The Silver Curse – Volume 2, Chapter 4: Arrival in Valkris
First Steps into Valkris
The towering gates of Valkris loomed ahead as Yuto and Mira approached. The journey had been long, and the sight of civilization was a welcome relief. This was their first time stepping into the bustling city—a place of opportunity, danger, and hidden agendas.
As they entered, the sheer scale of the city became evident. Stalls lined the streets, merchants shouting over one another to peddle their wares. Blacksmiths hammered steel, adventurers in various armor sets walked by, exchanging stories of their latest conquests. The energy was electric.
Mira let out a low whistle. "Now this is a proper city. Doesn't smell half as bad as the last town."
Yuto scanned the crowd. He kept his hood low, avoiding unnecessary attention. "We should find the guild first. Get our bearings before taking on any work."
Mira smirked. "Straight to business? No sightseeing?"
He shook his head. "The sooner we understand this place, the better."
The Adventurer's Guild
The guildhall stood proudly in the center of the city, its large wooden doors open to all who sought fame and fortune. The inside was just as chaotic as expected—adventurers crowding the quest board, groups discussing contracts, and the scent of ale filling the air.
As they stepped inside, a few heads turned their way, eyeing the newcomers. Some were indifferent, others curious.
Yuto approached the front desk, where a sharp-eyed receptionist was scribbling something down. Without looking up, she spoke. "New in town?"
"Yes. We're looking to register for quests."
She finally glanced up, giving him a once-over before nodding. "You'll need to prove yourselves before taking anything high-level. Standard rules."
Mira leaned on the counter. "Got anything interesting for us rookies?"
The receptionist smirked and slid a parchment forward. "A pack of direwolves has been spotted on the outskirts. Dangerous, but manageable if you know what you're doing."
Yuto took the parchment, scanning the details. "We'll take it."
Into the Wilds
The sun hung high as they left the city behind, heading toward the reported location of the direwolves. The road quickly gave way to thick forest, the air turning crisp and heavy with the scent of damp earth.
Mira twirled a dagger between her fingers. "Think we'll run into any surprises?"
Yuto's expression remained neutral. "Always."
As they walked deeper into the woods, a distant howl echoed through the trees. The hunt had begun.
End of Chapter 4