Ryan stared at the flickering glow of the campfire, his fingers idly tracing the hilt of his new sword. The thrill of defeating the Broodmother still pulsed through his veins, but the exhaustion of the day was catching up fast. Across the fire, Arya and Grent were quietly discussing their next move.
"We'll head back to Dawnstead to collect the bounty first thing in the morning," Arya said, tossing a twig into the flames. "From there, we'll see what else is on the board. Bigger rewards mean bigger risks, but we can't afford to get complacent."
Grent nodded. "Agreed. But the kid's gotta be ready. That last fight showed potential, but potential's not enough." He turned his gaze to Ryan. "You need to sharpen your skills. A real adventurer's more than just their sword arm."
Ryan sat up straighter. "What do you mean? I thought I did okay back there."
Arya snorted. "'Okay' doesn't cut it when you're up against things that could swallow you whole. You've got instincts, sure, but instincts won't keep you alive forever."
Grent leaned forward, his voice low and serious. "You've got to learn how to think ahead, plan your moves, and adapt to the fight. That's what separates survivors from corpses."
Ryan nodded slowly, their words sinking in. He'd gotten through the Broodmother fight by sheer luck and adrenaline. If he wanted to make it in this world, he'd have to do better.
"So what's the plan?" he asked. "How do I get better?"
Arya smirked. "Training, obviously. And we'll make sure you're not just swinging that sword around like a headless chicken."
Grent laughed, clapping Ryan on the back. "Welcome to the grind, kid."
The next morning, the trio made their way back to Dawnstead. The city's gates loomed tall against the morning sky, and the streets were already bustling with merchants and adventurers. Ryan couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment as they walked through the gates. He was starting to feel like he belonged.
They headed straight for the Adventurer's Guild, a grand building near the center of town. The interior was just as lively as the streets outside. Adventurers crowded around tables, exchanging stories and planning expeditions. A massive board covered one wall, filled with new bounties and quests.
Arya led the group to the guild counter, where a clerk greeted them with a polite smile. "Back already? What can I do for you?"
"We're here to collect the bounty on the Broodmother," Arya said, sliding the notice across the counter.
The clerk's eyes widened slightly. "The Broodmother? Impressive. That's no small feat." She stamped the notice and handed over a small pouch of coins. "Fifty silver, as promised."
Grent pocketed the pouch with a grin. "Not bad for a day's work."
Ryan glanced at the bounty board. Dozens of notices covered its surface, each one a new challenge waiting to be tackled. His gaze lingered on a particularly ominous one:
Wanted: Shadow Wraith. Sighted near the ruins of Eldenfall. Reward: 200 silver pieces.
"Don't even think about it," Arya said, following his gaze. "You're nowhere near ready for something like that."
Ryan tore his eyes away, a small grin on his face. "Not yet, anyway."
After splitting their earnings, the trio spent the afternoon restocking supplies and repairing their gear. Arya and Grent offered advice on what to buy, steering Ryan away from flashy but impractical items. By the time they regrouped at the tavern, Ryan felt more prepared than ever.
"So, what's next?" he asked, settling into a chair.
Arya pulled out a map, spreading it across the table. "There's a goblin camp reported near the Redstone Hills. It's not as dangerous as the Broodmother, but it'll still be a good test for you. Goblins are fast and tricky, so you'll have to stay sharp."
Grent leaned back in his chair. "And if you survive that, we might just take you on a real adventure."
Ryan's excitement bubbled over. "Let's do it. When do we leave?"
"At first light," Arya said, folding the map. "Get some rest, Ryan. You'll need it."
The next day, they set out for the Redstone Hills. The journey was uneventful at first, the group falling into a comfortable rhythm as they traveled. But as they neared the hills, the air grew tense. Ryan's HUD picked up faint heat signatures in the distance, confirming Arya's report.
They crested a hill and spotted the goblin camp below. A dozen small, green-skinned creatures scurried around makeshift tents and campfires. A larger goblin, wearing a crude helmet and wielding a rusty axe, barked orders at the others.
[Goblin Chief] - Level 4 [Goblin Grunts] - Level 2
"Same plan as before," Arya said, nocking an arrow. "Grent draws their attention. Ryan and I will take out the grunts. Then we focus on the chief."
Grent cracked his knuckles. "Easy enough."
Ryan swallowed hard, his grip tightening on his sword. "Let's do this."
Grent charged down the hill with a roar, his hammer smashing into the nearest goblin. The camp erupted into chaos as the goblins scrambled to defend themselves. Ryan followed Arya's lead, taking down a grunt with a quick strike. His movements were more confident now, each swing of his sword precise and deliberate.
"Keep it up, Ryan!" Arya shouted, loosing an arrow that struck another goblin.
The Goblin Chief roared, charging toward Grent with surprising speed. Grent met the attack head-on, his hammer colliding with the chief's axe in a shower of sparks.
"Ryan, now!" Arya called, pointing to the chief's exposed flank.
Ryan dashed forward, activating [Quick Strike]. His sword slashed across the chief's side, drawing a deep gash. The goblin snarled, swinging its axe wildly, but Ryan ducked under the blow and struck again.
Together, the trio brought the Goblin Chief to its knees. Arya fired a final arrow, and the creature disintegrated into a burst of light.
+50 XP
Ryan stood over the fading particles, his chest heaving. He felt stronger, more capable. This was what he'd been searching for—a purpose, a challenge, and a team he could rely on.
Grent clapped him on the shoulder. "Not bad, kid. You're starting to look like a real adventurer."
Arya nodded, a faint smile on her lips. "Keep this up, and we might just make something of you."
Ryan grinned. For the first time, he felt like he belonged.