The quiet of the early morning was broken only by the faint hum of the system's tower in the distance, a reminder of the ever-present Paradox World System. Erwin sat on the edge of a crumbling fountain in the heart of the town square, his thoughts heavy.
The confrontation with Alexander the previous day had planted a seed of doubt in his mind—not about Alexander's intentions, but about his own preparedness. His gambit had worked, but it had also highlighted a harsh reality: he was woefully outmatched.
"I need to get stronger," Erwin muttered under his breath. His fingers traced the edge of his weapon—a simple blade he had acquired during his early struggles. Despite its sentimental value, it was a far cry from the grand-level gear Alexander and his ilk wielded.
His musings were interrupted by the sound of footsteps. Lyria approached, her usual smirk replaced by a rare look of seriousness.
"Couldn't sleep?" she asked, sitting beside him.
"Something like that," Erwin replied.
Lyria studied him for a moment. "You're thinking about Alexander, aren't you?"
"Not just him," Erwin admitted. "It's everything. The system, the fights, the constant danger. I've been coasting on luck and quick thinking, but that's not enough. If I want to survive—and maybe even win—I need to get serious."
Lyria raised an eyebrow. "You? Serious? Now there's a thought."
Erwin shot her a wry smile. "I'm joining a guild."
Lyria blinked in surprise. "A guild? You? I thought you hated those."
"I don't have a choice," Erwin said. "I need resources, training, and allies. A guild is the fastest way to get all three."
Lyria leaned back, her arms crossed. "You realize that guilds don't just let anyone join, right? They'll test you. Hard."
"Good," Erwin said, his voice firm. "I need to be tested."
Lyria studied him for a long moment before sighing. "You're serious about this, aren't you?"
"Dead serious," Erwin said.
Lyria hesitated, her usual bravado slipping. "In that case, I'm in too."
Erwin looked at her in surprise. "What?"
"You heard me," Lyria said. "If you're joining a guild, I'm joining one too. Might as well clear my name while I'm at it."
Erwin raised an eyebrow. "And here I thought you enjoyed being a wanted woman."
"Yeah, well, the novelty's wearing off," Lyria said with a smirk. "Besides, it's only a matter of time before someone recognizes me and tries to cash in on the bounty. Better to get ahead of it."
Erwin nodded, a hint of respect in his gaze. "Fair enough. Looks like we're both taking the plunge."
---
The bustling guild hall was a stark contrast to the quiet streets outside. Adventurers of all levels filled the space, their conversations blending into a low hum. The air was thick with the smell of leather and steel, a reminder of the battles that defined their lives.
Erwin and Lyria approached the receptionist, a stern-looking woman who barely glanced up from her clipboard.
"New recruits?" she asked, her tone brisk.
"That's right," Erwin said.
The receptionist handed them a pair of forms. "Fill these out. Once you're done, you'll be assigned to a team for your evaluation."
Lyria frowned as she scanned the form. "What kind of evaluation?"
"A simple mission," the receptionist said. "Your performance will determine your eligibility."
Erwin and Lyria exchanged a glance before completing the forms. Once finished, they were directed to a waiting area where other recruits milled about.
A burly man with a scar across his cheek approached them, his eyes sharp. "You two the new recruits?"
"That's us," Erwin said.
"I'm Marcus," the man said. "I'll be leading your evaluation. Follow me."
---
The evaluation mission was deceptively simple: clear out a nest of mutant creatures in a nearby ruin. Marcus led the group, which consisted of Erwin, Lyria, and two other recruits—a lanky archer named Finn and a quiet mage named Aria.
As they entered the ruins, the air grew thick with tension. The distant sound of skittering claws echoed through the dark corridors.
"Stay close," Marcus instructed. "These things are fast and vicious. Don't let your guard down."
They pressed on, their weapons drawn. The first attack came suddenly—a blur of motion as a mutant creature lunged from the shadows.
Erwin reacted instinctively, raising his blade to parry the attack. The creature's claws scraped against the steel, sending a shower of sparks into the air.
"Lyria, now!" Erwin shouted.
Lyria darted forward, her twin daggers flashing as she struck the creature's exposed flank. It let out a guttural screech before collapsing to the ground.
"Nice teamwork," Marcus said, nodding approvingly. "Keep it up."
The group moved deeper into the ruins, encountering more of the creatures. Each battle tested their coordination and resolve, but Erwin quickly realized the value of teamwork.
Finn's arrows provided cover, pinning enemies in place, while Aria's magic created barriers and distractions. Lyria's agility allowed her to strike from unexpected angles, and Erwin's quick thinking turned even the direst situations to their advantage.
As they neared the heart of the ruins, the air grew colder. A sense of foreboding settled over the group.
"This is it," Marcus said, his voice low. "The nest is just ahead."
The chamber was vast, its walls covered in pulsating vines that glowed faintly. At the center stood the largest mutant they had encountered—a hulking beast with razor-sharp claws and glowing red eyes.
"Focus fire on the big one!" Marcus ordered.
The battle was intense. The creature's speed and strength made it a formidable opponent, but Erwin's group fought with determination.
"Lyria, draw its attention!" Erwin shouted.
Lyria darted in, landing a quick strike before retreating. The creature roared, turning its focus to her.
"Finn, now!" Erwin called.
Finn loosed a volley of arrows, each one striking the creature's vulnerable spots. Aria followed up with a blast of energy, staggering the beast.
"Finish it, Erwin!" Marcus bellowed.
Erwin surged forward, his blade glowing as he channeled all his strength into a final strike. The blade sank deep into the creature's chest, and it let out a final, ear-splitting roar before collapsing.
The group stood in silence, catching their breath.
"Not bad for rookies," Marcus said, a hint of a smile on his face.
Erwin and Lyria exchanged a glance, a sense of accomplishment washing over them.
But the moment of triumph was short-lived. As they prepared to leave the ruins, the ground trembled beneath their feet.
"What's happening?" Lyria asked, her voice tinged with panic.
A deep, guttural growl echoed through the chamber, and a new presence emerged from the shadows—a creature even larger and more menacing than the last.
"Looks like the real challenge just arrived," Erwin muttered, gripping his blade tightly.