CHAPTER 4: Riff Awakening (That Never Came)
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Part 0: The One-Week Warm-Up Tour
Raiko had been in this medieval mess for a week.
No status screen. No glowing sword. No goddess or tutorial NPC. Just him, a half-dead wallet, and a guitar he refused to swing because:
> "I'm not using my axe of glory to slap peasants. That's sacrilege."
So instead… he fought barehanded.
He lived off street bread and vibe-fueled arrogance.
Played guitar in alleyways for confused children and cats.
Beat up street thugs using only fists, boots, and sarcastic commentary.
Once, a guy twice his size tried to mug him.
Raiko headbutted him into a crate.
> "Metal fuels the fists too, dumbass."
He never reported these wins. Never bragged.
Mostly because no one believed him.
What kind of idiot punches five men without a weapon?
Raiko. That kind of idiot.
He avoided the Adventurer's Guild.
> "Let me guess. First quest's gonna be 'Scrub the dungeon toilets.' Nah. I'll pass."
He waited.
Watched.
Stole free samples from market stalls like a broke raccoon.
Until eventually… hunger, boredom, and sheer defiance finally drove him to kick open the Guild door like he owned the place.
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The Registration Rhapsody
Raiko kicked open the door of the Adventurers' Guild like a man who'd just written his own entrance theme.
Dust flew.
Heads turned.
A waitress dropped her tray.
The receptionist didn't even blink. She'd seen worse.
> "Name?" she asked, voice flat with existential dread.
Raiko slapped his chest with flair.
> "I am Raiko. Metalhead. From another world. Wielder of riffs and chaos!"
> "...Are you here to register or to audition?"
> "Register. Also waiting for my cheat power to awaken any second now."
> "Right. That's page six on the form."
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The Orientation of Disappointment
A dimly-lit training room. Foldable chairs. Bad ventilation.
Newbies lined up—burly warriors, lithe rogues, serious-faced mages.
And then… Raiko.
Wearing cargo pants, scratched-up sunglasses, and a band hoodie with the words "LOUDER THAN GOD" across the back.
On his back:
1. A flea-market battleaxe with suspicious red paint.
2. His guitar. Still slightly cursed.
Someone squinted.
> "Why two weapons?"
> "Axes are metal. Vikings are metal. Therefore, I am ready."
The instructor blinked.
> "Do you have any starting skills?"
> "Riff Shockwave. Still locked. But emotionally active."
> "What element is that?"
> "...Yes."
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First Quest: Goblin Den (Feat. Pain)
Party Leader: a knight too handsome for his salary.
Mage: done with life.
Healer: judgmental grandma energy.
Raiko: …Raiko.
They enter a damp goblin cave.
Weapons drawn. Torches lit.
Raiko wears sunglasses.
> "Bro, take those off."
> "The darkness fuels me."
Screams echo deeper in. The fight begins.
Raiko rushes in with a war cry:
> "FOR THE GLORY OF METAAAAAAAL!"
He swings his axe—
Slips on goblin slime—
Faceplants into a rock with the grace of a dropped potato.
> "I'm… testing gravity," he mutters.
The knight sighs.
> "Use your magic already!"
> "IT'S STILL LOCKED, OKAY?! I'M A SLOW-BURN BUILD!"
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Post-Quest Blues
Back at the guild.
Raiko limped into the tavern, covered in minor injuries and emotional shame.
He sat in the corner, reached for his guitar, and hugged it like a war veteran clinging to an old rifle.
> "Maybe I should've used you instead…"
No reply.
Just the smell of old strings and crushed dreams.
He strummed it.
A soft WUMP—
A shockwave knocked over a nearby mug.
Raiko blinked.
Strummed again.
Same WUMP.
Ale sloshed. Chairs rattled.
> "...No. Freakin'. Way."
He slowly stood up.
Eyes wide.
> "I had magic this whole time!?"
He looked to the sky.
> "OI! SYSTEM! EXPLAIN THIS BULLSH—"
> "Either play a full song or leave," the bartender cut in.
Raiko sat back down.
Mumbled to himself.
Strummed a slow riff. Moody. Minor chords.
The tavern ignored him.
Except one kid, clapping with sticky fingers.
> "Cool trick, mister!"
Raiko grinned faintly.
> "Heh. Damn right."
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Elsewhere…
In a sunlit alley, Noona paused mid-step.
She sneezed.
Paused.
> "...Someone's being stupid again."
She resumed walking like nothing happened.
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[TO BE CONTINUED]
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> — Author's Note —
Raiko faceplanting in the goblin cave is my soul during deadlines.
Also yes: "Riff Shockwave" was emotionally active. Just not plot-ready.
Thanks for supporting this slow-burn bard build.
– H. Behevras
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© 2025 H. Behevras | First published on Royal Road
Do not repost without permission.