The air was thick with tension as the trio trudged through the increasingly rough terrain. The storm clouds that had loomed in the distance for most of the day now hung directly overhead, dark and oppressive, their weight bearing down on the group like a suffocating blanket. The wind howled, kicking up dust and debris, and a few fat drops of rain splattered onto the cracked earth.

Kalsei remaining optimistic despite the worsening weather, twirled the Shattering Blade in his hand as they walked. His golden eyes, always sparkling with mischief, were focused on the path ahead. "You know, I’m kind of hoping the capital has a fancy adventurer's guild. We’ve been in this world long enough. It’s about time we started climbing some ranks and getting official contracts, right?"

Seikan adjusted his cloak against the biting wind, his mind already considering the possibilities. "We could use the guild system to our advantage. We’ve barely scratched the surface of what this world has to offer. If the capital’s guild operates anything like the smaller towns, it’ll be the hub for higher-tier contracts, rare items, and information."

Steph, her dark hair blowing around her face, sighed softly. "As long as it doesn’t involve more creepy dungeons or cursed relics, I’m game. My last party didn’t exactly make adventuring look appealing."

Kalsei grinned, turning to walk backward so he could face her. "Hey, we’re a whole different vibe. Think of it as an upgrade from your old party."

Steph raised an eyebrow but didn’t respond, her usual disinterested expression hiding the faint amusement she felt. She had to admit, there was something oddly refreshing about Kalsei’s energy. Still, she wasn’t about to give him the satisfaction of knowing that.

As the trio trudged along the dirt road leading toward the capital, the sky darkened with heavy clouds that threatened to burst at any moment. The once crisp evening air had grown humid and thick, with a faint rumble of thunder in the distance promising a downpour before long.

Kalsei was the first to suggest stopping for the night. "Alright, I think it's time we set up camp," he said, glancing up at the sky with a smirk. "Before we all turn into soaked rats."

Seikan nodded, his eyes scanning the surrounding trees. "We’ll need to find some cover. There’s no telling how bad this storm will get."

Steph, walking a few paces behind them, sighed softly. "Great. Just what I needed—another wet night sleeping on the ground."

Kalsei flashed her a playful grin as they began to search for a suitable campsite. "Aw, don’t worry, Steph. I’m sure Seikan can whip up some kind of magic barrier to keep you nice and dry."

Steph rolled her eyes, though a faint smile tugged at the corners of her lips. "Sure. And maybe you can magically find me a bed while you're at it."

It didn’t take long for them to find a small clearing off the main road, surrounded by a circle of trees that provided some natural shelter from the elements. Kalsei immediately began unpacking his bedroll and the few supplies they had, while Seikan set to work preparing a fire pit.

The tension of the journey seemed to ease slightly as they fell into a routine. Despite the looming storm, the quietness of the clearing and the soft rustling of the leaves in the wind provided a small sense of calm.

Seikan, with practiced ease, summoned a small flame with a flick of his wrist, lighting the firewood that Kalsei had gathered. As the fire crackled to life, casting a warm glow across the clearing, Kalsei grinned and sat down by the flames.

"Perfect. Now we just need to hope it doesn’t start pouring before we get some food in us," Kalsei said, rummaging through his pouch for something edible. "I’ve got a few leftover rations. They’re... well, they’re not great, but they’re food."

Steph, still eyeing the sky warily, sat down a little away from the fire, pulling her dark cloak tighter around herself. "I’m not even hungry. I just want to get some sleep before this storm wakes me up."

Kalsei tossed a dried meat ration toward her with a teasing grin. "Come on, Steph. You’ll need your strength for tomorrow. Capital’s still a bit of a trek, and who knows what we’ll run into."

Steph caught the ration and sighed, taking a small bite. "Right. Because the only thing worse than fighting monsters is doing it on an empty stomach."

Seikan sat down beside Kalsei, his expression still calm and collected as he stared into the flickering flames. For a while, the three of them ate in silence, the crackle of the fire and the distant rumble of thunder the only sounds in the clearing.

Eventually, Kalsei broke the silence, his voice light but thoughtful. "You ever wonder what the capital’s gonna be like? I mean, I think I know what it would be like from the animes I have watched, but being there... it’s probably gonna be way crazier than anything we could imagine."

Seikan glanced up from the fire, his eyes narrowing slightly in thought. "The capital will have its dangers, no doubt. But it’s also where we’ll find more resources, information, and opportunities. The guild there will be much larger than Meliora’s notice board. We’ll need to get stronger if we’re going to survive."

Kalsei nodded, stretching his arms above his head. "Yeah, I know. Still, it’ll be nice to finally be in a place with a bit more... excitement, you know?"

Steph, her usual disinterested tone intact, spoke up. "Excitement is overrated. I’m just hoping there’s an actual bed waiting for me when we get there. This ‘sleeping on the ground’ thing is getting old fast."

Kalsei laughed, leaning back on his elbows. "I keep forgetting you’re the healer who doesn’t like to rough it. But hey, maybe we’ll find you a fancy inn when we get to the capital. You can relax while Seikan and I deal with all the hard stuff."

Steph rolled her eyes, though her faint smile remained. "Sure. You two go ahead and do all the fighting. I’ll just be over here not healing you next time you nearly get yourself killed."

Kalsei winked at her. "Deal."

As the evening wore on, the fire crackled softly, and the trio gradually relaxed into the quietness of the camp. Despite the looming threat of rain and the long journey ahead, there was a sense of camaraderie that had begun to grow between them.

Kalsei, lying back on his bedroll and staring up at the darkening sky, let out a contented sigh. "You know, as much as this world keeps trying to kill us... I think we’re doing alright. We’ve made it this far, right?"

Seikan, sitting cross-legged beside the fire, gave a small nod. "So far. But we’ve only scratched the surface of what Velcyne has to offer. There will be greater challenges ahead."

Steph, leaning back against a tree, let out a soft sigh. "Great. More monsters. Just what I wanted to hear."

The three of them lapsed into a comfortable silence, the sound of the wind rustling the leaves around them. As the fire flickered and the night grew darker, Kalsei’s thoughts drifted. His usual playful demeanor softened, and for a moment, he was quiet.

"You guys ever think about what we left behind?" he asked suddenly, his voice softer than usual. "Back on Earth, I mean. It’s weird. I thought I’d miss it more. But... I kind of like it here."

Steph glanced at him, her dark eyes thoughtful. "Earth was... fine. But I didn’t have much to miss. Being here isn’t that different for me."

Seikan, though his gaze remained on the fire, nodded in agreement. "The past is behind us. Our focus now should be on surviving here. We don’t have the luxury of looking back."

Kalsei smiled faintly, his golden eyes reflecting the firelight. "Yeah. You’re right. Still... I wonder what’s waiting for us out there. In the capital, beyond it. There’s so much we don’t know."

Seikan’s eyes flickered to the pouch at his side, where the relic lay hidden. "We’ll find out soon enough."

"We'll need to get you a bedroll when we get to the capital," Kalsei said softly, eying Steph leaning against the tree. "We can't have our healer not getting her beauty sleep." He stood up and gestured to his bedroll. "You can use mine tonight, Steph," he said, moving over to Seikan's bedroll. "I'll cuddle with Seikan tonight."

Seikan eyed Kalsei with an eyebrow slightly raised. "Don't get-"

His sentence was cut short as Kalsei slid into the sleeping bag beside him, cuddling into his chest. He let out a sigh and instinctively put his arm around Kalsei, glancing sideways at Steph.

Steph climbed into Kalsei's sleeping bag, noticing the distinct scent of cherry blossoms clinging to it. She let out a small content sigh. The scent was calming and she felt the effects of sleep already taking over.

The night stretched on, the distant rumble of thunder growing louder, but for now, the storm held off. As the fire slowly began to die down, the trio settled into their bedrolls, ready to rest before the next leg of their journey.

As morning came around, the trio eventually woke to the sounds of the forest starting to come to life. Song birds broke the silence, followed by the sound of thunder still rumbling overhead.

As they packed away the bedrolls and buried the firepit, the wind picked up again, this time carrying with it the distinct scent of rain. Kalsei glanced at the sky and groaned. "We should probably hurry up before this storm gets any worse. I’d rather not get soaked before we even reach the capital."

Seikan, who had been quietly observing the surroundings, gave a curt nod. "Agreed. We are half a day or more away. We will need to pick up our pace if we hope to beat the storm there."

The rest of the journey to the capital was mostly uneventful, Kalsei keeping slightly ahead of the group as he scouted ahead, with Seikan and Steph not far behind.

As they arrived at the gates of the capital, the rain began to pour in earnest. Massive stone walls loomed above them, and the city’s towering spires were barely visible through the sheets of rain. Despite the storm, the city was bustling with activity. Merchants and townsfolk hurried about their business, many of them cloaked in hoods and rushing for cover.

Kalsei, clearly unfazed by the weather, stared in awe at the sheer size of the city. "This place is huge! I mean, I knew it would be big, but wow."

Steph, though less outwardly impressed, nodded in agreement. "It’s definitely a step up from Meliora."

Seikan, always focused on the task at hand, gestured toward a nearby building. "That should be the adventurer’s guild. Let’s get inside before we’re completely soaked."

They hurried through the rain, making their way toward the large stone structure that sat at the center of a bustling square. The building was massive, with tall arched windows and banners displaying the symbol of the guild—a sword crossed with a quill, symbolizing both combat and the contracts adventurers took on. The entrance was flanked by heavy wooden doors, and the faint glow of lanterns spilled out into the street.

The moment they stepped inside, the warmth of the guild hall washed over them, a stark contrast to the cold, rain-soaked streets outside. The interior was spacious, with high ceilings and rows of tables where adventurers of all kinds sat drinking, eating, and discussing their latest exploits. At the far end of the hall, a large board displayed various contracts and quests, with adventurers crowding around to take their pick.

Kalsei’s eyes lit up as he took in the scene. "Now this is more like it."

Seikan approached the counter, where a young woman with long blonde hair tied in a neat ponytail stood behind a desk, sorting through a stack of parchment. She glanced up as they approached, a soft smile dancing across her face at the sight of the newcomers.

"New to the capital, I take it?" she asked, her voice filled with curiosity and warmth, as she looked at the trio with avid interest.

Kalsei grinned, stepping forward. "You could say that. We’re looking to get signed up, maybe take on a contract or two."

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

The woman nodded enthusiastically. "You’ll need to register as official adventurers before you can take on contracts here. That includes getting your adventurer’s cards and ranking within the guild. You’ll also need to complete a trial contract to prove your worth."

Seikan crossed his arms. "How does the ranking system work here?"

The woman smiled, happy to give them any information they seeked. "It’s pretty standard across Velcyne. There are five ranks: Copper, Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Mythril. You start at Copper and work your way up by completing contracts. The higher the rank, the more dangerous and lucrative the contracts become. Your rank also determines what dungeons you’re allowed to explore and the types of items you can trade in."

Steph, who had been standing quietly, raised an eyebrow. "So, what about this ‘trial contract’? Is it just busywork to see if we know how to swing a sword?"

The woman chuckled, her smile reaching her eyes. "It’s more than just busywork, miss. We can’t afford to send adventurers out who don’t know how to handle themselves. You’ll take on a contract suited to your skill level, and the guild will evaluate your performance. If you pass, you’re officially ranked and can start taking on more challenging jobs."

Kalsei nodded enthusiastically. "Sounds fair. Let’s do it!"

The woman reached beneath the counter and produced three small, rectangular cards. Each one was plain, with a faint shimmer of magic running along the edges. "These are your adventurer’s cards. They’ll update automatically as you complete contracts and gain experience. Keep them on you at all times—without them, you won’t be able to claim rewards or accept new jobs."

New Item: Adventurer’s Card Effect: Tracks experience, rank, and completed contracts. Required for accepting contracts from the Adventurer’s Guild.

Kalsei took his card and slipped it into his pouch, glancing over at the contract board. "So, what’s our trial contract?"

The woman behind the counter handed over a sheet of parchment. "Your trial contract is to clear out a small nest of goblins in the forest west of the city. They’ve been causing trouble for travelers on the main road. Bring back proof that you’ve dealt with them, and you’ll be ranked Copper."

Seikan took the parchment, scanning the details with a critical eye. "Seems straightforward enough. How many goblins are we talking about?"

"Shouldn’t be more than a dozen," the man replied, his tone matter-of-fact. "But don’t underestimate them. Goblins may be small, but they’re vicious in numbers, and they know the terrain better than you do."

Steph rolled her eyes, clearly unimpressed. "Great. Goblins. My favorite."

Kalsei, on the other hand, looked excited. "Hey, goblins are a classic! This’ll be a piece of cake."

Seikan tucked the contract into his inventory, his expression unreadable. "Let’s get this over with. The sooner we finish, the sooner we can move on to more important contracts."

The trio left the guild hall, stepping back out into the rain-soaked streets. The storm had only worsened, the sky now a churning mass of dark clouds, and the wind howled through the city, whipping their cloaks and hoods. Kalsei pulled his hood up, his golden eyes gleaming with excitement despite the weather. "Goblins, here we come!"

The journey west of the capital didn’t take long, but the storm made it a miserable trek. The rain pounded down relentlessly, turning the dirt road into a muddy mess, and the wind tore at their cloaks, making it difficult to see more than a few feet ahead. Despite the conditions, Kalsei remained his usual upbeat self, occasionally glancing at Seikan and Steph with a grin.

"You guys think these goblins have built themselves a fancy little village? Maybe a goblin palace?" Kalsei joked, his voice barely audible over the wind.

Steph, her dark hair plastered to her face from the rain, shot him a deadpan look. "If they have, I’m leaving."

Seikan kept his focus on the task at hand. "Stay sharp. Goblins are sneaky. They’ll likely have traps set up to ambush anyone who gets too close."

As they approached the edge of the forest, the trees loomed tall and dark, their branches twisting together to form a canopy that blocked out what little light the storm allowed. The path ahead was overgrown, and the air was thick with the scent of wet earth and decaying leaves.

Kalsei’s golden eyes flickered with excitement as he drew his sword. "Alright, time to clear out some goblins."

Seikan moved ahead, scanning the area for signs of movement. His fingers twitched as though ready to trace runes at a moment’s notice. "There. Tracks. They’re close."

Steph rolled her eyes but followed closely, her staff at the ready. "Let’s just get this over with. The faster we deal with these goblins, the faster we can get out of this storm."

They moved deeper into the forest, the rain continuing to pour down in heavy sheets, making visibility difficult. The tracks Seikan had pointed out led them through the thick underbrush, and before long, the faint sound of grunting and rustling reached their ears. Goblins.

Kalsei crouched low behind a bush, motioning for the others to do the same. His grin widened as he peered through the leaves. "Looks like we found their hideout."

Ahead of them, a small clearing opened up, with several crude huts made of sticks and mud arranged in a circle. The goblins, small and hunched, moved about, oblivious to the trio watching from the shadows. There were at least a dozen of them, just as the contract had warned, and some were armed with rusty daggers and clubs, while others tended to a smoldering fire pit in the center of the clearing.

Seikan’s eyes narrowed as he assessed the situation. "We’ll need to be careful. Goblins might be weak individually, but if they swarm us, we’ll have a hard time keeping them at bay."

Steph sighed softly, her dark eyes scanning the goblins with mild disinterest. "So, what’s the plan? Charge in, take them out one by one? Or do you have some clever magic trick up your sleeve?"

Kalsei chuckled softly, his golden eyes gleaming. "I say we go with a mix of both. I can distract them, keep them busy with my agility, while you two pick them off from a distance. Seikan can use his runes to trap them, and Steph, you can keep us healed if things get dicey."

Steph rolled her eyes but nodded. "Fine. Just don’t get yourself killed playing hero."

Seikan traced a rune in the air, his voice low and calm. "I’ll set up a trap with Shadow Infusion. When the goblins rush Kalsei, I’ll bind them with the runes. We take them out in groups."

Kalsei’s grin widened as he stood, drawing his sword with a quick flourish. "Sounds like a plan. Let’s get this party started."

With that, he darted out of the underbrush, moving with lightning speed as he charged toward the clearing. The goblins looked up in surprise, their glowing red eyes narrowing in confusion as Kalsei approached.

"Hey, ugly!" Kalsei shouted, his voice full of playful energy. "Come get me!"

The goblins snarled in response, several of them brandishing their weapons as they rushed toward Kalsei. But Kalsei was too quick. He dodged their clumsy attacks with ease, ducking and weaving between them, his high agility allowing him to stay one step ahead at all times.

Seikan, watching from the edge of the clearing, activated Shadow Infusion. Dark tendrils of energy erupted from the ground, snaking toward the group of goblins that had chased after Kalsei. The tendrils coiled around their legs, immobilizing them as they thrashed and snarled in frustration.

"Now!" Seikan called out, his voice calm but commanding.

Steph raised her staff, her fingers glowing with a soft green light as she cast Revitalizing Aura, sending waves of healing energy toward Kalsei and Seikan, ensuring they stayed in peak condition. At the same time, she summoned a bolt of dark energy, which shot from her staff and struck one of the bound goblins, causing it to shriek in pain before collapsing into a heap.

Kalsei, still grinning, darted forward, delivering a quick slash with the Shattering Blade. The sword hummed with power as it cut through two goblins at once, sending shockwaves that knocked the others off balance.

The remaining goblins, now fully aware of the danger they were in, regrouped and charged at Kalsei in a wild frenzy. But Kalsei was ready. He activated Blink Strike, teleporting behind the group and delivering another swift attack, cutting down two more goblins before they could react.

Seikan, his focus unbroken, traced another rune in the air. This time, he activated Rune of Decay, spreading dark energy across the ground beneath the remaining goblins. The creatures let out pitiful howls as their strength was drained, their bodies withering under the effects of the curse.

Within moments, the clearing was silent once more, the last of the goblins lying dead at their feet.

The system window appeared before them, glowing faintly in the dim light of the clearing:

Goblins defeated 1500 experience points earned Item Drop: Goblin Fangs (Monster Material)

Kalsei sheathed his sword, wiping the sweat from his brow with a satisfied grin. "Well, that was easier than I expected. Goblins really don’t stand a chance against us, huh?"

Steph, still standing at the edge of the clearing, sighed softly. "It’s never that easy, Kalsei. Let’s just be glad this wasn’t some kind of ambush."

Seikan bent down to inspect the goblin corpses. "Goblins are predictable. But we should remain cautious. There could be more nearby."

Kalsei shrugged, clearly unbothered by the prospect of more enemies. "If there are, we’ll just take them out too. No big deal."

Steph rolled her eyes but didn’t argue, though there was a faint smirk on her lips. "Sure. Let’s just get this over with. I’m ready to be out of this rain."

After gathering the required proof of their victory—a few goblin fangs and a torn banner from one of the huts—they made their way back to the capital, the storm still raging overhead. The rain had only worsened, turning the dirt roads into thick mud, and the wind howled through the trees like a living thing.

By the time they reached the capital gates, they were drenched and exhausted, though Kalsei’s energy seemed as boundless as ever. He skipped ahead, eager to return to the guild and claim their reward.

Once inside the guild hall, they approached the same cheerful blonde receptionist at the counter, who smiled widely. "Back already?"

Kalsei grinned, dropping the goblin fangs onto the counter with a flourish. "Told you it’d be easy."

The woman picked up one of the fangs, inspecting it closely before nodding. "Well done! You’ve completed the contract. Welcome to the Adventurer’s Guild, officially."

New Rank: Copper Adventurer

Kalsei pumped his fist in the air, clearly pleased. "Copper! We’re moving up in the world!"

Steph, ever the realist, sighed softly. "It’s the lowest rank, Kalsei. Don’t get too excited."

Seikan, ignoring the banter, turned his attention to the contract board. Now that they were officially ranked, they had access to more contracts—some of which promised substantial rewards.

"We should choose our next contract carefully," Seikan said, his tone thoughtful. "Higher-ranking contracts will be more dangerous, but the rewards will be worth it."

Kalsei, already scanning the board with bright eyes, nodded. "I’m all for danger. Let’s find something big. Something challenging."

Steph, her voice dry, muttered under her breath. "Why do I have a feeling this is going to end badly?"

As they perused the contracts, Kalsei’s eyes landed on one that caught his attention. It was a high-tier contract, far above their current rank, but the description made his heart race with excitement.

Contract: The Labyrinth of Sorrow (Platinum Rank)

Details: A dangerous dungeon located deep within the mountains. Many have entered; few have returned. The Labyrinth is said to be home to powerful monsters and ancient treasures, but only the bravest adventurers can hope to survive its depths.

Rewards: 500,000 XP Mystic Gear (Random High-Rank Item) 250,000 Gold

Steph, standing beside him, glanced at the contract and immediately shook her head. "We’re not taking that. It’s way above our level, and you know it."

Kalsei pouted, though he didn’t disagree. "Fine. But one day, we’re going to tackle that dungeon."

Seikan pulled down a more reasonable contract from the board.

Contract: Night Beast Elimination (Copper Rank)

Details: A pack of night beasts has been terrorizing a village to the south of the capital. Eliminate the pack and ensure the safety of the villagers.

Rewards: 2000 XP Night Beast Claws (Monster Material) 1000 Gold

Seikan handed the contract to Kalsei with a raised eyebrow. "This one is more our speed."

Kalsei grinned, already eager for their next adventure. "Night beasts, huh? Sounds fun. Let’s take it."