He tucked the sheets and read them one by one. They seemed appropriate for his rank and weren't difficult. Most of the rewards were two types of orbs. Ashe knew that these orbs were used as currency in the city.
Coins were the most common in Dreadvale, but the boy rarely touched them. When you can't control almost any moment of your life, you have little need for money.
Zalindar uses a system recognised by the world. Orbs came in three types. The first two were made from minerals and were found in nature. When they were broken down, they yielded materials that could be used in almost any activity.
From blacksmithing to alchemy. Stone orb and Green orb. Their base value was almost the same. Yet, some buyers preferred one over the other. Ashe had seen them before and had been taught how to use them.
As for the third category of Nexus orbs, they were created as a result of the collaboration of Binders and Seeers. They stored fragments, which were very small in themselves, but the fact that they managed to store them was already noteworthy. Nexus orbs were much rarer and more valuable. They were rarely exchanged for other orbs, and the price was steep.
Of the quests Ashe had seen, none offered Nexus orbs. A stone or green orb was always the reward for completing the mission, and in some cases, it was replaced by various items.
Then one of the announcements caught his attention. The boy took it off and read it.
Poppies have disappeared from the poppy field. Investigate what could have caused it, or plant new poppies to bring back the flowers in the meadow.
Reward: 7 stone orbs, 6 green orbs.
Ashe liked this mission. With the help of the fragments, it was possible to find out the reason. Otherwise, he didn't find planting flowers difficult at all.
"If you're going to do that mission, I don't recommend it." Then a voice came from his shoulder.
The boy turned and saw a middle-aged man. With grey hair and eyes. His face had deteriorated with age. As if he was warning Ashe.
"What do you mean? What's wrong with this mission?" The boy didn't give up, he didn't trust a stranger that easily.
"Nothing's wrong." The man said and snatched the paper from his hand. He tried, but Ashe dodged it without any problems. "I'm telling you, boy." He exclaimed in annoyance and left the building dissatisfied.
"Strange guy. What did he want, anyway?"
He didn't let the interaction affect his mood. He went to the familiar receptionist to take this mission. The girl witnessed the event and had a nervous expression on her face. It was as if she were having trouble agreeing to the quest that the boy chose.
"What's going on? What's wrong with this mission?" Ashe was on the verge of shock. When did the poppies become dangerous?
"No, the mission is not a problem." The receptionist replied and didn't take the paper.
"Then what?" the boy asked.
"The thing is, this man is Dante. He constantly warns the guild members, and everything he says comes true. The fact that he came to you and advised you means that some danger awaits you." She took a deep breath and continued. "Technically, you can do it, and I won't object either, but as your first mission, I don't want to let you take this risk."
Ashe listened carefully to the explanation. Dante was a Binder, and it would make sense if his sixth sense was enchanted. Such abilities were not abnormal. This allowed for a certain amount of premonition or emotion to increase. Normally, he would have shrugged off the warning and carried out the mission anyway.
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However, Ashe didn't want to draw too much attention to himself. Arguing with the receptionist wouldn't help him keep his appearance. "Okay, I'll choose something else then. Thanks for the advice."
"No, I'm sorry," the girl replied, offering help. "If you need anything, my name is Ela; don't hesitate to call me."
Ashe nodded to Ela and got back to work. He felt a little unhappy that he had to turn down a mission like this, but it wasn't the end of the world. There were still plenty of options to pick from.
He also came across a new task, which didn't seem bad.
Sunveil appeared on the road to Bone Village. It hinders merchants from moving and often steals apples. Kill it or drive it out of the village.
Sunveil - Exarchs group. An invisible monster under the sun, visible only at night. It hides at sunset and is especially difficult to find. It is not aggressive and is attracted to fruit.
Recommended number of Binders: 3-7
Reward: 18 stone orbs, 1 green orb, 2 kilos of apples.
'I didn't know there was a village in the city.' The boy was surprised. His knowledge of geography did not cover that much.
He was satisfied with the mission. He did not have to go very far, so he agreed to complete it. The recommendation meant nothing to him, and most missions had similar requirements. He heard about Sunveil and was confident against it.
He looked around to see if anyone was going to protest his choice. When he saw that everyone was busy with their own work and no one was bothering him, he went to the receptionist.
"Ela, I chose this mission. Let's see if there are any problems with this one." Ashe presented a piece of paper and waited patiently.
Ela smiled. She ruffled her short hair shyly. "It was a one-time thing. I promise it won't happen again. Dante won't warn the same Binder twice." In the meantime, she also looked over the mission. "Everything is in order. If you kill him, cut off his ear. We need it for confirmation."
She explained and continued. "Bring him to me, and after verification, you will receive your reward. If you somehow force him out of the village, then get a letter from the villagers, and that should be enough."
Ela also taught him the way. He could walk there by evening.
"Everything is clear," Ashe said and took off to complete the first mission.
It had been more than a week since he first met the gods and became a Binder. He had just officially confirmed this, and now he was about to embark on an adventure. He decided to write about all this in his diary.
[1225; 1; 8; 13]
There was peace on his stopwatch. Time was passing faster than he liked, but he was more or less satisfied with the results he had achieved. For he knew that he was doing everything he could. The rest was beyond his control.
[1.58% - 9.80%]
The Fragment Counter itself seemed to be waiting for his progress. The world was too stable, and humanity could not rush.
'I wonder what would happen if they found out how little time we had left.'
The feeling of weight on his back returned. He left the building and walked through the streets.
'As soon as I make money, I will eat well and bathe.' His desire was strong. He would not refuse a comfortable bed.
There were not many ways to get around the city. The most common were the carriages that rode on Ironstride. On a six-legged monster that was distinguished by its strength. He had only seen them in the city centre as if they did not touch the outskirts.
It would take at least a few orbs to use them, and there would be no point in asking.
There must also be a subway that connects the entire city underground. The boy had a great interest in them, but he wouldn't be allowed to use them.
Ashe had to cover the entire distance on foot. He was so used to walking that he did not even protest in his heart. The boy even started to jog so that he would reach his destination faster. He liked the wind blowing on his face and the pleasant smell that reached his nose.
He didn't forget what he saw. Not a very pretty part of the city. He didn't like it; he thought it was wrong, but Ashe also understood that the path he was on would involve seeing many sacrifices.
Neither would this sword remain pure, nor would others that would follow him. With the blood that will stain them, it wouldn't be only monsters. One day he would have to rise against humans and kill them, too.
Was he ready for this? Of course, he was; his life had not been colourful. The taste of blood from a monster may have been his first taste recently, but killing a human had already been on his list of experiences.
Dreadvale had a long past for him. He might have gone to school with other children, but his training was much more. Especially that night with his tutor.
Even things he didn't agree with. But it didn't matter. If it came down to business, then his main task—saving the world, would be above all other lives.
His legs successfully managed to take him to Bone Village. Ashe still had a few hours before sunset, and he had to find a Sunveil somehow.