The Silver Curse – Volume 1, Chapter 2: The Unwelcome Guest
The scent of ale and roasted meat filled the adventurer's guild, mingling with the sounds of clinking mugs and the occasional burst of laughter. The hall was bustling with armored warriors, robed mages, and rugged mercenaries, all gathered in clusters, sharing stories of their latest conquests. It was nothing like the modern world Yuto once knew. Everything felt… raw. Dangerous.
Yuto kept his head down as he stepped inside, his silver hair partially hidden beneath the hood of his cloak. His hands, still adorned with the glowing silver rings, remained tucked within his sleeves. He had learned quickly—silver was feared here. Just entering the city had earned him more than a few wary glances.
The guild receptionist, a sharp-eyed woman with short blonde hair, barely looked up from the parchment she was reading. "New adventurer?"
Yuto hesitated before nodding. "I'd like to register."
She finally looked up, her gaze settling on him. Her eyes lingered on his gloved hands, and for a moment, she said nothing. Then, with a sigh, she reached for a quill and dipped it into ink. "Name?"
"Yuto."
She raised an eyebrow at the lack of a surname but didn't question it. "Do you have any prior combat experience?"
Yuto considered his response. "Enough."
She gave him a flat look. "You'll need to be more specific."
Before Yuto could answer, a gruff voice interrupted. "Oi, new blood!"
A group of adventurers sitting at a nearby table had taken notice of him. One of them, a burly man clad in heavy armor, grinned as he leaned back in his chair. "You got a death wish, walking in here like that?"
Yuto tensed. "Like what?"
The man pointed at his covered hands. "No one hides their hands unless they got somethin' to hide."
The guild fell into an uneasy silence. Several adventurers had already taken interest in the exchange, their eyes filled with curiosity and suspicion.
"I don't want trouble," Yuto said evenly, his fingers tightening around his sleeve.
"That so?" The armored man pushed himself to his feet, his large frame towering over Yuto. "Then let's see those hands, boy."
Yuto didn't move. He could feel the weight of every gaze in the room pressing down on him, waiting. Testing him.
"Enough," the receptionist finally said, her voice sharp. "He's here to register, not to entertain you. If you want to challenge him, take it outside."
The armored man frowned but backed off, muttering under his breath as he returned to his table. The guild slowly returned to its usual atmosphere, though Yuto could still feel the occasional glance in his direction.
The receptionist clicked her tongue as she scribbled something on the parchment. "You'll need to complete a preliminary quest to finalize your registration."
"What kind of quest?"
She slid a parchment across the counter. "Goblin extermination. Standard for new recruits. You can team up with other rookies, or go alone."
Yuto took the parchment and glanced at the details. It was a simple job—clear out a small nest of goblins causing trouble near a farm. A test of skill more than anything else.
"When do I leave?"
The receptionist smirked. "Whenever you're ready. But don't die on your first quest. It'd be bad for business."
Later That Evening
Yuto found himself sitting at a corner table in the guild hall, sipping from a mug of water as he observed the adventurers around him. He needed to learn how things worked in this world—and fast.
"Going alone, huh? That's bold."
Yuto looked up to see a woman standing before him. Crimson eyes, black leather armor, a sword strapped to her back. She carried herself with confidence, like someone who had seen plenty of battles and had lived to tell the tale.
"Mira," she introduced herself, sliding into the seat across from him. "You're the silver-haired guy everyone's whispering about."
Yuto's expression remained neutral. "Seems like I don't have much of a choice."
Mira chuckled. "You'll get used to it. This place isn't kind to newcomers. Especially ones who stand out."
He remained silent, watching her carefully. She leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand. "So, you really planning to take that quest alone?"
"Yes."
She tilted her head, studying him. "You any good?"
"I can handle myself."
Mira smirked. "Alright, tough guy. I'll be watching."
With that, she stood and sauntered off, leaving Yuto to his thoughts.
Tomorrow, he would prove himself. One way or another.
End of Chapter 2