The streets of Vastor had always been bustling, a city of constant movement, where the scent of fresh bread mixed with the earthy tang of the river and the distant hum of voices. Riku had walked these streets countless times, his steps hurried, his gaze set straight ahead, always with a purpose, always on the lookout for the next piece of power, the next teacher, the next fight that would lead him to the strength he so desperately sought. But today, everything felt different.
He stepped out of the library, the heavy wooden door closing softly behind him. The air was warmer than usual, the sun hanging lazily in the sky, casting long shadows over the cobbled streets. The words from the book—Strength is not what you hold, but what you carry within—echoed in his mind, repeating over and over, as if the universe itself was trying to tell him something.
He paused for a moment, closing his eyes, taking a deep breath. The weight of his previous thoughts—the pressure to become stronger, the constant pursuit of power—seemed to lift from his chest. For so long, he had been searching for something outside of himself. A new technique, a teacher who could show him the way, an artifact that would unlock his true potential. But what if the answer wasn’t out there at all? What if the strength he needed was already inside him?
Riku shook his head. It wasn’t an easy realization. He had built his entire identity around the idea that strength came from mastering external forces. He had believed that to be powerful, he had to constantly be in motion, always striving, always pushing forward, never stopping. But now, it felt like the world around him was pausing, waiting for him to understand. The path ahead was clear, but only because he had the power to decide which direction to take.
The people around him didn’t notice his internal struggle. They were too busy with their lives. The merchant by the corner was calling out prices for his wares, the children played with a ball in the street, and a group of adventurers walked past, laughing and discussing a recent job. But for Riku, it was all just background noise. Everything had taken on a different tone, as if the city itself was holding its breath, waiting for him to make his next move.
What now?
The question was simple but profound. What was the next step? Where did he go from here? There were still so many unknowns. His past was filled with uncertainty, but now the future felt like a blank canvas, one that he could paint with his own choices.
He turned his gaze down the street toward the Adventurer’s Guild, its towering stone walls standing out against the softer skyline of Vastor. He had passed by it countless times before, but today, it beckoned to him. Not with the urgency of a quest or the promise of a challenge, but with the quiet pull of something deeper, something personal. This was a place where people gathered not just to find fame and fortune, but to test themselves, to find out who they truly were.
Riku had never been inside before. He had heard the stories—the legendary adventurers who had carved their names into history with their quests, the whispers of powerful items and rare contracts. But Riku had never felt the need to join them. He had always believed that to become truly strong, he needed to stand apart, to forge his own path without relying on others. But today was different. Today, he felt drawn to the guild, not as a means to an end, but as a place to explore, to learn, and maybe—just maybe—to find his purpose.
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He walked slowly, each step deliberate, as if testing the ground beneath him. The heavy door to the guild loomed ahead, but instead of feeling the usual rush of anticipation, Riku felt a quiet sense of calm. He wasn’t rushing to prove anything to anyone. He wasn’t seeking power or validation. He was simply… curious. What was the next chapter in his journey?
The door opened with a soft creak as Riku pushed it open, stepping into the cool interior of the guild. The room was large, filled with wooden tables and chairs, and the low murmur of conversation filled the air. Adventurers of all kinds sat at the tables, some looking over maps, others discussing recent quests or laughing at jokes shared between friends. The atmosphere was lively, but not chaotic. There was an underlying sense of camaraderie here, of people who had chosen the same path, who had decided to take risks together and face whatever the world threw at them.
At the far end of the room, a tall woman with silver hair and sharp eyes sat behind a wooden counter. She was looking over a pile of contracts, her eyes scanning each one with practiced ease. A group of adventurers stood near her, waiting their turn. The woman glanced up as Riku entered, her gaze briefly flickering over him before she returned to her work.
Riku hesitated for a moment, unsure of what to do next. He wasn’t here for a contract. He wasn’t here to join an expedition. He was here for something else, something he couldn’t quite put into words yet. As he stood in the doorway, he realized that for the first time in a long while, he wasn’t sure of his next move. And that was… okay.
Before he could decide whether to leave or step further inside, a voice called out from across the room.
“Well, well. A new face.”
Riku turned to find a man standing by the bar, a glass of water in his hand and a curious look in his eyes. He was tall, with dark hair and a strong build, his clothes well-worn from years of travel. His gaze was assessing, but not unkind. He was the sort of person who could read you in an instant, who had seen enough of the world to know when someone was searching for something—whether they knew it or not.
“Never seen you around before,” the man continued, setting his glass down on the counter. “You planning to join the guild or just here to watch?”
Riku thought about his answer. For a moment, he considered lying, giving the usual response—a mission, a challenge, something to prove. But instead, he found himself speaking the truth.
“I’m just here to look,” Riku said. “I’m not sure what I’m looking for yet, though.”
The man raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Looking for something, huh? A lot of people come through here thinking they know what they want. But they don’t always find it.”
Riku nodded, the words resonating with him. He had always thought he knew what he wanted—to become stronger, to be someone who mattered. But now… now, that didn’t seem like enough anymore. Strength wasn’t just about physical power. It wasn’t even about fame or recognition. It was about understanding who you were, what you stood for, and how you chose to move forward. And right now, Riku wasn’t sure what any of that meant for him.
The man studied Riku for a moment, as if weighing his words. “Well, if you’re just looking to find your feet, this place might be a good start. You might not find what you expect, but you’ll find something. And sometimes that’s enough.”
Riku didn’t respond immediately. He wasn’t sure how to. The man’s words had struck a chord, but Riku wasn’t ready to act on them just yet. He needed more time, more reflection. The choice was his to make, but it wasn’t going to happen in an instant. He needed to let it all settle within him first.
“Thanks,” Riku finally said, giving the man a small nod before turning toward the back of the room. He wasn’t ready to commit to anything, but being here, surrounded by people who had made their own choices, had given him something important. A sense of possibility. And that, he realized, was a good place to start.