The trapdoor leading to the basement began to open - slowly, ominously.
The darkness, trapped between the earthen walls, retreated at the approach of the dim candle light.
A figure slowly walked down the old, steep wooden stairs.
Rather than making its way to any of the shelves, it instead approached the naked wall in the back.
Pressing its hand against the wall, it muttered a few silent phrases, and simply took a step forward – phasing through the wall, as if it didn't exist. Or, did it really exist to begin with?
Regardless, the figure now stood in a tiny cave.
Scattered near the walls lay various vials, boxes and tubes, filled with different liquids, powders, and other substances.
In the far end, near the center, was a small stone altar. Its gray surface was completely clean, but the ground beneath it still carried the faint traces of long-dried blood.
On the ground, right in front of the altar lay three bone shards, each encircled by a complex web of intricate symbols.
One shard, closest to the altar, stood firm, piercing the strange rune circle underneath right at the center.
Two shards lay toppled, the symbols underneath them blurry and illegible, even for one who would know their original meaning.
The figure knelt before the altar, sprinkling a handful of white powder from a nearby pouch onto it, before saying a short, silent prayer.
"Hmm…"
Then, it looked at the three shards for a while.
"Tomorrow."
Reaching a decision, the figure turned around, leaving the secret cave, and then the basement, letting the darkness engulf it once more.
***
I left the town guard headquarters with a clear goal for the future, but a heavy heart - and a soon-to-be light purse.
At least I avoided the worst possibilities – being detained, conscripted, or sent to some kind of labour camp would delay my progress enough to become a death sentence.
Having to waste 50 gold was unpleasant, This was probably a policy intended to make sure Luskar refugees that stay here are either rich, highly skilled, or willing to become debt slaves for many many years. Or, of course, make the conscription option more appealing.
'Well, what can you do?'
With those thoughts, I made my way to the Adventurer's Guild.
The hall was much busier than last evening.
Over two dozen men occupied it, some of them grouped around the small tables, some sitting on the scattered chairs.
I noticed the party from yesterday, the one with the sack of goblin entrails(?).
The atmosphere was lively, with many of the groups chatting amongst themselves.
The moment I entered, most eyes turned toward me for a moment, not unlike entering a pub in those old western movies.
After a few seconds, most gazes withdrew, some of the groups jumping to a new conversation topic.
"I haven't seen this guy before."
"Fresh blood? I thought the last caravan came a week ago? Did he travel here himself or something?"
"Maybe he decided to take in the sights."
"Yeah, right. The sights of red trees and cow shit, maybe. Aint nothing else here that you wouldn't find in Silverveil."
"Tsk. Just as that party left, we get another greenhorn. Hope he follows their example."
"Hey, too soon, man! They lost two of their companions in a goblin ambush. Show some tact, damn it."
"Tsk…"
Some of the people were curious, while others clearly didn't enjoy the arrival of new competition.
"Oh, I recognize him. Wasn't he at the Blue Mushroom yesterday?"
"Yes! The one from the mine. Kid, over here!"
The first person speaking was a young man with curly brown hair and brown eyes – a face I recognized as the one chatting with Xin yesterday. Today, he wore a leather chestpiece, and carried a short sword on his waist and a shield of medium size on his back.
The second man was also at the celebration, although I recognized him by his voice rather than appearance.
Yesterday, I barely threw a few quick glances at the dimly lit stage, before hurrying to the table, and by the time I came back from the bar, the bard had already finished his performance – either leaving, or blending with the crowd.
Now, before me was a man of short stature with short hay-colored hair. His lean composition and slightly bigger head - in comparison to the rest of his body - made me question whether this was another fantasy race. A halfling, perhaps?
On his waist were a dagger, a small hand crossbow (which could be considered a regular crossbow for him), and a small leather magazine, a short iron bolt sticking from its top, betraying its purpose.
On his back was a leather case roughly the shape of his lute, securely strapped to his leather armor.
I hesitated for a moment, before making my way to the pair.
"My name's Pingreen Gingernouse, but my friends call me Pinpin! Pleasure to have your acquaintance."
The halfling(?), with a cheerful smile, extended his small hand, which I awkwardly shook.
I was never that much of an introvert back home, but some of the people I met in this world were quite overwhelming compared to what I was used to. Still, I was adapting.
"I'm Tim. You really helped the Silver Claymore on their rescue mission? I heard you fought two wolves at once!"
The young man, less excited and more curious, also shook my hand.
"Sebastian. And… I did fight two wolves, but I had help with the second one."
"Still, that's awesome! Xin told me by the time he killed his wolf, you already killed yours, and the second one was running away. If it was me, I'd probably struggle with just one, ha ha."
With an awkward laugh, he looked at me with a hint of admiration.
"You're a friend of Xin, I take it?"
"Of course! Well, we used to be friends back in the city, when we lived in the orphanage. But he is older than me, so he graduated from the academy two years earlier. I only came here three months ago, myself."
"Academy?"
"Ah, you're not from the city. In Silverveil, the Adventurer's Guild has an official academy! Well, the program I was admitted to was not the top one… And the academy itself isn't as impressive as the one at the old capital, or the Royal Academy… But they do teach you the basics! And, anyone can get in as long as they have moderate talent."
"So… you graduated from there? Did it take long?"
"Only a couple of months. Like I said, they only teach you the basics, and give you some weapon training. It's not one of those multi-year academies where they teach you a bunch of fancy techniques and forge you a custom weapon. But! It was subsidized by the city, and anyone who graduated got his tuition fee refunded. A few top graduates, like Xin or that dwarf, even got a small grant."
"Xin and the dwarf?"
"Wait, you didn't know? Xin and Ornor graduated from the same cohort."
I raised an eyebrow in surprise, as the halfling chuckled.
"Although, when the half elf isn't around, Ornor will tell you a different story, about how he traveled here all the way from the Iron Ridge, on foot, on a journey to become a great adventurer and return home a hero."
The short man's face lit up with amusement, although it felt genuine rather than mocking.
"Near Silverveil, he'd meet Xin. The versions differ from here, but the half elf is usually getting robbed by a gang of small children, or getting mercilessly beaten by a single goblin. Ornor ends up saving him, taking pity, and allowing Xin to accompany him to Pine Harbor. Of course, the ungrateful elf still can't stop being an ass!"
The short fellow burst cheerful laughter.
"...And of course, that's all bullocks! Well, maybe he did come from the Iron Ridge, but both of them went to the academy together. I actually remember them being bitter rivals early on, but somehow, they ended up like this."
The young man - although in this body, we were of similar age - decided to disregard the creative value of the dwarf's story, choosing instead to defend his friend's character.
"That's quite a story. By the way, is everyone here waiting for the new requests?"
"Yes. Aren't you?"
Actually, I had no plans to take any requests today. At most, I'd take a quick look before collecting my badge and asking about other stuff, like a monster manual, the training yard, and maybe whether I could ask Harold a few more questions.
The problem was, the reception desk was currently empty – judging by the atmosphere, the receptionist was still sorting them in the back, likely at her own leisure.
"Ehem.. yeah, that's also why I'm here."
The three of us fell silent for a moment.
"Hey, Seb! Oh, hope you don't mind if I call you Seb? If you're looking at requests, does it mean you've found a party?"
Switching to casual speech before asking for consent, the halfling asked an innocent question.
His quick, cheerful tone and outgoing nature made it hard for me to feel offended, though.
"No, I.. wait, why would it mean that? I see a few solo adventurers here beside myself."
"Erm, well…" The young man, Tim, was a bit flustered. "It's not like you can't go solo, but those guys you see here usually just take harvesting requests. They are also very familiar with the area, so they know where most things usually grow - and where best to retreat."
"Ahh.."
"I'm not saying you can't go solo, of course! Goblins are considered a 10 RCR monster, so someone who could handle two large wolves can probably handle a few of them with ease, but if you happen upon a large goblin party, things might get tricky… most people wouldn't put their lives on the line for a couple extra gold per trip."
"RCR?"
"Oh, right. They teach that at the academy. You probably heard about Combat Rating? Reverse Combat Rating is how many monsters of that kind a level 1 Path-bearer, typically a Warrior of average strength, could handle. The bigshots tend to forget this term exists, but it's pretty much all the monsters us Woods and Bronzes face, ha ha."
"...I see. Thanks for explaining."
This actually helped me – not just to feel some missing gaps in my education, but to also put things into perspective.
"So, Seb! If you don't have a party yet, how about you join us for a few requests?"
"Yes, that's a good idea! Ehem, we usually try to get goblin extermination requests. We were really hoping for a full attacker, too! Oh, that's a party composition term. They also teach about it at the academy. I think you can guess this one, though. So, what do you think?"
Honestly, the halfling's sudden suggestion, followed by the overly enthusiastic affirmation by Tim, left me a bit stunned.
"Oh, we just finished a request yesterday, so we're still resting for two more days, at least. We're only here today to fish for a good request."
I was on the verge of politely refusing, but Tim's final words made me hesitate again. I mean, two days is more or less the time I planned to use for training and knowledge gathering.
Before I could think any further, one of the doors behind the reception desk finally opened. From behind the door came Jane, carrying a small stack of papers.
Everyone near the notice board took a few steps back – however, rather than making her way to the board, Jane instead put the stack on her desk, before sitting down with the same bored look as yesterday.
"?"
I shot a confused look at the pair near me. The halfling shot me a coy look in return, motioning at the reception desk with his head.
When I turned my head back to Jane, the sight before me was not one I could ever predict.
The receptionist was sitting at her desk with the same bored expression.
Floating from her desk to the notice board was a translucent blue hand, holding a single notice by a small metal pin embedded near its top.
pump
The notice got pinned to the board. The hand disappeared, only to reappear near the heap of notices again - where Jane was already holding the next notice at the ready, pin and all, with her own hand - and the process repeated.
"She's… some sort of wizard?"
I couldn't help but mumble to myself, which was overheard by Tim, who chuckled quietly.
"Well, they say she tried to become one, but quit her apprenticeship after a few years, having managed to learn only a couple basic cantrips. I mean, that's still an achievement! Most people who try can't even get that far, and she's pretty proficient at this [Mage Hand] cantrip. Some people even call her 'Ma'- hhmmmph!"
"Shut up!"
The halfling's voice contained a hint of terror, as he switched to the faintest of whispers that even I could barely make out.
"The last person who called her 'Magic Hands' Jane had his brows burned off. She also managed to learn some fire-throwing cantrip. Better just forget what you heard here, for your own good."
By now, the last notice had just been pinned, and a commotion rose up near the board, as everyone rushed in. The agile halfling did not miss his chance, darting into the small crowd.
I just stood there, still dumbfounded at the situation. Beside me was Tim, looking in the direction of his companion, probably hoping for a good catch.
Not a second later…
"Tim! Goblin nest! Seven to nine goblins"
The halfling came running back, with a piece of paper in his hand.
Tim's face flashed with excitement, before shifting to a hesitation.
"Pinpin.. this is great, but.. it's a little.."
The halfling's excitement grew dimmer.. before lighting up again, as he looked straight at me. Tim's gaze followed.
Sigh…
'In for a copper, in for a gold.'
***
Twenty minutes later, I was sitting at one of the tables, alongside my two new companions.
"...generally no traps. If you see large animal corpses, especially fresh ones, it might be a sign a greater goblin is leading the nest. If we see those, we turn back and run."
Tim, who had been filling me in about goblins and their nests most of this time, decided to move to the next topic - party roles.
"Pinpin here is the backline support and minor attacker, as well as the guide. He even has a proper map of the woods nearby, and he spent quite a bit of time studying the forest during the last few missions. I think he's gotten pretty good at that."
The halfling smiled with pride, as the young man continued.
"I am a warrior - erm, that means frontline all-rounder. I am also the party leader… although, erm…"
He looked at me with a questioning expression, clearly realizing I could dispute the claim, given the power disparity.
"That's fine by me. But, on condition I have veto rights. If I disagree, we turn back. Is that acceptable?"
I didn't mind letting this young man lead the party, given he clearly had more knowledge than me.
However, I did have one other advantage over him besides combat power - life experience.
My real age has been a decade or so higher than his, and I've met a lot of people over those years.
My life experience warned me that the eagerness and passion currently displayed by the young man could later turn into carelessness and recklessness.
I didn't mind letting him lead, but I couldn't afford to take extreme risks, either. I needed a way to restrain him if it came to it.
"...fine. We've only just met, and you clearly have more combat experience. If you say we turn back, we turn back."
"Then it's settled. So, what's my role?"
"Full frontline attacker. Just go all-in, really. I'll be to your left most of the time, but I might move slightly backwards to protect Pinpin if the situation looks like something might get through. We'll discuss formation in depth tomorrow, when we also discuss provisions and costs."
"Alright. I'm staying at the Blue Mushroom Inn for now."
"Great. We are staying at the Redwood Inn, a couple of streets north. How about we meet here tomorrow around noon?"
"No problem. I got a few things to take care of here, so I'll be going for now."
"Of course! See you tomorrow, then."
"See you Seb!"
With those words, the two left the hall, while I made my way to the reception desk, with Jane having just finished registering the last request for now - a lone adventurer gone harvesting.
"How can I help you?"
She said in her usual tone, completely disregarding the fact I was just at her desk 20 minutes ago.
"My bronze badge, please."
I handed the silver coin, as she wordlessly reached under the table and took out a small scroll, and a bronze badge the size of a big coin.
"I also wanted to ask a few questions."
Releasing a sigh that carried all the burdens of this world, Jane spoke again.
"Of course. I'm here to provide information. Please, ask as many questions as you'd like."
"Thank you. I'll do just that, then."
Now it was my turn to disregard her subtle sarcasm, replying in the most monotone voice I could.
"Can you tell me about the training grounds?"
"The training grounds are for training. You can use them as long as the branch is open, for free."
"When is the branch open?"
"In the summer – two hours after sunrise, until two hours before midnight. Or 8 in the morning to 10 in the evening, if you own a watch."
By the tone of the last few words, the fact I haven't seen any watches beside a big standing watch in the sheriff's office, and my own limited knowledge of the 16th-17th centuries, I could surmise watches were a status symbols here, at least in this small town, and that the last words were said in subtle mockery. Of course, I chose to just ignore it yet again.
"Do you have a library? Or any guides regarding the local monsters or herbs?"
"This is a small town branch, sir adventurer. There are no libraries here. We do have a local bestiary for sale, which includes monsters, as well as the map of the local forest. The alchemy shop in the industrial district sells a herb guide."
"Great. How much for the monster guide?"
"We sell the colored version for 10 gold, as well as a black and white one for 2 gold."
"Black and white. One guide."
"Here you go."
Finally, I got something useful out of this woman.
"One last question."
"Of course. Ask as ma~any as you like."
"...Harold. The branch leader. Does he have any free time to answer a few questions?"
"I'm sure he has a lot of free time – he's only managing a small guild branch, after all."
"..."
"...you can find him at the training grounds sometimes. Whether he wants to answer questions is up to him."
"...thank you."
"Of course. Please come again."
Feeling half a day's worth of mental energy already drained, and with Amelia's afternoon shift still a few hours away, I decided on my next destination, which was actually in this very building - the guild's training ground.