Chapter 14 "The Path to Adventure"

The street pulsed with life—bright fabrics hung from vendor stalls, the sharp scent of grilled meat mixed with the sweetness of ripe fruit, and the rhythmic clatter of carts on cobblestones filled the air. Vendors shouted over one another, waving their goods at passing customers. Children darted between legs, laughing as they weaved through the crowd, only to be called back by watchful sellers.

Caelan carefully navigated the bustling street, Jason, Niro, and Van trailing behind him. The Northwest District was as lively as ever, just like the day before. They were heading toward the Willow Guild for the final step of their adventurer registration.

“We’re almost there! I’m so excited!” Van grinned, practically bouncing with every step.

Jason adjusted the strap of his bag, his eyes flickering nervously across the crowd. “I’m nervous.”

“But the beautiful elf receptionist said we don’t have anything to worry about,” Niro added, a confident smirk playing on his lips.

Van ducked beneath a hanging basket of apples, narrowly avoiding bumping into it. "What exactly is this seminar about? They didn’t explain much when we signed up."

Caelan sidestepped a cart piled high with crates. "I think it’s about the basics of the guild—missions, ranks, and maybe tips for beginner adventurers. How to manage resources, what to do during emergencies… things like that."

Niro gave a firm nod. "Sounds useful. We need this if we want to survive out there."

Van rolled his eyes. "Survive? You’re so dramatic, Niro. I bet it’s just boring lectures and paperwork."

Jason brushed shoulders with a passing merchant and instinctively checked his pouch. “Actually, I hope they explain the mission ranking system. I don’t want to accidentally take on something way too hard for us.”

Niro nudged Van with his elbow. “Relax, Jason. That’s what the seminar is for—so we don’t make mistakes. Plus, it’s a chance to meet other adventurers. Who knows? We might learn something from the veterans.”

Caelan sighed, weaving through the crowd ahead of them. He wasn’t sure if Van’s carefree attitude or Jason’s constant worrying would be more of a problem in the future, but for now, they had to stay focused. "Let’s just pay attention and learn what we can. The faster we adapt, the better our chances."

Van stretched his arms behind his head. “But if it gets too boring, don’t blame me if I fall asleep.”

Niro shot him a sideways glance. "Don’t even think about it. You need to show that you’re willing to learn. Or have you forgotten? We’re not full-fledged adventurers yet."

“Ugh, fine. I’ll behave,” Van groaned, shoving his hands in his pockets.

--------

As they entered the guild, Caelan immediately noticed it was busier than yesterday. A dwarf sat in the far corner, deep in conversation with a large, bald man. I couldn’t help but notice the variety of non-human members in the guild.

We approached the reception desk, where the familiar elf receptionist greeted us with a warm smile.

"Good morning. We're from yesterday. We're here for the seminar," I said.

"Good morning, and welcome back to Willow Adventurer Guild," she replied cheerfully. "I'll take you to the seminar hall now."

She led us up the stairs to the second floor. The seminar room was spacious, simple, and without any decorations. Rows of polished wooden desks curved slightly, facing a small stage in the center. The room’s plain, practical design reminded me of lecture halls back on Earth, stirring a faint nostalgia I hadn't felt in a long time.

"My life has come so far," I thought, brushing off the feeling.

There were already people seated, their chairs forming neat rows.

"You can sit anywhere you like. The seminar will start once the guild president arrives," the elf receptionist informed us before departing.

We chose seats near the back. As I glanced around, I noticed the mix of people filling the room. Most, like us, seemed to be from the countryside—faces set with determination, likely here to try their luck at a new life. A cheerful young man with short blond hair and a bright smile stood out among the crowd.

Nearby, a serious-looking man with short grayish-white hair and sharp features sat quietly.

But the most eye-catching was an elf with long red-and-green hair and piercing green eyes. His slender frame and striking appearance made him impossible to miss.

Jason, Niro, Van, and I sat together on a wooden chair.

The hall wasn’t crowded, but many seats were filled with young adventurers. Some whispered quietly, while others waited in silence, eyes fixed on the front.

Van leaned his elbows on the table, grinning. “Look at the guy by the window. His foot hasn’t stopped tapping. Definitely nervous.”

Jason smirked, glancing over. "Feels familiar... like someone who's never been far from home. You can tell by the way they look around."

Niro crossed his arms, eyes narrowing toward a group near the front. “That one’s too clean. Not a wrinkle on him. Probably from a merchant family.”

Caelan’s gaze lingered on the seminar room door, his thoughts distant while Van and the others chatted beside him

Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.

“Check out that elf,” Van whispered, nodding toward a nearby seat.

Jason chuckled. “Yeah, hard to miss.”

Niro gave a subtle nod in agreement.

Despite the calm, the room felt tense—like the moments before a hunt. Caelan could feel the weight of unspoken competition as adventurers sized each other up.

The door creaked open. A slim young man with red hair stepped inside, his maroon coat and ribboned tie suggesting wealth and status. His sharp eyes swept across the room.

“Alright, settle down. We’re starting now,” he announced, his voice calm yet firm.

Van stretched lazily. “Here we go. Let’s see who ranks up first.”

Caelan gave a faint smile but remained silent. Surviving mattered more to him than climbing the ranks.

The red-haired official glanced toward the door as it opened again. A bald, mustached man in a brown overcoat entered, his presence dignified. Behind him followed a broad-shouldered adventurer clad in silver armor. His green hair was tied back, and a red cloth wrapped around his forehead. A heavy axe rested at his side.

The older man stepped forward. “Good day, everyone. I am Sylvester, president of the Willow Adventurer Guild. You are here for the final step in becoming adventurers. This seminar is crucial. Listen well.”

With a brief nod, he gestured to the armored man before leaving.

The adventurer stepped forward, his gaze steady. “Good day. I’m Aran, B-rank adventurer. I’ve been at this for five years, and I’m here to explain the rules.”

He let the room settle before speaking.

“First rule—prioritize your life above all else. The mission matters, but not more than your survival.” His eyes narrowed. “No job is worth dying for.”

Aran leaned forward slightly. “We watch out for each other at Willow Guild. If a fellow adventurer’s in trouble, lend a hand—but not at the cost of your party. Save who you can, but never gamble with your team’s lives.”

Caelan listened intently as Aran raised a hand.

“There are three things every adventurer needs to live by."

He lifted a finger. “First—know your limits. Only by understanding where you stand can you begin to grow and push past them, but also know when to retreat or when to stop before it's too late."

A second finger followed. “Second—don’t trust luck. It runs out. Skill, preparation, and caution will keep you alive.”

The third finger rose. “Third—respect the job. When you take a mission, you carry someone’s trust. Treat every job like it matters—because it does.”

Aran rested his hand on the counter. “Follow those three, and you’ll last longer than most.”

His eyes drifted to a scar tracing along his arm.

“Each of you has your reasons for being here. Some chase coin, others recognition. Some just crave the thrill.” His gaze swept over the room.

“If you choose this path, remember—adventuring isn’t about glory. It’s about knowing when to fight… and when to walk away.”

After Aran the adventurer finished his explanation, a guild staff member stepped forward, clearing his throat. "The adventurer ranking system is simple," he began. "Ranks go from S to F—S being the highest, F the lowest. To climb ranks, you’ll need to complete increasingly difficult missions. For example, finishing a Class B mission could bump you from C to B. Naturally, higher-risk missions pay more."

He scanned the room, his gaze lingering on the eager faces of new recruits. "Since many of you are just starting out, I imagine not all of you have weapons or armor yet. Your survival may depend on what you carry."

The staff's expression softened slightly. "To help, the Willow Guild offers weapons you can purchase over time—think of it as an investment in your future. Follow me."

The staff member led us out of the seminar room and across the hall. He pushed open a heavy wooden door, revealing a chamber bathed in soft light.

We stepped inside one by one. The air smelled faintly of oiled steel and aged leather. Rows of swords, axes, and polearms gleamed under the glow of lanterns, meticulously arranged on the walls. Full suits of armor stood on either side of a stone archway at the back, their polished plates reflecting the flickering light. Above the arch, decorative blades spread like the rays of a sunburst.

To the left, smaller weapons—daggers, knives, and bucklers—rested in neat rows, while long swords and halberds lined the opposite wall. Beneath them, cabinets and drawers suggested an arsenal far larger than what was visible. Bows leaned carefully on racks beside bundles of arrows.

A low whistle escaped from one of the recruits behind me. "This is… impressive."

The guild staff smiled faintly. "Take your time. Choose carefully. Your weapon may save your life one day."

Van let out a low whistle, stepping in first. His eyes flickered from one weapon to another, unable to settle.

"This is… insane," he breathed.

Jason followed closely, running his hand over the hilt of a sword.

"I didn’t think the guild would have this much gear," he said, awe lacing his voice. "I figured they’d toss us whatever scraps were lying around."

Niro had already drifted to the bow section, his fingers grazing the sleek wooden frames.

"Look at these," he called out, barely concealing his excitement. "These aren’t just for show, right?"

The staff member smirked.

"They’re real. Guild-issued and ready for use." He stepped forward, crossing his arms. "Pick whatever feels right. This gear might save your life one day."

Jason’s eyes immediately locked onto a massive sword resting against the far wall. With both hands, he lifted it, the blade humming softly as he swung it in a wide arc.

"I’ll take this one," he declared, clearly satisfied with the weight and balance.

Van bypassed the swords entirely, moving to a row of spears. He grabbed one, twirling it skillfully.

"This is more my speed," he grinned, resting the shaft on his shoulder.

Niro had already made his choice. He held up a black recurve bow, plucking the string to test its tension.

"Light but sturdy," he muttered, stepping back to admire it.

The guild staff nodded approvingly.

"Good choices. Now you just need to prove you can handle them."

Van flashed a grin.

"Oh, we will."

The staff explained that the weapons’ costs would be deducted from our earnings over time, easing the burden for new adventurers. Jason, Van, and Niro eagerly agreed to the terms since none of them owned gear. I, however, still had the sword Vlad gifted me back in the village. I wasn’t planning to take on dangerous missions right away, so I don't think I need an armor so I declined the offer for now.

Once the seminar wrapped up, we returned to the reception hall. One by one, the receptionist handed us our guild badges.

"Congratulations! You are now officially an adventurers of the Willow Guild."

The small metal badges were engraved with a tree emblem—simple yet weighty in my palm. I turned mine over, tracing the design with my thumb. Somehow, holding it made everything feel more real.

"Each of you will be assigned a guild advisor," the receptionist continued. "They’ll offer guidance, support, and advice as you begin your journey."

The elf receptionist who assisted us during registration stepped forward, her sharp emerald eyes scanning our group with quiet confidence. Her short, layered pink hair framed her fair face, and the faint glimmer of a guild emblem rested on the collar of her crisp uniform.

"I'll be your advisor. My name is Ellewyna; you can call me Elle," she said, her tone calm yet firm.

Jason’s face lit up with excitement, his grin stretching ear to ear.

"This is the start!" he laughed, punching the air.

Van chuckled and slung an arm around Jason’s shoulder.

"Let’s celebrate tonight!"

Jimmy, who had been leaning casually against the counter, finally spoke. His voice was low but cheerful.

"How about getting food from a restaurant and bringing it back to the inn? We can eat and relax at the same time."

I nodded, appreciating the idea.

"Sounds good. Let’s go."

As we stepped out of the guild, the sun dipped below the rooftops, casting long shadows across the cobbled streets. The sky blazed with hues of gold and orange, wrapping Liras City in the warm glow of twilight. The bustling noise of merchants and travelers softened, leaving behind a quiet hum that resonated with the sense of accomplishment we all shared.

These were our first steps as adventurers, and the road ahead felt wide open.