As the sun ascended in the sky, William approached the small town, its gates framing a scene of bustling activity. By the time he arrived from the riverbank, life beyond the gates was in full swing. Farmers unloaded their wagons with practiced efficiency, shopkeepers meticulously arranged their displays, and children dashed through the stalls, their laughter ringing out like music.
Two guards stood stationed at the gates, their watchful eyes scanning the flow of people. Upon noticing William, one stepped forward, gripping his spear with a subtle shift in posture.
"Halt. Who goes there?" the guard demanded, his voice firm yet routine. The other guard's hand rested lightly on the hilt of his sword, a casual yet clear readiness for action.
William stopped in his tracks, his thoughts racing. In this unfamiliar realm, the potential strength of its inhabitants was a mystery to him. A single misstep could have disastrous consequences.
"Hello, I'm William," he said cautiously, managing a polite smile that masked his unease.
The guard scrutinized him for a moment, then exhaled with a dismissive gesture. "You're no threat. Move along, lad. Don't block the way."
Relief washed over William, easing the tension in his shoulders. He nodded with a sheepish chuckle and stepped past the gatekeepers.
The moment he entered the town, a whirlwind of sensations engulfed him. The vibrant sounds, vivid colors, and diverse scents overwhelmed his senses. The savory aroma of spiced meats sizzling on skewers mingled with the sharp clang of metal from the blacksmith's forge. Merchants shouted over one another, each vying for attention, while the lively crowd ebbed and flowed around him. Though momentarily disoriented, he pressed on, weaving through the chaos with determined steps.
His gaze caught on a group crossing the street ahead, heading toward a building adorned with a sigil of clashing blades. Their movements set them apart from the common townsfolk; they carried themselves with the effortless poise of seasoned warriors.
At the forefront was a swordsman with shoulder-length dark hair, his scale-mail glinting in the sunlight. A shield rested on his arm, and a sheathed sword at his hip exuded a holy presence so palpable that William felt the hairs on his neck rise. It carried the same divine weight Aria radiated when casting her magic.
To his left walked a petite girl dressed in robes resembling playful witch cosplay, though the wand at her side marked her as anything but frivolous. Its crystalline shaft was fractured, with shards suspended in midair, held together by unseen magical forces.
On the swordsman's right strode a tall, muscular woman with untamed blonde hair tied into a defiant ponytail. Her eyes burned with feral intensity, and the twin short swords at her hips crackled with elemental energy. One blade distorted the air with shimmering heat, while the other left a trail of frost motes that hissed as they touched the ground.
Trailing behind was a lanky man with slicked-back hair and a calculating gaze. At his waist hung a pair of revolvers, their design reminiscent of Earth's Old West, though their glowing, arcane-lit cylinders hinted at extraordinary power. William couldn't begin to fathom the destruction these weapons could unleash, but he instinctively knew they were far from ordinary.
For a moment, William stood frozen, torn between awe and caution as he watched the group. They emanated both danger and opportunity, and in this unfamiliar world, they might be the kind of people he would have to measure himself against.
Curiosity gripped William as he watched the group push through the heavy oak doors marked with the sigil of clashing blades. For a moment, he lingered on the bustling street, torn between retreating to safety and following them inside. The air around those warriors was as heavy as their weapons, foreboding, commanding respect.
Yet, there was an undeniable allure in that same aura, a promise of opportunity.
Summoning his courage, William crossed the street and slipped through the doors.
The scene within was entirely unexpected. The clamorous noise of the town faded into a different kind of tumult, structured and purposeful, yet equally overwhelming. Long wooden tables dominated the main hall, where individuals in an array of gear exchanged stories over brimming mugs of ale. Walls adorned with maps, notices, and mission postings fluttered every time the doors swung open.
What astonished William most was the sheer variety of people. The group he had followed was striking, but the hall overflowed with others like them, fighters, mages, and rogues, each wearing distinct gear that spoke of their journeys. One man in charred black plate armor leaned nonchalantly against a wall, his enormous great axe secured across his back. Nearby, a woman in flowing azure robes conjured faint ripples of water between her fingers as she spoke to an archer whose quiver glimmered with arrows aglow.
Strength was evident in every corner of the room, and for the first time, William grasped the vast gulf that separated him from the warriors of this world.
He wandered further in, unsure of where he belonged, until a warm voice pulled him out of his thoughts.
"First time here?"
William turned to see a young woman standing behind a polished wooden counter. Her chestnut-brown hair was neatly braided, and her bright, welcoming smile stood in stark contrast to the guarded suspicion he had encountered at the gates. A faint scent of lavender seemed to linger around her, easing the tightness in his chest.
"Uh... yeah," William admitted, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. "I just... followed them in."
The woman chuckled softly, her laughter warm and reassuring. "Don't worry, you're not the first." She gestured gracefully toward the bustling hall, where voices and movement created a lively atmosphere. "Welcome, traveler. This is the Adventurers Guild, a place where people from all walks of life come to test their skills, undertake quests, and carve out their place in the world."
Her voice held such genuine warmth that William found himself stepping closer without hesitation. For the first time since his arrival in this unfamiliar realm, he felt less like a lost outsider and more like someone standing on the verge of an extraordinary journey.
The clerk tilted her head, her unwavering smile radiating warmth.
"Since you've managed to find your way here, would you like to register? It's the first step for anyone aspiring to make a name for themselves in the Guild."
William hesitated for only a moment. This was the opportunity he'd been waiting for, something to ground him in this unfamiliar world.
"Yes," he replied firmly. "I'd like that."
Her eyes lit up with approval as she reached beneath the counter and retrieved a polished crystal orb, placing it carefully on the surface. The orb, smooth as glass and the size of a grapefruit, emitted a faint inner glow.
"This will determine your magical affinity," she explained, sliding the orb toward him. "Everyone has an elemental attunement, even if it's subtle. The orb reacts to the essence within your soul."
William leaned closer, his reflection curving across the orb's gleaming surface. He swallowed hard, suddenly aware of the weight of many eyes in the room. Adventurers seated at nearby tables glanced his way, their curiosity evident. There was no turning back now.
He pressed his palm against the orb.
For a moment, nothing happened. Then the orb pulsed once, twice, before erupting into a storm of vibrant colors. Flames danced, shards of ice shimmered, lightning crackled, and waves of green energy rippled, all swirling together in dazzling chaos. Gasps echoed through the hall as the colors twisted and spiraled, finally merging into a single, radiant hue.
Black.
Not a dull shadow, not a muddy void, pure, unrelenting darkness. The orb's surface turned an abyssal black, so profound it seemed to devour the very light surrounding it. Tendrils of darkness seeped outward like ink dissolving into water, faint and curling delicately around William's hand.
The clerk's composed demeanor faltered. Her professional mask slipped, and disbelief tinged her hushed voice.
"Darkness…? No, that's, unthinkable. The purity of it…" She leaned closer, her gaze locked on the orb, as though trying to unravel its secrets through sheer observation. "I've never encountered a manifestation this absolute. It must be… an unprecedented variant. But…"
Before William could react, a piercing chime echoed within his mind. He froze, his breath hitching as luminous text blazed across his vision, invisible to anyone else.
[???? Element Attained]
A strange sensation coiled within his chest, cold yet pulsating with untamed vitality. Although the orb continued to weep darkness against his palm, the cryptic message left no doubt: this was no ordinary element. It embodied darkness, yet it hinted at something ancient, primordial… something beyond even this world's comprehension.
William withdrew his hand abruptly, his heartbeat thundering in his ears.
The clerk blinked rapidly, as if shaking herself free from a daze. She straightened her posture, a forced yet polite smile returning to her face, and swiftly reached under the counter once more.
"My apologies," she said, her voice faltering slightly before regaining its professional tone. "Let's… continue."
From a drawer, she retrieved a thin bronze plate, roughly the size of a playing card. With practiced precision, she slid it across the counter. Lines of soft light began to trace across the surface, forming intricate inscriptions of letters and symbols as though reacting to her touch.
"Your Guild ID," she explained, extending it toward him.
William accepted it cautiously, the metal warm against his palm in a way that felt almost alive. His name was inscribed at the top in bold, luminous script:
William Black
Rank: G
The final line was etched smaller than the rest, but its meaning was unmistakable even without further clarification. It signified that he had started at the very bottom.
"Every new adventurer begins at Rank G," the clerk explained, her voice gentle and almost apologetic. "It's nothing to feel discouraged about. With effort, persistence, and completed missions, your rank will steadily improve."
William nodded, though a flicker of frustration gnawed at him. After all he had endured to arrive in this world, being labeled as the lowest rank stung more deeply than he anticipated. Still, he tightened his grip on the ID, anchoring himself with the thought that this represented a fresh start.
The clerk gestured with elegant precision toward a distant wall within the hall, where an enormous board spanned from floor to ceiling, covered with papers and slips of parchment. Adventurers crowded around it, their voices animated with excitement and negotiation as they selected tasks from the collection.
"That's the Job Board," she said. "Requests come from villagers, merchants, and even government officials. Assignments range from exterminating pests to guarding caravans to… more perilous ventures." Her gaze briefly flickered toward the dimly glowing orb before returning to him, her smile reassuring. "It's the journey every adventurer embarks upon."
William's eyes followed her gesture, drawn to the myriad of postings that promised challenges ahead.
William's eyes roamed over the array of postings, some hastily scrawled on parchment, others adorned with elaborate seals or small illustrations. One particular notice caught his eye: a simple, neatly written note pinned just above his line of sight.
Task: Collect Lunaflare Herbs from the Whispering Glade beyond the town.
Requester: Alchemist Mira Solan
Reward: 15 gold coins + minor alchemical ingredients
Intrigued, William read the description beneath the header:
"Lunaflare Herbs are rare plants that emit a faint glow under moonlight, their silvery-veined leaves pulsating like the heartbeat of the forest. Their petals, tinged with violet at the edges, release a delicate fragrance akin to honey and starwater. These herbs are highly valued for their use in potions that enhance focus and vitality."
The task appeared straightforward, manageable for someone new like him, yet the description hinted at a subtle interplay of magic and nature.
Taking a steady breath, William carefully removed the notice from the board and tucked it into his satchel. For the first time since joining the Guild, he felt a sense of purpose. This was more than a mere task; it was his first step into an unfamiliar yet exciting world.
He glanced back at the clerk, who offered a supportive nod from behind the counter. "Remember," she said softly, "stay alert. Even the simplest herbs can hold unexpected surprises."
With his Guild ID in hand, William adjusted his satchel, took a final glance around, and stepped out the door, ready to face the mysteries of the Whispering Glade and uncover the secrets of the Lunaflare Herbs.
As William adjusted the parchment in his satchel, the clerk's gaze lingered on him, noting something he hadn't yet realized.
"You're unarmed," she observed, her voice calm yet edged with concern. "Even for a simple herb-gathering task, it's wise to carry some form of protection. The wilds can be unpredictable."
Before he could reply, she reached beneath the counter and produced a short sword. The blade was plain, unadorned, and slightly worn, but it gleamed faintly with a steely sheen, and the hilt felt comfortable in his hand.
"Take this," she said, sliding it toward him. "It's not extravagant, but it will serve you well enough for today. Trust it, and yourself."
William accepted the weapon, testing its weight and balance in his grip. The solid feel of it brought reassurance, grounding him as he prepared to step beyond the safety of the Guild hall.
"Thank you," he said with a nod. "I'll be careful."
The clerk smiled warmly. "Good. Remember, even the simplest tasks can teach you more than you expect. And don't hesitate to return if you need help."
As he stepped back into the streets, William followed the road leading out of town. The bustling noises of the marketplace faded behind him, replaced by the tranquil murmur of nature. Birds called overhead, and the earthy aromas of pine and damp soil enveloped him as he approached the edge of the Whispering Glade a forest at the opposite side of the town as the Forest of Death.
The forest thrummed with a gentle, otherworldly magic. Towering trees stood like ancient guardians, their leaves shimmering softly in tones of silver and green. Tiny specks of light floated lazily through the air, resembling miniature will-o'-the-wisps. The parchment's vivid depiction of Lunaflare Herbs filled his thoughts; he could almost sense the faint, magical pulse emanating from the undergrowth.
With measured steps, William ventured into the Glade, his short sword resting loosely in his grip. A light breeze whispered through the foliage, carrying the sweet, honeyed aroma of the Lunaflare Herbs. His gaze soon landed on the first cluster of the plants: delicate specimens with silvery veins etched along their violet-tipped leaves, their petals glowing faintly like starlight scattered across the forest floor.
As he bent down to gather a few of the herbs, a faint chill brushed against his skin, sending an involuntary shiver through him. His Danger Sense skill activated, and with a quick leap to the left avoided an arrow that would have struck William in the back of his neck had he not dodged in time.
William spun back around to see a pair of rough-looking men with their weapons drawn and ready to kill, and pulled his sword from its sheath before shouting.
"Who are you and what do you want?"
The two men locked eyes for a moment, and as if by tacit understanding, lunged at William from either side, the bowman having dropped his bow in exchange for a long blade, and the other bandit holding a spiked club.
One of them spoke calmly and chillingly, "We want you to die!"