LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 3: A Mission Begins
Tyler approached the mission board with a mix of excitement and curiosity. The large wooden structure was covered in neatly pinned sheets of parchment, each one describing a different task or adventure. Adventurers of all ranks crowded around, discussing strategies and debating the best missions to take.
Tyler's eyes scanned the board until he found the section marked with a copper insignia, designating missions for his rank. He leaned closer and began reading through the details of the various tasks.
The first mission read:
Mission Title: Goblin Infestation
Description: A group of goblins has been spotted raiding farms near the western outskirts of the city. Your task is to eliminate the goblins and ensure the safety of the area.
Objective: Defeat at least 5 goblins and report back to the guild.
Reward: 50 gold coins and a minor health potion.
Tyler stroked his chin, mumbling to himself. "Goblins, huh? Sounds straightforward enough. But... is it too easy?"
He shifted his gaze to the next mission:
Mission Title: Herb Collection for Alchemy
Description: The guild alchemist requires a collection of rare herbs from the forest east of the city. Be cautious, as the area is known for roaming wolves.
Objective: Collect 10 of the specified herbs and return them to the guild alchemist.
Reward: 30 gold coins and an alchemy starter kit.
"Hmm," Tyler muttered, tilting his head. "Not much combat, but it could be good for learning about the area. Wolves might make it interesting, though."
The third mission read:
Mission Title: Escort the Merchant
Description: A traveling merchant needs protection while delivering goods to a nearby village. Bandits have been reported in the area.
Objective: Escort the merchant safely to their destination and ensure no harm comes to them or their goods.
Reward: 70 gold coins and a basic weapon upgrade.
Tyler raised an eyebrow. "An escort mission? Could be risky, but that weapon upgrade sounds useful. Bandits might be a tough challenge, though."
Another mission caught his eye:
Mission Title: Rat Infestation in the Sewers
Description: The city's sewer system has been overrun with large, aggressive rats. Clear them out to prevent further damage and contamination.
Objective: Eliminate at least 10 sewer rats and report back to the guild.
Reward: 40 gold coins and a resistance charm.
Tyler wrinkled his nose. "Sewers? Rats? Not exactly glamorous, but it could be good experience."
Finally, his eyes fell on a mission at the bottom of the board:
Mission Title: Missing Pet Search
Description: A local family has lost their pet fox, believed to have wandered into the forest. Locate and safely return the pet.
Objective: Find and bring back the missing fox.
Reward: 20 gold coins and a thank-you gift.
Tyler chuckled. "A pet search? Probably not for me."
After weighing his options, Tyler made his decision. "Alright," he said to himself, plucking the parchment labeled Goblin Infestation from the board. "This should be a good start."
With the mission paper in hand, Tyler walked over to the receptionist desk. Aelira saw him approaching and greeted him with a smile. "Find anything interesting, Tyler?" she asked, her silver hair catching the light as she tilted her head.
Tyler nodded, holding up the parchment. "Yeah, I did. This one caught my eye," he said, placing the mission paper on the desk.
Aelira picked it up and scanned the details. "Goblin Infestation," she read aloud. Her eyes flicked to Tyler, her expression thoughtful. "Good choice for your first mission. Goblins are tricky in groups, but they're not too dangerous if you stay focused."
"Any tips?" Tyler asked, leaning on the desk.
Aelira set the paper down and folded her hands. "Always keep an eye on your surroundings. Goblins are sneaky, and they like to set traps or ambush their targets. Don't underestimate them just because they're small."
Tyler nodded, absorbing her advice. "Got it. Be aware of traps and ambushes."
Aelira smiled approvingly. "Exactly. Also, don't forget to use the terrain to your advantage. If you can control the battlefield, you'll have a much easier time."
"Thanks for the tips," Tyler said sincerely. "I'll make sure to keep that in mind."
Aelira's smile turned teasing as she leaned forward slightly. "And try not to make another hole in the wall while you're out there, alright?"
Tyler's face flushed, and he scratched the back of his head with a sheepish laugh. "Yeah, uh, sorry about that. I didn't think I'd hit him that hard."
"Oh, it's fine," Aelira said with a chuckle. "It was quite the show, though. I think the whole guild will be talking about it for a while."
Tyler groaned. "Great. Just what I need."
"Hey, it's not a bad thing," Aelira said, her tone softening. "It shows you've got potential. Just keep working hard, and you'll live up to the hype."
Tyler looked at her, his expression grateful. "Thanks, Aelira. I'll do my best."
They talked for a little while longer, Aelira asking about his plans and Tyler sharing bits about his excitement and nerves for his first mission. Their conversation was light and comfortable, filled with occasional teasing from Aelira about the training ground incident. Eventually, Tyler thanked her again and headed off to prepare for his first adventure.
Tyler stepped out of the guild, the midday sun shining down on the bustling city streets. As he made his way toward the city gate, he found himself talking out loud, his voice a mix of nervousness and excitement. "Alright, goblins. Not the toughest challenge, but I've got to stay sharp. Aelira said they're sneaky, so I need to be ready for anything."
He glanced around as he walked, taking in the lively atmosphere. The streets were filled with people laughing and chatting, vendors shouting to advertise their goods, and children running around, their laughter echoing through the air. The scent of freshly baked bread and roasted meats wafted from nearby stalls, mingling with the sounds of a bard's lute playing a cheerful tune in the distance.
"This city's amazing," Tyler muttered to himself with a small smile. "I've got to make sure I do well on this mission so I can keep exploring places like this."
Before long, he reached the city gates, the massive wooden doors flanked by armored guards who nodded at him as he passed. Tyler stepped onto the road leading west, the noise of the city gradually fading behind him. The dirt road was lined with rolling green fields and the occasional cluster of trees, the warm sun and gentle breeze making the journey feel almost peaceful.
"Alright," Tyler said, adjusting the strap of his bag on his shoulder. "Western outskirts. Goblins messing with farmers. Let's do this."
An hour or two later, Tyler spotted the farm in the distance. The wooden fences were weathered but sturdy, enclosing fields of crops swaying gently in the breeze. As he approached, he could see a few people working on the farm—an elderly man and woman tending to the fields, and three younger individuals: two girls and one boy, who looked to be in their early teens.
The old man noticed Tyler coming down the road and straightened, wiping his hands on his trousers. He walked over to meet him, his expression cautious but polite. "Can I help you, young man?" he asked, his voice gravelly with age.
Tyler stopped a few steps away, offering a friendly smile. "Hi there. My name's Tyler Walker. I'm an adventurer from the guild. I took the mission about the goblin infestation near your farm."
The old man's face softened with relief. "Ah, so you're the one they sent. Good, good. We've been having trouble with those little pests for weeks now. I'm glad someone finally came to help."
"That's why I'm here," Tyler said confidently. "I'll take care of it. Can you tell me anything about where the goblins have been causing trouble?"
The old man nodded. "Mostly in the fields back there," he said, pointing to a patch of land on the far side of the farm. "They've been stealing crops and tools, and a few times they've attacked some of the workers. Nothing too serious yet, but it's only a matter of time."
The elderly woman joined them, her hands still holding a basket of freshly picked vegetables. "They come at dusk most often," she added. "They're quick, and there's always more of them than we expect. Please be careful."
"Thanks for the information," Tyler said, his tone serious. "I'll make sure to handle it."
The two girls and the boy, who had been watching from a distance, ran over to join the group. The younger boy looked up at Tyler with wide eyes. "Are you really gonna fight the goblins?" he asked, his voice filled with awe.
Tyler crouched slightly to meet the boy's gaze and smiled. "That's right. Don't worry, I've got this."
The boy grinned, and one of the girls, who appeared to be the eldest, stepped forward. "Thank you for coming," she said sincerely. "We've been so worried about what might happen if the goblins kept coming."
Tyler nodded. "It's my job. You can count on me."
The old man clapped Tyler on the shoulder. "Well, then, I'll let you get to it. If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask."
"Thanks," Tyler said. "I'll check out the area and see what I can find."
As he started walking toward the fields the old man had pointed out, Tyler's mind raced with thoughts about what he might encounter. "Alright," he muttered to himself. "Time to see what these goblins are made of."
Tyler walked toward the fields, his eyes taking in the breathtaking view ahead. The long, golden fields stretched out endlessly, and behind them, majestic mountains rose, their peaks glowing softly under the setting sun. He could feel the warmth of the sun on his skin, accompanied by a cool breeze that brushed against his face, carrying the scent of freshly tilled earth.
"Man," Tyler said to himself, smiling as he took a deep breath. "This place is beautiful. Hard to believe goblins would want to mess it up."
The breeze made the tall grass ripple like waves, and Tyler stopped for a moment to stretch. "Alright," he muttered. "Time to keep sharp."
He dropped into his fighting stance and began practicing his kickboxing techniques. His fists jabbed the air with precise force, and his legs followed with fluid kicks. Each motion carried a sense of rhythm, the movements ingrained in his muscle memory.
"One-two punch," he said aloud, shadowboxing against an invisible opponent. "Keep your stance solid. Left hook… roundhouse kick!" He spun with practiced precision, the force of his kick slicing through the air.
He paused for a moment, letting his heart rate settle, and smiled. "This feels good. Guess I'll keep at it while waiting for those goblins to show up."
Tyler continued his practice, adding a few maneuvers with magic-infused strikes. His fists crackled with sparks as he infused them with mana. "Skill: Flame Kick!" he shouted, launching a fiery kick that dissipated harmlessly into the open air. "Now that's what I'm talking about."
Out of nowhere, his instincts flared. A whistling sound caught his attention, and Tyler turned just in time to see six arrows slicing through the air toward him. With a quick pivot, he dodged them effortlessly, his reflexes sharp and his body moving with ease.
"Whoa! That was close," Tyler muttered, his eyes narrowing. He traced the trajectory of the arrows and spotted movement in the tall grass. Emerging from the shadows, a group of 15 goblins surrounded him, their yellow eyes gleaming with malice and crude weapons clutched in their hands.
Tyler cracked his knuckles and let out a slow breath, a confident smile spreading across his face. "Fifteen goblins? You guys really think you've got a shot? Alright… bring it on."
The goblins screeched and charged at him, their movements chaotic but aggressive. Tyler didn't waste a second. "Skill: Energy Wave!" he shouted, thrusting his hands forward. A shockwave of energy burst from his palms, knocking back the first wave of goblins and scattering them like leaves in the wind.
Two goblins rushed in from his left, swinging jagged blades. Tyler ducked under their strikes, countering with a powerful uppercut that sent one flying. The second goblin lunged, but Tyler twisted and delivered a spinning Flame Kick, engulfing the creature in a burst of fire.
"Skill: Arcane Leap!" Tyler yelled, vanishing into thin air as three goblins attempted to flank him. He reappeared behind them, his fists crackling with lightning. "Skill combo: Lightning Jab x3!" His punches landed with electric precision, taking down all three in rapid succession.
The remaining goblins hesitated, glancing at each other nervously. Tyler smirked, his mana aura flaring around him. "What's the matter? Thought you wanted to fight?"
One particularly large goblin snarled and rallied the others, charging at Tyler with renewed determination. Tyler stood his ground, raising his fists. "Skill: Shadow Strike!" he shouted, his fists shrouded in dark energy. He darted through the oncoming group, his strikes leaving trails of shadowy force. The goblins fell one by one, unable to match his speed and precision.
The last goblin tried to flee, but Tyler wasn't having it. "Oh no you don't," he said, launching a mana-infused kick that struck the goblin square in the back, knocking it out cold.
Tyler straightened, breathing heavily but victorious. He wiped a trickle of sweat from his brow and surveyed the field, now littered with unconscious goblins. "Not bad," he said to himself, smiling. "Not bad at all."
To be continued...