After successfully entering the small town located on the edge of the Arkhana Forest, Ethan felt his first steps had gone according to plan.
The town appeared simple, with sturdy stone buildings that were not luxurious. The cobblestone streets were illuminated by flickering torchlight along the sidewalks, and the townspeople were dispersing after a long day.
Merchants were seen closing their shops, while a few town guards patrolled with lit torches in hand. Despite the town's calm appearance, there was a palpable tension in the air, especially with recent reports of missing people.
As Ethan walked down the main road, he recalled the gatekeeper's words "If you're looking for a safe place and useful information, head to the local Guild. They usually welcome adventurers and researchers."
Wasting no time, Ethan began searching for the building that could be the Guild. In the middle of the town, a large structure with a curved roof and a symbol of crossed swords and a notebook above the door caught his attention.
That must be the Guild. In front of the entrance, several adventurers with various types of weapons were chatting while sipping drinks. They looked tired but ready to face whatever challenges might come next.
Ethan stepped inside the building. The Guild's main room was filled with long wooden tables where several adventurers were seated, enjoying meals or discussing the missions they had taken.
In one corner of the room, a middle-aged woman was jotting down notes behind a large oak reception desk. Shelves behind her were filled with scrolls and notebooks.
On the desk, candles flickered warmly, casting a cozy glow over the room.
As he walked towards the reception desk, Ethan observed his surroundings. Along the walls were notice boards filled with job requests from townsfolk or local officials.
A few adventurers were busy selecting missions they deemed suitable. Ethan could feel the competitive yet cautious atmosphere among them. The world outside this town was full of danger, and each mission could mean life or death.
"Good evening," the soft greeting from the receptionist pulled Ethan's attention. She looked at him with a watchful gaze, her sharp eyes inspecting the large bag Ethan carried.
"How can I help you?"
"I just arrived in this town," Ethan replied, trying to sound as calm as possible. "I'm a researcher from the north, on a zoological expedition to study the creatures around the Arkhana Forest. The gatekeeper suggested I come here for lodging."
The woman nodded in understanding.
"Ah, a researcher. My name is Jean, and you must have heard about the trouble in the forest recently, right? Many adventurers have gone missing while trying to complete missions there."
Ethan nodded, pretending to know. "Yes, I've heard. That's why I need a safe place to stay and perhaps meet some people who can provide more information."
The woman gave a faint smile.
"We always have rooms for adventurers or researchers who come here. This Guild is also a gathering place for those seeking answers about the strange creatures out there." She pulled out a large notebook and flipped through a few pages.
"You can stay here tonight. There's a room upstairs. It'll cost 1 silver coin and 30 bronze coins per night, including breakfast."
Ethan took out a few coins he had found in the bag of the zoologist he had killed earlier and handed them to the woman. The receptionist took a small iron key from a drawer under the desk and handed it to Ethan.
"Room number three, upstairs. If you need anything, just ask. We also provide mission information if you're interested tomorrow morning."
After receiving the key, Ethan nodded and thanked her before heading towards the wooden stairs in the corner of the room.
His steps were muffled by the slightly creaking wooden floor as he climbed to the second floor.
The atmosphere upstairs was much quieter compared to the bustling main room below.
A narrow corridor with several doors lined up on either side was dimly lit by candles placed on the walls.
Ethan found the door marked with the number three. He inserted the key into the lock, turned it, and the door creaked softly as he opened it.
The room was small but cozy. Inside was a single wooden bed with a fairly thick straw mattress, a small table with a candle, and a small window overlooking the street below.
An oil lamp on the table was already lit, providing a warm glow. Though simple, the room was far more comfortable than the cave that had been his home for the past two months.
Ethan closed the door and locked it again. He placed his bag on the floor and sat at the edge of the bed, his body weary from the long journey.
He opened the zoologist's notebook and began reading it carefully. The sketches of creatures he had seen earlier now appeared more detailed descriptions of their habits, habitat locations, and even methods for taming or defeating them.
Each page provided valuable knowledge, and Ethan knew this information could be key to understanding the world of Arkhana more deeply.
As Ethan sat on the bed in the Guild's inn, flipping through the pages of the zoological notebook he had just taken, Valdraxx suddenly whispered in his mind.
"Be careful, Ethan," his voice sounded heavier than usual, as if something had caught his attention.
"Some of the people gathered in the main room earlier... I sensed the presence of skilled sorcerers and proficient Hyak users among them."
Ethan immediately stopped what he was doing, taking a deep breath. He knew that Valdraxx didn't issue warnings lightly.
The entity's voice carried a serious sense of caution. In a world full of mystical creatures and humans with extraordinary powers, a skilled sorcerer or Hyak user could be a significant threat, even to someone as powerful as Ethan.
"Hyak users?" Ethan murmured in his mind, a bit skeptical but still alert.
"Are you sure? They seemed like ordinary adventurers."