The guild hall was a cacophony of voices and clinking mugs when JP and Lyra stepped inside. The heavy smell of ale and sweat clung to the wooden beams overhead.
JP hauled the bundle of pelts forward, trying not to look too proud of himself. The receptionist—a woman with sharp glasses and an efficient air—raised her brows.
"Four wolf pelts, all clean. Efficient for a beginner," she remarked, stamping the record sheet.
Eight silvers slid across the counter. JP's eyes widened. That's enough to eat properly for days.
"Thank you," he said, sweeping them into his pouch.
But as he turned, he caught the whispers.
"That's the new guy, isn't it?""Came out of nowhere, now he's bringing in wolf pelts?""I heard he uses strange tools. Saw lights in the forest, like magic but not.""Suspicious. No normal rookie levels that fast."
The murmurs spread, accompanied by sidelong glances. JP's chest tightened, his smile faltering.
Just like back home, he thought bitterly. Do something different, and people look at you like you don't belong.
Lyra stepped closer, her presence subtle but protective. "Ignore them," she murmured.
JP exhaled slowly, forcing a grin. "Yeah. Easier said than done."
Outside, the night air was cool and mercifully quiet. JP leaned against the wall, counting his coins again just to steady himself.
Lyra studied him in the lamplight. "They will watch you more closely now. The guild, the other adventurers, even merchants. Tools like yours… unsettle people."
JP pocketed the silvers, forcing a shrug. "Then I'll just have to stay one step ahead."
She tilted her head, almost curious. "And how do you plan to do that?"
JP gave a crooked grin. "By building things they can't even imagine."
Later, at his small camp outside the walls, JP laid his tools out by the fire. The glow of his inventions shimmered faintly—Glow Pebbles stacked like lanterns, stakes humming with quiet energy, jars marked with alchemical symbols.
He checked his Status again, pride stirring. Level 5… I'm actually progressing.
The thought of his niece crossed his mind—how she used to talk about stats, skills, and grinding levels like it was second nature. Now he was living it.
"I wish you could see me now, kid," JP whispered to the flames.
Unseen, Lyra watched from the shadows, her sharp eyes glinting. She lingered longer this time, gaze flicking from his odd tools to the faint smile on his face.
He's dangerous… but maybe necessary, she thought. And maybe… trustworthy.