: 150 (+120)

Agi: 150 (+75)

End: 150 (+65)

Magic: 150 (+45)

Skill: 150 (+45)

Equipment:

Heroes sword of legend (God rank): X5 users level added to str and agi

Heroic gauntlets of the chosen (Legendary rank): x3 users level added to end and str

Grimoire of the Sage (Legendary Rank): x3 users level added to magic and skill

Holy symbol of Saints (Legendary Rank): User is immune to all diseases and poisons

Basic iron adventurer armor set: +20 End (Level requirement 7)

With his current equipment and stats he was the strongest D ranker in the city. Or if you wanted to get a scale for his current limit. The weakest C ranker as well.

But he knew that this was just the first year. The second year, after spending the first year knowing the city and what is needed to get strength would allow him to reach a solid C ranked level.