As I strolled along the winding road, a yawn escaped my lips, betraying my exhaustion. The morning sun cast a warm glow over the landscape, illuminating the path ahead.
I trudged forward, my sword at my side and a worn leather bag slung over my shoulder.
After a grueling night spent navigating the treacherous forest, I was eager to find some respite within the walls of Erantel.
As I approached the main gate, I handed my adventurer's card to the guard, who scrutinized it before nodding and waving me through.
The bustling streets of Erantel enveloped me, with people hurrying to and fro, each with their own destination in mind.
I wove through the crowd, my gaze drifting toward the imposing structure that housed the Adventurer's Guild.
Upon entering the guild, I was immediately struck by the cacophony of sounds and the frenetic energy that filled the air.
Adventurers milled about, seeking new quests, reporting their progress, or collecting rewards for their endeavors.
My eyes scanned the room, searching for a familiar face – Miss Jena, the guild representative responsible for validating mission completions for Grade 7 adventurers like myself.
We had developed a professional rapport over the past three months, and I appreciated her efficiency and kindness.
As I approached the counter, Miss Jena looked up, a warm smile spreading across her face.
"Good morning, Alex. Glad you're back safely." Her eyes sparkled with a hint of curiosity, and I sensed a flicker of admiration beneath her professional demeanor.
"Good morning, Miss Jena," I replied, setting my backpack on the counter. "I've completed the quest." I announced, trying to sound nonchalant despite the pride swelling within me.
Miss Jena's smile widened, and she raised an eyebrow. "I suppose I should say 'as expected,' huh?" Her tone conveyed a hint of surprise, but also a deep-seated confidence in my abilities.
It had been merely a day since I accepted the quest, and my rapid completion of the mission was a testament to my skills.
As a Grade 7 adventurer, I was still considered relatively low-ranking, but Miss Jena's reaction suggested that she had grown accustomed to expecting the unexpected from me.
"How would you like to confirm the quest?" Jena asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity as she reached for a notebook on her desk. I smiled wryly, knowing that I had a rather...unconventional method of verification.
"This should do the trick," I said, opening the bag I had brought with me. Jena's gaze dropped into the bag, and her eyes widened in shock. "Kya...!" She let out a startled squeak, her chair scraping against the floor as she tried to rise, but ended up tumbling to the ground.
"Hey, are you okay?" I asked, concern etched on my face as I rushed to help her up. Jena's face was flushed with embarrassment, and she hastily smoothed her skirt, trying to regain her composure.
"Why did you bring...that?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly as she gestured towards the bag. The commotion had drawn the attention of the surrounding crowd, and I felt a surge of discomfort at being the center of attention.
"Look, can we just get this over with?" I asked, trying to hurry the process along. "I brought proof, didn't I?"
Jena's eyes narrowed, her expression a mixture of puzzlement and suspicion. "You brought the entire head of one of the bandits! Why are you so...calm about it?"
As she rummaged through the bag, two heads tumbled out, their faces frozen in a permanent snarl.
The vice leader's head was missing its jaw, and both heads bore the distinctive tattoos described by the survivors of their raids.
I shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant. "It's just the most convenient way to verify, isn't it?"
The crowd around us was growing, their whispers and gasps creating a buzzing noise that made me uncomfortable.
Jena's face was a picture of exasperation. "Arggh...just don't do this again, okay? You can bring their personal weapons or something. That's enough proof."
I nodded, relieved that the ordeal was almost over. "Oh, if that's the case..." I summoned the war hammer and great sword, the leader and vice leader's personal weapons. "Then I have their weapons right here."
Jena's expression was a perfect deadpan, her eyes seeming to say, "What is wrong with this guy?"
With a deep sigh, Jena's expression turned stern, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Alex, if you ever do this again..." She trailed off, her voice dripping with a subtle warning.
A faint smile played on her lips, but it didn't quite reach her eyes, sending a shiver down my spine.
I sensed a hint of steel beneath her polite demeanor, and I made a mental note to tread carefully around her.
As she entered the mission completion into the account book, I offered a brief, conciliatory response, raising my hand in a gesture of surrender.
"Okay."
For the most part, I was relieved that the ordeal was over, and I could finally get some rest.
Jena handed me a small pouch containing 10 silvers, her expression softening slightly. "Here's your reward, and you're now eligible to apply for a rank increase to Grade 6."
I felt a surge of surprise; I had anticipated ranking up quickly. It had taken three months, but it was finally here.
"Really?" I asked, my tone laced with surprise. Jena nodded, her eyes sparkling with a hint of amusement. "You've already met the requirements, and the guild master has instructed me to inform you of this opportunity."
I didn't hesitate, collecting the pouch and responding promptly. "Ahh, then I'd like to apply for a rank increase right now." I needed to raise my ranking to take on more challenging tasks and face stronger opponents. The higher my rank, the more freedom I would have in the future.
Jena nodded, her expression efficient. "Wait here; I'll inform the guild master." She exited her desk and disappeared into the building's second floor, leaving me to wait amidst the bustling crowd.
I gazed out at the sea of faces, my voice barely above a whisper. "What a pain."