Adam woke feeling more rested than he had in years, the soft mattress a luxury he hadn't truly appreciated until now. The cabin was small but clean, a simple haven from the storm of their recent lives.
He found Panchenko already awake, loudly rummaging through their scavenged provisions. Astrid was meticulously cleaning her daggers. Julian was performing slow, deliberate sword forms in the cramped living area, his movements silent and precise. Tom was poring over some notes he'd managed to salvage, occasionally muttering to himself. Edward, as usual, was standing by the window, gazing out at the waking city, an unmoving, ancient sentinel.
"Morning, everyone," Adam greeted, his voice still a little rough with sleep. "Ready for some actual breakfast?"
Panchenko grinned, his usual boisterous self returning. "Lead the way, Adam! My stomach is rumbling louder than a Grave Worm after a five-day fast!"
They walked through the quietly waking streets of Namil, the air crisp and clean. The city, even in the early hours, had a vibrant energy. They quickly found Marcus's pub, its warm, inviting glow a welcome sight.
Marcus, the jovial owner, greeted them with a wide smile. "Well, look who's here! Back for more of my legendary morning fare, eh? Smart choice, folks. Best aether-eggs and gristle-bacon this side of the continent!"
They settled into their booth, ordering a hearty breakfast that filled the pub with savory aromas. The conversation was lighter than it had been in months, punctuated by laughter and shared looks of disbelief at their current predicament. The taste of normalcy was intoxicating.
"Alright," Adam said, pushing his empty plate away after finishing his meal. "Breakfast was glorious. Now, for the next step. The Adventurers' Guild." He looked at Tom. "Time to see what this 'total freedom' costs, and how we earn it."
The Adventurers' Guild was an imposing edifice, built of dark, polished stone, its entrance flanked by two massive statues of legendary heroes. The emblem of a sword and shield, etched into the stone above the grand archway, seemed to pulse with an inherent energy. Inside, the main hall was vast, filled with various beings of all species and walks of life – grizzled warriors, lithe rogues, scholarly mages, all carrying equipment ranging from gleaming new to battle-worn and ancient. A buzz of activity permeated the air: adventurers exchanging stories, consulting mission boards, or simply enjoying a hearty ale in the guild's common area.
They approached the main counter, where a young woman with sharp, intelligent eyes and neatly tied-back dark hair sat. Her nameplate read Natasha. She looked up as they approached, her gaze taking in their travel-worn appearance, her expression professional but not unkind.
"Welcome to the Adventurers' Guild," Natasha said, her voice clear and efficient. "How may I assist you?"
Adam stepped forward. "We're here to inquire about the Adventurer's Exam. We're new to Namil, and we're interested in becoming registered adventurers."
Natasha nodded, a faint smile touching her lips. "Of course. The Exam is a common first step for many seeking a new life, or a challenging career. The next examination period is scheduled for next week, Monday, to be exact." She consulted a glowing data-slate on her counter. "Applications close on Friday afternoon."
"Are there any restrictions on who can take the exam?" Tom asked, ever meticulous. "Age, background,… criminal records?" He watched Natasha carefully, eager for the official confirmation of his research.
Natasha's smile widened, a hint of amusement in her eyes. "Ah, a common question, especially for those with… colorful pasts." She leaned forward slightly, her voice dropping conspiratorially. "No, sir. In Namil, there are no restrictions whatsoever on who can take the exam. Regardless of age, background, or criminal record. The Guild believes that capability, not history, determines an adventurer's worth." She even paused, then added, a mischievous twinkle in her eye, "Why, even a demon could take the exam and pass, as long as the examiner says it's okay, and they don't try to eat anyone during the practical portions."
Panchenko let out a snort of laughter, and even Julian's lips twitched. Adam exchanged a look with Edward, a silent acknowledgment of the irony.
"However," Natasha continued, "if the applicant is underage, the signature of a parent or guardian is required on the application paper. But given your… seasoned appearance," she glanced pointedly at Panchenko and Edward, "I doubt that will be an issue for any of you."
"What if someone fails?" Astrid asked, her brow furrowed. "Is it a one-time shot?"
"Not at all," Natasha reassured them. "There is no limit to the number of times a person can take the exam. If someone fails, they can simply try again next scheduled examination. We have some hopefuls who've been trying for years." She chuckled softly. "However, if someone passes the exam, they're appointed an adventurer for life and are prohibited from taking it again. It's a one-time achievement."
Tom nodded, a look of satisfaction on his face. "Excellent. Everything matches my information."
"Now, about the ranks," Natasha continued, pulling up a new holographic display. "Adventurers have a structured ranking system, representing their skill, experience, and the difficulty of quests they can undertake. They range from the lowest to the highest: F-, F, F+, E-, E, E+, D-, D, D+, C-, C, C+, B-, B, B+, A-, A, A+, S-, S, S+, SS-, SS, SS+, SSS-, SSS, SSS+." The holographic display glowed with the complex hierarchy. "As you can see, quite a few tiers and also adventurers that passed the exam required to choose a 'class' that they desired, They can choose from fighter, archer, martial artist, gunner, knight, mage, healer, and thief and this classes have sub-classes to choose from, like in fighter they can choose from swordsman, spearman or axeman and in mage class there is four sub-classes, fire mage, water mage, wind mage and earth mage but sometimes a person can have two affinities in two elements or even three but that's rarely happen and there is no four affinity elemental mage in records as of yet".
Panchenko whistled. "SSS+? That's like… god-tier, right?"
"Indeed," Natasha confirmed with a small smile. "Those ranks are reserved for true legends. The vast majority of adventurers will never reach even A-rank. New adventurers usually start at the lowest rank, such as F-, and must earn their way up by completing quests and gaining experience."
"How do you rank up?" Adam asked.
"Adventurers typically earn points by completing quests and achieving certain feats," Natasha explained, "which allows them to rank up to higher levels. The Adventurers' Guild is the central organization that manages and oversees this ranking system. We register adventurers, assign ranks, and provide quests." She gestured to the bustling hall. "Higher ranks usually mean access to better quests with higher rewards, greater social standing, and access to more advanced equipment and resources."
"So, the types of quests available to an adventurer are often determined by their rank?" Julian inquired.
"Precisely," Natasha confirmed. "Higher-ranked adventurers can take on more difficult and lucrative quests. Similarly, monsters, dungeons, and other challenges may also be classified by rank to indicate the level of threat they pose to adventurers of different ranks. An F-rank adventurer wouldn't be sent to clear an A-rank dungeon, for example. That would be suicide."
"And what happens if you take a quest and… can't finish it?" Astrid asked, a note of caution in her voice.
Natasha's expression became more serious. "Quitting a quest without completing it may result in penalties, such as losing points or having to pay a fine. The Guild takes its contracts seriously." She brightened again. "However, on the flip side, completing major quests, defeating powerful monsters, or discovering lost ruins can lead to significant rank increases."
"One final question," Adam said, looking at his companions. "Clans. Is that something we can do here?"
"Ah, yes, clans!" Natasha's face lit up. "Every adventurer, once registered, can make two choices: join a clan that already exists, or make a clan of their own. It fosters teamwork, shared resources, and often, lifelong bonds. If you choose to make a clan, you need to pay a registration fee of 20 thousand gold coins. And you also need to be three or more people to officially establish a clan."
Adam's gaze swept over his group: Edward, Julian, Astrid, Panchenko, and Tom. Six of them. More than enough. And 20,000 gold coins… that was a steep price, but they had literally fallen into a treasure trove.
"Thank you, Natasha," Adam said, a plan solidifying in his mind. "This was very helpful. We'll be back with our applications."
They left the Adventurers' Guild, the weight of the information settling upon them. The path to their ultimate goal – confronting the Demon King – now had clear, if daunting, steps. They needed to pass the exam, form a clan, and then relentlessly climb the ranks, gaining power and resources.
"Twenty thousand gold," Panchenko whistled. "Good thing we brought some souvenirs from the temple, eh?"
"It will be a significant investment," Julian agreed. "But a necessary one. A clan will give us structure, a base of operations."
They wandered through the bustling night market, its vibrant stalls ablaze with colorful lights. The smells of exotic foods mingled with the sounds of laughter and music. They found a lively stall selling grilled skewers of a curious, mushroom-like meat, crispy on the outside and tender within. They ate, their earlier meal a distant memory, savoring the atmosphere.
"So, who's excited to be an F-rank?" Panchenko joked, taking a huge bite of his skewer.
Astrid nudged him playfully. "At least we'll be an F-rank with a pardon and real food."
As the night deepened and the crowds began to thin, a sense of quiet contentment settled over them. They had escaped Kazakhar. They had found Namil. They had a purpose.
Eventually, weary but satisfied, they made their way back to their rented cabin. It was simple, far from luxurious, but it was their own. A place where they could rest, plan, and prepare for the arduous journey ahead. The Adventurer's Exam awaited, the first step on a long, dangerous road that would hopefully, one day, lead them to the Demon King himself. The hum of the city outside was a comforting sound, a constant reminder of the freedom they had fought so desperately to earn.