The dawn was breaking, and the ominous red glow of the Blood Moon was fading. Yome and Elara continued their journey through the deserted city, the eerie silence occasionally broken by the distant howls of monsters. Exhaustion weighed heavily on them both, their mana reserves nearly depleted. Despite this, they pressed on, determined to find safety before the next wave of attacks.
As they navigated the crumbling streets, a variety of beasts and monsters sporadically appeared, forcing them into brief skirmishes. Elara's fire spells were becoming weaker, and Yome's wind abilities were barely sustaining them.
"Stay close, Yome," Elara instructed, her voice strained. "We're almost out of here."
Yome nodded, panting from exertion. "I don't know how much longer I can keep this up."
Just as hope seemed within reach, a massive, hulking figure emerged from the shadows—a Level B monster. Its eyes glowed with malevolence, and its roar shook the very ground they stood on.
"Run!" Elara shouted, grabbing Yome's arm. They sprinted through the labyrinth of broken buildings, the monster hot on their heels. Every step sent a jolt of fear through Yome, but he forced himself to keep moving.
They ducked into a narrow alley and found themselves in front of a dilapidated building. Desperate, they burst through the door and slammed it shut behind them. The monster's roars echoed outside, but it didn't seem to follow them inside.
Catching their breath, they realized they had stumbled into an old guild building. Dust and cobwebs covered the remnants of a once-bustling place. Broken furniture and shattered glass littered the floor, but there was an unmistakable sense of history in the air.
"What is this place?" Yome asked, looking around in awe.
Elara brushed some dust off an old emblem on the wall. "This used to be a guild hall. Adventurers would come here to form parties, take on quests, and level up. It was a place of camaraderie and challenge."
"Guilds?" Yome echoed. "What are they exactly?"
Elara smiled, despite their situation. "Guilds are organizations that adventurers join to take on missions and quests. They provide resources, training, and a place to gather. Members are ranked based on their experience and accomplishments. The ranks range from novice to master."
Yome's curiosity grew. "How do you become an adventurer?"
"You need to register with a guild using a registration artifact called a Register Ball," Elara explained. "It records your status, skills, and achievements, allowing you to level up and gain access to more powerful quests and resources."
As if on cue, a soft glow caught their attention. In the center of a broken table lay a glowing white ball. Elara's eyes widened in surprise. "That's a Register Ball! I can't believe it's still here."
They approached the table, and Elara picked up the ball, handing it to Yome. "Place your hand on it and state your name."
Yome did as instructed, feeling a warm sensation spread through his body as the ball recorded his information. A translucent screen appeared before his eyes.
Name: Yome
Level: 5
Health: 150/150
Mana: 350/350
Status: Rank 1 (Novice Adventurer)
Skills:
- Wind Blade: A sharp gust of wind that can slice through enemies. (Mana Cost: 20)
- Gale Barrier: A defensive wind shield. (Mana Cost: 30)
- Wind Step: Increases speed with a burst of wind. (Mana Cost: 10)
- Predict: Predicts an enemy's actions five seconds into the future. Usable three times a day. (Mana Cost: 50)
Unique Skill:
- Echo of the Fallen: Absorbs the knowledge and skills of defeated enemies. (Mana Cost: 50 per absorption)
Inventory:
- Broken Sword
- Base Grimoire (Wind Element)
Yome's eyes widened as he saw his level. "I leveled up! But how?"
Elara smiled, placing her hand on the Register Ball to update her status. "We gained experience from the monsters we defeated during the night. The Register Ball calculates and updates our levels based on our achievements."
Her own screen appeared:
Name: Elara
Level: 18
Health: 800/800
Mana: 1300/1300
Status: Rank 2 (Apprentice Adventurer)
Skills:
- Flame Burst: Unleashes a powerful burst of fire. (Mana Cost: 40)
- Fire Shield: Creates a defensive barrier of flames. (Mana Cost: 60)
- Inferno Strike: A devastating fiery attack. (Mana Cost: 100)
- Heat Wave: Emits a wave of intense heat, damaging all enemies in range. (Mana Cost: 80)
- Phoenix Flame: Heals wounds with mystical fire. (Mana Cost: 50)
Unique Skill:
- Dragon's Wrath: Temporarily enhances all fire-based attacks with dragon's power. (Mana Cost: 200)
Inventory:
- Enchanted Sword
- Second-Level Grimoire (Fire Element)
- Healing Potions
- Mana Potions
- Food Supplies
- Camping Gear
"We both leveled up significantly," Elara said, her tone one of cautious optimism. "This will help us survive."
They explored the guild hall further, discovering a cache of gear and supplies. Yome found a well-crafted sword and new clothes, replacing his worn and broken equipment. Elara handed him a set of leather armor that fit him surprisingly well.
"This should offer you better protection," she said, adjusting the armor on him.
Yome nodded, feeling more prepared. "Thank you, Elara. I don't know what I'd do without you."
"We're in this together," she replied, giving him a reassuring smile. "Now let's see what else we can find."
On a dusty shelf, they discovered potions and other supplies. Elara handed Yome several healing potions and mana potions, explaining their use.
"These will help you recover during battles. Healing potions restore health, and mana potions replenish your magical energy."
Yome stored the potions in his inventory, feeling more confident about their chances. "This place is a treasure trove," he remarked, looking around.
Elara nodded. "Old guild halls often have useful supplies left behind. We're lucky to have found this one."
With their newfound gear and resources, they decided to rest in the guild hall for the remainder of the day. They set up a small camp in one of the rooms, grateful for a moment of respite.
As Yome lay down, exhaustion finally overtook him. His thoughts swirled with the events of the past days—falling into a new world, fighting monsters, and discovering magic. Despite the fear and uncertainty, he felt a spark of hope. With Elara by his side, he believed they could survive and uncover the mysteries of this world. The dawn of a new day brought promise and peril in equal measure, but together, they were ready to face whatever lay ahead.