Leo stepped inside the guild and walked straight toward the large front counter. Behind it, several women were seated, each stationed beneath a wooden signboard that read "Manager" in bold letters.
He hesitated only for a moment before heading toward the one in the center.
The woman looked up with a warm smile. "Yes, sir. How may I help you?"
Leo froze for a second.
Where should I start…?
Ugh, it's always hard for me to talk to someone new—especially in a place I don't know.
He tried to calm himself, but the nerves wouldn't completely go away.
The woman tilted her head, then chuckled softly. "Ahem… You seem new here, don't you? That's probably why you're nervous. It's alright—I'm also new at this job, so I understand. There's no need to rush."
Leo scratched the back of his head awkwardly. "Thanks…"
He took a breath, then finally spoke up. "Actually… yeah, I'm new here. I want to register as an adventurer. And I also heard that I can get a starter pack?"
"Of course," she said kindly, reaching beneath the desk. She pulled out a registration sheet and placed it on the counter. "Let's get you signed up. What's your name?"
Leo replied without hesitation. "Hades. Just Hades."
She nodded, writing it down. "And your age?"
"I'm eighteen."
"Alright, Hades," she said as she finished the form. "You're now officially registered as an adventurer. Since you're new, we'll start you off at E-Rank, the beginner level. Do your best, and complete some quests to raise your rank."
She handed him a small leather pouch. "Here's your starter pack—it includes some silver coins and basic items to help you get started."
"Oh, and one more thing," she added. "We'll send your information to the Empire's gate patrol. That way, you won't be stopped when entering or leaving the city."
Leo gave a polite nod. "Thanks."
With that, he turned around and made his way out of the Adventurers Guild, his first step in this empire now officially taken.
As Leo stepped outside the Adventurers' Guild, he took a moment to stretch his arms and exhaled deeply.
"I guess it's time to find a place to rest..." he thought, feeling the weight of travel and tension from the day.
With steady steps, he made his way back to the café. The street bustled with life—children running with bread in hand, merchants calling out to sell polished gems and seasoned meats, and adventurers sharing tales loudly under the amber sky.
Soon, the familiar café came into view. Leo stepped inside, the warm scent of roasted herbs and freshly baked bread welcoming him. At the main counter, Feren was busy organizing some parchment when she noticed him.
"Oh, Hades! You got registered?" she asked with a smile.
Leo nodded, holding up the small pouch. "Yeah, I also received the starter pack... so I thought I should come back and take a room for a month."
"That's a good choice," she replied, nodding approvingly. "One month, right?"
"Yes."
She bent down, opened a drawer under the counter, and took out a small bundle of keys. "Alright then, follow me."
They moved past a few chatting customers toward the back of the café. At the corner stood a wooden staircase spiraling up. Feren led the way, and Leo followed. As they reached the second floor, she unlocked a room and pushed open the door.
A gentle golden light seeped through the curtains. Inside was a clean, modest space—a soft bed with white sheets, a wooden cupboard, and a small round table beside the window.
Leo looked around, his gaze landing on the bed.
"Finally... a real bed," he thought, a faint smile creeping onto his face.
"Back in the village, we couldn't afford one. Not enough money, not enough materials. I'd forgotten what this felt like."
"So?" Feren asked, glancing at him. "Do you want to rent it?"
Leo nodded, opening the pouch and pulling out thirty silver coins, placing them neatly into her hand.
"It's a pleasure to have our newest guest," she said cheerfully, bowing her head slightly. "We hope you enjoy your stay this month!"
Leo gave a small chuckle. "You don't need to be that formal."
Feren scratched the back of her head, grinning sheepishly. "Sorry, I just kinda got into the habit." Then she blinked. "Oh shoot—I was doing work downstairs!"
She turned and dashed down the stairs. "If you need anything," she called behind her, "just say my name or call one of my subordinates!"
Leo stepped back into the room and sat on the bed.
"I don't even know the names of your subordinates," he thought dryly, smirking to himself.
He leaned back, sinking into the mattress.
"But this... this isn't a bad start."
Leo removed his mask and placed it gently on the small table beside the bed. With a tired sigh, he lay down, sinking into the soft mattress. His body relaxed, but his mind was still wandering. Slowly, his eyelids grew heavy—and before he knew it, sleep took him.
"Huh...? Where am I?"
Leo stood in a place he couldn't recognize. The sky was cracked like shattered glass, the land around him burned and broken. Buildings lay in ruins. The air was heavy, suffocating.
In front of him stood a mysterious figure.
Leo squinted, but the man's face—along with everyone else in the scene—was completely blurred. Like a dream refusing to give up its secrets.
The man wore a black suit. In his hands, he held a long, gleaming sword stained with something dark. Around him, the ground was scorched as if a great battle had just ended.
Suddenly, a monstrous voice echoed from the sky—deep, ancient, and unnatural.
"My friend... come to me."
The suited man suddenly gripped his head, letting out a scream filled with agony. He collapsed to one knee, shaking violently, as if something inside him had snapped.
"Hey!" Leo called out, rushing forward. "Are you alright? Hey—! Can you hear me?!"
But the man didn't respond. His screams grew louder, more distorted, as if reality itself was cracking with him.
Leo jolted upright in bed, breath ragged, his body trembling with cold shivers despite the warmth of the room.
He placed a hand on his forehead. "What... was that?"
His heart thudded in his chest, echoing the last screams of the dream. He turned toward the window—the sky outside was now painted orange, the sun beginning its descent over the city. The room glowed with soft amber light.
Leo slowly stood up, grabbing the mask from the table.
"Anyway... it's just a dream," he told himself. "No need to overthink it."
His stomach let out a quiet growl.
"I should head downstairs. I'm kind of hungry anyway."
He slipped the mask back on, adjusting the straps around his head. Without another word, he stepped out of the room and headed for the stairs—his shadow long against the golden light, yet his thoughts still lingering on that mysterious figure in the suit.