The early morning light spilled into the guildhall as adventurers began gathering for the day's assignments. The energy in the hall was different now for Ethan and Lila—they were no longer observers but participants. With their new status as full-fledged adventurers, they knew that real challenges awaited them.
Ethan stood by the large mission board, scanning the various quests pinned to it. Most of the jobs were typical for a guild like Arenwood—monster hunting, artifact retrieval, and escort missions. His gaze settled on one in particular:
"Escort Mission: Protect Merchant Caravan en route to Westport."
Details: Merchants traveling to Westport have faced increased attacks from bandits and beasts. A group of adventurers is required to ensure their safe passage."
Risk Level: Medium."
"We should take this one," Ethan said, pointing to the notice.
Lila looked over his shoulder and nodded. "An escort mission sounds like a good first step. We can test our teamwork, and it doesn't look too complicated."
Ethan smiled at her optimism. After the trials, a task like escorting merchants seemed simple in comparison, but he knew better than to underestimate any mission. The road to Westport was notorious for bandit attacks, and rumors of strange creatures lurking in the nearby forests had been spreading through the guild for weeks.
"We'll need to be ready for anything," Ethan added. "Bandits aren't the only thing we might face."
Lila's expression shifted to one of concern. "You think there could be something else out there?"
"From what I've heard, the attacks have been more frequent and more organized. That's not typical of regular bandits," Ethan explained, a hint of suspicion in his voice.
Before they could discuss further, a familiar voice interrupted them.
"Thinking about the escort mission, eh?"
Ethan turned to see Gavin, the swordsman they had met the previous day, approaching with a broad smile. He was dressed in light armor, his sword strapped to his side, ready for action.
"It's a good choice," Gavin continued. "Not too difficult, but there's always the chance something interesting could happen."
Ethan chuckled. "Interesting, huh? I was hoping for something straightforward."
"Straightforward?" Gavin grinned. "Where's the fun in that?"
Lila rolled her eyes playfully. "I suppose it's a good way to break ourselves in. Better than diving straight into some monster hunt."
"Exactly," Gavin said, clapping Ethan on the back. "I'll be joining you, by the way. This'll be my third escort mission this month. It's a good way to get some coin and build your reputation with the guild."
Ethan exchanged a glance with Lila. Having someone with experience on the team was a relief, even if Gavin's carefree attitude was a bit too relaxed for the seriousness of the task ahead.
"Alright then," Ethan said. "Looks like we have our team."
The caravan was set to depart the next morning, giving Ethan and Lila the rest of the day to prepare. They made their way to the market district, where the merchants bustled around selling supplies and wares. The smell of fresh bread and the sound of haggling filled the air as they walked through the stalls, gathering the necessary provisions for the journey ahead.
"We'll need potions," Lila said, stopping at an apothecary stall. "Healing, for sure. And maybe something for stamina, just in case."
Ethan nodded in agreement, pulling out his coin pouch. "Good idea. We don't know how long this trip will take, and we can't afford to be caught off guard."
After purchasing several potions, they moved on to restocking their weapons. Ethan's sword had seen plenty of action during the trials, and he wanted to make sure it was in top condition. They visited a blacksmith known for his skill in sharpening blades, and as the sound of metal on stone filled the air, Ethan felt the familiar anticipation building inside him.
Lila, meanwhile, checked her magical supplies—enchanted stones, scrolls, and her staff. While Ethan relied on brute strength, she needed to ensure her magical focus was sharp and her mana reserves well-stocked.
Once they were fully prepared, the two of them sat down in a quiet corner of the market, going over their plans.
"We'll need to stay alert the entire time," Ethan said, scanning the notes about the mission. "From what I gathered, the bandits strike quickly and disappear before anyone can react."
Lila nodded. "We should plan for shifts during the journey. We'll need to make sure someone's always keeping watch."
"Agreed," Ethan replied. "Gavin can help with that, too."
Just as they finished their planning, the system chimed softly in Ethan's mind. A new notification appeared before him:
"Mission Accepted: Escort Merchant Caravan to Westport."
Reward: 100 Growth Points."
Additional Task: Investigate Reports of Unusual Activity in the Forest Near the Route."
Bonus Reward: 50 Growth Points."
Ethan's eyes narrowed as he read the additional task. Unusual activity? This confirmed his suspicions that something more than just bandits was at play.
"Looks like the system has other ideas for us," Ethan said, showing the message to Lila.
She frowned. "Unusual activity? That could mean anything."
"We'll need to be extra careful. If the system thinks it's worth investigating, it's probably something serious."
Lila sighed. "I was hoping for a simple mission. But it's never that easy, is it?"
Ethan smiled. "No. But we've handled worse."
As the day drew to a close, Ethan and Lila made their way back to the guildhall, where they would meet the rest of the team and finalize preparations for the next day's journey. The excitement of becoming full members of the guild had worn off slightly, replaced by the seriousness of their first real mission.
The next morning, they would set out on the road, facing whatever dangers lay ahead. But for now, they rested, their minds focused on the task at hand.
Ethan lay in his bunk, staring at the ceiling of the small room he and Lila had rented for the night. The system's mission floated in his mind, and the thought of the World-Core still gnawed at the back of his mind. Whatever was happening in this world, it was far bigger than just being an adventurer.
But for now, he had to focus on the present—on the mission at hand. Tomorrow would bring its own set of challenges, and Ethan was ready to face them.