The first light of dawn filtered through the small window, casting a muted glow across the room. Raymond, fully armored once more, rose and adjusted his massive gauntlets, each movement producing a faint metallic clink that echoed in the silence. His armor, dark and formidable, shimmered with an almost otherworldly sheen, the enchanted metal both glorious and intimidating. He cut an imposing figure—a towering, armored warrior who seemed to carry the weight of a forgotten era.
As he stepped into the busy morning streets, heads turned almost instinctively. Whispers trailed in his wake as merchants and passersby cast wary glances at the towering figure in pitch-black armor. His helm, with its sharp angles and faint glow from within, conceal the skeleton face beneath, and two hollow eye slits that seemed to pierce anyone who looked his way.
Despite his silent demeanor, Raymond's presence radiated a cold, relentless energy that made others shift uneasily, even at a distance. As he moved through the market, his sheer size and the darkness of his armor cast shadows over those who dared look at him too long.
Spotting a stall that specialized in alchemical ingredients and monster parts, Raymond stepped up to it, his footsteps heavy and deliberate. The stall owner, an older man with a sharp gaze accustomed to bargaining, initially opened his mouth to greet this new customer—but faltered. His face went pale as he took in the sight of Raymond's armor, his gaze lingering on the intricate detailing that hinted at ancient, powerful magic.
Swallowing his nervousness, the merchant straightened and spoke with forced politeness. "Good morning... How may I help you?"
Raymond reached into his inventory, the faint glow of magic accompanying his hand as he withdrew several pristine wyvern scales and a massive fang, placing them silently on the counter. The merchant's eyes widened as he examined the materials, his hands trembling slightly.
"Wyvern…? Not many travelers bring in parts like these," he stammered, clearly impressed but still apprehensive.
Raymond's voice was deep and controlled, each word spoken with quiet authority. "I'm interested in selling these."
The merchant inspected the scales, struggling to keep his composure under Raymond's unrelenting gaze. "Twenty silver," he offered quickly.
Raymond's head tilted slightly, the motion unsettling in its precision. He crossed his armored arms, his posture unyielding. "These are worth far more," he replied, his voice carrying a hint of challenge. "They're in pristine condition. Thirty silver is more fitting."
Caught between fear and a sense of fair trade, the merchant hesitated, then finally nodded, impressed—and perhaps relieved—to conclude the deal. "Alright, you've got yourself a deal. Thirty silver it is." He handed over the coins with slightly shaking hands, watching with a mix of relief and awe as Raymond pocketed the currency and turned toward his next destination: the adventurers' guild. "Am i that terrifying?" Raymond said to himself silently as he walking
As he entered the guild hall, the lively chatter within fell to a hush. Adventurers and staff alike turned to see who—no, what—had just walked in. Raymond's presence dominated the room, his silent, armored form a stark contrast to the usual rowdiness. Some adventurers instinctively placed their hands on their weapons, while others gave him a wide berth, their eyes narrowed in cautious curiosity.
The receptionist, a young woman with a polite but apprehensive smile, caught sight of him and blinked, momentarily thrown off by his formidable appearance. Still, she quickly composed herself and greeted him with forced enthusiasm. "Good morning! How can i help you sir?"
Raymond nodded, his helm inclining with a slow, deliberate movement. "Yes. I'd like to sign up."
The receptionist, though clearly unnerved, handed him a parchment and quill. "Please fill out your name and any relevant skills or experience. It'll help us to fulfill necessarily information needed for us to sign you up."
Raymond's gauntleted hand held the quill carefully as he wrote, his formality and control evident in every motion. His handwriting was precise, and he kept his description vague yet hinting at his prowess in defense and close combat. Once finished, he handed the parchment back to the receptionist, who read it with a nod.
"Thank you, Raymond. There's a one-time registration fee of five silver coins," she explained, managing a small smile. "For now, you'll start as an Iron-ranked adventurer. As you gain experience and complete quests, you'll move up in rank, which comes with greater rewards and more challenging missions."
She slid a small iron badge across the counter. "Wear this badge whenever you're on a guild quest—it identifies you as one of us. Welcome to the Adventurers' Guild, Raymond."
He took the badge, his gloved hand swallowing it in its massive palm, and clipped it to his armor. It seemed almost laughably small against the vastness of his dark, enchanted gear, but he bore it with a solemn pride, as if even the humblest rank held meaning.
"Thank you," he replied, his voice a quiet rumble that left a faint unease lingering in the air. "I'll get started right away."
He moved toward the quest board, his form casting a shadow that fell over anyone standing nearby. As he examined the board, some adventurers exchanged wary glances, whispering to one another as they stole curious, cautious glances at the intimidating figure before them.
Raymond examined the quest board, feeling the wary stares of the other adventurers. Most kept a respectful distance, sensing something ominous in his silent, imposing presence, but one decided to push his luck. A man clad in shining armor with a silver-ranked badge pinned proudly to his chest swaggered over, a smug grin on his face as he eyed Raymond's black, intimidating armor.
"Hey, Iron-rank!" the man called out mockingly, looking Raymond up and down. "What's with all the flashy gear? You think dressing like some dark knight is gonna make people respect you?"
Raymond slowly turned his helmeted gaze toward him, his presence radiating an unsettling calm. The armored man slapped Raymond's shoulder, the metal clanging loudly, and sneered. "Yeah, you heard me. That gear might scare the rookies, but you're not fooling me. I bet you're all show, huh?"
He puffed out his chest, clearly relishing the attention of a few nearby adventurers who watched, some amused, others wary of what might unfold. The silver-ranked adventurer drew his sword, pointing it at Raymond with a taunting grin.
"Tell you what, big guy," he continued, his voice loud enough to draw a crowd. "Let's see what you're made of. I challenge you to a duel—unless you're afraid of scuffing that shiny armor?"
Raymond tilted his head slightly, as though considering the man's challenge. Then, in a calm, unhurried motion, he placed his large, spiked mace and heavy shield on the floor beside him, the gesture clear: he didn't need them to face this opponent. The watching adventurers murmured, some exchanging looks of surprise and anticipation.
Raymond finally spoke, his voice low and steady, resonating from within his helmet. "If you insist on this duel, I'll oblige. But I'll warn you—you may not like what you find."
The silver-ranked man laughed, taking Raymond's words as an insult. "Big words for someone about to get taught a lesson!" He brandished his sword, taking a ready stance. "Let's see if you're as tough as you look, Iron-rank!"
He lunged forward, aiming a powerful strike at Raymond's chest. Without even moving his feet, Raymond caught the blade with a gauntleted hand, the metal ringing sharply as he stopped it cold. The arrogant adventurer's eyes went wide, his confidence visibly faltering as he tried to pull his sword free. Raymond's grip held firm.
The crowd gasped as Raymond released the blade, letting it fall limply to the side. He took a single step forward, and the silver-ranked adventurer stumbled back, his face flushed with frustration and humiliation. Desperate to save face, he swung again, this time faster, launching a barrage of strikes in rapid succession. But Raymond didn't flinch. He merely stepped to the side, each movement precise and deliberate, dodging every strike with effortless grace.
Finally, the man's strength flagged, and he stumbled back, panting, his face pale with realization. Raymond's presence seemed to grow darker, his imposing figure casting a heavy shadow over the exhausted adventurer. He took another step forward, his voice a low, chilling rumble. "Arrogance makes you blind. Remember this."
The silver-ranked adventurer, defeated and humiliated, glared around at the crowd, seeing only stifled smirks and averted eyes. Mumbling something unintelligible, he sheathed his sword and quickly left the guild hall, his pride in tatters.
As Raymond retrieved his mace and shield, the other adventurers gave him a wide berth, a newfound respect—and fear—now etched on their faces. It was clear that he was not one to be underestimated.
Raymond's quiet display of strength hadn't gone unnoticed, and as he turned back to the quest board, a new presence approached. She moved with a swift, confident stride, her tall, athletic frame catching the eyes of the adventurers still lingering nearby. A spear rested easily on her shoulder, its blade gleaming in the guild's light, and her red hair fell in loose waves, framing a face that was sharp and alert, with a hint of a smirk tugging at the corner of her mouth.
She stopped a few paces from Raymond, studying him with interest, her gaze sweeping over his black, imposing armor. "Not bad," she said, her tone light but carrying a hint of admiration. "Don't see many rookies capable of handling a silver-rank like that—and without even lifting a weapon." She tilted her head, her green eyes flashing with intrigue. "Name's Sonya."
Raymond inclined his head slightly, meeting her gaze from within his helmet. "Raymond," he replied, his voice steady, though he couldn't help but take in the way she held herself: balanced, with the kind of stance only a seasoned warrior could master. "And you are…?"
"Silver-rank, same as that guy." Sonya jerked a thumb over her shoulder, referencing the now-absent challenger. "Though I hope my skills speak better than his did." She laughed softly, tapping the spear on her shoulder. "I heard the ruckus and thought I'd see what was going on. Didn't expect to find someone so… quietly intimidating."
Raymond's posture remained calm and steady, his dark armor casting an imposing shadow as he observed her. "A silver rank with a sense of discipline. That's refreshing."
Sonya raised an eyebrow, amused. "And a newbie with enough restraint to avoid making a mess of the guild hall," she replied, her tone playful. "Tell me, Raymond, are you just here for the guild quests, or are you planning to make a name for yourself?"
Raymond hesitated briefly, her question catching him off guard. He hadn't come to the capital to make friends or join any adventuring parties. But Sonya's confidence and curiosity intrigued him. "For now, I'm here to see what the guild has to offer. The rest… I'll figure out along the way."
Sonya chuckled, her eyes flashing with an intense curiosity. "Mysterious, huh? I like that." She shifted her spear, the movement fluid and precise. "Tell you what, if you're looking to make a name for yourself, maybe we'll cross paths again." She nodded at the quest board. "This place can be a little chaotic, and most of the time, it's hard to find someone who's worth fighting alongside. You might be different."
Raymond nodded, the faintest hint of approval in his voice. "Perhaps."
"Well then, until next time, Raymond." With a final, assessing look, Sonya turned and headed back toward a group of adventurers who seemed to know her well, giving Raymond one last glance over her shoulder as she walked away.
Raymond watched her go, silently noting the unusual impression she had left on him. Her confidence, skill, and lack of arrogance were rare qualities, and he had the feeling that their paths would cross again.
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To be continue....