The town of Ravendale was the last bit of civilization before the vast Emerald Wilds, a sprawling forest filled with monsters, untamed lands, and untapped resources.
Lucian arrived just before noon, his slimes hidden inside his travel pouch, except for Bubbles, who bounced quietly at his side.
His first stop?
The Adventurer's Guild.
Not because he wanted to be an adventurer—he had no grand ambitions of slaying dragons or hunting bandits.
But an Adventurer's ID was a universal form of identification. It could be used in most cities, granted access to restricted areas, and allowed him to take on jobs if he ever needed quick money.
It was simply useful.
As Lucian stepped inside, the cool air of the guild hall greeted him. The place was lively, filled with armored warriors, robed mages, and archers boasting about their latest hunts.
At the front desk, an elegant elf woman handled paperwork with practiced efficiency.
She had long silver hair, pointed ears, and striking emerald eyes. Despite her delicate features, her gaze was sharp, showing she had dealt with more than her fair share of troublemakers.
Lucian approached the desk.
The elf receptionist looked up and smiled politely. "Welcome to the Ravendale Adventurer's Guild. How may I assist you?"
"I'd like to sign up as an adventurer," Lucian said simply.
She tilted her head. "Are you planning to take on quests?"
"Not really. I just want an Adventurer's ID."
She blinked. Most people who became adventurers sought fame, riches, or strength. It was rare for someone to sign up just for convenience.
But she didn't question him. Instead, she reached under the counter and pulled out a registration form.
"Please fill this out. There's a one-time registration fee of five silver coins. You'll be given an ID card and start at F-rank."
Lucian nodded, paying the fee and filling out the form.
As he wrote his name, he noticed a ranking chart posted on the guild wall.
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Adventurer Ranks
The Guild Ranking System determined an adventurer's strength, experience, and the level of quests they could accept.
It followed a simple hierarchy:
F-Rank – Newcomers. Can only take simple gathering and weak monster hunting quests.
E-Rank – Slightly experienced adventurers. Can hunt goblins and weak beasts.
D-Rank – Recognized as capable. Can take on stronger monsters and small-scale mercenary jobs.
C-Rank – Considered veterans. Can fight monsters like ogres and work in parties for bigger missions.
B-Rank – Powerful individuals. Often work in squads or lead teams.
A-Rank – Elites. Only the strongest adventurers reach this level. Capable of slaying dragons.
S-Rank – Legends. Heroes of the world, often possessing unique abilities.
SS-Rank – A step beyond. Only a handful in history have ever reached this tier. They are considered walking calamities.
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Lucian glanced at his F-Rank status and chuckled. Not that it mattered.
Once the registration was complete, the elf handed him a small metal card.
"This is your Adventurer's ID. It has basic enchantments to confirm your identity, prevent forgeries, and track your guild rank."
Lucian examined the card. It was simple but sturdy. Definitely better than a flimsy piece of parchment.
"Anything else?" the elf asked.
Lucian nodded. "I'd like to buy a detailed map of the Emerald Wilds."
She raised an eyebrow but retrieved a rolled-up parchment from the counter. "That will be two silver coins."
After paying, Lucian tucked the map away.
With this, his preparations were complete.
He gave the receptionist a small nod. "Thanks.... Granny"
"Good luck, Adventurer Lucian. Oh wait... I AM ONLY 56 YEARS OLD. I AM STILL YOUNG" The elf receptionist screamed as she realized that she was called old.