While Travis ate, the low hum of chatter filled the tavern. A pair of voices behind him caught his attention. He elevated his hearing—a trick he had mastered over time—and focused on their conversation. The tone was casual but carried a weight of unease. He glanced over his shoulder briefly and confirmed his guess—the two speakers were adventurers, judging by their rugged leather armor and weapons strapped to their sides. He leaned back slightly, careful not to draw attention.

"Man, I heard they found another dead body in the Dungeon today," one of them said, his voice rough and tired. "How many does that make this week again?"

"Ten, if I’m not mistaken," the other replied, shaking his head. "When will people understand that the lower levels aren’t a joke? You get rushed by twenty High Goblins, and that’s it. Game over."

"Most of the groups that go down there have no clue how to fight as a team," the first adventurer said with a scoff. "They don’t train, don’t plan. They just rush in, thinking they’re invincible. That’s what gets them killed. But us?" He chuckled. "We stick to the first few doors. Play it safe, keep our heads down, and we’ll be fine."

Travis silently absorbed every word. He kept his gaze on his plate but let his thoughts churn.

'So that massive mountain looming behind this town is a Dungeon...' He pieced it together quickly.

'I’ve read bits and pieces about Dungeons, but this is the first time I’ve seen one. Seems like a death trap for the reckless. Good thing I have no plans to step inside anytime soon,' he thought.

Finishing his meal, he pushed the plate aside and stood, stretching slightly before heading upstairs. The inn’s modest room greeted him with a creak of the floorboards. He stripped off his travel-worn clothes and drew a bath, the warm water soothing the tension in his muscles. As he leaned back against the tub, he let the day’s events replay in his mind.

Tomorrow’s a new day, he reminded himself. Finish the jobs, apply for a rank promotion, and keep moving forward.

Drying off, he climbed into bed, letting the comfort of the sheets lull him to sleep. The muffled sound of the tavern below faded, replaced by silence and the distant howl of the wind. Tomorrow would bring new challenges, but for now, rest was all he needed.

---

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

[The next day.]

Travis awoke before dawn, the room faintly lit by the soft glow of the early morning sky. Stretching off the lingering stiffness of sleep, he moved with precision, checking his gear meticulously. His gloves were snug, his boots well-laced, and his sword securely fastened at his side. Once satisfied, he donned his cloak and made his way downstairs. The tavern was silent, its usual patrons still lost in slumber.

The crisp morning air greeted him as he stepped outside. The town was just beginning to stir, and the cobblestone streets were bathed in a cool mist. He made his way to the Guild, where the doors had only just been unlocked. Inside, the quiet atmosphere matched the early hour, with only a single clerk at the desk, already busy arranging papers.

Without hesitation, Travis approached and scanned the job board. He picked his next task—a simple errand to retrieve an item from someone in town and deliver it back to the Guild. It was straightforward enough, and within minutes, he completed the job and collected his payment.

The final task was equally simple: helping an elderly woman carry her belongings across town. Travis located her and efficiently loaded her items onto a cart. With steady strides and polite conversation, he escorted her to her destination, finishing the task in less than ten minutes. She thanked him profusely, and Travis, always courteous, gave her a nod before returning to the Guild to receive his reward.

'Well, time to apply for a promotion,' he thought, the faintest hint of a grin on his lips.

Approaching the clerk, he spoke confidently, "Hello, I’d like to register for a rank promotion."

The clerk glanced up and nodded, sliding a form across the counter. "Please fill this out with your name and details."

Travis quickly completed the form and handed it back. The clerk reviewed it, gave an approving nod, and disappeared into the back. Moments stretched into minutes before the clerk returned, accompanied by another Guild worker.

"Follow this person," the clerk instructed. "They’ll oversee your test."

Travis followed the worker through the Guild and out into the open, his curiosity piqued when they exited the town entirely. The worker stopped in a grassy clearing just beyond the outskirts and handed Travis a paper with a rough sketch of a plant.

"You are to find and bring back this plant within five hours," the worker explained. "Failure to do so will result in disqualification from the promotion test."

Travis studied the paper carefully, recognizing the plant almost immediately. A small smile tugged at his lips as he nodded confidently.

"Begin!" the worker announced, counting down.

Before the man could process the starting command, Travis had vanished, leaving nothing but a faint gust of wind in his wake.

The worker blinked in disbelief, scanning the area. "Where did he go?"

Deep in the forest, Travis navigated with ease, sprinting toward a specific area he’d remembered from a previous exploration. The plant grew in clusters near the entrance of a small cave he had stumbled upon days before. His sharp memory and remarkable speed brought him there within a minute.

Spotting the plants, he wasted no time, carefully gathering several samples. Satisfied, he turned and dashed back toward the clearing.

In mere moments, Travis reappeared in front of the worker, the sudden force of his arrival creating a gust of wind that knocked the man backward.

"Sorry about that," Travis said with an awkward smile, extending the plants toward the worker.

The man scrambled to his feet, brushing off the dirt and inspecting the plants. After confirming their authenticity, he ticked the completion box on his clipboard, his expression a mix of astonishment and confusion.

"Test complete," the worker said, still eyeing Travis suspiciously. 'How is a D-rank this fast?' he wondered but chose not to voice the question.

Travis simply nodded, his smile growing as he awaited the next step in his promotion process.

It was now time for his next test, which was similar to the one he took before—a Magic and Physical Test.

TO BE CONTINUED