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The evening sun began to sink in the western horizon, leaving the sky tinged with slowly fading orange hues. In the narrow streets of the coastal city of Sharkdile, a bustling city in the Kingdom of Arcelio, a man with black hair and black eyes walked slowly. His face appeared cold, devoid of emotion, emanating an aura that was hard to approach. This man was Arthur Pendragon, now 18 years old. Ten years had passed since the night that changed his life, when his family was slaughtered and his village, Dawn, was destroyed in a blaze.
Arthur had just arrived in Sharkdile, one of the largest port cities in the Kingdom of Arcelio. This city is known as a hub of trade and a gathering place for adventurers of all kinds, from beginners to the experienced. Arthur, now a Silver-ranked adventurer, deliberately hid his true power, which was equivalent to that of a Mithril-ranked adventurer, to avoid unwanted attention. For years, he had honed his combat and magical skills but chose not to reveal his full potential.
Arthur wandered through the crowded streets of Sharkdile, his eyes catching various activities around him—vendors peddling their wares, children running around, and the distant sound of waves crashing. Yet, his mind remained focused on one goal: survival and the accumulation of power. He had long left behind a past full of suffering, but the desire for revenge still burned within his heart, though he rarely showed it.
When Arthur arrived at the city center, he searched for the building that had been his destination since entering the city. After asking a street vendor, he was directed to a two-story building with a signboard that read 'Adventurer's Guild.' With steady steps, Arthur entered the building, the heavy wooden door opening with a characteristic chime.
Ring...
Inside the guild, the atmosphere was lively and full of energy. Adventurers of various ranks gathered, some alone, some in groups. Laughter, loud conversations, and the clinking of drinking glasses could be heard everywhere. However, Arthur paid little attention to the commotion. He quickly made his way to the mission board on the wall, where mission brochures were posted.
Arthur's eyes scanned the mission board, searching for a task suitable for his Silver rank. He found one mission that caught his attention—a mission to kill a group of ogres that often appeared in the nearby forest. The reward was two silver coins. Although this mission wasn't too difficult for his actual power, Arthur knew he had to stick to his identity as a Silver-ranked adventurer. He grabbed the mission brochure and turned toward the reception desk.
However, just as he was about to head to the reception desk, Arthur noticed a commotion at the front of the line. A large man with a bald head and dark skin was shouting at a young adventurer in front of him. The man was flanked by two companions who both sneered at the young adventurer.
"Move aside, you lowly adventurer! I don't have time to wait in line like all of you!" the bald man shouted as he yanked the unfortunate adventurer's hair. "I am Pennay, a Gold-ranked adventurer! Don't make me smash your face here!"
One of his companions, a skinny man with a mocking grin, added, "That's right, a lowly adventurer like you is nothing compared to the boss."
"Not a match at all," chimed in the other companion, a short and stout man.
The young adventurer, terrified and in tears, apologized in a trembling voice before finally running out of the guild, leaving the atmosphere even more tense. Arthur, who witnessed the incident, remained silent. He didn't care about the commotion and continued to wait patiently in line behind the bald man.
After the bald man finished his business at the reception desk, he turned and deliberately bumped Arthur's shoulder while shouting, "Watch where you're going, lowly scum!"
Arthur only glanced at him briefly with a flat expression, saying nothing. The bald man and his two companions left the guild laughing dismissively, and the atmosphere became lively again after they left. Arthur then stepped forward to the reception desk.
"Sorry for the inconvenience earlier," the receptionist said politely. The receptionist was a demi-human woman with cat-like ears that stood out above her soft hair. Her face looked young, perhaps in her twenties, and her sharp yet friendly eyes gazed at Arthur attentively. "Pennay often causes trouble. He's a Gold-ranked adventurer known for bullying other adventurers."
Arthur simply nodded briefly and showed the mission brochure he had taken.
"I want to take this," he said.
The receptionist looked at the brochure with hesitation, then looked back at Arthur. "You don't have a party? This mission is quite difficult; it's usually recommended to complete it with a group."
Arthur stared at the receptionist with determination in his eyes. "I'll take it on my own," he replied in a calm yet firm voice.
The receptionist hesitated for a moment but finally relented and recorded Arthur's mission. "Alright, be careful out there," she said, still looking concerned.
Arthur nodded without saying anything else, then turned and left the guild. The fading afternoon sun greeted him as he stepped outside. However, before carrying out his mission, Arthur, who had just arrived in Sharkdile, decided to find an inn first. Night was almost upon him, and he knew that completing the mission while fatigued would only add to the risk.
Arthur wandered through the city streets, looking for a sign indicating an inn. After a while, he found a small inn with a wooden sign hanging above the door. The sign read "The Restful Harbor"—a place that seemed comfortable enough for the night. Arthur entered the inn and was immediately greeted by a warm atmosphere in contrast to the cold night outside.
Inside the inn, the atmosphere was quieter compared to the bustling guild. Oil lamps provided soft lighting, while a few guests sat at wooden tables, enjoying their dinner. Arthur approached the reception desk, where a middle-aged woman with a friendly smile waited behind the counter.
"Welcome to The Restful Harbor," the woman said warmly. "Are you looking for a room for the night?"
Arthur nodded. "Yes, how much per night?"
"5 copper coins per night," the receptionist replied with a smile. "Our rooms are clean and comfortable, perfect for adventurers new to the city."
Arthur reached into his pocket and took out 5 copper coins, then handed them to the receptionist. "I'll take one room."
The receptionist accepted the coins and handed Arthur a wooden key. "Your room is on the second floor, number 7. Enjoy your stay, and if you need anything, don't hesitate to let us know."
Arthur took the key and nodded briefly. "Thank you."
With that, Arthur went upstairs and found his room. The room was simple but clean, with a single bed, a small table, and a window overlooking the street below. He placed his sword beside the bed and lay down, staring at the dimly lit ceiling.
Tonight, he decided to rest and
recover his strength. Tomorrow morning, he would begin his mission and prove once again that, despite his efforts to hide his true power, no one could underestimate him. The Wita Eyes pulsed within him, as if responding to his growing resolve. With that thought, Arthur closed his eyes, allowing exhaustion to take him into a deep and dreamless sleep.
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