My hands traced the cave walls, limping towards the far end of the cave, I clenched my teeth resisting the urge to close my eyes. Momentarily, I plopped down to the ground as the rubble poked into my skin, my hands dug around searching for the loaf of bread I kept inside my bag. Grabbing it, I bit a portion into my mouth, chewing with the little strength I had left. The tasteless pastry gradually sweetened. 

“Hah, that was too hard.” I mumbled. The world quietly darkened, memories began flashing to the start of the day, while a wave of relief poured on me…  

The golden rays slowly crawled its way into the bedroom filling up every nook and cranny. Heavy footsteps starting to multiply, cheerful conversations getting louder and the metallic doorbell chiming every other second. There was a line quickly formed in front of the food counter, seats were quickly taken up as the atmosphere began to look more lively indicating another day of business at Crimson Inn. The Crimson Inn never had a shortage of customers, the food and beverages were great and customers never felt like they were ripped off. Moreover, the air smelt fresh, and the interior was always cleaned. 

“Urgh!” I grimaced. The dampness on my back, the stiffness in my neck and the soreness on my shoulders. Irritating me out of my slumber complaining, “Why are mornings this loud.”

Adjusting myself to a sitting position, the wooden bedframe creaked piercing my ears like daggers. My eyes flickered around while stretching and taking in my new surroundings again. A place I found myself lodging last evening because of the cheaper rates while having good quality. A tiny room with a single wardrobe, tiny coffee table, chair and a simple bed. 

Having been brought up as a commoner, I was well fed and had basic education. However, today I was alone. My eyes locked onto an old picture frame on the table where my family was. A dream flashed in my mind during my younger days wanting to adventure the world. After turning 18, steeling myself to face the unknown, I set off towards Red City, where many adventurers reside.

Trudging into the shower, a refreshing cooling sensation enveloped me as water poured from above. Before long, I dried myself down and wore the set of armour, found in my wardrobe, that was handed down from my father since his adventuring days. The drab armour was made out of dried leather sewn together with a few metal plates at vital locations, A few cuts and burn marks indicating the amount of battles it had gone through.

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His short sword, kept in a sheath, was the other item he had given me, which still had a slight shine to it. A sense of adrenaline rushed through my veins, having only swung a wooden sword my entire life, now drawing a real one, a smile crept through my face. I can’t wait to use this, I thought impatiently. My hands trembled, lost in the moment, before storing it away. Before leaving the room, I swung my bag onto my shoulders which contained a waterskin and a loaf of bread.

Locking the doors of my room, I walked down the hallway making my way to the first floor. The noises started to get louder as I navigated myself to the end of the queue.

“Good morning, can I get you breakfast?” The innkeeper smiled, noticing me in front of the food counter, and offered me a plate of eggs, beans and sausages. 

“Thanks.” I accepted her kind gesture with a quick nod and sat down quietly at an empty table. 

The inn keeper had long brown hair, round eyes, about a head shorter than me. She wore an black apron over her clothes, her hair tied up in a ponytail and a necklace laid around her neck. She had been smiling the entire time, happily replying to anyone who striked a conversation with her as she delivered beverages to their tables. Her demeanour certainly elevated the Inn’s atmosphere, giving first time customers a reason to visit again.

I held my utensils, slicing up my food into bite-sized portions. After stabbing a piece, I brought it into my mouth, savouring each bite. It was so delicious that it melted into my mouth as many more kept entering. Meanwhile conversations around me became clearer. 

“How’d your adventure go?”, “Hey just tag along dude…”.

I curiously glanced around, guessing most of the diners here are adventurers who piqued my interest, their aura, attire, and the weapons they carry. Although their equipment may look brand new, the deep scars that were left on their well toned body lingered displaying a veteran with years of adventuring.

“Hey what’re you staring at!” A bald headed man with a scar down his right eye jeered at me. Grasping the situation, I quickly held my head low refocusing my attention on my plate, not wanting to anger him further as his companions calmed him down.

A moment later, with my stomach filled. Pushing the doors open, I left Crimson Inn. The streets were filled with pedestrians, occasionally a carriage would pass along the roads. I leisured towards the adventurers' guild. Red City had everything a traveller needed, including blacksmiths, alchemy stores, and markets. It became a popular rest stop for adventurers to stock up on goods and repair their equipment.

After turning a few corners, a marble building towered in front of me. this must be it I wondered. Countless adventurers and the like were coming in and out of the grand building. Taking in a breath of fresh air, I straightened my armour. The marble stairs as the entrance grew closer with every step, I readied myself inwardly, praying not to crumble in nervousness.