First Step in the new World

As the morning gave way to the warm embrace of midday, the aroma of grilled food wafted through the streets of Trudid. James and Ofelia meandered through the bustling market, their exploration winding down as they prepared to move on to their next destination. Just as the clamor of lunchtime began, James's attention was drawn to a small stand where skewers of sizzling meat and vegetables turned slowly over open flames.

The stall owner, a cheerful man with a broad grin, called out, "Fresh skewers! Six copper each! Best in the market!"

James's stomach growled audibly, prompting a chuckle from the merchant. He turned to Ofelia, who stood quietly by his side, still hesitant to engage with the lively environment.

"Stay here," James said softly before stepping up to the stand.

He handed over 24 copper coins. "I'll take four, please."

The merchant handed over four skewers, each laden with tender meat and charred vegetables, the juices sizzling enticingly. James returned to Ofelia, offering two skewers to her.

"For you," he said simply, holding them out.

Ofelia blinked, her wide green eyes flickering between James and the skewers. "For me?" she asked hesitantly, as if unsure whether to accept.

James smiled. "Yes, for you. Go ahead."

Her hands trembled slightly as she took the skewers, her gaze lowering. "T-Thank you," she murmured, her voice barely audible. Despite her gratitude, she looked as though she expected some condition to be attached to his gesture.

James took a bite from his skewer, savoring the mix of savory meat and sweet grilled vegetables. "Eat up," he said between bites. "You need the energy. And its best hot."

Ofelia hesitated for a moment longer before tentatively biting into her skewer. The flavors exploded on her tongue, and for the first time since James had met her, he caught a glimpse of genuine enjoyment in her expression. She quickly masked it, her posture returning to one of quiet obedience.

James noticed but chose not to comment, letting her adjust at her own pace. "Pretty good, huh?"

She nodded, still chewing, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. "Yes… it's good," she admitted softly.

With their simple meal finished, James gestured toward the larger streets. "Let's head to the Guild of Explorers," he said. "I want to get you registered, and I also need to look into something."

Ofelia's gaze flicked up to him briefly, then back to the ground. "Registered?"

James nodded. "Yeah, as an explorer. It'll open up some opportunities for you—don't worry, I'll handle the details."

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After finishing their meal, James led Ofelia toward the Guild of Explorers. The large wooden structure stood out among the other buildings in the town, its sturdy design and bold sign announcing its purpose. As they stepped inside, the familiar hum of activity filled the air—explorers chatting over maps, guild staff sorting through papers, and the occasional clink of equipment.

James approached the reception desk, where a young clerk greeted him with a polite nod. "Welcome back. How can I help you today?"

"I'd like to register her as an explorer," James said, gesturing toward Ofelia.

The clerk's friendly expression faltered for a moment as his eyes landed on her. "She's an elf," he said, his tone cautious.

James frowned slightly. "Yes. Is that a problem?"

The clerk hesitated, then glanced around as if to ensure no one was listening too closely. "It's… uncommon for elves to register as explorers. There's a stigma, you see. Many people think elves aren't cut out for this kind of work. It could make things difficult for her."

James glanced at Ofelia, who was standing silently, her shoulders slightly hunched. He clenched his fists briefly, suppressing the frustration that flared inside him. "What about jobs that don't involve fighting monsters? Are there any other roles available?"

The clerk perked up at the question. "Yes, actually. The guild often needs people to gather herbs, minerals, and other resources from outside the city. Those jobs don't require combat, but they still come with risks. Would she be interested in something like that?"

James looked to Ofelia, giving her a moment to respond. She glanced at him uncertainly before nodding. "I… I can try," she said quietly.

"Alright, let's proceed with her registration," James said firmly. "What do we need to do?"

The process was slower than expected. The clerk had to navigate through additional paperwork, asking for details about Ofelia's background and capabilities. James noticed the occasional glance from other guild members, their expressions ranging from curiosity to skepticism. Ofelia kept her head low, avoiding eye contact with everyone.

After nearly an hour, he finally register her Regalite and the clerk handed James a small slip of paper. "She's officially registered as a G-rank explorer. These are the available gathering quests for her rank. You can start with any of these."

James accepted the paper, glancing over the list of simple tasks—collecting medicinal herbs, mining for common minerals, and retrieving clean water from a nearby stream or well. He felt a small sense of relief, that she was now registered. This was a step forward.

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Before leaving the guild, James remembered something he had overheard earlier in the market. "I've heard there's an auction house in town. Do you know where I can find it?"

The clerk raised an eyebrow. "There is, but it's not part of the guild. The auction house is on the west side of the city, near the Merchant's Quarter, which they are part off. It's a bit of a walk from here."

"Thanks," James said, filing the information away. He turned back to Ofelia, giving her a small nod. "Let's go."

As they left the guild, James couldn't shake the mixed emotions swirling in his chest. He was proud that Ofelia was now officially an explorer, but the lingering prejudice she faced left a bitter taste in his mouth. He glanced at her as they walked, noting the quiet determination in her steps despite the difficult morning.

"We'll figure this out," James said quietly, more to himself than to her. "One step at a time."

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After asking several townsfolk for directions, James and Ofelia finally arrived at the auction house. It stood at the edge of the Merchant's Quarter, a modest yet well-maintained building. A wooden sign above the door bore an image of a gavel and a coin purse. The place had an air of quiet importance, bustling with individuals moving in and out, discussing sales and purchases in hushed tones.

As they stepped inside, they were immediately approached by a sharply dressed man with neatly combed dark hair and a calculating smile. He bowed slightly before introducing himself.

"Good day to you both," the man began smoothly. "My name is Mason, and I am a representative of this auction house. How may I assist you today? Whether you're here to sell or to buy, I can provide my services—for a small commission, of course."

James nodded, appreciating the man's straightforward approach. "Good day, Mason. Before anything, I'd like to learn more about how this place works. Can you show us around and explain the procedures?"

Mason's smile widened slightly, and he gestured for them to follow him. "Of course, sir. Allow me to explain as we walk."

As Mason guided them through the main hall, James noticed rows of seating facing a small stage where items were displayed. Behind the stage were secure cases containing various objects, some simple and others glittering with magical energy. People milled about, examining items or speaking in low tones with auction staff.

Mason began his explanation. "If you wish to sell an item, the process is quite straightforward. First, you bring the item to us. It will be appraised by the Merchant's Guild to determine its value. Once appraised, we set a starting price—typically 10% below the estimated value. This encourages bidding activity."

James nodded, listening carefully as Mason continued.

"Once the item is up for auction, potential buyers bid on it. The highest bid at the close of the auction wins, and the item is transferred to the buyer. As a seller, you may return the next morning to collect your earnings. We deduct a modest commission of two silver coins per item sold."

"What if I want to buy something?" James asked.

Mason gestured toward the stage. "You may attend the auction in person and bid on items as they are presented. However, this requires some patience, as the item you seek may not appear immediately—or may have already been sold before you arrive."

He paused and gave James a knowing smile. "Alternatively, you may enlist the help of a representative, such as myself. Here's how it works: you inform me of the item you wish to acquire and your maximum bid. You then provide the funds upfront and the commission, which I will transfer to the Merchant's Guild along with your request. If the item comes up for auction, I will bid on your behalf up to the maximum amount you specified. If successful, a messenger will notify you once the item is secured."

"And if you don't win the bid?" James asked.

"In that case, the unused portion of your funds is returned to you in full, or await the next time the desired item is on auction." Mason assured him. "We value transparency here."

As Mason spoke, James decided to use Appraisal on him, keeping his expression neutral.

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N@me: M@son

R@ce: Hum@n

J^b: Merchant Lv14

Sk!lls: Haggling, Appraisal, Negotiation

St@tus: Healthy, Professionally Motivated

Tit$e: Auction Specialist

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The screen flickered and buzzed faintly before stabilizing. James's trust in Mason grew slightly; the man seemed experienced and honest in his trade, also he got the Appraisal Skill, but their isn't the -Ex behind it.

"That's an efficient system," James said thoughtfully. "Though I assume the profits here aren't as high as in larger cities?"

Mason chuckled. "Correct, sir. We're a smaller auction house, so we rarely see the staggering sums that large urban centers can generate. That said, for unique or enchanted items, there is still great potential for profit. The key is quality. A rare or valuable item will always attract interest, no matter the size of the auction."

James took a moment to process everything. He glanced at Ofelia, who was quietly observing their surroundings, her eyes lingering on some of the glittering objects in the secure cases. 

James took a deep breath, turning back to Mason after a moment of contemplation. "Alright," he said decisively. "We're going to give it a go. What's the process if I want to sell something right now?"

Mason's professional smile widened slightly. "Excellent decision, sir. Please, follow me."

Mason led them through a side door into a small, private chamber. The room was tastefully furnished, with a polished wooden table and a few comfortable chairs. Shelves lined the walls, filled with books and tools used for appraising items.

"Please, have a seat," Mason offered, gesturing to the chairs as he closed the door behind them. "Let's see what you have to offer."

James pulled out his bag and retrieved the bronze pendant he had picked up earlier. It had a simple design but radiated a faint energy that had caught his attention when he used Appraisal on it. He placed the pendant on the table, and Mason's eyes lit up with interest.

"Intriguing," Mason murmured, leaning closer. He adjusted his gloves before picking up the pendant carefully, holding it up to the light. With a subtle movement, he activated his Appraisal skill, his gaze sharpening as some information about the item became clear.

Mason's brows lifted in surprise. He placed the pendant back on the table gently, his professional demeanor firmly intact. "A fine piece, sir," he said, his voice steady but with a hint of admiration. "This bronze pendant is enchanted with a Boost to Perception. That's quite valuable, especially for scouting types or those who need heightened awareness in labyrinth exploration or wilderness tracking."

James exchanged a glance with Ofelia, whose expression betrayed her surprise.

"The value of this item," Mason continued, "is between 75 and 90 silver coins on the market. However, placing it at auction could drive the price even higher, depending on the interest it garners. Enchanted items like this are always in demand, especially in areas frequented by adventurers."

James nodded, satisfied with the assessment. "Alright. Let's put it up for auction."

Mason smiled, retrieving a small ledger from the shelf. He began writing down the details of the transaction, carefully noting the item's attributes and estimated value. "I'll process this with the Merchant's Guild for the official appraisal and starting price. The auction should be held in the evening today. Once the auction is complete, you may return tomorrow morning to collect your earnings."

He glanced up, meeting James's gaze. "The auction fee is two silver coins, deducted from the final sale price. Are you comfortable with this arrangement?"

James nodded. "That works for me."

Mason placed the pendant into a velvet-lined box, sealing it with a wax stamp bearing the Merchant's Guild insignia. "This will ensure its authenticity and prevent tampering," he explained. "You've made a wise decision, sir. I suspect this piece will perform well on auction."

As they stood to leave, Mason extended his hand. "If you have any other items you wish to sell in the future—or require assistance with purchasing—do not hesitate to reach out. I am always at your service."

James shook his hand firmly. "Thank you, Mason. I'll return tomorrow to see how it goes."

"Best of luck, sir," Mason said, bowing slightly as he escorted them back to the main hall.

Outside, the sunlight had begun to soften, signaling the approach of late afternoon. James glanced at Ofelia, who was looking thoughtful as they walked back toward the busier parts of town.

"A Boost to Perception," she murmured, almost to herself. "That pendant must be worth a lot."

James gave her a small smile, choosing his words carefully. "It's a useful item, no doubt. Let's hope it fetches a good price."

Ofelia nodded, falling silent again, though her curiosity about James's growing knowledge and resourcefulness was evident in her eyes. Together, they made their way back to the marketplace, ready to explore more opportunities.