Chapter 5: The Guild and First Mission
Micah strolled through the bustling streets, the energy of the city filling him with excitement. He passed by merchants calling out their wares, people chatting cheerfully, and children laughing as they ran past him.
One of the street vendors caught his eye—a stall selling meat skewers sizzling over a fire. The aroma was irresistible.
"Hey, how much for one?" Micah asked the vendor.
"Just one silver coin," the man replied with a grin.
Micah handed over the coin, grabbed a skewer, and took a bite. His eyes lit up immediately. "This is amazing!" he mumbled through a mouthful of tender, juicy meat.
After savoring his snack, he continued on his way. A few minutes later, he arrived at a large building with a bold sign above the door that read: Silver Crest Guild.
The building was bustling with activity. Adventurers of all kinds walked in and out, some laughing and boasting about their latest exploits, while others carried weapons or supplies.
Micah pushed open the heavy wooden doors and stepped inside.
The Guild Hall
The interior of the guild was even more lively. Adventurers gathered around tables, exchanging stories over mugs of ale. Others crowded near the mission board, scanning the available quests. At the back of the hall was a long bar, where a few people were chatting with the bartender.
Micah's gaze shifted to the reception desk near the entrance. Sitting there was a striking woman with tiger-like features. She had fiery red hair that cascaded down her back, sharp golden eyes, and faint tiger stripes on her arms.
The woman noticed him approaching and greeted him with a confident smile. "Welcome to the Silver Crest Guild! I'm Kaida, the receptionist here. How can I help you?"
Micah smiled back, his curiosity piqued. "Hi, Kaida. I'm Micah Vale. I'd like to join the guild."
Kaida's golden eyes gleamed as she leaned forward slightly. "Ah, a new recruit! We're always happy to welcome fresh faces. Let me explain how things work here."
She handed him a small booklet and began to outline the rules of the guild.
The Rules of the Silver Crest Guild
1. Membership: All members must register with the guild and carry their official guild badge at all times.
2. Missions: Missions are ranked by difficulty, from E-rank to S-rank. New members must start with E-rank missions and work their way up.
3. Teams and Solo Work: Members can choose to form teams or work alone, but some missions may require teamwork.
4. Conduct: Respect fellow guild members and staff. Any disruptive or harmful behavior will result in suspension or expulsion.
5. Earnings: The guild takes a small percentage of rewards from missions to maintain operations.
Kaida glanced up at him after explaining. "Do you understand everything so far?"
Micah nodded. "Yeah, I got it. Start at the bottom and work my way up. Sounds fair."
Kaida smirked, pulling out a small crystal tablet. "Good. Now let's get you registered."
She placed the crystal on the counter. "This will record your details. Just place your hand on it, and it'll automatically link to your status screen."
Micah did as she instructed, and the crystal glowed faintly before displaying his information.
"Micah Vale, Class: Magic Gunman," Kaida read aloud. Her eyebrows raised slightly, and a smile tugged at her lips. "Interesting class. Looks like we've got a unique one here."
Micah shrugged with a grin. "I like to stand out."
Kaida chuckled and handed him a small metal badge engraved with the guild's emblem. "Welcome to the Silver Crest Guild, Micah Vale. You're officially one of us now."
Micah took the badge and pinned it to his scarf, smiling proudly. "Thanks, Kaida. I won't disappoint."
Kaida leaned back in her chair, her golden eyes glinting. "Let's see if you can live up to that confidence. Good luck out there, Micah."
With his guild badge secured and excitement bubbling in his chest, Micah turned toward the mission board, ready to take his first step as a true adventurer.
Here's the continuation, setting up the mission board scene and leaving it on a cliffhanger:
With his new guild badge pinned securely to his scarf, Micah approached the mission board. The massive wooden board was covered with neatly arranged papers, each detailing various tasks and quests. Adventurers of all ranks were gathered around, scanning the options and occasionally pulling down missions to take to the counter.
Micah focused on the section marked E-Rank Missions, the starting level for new guild members. The missions were clearly labeled, their descriptions straightforward.
He leaned in, picking one that caught his eye and reading it out loud.
Mission Title: Goblin Extermination
Mission Rank: E
Objective: Eliminate a group of goblins that have been harassing travelers near the outskirts of the city.
Location: Forest Road, 2 miles south of Silver Crest City.
Reward: 25 silver coins + potential loot from goblins.
Notes: Recommended for beginners. Watch out for ambushes and traps.
Micah smirked as he tapped the paper. "Goblins again, huh? Guess they don't learn their lesson."
He scanned the next one, reading it aloud as well:
Mission Title: Herb Gathering
Mission Rank: E
Objective: Collect 10 Healing Herbs from the Whispering Grove and deliver them to the guild.
Location: Whispering Grove, west of Silver Crest City.
Reward: 15 silver coins + guild favor points.
Notes: Watch out for small monsters lurking in the grove.
Micah scratched his head. "Herb gathering? Sounds kind of boring… but easy money."
He glanced at another mission, his curiosity piqued:
Mission Title: Missing Pet
Mission Rank: E
Objective: Find and return a missing pet cat named Luna. Last seen near the Residential District.
Location: Silver Crest City, Residential District.
Reward: 10 silver coins + gratitude of the owner.
Notes: The cat is skittish and may run away if approached too quickly.
Micah tilted his head. "A cat mission? Really?" He chuckled to himself. "Guess adventurers do more than just fight monsters."
He stepped back from the board, crossing his arms as he considered his options. The missions were simple, but each offered a chance to earn money, gain experience, and start making a name for himself.
His red eyes gleamed with excitement as he reached out to grab one of the mission papers.
Micah reached up and pulled the Goblin Extermination mission paper from the board. He held it in his hands, his red eyes scanning the details once more. A grin spread across his face.
"See you again, pesky goblins," he muttered, rolling the paper up. He turned on his heel and walked over to the receptionist desk, where Kaida, the tiger woman, was waiting.
Kaida glanced up, her golden eyes gleaming as she saw him approach. "Back already? Found something that caught your eye?"
Micah handed her the mission paper. "Yep. Goblin Extermination."
Kaida took the paper, scanning it quickly. She smiled faintly. "A classic starter mission. Perfect for beginners. It's straightforward, but don't get cocky. Goblins can be nasty if you let your guard down."
Micah shrugged, his grin never faltering. "It's just goblins. I've handled them before."
Kaida raised an eyebrow but chuckled. "Alright, then. Good luck on your mission, newbie Micah Vale."
Micah laughed, his voice light and confident. "Thanks, receptionist tiger girl!"
Kaida rolled her eyes with a smirk as Micah turned and waved goodbye, walking away with a spring in his step. "Don't get yourself killed out there," she called after him.
Without turning back, Micah waved over his shoulder. "No promises!"
Kaida shook her head, muttering to herself. "That guy's either brave or reckless. Probably both."
Heading Out
Micah left the guild and made his way through the city streets, weaving through the bustling crowd. The bright afternoon sun warmed the cobblestones, and the cheerful sounds of the city filled the air.
As he approached the city entrance, he adjusted the strap on Aria Nocturne and took a deep breath. The thought of facing goblins again didn't intimidate him—in fact, he welcomed it. This was his first real step as an adventurer, and he couldn't wait to see what awaited him outside the city gates.
With a wide grin, he muttered to himself, "Alright, let's see what you've got for me this time, goblins."
He stepped through the gates and onto the forest road, the sound of the city fading behind him as the trees closed in around him.