Adrian approached the bustling mission board, a large wooden display plastered with countless parchment scrolls, each detailing a task for the Guild's adventurers. The low-ranked postings like "Retrieve Lost Cat" or "Clear Giant Rats from Cellar" didn't even register. He scanned for something more substantial, something that truly hinted at Aethelgard's growing instability, not just minor nuisances.
"Quite the selection, Nyxal," Jana remarked, coming up beside him, her head tilted slightly as she observed his intense focus on the board. "What kind of work are you looking for today? Something to ease into Guild life, perhaps?"
Adrian pulled his gaze from a particularly ominous-sounding scroll. "Something that truly tests my abilities, Jana," he replied, a challenge in his voice. "Something a bit more... dangerous. What's the most challenging mission available for an E-rank? I'm not here to clear out basements."
Jana's eyebrows rose, a flicker of surprise, quickly followed by a knowing look. "Most new recruits start with something simple, just to get a feel for things. But if you're serious, and given your performance yesterday... there's one that no one's taken in a while. It's listed under 'Urgent Request: Whisperwood Anomaly.'" She pointed to a scroll tacked near the top, its edges slightly frayed, almost as if it had been handled by many, but accepted by none.
Adrian pulled it down, unfurling the parchment. The script was hurried, almost frantic, the details grim. "Whisperwood Anomaly, huh? That sounds... intriguing. What exactly is the 'anomaly'?" He could feel the familiar pull of a difficult quest, a puzzle to solve.
"Reports from the local woodcutters and trappers speak of a localized area deep within the Whisperwood where the trees are decaying unnaturally," Jana explained, her voice lowering slightly, as if sharing a secret. "It's not just the trees; the wildlife there has become unnaturally aggressive. Specifically, adventurers have reported encountering Greater Ghouls and Feral Dire Wolves – creatures not typically found in such numbers, or behaving with such coordinated aggression, outside of known corrupted zones.
The anomaly seems to be centered around the ancient ruins of the Sunken Temple of Aerthos."
Adrian's internal Nyxal persona perked up instantly. The Sunken Temple! In the game lore, it was an ancient elven ruin, whispered to be a place of forgotten elemental magic, sometimes used by shadowy cults. This was no mere monster hunt. This was a direct link to the deeper, darker lore of Aethelgard. "The Sunken Temple? What's the objective for this mission? Just clear out the monsters?"
"No, it's more nuanced than that," Jana clarified, tapping the scroll. "The primary objective is investigation and containment. You're to venture to the affected area, assess the true cause of the unnatural decay and the creatures' unusual behavior. If possible, you should also eliminate any immediate threats you encounter. The Guild is offering a substantial bonus if you can bring back any tangible findings about the decay, or why the creatures are acting this way. The overarching goal is to ensure this corruption doesn't spread beyond the temple ruins. It's a preventive measure, really."
"Containment of unnatural decay and aggressive, organized monsters in an ancient, potentially corrupted ruin, all as an E-rank?" Adrian mused aloud, a wry smile touching his lips. "Sounds like a delightful way to spend the afternoon." He felt the familiar thrill of stepping into the unknown, albeit with much higher stakes now.
Jana's expression was serious, her earlier playfulness gone. "It is dangerous, Nyxal. Greater Ghouls are powerful, far stronger than the common variety, and Feral Dire Wolves are cunning, relentless hunters. Doing this alone is a significant risk. Most adventurers would form a party for a mission like this, even a seasoned group of C-ranks."
"I prefer to work alone," Adrian stated, his tone firm. He couldn't risk exposing his true nature to anyone. The less people who knew about him, the safer his secret. "What kind of preparations would you suggest for such a task? Beyond the obvious sharp weapons, of course."
"Well, you'll certainly need good gear that offers proper protection," Jana said, looking him over. "Your current equipment seems... basic for such an undertaking. Potions are essential – healing, stamina. Maybe some anti-venom, given the ghouls are known for their debilitating touch. Torches, definitely, if the temple is indeed dark. And a good map of the Whisperwood; the exact anomaly location is marked on the mission details." She gestured towards a nearby vendor stall. "You'll want to visit the general store and perhaps the armory before you head out."
Adrian nodded, a mental checklist forming rapidly. This was all familiar territory, but now it was a matter of survival, not just optimizing DPS. "I'll acquire what I need." He looked back at the mission scroll, a sense of purpose solidifying within him. This wasn't just a quest; it was his entry point into Aethelgard's deeper, more dangerous mysteries.
"I'll take this mission, Jana," he declared, pulling the scroll from the board and holding it up for her to mark.
Jana hesitated for a moment, her gaze searching his face, as if trying to ascertain his true intentions or capabilities. Then, she gave a decisive nod, a flicker of admiration in her eyes. "Very well, Nyxal. Be careful. The Whisperwood can be... unpredictable, and that particular area has been cursed for a long time. Log your findings in as much detail as possible. And remember," she added, her voice softening, "if it's truly too much, discretion is the better part of valor. You can always return to the Guild. No shame in knowing your limits."
"Understood," Adrian replied, tucking the scroll carefully into his belt. "I'll be back. With answers."
Leaving the Guild, Adrian headed straight for Oakhaven's general store and then the armory. His current gear, while sufficient for a controlled Guild trial, was utterly inadequate for a real expedition into a corrupted forest teeming with dangerous creatures. He spent a significant portion of his starting Guild funds, prioritizing utility, stealth, and, most importantly, survival.
First, he acquired a set of dark, durable leather armor. It was flexible enough for agile movement through dense undergrowth, yet offered decent protection against the claws and fangs he was likely to encounter. He traded his basic training sword for a well-balanced, sharp longsword, its blade a dark, non-reflective steel, perfect for deep woods combat. For ranged options, he purchased a sturdy short bow and a quiver of iron-tipped arrows. He hadn't specialized in bows in the game, but he possessed the inherent dexterity of Nyxal, which translated into natural proficiency with almost any weapon.
Next, the consumables. He bought a small pouch of healing potions – the basic red vials that instantly mended minor wounds – and a few stamina draughts for sustained effort or quick escapes. Remembering Jana's warning about ghouls, he also picked up a few antidotes. He added a sturdy backpack, which he filled with essentials: dried rations, a filled waterskin, a coil of rope, flint and steel for starting fires, a small field-dressing healing kit, and several oil lamps along with extra oil, knowing that ancient ruins were rarely well-lit. He even splurged on a few 'Whisperwood Scout' maps – more detailed cartography of the dense forest, providing crucial terrain information beyond the basic Guild map.
As he walked back to the inn, his new gear felt oddly comfortable, almost like a second skin. He adjusted the weight of the backpack, the quiver resting easily over his shoulder. He felt a resurgence of the familiar planning and strategizing that had defined his gaming life, but now infused with a thrilling, terrifying reality. He was no longer preparing for a digital raid; he was preparing for a very real encounter with death and corruption. The dream of the dominating devil still lingered, a dark shadow at the edge of his thoughts, but for now, the immediate challenge of the Whisperwood held his complete focus. He was Nyxal, the adventurer, and his first real mission awaited.