Year 5026, Pryin’s Era Year: 236 Month: 03 Day: 14th

Reason Lorcan stood at the counter of the adventurer’s reception desk finalizing his report. In front of him sat a dark-haired half-elf lady, with small round glasses and hair tied into a ponytail with a name tag that read Angeline. She was writing down Reason’s report.

“And that’s it. Thank you for your hard work.” She said as she finished writing her report. Opening a small drawer from behind the counter she began to count out a few coins.

“Here you go, eight crowns.” She said with a smile.

“Right thank you.” He said staring at the money in front of him hesitantly.

“I know that this may be difficult, but as an adventurer you did your job. You kept the people in that village safe.” She assured him.

With a small sigh he nodded and accepted the money. Reason looked around for a moment, noticing how crowded the place was he asked her, “What happened here yesterday?”

“There was a large amount of chaos worshippers in the forest the past couple of days. There was a large commission to clear them out, it was recently completed.” She explained. “Oh, uh are going to accept another commission?” She asked.

“No… I have someone I need to visit. Thank you.” Reason gave a small bow of the head before headed of to the doorway.

As he was approaching the door it opened, and in came a man wearing a simple overcoat with night black hair and equally black eyes. The man in front of him seemed to be barely older than Reason himself, his eyes scanned around the place looking for someone.

Noticing that Reason was looking at him, the dark-haired stranger spoke to him, “Can I help you?”

“Uh, no, sorry, I was just going.” He said as he moved passed the stranger and headed out the door.

***

Shawn watched as the boy in front of him moved past him and out of the door he had just enter from. Not giving another thought he looked around, searching through the guild before a voice called to him.

“Over here.”

Turning to the source of the voice he saw the flame haired girl Amelia sitting down on a table waving for him, drinking a cup of tea. Approaching her he gave a nod in greeting.

“Why did you call me here?” Shawn asked upon approaching her.

“This.” She replied as she sipped her tea and threw him a pouch of jangling metal.

Shawn caught it and peeked into the contents, inside was several glittering golden coins. Raising his brows in surprise he looked up.

“Not that I’m complaining, but why?”

“I sold the warlock’s staff, that’s a cut of what I got. Considering that you couldn’t get an actual reward from the commission, with you not being an adventurer, I thought you at least deserved this.” She said.

“That’s awfully nice of you. Thanks.” Shawn said as he stashed the pouch of coins away. “Where did you sell it?”

“There’s a place that buys and sells magical items, a few places actually.” She explained with a wave of the hand. “So, if you don’t mind me asking… what was that whole thing you had with that new adventurer?” She asked curiously.

“Hmm?”

“The guy with the purple and red armour, from the eastern continents. You had quite the conversation with him. I don’t really know about what, but you two seemed rather hostile. An old acquaintance?” She asked.

“No, but I’ve met his acquaintances.” He said nonchalantly. “Well, I probably did.”

“Care to talk about it?”

“Nah, it would bore you. Anyways, I’ve got someone else to meet here.”

“Someone else asked you to be here?”

“Of course, can’t you see popular I am?” He said sarcastically.

“Heh, well then don’t let me interrupt your busy schedule.” She said as she took another sip from her cup giving a goodbye small wave.

Shawn left Amelia to her own devices and headed of further into the lounge area. There he found Oskar and Lawrence sitting at a table smoking and talking. Upon seeing him Oskar beckoned him over.

“Good to see that you didn’t get lost on your way here.” Lawrence joked.

“Hard to miss one of the biggest buildings in the city.” Shawn said, seating himself down.

“Want one?” Oskar offered holding up a cigar.

“Not if you want me to keep running.” Shawn replied.

As Oskar stashed the cigar back into his box and spoke to Shawn, “So me and Lawrence have been discussing our next course of action.”

“Which is?”

“Well, we’ll be staying in this city for a while.”

“You sure that’s the right play? Lot of eyes in the city.” Shawn asked, hesitant.

“It’s the city of adventurers, lots of commotion and movement to ide our presence.” Lawrence chimed in.

“Not to mention opportunity.” Oskar added.

“As in?”

“Lot of important people, lot of money going in and out the city. And right now, we need money. Get enough money, set up a proper little base, get what we need, and we may not need to go back to Nobelia.” Oskar explained, emphasizing each point by waving his cigar.

“I suppose.” Shawn nodded.

“And that leads to our next idea.” Lawrence continued staring at Shawn with a hint of mischief behind his eyes.

“Wait, what are you planning?” Shawn asked, eyes narrowing in suspicion.

“We were thinking that we could use an adventurer in the city of adventurers.” Lawrence continued.

“Right…” Shawn said cautiously.

“So, why not have one of the Thorneside’s apply?” Lawrence said.

“And that’s where you come in.” Oskar concluded.

“Absolutely not.” Shawn stated flatly. He leaned back onto his seat; arms crossed.

“Come on Shawn. It isn’t that bad.” Lawrence pleaded.

“No.”

“You’re at the perfect age of being a new adventurer. Plus, other adventurers are already aware of your experience, its much more easier to have a start.” Oskar argued.

“I am not applying; I am not made for this.” Shawn stated.

“Why not?” Lawrence asked.

“Do I look like I can punch a dragon?” Shawn challenged.

“We aren’t looking for you to become some grand hero. Just do some quests here and there, rank up a few times. You’ll earn some clean money, and we’ll get access to a guild directly connected to the government.” Oskar lectured. “Think of the opportunity. Think of the money.”

Shawn pondered for a moment, “Why do I have to do it?” He asked.

“Well, me and Lawrence are a bit too old to register as new adventurers don’t you think?” Oskar said

“There is no age limit.”

“But would we look like we would belong?”

“… No.” Shawn agreed reluctantly, arms crossed tight. “Still why me?”

“Well, Charron and Javier are needed for other things, Cella is… well she’s recovering after what happened with Fella.” Lawrence explained.

“What about Blake?” Shawn said desperately.

“There’s a literacy requirement.” Oskar replied with a shrug.

“Of course, there is.” Shawn said with a groan.

“Look, the only other person we could consider right now is young miss Alison. So, unless you think she’s ready, it can only be you.” Oskar stated.

Shawn pondered for a moment. Recalling the small, loud, and annoying Alison, so often bugging him, and wanting to go out on jobs. He was tempted to let her run off, deal with this headache in his stead. Except for the fact that she wasn’t experienced enough for what Oskar was asking.

Shawn closed his eyes for a few seconds, before giving a deep sigh and relented.

“Fine.” He said through gritted teeth.

Smiles appeared on the faces of Oskar and Lawrence.

“Well, then go on and register.” Oskar said as he took one last puff from his cigar before putting it out.

Shawn stared at the two very happy adults over this decision. As he got up, he pointed and the two, “I won’t forget this.”

Leaving the two chortling compatriots alone he navigated himself back to the front desk of the adventurer’s guild. Only to find a queue of people nearly reaching the door.

You’re kidding me. Shawn thought as he trudged to the end of the line.

***

After over two hours, Shawn finally made it to the front of the reception desk. During this entire time, Shawn wished he was anywhere but here right now. Honestly getting into a fight with a group of chaos worshippers would be better then right now. He waited so long that the receptionists had changed shifts as he stood in the line.

Greeting him at the front desk was a young blonde receptionist. Her hair was immaculate, and her uniform was perfect. Shawn noticed that how the people in front of him, particularly the boys, treated her like a beautiful angel sent from the heavens.

Shawn also noticed how often they attempted to flirt with her and how much disdain for it she was trying to hide. Well, at least I’m not the only one who hates it here. Shawn mused.

“I’m here to register.” He said simply, reading that her nametag said Angeline.

Angeline gave Shawn a quick once over before giving him a sweet smile.

“Of course. Can you read and write?”

“Yes.”

“Then please fill out these forms.” She said as she handed him a small pile of paper.

Great paperwork. He thought as he surpassed a groan and quickly filled them out. Handing them back to her, he watched as she read through the pages. She looked up and stared at Shawn quizzically.

“What?” He asked.

“Were you apart of the caravan that got attacked recently?”

“Yes.”

“Oh. So you are that Shawn.” She said reading through Shawn’s papers.

“What do you mean?”

“Well, there were a few reports describing how you aided in the recovery commission. They are rather impressive.” She said, sounding moderately impressed. “Well then, please wait one moment.”

Angeline then filled out a few forms, stamped a card and then scanned something before handing Shawn a card and a tag.

“Those act as your identification and your registered rank. Please keep them on you at all times. As you complete quests your rank level will increase. Good luck on your journey adventurer.” She said with a smile.

Giving a simple nod he grabbed the pieces and stuffed them into his pockets as he walked away. Noticing the quest board, he decided that he may as well start working and. Approaching and scanned its contents before grabbing a suitable quest. Guess I’m an adventurer now. He thought bitterly.

***

Reason walked into a small inn located a few minutes away from the adventurer’s guild. It was a small building barely squeezed in between two other buildings; it had an old worn-down sign on the front door to indicate that it was an inn.

Entering the building Reason entered a cramped, slightly dusty room. Seeing that the reception desk was empty he moved up to the second story. Walking to a door marked number five he knocked on it.

“Come in.” He heard a voice emit from the door.

Entering the door, he was greeted by Markus, sitting in his bed, missing his right arm from the elbow down. Markus gave him a weak smile.

“Hey.” He greeted Reason.

“Hey, I got the reward from the guild.” Reason said as he handed Markus half of the coins he had received. Placing the coins on Markus’s drawer top.

“Thanks.”

After a moment of awkward silence Reason spoke, “So what now?”

“I’m going back to my village. Figure out what to do from there. You?” Markus said.

“I’m not sure honestly.” Reason said solemnly.

“Are you seriously feeling guilty. You did nothing wrong. You saved me!” Markus said annoyed.

“But-”

“But nothing. You don’t need to feel guilty. You defeated those wolves; you deserve to be an adventurer.” Markus told him.

“You got hurt.”

“And I would be dead if it wasn’t for you.” Markus emphasized. “Don’t let what happened to me stop you.”

Reason still looked troubled as Markus continued to speak.

“I was in trouble, and you saved me. If you keep being an adventurer, you can save others. What if someone like me needs you.” Markus challenged.

“Well…” Reason voice trailed off.

“Look, don’t let one thing stop you from continuing. You’re still standing. It would be a waste if you stopped.” Markus pressed on.

Reason took a deep breath. “Alright. Alright.” Reason nodded. “You’re right. I can keep going.”

Markus gave Reason a confident smile, “Go on and be an adventurer for all of us.”

With one last nod, Reason gave Markus his goodbyes and headed out the door. Walking back out onto the streets he looked at the four small golden coins in his hand, filled with newfound confidence he walked back to the adventurer’s guild.