Eight years had passed, and I had grown into an eighteen-year-old woman whose name struck fear and awe into the hearts of many. Joker—the woman who single-handedly defeated monsters of any rank with her deck of playing cards. My legend spread far and wide, and I had reached the pinnacle of adventuring as an SSS-rank adventurer. Every card in my deck—52 in total—was unlocked, each one granting me unique and powerful abilities.
Of course, I never forgot to visit my parents. My bond with Jill and Frank, the guild receptionist and the guildmaster, grew stronger over the years as we exchanged deals, stories, and countless laughs. But despite the fame, skills, and friendships, one problem loomed over me like an annoying shadow: I was bored out of my mind.
Nothing challenged me anymore. I could hunt monsters with my eyes closed, and the thought of slaying yet another high-rank beast just for the sake of a quest left me yawning. Sitting in the guild hall one day, I turned to Jill, lazily resting my chin on my hand.
"Jill," I said with a dramatic sigh, "I'm too bored! Why can't I hunt something more exciting, like… oh, I don't know, a dragon?"
Jill, who was busy sorting through a stack of quest forms, froze mid-motion. Her head snapped up, her usually calm expression replaced with sheer horror. "What did you just say?" she asked, narrowing her eyes.
"You heard me," I said, straightening up in my chair. "A dragon! You know, huge wings, sharp claws, terrifying aura—dragons!" I spread my arms wide to emphasize the grandeur.
For a moment, Jill said nothing, and I naively thought I had managed to convince her. Then, without warning, she slapped me hard on the head, making me yelp in surprise.
"You dumb child!" she barked, glaring at me.
"Don't even think about hunting a dragon! Do you have a death wish or something? Dragons are holy creatures, and the emperor himself has banned anyone from hunting them. It's illegal! Completely off-limits. So quit that nonsense right now."
I whimpered, rubbing the sore spot on my head. "Fine, fine," I grumbled, pouting like a child who'd just been denied candy. "But then tell me, Jill, what should I do? I'm so bored I feel like I could drop dead right here."
Jill let out a long, exasperated sigh as she pinched the bridge of her nose. "Honestly, you're impossible," she muttered before shuffling through her stack of papers. After a moment, she pulled out a form and slid it across the counter with a smug smile.
"What's this?" I asked, tilting my head as I picked it up.
"Since you're so desperate for excitement," she said, folding her arms, "Duke Elias Ashford is looking for an adventurer with exceptional skills. And guess what? You're perfect for the job."
I raised an eyebrow skeptically. "The Duke of Ashford?" Even I knew the name carried weight. The man was a legend in his own right, second only to the emperor himself. "Why does he need someone like me?"
"Apparently, he's preparing for some expedition. Something about legendary monsters and a cursed forest—sounds like exactly the kind of insanity you'd enjoy," Jill replied with a shrug. "Anyway, take it or leave it. Unless you'd prefer to keep sulking here and annoying me all day."
I stared at her, then at the form in my hand. The Ashford name was no joke. Aside from my father, Duke Mont, Elias Ashford was one of the most renowned figures in the empire. Known as "The Emperor's Sword," his reputation was as daunting as his title. If his request for an adventurer was anything to go by, this wouldn't be an ordinary quest.
My lips curved into a smirk. "Well, I guess this might be worth my time," I said, pulling out a pen and signing the form with a flourish. "Let's see what the Duke of Ashford has in store for me."
Jill raised an eyebrow. "Just try not to get yourself into too much trouble. I'd rather not have to explain to your parents why their daughter decided to go traipsing into danger with a notorious Duke."
"Please," I scoffed, standing up and stretching. "What's the worst that could happen? This'll probably be a walk in the park for someone like me."
Jill muttered something about my overconfidence but waved me off as I stepped out of the guild. I stared toward the horizon, where the Ashford ducal estate awaited. The thrill of anticipation stirred in my chest, a feeling I hadn't experienced in far too long.
A smirk tugged at my lips. "I wonder what surprises are waiting for me now," I murmured to myself, ready to face whatever awaited.