The towering gates of the adventurer's town loomed before them, a stark contrast to the quiet village they had left behind. Ethan and Lila stood at the entrance, taking in the sight of the bustling streets just beyond the iron gates. The town was alive with the sounds of clanging metal, shouts from market stalls, and the chatter of countless adventurers who had come from all corners of the world.
"Quite the change from the village," Lila remarked, her eyes wide as she watched a group of armored warriors pass by, their heavy boots echoing on the cobblestone streets.
Ethan nodded, feeling the same sense of awe. This place was unlike anything he had seen so far. The buildings were tall and sturdy, built to withstand the harsh realities of the adventurer's life. Everywhere he looked, there were adventurers—men and women of varying ages and backgrounds, all wearing an air of confidence and battle-readiness that set them apart from ordinary folk.
The adventurer's town wasn't just a place to live—it was a hub of activity, a place where people came to test their mettle, forge alliances, and take on dangerous quests that would lead them to riches or ruin. And for Ethan and Lila, it was their next step.
"Welcome to Arenwood," a gruff voice called from behind them.
Ethan and Lila turned to see a man approaching, clad in well-worn leather armor with a sword strapped to his side. His face was weathered, and a long scar ran down one cheek, evidence of a life spent in combat. Despite his rough appearance, there was a friendliness in his eyes as he regarded them.
"First time here?" the man asked, raising an eyebrow.
Ethan nodded. "Yeah, just arrived. We're looking to get started—maybe join the adventurer's guild."
The man grinned. "You've come to the right place. The guild's always looking for fresh blood, especially if you've got the skills to back it up."
Lila glanced at Ethan before speaking. "Is it difficult to get in? I've heard stories…"
The man chuckled. "Depends on what you're after. If you're looking for fame and fortune, you'll need to prove yourself. But if you're just here for work, they'll give you a job as long as you can swing a sword or cast a decent spell."
He motioned for them to follow him. "Come on, I'll show you the way. The name's Garrett, by the way. Been with the guild for more years than I'd care to admit."
Ethan and Lila exchanged a glance before falling into step behind Garrett. As they walked through the streets, the sheer size and scale of the town became more apparent. Stalls lined the sides of the road, selling everything from weapons and armor to potions and magical trinkets. Adventurers haggled with merchants, sharpening their blades or restocking on supplies before heading out on their next quest.
"This place is incredible," Lila said softly, her eyes scanning the various goods on display.
"It's different, that's for sure," Ethan replied, though his mind was already turning toward what lay ahead. He had heard stories about adventurer's guilds—places where contracts were taken, bounties were posted, and alliances were forged. It was a step up from the smaller quests he had completed before, and the challenges would no doubt be greater. But so would the rewards.
Garrett led them down a side street, where the towering stone structure of the adventurer's guild came into view. It was an imposing building, its entrance guarded by a pair of statues depicting ancient warriors. The guildhall itself was bustling with activity—adventurers of all shapes and sizes moved in and out, carrying maps, weapons, and scrolls. Inside, the noise was even louder, a cacophony of voices discussing quests and bounties.
"Here we are," Garrett said, stopping at the entrance. "The Arenwood Adventurer's Guild. If you're serious about making a name for yourselves, this is where it starts."
Ethan nodded, his heart beating a little faster. This was what they had come for—the chance to prove themselves, to find new challenges and, perhaps, new answers to the mysteries surrounding the system and the World-Core.
Garrett glanced around the guildhall, then nodded toward a large bulletin board at the far end of the room. "You'll want to speak to the guildmaster to officially join, but in the meantime, take a look at the job board. There's always something available for newcomers."
Lila moved toward the board, her eyes scanning the posted jobs. Ethan followed, his mind already buzzing with anticipation.
The job board was covered in parchment, each one detailing a quest or bounty. Some were simple—gathering herbs, hunting down small beasts. Others were more dangerous, involving excursions into ancient ruins or tracking powerful monsters.
One in particular caught Ethan's eye:
"Bounty: Track and Eliminate the Crimson Fang Bandits."
Reward: 200 Gold Coins, Rare Weapon Drop
Risk Level: Medium
Details: The Crimson Fang Bandits have been terrorizing nearby villages. They are well-armed and dangerous. Adventurers are needed to track their movements and eliminate the threat."
Ethan frowned, considering the details. It wasn't an easy job, but it seemed doable with the right preparation. And the reward was tempting—gold and a rare weapon would go a long way in strengthening their abilities for whatever came next.
Lila leaned over, reading the bounty. "What do you think? Seems like a decent challenge."
Ethan nodded slowly. "It's definitely more than what we've dealt with before. But we need the experience—and the resources. If we're going to figure out what's happening with the system and the World-Core, we'll need to get stronger."
Lila hesitated, then nodded in agreement. "Alright. Let's see what the guildmaster says about joining up, then we'll go after these bandits."
They turned away from the board and made their way toward the guildmaster's office. Garrett had mentioned that the guildmaster was a seasoned adventurer, someone who had seen more battles than most and knew what it took to survive in this harsh world.
As they approached the door, it swung open to reveal a woman standing on the other side. She was tall and imposing, with dark hair tied back in a braid and sharp eyes that seemed to miss nothing. Her armor was battered but well-maintained, and a large sword hung from her side.
"You must be the newcomers," she said, her voice firm but not unkind.
Ethan and Lila exchanged a glance before Ethan stepped forward. "Yes. We've just arrived in Arenwood, and we'd like to join the guild."
The woman regarded them for a moment, her eyes narrowing slightly as if she were sizing them up. Then she nodded. "I'm Elara, guildmaster here. We don't take just anyone, but if Garrett brought you to me, that means he thinks you've got potential. I'll give you a chance."
She stepped aside, motioning for them to enter her office. The room was filled with maps, weapons, and artifacts from countless adventures. Elara moved behind a large wooden desk and sat down, fixing them with a sharp gaze.
"Before I sign you up, I need to know what you're after," Elara said. "Are you here for fame? Fortune? Or something else?"
Ethan hesitated, glancing at Lila. "We're here to grow stronger," he said slowly. "But more than that… we're trying to uncover the truth about this world. There are forces at play—things we don't fully understand yet. We need to be prepared for whatever comes."
Elara's expression didn't change, but there was a flicker of something in her eyes—interest, perhaps, or recognition. "A lot of people come here looking for answers," she said. "Most of them don't find what they're looking for. But if you're serious, I'll give you a shot."
She reached into a drawer and pulled out two small pins, each one engraved with the symbol of the Arenwood guild—a sword crossed with a staff.
"Wear these," she said, handing them over. "They mark you as members of the guild. You'll be able to take on quests, earn rewards, and gain access to guild resources. But remember—this life isn't for the faint of heart. If you're not careful, it'll chew you up and spit you out."
Ethan and Lila took the pins, the weight of them heavy in their hands. This was it—the start of their real journey.
"We won't let you down," Ethan said, his voice steady.
Elara nodded, leaning back in her chair. "Good. Now, about that bounty…"
As they left the guildhall, the pins securely fastened to their cloaks, Ethan felt a sense of purpose settle over him. They had taken the first step, joined the ranks of the adventurers, and set their sights on a new challenge. The bandits would be their next target, but beyond that, the path ahead was still uncertain.
Lila glanced at him, a small smile on her face. "Looks like we're officially adventurers now."
Ethan grinned. "Yeah. And this is just the beginning."