I always have a dream, and that is to have my picture or painting posted or hanged on the wall of the adventurer's guild's hall of fame. Maybe--just maybe, that dream is not a far fetch thing.
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[Fuwaaaahhh~~My back....ow] I woke up with my back sweating and aching in pain. My yawn escaped my breath as I recollected what happened yesterday.
I went on a quest, did it, got the rewards, and drank the night away.
As I rubbed the sleep from my eyes, the faint hum of the bustling city outside my window reminded me that it was already late morning. Sunlight peeked through the cracks in the wooden shutters, casting beams of light onto the dusty floorboards of my tiny room. My bed creaked as I shifted, my sore muscles protesting from yesterday's exertion.
[Ugh… another day, another adventure] I muttered to myself while rolling out of bed.
My armor and robe lay in a messy heap on the chair in the corner, still caked with mud and grime from yesterday's quest. I really should have cleaned it last night but the call of ale and the company of rowdy adventurers had been too tempting to resist.
Stumbling to the washbasin near the window, splashing cold water onto my face. The icy sensation snapping me awake.
My reflection stared back at me—a scruffy, unremarkable face framed by messy hair and dark circles under my eyes. Not exactly the image of a hero destined for the Hall of Fame, but hey-it's me.
But maybe… just maybe, I thought, gripping the edges of the basin.
I shook off the thought and began strapping on my gear. Another quest was waiting, and while the tasks were usually mundane—escorting merchants, delivering parcels, or culling pests in the surrounding forests—it was all part of the grind. Every step forward, no matter how small, brought me closer to that dream.
As I descended the creaky staircase of the inn, the familiar chatter of adventurers filled the air. The aroma of fresh bread and roasted meat wafted from the kitchen, making my stomach growl. At the guildhall next door, I knew the job board would be swarming with people, as usual, each vying for the best-paying quests.
With a quick nod to the innkeeper, I stepped out into the bright streets of the adventurer's district.
I decided to head out today despite the headache because of my broken equipment, my trusty staff had apparently end its services...
[I wonder if he still remembers me...] I had a shop in mind, one that has a shopkeeper with a bit of temper.
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The door to the magic shop creaked open, a small bell chiming above me as I stepped inside. The familiar scent of aged parchment and dried herbs hit me like a wave. Shelves lined every inch of the shop, crammed with books, crystals, potions, and magical trinkets. In the far corner, an elderly shopkeeper squinted at me over his spectacles, his long, thin beard twitching as he muttered something under his breath.
I glanced around, hoping to find what I needed quickly. The loss of my old staff—a trusted companion since my first days as a fledgling adventurer—still stung. Snapped clean in two during a reckless encounter with a stone golem, it had been as much a part of me as my robes. Now, I felt incomplete without it.
[Back again, eh? What are you looking for this time, boy?] (??) the shopkeeper croaked, his voice as dry as the scrolls he sold.
[A new staff. Something sturdy… but not too expensive] I replied, trying not to sound too defeated.
The shopkeeper grunted and shuffled toward a nearby rack.
[Sturdy, you say? Most mages don't go breaking their staffs like common twigs. What'd you do, use it to prop open a door?] (??) Pffft!
I cleared my dry throat.
[Something like that…]
He snorted, clearly unimpressed, and gestured to the display.
[Here's what I've got. Take your pick, but don't expect miracles if you're on a budget] (??)
The selection was modest, ranging from polished oak staffs adorned with runes to plain wooden rods with little ornamentation. My eyes settled on one that seemed unassuming—a smooth, ash-gray staff with a faint silver gleam spiraling up its length. At the top, a small crystal was embedded, glowing faintly with a soft blue light.
[This one] I said, reaching for it.
The shopkeeper raised an eyebrow.
[Good choice. It's reinforced with a bit of steel for durability, and that crystal's enchanted to amplify basic spells. Not too flashy, but reliable.] (??) He said proudly, as expected of someone who knows what he's selling.
[How much?] I asked hesitantly, already dreading the answer.
[Twenty-five gold] (??) he said flatly.
Oh my god! 25 gold coins is by any means not cheap, and it wasn't something I would not have fished out....but I have earned so much and saved. Haaaah. Huhuhuhuhuhuh.
My money.....
I grimaced. That was a hefty chunk of my reward from the last quest, but I couldn't exactly go around slinging magic barehanded. Reluctantly, I fished out the coins and handed them over.
The shopkeeper counted them with maddening slowness before nodding.
[Take care of this one, boy. It might just save your ass] (??)
[I'll try] I muttered, hefting the staff. It felt solid in my grip, its weight reassuring.
And with that, my equipment problem has been solved. For now, i need to find my next job.
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The guildhall loomed ahead, its tall oak doors wide open, inviting.
As soon as I entered, the din of voices hit me like a wall—adventurers boasting about their latest triumphs, guild clerks shuffling papers, and merchants negotiating rewards for their contracts. The hall smelled of sweat, steel, and ambitions.
I made my way to the job board, weaving through the crowd. As expected, most of the high-profile quests were already gone, snapped up by the elite guild members. I skimmed the remaining options, my eyes landing on one that looked… unusual.
It wasn't listed with the details, but rather just a short description of who to ask for the details.
[Seeking adventurers starting under rank D for retrieval mission. High risk, high reward. Details upon acceptance. Speak to Guildmaster Sherry....?]
High risk, high reward. Words that usually spelled trouble—but also opportunity.
[Thinking of taking that one?] A voice said, startling me. I turned to see Rylin, an archer, fellow adventurer and also an avid drunkard, leaning against the wall with a toothy grin.
[Depends] I said, crossing my arms.
[Why? Got your eye on it too?] I asked while I scanned the other quests at the board.
[Not a chance lad] (Rylin) He replied with a chuckle.
[That one's been up for three days. Even the silver-ranked guys are avoiding it. You sure you're up for something like that?] (Rylin) He's right....why would silver-ranked adventurers avoid it? Also, not one has accepted it for the last 3 days....something must be up.
I hesitated, staring at the notice again. My gut told me this was a chance—maybe not the kind of quest that would get me into the Hall of Fame immediately, but it could be a step in the right direction.
Also, it does not hurt to try to at least ask.
[I'll talk to the Guildmaster] I said, more to myself than to Rylin.
His grin widened.
[Well, don't say I didn't warn you. Good luck, pal] (Rylin) He returned to leaning on the wall and gazing at the board.
I did not want to bother him of his matters, so I made my way to the 2nd floor of the guild building.
I made my way through the crowded hall to the Guildmaster's office, my heart pounding with a mix of anticipation and anxiety. This could be it—the start of something bigger.
Knocking on the heavy door, I heard a sharp feminine voice from within said "Enter."
Pushing the door open, I stepped inside. Guildmaster Sherry, a towering figure with a stern expression underneath her grey hair sat at the couch with her hands clasped together. In front of her at the coffee table, was a bunch of papers piled like a tower.
[Well well well, if it isn't mister reckless? You're up for my training?] (Sherry)
[Hell no!] I replied immediately
[Awh, it makes me sad that the young lad that i have trained before does not want to train under his master~] (Sherry)
She's definitely teasing me....
[If not, then perhaps you're here about the retrieval mission?] (Sherry) She asked, her piercing gaze making me feel like she could see straight through me.
[Haaaaaah. Yes] I said, trying to keep my voice steady.
She leaned back in her seat, studying me for a moment.
[You've recently just made a full recover. Don't you think it's dangerous . The reward's high because the risks are higher. You'll need more than guts to pull this off.] (Sherry)
[I-I can handle it] I said, though my voice betrayed a hint of nervousness.
She smirked faintly, definitely sensing my nervousness.
[Good. But you won't be doing it alone. I also assigned someone else to this mission. You'll meet them outside] (Sherry)
Before I could ask who, she waved his hand dismissively, signaling the end of the conversation.
[Don't keep them waiting] (Sherry)
I stepped out of the office, my mind racing with questions. Who was this partner? And why had she paired us up? That was when her office's doors opened.
[By the way, you've definitely met them before] (Sherry)
....
.
Met them before?
As I descended from the 2nd floor with questions in mind, I spotted a figure leaning casually against the wall near the entrance. She was tall and lithe, with short silver hair that shimmered in the sunlight and a pair of mismatched eyes—one blue, one green—that seemed to pierce right through me.
A pair of short swords hanged at her hips, a quiver and bow at her back, and a faint smirk tugged at her lips as she looked me over. She's definitely that of a marksman class.
[You're the guy taking the retrieval job?] (??) She asked, her voice low and confident....but definitely familiar. Where have I met her before?
[That's me] I said, trying to sound more composed than I felt.
[And you are?] I asked.
[Call me Kael] (Kael) She said, pushing off the wall and extending a gloved hand-
[Nice to meet you, mister mage] (Kael) -to do a handshake.
I hesitated for a moment before shaking her hand. Her grip was firm, and her mismatched eyes studied me with a mix of curiosity and amusement.
It was her, the stranger whom observed me back then....
[Hope you're ready. This job's not for amateurs] (Kael) She said, a hint of a challenge in her tone.
[I could say the same to you, miss] I replied, forcing a grin.
Kael laughed softly, a sound that was equal parts reassuring and unsettling.
[Guess we'll find out soon enough~] (Kael)
And just like that, my ordinary day took a sharp turn into the unknown.