The first rays of dawn filtered through the thick canopy of Emberfall Forest, casting a soft, amber light over the calm hot spring. Noah turned as he felt the warmth of the steam mingling with the cool morning air. Noah stretched and sat up, taking a moment to appreciate the peaceful surroundings.

The forest, usually teeming with life, seemed to be holding its breath, offering them a rare moment of calm. He glanced down at Emberfang, who yawned and blinked up at him with wide, curious eyes, the fierce demeanor replaced by an endearing innocence.

“Good Morning Emberfang,” Noah said.

“Good morning Noah,” Emberfang said, his new Squeaky voice echoing in the nearby forest.

“Emberfang, can I try petting you?” Noah asked.

“Petting? I suppose,” Emberfang said cautiously.

Noah reached over and scratched the pup behind the ears. Emberfang leaned into the touch, a soft growl of contentment escaping his small form. Noah chuckled as Emberfang continued to show enjoyment with the comforting scratches.

“This is heavenly. Can you do this more often?” Emberfang asked as a faint pink hue painted his cheeks.

“I’d love to,” Noah said, smiling. “Ready to see how well this disguise holds up?” Noah asked, a grin spreading across his face.

Emberfang barked in response, a surprisingly high-pitched sound echoing through the nearby forest. Noah laughed, looking into Emberfang's eyes, which held determination and innocence.

They packed their belongings, doused the remnants of their campfire, and set off through the forest. The path to Emberfall City was familiar, yet today it felt charged with a sense of purpose and excitement. The transformation spell seemed stable; Emberfang remained in his diminutive form, trotting happily beside Noah.

As they walked, Noah’s thoughts drifted to the Adventurers Guild. Joining its ranks would provide them with a steady income and offer access to resources and knowledge that could prove invaluable. The guild was a hub for information, adventurers sharing tales of their exploits and the secrets they uncovered. By midday, the towering gates of Emberfall City came into view.

“Let’s do this,” he said, looking down at Emberfang. The pup’s eyes sparkled with shared determination, and together, they stepped forward, greeting the guards.

“It’s me again. Today I’m looking to join the adventurer’s guild,” Noah said as the guards approached.

“Oh good, we need guild members more than ever right now. A new Dungeon has appeared north of town. And there isn’t a member here strong enough to clear it. All the strong guild members we had here moved to another area. I’m glad you’re here to help. Let the boy in!” the guard shouted as he waved to open the gates.

“I’ll do my best, sir,” Noah said confidently.

As he and Emberfang entered the city, the guard shouted again.

“Good luck to you, adventurer; I’m rooting for you!” he exclaimed.

Noah looked back, waving, and smiled at the man.

Emberfang's keen eyes darted around as they made their way into the city, taking in the bustling surroundings with curiosity and caution.

The narrow streets of Emberfall City were alive with activity, a stark contrast to the serene hot spring they had just left. Colorful market stalls lined the cobblestone pathways, their vendors calling out to passersby with a clamor of voices. The aroma of freshly baked bread and sizzling meats wafted through the air, mingling with the scents of exotic spices and ripe fruits. Emberfang's nose twitched, overwhelmed by the mixture of pleasant smells.

Children ran past, laughing and playing, their carefree energy a sharp reminder of the forest's more primal dangers. Emberfang’s ears perked up at the sound of a bard strumming a lute, his melodious tune providing a cheerful soundtrack to the city’s daily rhythm. The pup’s eyes widened as they passed a blacksmith’s forge, where sparks flew from red-hot iron being hammered into shape. The clang of metal on metal was both mesmerizing and intimidating.

“Hey Noah!” a deep familiar voice called out.

Turning to face the blacksmith shop, Noah’s eyes fell on Garret. The man he’d met the first day he came into the city.

“Oh! Hello Garret!” Noah shouted as he made his way over to meet him.

“How’s the monster hunting going?” he asked.

“It’s going,” Noah said with a chuckle. “I’m actually here to join the Adventurer’s Guild.”

“That’s great news. I heard they could really use some help, and they pay well for their jobs,” Garret said. “By the way, who’s this little guy?” Garret asked as he leaned over to take a peek at Emberfang.

Growling and hiding behind Noah’s leg, Emberfang looked at Garret with distrust.

“This is Hazel. He’s a little nervous around other humans. I saved him from a trap that was probably set by poachers in Emberfall forest,” Noah mentioned.

“Good save, Noah. We never decided on a name for my appearance or how we met,” Emberfang thought to himself.

“He’s a cute little guy. Did you say Emberfall forest?” Garret asked. “The Governor’s men were slaughtered there. They are pinning it on the wolf that lives there. Did you run into any weird people or meet the wolf at all?” Garret asked.

“No, not at all. My adventures have been pretty calm. Not to change the subject, but I might be coming by soon for a new armor setup if you aren’t swamped,” Noah said.

“Not at all, Noah. You stop by any time, my friend. The doors always open,” Garret said, smiling.

“I appreciate that Garret. I’d better get going now; I’ll see you again soon, and take care,” Noah said.

"You and Hazel, stay safe as well. Good luck with joining the Adventurer's Guild," he said, pulling a long piece of steel from the forge and resuming his hammering.

As Noah and Emberfang made their way to the guild, they noticed a nearby group of adventurers huddled together, examining a tattered map and discussing their next quest with animated gestures.

They continued down the road till they approached the town square, dominated by a grand fountain depicting a fierce Wolf, water pouring from its open jaws. Townsfolk gathered here, exchanging news and gossip, their conversations creating a lively hum that filled the air.

Noah examined the statue and then looked at Emberfang. “Hmm, I wonder who that wolf could be?” he questioned playfully as a smile played on his face.

Emberfang looked up at Noah with a grin. “I haven’t the slightest clue what you mean by that,” he said, his head held high as he trotted along.

“Emberfang, look,” Noah said, pointing to a building nearby.

Emberfang’s gaze settled on the towering structure of the Adventurers Guild, its stone facade adorned with banners depicting legendary heroes. The building exuded an aura of strength and camaraderie, promising adventure and discovery within its walls.

As Noah and Emberfang drew closer, the pup's excitement grew. The city, with all its vibrancy and dynamism, was a new world to explore, and the promise of the guild beckoned them forward. Together, they stepped into the doorway. As Noah gripped the door handle, he looked down at Emberfang, who was looking up, eyes bright with anticipation.

Stolen novel; please report.

“Are you ready?” Noah asked. Emberfang nodded as he gave a smile.

“Okay, here we go.” Noah opened the door and stepped inside.

As Noah and Emberfang entered the Adventurers Guild for the first time, they were greeted by the sight of a spacious hall bathed in warm, flickering torchlight. The air was filled with the scent of leather, ink, and the faint hint of magic.

To their left, a large wooden notice board adorned with parchment contracts and quest posters beckoned adventurers of all sorts. To their right, a row of sturdy oak desks, each manned by guild scribes diligently recording the details of completed quests and distributing new assignments.

In the hall's center stood a grand, circular counter made of polished mahogany. A middle-aged woman smiled welcomingly, greeting newcomers and directing them to various guild services.

Behind her, shelves lined with scrolls, maps, and mysterious artifacts hinted at the guild's extensive knowledge and resources. The walls were filled with trophies of past triumphs: monster heads, ancient relics, and weapons that gleamed with enchantments.

Above them, a magnificent tapestry depicted the guild's emblem—a soaring phoenix, symbolizing resilience, rebirth, and the spirit of adventure. The atmosphere hummed with anticipation and fellowship as adventurers of different races and backgrounds mingled, exchanging stories and preparing for their next expeditions.

Noah and Emberfang approached the massive counter, where a woman greeted them.

"Ah, fresh faces at the Guild!" the middle-aged woman with long brown hair greeted them cheerfully as they stood before the counter. "You must be here to join the guild, am I right?” The woman asked.

“That’s correct, ma’am,” Noah confirmed.

“Well, you've come to the right place! Sign up here, and let's get you started on your journey,” she said, sliding over a piece of paper for Noah to sign.

“Your pup Is adorable! What’s he or she’s name?” she asked.

“His name is Hazel,” Noah said as he signed the paper.

“How cute,” she said as she examined the paper. “Okay, Noah Blackwell, could you follow me over to this side of the counter, please?” she asked, walking over to a big round stone that had runes transcribed all around it, and in the middle sat a large crystal that gleamed with a faint purple light. In the front portion of the stone, facing Noah’s side of the counter, were two hand imprints,

“Please place your hands on the two hand prints. We need to measure your magic power to give you a rank,” she explained.

Noah thought momentarily about the fact that Emberfang’s and his magic power were now fused in unity. What would happen if she discovered he had an above-average amount of magic power? Noah shrugged it off, willing to take the consequences if everyone questioned him about it.

Placing his hands onto the prints, the crystal began to light up. The woman glared into the crystal, which emanated a subtle humming tone as it got brighter. As she thought deeply, she jotted down some information on a little wooden card.

“Okay, that’s good,” she said. “This is your guild Identification card,” she said, handing Noah a small, intricately carved wooden card. It was adorned with the guild emblem—a majestic phoenix rising from flames—and had Noah's name engraved in the elegant script below it.

Noah took it as he examined the information on the card.

-[ Guild Member: Noah Blackwell ]- [ Guild Title: Rookie Adventurer ] [ Guild division: Phoenix Guard ] Rank: D-rank Member #: 274 Guild Points: 0

“Thanks so much!” Noah exclaimed.

“No, thank you, Noah. We’re glad to have you. Happy adventuring. If you need anything, please don’t hesitate to ask,” she said, smiling.

Noah looked down at Emberfang as he smiled. “Ready, boy?” he asked.

Emberfang let out a high-pitched bark as he waged his tail frantically.

“Okay, let’s go check out the notice board,” Noah said.

Making their way to the board, they saw several types of quests. Three of which stuck out to Noah.

A merchant needed an escort. A local farmer needed help with a monster, one D-rank Dungeon, two E-rank dungeons, and the one C-rank dungeon everyone had been raving about lately.

“Let’s clear the E-rank dungeon,” he said as he took the notice. “Ready for our first Dungeon?” Noah asked.

Emberfang barked as he gazed at Noah with confidence.

“Okay then, off we go.”

They exited the guild and took a right turn down the street as he examined the notice once more.

“It says the dungeon is located near the mountainside on the southern part of The field where I was farming those boars. Do we need any supplies before heading out?” he asked himself.

“By the way, Emberfang, did you suppress your magic power in there?” Noah questioned.

Emberfang surprised Noah with a response using telepathy.

“Yes, I did. I could sense your worry about the woman finding out. So, I suppressed it as best I could. By the way our magic Isn’t always combined. It's just something we can do in a dire situation. I can lend you my magic power if needed," he said as his voice resonated in Noah's mind.

“What! You can speak to me Telepathically? I mean, can we talk Telepathically? Why didn’t you do this before?” Noah questioned.

Emberfang chuckled. “I guess it slipped my mind. Sorry, Noah.”

“It’s okay; I’m glad it’s possible, though. This is going to make everything much easier.”

“Yes, I believe it will come in handy quite a bit,” Emberfang said.

Noah was stopped by the guards while making their way out of the city.

“Hey, Mr. Adventurer! Did you get your card?” they asked.

“I sure did,” Noah said, pulling it out as he held it before them.

“Wow, C-rank huh? Not bad kid. Maybe you can help the team that's coming to clear the C-rank dungeon on the North side of town,” the guard said.

“Yeah, I might do that once I’ve gotten a hold of these dungeons,” Noah said.

“Alright, we’ll see you around Adventurer. Good luck out there,” he said, returning to his post.

“Take care!” Noah exclaimed.

The two of them made their way to the Southern mountainside. Noah was trying to locate the dungeon location as Emberfang trotted beside him, occasionally scanning the area for anything suspicious.

“Where is this Dungeon located?” he wondered as he looked around frantically.

Suddenly, as he looked to the top ridge line of the mountainside, he saw a faint glimmer of something shining right behind a portion of the mountain.

“I bet it’s up there,” Noah said as he climbed traversing the mountainside carefully.

“It’s getting steep here, and the ground is becoming loose. Stick close to me, Emberfang,” Noah warned..

As they made their way to the top, Noah’s foot slipped as he gripped the side of the mountain, almost falling. Emberfang pushed up on Noah's foot, arching his back to give him support and keep him from falling. Noah looked down at Emberfang with a smile.

“Thanks, partner,” Noah said.

“You're welcome. Be more careful, Noah,” Emberfang ordered.

“You got it,” he said as he pressed upward, climbing towards the top.

Finally making it over the edge, Noah and Emberfang sat, catching their breath and relaxing. They noticed a faint glowing doorway almost fused naturally into the mountainside.

“Found it!” Noah exclaimed as he fell over laughing.

“You are such an interesting human,” Emberfang said, holding back a faint smile.

Noah sat up and examined the dungeon’s entrance.

Nestled within the rugged, towering peaks, the entrance to the dungeon was seamlessly fused into the ancient mountainside as if carved by the hands of long-forgotten gods. The stone doorway was framed by intricate, swirling runes that pulsed with a faint, eerie blue light, casting an otherworldly glow on the jagged rocks.

Noah stood up and walked toward the entrance as he examined it further.

A massive stone door stood imposingly, its surface covered in complex glyphs and symbols. The door emanated a steady blue glow, illuminating the immediate area with a mystical light. A large, circular interface was embedded within the stone at its center. This interface was composed of concentric rings, each inscribed with smaller, finely detailed runes.

Noah raised his hand, feeling the ancient magic surge in the air. The interface reacted, and the concentric rings shifted and aligned. Noah sensed this wasn’t an ordinary lock; it required physical and magical interaction.

With a deep breath, he placed his hand on the central circle as the blue light intensified, spreading from the interface to the surrounding runes. He felt a faint vibration under his palm as the interface started to glow brighter in response to his presence.

Noah concentrated, channeling his magical energy into the interface. The concentric rings began to rotate, aligning the runes in a precise pattern. He could feel the interface testing his resolve, requiring delicate strength and finesse. After a few moments of focused effort, the rings clanked into place with a resonant hum.

The stone door shuddered, and the blue light surged, illuminating the entire doorway. With a deep, rumbling groan, the massive door began to slide open, revealing the mysterious depths of the dungeon beyond. The blue glow spilled into the newly revealed passage, casting long, eerie shadows and beckoning Noah to step further into the unknown.

“Well, are you ready to clear our first dungeon?” Noah asked, looking at Emberfang.

“Let’s clear this dungeon. Together we can defeat any enemy,” Emberfang declared with confidence.

The two stepped into the dungeon’s light disappearing from the mountainside…