I stood outside a large, two-story building with a wooden signboard hanging above the entrance, proudly displaying the words "ADVENTURER'S GUILD." The structure was imposing yet welcoming, a place where dreams of glory and gold either blossomed or were crushed under the weight of reality.
Taking a deep breath, I pushed open the heavy wooden doors and stepped inside. The interior was bustling with activity. The air was thick with the chatter of adventurers exchanging tales of their exploits, the clinking of tankards, and the occasional boisterous laughter. To my left, a large hall filled with long wooden tables was occupied by groups of adventurers eating and drinking without a care in the world. The scent of roasted meat and ale wafted through the air, mingling with the musty smell of leather and steel.
To my right, a line of adventurers waited patiently at the receptionist's office, where a lady in a crisp uniform managed the queue with practiced efficiency. The scene felt surreal, like I had just stepped into one of the many stories I had read about in my previous life.
I was currently in Riverdale, a bustling city on the outskirts of the kingdom, far from the prying eyes of the capital. I had used a teleportation circle to arrive here directly from the royal palace, leaving behind the safety and comfort of my family for the first time. The excitement of finally starting my journey as an adventurer was palpable.
As I waited for my turn, I observed the adventurers around me. They were of all shapes and sizes, some in worn leather armor, others in gleaming plate. There were warriors with swords strapped to their backs, mages with staves adorned with crystals, and archers with quivers full of arrows. Each one seemed to have their own story, their own reasons for being here.
Finally, it was my turn. I approached the receptionist, who greeted me with a professional smile. "Hello, how may I help you?" she asked politely.
"I'm a new adventurer, and I'd like to accept a quest," I replied, handing over my adventurer card. It was a simple, unassuming piece of metal with my name, Ryan, etched into it.
She examined the card before nodding. "We only have a few quests available for E-Rank adventurers," she said as she handed me a stack of papers detailing the available quests.
I quickly skimmed through them. Most were simple jobs—delivering goods, gathering herbs, or escorting merchants. They were safe, easy, and utterly boring. But one quest caught my eye—a request to retrieve a plant called Aeglos from a forest known to harbor dangerous creatures. It was exactly what I was looking for—a chance to test my skills in combat.
"I'll take this one," I said, handing her the paper.
The receptionist raised an eyebrow but nodded. "Alright, but I recommend forming a team soon if you plan to take on higher-ranked quests. It can be dangerous out there, even for someone as confident as you."
I smiled, appreciating her concern, but I had no intention of relying on others just yet. I wanted to see how far I could go on my own first. "I'll keep that in mind," I replied, taking the quest slip from her.
With that, I left the guild, stepping out into the bright afternoon sun. The journey ahead was uncertain, filled with potential dangers, but I couldn't help but feel a thrill of anticipation. This was the first step toward my goal of becoming stronger, of living life on my own terms.
The path to the Aeglos plant would lead me into unknown territory, but that was exactly where I wanted to be—facing the unknown, challenging my limits, and carving out my own destiny.