The rest of the evening blurred into a haze of exhaustion and quiet conversation. After dinner, Lina retreated to her room—a simple, comfortable space with a small bed, a wooden chest, and a window overlooking the village square.
She sat on the edge of the bed, gazing out the window as the last light of the day faded, and the village quieted. The air was cool and refreshing, carrying distant sounds—a dog barking, faint laughter from villagers, the soft clinking of glasses from the inn's common room below.
In the dimming light, Lina noticed a man cloaked in shadows standing at the edge of the square. His posture was tense, unmoving, as if watching the inn. A chill ran down her spine, but when she blinked, he was gone. *Did I imagine that?* she wondered, shaking her head to dismiss the unease that gnawed at her.
*I'm just tired,* Lina told herself, trying to shake off the feeling of being watched. It had been a long day, and her mind must have been playing tricks on her. With a sigh, she pulled the thin blanket over herself and closed her eyes.
Tomorrow, she would visit the Adventurers Guild with Ming. Maybe they could help her figure out a plan, something to give her purpose in this strange world.
As she drifted off to sleep, her thoughts wandered back to her life before all of this—familiar routines, the comforts of home, the sense of safety. Now, all of that seemed like a distant memory, replaced by the uncertainty of her new reality.
The next morning, Lina awoke to the sound of birds chirping outside her window. Early light filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow over the room. For a moment, she thought she was back in her own bed, but the unfamiliar surroundings quickly brought her back to reality. She sat up, stretching her sore muscles.
The previous day's journey had taken more out of her than she realized, but despite the aches, she felt a sense of determination. Today was a new day, and she was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
Dressed in the simple clothes she had been given—a tunic, trousers, and sturdy boots—Lina made her way down to the inn's common room. Ming, Garret, and Finn were already there, finishing breakfast. They greeted her with nods as she joined them at the table.
"Morning," Ming said, her sharp eyes studying Lina. "Sleep well?"
"Yeah, I did. Thanks," Lina replied, though she still couldn't shake the feeling of being watched the night before.
"Good. We'll head to the guild after we eat. They should be open by the time we get there."
Breakfast was simple but hearty—eggs, bread, and some kind of meat Lina couldn't quite identify but tasted good enough. As she ate, she noticed Garret and Finn exchanging quiet words, their expressions serious. She wondered what they were discussing but decided not to pry. They had their own business, and she had hers.
Once they finished eating, Ming led them out of the inn and through the village again. The morning air was crisp, and the village was already coming to life.
Villagers bustled about, tending to their daily chores. A group of children ran past, laughing as they chased each other through the narrow streets. It was a scene that could have been peaceful if not for the undercurrent of tension Lina sensed just beneath the surface. The village felt like a bubble of safety in a world that threatened to burst at any moment.
The Adventurers Guild was located near the edge of the village, housed in a sturdy stone building that looked more like a fortress than a place of business. A large sign depicting crossed swords hung above the entrance, and the sound of clashing metal echoed from within.
As they approached, Lina felt a mix of excitement and nerves. This was it—the moment she'd been waiting for.
Inside, the guild was bustling with activity. Adventurers of all kinds milled about—some in armor, others in robes, all carrying weapons or gear. A large board on one wall was covered in job postings, and several groups gathered around it, discussing their next missions. The air was thick with the scent of sweat, leather, and metal, and the noise of conversation and clattering weapons filled the space.
Ming led Lina to the front desk, where a bored-looking receptionist sat behind a counter. The woman glanced up as they approached, her eyes flicking over Lina with mild interest.
"New recruit?" the receptionist asked flatly.
"Yeah, she's looking to sign up," Ming replied.
The receptionist handed Lina a form and a quill. "Fill this out. Basic information—name, skills, that sort of thing. Once you're done, I'll take it to the back, and they'll get you sorted."
Lina stared at the form for a moment, thinking about her skill. *Should such a skill even exist?* Her mind raced. She could leave it blank, but it was the only skill she had, and she doubted anyone would believe she was that weak. In the end, she wrote the skill and handed over the form.
The receptionist glanced at it, then back at Lina. "Are you sure this is your skill? I've worked this job for fifteen years, and I've never seen anything like it."
Lina knew the skill was rare.
"Never mind, just give her the card," Ming said with a wink at the receptionist.
"Certainly! I'll be back shortly." The receptionist disappeared to the back.
After a short while, she returned with a card resembling a credit card and handed it to Lina. "This is your guild card. Don't lose it; replacements are expensive. Take any mission or job you want, but be sure to complete one every six months to stay in our records. You can also trade in monster items for money, as well as claim bounties on bandits. That's all—happy adventuring!"
Lina turned the card over in her hands. It felt solid, real—a tangible proof that she was now part of this world in a way she hadn't been before. Her name was engraved on the front, along with a small emblem indicating her rank as a beginner.
"Thanks," she said, slipping the card into her pocket.
"Welcome to the Adventurers Guild, Lina," Ming said, clapping her on the back. "This is where the real journey begins."
Lina nodded, a renewed sense of purpose filling her. This was her new life now, and she was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. As they stepped back into the morning sun, Lina smirked. She felt that she was here for a purpose.
"Now to find those bandits."