Author's Note:
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After finishing their breakfast, Riven and Auren took a moment to prepare themselves. Riven adjusted the straps of his leather armor while Auren checked the edges of his blades, making sure they were sharp enough for the day ahead. The morning sun spilled through the window, casting a golden hue over the small inn room.
"Ready?" Riven asked, fastening his cloak.
Auren gave a short nod. "Let's go."
They stepped out into the bustling streets of the Central. The air here was alive — vendors calling out their goods, the rhythmic clatter of wagon wheels, and the smell of freshly baked bread mingling with the scent of oiled metal from the blacksmith's forge.
The Central wasn't just home to humans. Auren quickly noticed that nearly a quarter of the people walking the cobblestone streets were hybrids — some with feline ears twitching at every sound, others with reptilian scales glistening under the sunlight, and a few bearing avian wings folded neatly against their backs. Each moved through the crowd as naturally as any human, their conversations blending into the lively atmosphere.
They followed the directions from the worn map Riven carried, winding through alleys, crossing stone bridges over narrow canals, and passing under decorative arches carved with the guild's emblem — a crossed sword and staff encircled by a laurel wreath.
Finally, after weaving through the morning rush, they stood before a grand building at the heart of the Central — the Adventurer's Guild.
Its high stone walls were decorated with banners displaying the guild's colors, and wide oak doors stood open, inviting in the constant stream of armored warriors, robed mages, and bow-wielding scouts. The hum of activity inside spilled out into the street, mingling with the scent of parchment, ink, and steel.
"This is it," Riven said, his eyes narrowing in anticipation.
Auren glanced at the towering structure, a faint smirk on his lips. "Let's see."
With that, they stepped inside.
Inside, the Adventurer's Guild was a different kind of chaos.
Long tables were filled with grizzled veterans sharing drinks even in the early hours, rookies nervously clutching their swords, and merchants arguing over bounty payments.
Riven's eyes darted to the corners of the room. "Huh. Look at that."
Auren followed his gaze — a few hybrid adventurers were present, but it was obvious they weren't treated like equals.
Here, being a hybrid wasn't exactly a curse… but it wasn't a blessing either. The guild allowed them to work, take missions, and earn coin. But there were limits — fewer high-paying missions given to them, stricter evaluations, and a tendency for human adventurers to talk down to them. And yet, there were also strange perks; some hybrids were sought after for rare tracking skills, sharper senses, or unusual magic.
It was a balance — positive and negative locked together like chains. Neither fully respected nor fully despised, hybrids here walked a tightrope between usefulness and prejudice.
"Not bad… not good either," Riven muttered under his breath.
Auren smirked. "That's life, isn't it?"
They made their way toward the mission counter.
Behind it sat a woman who looked like she had been plucked straight from the fantasies of half the men in the city. Her nameplate read Selena. She had long crimson hair that fell in perfect waves, a silk blouse that clung to curves she clearly wasn't hiding, and a neckline deep enough to make more than one adventurer trip over his own tongue. Her legs, crossed lazily under the counter, were wrapped in tight leather pants that left little to the imagination.
Auren, keeping a perfectly straight face, muttered in his mind, Why the hell do they always hire women like this for the reception? Seeing them makes me feel like skipping the mission and fucking the counter staff instead.
Selena smiled at them in that practiced, professional way that hinted she'd heard every bad pickup line under the sun.
"How can I help you two today?"
"We're looking for a mission," Riven said, his voice calm but firm. "Something with a decent payout."
Selena flipped through a stack of parchment slips, her long nails tapping against the counter, before pulling out three options.
"Alright, you've got choices," she said.
1. Goblin Nest Extermination – A small but aggressive goblin colony has been spotted near the eastern forest. Payment: 10 silver each, plus any loot recovered.
2. Rare Herb Collection – A certain medicinal plant grows deep in the Blackroot Swamp. Easy coin if you can avoid the poisonous insects and swamp beasts. Payment: 8 silver each.
3. Caravan Escort – Guard a merchant caravan traveling to a border town. Risk of bandits is high. Payment: 12 silver each.
She slid the parchments across the counter, her crimson eyes watching them closely. "Pick wisely… and try not to die."
don't worry i won't die without fucking you. Words flowing in his mind.
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After a short exchange, Auren leaned forward on the guild's wooden counter, glancing at the mission board one last time.
Riven tapped the parchment pinned under his finger. "Goblin nest extermination. Easy enough for a first run."
Auren raised an eyebrow. "Easy? Or boring?"
"Neither," Riven smirked. "But it's close to the city and pays well. We clear them out, take their ears as proof, and be back by nightfall."
The guild receptionist explained the details—location, expected goblin numbers, and a warning about a possible hobgoblin leader.
Auren just nodded. "Alright. Let's get it done."
They signed the contract, slung their weapons over their backs, and stepped out into the bustling streets. The morning air was crisp, carrying the scent of pine from the forest beyond.
"Race you to the north gate," Riven said with a grin.
"Only if you're ready to lose," Auren replied, matching his pace.
Side by side, they made their way toward their first mission together—goblin blood on the horizon and the thrill of battle in their chests.
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