Ethan stirred, groaning softly as he blinked his eyes open. The world around him was a blur, and his head felt heavy, as if it were filled with cotton. Slowly, his vision began to clear, and he became aware of his surroundings. The dusty, dim interior of the abandoned warehouse came into focus. Sunlight filtered through the cracks in the ceiling, casting faint golden beams across the floor.
The first thing he noticed was a pair of wide, anxious eyes watching him. Mira. She was sitting a few feet away, her arms wrapped around her knees, her gaze locked onto him. When their eyes met, Mira gasped softly and quickly looked away, her cheeks flushing in embarrassment.
"You're awake," she murmured, her voice barely audible. She shifted uncomfortably, clearly unsure of what to say or do next. Ethan tried to sit up, his muscles protesting the movement, but he managed it, leaning back against the wall.
His stomach growled loudly, breaking the silence between them. Mira glanced at him, then down at a small cloth bundle beside her. With a hesitant movement, she picked it up and unwrapped it, revealing a piece of stale bread. She held it out to him, her hand trembling slightly.
"Here... it's not much, but you can have it," she said, her eyes still avoiding his. Ethan looked at the bread, then back at her, a hint of a smile tugging at his lips.
"Thanks," he said, taking it from her. He tore off a piece and began to eat, the bread dry and tough, but it was food, and that was all that mattered. As he chewed, he watched Mira, noting the way she kept glancing at him, her eyes filled with a mixture of curiosity and fear.
After a few moments, Ethan swallowed and spoke. "Why are you hiding out here?" he asked, his tone gentle. He didn't want to scare her off, but he was curious. Mira stiffened at the question, her eyes darting to the entrance of the warehouse as if expecting someone to burst in at any moment.
"I'm... I'm hiding from some bad people," she said finally, her voice barely a whisper. She hugged her knees tighter, her gaze dropping to the ground. Ethan could see the fear in her eyes, the way her body tensed at the mention of these "bad people." He wanted to press her for more information, but he could tell she wasn't ready to share. Instead, he nodded slowly.
"I see," he said. "Well, you're not alone now. We can watch each other's backs." Mira looked up at him, her eyes wide with surprise. For a moment, she looked like she might say something, but then she simply nodded, a faint smile touching her lips.
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After finishing the bread, Ethan decided it was time to get moving. He needed to figure out what was going on in this city and find a way to get stronger. He couldn't stay hiding in an abandoned warehouse forever. He stood, stretching his sore muscles, and glanced at Mira.
"I'm going to explore the city," he said. "You can stay here if you want. I'll be back later." Mira nodded, her expression a mixture of relief and concern. Ethan gave her a reassuring smile before turning and making his way out of the warehouse.
The streets of the city were bustling with activity. People moved about, going about their daily routines, vendors calling out their wares, children running through the narrow alleys. Ethan walked with purpose, his eyes scanning the surroundings. He needed information, and he needed a plan.
As he walked, he overheard a group of townspeople talking nearby. They were gathered around a vendor's stall, their voices hushed but urgent.
"Did you hear? All the B-grade adventurers and above have been summoned to the capital," one of them said, a middle-aged man with a worried expression.
"Yeah, the Adventurer's Guild is desperate for manpower. They're letting anyone join now, even if they're barely qualified," another added, shaking her head.
Ethan's ears perked up at this. The Adventurer's Guild was allowing anyone to join? That could be his opportunity. If he could join the guild, he could gain access to resources, training, and most importantly, a way to get stronger.
He approached the group, clearing his throat to get their attention. "Excuse me," he said. "Where's the Adventurer's Guild?"
The townspeople looked at him, their expressions wary. After a moment, the middle-aged man spoke up. "It's in the town square, next to the eastern gate," he said, eyeing Ethan curiously. Ethan nodded his thanks and turned, heading in the direction the man had indicated.
As he made his way towards the town square, Ethan noticed a change in his surroundings. The buildings were becoming less dilapidated, their walls cleaner, the streets wider and less crowded. The farther he walked, the more affluent the area became. The contrast between the poorer outskirts and the wealthier center of the city was stark, a reminder of the divide that existed between those who had everything and those who had nothing.
When he finally arrived at the town square, Ethan paused, taking in the scene before him. The square was bustling with activity, far more crowded than the streets he had come from. People moved in every direction, vendors shouting to advertise their goods, carriages pulled by horses clattering over the cobblestones. Shops lined the square—tailor shops, blacksmiths, a library, restaurants, and inns. It was a lively, chaotic place, full of noise and movement.
Ethan's eyes landed on the Adventurer's Guild, a large building with a sign hanging above the entrance. It was clearly a popular place, with people constantly coming and going. He took a deep breath and started towards it, weaving his way through the crowd.
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But as he walked, his foot caught on a loose stone, and he stumbled forward, barely catching himself before he fell. He heard a loud neigh and looked up, just in time to see a horse barreling towards him, its rider shouting a warning. He had no time to react before the world went black.
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Ethan awoke with a start, his head pounding. He blinked, trying to make sense of his surroundings. He was no longer in the street. Instead, he found himself in a small, unfamiliar room. The walls were painted a soft cream color, and sunlight filtered in through a window on the far wall, the curtains swaying gently in the breeze.
He sat up slowly, wincing as his body protested the movement. He remembered the horse, the way it had knocked him down. He reached up, touching his head gingerly, but to his surprise, there was no pain. In fact, he felt... good. Better than he had in days.
Curious, Ethan focused, willing his status screen to appear. The translucent display flickered into view, and he stared at it in surprise. His Health was fully restored—150/150. He frowned, wondering how that was possible. Someone must have healed him, but who?
He looked around the room, taking in his surroundings. He was lying on a bed, the sheets soft and clean. Beside the bed was a small white stand, on top of which sat a loaf of bread and a bowl of something that smelled delicious. His stomach growled at the sight, reminding him of how hungry he was. On the other side of the room was another small stand, this one with a mirror and a set of neatly folded clothes.
Ethan swung his legs over the side of the bed, standing slowly. He walked over to the mirror, looking at his reflection for the first time since he had woken up in this new life. The face that stared back at him was unfamiliar—sharp features, dark hair that fell messily around his face, and eyes that held a hardness that spoke of a difficult life. His body was lean, his muscles defined but not bulky, his skin marked with scars that hinted at battles fought and survived.
He turned away from the mirror, his gaze falling on the clothes laid out for him. They were simple but clean, far better than the rags he had been wearing. He changed quickly, the fabric soft against his skin. Once dressed, he moved back to the bed, picking up the bread and bowl. The food was warm, and he ate eagerly, the flavors rich and comforting.
As he finished eating, the door to the room opened, and Ethan looked up, his eyes narrowing as a man stepped inside. The man was dressed in fine clothing, his nose wrinkling in disdain as he looked at Ethan. Lady Elara followed closely behind the man, her eyes sharp as she observed the scene.
Arnold, the servant, spoke, "So, you're awake," the man said, his tone dripping with contempt. He looked Ethan up and down, his lip curling. "You should be grateful. The young mistress was kind enough to heal you, clothe you, and feed you. A peasant like you doesn't deserve such generosity."
Lady Elara entered the room just as the man spoke, her expression darkening at his words. Without hesitation, she smacked him on the back of the head.
"Arnold!" she snapped, her eyes blazing. "Just because someone is less fortunate does not make them any less of a human being." Arnold winced at the reprimand, his face flushing with embarrassment.
"I apologize, my lady," Arnold said, his voice low. Lady Elara's eyes narrowed.
"I'm not the one you should be apologizing to," she said, nodding towards Ethan. Arnold's jaw tightened, and he turned towards Ethan, his eyes still holding a hint of contempt and disgust.
"I'm... sorry," Arnold muttered, his words forced and insincere.
Lady Elara sighed, her gaze still sharp. "Leave us, Arnold," she commanded.
Arnold bowed stiffly and left the room, the door closing behind him.
Ethan looked at Lady Elara, about to express his gratitude, but she held up a hand to stop him.
"No need for thanks," she said, her voice softening. "I'm the one who hit you, and I apologize for Arnold's behavior."
Ethan nodded, appreciating her words. Lady Elara studied him for a moment, then spoke again.
"One more thing," she said, reaching into a small pouch at her waist. She pulled out several coins and handed them to Ethan. "Five silver coins. Consider it an apology for Arnold's behavior," she said.
Ethan accepted the money, nodding in gratitude. "Thank you."
Lady Elara then continued, "I also wanted to offer you a position here as a servant. It would provide you with a stable income—four silver a week. It's not much, but it would be consistent work."
Ethan shook his head, a determined look on his face. "I appreciate the offer, but I have my mind set on becoming an adventurer," he said firmly.
Lady Elara frowned slightly, a hint of worry crossing her features. "I understand, but the life of an adventurer is dangerous, especially for someone without much experience. Come with me," she said, gesturing for him to follow.
Ethan got up and followed Lady Elara as she led him through the mansion. The mansion was grand, far more opulent than anything Ethan had ever seen. The floors were polished marble, and the walls were adorned with tapestries depicting various scenes—battlefields, royal gatherings, and vast landscapes. Chandeliers hung from the ceiling, their crystals sparkling in the sunlight streaming in through large windows. Servants moved about quietly, tending to their duties, while guards stood at attention at various points along the halls.
Lady Elara led him out of the main building and into the courtyard. The courtyard was expansive, with a well-tended garden full of vibrant flowers, a small fountain in the center, and stone pathways that crisscrossed the grounds. She led him along one of the paths until they reached a small shed tucked away in a corner of the courtyard.
The shed was unassuming, its wooden exterior weathered and worn. Lady Elara opened the door and gestured for Ethan to enter. Inside, the shed was larger than it appeared from the outside. Weapons of all kinds were mounted on the walls— swords, daggers, spears, bows, and more. They all looked worn, their blades nicked and handles scuffed from years of use.
"These are weapons used for training," Lady Elara explained. "You're planning to join the Adventurer's Guild, so you'll need something to defend yourself with. You may choose any of these." She watched as Ethan stepped forward, his eyes scanning the array of weapons.
Ethan's gaze landed on a pair of daggers. They were simple, with slightly curved blades and worn leather-wrapped handles. He picked them up, testing their weight in his hands. They felt right—light enough for him to move quickly, but sturdy enough to do damage.
He continued to look around and noticed a dented chest plate hanging on a hook. It was old, with scratches and dents covering its surface, but it looked serviceable. There was a full set of armor nearby, but Ethan decided against it. He needed to stay agile, and a full set would only slow him down. He took the chest plate instead.
Lady Elara nodded approvingly. "Good choices," she said. "These weapons may not be in the best condition, but they will serve you well for now." She stepped outside and called for one of the servants. "Prepare a carriage to take Ethan to the Adventurer's Guild," she ordered.