Soulbound Odyssey: From Zero to Hero

Ryan woke to the soft glow of dawn filtering through the forest canopy. The world around him was quiet, save for the chirping of birds and the distant rustle of leaves. For the first time since he'd entered Soulbound Odyssey, the oppressive weight of danger seemed to have lifted.

Zara was gone. Her campfire had burned out, leaving behind only a few faint embers and the lingering scent of smoke. Ryan frowned, scanning the clearing for any sign of her.

Temporary Party Disbanded: Zara

The notification flashed briefly in his interface, and Ryan sighed. "Figures," he muttered, kicking at the ashes of the fire. He wasn't sure if he'd been lucky or foolish to trust her, but he couldn't deny that her help had made the night survivable.

With a groan, Ryan stretched and checked his inventory. The loot from the night before was still there: the coins, the health potion, the dagger, and, of course, the Rogue's Cloak. Equipping the cloak once more, he pulled up his quest log. The primary objective—survive the first day—was complete, but a new quest had already taken its place:

Quest: Reach Briarwood Village Objective: Arrive at the village safely. Reward: 100 EXP, [Starter Pack]

Ryan nodded. "Alright. Time to get moving."

The journey to Briarwood was uneventful but nerve-wracking. The forest remained quiet, the shadows no longer teeming with unseen threats. Even so, Ryan kept his sword drawn and his senses sharp. Every crack of a twig or flutter of leaves made him jump, but nothing attacked.

When the trees finally thinned, revealing a cobblestone road leading to a cluster of wooden buildings in the distance, Ryan felt a surge of relief. Smoke curled from chimneys, and the faint hum of voices carried on the breeze. Briarwood Village was small but bustling, with NPCs and players alike moving between its shops and stalls.

Ryan entered cautiously, his eyes darting between the buildings. A burly blacksmith worked at an open forge, sparks flying with every strike of his hammer. A pair of children chased each other around a fountain in the village square. It all felt so... real.

A notification popped up:

New Area Discovered: Briarwood Village +10 EXP

Ryan's lips quirked into a small smile. "Baby steps," he said, heading toward the quest marker that hovered above a large wooden building labeled "Adventurer's Guild."

The interior of the Adventurer's Guild was warm and inviting, with rows of tables where players and NPCs mingled. A large quest board dominated one wall, covered in parchment listing everything from basic errands to dangerous dungeon raids. Behind a sturdy counter stood a woman with sharp eyes and a no-nonsense demeanor.

Ryan approached her, noting the nameplate hovering above her head:

Guildmaster Livia

"You're new," Livia said, her gaze sweeping over him. It wasn't a question.

Ryan nodded. "Just arrived. I'm looking to complete my registration."

Livia smirked and slid a parchment across the counter. "Name, class, and any relevant experience. Don't lie; I'll know."

Ryan hesitated before picking up the quill. "Ryan," he said, writing it down. "Novice Swordsman. Experience... minimal."

Livia snorted. "Honest. That's rare."

She stamped the parchment with a wax seal and handed him a small leather pouch. "Welcome to Briarwood. Here's your Starter Pack—some basic supplies to keep you alive. Barely."

Quest Complete: Reach Briarwood Village Reward Claimed: Starter Pack

Ryan opened the pouch to find a loaf of bread, a waterskin, a whetstone, and a bundle of bandages. It wasn't much, but it was better than nothing.

"If you're looking for work," Livia continued, nodding toward the quest board, "that's where you start. Just try not to die. Cleaning up after rookies is tedious."

Ryan thanked her and headed to the board. Most of the quests were far beyond his current level—slay a Forest Troll, retrieve rare herbs from the Dark Hollow—but one caught his eye:

Quest: Escort Mia to the Outskirts Difficulty: Easy Reward: 50 EXP, [Basic Bow]

The name "Mia" stood out. Ryan selected the quest, and a new marker appeared on his map, pointing toward a small shop near the edge of the village.

The shop was a modest building with an array of weapons and supplies displayed out front. As Ryan approached, a young woman stepped out, adjusting the quiver strapped to her back. She was tall and lean, with dark hair tied into a practical ponytail and a bow slung across her shoulder. Her sharp eyes immediately locked onto him.

"You're the escort?" she asked, her tone skeptical.

Ryan straightened. "That's me. Ryan, Novice Swordsman."

The corner of her mouth twitched, but she didn't quite smile. "Mia. Archer. Don't slow me down."

Before Ryan could respond, Mia turned and started walking, her strides brisk and purposeful. Ryan hurried to catch up.

"What exactly are we escorting?" he asked, falling into step beside her.

"Supplies," Mia said shortly. "A shipment for a farm just outside the village. Bandits have been active lately, so the guild insisted on an escort."

Ryan nodded, gripping his sword tighter. "Bandits, huh? Sounds manageable."

Mia glanced at him, her expression unreadable. "We'll see."

The road to the outskirts was quiet at first, the rolling fields around them bathed in golden morning light. Ryan found himself relaxing slightly, though he kept his sword drawn just in case. Mia walked ahead, her bow at the ready, scanning the horizon with practiced ease.

It wasn't long before trouble found them. A group of three figures emerged from behind a cluster of trees, their mismatched armor and weapons marking them as bandits. Their leader, a stocky man with a scar across his cheek, grinned as he stepped forward.

"Well, well," he said, his voice oily. "What do we have here? A little archer and her babysitter?"

Mia's arrow was nocked and aimed before Ryan could react. "Turn around," she said coldly. "This is your only warning."

The bandit leader laughed. "Feisty. I like that. Boys, let's teach them some manners."

The other two bandits drew their weapons and charged. Ryan barely had time to raise his sword before the first attacker was upon him. The clash of steel rang out as their blades met, the force of the blow rattling his arms.

Mia's arrow whistled past him, striking the second bandit in the shoulder and sending him sprawling. She was already drawing another before the first had hit the ground.

Ryan gritted his teeth, dodging a clumsy swing from his opponent and countering with a slash that caught the bandit across the leg. The man howled in pain, stumbling back.

"Not bad, rookie!" Mia called, loosing another arrow.

Ryan didn't have time to respond. The bandit leader was advancing now, his scarred face twisted into a snarl. Ryan braced himself, meeting the man's sword with his own. The force of the impact sent him staggering, but he recovered quickly, sidestepping the leader's next strike and landing a glancing blow on his side.

Before the leader could retaliate, Mia's arrow found its mark, striking him square in the chest. He collapsed with a grunt, his weapon clattering to the ground.

The remaining bandit, seeing his comrades defeated, dropped his weapon and fled. Ryan panted, his arms trembling from the fight.

"You're not completely useless," Mia said, lowering her bow.

Ryan managed a weak grin. "Thanks, I think."

The rest of the journey was uneventful. When they reached the farm, the grateful farmer handed over their reward: a simple but well-crafted bow.

Quest Complete: Escort Mia to the Outskirts Reward Claimed: 50 EXP, [Basic Bow]

As they headed back to the village, Mia glanced at him. "You've got potential, Ryan. Stick around the guild. You might survive long enough to prove it."

Ryan nodded, feeling a spark of confidence for the first time. He wasn't just surviving anymore. He was starting to find his place in Soulbound Odyssey.