Standing outside the Adventurer’s Guild after the meeting with the Guildmaster, Sigurd paused briefly. He clenched his fists a few times and sighed in relief.

“I thought I was in trouble there, for a moment,” he whispered to himself. “What an intimidating man. You can almost tell what kind of life he’d led.”

‘I’m so glad he didn’t pry as to my motivations!’ he further thought. ‘There’s no way I would’ve revealed how I spent so much money and why I even need it at all!’

Sigurd looked to the sky and stared at the calm passing clouds, steeling himself for what was to come. "I suppose today marks the beginning of my hunts," he further mused to himself.

Stolen novel; please report.

With a single, firm nod, Sigurd marched out of the town square and stopped briefly by the inn to let Mia and Nia know he had secured his first bounty.

“Stay safe, Papa!” Mia said joyfully. “I’m sure you’ll kick that troll’s ass!”

“Try not to die,” Nia said dryly. “We can’t be there to rescue you every time.”

Admiring the contrast between the two, and their own cocky personalities, Sigurd pulled them in for a hug and added, “I’ll be off now. Stay out of trouble!”

“No promise,” Mia said, tongue-in-cheek.

Sigurd caressed the catkin’s head, ruffling her hair, and was out the door the following minute.