The crisp morning air greeted Rex and Carl as they stepped away from Elder Caelum's cabin. The forest was alive with the rustling of leaves and the occasional chirp of birds, but the atmosphere between the two was quieter. They were both deep in thought, each processing their situation in their own way.
Carl's footsteps were light, almost energetic, but his fingers fidgeted with the strap of his bag. "Man, I can't lie," he muttered, half to himself, "this is kind of exciting. A whole new world, magic, adventurers… it's like living in a game." He paused, then laughed nervously. "But still, it's a bit nerve-wracking, right?"
Rex, walking slightly ahead, shrugged. His eyes scanned the path, as though expecting something to jump out at them at any moment. "Exciting, yeah," he replied, his voice measured. "But we don't know anything about this place yet. We're in over our heads, and we've barely survived a day."
After some time, they reached the edge of the forest and found themselves in a bustling town, its cobbled streets alive with activity. Their destination—the guild—stood at the center, its grand wooden doors adorned with a sign of crossed swords and a quill.
The moment they stepped inside, they were greeted by a cacophony of sounds: voices of adventurers discussing missions, the clink of coins exchanging hands, and the rustle of papers as guild agents processed requests. People of all kinds filled the space—humans, elves, dwarves, and even a towering orc or two. Some were clad in shining armor, while others wore robes that practically hummed with magical energy.
"This is insane," Carl whispered, his eyes darting around. "It's like a real-life fantasy tavern."
Rex raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, It is."
They approached the reception desk, where a young woman with sharp features and a professional demeanor greeted them. "Welcome to the Arathos Adventurer's Guild," she said briskly. "How can I assist you?"
"We'd like to register as adventurers," Rex said.
The receptionist nodded and handed them each a form. "Please fill out your information here. There's a registration fee of 1,000 Lax per person. Once you're registered, you'll receive a basic identification card and access to beginner-tier quests."
Carl's face fell. "A thousand Lax? Each?"
"Yes," the receptionist replied without missing a beat, clearly used to this reaction. "The fee is non-negotiable."
Rex sighed, pulling out the small pouch of coins Elder Caelum had given them. They had started with 4,000 Lax, but this fee would cut their funds in half, leaving them with barely enough for food and supplies. He glanced at Carl, who looked equally frustrated.
"This is ridiculous," Carl muttered under his breath. "Why can't they just let us register for free? We're already broke!"
Rex crossed his arms, deep in thought. He knew the old man had mentioned that part of their journey was about learning to fend for themselves, but it didn't make this situation any less annoying.
After a moment, Rex's eyes lit up. "I've got an idea," he said, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.
Carl, who had been sulking, looked up warily. "What is it?"
Rex leaned in slightly, lowering his voice. "How about we gamble?"
Carl blinked, his mouth hanging open slightly as he processed the suggestion. "You're kidding, right? Gamble? With what money? We barely have enough as it is!"
Rex shrugged, his grin unfazed. "Exactly. If we don't take a risk, we'll be broke anyway. But if we win, we'll have more than enough to cover the fee and still have some leftover."
Carl rubbed his temples, visibly torn. "Do you even know how to gamble? What if we lose everything?"
"That's the thing," Rex said, his tone confident. "We won't. Trust me."
Carl stared at him for a moment, then sighed heavily. "You know, every fiber of my being is screaming that this is a bad idea. But… fine."
Rex smiled. "Lets go then."