Sael carefully stored the remaining materials in his inventory, ensuring everything was neatly organized before turning his attention to the new day ahead. The excitement of crafting still lingered, but his stomach quickly reminded him of a more immediate need—food.

He and Rhea made their way downstairs, greeted by the warm scent of freshly baked bread and sizzling meat. The tavern was already bustling with activity, with adventurers fueling up for the day ahead. They settled at a wooden table near the hearth, where a serving girl quickly brought out their meal: thick slices of buttered bread, soft and warm from the oven; a hearty stew filled with chunks of tender meat and root vegetables; and a side of crispy fried eggs with cured ham. A pitcher of fresh apple cider completed the spread.

Rhea dug in immediately, tearing off a piece of bread and dunking it into the stew. "Not bad for tavern food. Better than eating dried rations on the road."

Sael took a bite and had to agree. The flavors were simple but rich, and after yesterday’s events, a solid meal was more than welcome. They ate quickly, knowing they had more to do today.

Once they finished their meal, they left the tavern and made their way toward the Adventurers' Guild. The building was easy to spot—a large, reinforced structure standing proudly in the heart of the district, its emblem of crossed swords and a shield displayed prominently above the entrance. Inside, the guild hall was alive with energy. Adventurers gathered in groups, discussing contracts or boasting about their latest kill, while others checked the request board for new opportunities.

A long wooden counter stretched across the back of the hall, where a few guild clerks managed the flow of people. Behind it, a muscular man with a thick beard and sharp eyes observed the crowd, his posture straight and authoritative. He wore a deep red coat lined with silver trim, marking him as someone of importance within the guild.

As Sael and Rhea approached, the man gave them a once-over before speaking. "New faces. You two looking to register?"

Rhea nodded. "Yeah. Figured it was about time."

The man smirked. "Good. Name's Garvin. I run things around here, so if you’ve got questions, you come to me." He pulled out a pair of forms and set them down. "Standard registration. Write your names, any prior experience, and skills."

Sael filled out his information, keeping things simple. No need to mention the system quests—just his crafting ability and budding combat experience. Rhea, on the other hand, scribbled hers down quickly, her reputation already speaking for itself.

Garvin looked over their forms before stamping them with an official guild seal. "Crafter eh? Alright, you’re in. You start as Copper Rank—basic level. Take on jobs, prove yourselves, and you’ll rank up. Now, let’s get you your first quest."

He gestured to the request board, where various papers detailed different tasks. Some were simple—gathering herbs, escorting merchants, even some crafting requests—but Sael’s eyes were drawn to something more challenging: a dungeon-clearing mission. The quest had a copper mark on it.

Rhea followed his gaze and grinned. "Thinking what I’m thinking?"

Sael nodded. "Good materials, good pay. Seems like the best way to get started."

Garvin chuckled. "Ambitious. Take care in there, though—dungeons aren’t forgiving." He handed them the quest details. "Clear out the threats inside, bring back proof of your work, and you’ll get your reward." Their first real job as adventurers had begun.

If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

Sael adjusted the shield on his arm, it would take some getting used to. Rhea walked beside him as they left the main road and stepped into the woods, her ears twitching at every small sound around them. The morning light barely cut through the thick canopy, leaving shadows across the underbrush. The air smelled of wildflowers, with a hint of something metallic lingering faintly in the breeze.

"Stay close," Rhea murmured, scanning the treeline. "Monsters tend to linger near dungeon sites."

Sael nodded, tightening his grip on his club. He had yet to truly test his new gear in a real fight, but that would change soon. As they moved through the forest, the snapping of a twig made both of them freeze.

A low growl rumbled from the bushes ahead, followed by the emergence of a pack of familiar creatures—metal-jawed hounds, similar to the one he had encountered before. Their bodies were sleek and muscular, dark fur bristling as their glimmering steel teeth caught the morning light. Their eyes locked onto him and Rhea, assessing their prey.

"Looks like we get a warm-up," Rhea said with a sharp grin. "I’ll take two."

One of the hounds lunged at Sael. He raised his shield, bracing for impact as the creature crashed against it, metal jaws scraping across the reinforced hide. The force sent a jolt through his arm, but the shield held firm. Taking the opportunity, he swung his club in a downward arc, striking the beast's side with a heavy thud. The hound yelped, stumbling back, with blood dripping from the holes the of it's serrated metal teeth.

Rhea, meanwhile, had already dealt with hers, a swift slashes of her claws tearing out their throats. She turned to see Sael still mid-fight. "You’re overthinking it. Keep swinging!"

Sael gritted his teeth and adjusted his stance. The remaining hound recovered and lunged again, this time aiming low. He crouched, using the shield to tank its attack before bringing his club down onto its skull. A sickening crack followed, and the creature crumpled to the ground.

He exhaled sharply, wiping sweat from his brow. "That felt… smoother."

Rhea nodded approvingly. "Not bad. You’re getting the hang of it."

He gathered the hides and jaws into his inventory.

They took a moment to check their surroundings before pressing on. Soon, the trees began to thin, and an eerie quiet settled over the area. In the distance, half-buried in crumbling stone walls, stood the entrance to the dungeon.

The ruins looked ancient, their stonework worn and cracked, vines creeping over what remained of their structure. A grand archway, decrepit, framed a descending staircase that led into the darkness below. Faintly glowing runes lined the edges of the archway.

"Stay sharp." Rhea muttered, stepping forward.

The air grew colder as they descended, the temperature dropping with each step. Their footsteps echoed against the stone, and the further they went, the heavier the silence became. When they reached the first chamber, torch sconces flared to life, casting flickering light across the stone walls. Crumbled pillars lined the edges, and in the center of the room stood the first obstacle—three feline creatures, their sleek black bodies rippling with unnatural energy.

Sael one of them vanished in a blink, reappearing mid-pounce right in front of him. He raised his shield just in time to deflect the attack, the impact rattling through his arm. The cat landed, eyes glowing, and then vanished again.

"They teleport?" he called out.

"Yeah, but it’s short-ranged," Rhea responded. "Try a counter."

The second cat lunged for her, but she was faster, sidestepping and raking her claws across its side. It let out a yowl before disappearing and reappearing a few feet away, licking its wounds.

Sael focused on his own opponent, watching for the telltale shimmer that signaled its movement. When it blinked forward again, he anticipated its trajectory, swinging his club preemptively. The timing was nearly perfect—his weapon caught the beast mid-air, sending it sprawling across the floor.

Rhea made quick work of hers, and together they took down the third one in a pincer strike. Sael took a moment to gather what he could from the cats, flickering pelts of leather.

Sael picked one up, running his fingers over the smooth, cool fur. "These should be useful."

Rhea nodded, scooping up the rest. "Blink cat hide is rare. You’ll be able to craft something special with it."

They shared a look before turning their attention to the hallway leading deeper into the dungeon. The real challenge was still ahead.