[Arden]

Streaking rays of sunlight glinted off the rooftops of houses as the hectic lines of people made their way to their destinations. Business seemed to be booming due to the visit by the Princess. Shouts of merchants advertising their wares could be discerned above the loud hubbub of shoppers chatting happily.

I looked to my left and right trying to distinguish the way to the Dungeon office. I considered asking a person for help but first I would need a way to conceal myself.

Any of these people might have been present at the Princess’ arrival and seen the disastrous display I had made of myself.

Perhaps they might’ve thought of it as an attack by one of the various rebel group or maybe they think I might’ve been affiliated with one of the hostile Peerless.

Nevertheless, there would always be a chance that if my presence were to be noted, it could incite violence or riot.

I carefully made my way towards one of the stalls exhibiting various clothing.

I considered my options before deciding on a large woolen cloak that looked ideal for year-round use and which bore a hood.

The wooden floorboards leading up to the merchant creaked slightly under my weight as the curious gaze of the merchant settled on me.

“2 coppers, no less.” He said in a high-pitched voice.

I gave him the money and donned the cloak, now with only 8 coppers in my satchel.

“Do you know where the Office is sir?” I asked.

He raised an eyebrow questioningly before answering,

“You must be new here lad, go left and take the first right, it should be there.”

I thanked him but just as I was about to leave, the merchant called out to me,

“A skinny, young lad like you won’t last a second in that den o’wolves, go back to be being a baker’s assistant.” The merchant cackled as I ignored him and followed his directions.

On my way I calmly donned the cloak and pulled up my hood, Fathers’ teachings coming to my mind,

‘Act as if you know what you’re doing and all doors will be opened for you.’

I pondered of the state I could’ve been in if I was raised like the snooty nobles that could barely pick up a sword. In fact the only reason I was allowed to be friends with Scarlet and Cran were because they were raised the same way as me- through grueling exercise and studying.

The exercise never did anything for my skinny and weak frame, it only helped the behemoths like Cran who was at least 6 feet tall.

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However what I lacked in strength I made up for in nimbleness, in a fight I always favored speed and a lot of hits rather than strength and less hits.

Nonetheless my lack of strength was an issue, as embodied by how I couldn’t budge the cabinet in the hotel.

For now, I ceased to think of it and continued on my way to the office.

Once I reached the Dungeon Office, I grasped the handle to the wooden door and pushed it open.

A roar of noise echoed throughout the Office, which rather resembles a large tavern.

People jostled me as I elbowed my way through, but I paid no heed to it.

I was astounded by the variety of people before me, there were giants of men which could even make Cran look small while in contrast there were people even shorter than me.

There were people which were followed by beasts and even people of different races such as dwarfs, elves and the odd mermaid.

To see a member of a different race in public was very rare as they tended to keep to their own kingdoms, meanwhile here I didn’t see people bat an eye when they passed them.

My brain, which was boggled by the amount of information that was currently before me, came back to the present as I drew nearer into what looked like the reception.

As soon as I reached the reception, a voice that could be heard even above the sun said,

“What are you here for lad?”

I looked down to see a dwarf, maybe 4 foot in height, on a stool behind the reception.

Shaking away the brief shock of seeing such a ridiculous scene I asked,

“Is this where I can get a Dungeon License?”

The dwarf, whose name was Dhijikov (as shown by the small badge on his shirt), raised an eyebrow and said,

“Why would a little lad like you want to be a Dungeoneer?”

Trying not to think of the irony I said,

“I have no way to go but this,”

Dhijikov grunted before asking,

“Alright lad, what’s your name eh?”

I gasped at him in confusion,

“Wait, that’s it, I don’t need to do some test or pay money?”

“No lad, you only pay money when you lose your card, and that’s quite a hefty sum. Now, if you keep me waiting I’ll reject you.”

I quickly told him my name, Dhijikov showing no pause when there was no last name.

He took a card from under the desk and mumbled a few words.

Without notice, words were quickly sprawled on its surface and Dhijikov handed the card to me.

I held it in my hand with a sort of reverence, cradling it as I would a newborn baby.

I carefully studied the words on it which were emblazoned in swirling black lettering-

Arden

Rank F Adventurer

5’3 Black Hair Green eyes

I didn’t have any time to wonder how Dhijikov knew what color my hair was under the hood as his finger was tapping the desk in impatience. Once he had my attention he continued,

“Don’t loose that. Now, all adventurers are ranked from F to S. To rank up you can do 10 mission at your level or 3 which are above. You can also enter dungeons which are within three ranks of your level. For example, Brisbane dungeon is D-Ranked so you can enter that, however I recommend doing missions at your level as dungeons can be quite hard. Looking at your face, you’re probably not going to follow that advice but please, having seen many rash adventurers thinking their the newest Peerless enter dungeons and not come out, please only enter dungeons when you’re at least E-Ranked. Looking at you, you probably have very low teachings so please just do the missions which are displayed to my right. If you’re in a dungeon for more than a week in an F,E or D-ranked dungeon, your name will be displayed in the death rolls so your family will know. Now goodbye.”

I slowly left the dwarf, my mind drowning in happiness.

In that moment, I forgot all about my single teaching or my disownment from my family.

I had finally become an Adventurer!