The sun rose lazily across the horizon, its golden glow breaking through thin layers of morning mist that clung to the rooftops of the village. A hawk's cry echoed in the distance, sharp and commanding, cutting through the peaceful silence of dawn.
Rey stirred awake, opening his eyes to the faint beams of light filtering into the room through a small window. His body stretched naturally, muscles tightening then relaxing, like a predator readying itself for the day. He slowly turned his gaze to his left hand.
There it was—the mark.
∞
A symbol unlike any other, shining faintly as though it carried its own mysterious heartbeat.
Rey raised his arm and whispered to himself, "Now… let's see what else you can do."
His voice was low, filled with curiosity but also a certain weight. He had tested it a little—he knew one thing for sure. When someone or something with killing intent attacked him from behind or he was in danger , their number instantly dropped. The mark had a will of its own, reacting to danger even before his mind could process it.
He covered the mark with his sleeve, he clenched his fist.
He smiled faintly, today carrying a special significance. It was the day of his first quest as a registered adventurer.
Rey's eyes shifted to the dagger resting on the small table beside his bed. Its blade gleamed faintly even in the morning light, simple but sturdy, forged to withstand countless battles. His hand brushed over the handle with care, and his chest tightened.
"This dagger… Father gave it to me. Before the demons attacked."
The memory struck sharp like a blade. He had lost too much already—his parents, the village's. But at least this dagger remained, an anchor to who he was and who he wanted to become.
He tied it securely at his waist, took one last breath to steady himself, and headed downstairs.
The warm scent of food greeted him. Kyoko was at the stove, her sleeves rolled up, humming softly as she stirred a pot. The sound of wooden clacks echoed faintly from outside—Yuki's training was already underway.
"Good morning, Miss Kyoko," Rey greeted politely.
Kyoko glanced up with a smile. "Good morning, Rey. I see you're ready for your first quest."
Rey nodded. His clothes were simple, but the dagger at his waist and his focused expression marked him as someone prepared.
Kyoko raised a brow. "But what about armor? You're heading out with nothing to protect yourself."
Rey gave a small shrug. "That's why… before I go to the quest, I'll stop by the store to buy some."
"Hmm. Good thinking." Kyoko ladled soup into a bowl but then looked at him seriously. "Still, you can't go on an empty stomach. Sit down and eat with us."
Rey shook his head gently. "Thank you, but I'll pass. I don't want to slow down."
Kyoko frowned, then smirked as if she'd expected that. She tore off a piece of bread, wrapped it in cloth, and held it out. "At least take this. Adventurers need energy."
Rey accepted the bread with both hands, bowing slightly. "Thanks, Miss Kyoko."
"Be safe out there," she said warmly.
Rey nodded once more and stepped out into the fresh morning air.
The marketplace was alive already, though the sun had only just begun its climb. Merchants shouted from wooden stalls, selling fruits, dried meats, herbs, and trinkets. The clatter of hooves on cobblestone mixed with children's laughter and the occasional bark of a dog.
Rey weaved through the crowd until he found a store with a sign shaped like a shield and sword. The faint sound of hammering echoed inside.
When he pushed open the door, the smell of metal and oil immediately hit him. Inside, rows of armor pieces lined the walls—breastplates of steel, helmets with shining crests, gauntlets and greaves, each polished and displayed proudly.
His eyes lit up, then dimmed when he saw the prices.
One sturdy set: 100 gold coins. Another with intricate designs: 50 gold. A plainer one still cost 10 gold. Even the cheapest of the more common armors was 80 silver coins.
Rey rubbed his chin, feeling a small headache form. "Way out of my budget… I only have thirteen copper coins and six silver coins."
For a moment, doubt flickered. Was he even ready for this? He shook his head. "No. Think practical."
He scanned the room carefully, his gaze finally landing on a chest piece of iron with shoulder straps. It lacked the shine of the others, a little rough around the edges, but it looked sturdy enough.
The tag read: 4 silver coins, 6 copper coins.
A smile tugged at his lips. "Perfect. It'll do for now."
He slipped it on. It was slightly heavy, but nothing he couldn't handle. The weight was reassuring, like a shield against the world.
Carrying it to the counter, Rey met the eyes of the shopkeeper—a man with a black apron, brown gloves, slick black hair, and a mustache that framed his scarred face.
"Nice choice, young man," the shopkeeper said, his voice deep. "Not many go for the old iron chest pieces anymore. But they're reliable. Won't break on you easily."
Rey handed over the coins. "That's all I need for now."
The man nodded approvingly. "A humble start. That's how true adventurers build themselves."
With a short bow of gratitude, Rey stepped out of the store, the iron chest piece secured firmly to his body.
The Adventurer Guild stood tall near the center of the village, its wooden beams darkened by age, banners fluttering lightly in the morning breeze. The sound of chatter leaked from inside even before Rey touched the door.
When he entered, the hall was alive with energy. Adventurers of all ages and builds crowded around the quest board, voices clashing as loudly as their armor.
"That's ours!" one man shouted.
"Like hell it is! I grabbed it first!"
Another man shoved forward. "Forget it—I'll take this one instead!"
It was chaos. Some argued, others laughed, a few nearly came to blows.
Rey stood quietly near the back, observing. His instincts told him not to get involved.
At the counter, a receptionist raised her voice, "Please! Don't fight over the quests!" But her words drowned under the commotion.
Then—thump, thump—the sound of boots from above.
A presence so heavy that it seemed to press down on the room filled the hall. From the staircase leading to the second floor, a man appeared.
Rey's eyes sharpened.
The Guild Master.
He didn't shout. He didn't need to. His gaze alone was enough.
"It's morning," the Guild Master said, voice calm but commanding, "and already you're this noisy. What's the problem?"
Immediately, the adventurers froze. The fights stopped. Faces shifted from aggression to sheepish grins.
"Nothing, Guild Master! Just having some fun."
"Yeah, nothing at all."
The Guild Master narrowed his eyes but said nothing more. He turned and ascended back to the second floor. Only then did everyone release their held breaths, straightening their clothes and pretending nothing had happened.
Rey whispered to himself, "So that's the kind of authority he holds… No wonder they're scared of him."
Once the Guild Master disappeared, the adventurers returned to the quest board—but this time with far more restraint.
Rey waited patiently until the crowd thinned. When most of the good quests were already claimed, he stepped forward to examine what remained.
The parchment sheets fluttered slightly, each detailing a task:
Eliminate the Golden Lizard from the Volcanic Mountain
Payment: 30 gold coins
Recommended Rank: B
Eliminate the Goblin Tribes in the Eastern Forest
Payment: 20 silver coins
Recommended Rank: D
Defeat 20 Slimes
Payment: 15 copper coins
Recommended Rank: E
Eliminate 19 Horn Wolves
Payment: 25 silver coins
Recommended Rank: C
Defeat the Ice Dragon
Payment: 90 gold coins
Recommended Rank: A
Rey rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "The wolves or lizard are too dangerous… and the dragon? Impossible. I don't want to get killed on my first day."
He sighed. "That leaves the goblins or the slimes."
His eyes lingered on the goblin quest. The eastern forest wasn't too far, and twenty silver coins would help him save up.
"I'll take this one."
Plucking the parchment from the board, Rey carried it to the receptionist's desk.
The woman glanced at it and nodded. "Eliminating the goblin tribe, is it? That's yours, then. Be careful—they're trickier than they look."
Rey nodded firmly. "Thank you."
Quest in hand, armor on his chest, dagger at his waist, he stepped out of the guild and into the bright day. The path east stretched ahead, lined by trees swaying gently in the wind.
It was time. His first quest awaited.
And with it, the first true test of his mark.