The magical gate closed behind Pete. The first thing the boy did after arriving on Nottingham soil was kicking a trash can in the alley.
“Damn it! Damn it!”
“Why the fuck am I getting involved in this shitty game’s story?!”
“Didn’t I decide I would build a harem and make myself rich by cozying up to the King??”
“Then why the fuck do I have to be Robin Goody-two-shoes Wood?? I don’t want to help the poor and needy! I don’t intend to save people from danger!!”
“Then there’s this infernal switch between light and dark Robinhood Systems! Why is this godforsaken game torturing me to death?!”
“Is everyone plotting against me?”
[ Paranoia +1 ]
The boy spent about ten minutes venting his frustration, kicking the cans and punching the walls. He could not digest how the game steamrolled his motivations and decisions. He could not process why he got emotional for Bree or why Morgiana’s story moved him. Pete was out of solutions. He desperately needed friends. Not NPC supporters. He missed his Billionaire dad.
Having regained his composure, Pete took to the streets.
[ Perfect Attire Lvl 2 ]
[ Casuals ] [ Equipped ]
Perfect Gene tidied him up, and he looked fresh and pickled.
It was a regular day in Nottingham town. People greeted him as he passed by them. Pete was a champion of the trials, and posters of his likeness were plastered across the town. Almost everyone could recognize him. He was a mini-celebrity of sorts.
Pete’s first stop was the alley where Bree usually hung out. He searched the area but could not find her. Perhaps the girl had directly gone to the Adventurer’s Guild?
Pete headed to the Guild’s address. On his way, he had a full breakfast and picked up sweets for Bree. He loved to see her eyes sparkle when he brought her delicious food.
On reaching the establishment, Pete directly approached the main reception counter of the lobby. Behind it sat the same buxom lady, sporting a broad smile. “Welcome to the Nottingham Branch of the Adventurer’s Guild,” she chirped. “I am Julie. How may I be of service this fine morning?”
“Umm. I am looking for Warrior Marian and Supporter Bree.”
“Okay, what is your name, please?”
“Rob Huntington.”
Julie slid her finger down a printed list.
“Yes! Marian Fitzwalter is waiting for you at the adventurer registration desk. And… Bree Adams is away on a quest.”
Pete furrowed his brow. “A quest? But Bree is not a registered adventurer yet.”
Julie shook her head slightly. “That is incorrect. According to the logs, she registered successfully earlier this morning. Then she collected her seal and accepted her first quest. My information on her ends there.”
Pete pursed his lips. ‘Damn that brat!’ She was going to get herself into trouble again! But why the heck should he care?
“Thanks, Julie.”
“You’re welcome.”
The boy rushed to the registration desk. Marian was busy filling out paperwork. “Hey there, Rob!” she called out loudly. “I took the liberty of completing your application form. You can just sign it and get your adventurer’s seal.”
“Thanks a lot, Marian. What did you write in the magical ability section?”
This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
“Fire magic, of course.”
“Right.”
“I would have added ‘Gazebo arsonist’, but there was no space left,” she joked. Pete nodded absentmindedly.
“Are you okay, Rob? You seem out of sorts today.”
Pete made an awkward excuse and proceeded to sign the registration form. After five minutes of scrutiny, the clerk slid a stone tablet toward him. It was a smooth, rounded stone that could fit into one’s palm. The slick surface had miniature etchings and punched holes.
[ Acquired: Adventurer’s Seal ]
Ding!
[ Level Up! ]
[ Rob Huntington Level 4 ]
[ Perfect Attire Level 3 ]
[ Perfect Attire: Adventurer Mode unlocked! ]
“Keep this safe,” Marian said. “Adventurer seals are pretty expensive on the black market. If you lose it or someone steals it from you, you will never find it again.”
Pete nodded. “I will be careful. Thanks.” He would usually be excited about the leveling of his skills. Perfect Attire had clearly reached a threshold. However, Bree’s well-being weighed on his mind at the moment.
“What do you say we celebrate this at the Bloody Tooth?”
“Marian, I need to talk to you about something.”
“Yes, what is it?” she asked, walking beside him.
“It’s about Bree.”
“The little squirt? What about her? I helped her fill out the registration paperwork earlier this morning. She is capable of some wonderful camouflage magic. I will give her that. You chose well, Rob. She holds you in high regard.”
Pete smiled weakly and touched her arm. “Do you know where she is? She disappeared without intimating me.”
Marian looked puzzled. “You don’t know where she went? Shouldn’t you keep track of her? She is your servant, right?”
“I know. But I was really occupied last night and forgot to give her instructions for the morning.”
“Is that so? I assumed she went out on a quest at your command.”
“She’s probably trying to prove herself to me.”
“Makes sense. These little adventurers are really impulsive. Anyway, let me think… Err… She would have chosen her quest from the Quest Notice Board.”
“The notice board?”
Marian nodded. “Yes, it is where newbies go to find quests.”
Pete scratched his chin. Was there stubble on his face already? That explained why Marian was looking at him with dreamier eyes than usual. “I see. Where do experienced adventurers find quests then?”
“Well, high-level adventurers have their own desks in the Guild. They hire assistants who accept and record quests on their behalf. They also negotiate reward amounts for their masters.”
“Interesting.”
“You see that long queue over there,” Marian added, pointing to the other end of the hall.”
“Yeah, perhaps over a hundred in that queue.”
“It is for Ryder the Brute.”
“The level 9 adventurer? Wow! I hope I can become that skilled someday.”
Marian shrugged. “It will take years, but perhaps you will get there. You aren’t half bad, Rob.” She winked at him.
Pete’s head hurt. He felt like he was being pulled from three directions.
On one end, he wanted to level up fast and become a knight and templar. Second, he was worried about Bree. He was also developing camaraderie for Marian. His ultimate concern was his commitment to Morgiana to visit Sherwood Forest and participate in the raid. That was supposed to be the main storyline.
Pete reviewed his Achievements Tab
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[ Achievement Title: Level 5 Adventurer ]
[ Reach Level 5 within a week ]
[ Reward: 500 💰, Surprise Rewards ]
[ Reward Title: Prodigy ]
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[ Achievement Title: Master of Elements ]
[ Attain mastery over 12 magical elements ]
[ Reward: 10,000 💰, Surprise Rewards ]
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Level 5 did not seem very far away. Perhaps a decent quest could provide enough experience for leveling up. The second achievement would take time. He needed outstanding teachers like Horacio to accomplish it. Maybe the old man could teach him how to use the other known magical elements.
“Marian, let us go to the notice board. Perhaps we can find a clue as to where Bree went.”
The female warrior snapped her fingers and turned on her heels. “That’s fine by me. I haven’t taken up any quests today. But first, let us get you some equipment.”
“Equipment?”
“Yes. Do you plan to go adventuring in your fancy shiny clothes?” she mocked, picking at his stylish tunic.
Pete figured that Perfect Attire would provide him with battle gear. But he was curious about the kind of equipment sold in the shops.
“Where are we going?”
“Follow me,” Marian said with a smirk. “The best-branded shops are Knightdale, Revenant, and Futura. But I know a very talented smith. Her equipment quality is top-notch while being affordable. Let’s go to Lexi’s Armory.”