"I apologise I let my emotions get the better of me"
The man said as the armour pieces loosened around me, handing me back the sword hesitantly. I have to find a counter measure to that in the future.
"As a storekeep its shameful and forbidden of me to pry into the lives of my customers, as an apology I hope this will suffice. 3 vials of purplish liquid attached at my hip."
I didnt say anything not sure if thanking him after the inital threat was the right thing to do. I didnt hate him as he apologised for what...what are these?
"They are healing potions, I personally have altered them to remove the weird aftertaste, dont worry if I sold you poison the rules of this world would smite me down immediately" he said with a smile.
I nodded in response, all said and done the armour fit me nicely.
"Its 2 gold for the armour itself, would you like anything else?"
Thinking back on the guide it mentioned getting rations before heading out on any missions so I thought i might as well buy it now. I also asked for any other recommendations
"Any other recommendations huh? Whats your budget"
...
"Around 50 gold you say" A sharp disdainful glint swept across his eyes before quickly regaining composure.
He tapped his desk and an assortment of different bags flew around me. Bags containing climbing tools, warm clothes etc.
"It would depend on your occasion but if you want to spend the full 50 gold, he snapped his fingers, I can recommend this small storage container. Only enough for 10 potions in total but it will appear in your hand when you will it preventing your potions being destroyed...ah the price is quite high but thee reasson is magic spaces take a long time to process and-"
I placed the gold on the table, the pouch had exactly 50 gold in it so I didnt have to count it out. As interested as I was in hearing the process time is precious and clearly I was very behind to learn knowledge I wouldnt understand.
"Ah, A steadfast customer"
I equipped the bag and following his instructions lightly touched it after placing 3 of the potions I received earlier inside. The potion suddenly appeared in my hand. The bag itself wasnt super large, proabably the size of a calculator? The downside is I have to manually place the potion back in the bag but otherwise its useful.
He stood silently as I equipped it, nodding I started to head out.
"One moment please..."
I turrnt to look back at him, his face sullen, hesistant to ask the question at the tip of his tongue.
"The person who you took it from are they...?"
Dead
I answered maybe a bit too harshly, still feeling petty from when he squeezed me. I guess I havent matured as I thought I had letting simple pettiness take over.
"Ah...I see, I warned her the world is harsh"
As I was about to leave, something caught my ear, her?
I coulnt help my curiosity as I explained it wasnt a woman I got it from but instead..
"The Triford brothers? They are the only triplet group I am aware of opperating in the woods at that level, all 3 were experienced so im not sure ho- hmm I see, I apologise for rambling, think of it as a final request but would you be willing to trade that sword? Its a bit of a memento I am willing to provide you a better sword"
Why did he believe me so easily and I doubt he correctly identified the people I killed, how could he the chances are low.
Looking down at my sword; blood, fat and poor use no matter how quickly I cleaned it seemed to have damaged and dulled it.
I agreed, It was probably better to. Its a memnto, valuable to him, try and bargain for more. I had that thought yees, but I couldnt bring myself to forgo and abandon my empathy.
A sword with a scabbard floated to me. I grabbed it and equipped it to my belt.
"I Thank you and wish you a safe journey once again"
The bell hanging on the door rang once more signalling my departure.
I finally arrrived and stood in front of the guild, It looked like an old western tavern the type you'd see in movies. People were entering and leaving fairly regularly, many seemed happy but many also seemed...empty? hollow it was hard to describe. There was thing in common however, they all ducked- what?
Quickly following their example I managed to just in time as a man flew over my head tumbling and crashing...he wasnt moving was he...dead? He groggily got up, I guess not. he had what looked like vomit on his shirt. From the tavern doors out walked, wait not that was accurate enough. A large hand took up most of the entrance space as a giant..woman? ducked her head and squeezed through causing cracks to appear on either side of the wall as her body got through. Finally standing she towered at maybe 10? feet I couldnt tell. Her body rippled with muscles. She had ginger hair in a double pony tail, wearing typically white country girl clothing and heavy boots she stood VERY tall. She had freckles over her nose and quite intimadating yet fascinating brown eyes.
"What have I told ye bout drinking THIS early you no good two timin piece of ****"
"Its just a wee drink ye old woman"
The man still dazed quickly ducked as the woman puffed out another air of frustration, "and what are all of you looking at ey? BACK TO IT!" Suddenly she turnt to face me "Ah a fresh face, tell me lad what ye looking for?"
I answered honestly and to be honest I'm not really sure. I knew I wanted to raise my stats and the beginner guide led me here but to be honest, it all felt surreal. What drove me, the will to go home? sure. To be happy? Just to survive? My strongest reason. However a part of me just...wasnt sure.
"From the beginners guide..hmm alright come in lad, before anything lemme fix ya up a drink"
I followed behind her as she squeezed through the small door again, causing cracks to appear once more.
Whilst we were walking to the front a small girl ran up the giant woman,
"Miss Giantttttt, look at what I drew"
"HAHAHAHAH, Thats good lass, my talent musta been rubbin' off on ya"
Picking her up the giant woman placed the girl on her shoulder.
She continued walking ocassionally stopping to answer any questions random people would pose to her. A well liked woman I suppose.
The interior much like the village was much larger inside than out. There were multiple floors popualted with people. I noticed a woman hanging off the edge of a railing. I did what I should. Didnt ask any questions.
Sitting the girl down on the counter the woman went behind the counter
"What'll it be? Can I get ya a glass of milk lad ahahahahah dont worry first drink is on the house"
I nodded, sitting down.
"Uh I was just jokin, how bout some Dragon Dew Rum ey? Got a fresh pint"
I declined anything alcoholic, I dont drink and even less so in an unknown unsafe place.
"A' religious man, well no matter all welcome, all shapes and sizes. Try this, its Alpania Fruit juice"
She passed me a large jug whilst smiling. Well nothing ventured nothing gained. I drank the drink. It was...delicious. It wasnt creamy per se but it was smooth and silky? so much so it felt like the texture of chocolate whilst also being a beautiful sweet and calm taste. No flavour that screamed at you but a gentle soothing drink that I could feel travel down to my stomach. As I finished the drink, every part of my muscle felt vibrant and alive. It felt like the aches from yesterday? a few hours ago? Disappear. I felt good, really good.
If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.
Looking up I noticed her smile got bigger. "Noticed Didya? Its a buffing drink usually lasts an hour good fer short missions, longer buffs cost more but you can get those fer around a gold coin"
I nodded asking how many I could have active at once, "hmm theres no limit but I wouldnt recommend it, imagine in a tussle you suddenly feel weak, heavy, sick, disorientated like goin fer a swim and tryna get out the pool, that heaviness"
hmm makes sense.
"So you want to join the guild lad?"
Once more I nodded,
"Alright stick out your wrist"
I nodded once again
"Lemme get this.....stamp ALRIGHTTTTTTTTT"
She said whilst bringing down her hand in a powerful swinging motion, too fast for me to dodge but I didnt need to. She stopped just before my wrist, the air pressure cutting into my wrist, enough to place what seemed like a rune. Then a searing pain shot up my arm.
I looked at my hand the magical rune looking thing crawled across my wrist onto its own places. The number 1 and the letter C appeared on my wrist. The word adventurers guild also appeared but the changed once more into a tiger?
When the pain ceased, I looked up, the woman was no longer smiling as brightly but had a slightly apologetic look on her face.
"Uh, Sorry bout that, Magical rune carving is never pleasant" She smiled again, "I'll explain what your rune means, Ya see the wee number? its your guild rank, if I feel y've done enough/ Ya rune feels like y've done enough it'll go up. Ya can take whatever mission ya like but uh most missions will have a recommended level so dun make any rash judgments, Ya hear?"
She gave a stern warning before continuing
"Each level gives ya a good buff, percent wise, so always nice to have. canny also use it as ID to a few cities and a whole bunch of stuff blah blah blah"
After telling me she would leave it to me to figure out the rest and pointing out a quest board she stretched upwards grabbed the railing of the next floor and pulled herself off disappearing.
Leaving the child who was still sat on the counter I went to check out the board;
[Demon Born Hunting]
[Enough Corruption has accumalated, High born Demon has spawned]
[Recommended Rank : 35]
[Stat Reward: +57 Strength, +10 willpower]
There were Quite a few high rank quests and very little low rank quests, assuming everyone was desperately picking up quests it'd make sense. Asking around it seems the current highest 'player' adventurer rank was 5, asking how it was known, apparently all adventurer guilds were connect via mana whatever that means. But they receive information very quickly, useful for emergency deployment. Anyways that being said, theyd typically tell you what the current highest rank was if you simply asked the receptionist or guild workers. (Giant woman not the only employee)
Looking at the remaining quests they were quite varried.
[Herb Picking: Moonlit Mountain Fruit]
[Recommened Rank: 3]
[Stat reward: +2 agility]
[Cat Seek]
[Please find my cat :C]
[Recommened Rank: Any]
[Stat reward: +0.5 to all stats]
Whilst reading that mission someone grabbed the poster, ripping it off the board, a new poster manifested in its place to replace it. Thats convinient.
Looking at I picked up a poster that caught my eye
[Slay Mutating Boars]
[Early Signs of mutation]
[Recommended Rank: 2]
[Stat Reward: +0.3 Strength. +0.3 Constitution Per Kill Basis]
"Oo good choice" Someone said from behind my shoulder, my hand instinctively fell on my sword again as I tensed up but I caught myself and relaxed; keeping my hand on the hilt I turnt around. Sun coloured hair, brown eyes and shoulders that seemed impossible to demotivate.
"Hi, Im zach, My party and I were wondering if you wanted to join us, we needed one more person and its kinda hard to find people to do hunting quests not in parties"
He waved his hand over to his team member. 3 other people.
Purple haired girl, dressed in a black dress holding a wand with a purple gem at the top armour covering only essential joints etc. Volumptuous build. Avia
Orange haired girl, LARGE sword and dark black hair with a slender build heavy plated armour it looks like?. Ameria
Red haired girl, a pair of daggers at her waist, wearing shorts, Toned legs, lightly armoured. Stella
I looked back at him unable to hide my scrutinising look. I added a slight warning that I might be his target demographic.
"Aha, no no its not like that we are all just friends AND we had another male member hes waiting outside the village tho, he said he wanted to check equipment and be ready to go so he didnt come inside"
"only friends huh..?" One of the girls, the orange hair pouted whilst she said that.
The red hair girl quickly hugged his arm and the purple haired girl stayed standing dignified with a murderous stone like face that was partially twisted in a smile.
Looking at this scene was kind of sickly.
I nodded in agreement it was probably safer to be in a group while hunting but could I trust them? How would the rewards be distributed.
"Here" he said reaching his wrist forward
Curious I reached forward as well, he tapped his wrist against mine. The rune on my wrist turnt a dim hue of blue and so did his.
"Now we are partied together! When you rip off the poster the mission gets accepted until you put the poster back and if you tap with someone that you have intentions of partying with we will turn the same colour. The rewards will be split evenly between us! Oh uh sorry" He scratched his head awkwardly "I was a MeTuber on our world so I have a habbit of explaining things, I hope you dont think im being condescening or anything"
I didnt see it that way and expressed it as such, honestly anything helped. This wouldve been nice to learn from the giant woman to be honest but its okay.
"Oh a new face, I'm Ezekiel"
The man said reaching his hand forward, almost his entire arm was wrapped in bandages. I reached my hand forward in response.
"Why'd you say your name like that?" The red haired girl, Stella said
"Like what?"
"Like Weird, You normally say Ezeckial, dont tell me you were weak that the fall before damaged your hea-" THUMP "OUCH"
Avia quickly struck Stella's head and as if in a trained manner dragged her.
"Stop trying to argue whenever you can" Avia reprimanded
"Y-yes sorry" She responded dejected.
"No, Its okay, honestly im still a bit dazed so my words are a bit slurred" Ezeckial quickly interuptted
"We went on a mission earlier to hunt a weird cave like monster and because of my stupidity Ezeckial fell into hole, I shouldnt have rushed forward like that" Zach said, his face evidently ridden with guilt.
"I told you its okay, it isn't your fault...besides my memories are still foggy haha" The man said nudging Zach playfully on the arm.
"Sorry," He said finally turning to me,
"I forgot to ask your name"