Seun-mi Ho stood before the grand doors of the Naraheim Guild, his sharp gaze sweeping over the scene unfolding around him. The massive building, with its sturdy stone walls and red banners adorned with symbols of crossed swords, exuded the power and authority of the organization.
Inside, numerous adventurers bustled around the quest boards, whispering to each other or preparing their equipment for their next mission. The place buzzed with palpable energy, like a hive in constant motion.
Seun-mi Ho, however, was there with a specific purpose: to find Caelum, the Silver Knight. It had been a while since they last crossed paths on their previous mission at Lysander's. Caelum had left him a business card and an invitation to meet him at the guild if needed. That time had finally come.
He approached the guard stationed at the entrance—a massive man in armor, his alert gaze barely hidden by his helmet. The guard sized up Seun-mi Ho, assessing the man standing before him. Seun-mi Ho didn't waste time.
"I'm here on the invitation of the Silver Knight, Caelum," he declared confidently. "We fought together on a mission at Lysander's. He told me to come here if I ever needed to meet him."
The guard raised an eyebrow at Caelum's name, as though weighing what to do next. He stayed silent for a moment, though his expression showed he took this information seriously.
"The Silver Knight?" he asked for confirmation. "Caelum is on a mission at the moment. He's not here right now."
Seun-mi Ho nodded. He had expected Caelum to be busy; after all, a knight of his rank rarely stayed in town long. But this didn't change his plans.
"I figured," he replied calmly. "In that case, I'd like to join the guild while I wait for his return. He left me this card as proof of our collaboration."
He pulled a small card from his pocket, discreet yet elegant, engraved with Caelum's personal seal. He handed it to the guard, who took it carefully and examined it closely.
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Examining the Business Card
The guard looked over the card for a moment, his eyes tracing the metal's engraved details. Caelum's seal, a knight in silver armor brandishing a sword, was well-known within the guild. It not only identified its bearer but also signified a level of trust between him and the Silver Knight.
"I see...," murmured the guard, nodding. "Caelum doesn't hand out this type of card to just anyone. If you have it, it means you fought by his side and proved your worth."
He paused, considering his next step. "I'll see what I can do. Wait here for a moment."
The guard turned to one of his colleagues inside the guild and exchanged a few words before disappearing behind a large door. Seun-mi Ho remained still, observing his surroundings as he waited.
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Waiting in the Guild
The commotion inside the guild seemed unending. Adventurers of all kinds came and went—some clad in heavy armor, others in mage robes—all with a determined look on their faces. The quest boards were constantly scanned by eager eyes, and conversations about current missions and creatures to face echoed in the air.
Seun-mi Ho recalled the tutorial he had received earlier, including the warnings about final bosses and the groups of adventurers required to take them down. The idea of forming a team to defeat the ancient dragon lingered in his mind. The information from the interface was clear: facing such a creature alone would be extremely risky.
"I'll need to think carefully about this option," he thought quietly. Formulating a strategy was essential, and the guild could be the perfect place to recruit experienced adventurers or at least gather more information on the creature he had to face.
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The Guard's Response
A few minutes later, the guard reappeared, accompanied by an older man dressed in a tunic bearing the guild's insignia. He was likely a manager or administrator. The man approached Seun-mi Ho, his gaze sharp behind his thin glasses.
"Are you the one with Caelum's card?" he asked in a neutral tone.
Seun-mi Ho nodded without a word. The man briefly examined the card that the guard handed him.
"I see. The Silver Knight doesn't entrust this to strangers. It means you're trustworthy and have skills that could benefit the guild."
He carefully folded the card before returning it to Seun-mi Ho.
"We'd be happy to welcome you temporarily into the guild, pending Caelum's return. However, there is protocol. Even with such a prestigious recommendation, you'll need to go through our registration process and prove your worth. This involves taking at least one quest under our banner and successfully completing it."
Seun-mi Ho raised an eyebrow. This came as no surprise. He knew nothing came freely in this world, and even with Caelum's backing, he would have to prove himself.
"That's fine with me," he replied simply. "I'll take a quest."
The administrator nodded, satisfied.
"Very well. Follow me," he said, turning and motioning for Seun-mi Ho to follow him inside the guild.
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Registering with the Guild
The interior of the Naraheim Guild was even more impressive than Seun-mi Ho had imagined. Marble columns supported the vaulted ceiling, and maps of all the continent's regions adorned the walls, marking dangerous areas where adventurers were sent. He could feel the history within the stones, a place where hundreds, maybe thousands of quests had been accepted and completed.
The administrator led him to a desk at the back of the main hall, where several other adventurers waited in line to register or collect their rewards. Behind the desk, a gray-haired man busily noted details in a massive ledger.
"Here's a newcomer," said the administrator, gesturing toward Seun-mi Ho. "He comes on the recommendation of the Silver Knight, Caelum. We need to register him."
The man behind the desk looked up, visibly intrigued by this news. He pulled out a blank sheet of paper and placed it in front of Seun-mi Ho.
"Your name, main skills, and the quest you wish to undertake to prove your worth," he said, pen poised to write.
Seun-mi Ho took a second to think before answering.
"Seun-mi Ho," he declared. "My main skills are summoning, intimidation, and poison use. As for the quest, I'll take the one closest to Naraheim, preferably something that will allow me to assess my abilities before moving on to my main mission."
The man quickly noted his responses, nodding from time to time.
"Very well," he replied, finishing his writing. "Here's a quest that should suit an adventurer of your caliber."
He turned a page in the ledger and tore out a slip of paper, handing it to Seun-mi Ho. The latter took it and quickly read the details.
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Quest: "Shadows of the Forest"
Description: Nocturnal creatures have been spotted in the woods surrounding Naraheim. These shadows move swiftly and attack unsuspecting travelers. Eliminate them before they cause further harm.
Difficulty: C
Reward: 1500 XP, 200 gold coins
Location: Eastern Forest, two hours' walk from Naraheim
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"This should be enough to get started," murmured Seun-mi Ho, slipping the paper into his pocket. A Rank C quest. Nothing too complex, but enough to prove he had the skills needed to join the guild.
"Come back to the counter once your mission is completed, and we'll validate your registration," said the man behind the desk. "Good luck, adventurer."
Seun-mi Ho nodded, then turned to leave the guild. His next goal was clear.
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A New Mission: Shadows of the Forest
Leaving the guild, Seun-mi Ho glanced at the map of the region. The Eastern Forest wasn't far, only about two hours' walk away. The nocturnal creatures residing there shouldn't be too dangerous, but he remained cautious. Nothing was ever as simple as it seemed. Shadows could hide many horrors.
Daylight was already fading, and he knew nightfall would come quickly. This would likely work in favor of the creatures he was tasked to hunt, but that had never been a problem for him. His skills in stealth and poison made him a natural predator in the dark.
"I'd better move quickly," he thought, adjusting his bag and equipment.
Without further delay, he left the bustling streets of Naraheim and headed for the forest, ready to take on this new task. Once this mission was complete, he would officially be a member of the guild, and he could focus on his true objective: the hunt for the ancient dragon.