"MEDIC!!! I NEED A MEDIC RIGHT NOW!!" Bullets flew right above one of the soldiers dragging the young and injured private to safety. As the medic approached the young soldier, the pain of getting shot began to kick in, and right after that...
A flash of intense light blinded him as explosions roared around. His comrades' screams echoed in his ears, and the scent of gunpowder filled the air. The private's vision blurred, and darkness consumed him.
Gasp!
A young boy known as Thomas Gerhart woke up from his nightmare, gasping for air. He was in shock after the dream that felt so real and yet so strange to him. He sat in his bed, staring at the ceiling, trying to make sense of the unsettling images that had haunted his sleep. His heart raced, and he could still feel the ghostly pain in his abdomen. After a few moments, he began to relax, but the memory of the nightmare lingered, leaving him wondering about its origin and meaning.
"Thomas! Are you awake?" The voice of Thomas's mother, Erika, could be heard from the kitchen downstairs.
"Yes, Mother," Thomas replied, standing up and stretching, trying to shake off the remnants of the vivid dream. His mind was still filled with questions about its significance.
Erika, a former adventurer with a kind but firm demeanor, had always been the anchor of the family. Her magical abilities and nurturing nature made her a beloved figure in the village. Paul, Thomas's father, was a towering figure with a kind heart and a fierce sense of protection for his family.
Thomas headed downstairs after making his bed. As soon as he reached the ground floor, a delicious aroma from the kitchen greeted him, making his stomach growl in hunger. He rushed to the kitchen and sat at the table, where his father Paul was inspecting his sword, dressed in full armor.
"Dad, are you going on a quest after this?" Thomas asked Paul with excitement, his eyes wide with curiosity.
Paul replied, teasingly, "Yes, I am. Do you want to come?"
Erika interrupted, placing a bowl of hot beef stew in front of Thomas and Paul. "Please, isn't he too young to follow you on a quest?" Erika said, her voice carrying a hint of anger and concern. After all, Thomas was still just a child.
Paul reassured his wife, saying, "Don't worry, it's me you're talking about, and it's just an easy quest of killing slimes. Besides, I want him to experience a bit of fun being an adventurer."
Erika pondered for a few moments before sighing. "Fine, but if I see any scratch on our precious son, you will be sleeping outside that night," she said, a mix of sternness and playfulness in her voice.
Thomas, hearing this, jumped from his seat and hugged his mother. "Thank you, Mom. I love you so much," he said, his eyes showing sincere affection.
Erika smiled, gently petting Thomas's head. "Please behave well and follow what your father says. I don't want my little brave adventurer to get injured," she said with a caring voice.
It had been 8 years since Thomas was born into this medieval fantasy world, where magic and monsters roamed. The village of Eldoria, nestled between lush forests and rolling hills, was a place of wonder and mystery. He already knew the language of this land and had learned some basic magic, thanks to his mother Erika, who was once an adventurer, and his father Paul, who was skilled in sword fighting.
Thomas nodded, settling back at the table to enjoy the stew, while the family laughed and shared stories of their adventures. Once they finished eating, Paul and Thomas set off to the town to take on the quest, leaving Erika behind to take on the role of village chief while Paul was away.
Thomas was born into a wealthy yet humble family, and he was a distant relative of the royal family. The plot of land his family owned was a marriage gift, but despite the family's wealth, this would be the first time Thomas stepped outside his house's perimeter. He was eager to embark on his first quest and, perhaps, make new friends.
As they rode out of the village on horseback, Thomas's mind was abuzz with excitement and nerves. This was his first taste of adventure, and he couldn't help but think about the stories his parents had told him. He wondered if he would ever become as strong and brave as his father, or as wise and skilled in magic as his mother.
The memory of the nightmare still lingered at the back of his mind, a shadow that he couldn't quite shake off. He wondered if it was a sign of things to come, or just his imagination playing tricks on him. Either way, he was determined to prove himself and make his parents proud.
After an hour on horseback, they finally arrived at the bustling and colorful town of Berg. The town was alive with activity: merchants hawking their wares, children playing in the streets, and adventurers preparing for their quests. Thomas looked around, trying to comprehend the sheer number of people walking down the streets. As they entered the city gate, he held his father's hand tightly, scared of getting lost in the crowd.
The Adventure Guild was a grand hall, filled with the hum of conversation and the clinking of metal. Adventurers of all kinds, from seasoned warriors to fresh-faced novices, filled the room. The walls were adorned with banners and trophies from past exploits.
Paul noticed that Thomas was overwhelmed by the situation and reached out to carry him on his shoulder. He asked Thomas, "So, do you like following me?"
Thomas replied with a nod and a smile as they approached the counter and met the guild lady.
The lady recognized Paul and said, "Oh, hello there, Paul, the strongest silver adventurer. But I still wonder why you don't want to be promoted to gold."
Paul replied, "Why not? Besides, I am not that powerful. Do you have any spare bronze quests? I'm bringing my son with me, and I don't want him to get hurt."
The lady chuckled, "Haha, of course. Here, sign." She handed Paul a contract paper, which he signed, and handed back his adventure rank card as a deposit. Father and son then set off on their quest to hunt some slimes.