Arlen's heart beat with a mixture of excitement and apprehension as he left the comfort of his small, recovering village behind. His decision was made: he would become an adventurer, using the guild as his gateway to the wider world and its endless possibilities.
The village's guild hall was a sturdy, timbered building—a remnant of better days. Arlen stepped inside, taking in the walls lined with scarred weapons, faded quest notices, and the low murmur of voices. Adventurers, some grizzled and scarred, others barely older than himself, eyed him with curiosity as he approached the counter.
The guild receptionist, a sharp-eyed woman with silver-streaked hair, looked him up and down. "Name?"
"Arlen Drayke," he replied, steadying his voice.
She slid a form across the counter. "First time registering? You'll start at Copper Rank. Everyone does. We expect honesty—report your abilities truthfully, and you'll be assigned appropriate tasks."
Arlen hesitated, then filled out the form, listing only his basic swordsmanship and a little hunting experience. He kept his true strength—and the existence of his system—hidden. The receptionist seemed satisfied and handed him a simple copper badge.
"Welcome to the Adventurer's Guild, Arlen. Start with the jobs on the left board. Deliveries, gathering herbs, chasing off pests. Prove yourself, and you'll rise in rank."
He glanced at the boards, selecting a simple herb-gathering quest. It was humble work, but it would give him a chance to scout the surrounding forest and practice his sword skills. More importantly, it would let him observe other adventurers and learn the guild's unspoken rules.
For the next few days, Arlen completed beginner quests, always careful not to attract too much attention. The System chimed quietly with each small achievement:
[+1 Experience.]
[Skill Progress: Basic Swordsmanship (32%)]
He watched, listened, and learned. He picked up on combat techniques, local legends, and rumors of dungeons beyond the forest. He forged tentative friendships with other novices and earned a reputation for reliability—though few suspected the depth of his growing power.
Eventually, Arlen realized that to truly grow, he needed to see more of the world. The village had taught him its lessons; now, the road beckoned. With his copper badge pinned to his cloak and his sword at his side, he left the village at dawn, his mind set on both helping those in need and unraveling the mysteries of his new world.
The adventure was no longer just a dream. It was his reality—and every step he took would shape both his destiny and the world's.
As Arlen took on quests and trained both his body and mind, the System continued to track his steady progress. Each accomplishment, each challenge overcome, brought incremental improvements. After several weeks as a Copper Rank adventurer, Arlen paused one evening in the quiet of his rented room, summoning the familiar blue screen:
[Status Update]
Name: Arlen Drayke
Level: 2
Strength: 8 → 10
Agility: 7 → 9
Intelligence: 11 → 12
Endurance: 6 → 8
[Unlocked Skills]
Basic Swordsmanship (Progress: 67%)
Herbology (Progress: 23%)
Survival Instinct (Passive)
[Experience: 136/200]
Arlen smiled, satisfaction warming his chest. The numbers reflected more than just growth—they proved his effort and adaptation. Through discipline, careful concealment of his full potential, and a constant thirst for knowledge, he was becoming stronger every day. The road ahead was long, but with each increase, he edged closer to his true destiny.
He's also unlocked new skills like Herbology and Survival Instinct, and his Basic Swordsmanship skill is progressing well. Each achievement reflects the effort he's put in and marks his ongoing journey toward greater strength and understanding in his new world.