The adventurer guild is always busy regardless of time of the day. Adventurers bustling about with their gear which quality corresponds with their rank.

When one enters the guild they can spot groups of people clumped together. Mostly adventurers with almost no similarities to see.

In fact when the door swung open. Another figure entered that appeared out of place in this place that reeks of sweat, metal and the suspicious smell coming out of bottles on the table.

"Here.. "

The figure who entered is a kid, in a sense. His height is a number of heads smaller than most of everyone in the room.

On him was a drape-like clothing tattered and oversized covering his upper body.

A small short sword, chipped to it's thin metal, hanged from his waist.

"Here... I've done my quest."

He handed a bag to the receptionist, who looked at him with either disgust or pity. Possibly both.

Some of the adults followed him with their eyes. Some payed little to no attention.

"Kid."

One the men from a table nearby called to him.

"How that job goin' for you?"

A man approached the kid. His leather-reinforced chainmail is a tad better than what the kid is wearing. He looms over the kid with his tall six foot self.

"Why do you care... "

The kid avoided eye contact. Standing quietly in place.

"Tsk."

The man went back to his group. Looking pissed.

Kid heaved a sigh and hurriedly turned to leave after receiving his reward from the counter.

"Kid, why don't you just quit this line of work? You'd get into grave danger sooner or later."

The receptionist spoke to him.

He was a compassionate guy. Cheerful and friendly to every adventurer in the guild. But with kid he has conflicting eyes.

"It bothers you none."

Kid head to the door. Reached for the handle when it swung open, hitting him square in the face.

A girl appeared from the open doors.

A wide, confident grin on her face. It took a moment for her to notice the kid sprawled out at beneath her feet.

"Ah! My apologies! Did i hit you with the door?! I did, didn't i? I'm shorry! Let me help you."

She hurried to the kid's side and pulled him up. Spouting words without pause.

"I'm very sorry! A-awaa, i didn't know there was someone behind the doors! I-I hope you can forgive me!"

The girl bowed in an hurried but elegant manner. Like she was thought to do so.

A noble.

Thought kid before taking a quick glance of her outfit. Plate-mail embedded with precious jewels and a fancy skirt that went down to her leather boots. The sword on her hip certainly looks expensive too.

"I'm... Busy..."

Kid pushed through her and exited the guild in a rush.

"H-How rude... i just want... to apologize..."

"Don't feel down little miss. He's like that to everyone."

The tall man from earlier approached her. He was twice as tall as her but on his face hangs a wide smile.

"It's... kind of my fault too... "

Freia sol Vorhearth. Third daughter of the Vorhearth family. She was supposed to be married off to a Baron's household if not for her mother's interference.

The lady herself decided that she wanted to live independently. Free from the shackles of nobility.

Her mother and the head-maid arranged for high quality equipment for her. Her armor once belonged to a knight of the capital while her sword was a low valued heirloom of their house.

Be as it may. For her, it will be a tool to pave her way through the ideal life she wanted.

"Umm... Can i take my first quest now?"

But for now. She start at the bottom.

"Ah! yes missy, for your rank of Pearl you can choose from three kinds of different quests. Feel free to look through the choices."

The man behind the counter. The Receptionist, handed her a parchment  containing detailed listing and information of quests ranking iron and below.

Most of them are herb or ingredient gathering or hunting small critters. But one particular quest caught her curious eye.

"What is this 'Danger level B - Light'?"

The receptionist raised an eyebrow from her question.

'It wasn't supposed to be there.'

"Ah those! Danger levels are the guild's way of measuring the threat of creatures that the adventurers are facing against."

Freia's eyes lit up like she wants to hear more.

"Level B - Light means that it can be taken up by higher gold ranks or lower mithril ranks which is one rank above that."

'The missy has admirable enthusiasm.'

The receptionist liked to give an in-depth explanation of the power rankings of the guild but the day is reaching it's peak.

Soon the guild will be filled with people posting their quests and adventurers accepting them. 

"I'm sure you'd like to know more but i'd cut it short. Your rank is at the lowest for now, which is Pearl. Next to pearl is Iron, Gold, Mithril, Platinum, Titanium and Diamante."

"You can pick any quest from Pearl rank to Iron-light, except the one with the danger level. Understood?"

Freia nodded to show she understood but inside she wanted to learn more about said adventurer things.

"Umm... This."

"Oh! Gathering of Paxfire flowers. You can find those growing east from the Forest of vine. Be wary though. Only wander near the entrance and not venture too deeply."

Forest of vine. A lush forestation and flat of woodlands stretching throughout even to the next cities.

"Hm. It's quite a dangerous place to be. Do you need bodyguards young miss? There's a number of evil-doers that might attack you there."

The bulky man beside her spoke with genuine concern in his voice. She's glad that there's kind hearted people here.

"I am grateful. But... I need to be independent and make my first step towards my new destiny!"

The bulky man and his friends are wide-eyed. Some of them are tearing up. Cheers and voices of 'Such passion!'. They were all rooting for this new sprout.

"Oh! Can i ask a question?"

Freia turned to the receptionist.

"Oh what is it missy?"

"Can i ask what rank is that kid from earlier? I noticed that there's few adventurers of my age."

The people around her grew silent. Only the noise from people away from their group could be heard.

"Missy. That kid is Iron rank. Just above yours. But whatever you do.. never associate yourself with him."

"Yeah. It's for your own good."

The receptionist told, followed by the bulky man.

Their faces were so serious that she can only nod.

"Move along now missy. There's more to be done."

After that, Freia moved to gather the necessary equipment for her adventure.

Although said equipment only includes pouches made from leather and water canteen if she ever grew thirsty.

Fortunately, her mother gave her three pieces of gold coins. This should last her for a couple of months.

Now all she needed to do is begin her newly accepted quest.

"Just outside the gates is the Forest of vines... "

Freia gripped the sword given to her.

She passed through the gates. Passing by a few carriages and wagons carrying large crates.

This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

After a quiet saunter down the stone paved road. Freia finally arrived at the entrance of the Forest of vine.

Since the sun is up high she can see a lot of people going in and out of the forest.

She needed to head east to find the place where paxfire flowers grows.

It is Freia's second time going through the woods. The first was when her father took her out for a walk when she was a child.

She missed the times when her father cared for her, But her sister's talents and excel in academics outshined her and she was left in a corner.

The sight of lush greenery and wilderness made for a beautiful scenery.

Freia heard of the dangers of beasts wandering around these parts.

Her ears caught noises of shrubs being disturbed. The young lady panicked. Thought that a beast might pounce at her.

She pulled out her sword with shaky fingers and took a stance taught by her house.

Her anxiety were misplaced when she saw what came out of the bushes.

A woodsland rabbit with snow white fur so charming that she wants to bring it home.

Freia heaved a sigh of relief. But that was short-lived since another figure appeared from the bushes.

A person four feet in height fell face down to the ground.

Freia wasn't given time to think. She immediately rushed to the person.

"A-Are you okay?!"

She tried to turn him over so the person is facing up.

What she saw is a face she met earlier this day. The kid from the guild is covered in bruises and a horrible gash is visible on his stomach.

She knew almost next to nothing about medicine but she understands that the kid is in grave danger.

"I'll help you! Please stay still!"

Grabbing her pouch. She pulled out a glass vial and removed the cork. Without hesitation she poured the contents of the vial on the gash on the kid's stomach as per the instructions of the lady from the store.

Although the vial costed fifteen silver coins which is a big cut on her budget. Her mind held no hesitation to use it to save this kid's life.

"Nnnn.... "

The kid's wound is starting to sizzle. The potion's effect is not astounding but it'll at the least keep him alive. Freia proceeded to wrap a bandage around his body. The skills taught by the head maid came in handy.

The kid's breathing became lax, allowing for Freia to wrap the final round of bandage around his body.

Only now, that her head is free of tension. Had Freia noticed the trail of blood from the bush the kid came out from.

The amount of blood makes one wonders how he did not die of blood loss.

"Nnn... ?? Wh- "

The kid aroused into consciousness moments later. Freia turned to him in a mixture of anxiety and excitement.

"Who?– Oh damn it all...."

Disappointment and resignation could be heard from his voice. He sounded so tired that Freia wondered if it's the potion's effect.

"A-Are you o-ok?"

Fiddling with her thumbs, Freia asked in a soft tone.

"You shouldn't have helped me."

The kid rose up in place and looked down on the sitting girl.

"What!? But y-you... you're dying!"

"It's none of your concern, right?"

The kid turned his back on her and kept his annoyed tone.

"I just c-can't l– "

"First rule of the Adventurers guild. Put your own life first, before anything else."

Torn bandages fell to the grass as the kid ripped off what covers his wound.

"If you can't follow that one simple rule–"

He threw the last of the bandage on the ground and faced Freia once more.

"You are not qualified to become an adventurer."

The wound that covered his chest earlier closed off a bit, leaving the scarred flesh. It seems the potion's effect is quite good.

"You used a high grade potion... I will need to pay you back– "

"NO!"

Freia stood up. She's a bit taller than kid but she stared directly into his eyes, as if they are equals.

"You don't need to pay me back! I helped you out of my own volition."

Freia hardened her will and spoke from the bottom of her heart 

"I can't leave you like that when i know i could do something to help! I don't care if you call me an idiot, i promised myself i would choose what i want to do!"

Freia's determination rooted from the swelled up longing for true independence. All her life she was being treated like a doll with how she should dress, up-make and act. She's followed the will of her house for as long as she can remember.

"Freia, do this! Do that! I'm sick of it! I want to be able to make my own decisions without anyone telling me otherwise!"

Freia's fuming face flushed in exhilaration. She paused to catch deep breaths. Next moment, rather instantaneously, she turned bashful and turned away from kid.

"I-im sorry i raised my voice... "

In fact it's the first time in her life that Freia raised her tone at someone. It made her feel bad and her heart pumped faster than normal.

"Mmm... I would like to apologise as well, I was too harsh. You did save my life and i am grateful."

Kid bowed towards Freia. His bow looks unpracticed since he rarely bow to someone else.

"Ah! N-no. It's only natural. Saving your life, i mean."

Freia twirled with her hair in an almost coquettish manner.

"Unfortunately i don't have the money or any items of value to pay for your potion."

Freia furiously shook her head 

"No, you don't have to pay for it! I said i did it on my own will, right?"

"It would leave a bad scar on my pride  if i don't repay a debt. I will pay you back sooner or later."

Freia felt bad to make kid pay for that potion. From his looks, he probably couldn't even pay for a proper meal.

"How about this? I'm actually on my first quest. I needed to find paxfire flowers in the east. I would need a strong bodyguard to guard me though, so nothing could disturb me."

Freia raised a finger to her lips, winked at kid to take a hint.

"Are you sure that's what you want? That potion is quite pricy... "

"Mmph! I'm a hundred percent sure!"

"Fine..."

Kid resigned to his fate while Freia plasters a wide smile on her face.

"Come to think of it... What's your name?"

"That... You need to find out yourself."

"Aww... Well my name is Freia sol Vorhearth, pleased to make your acquaintance."

Her pouting face induced a wry smile on kid but she regardless offered a handshake towards him.

"Kid. Pleased to work with you."

Both of them decided to rest a while before continuing on foot to the east, where the paxfire flowers are located.

Freia was carefree, often asking about the forest and it's inhabitants. Kid took extra precaution of his surrounding since he doesn't know when the creature that attacked him might return.

Freia asked about what attacked him. But he shot down the question by saying it's not of her concern.

Although reluctant, Freia dropped the subject and continued her stroll.

Kid was bombarded with questions pertaining to system of the adventurers guild. It should have been common sense to people but since she is new, it's plausible for her knowledge to be miniscule.

After answering what feels like a hundred questions, Freia's Q and A ended when they noticed they arrived at their destination.

"Thanks, umm.. kid! It's weird to call you that hehe. I had a lot of fun on the way here! I learned so much thanks to you!"

"Don't thank me. You'd learn those things from anyone."

Kid replied with yet another annoyed retort.

"Yeah. But still, i wanted to thank you!  You're knowledgeable and helpful to me, most people would probably find me annoying."

"But you ARE annoying."

Kid emphasized that one word. Freia gave a chuckle.

"Nonetheless, my debt has been repaid. No?"

"Mhm, it's paid!"

Kid turned, hurried off to a different direction.

"See you around!"

Even if he can't see it. Kid can imagine the figure of the girl waving her hands behind him.

He care so little about it. He just wanted to get as far away as possible. He can't risk the possible consequences of staying with her for longer.

Kid heaved a sigh when he was far enough.

His day went from shit to okay. But it can still go to worse if he stayed near that girl.

As if breaking his silent wishes. His ears were filled with a glass breaking scream.

"FUCK!'

Kid swore. The word that came out of his mouth doesn't match his 12-year-old demeanor.

He pushed off the ground and ran to full speeds. He became faster than a speeding horse but his heart pumped ten times faster than before. He's putting all strength into his heels.

He almost hit a branch or two on his way but evaded them with skillful movements.

When he arrived he saw the hateful figure of an enormous scorpion-like creature. Instead of a smooth carapace, what filled it's body is spike from head to tail. Brutal looking legs crawled and trampled on the trees.

A conspicuous mark on it's left side is it's most distinguishing feature.

It's done by kid's own blade. Which has lost it's sharpness and now chipped to it's thinnest metal.

Kid caught the figure of a girl, Freia. She is completely frozen in fear, with her sword dropped to the ground. A natural reaction when faced with a monster that brutally slaughtered high ranking mithril adventurers. An existence that no mere human could defeat.

Unfortunately, it seems the monster spotted Freia as well.

It began to shift with slow hulking movements. All of it's eleven eyes are focused on the girl frozen in pure terror.

"Don't you fucking dare!"

Kid accelerated forward, in hopes of saving the poor girl that can't even lift a muscle in front of her impending doom.

But life isn't as forgiving as he'd hope to be. The monster's tail twitched and shot towards Freia, contradicting the whole slow movement of the body it belongs to.

The stinger pierced through the girl's body, which was the size of a spear.

"Huh?– "

Freia just stood there with a dumbstruck expression, like she didn't understand what happened.

Sparks flew as kid's blade broke at the impact on the monster's hard carapace. Although it didn't feel a thing, it still pulled it's tail away. Seemingly bored of having it's prey easily dying.

"GOD FUCKING DAMN IT!!"

Kid screamed from the bottom of his lungs. His rage peaked and his fists clenching as he held the body of Freia who had a gaping hole in her stomach.

"U-ukh! K-ki! d..."

"Don't speak, you're dying."

Kid pulled out a small bag from his pocket and sprinkled the contents of it on the gaping hole on her body.

A faint glowing layer of thin energy covered the bare flesh of Freia.

"I should have done this the first time."

He gently laid Freia on the ground. Her breathing labored, she who is barely hanging to life from sheer will and the mysterious powder kid used.

Kid turned to face the monster, that is already starting to leave the area with gigantic steps.

There is no more prey to play with, the monster probably thought.

This angered kid and his eyes drowning in pure wrath and sorrow.

He clenched his fist and let it relax. He walked towards the monster with unhurried steps. With the monster's slow paced movements one could catch up with a saunter.

Kid stopped right in front of one of it's legs.

He dug his fingers into it's carapace and into it's skin. The natural shield of the monster that takes no scratch from swords and spears, penetrated by kid's arm.

In one smooth motion, Kid crushed the bones inside and pulled out a fragment. Length of a spear made from the very bones of the monster.

Even after that deed was done the monster didn't even flinch. Not surprising since times when it experienced pain could be counted in one hand.

"It fucking pisses me off."

With his heart pounding and pumping blood hundred times faster than a normal human's. Kid climbed it's 30 meter titan sized body.

It took some time to reach it's head, kid glared at the eleven eyes of the monster that seemed to stare off at empty space.

Rage fueled his body and he began to stab the bone-spear in his hand into the eyes. Ten, nine... six... four. Every eye destroyed made the monster howl in pain, enough to shake the forest.

Kid's figure could be compared to a beast, savage. stabbing, slashing, scraping the spear made from it's own bones into the monstrosity.

Kid's madness reached it's peak. He threw the spear and proceeded to rip the monster to shreds. With. His. Bare. Hands.

Howls of terror resounded through the forest that will leave countless people sleepless and tell stories of a horrible predator eating a giant. Knights from the capital will be dispatched to investigate at a later date.

"Huff... Huff... Fuu..."

What was left of the titanic monstrosity are the limbs and flesh oozing with pitch dark blood. The ground soaked, tainted with the color of the night.

One figure stood in the midst of this.

Kid's heavy breathing echoed in the area. Drenched in both blood and sweat, of his enemy and his. He decided to go back to the girl.

He felt his heart about to jump out of his chest, literally. He felt like he aged another ten years although he still look like a 12-year-old.

"This is why i hate using my power."

Kid's curses and complaints came with no response. While glaring at empty air, he found himself where he first left off.

The body of the girl Freia still remain on the ground unmoving. One would assume she is dead with a gaping hole in her stomach and zero response.

But her eyes are wide open. Her breathing still ragged and troubled, blood dripping from the sides of her mouth.

"Uf-! Y-yu c-came bkh-!"

"Don't strain yourself."

"Hehee-! Kufh! I'ts alright. I'll- Uf! Live."

Even in the face of death, this girl still holds so much determination. A thing that kid had drought of.

Kid smiled, it's a warm genuine smile. Although he himself is had sweat trickling down his face. He asked Freia a question.

"Hey, young lady. How old are you?"

His words contains warmth and kindness so much that his next actions contradicts it like heaven and hell.

"Uhk! O, i-im... Kuf!!"

Freia coughed up a string of blood as she finished her sentence. Mustering her will to say the word clearly.

"S..seventeen... "

With little remaining strength he has, Kid accumulated it in his right foot.

"Y-yu kno k- i like y- "

With her words, hesitation kicked in the last second that made kid miss his stomp painfully scraping the top of Freia's skull exposing a bit of her brain.

"A-AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!"

It didn't even kill her since the pixie dust keeps her from dying from physical wounds.

"NO! FUCK!"

What meant for a quick mercy of death turned to morbidly horrifying final moments of agonizing pain.

Kid finally squashed the head of the screeching Freia, finally freeing her from the pain. Not even the pixie dust could keep her alive if the whole head is destroyed.

"Rest in peace."

He grabbed a leather sack from his things then stuffed the remains of the-now-dead Freia into it. He diligently picked up the bits and pieces of her head, putting the rest in the sack.

He bent the sack to be more compact. Stopping himself from imagining the cruel position Freia's body is in takes more than half of his current focus.

Kid dragged his body with a heavy heart and feet.

He just hopes that The Haussmaster could bring Freia's body to her family in one piece.

–––––– E N D ––––––