The next day, a rebellious teenager with vibrant pink hair and eyes to match was glued to his phone, desperately searching for something that seemed to elude him.
Frustration etched across his face as he grumbled about the ongoing discussion surrounding the disappearance of a mysterious portal, a topic that had consumed the collective consciousness for over a week.
His quest for information about the elusive second floor of the tower proved fruitless, with only meager scraps of knowledge to be found.
But just when he was about to give up hope, a glimmer of possibility caught his eye. A website called Playerbook emerged from the depths of the internet, a virtual haven where seasoned players gathered to share their wisdom and offer suggestions about the enigmatic tower.
Without wasting a single moment, he eagerly clicked on the website and typed a plea for information about the second floor. Minutes ticked by with no response, until finally, a chorus of voices chimed in to answer his call.
(Seniorplayer46: on the second floor, adventurers could register themselves and take on lucrative commissions to earn some serious coin. The most coveted quest involved subjugating maned wolves)
(Invincible12:creatures that may appear cute but possessed a ferocity that rivaled even the mightiest of lions.)
Another player, , warned against underestimating these formidable foes, emphasizing their size and untamed nature.
But amidst the conflicting advice, one player, mylegendaryme889, suggested a less glamorous but equally rewarding quest
(mylegendaryme889: exterminating rats. It might be a repulsive task, but the pay was good, and the job itself was a breeze.)
As the conversation continued, Kai couldn't help but roll his eyes at the players who seemed to have conveniently forgotten the details of the second floor trial. Did they suffer some sort of brain damage during their own trials? It was a perplexing thought.
Determined to find answers for himself, Kai let out a sigh of resignation. "I guess I'll have to figure it out on my own," he muttered to himself. With his phone safely tucked away in his pocket, he prepared to embark on another journey into the tower. "Time to explore and uncover the truth," he declared, boarding the bus that would take him to the player association.
Upon arriving, he spotted a familiar figure and couldn't help but scratch his chin in confusion. "Do I know her?" he pondered, only to dismiss the thought with a shrug. "Probably not," he concluded, swiftly entering the tower without looking back.
Meanwhile, the person he had noticed was engaged in a lively conversation with her sister. Sophie's concern for Lucy was evident in her eyes as she questioned her sister's ability to handle whatever lay ahead.
Lucy, ever confident in her own abilities as a ranker, reassured Sophie with a playful flex of her non-existent biceps. "Don't worry, sis. I've got this. I'll handle it like a pro," she boasted, unaware of the unease that lingered in Sophie's gaze.
"Promise me you'll message me if anything goes wrong," Sophie pleaded, her worry refusing to dissipate. "Of course, I will," Lucy replied, her tone laced with a hint of jest. "Take care, sis," Sophie bid her farewell, her intuition foreboding a storm on the horizon. Ignoring her sister's concerns, Lucy confidently strode into the tower, leaving Sophie to contemplate the unknown that awaited her.
Meanwhile, Kai found himself standing before the adventure guild, a sight that defied his expectations. Gone were the rowdy adventurers and the stench of ale that he had come to associate with such establishments from fantasy novels and anime. Instead, he was greeted by a pristine and orderly environment, devoid of chaos.
"Not exactly what I had in mind," he grumbled, shaking his head in disappointment. As he entered, his eyes were met with a clean and shiny room, and the dining area was surprisingly well-maintained. It was a far cry from the fantastical images he had conjured in his mind.
Caught off guard by the unexpected ambiance, a receptionist carrying a stack of papers approached Kai. Sensing his peculiar aura, she couldn't help but anticipate an encounter with yet another eccentric individual. "Do you need any help, sir?" she inquired, her voice laced with curiosity.
Kai, observing the stack of papers in her hands, speculated that she must be adding new quests to the board. "Oh, I want to register as an adventurer," he replied, grateful for her assistance.
"If you wish to register, please proceed to counter number 08," she politely directed him.
"Thank you, miss. I appreciate it," Kai responded, surprising the receptionist with his politeness. She had grown accustomed to arrogant adventurers who looked down upon those with stable jobs like hers, often subjecting her to their berating remarks.
Kai's courteous demeanor caught her off guard, leaving her momentarily speechless.
Approaching counter number 08, Kai's gaze fell upon a blonde girl who seemed to radiate an ethereal beauty. Her shoulder-length, lustrous blonde hair and captivating emerald green eyes were impossible to ignore. Clad in a form-fitting uniform that accentuated her well-defined figure, she effortlessly commanded the attention of those around her.
Caught in a daze, the receptionist's eyes locked with Kai's handsome face, his pink hair perfectly complementing his unique eyes. "Ahem, cough, cough," Kai cleared his throat, snapping her out of her reverie.
"Oh, my apologies," the receptionist finally realized her lapse in professionalism and quickly apologized. Kai, ever forgiving, waved off her apology with a dismissive gesture.
Returning to her role as a professional, the receptionist offered a genuine smile. "How may I assist you, sir?" she inquired, her eyes fixed on Kai.
"I would like to register as an adventurer," Kai stated, his voice filled with determination.
The receptionist retrieved a form from the drawer and handed it to Kai, offering her assistance if needed. "Feel free to ask for help if you require any, sir," she kindly offered.
"Okay," Kai replied, accepting the form and filling it out diligently. Once completed, he handed it back to the receptionist, who informed him that the process would take some time. She suggested he wait in the dining area while they finalized his registration.
However, Kai had other plans. Instead of heading to the dining area, he decided to peruse the quest board in search of available commissions. As he scanned the board, his eyes landed on a particular piece of paper that seemed oddly familiar.
"Isn't that..." he murmured to himself, swiftly removing the paper from the board and returning to the counter, his curiosity piqued.