Dan cleared his throat, steeling himself before speaking. "Hello, I'm here to inquire about employment opportunities."
The large man behind the desk nodded with a friendly smile. "Well, you've come to the right place. My name's Jack, but you can call me J."
Jack then requested Dan's city resident papers. Dan furrowed his brow in confusion. "What papers?" he repeated incredulously. "I don't have those; I've only just arrived."
Jack's expression turned serious. "I'm afraid I can't assist you without those papers. Without them, you won't be able to secure employment anywhere in the city. You should visit the Imperial Immigration and Data Center to obtain them, sir."
Dan's resolve solidified as he nodded firmly. "Alright, I'll be back," he declared before turning on his heel and exiting the mercenaries' guild building. With purpose in his stride, Dan made his way towards the Imperial Immigration and Data Center.
As Dan journeyed towards the center, his path intersected with a bustling street filled with the sound of marching feet and the sight of a large military force. Intrigued, he approached the gathering crowd, curiosity piqued by the spectacle unfolding before him.
Among the throng of onlookers, Dan spotted a man and approached him, seeking answers. "Excuse me, what's happening?" Dan inquired, his voice barely audible over the din of the crowd.
The man turned to Dan, a look of astonishment crossing his face. "You don't know? This is the lord of the city returning from quelling a rebellion against the empire," he explained, his words tinged with awe.
Dan's gaze followed the procession of military forces as they marched deeper into the city
Dan pushed his way through the dense crowd, eager to distance himself from the commotion. Dan than left the crowd As he reached for his map to plot a new course, panic surged through him when he couldn't find it, nor his money. It dawned on him that someone in the crowd had taken advantage of the chaos to snatch his belongings.
A mixture of frustration and anger welled up inside Dan as he scanned the faces around him, searching for any sign of the thief. However, the bustling crowd made it impossible to pinpoint the culprit.
Dan than noticed a guard patrolling nearby and rushed to intercept him, his heart racing with urgency. "Sir," he called out, hoping to attract the guard's attention. When the guard finally turned towards him, Dan spoke rapidly, his voice betraying his distress. "I've been robbed. My money and my map are gone."
The guard glanced at Dan with disinterest and shook his head. "Not my concern," he replied curtly. "Move along and don't bother me with your problems." With a dismissive wave, he resumed his patrol, leaving Dan standing there, feeling helpless and frustrated as he watched the guard disappear into the crowd.