Ren and Akio stood at the gates of the Valor Kingdom, their eyes wide with awe as they took in the bustling city before them. The towering stone walls and grand architecture made the village they had left behind seem like a distant memory. The streets were packed with people—merchants hawking goods, travelers from distant lands, and adventurers clad in impressive armor, their weapons gleaming in the sunlight.
"This place is huge," Akio said, his voice filled with excitement. "It makes you feel like we've barely scratched the surface of what's out there."
Ren nodded, his eyes scanning the crowd. "Let's find out where to sign up. If this is where the strongest adventurers gather, we're in the right place."
They spent the next hour asking around, speaking with shopkeepers and fellow adventurers. Eventually, they were directed to a large stone building near the heart of the city—the Adventurers' Guild. It was an imposing structure, with banners displaying the guild's crest hanging from the walls. The inside was filled with adventurers of all ranks, some discussing missions, others relaxing after what seemed like hard-fought battles.
Ren and Akio approached the front desk, where a stern-looking man sat behind a large wooden counter. "We're here to apply for the two-year contract," Ren said confidently, laying down the flyer they had seen earlier.
The man looked them over, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Contract work for the kingdom? You boys don't look seasoned enough." He glanced at a chart on the wall that listed adventurer ranks. "You'll need to be at least low C-rank to even be considered."
Ren's confidence faltered. "We're almost there," he said, though he knew they were just scraping by at high D-rank.
The man gave a curt nod. "Then come back when you're C-rank. Until then, you're not ready for what the kingdom has to offer."
Disappointed, Ren and Akio stepped outside, the reality of their situation sinking in. "Looks like we need to get stronger," Ren said, clenching his fists. "We've come this far. We can't turn back now."
Akio agreed, his eyes already scanning the street for any opportunities to improve. "Let's invest in new skills. That's the only way we'll hit C-rank fast."
---
They made their way to a skill shop, a small but reputable-looking establishment tucked away in one of the side streets. Inside, the shelves were lined with scrolls and books, each one detailing a different technique or spell. After a few minutes of searching, they found what they were looking for: Lightning Claw for Ren and Fire Ball for Akio—both low C-rank skills that would give them the edge they needed.
"These will drain most of our money," Akio warned as they paid for the scrolls.
"We don't have a choice," Ren replied. "We need power."
After purchasing the new skills, they scoured the city for a cheap place to stay. They eventually found a small, rundown inn on the outskirts of the kingdom. The room they rented for seven days cost almost all of their remaining money, but it would give them enough time to train and rest before taking on more dangerous missions.
---
For the next four days, Ren and Akio trained relentlessly. They spent hours each day mastering their new skills. Ren focused on his Lightning Claw, a devastating technique that allowed him to channel electricity through his hands, turning his strikes into lethal, lightning-infused slashes. Akio honed his Fire Ball, a powerful projectile spell that packed enough heat to incinerate most enemies on contact.
The weight training added another layer to their routine, as they strapped on the 50-pound weights they had purchased and practiced with them. Though the weights slowed them down at first, they quickly adapted, building strength and endurance with every session.
By the end of the fourth day, they had grown accustomed to their new abilities, using them with decent proficiency. They felt stronger, faster, and more prepared for the challenges ahead.
"We've got the basics down," Akio said one evening, panting from their latest training session. "It's time to test them in the field."
Ren nodded. "Let's find a mission."
The next morning, they headed back to the guild and checked the mission board. Their eyes landed on a job that immediately caught their attention: a pack of dire wolves had been terrorizing a village to the north, and the locals were offering a sizable reward for their extermination.
"Dire wolves?" Akio raised an eyebrow. "Sounds dangerous."
Ren smirked. "Exactly what we need to prove we're ready."
They accepted the mission and set off from the kingdom that afternoon. The road leading out of the city quickly gave way to dense forests, and the further they traveled, the quieter it became. The air was fresh, and the sounds of nature surrounded them as they made their way toward the village that had posted the request.
---
An hour into their journey, the tranquility was broken by the sound of movement up ahead. Ren held up his hand, signaling Akio to stop. Through the trees, they could see several figures walking in the same direction as them.
As they got closer, Ren's eyes widened in recognition. The figures wore dark cloaks with a distinctive crest on their backs—a wave-like symbol embroidered in silver. The Tide Clan.
"Akio," Ren whispered, his voice tense. "That's the Tide Clan."
Akio's face hardened as he realized who they were dealing with. The Tide Clan was a notorious group of adventurers, known for their ruthlessness and ambition. They often took the most dangerous jobs, driven by greed and power, and they had little regard for anyone who got in their way.
"What do we do?" Akio asked, his voice low.
Ren's eyes narrowed. "We stay sharp and hope they don't notice us. The last thing we need is to get tangled up with them."
As they trailed behind the Tide Clan, Ren and Akio couldn't shake the feeling that this encounter would be more than just a passing glance. Whether the Tide Clan was after the same mission or something else entirely, the road ahead had just become a lot more dangerous.