There I was, standing on the edge of a new chapter, ready to trade my stable, predictable life for the uncertainty of becoming an adventurer. Most importantly, I had one goal in mind: to claim the wish I’d win after defeating the Demon Lord. Time was running out. If I didn’t act now, someone else might figure out how to beat him first.
As I strapped on my boots, a firm knock sounded at my door.
“Come in,” I said, not bothering to look up.
The door creaked open, and there she was—Rika, her expression a mix of annoyance and something softer, something harder to read.
“Rika, what’s up?” I asked, slinging my pack over my shoulder, already halfway out the door in my mind.
She leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, her sharp gaze cutting into me. “You really did it.”
I nodded, meeting her eyes with calm determination. “I guess I did. It was just a matter of time. Sooner or later, this was bound to happen.”
“But it’s sooner than I thought,” she said, her voice quieter now, almost hesitant. Her eyes flicked away for a moment before snapping back, laced with worry she wasn’t trying hard enough to hide.
“I know,” I replied, tightening the straps on my pack. “So… is this the part where you call me a loser, or do you have something else to say?”
She scowled, her usual bite returning for a moment before her shoulders slumped, a sigh escaping her lips. “Just don’t die out there, loser.”
Her words hit harder than I expected, wrapped in a strange mixture of affection and frustration. I chuckled, trying to lighten the mood. “Sure, sure. Thanks for the heartfelt encouragement.”
As I stepped out of the house, Rika walked with me to the gate. She told me Dad wouldn’t see me off—he was stubbornly supportive of my decision but unwilling to show it outright. Carol, well, she outright hated me and made no effort to hide it. In the end, it was only Rika who came to see me off.
“Don’t look back, or I’ll think you’re hesitating,” she muttered, shoving her hands into her pockets.
I grinned. “Don’t worry about that. I’ve got my eyes on the road ahead.”
I began to walk with a small luggage with clothes, food and my savings.
I waved over my shoulder as her figure growing smaller and smaller in the distance. For a moment, I let myself wonder if I’d made the right choice. But the thought passed as quickly as it came.
The path ahead stretched long and lonely, but that’s just how I wanted it. Every step toward the capital was a step closer to the life I’d been dreaming of—a life of adventure, danger, women and, maybe, something more.
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I had been walking for nearly twenty minutes when a familiar voice interrupted my thoughts.
“Ah, it’s finally time for the real adventure!”
I stopped and glanced around, spotting Pachesko, the small, scrappy ball creature who had been tagging along since… well, since the moment I got thrown into this world. He was perched on a low-hanging branch, looking smug as ever.
“You only show up when it’s convenient for you,” I said, raising an eyebrow.
“Convenience is an art form, my friend,” he replied, his tiny claws gesturing grandly. “Show a little gratitude! I’m here, aren’t I?”
“Yeah, I don’t know.” I rolled my eyes and adjusted my pack. “But since you’re here, you could at least be useful. Where’s the nearest guild?”
Pachesko tilted his head, pretending to think. “Hmm… maybe four days’ walk? Give or take.”
“Four days?” I sighed, feeling the weight of my pack settle even heavier on my shoulders. “Fine. Guess I’d better get moving.”
“Good luck with that,” he said, as he continues bouncing in the road with me.
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The sun was dipping lower in the sky, painting the horizon with shades of amber and crimson as the day dragged on. My legs ached with every step, but I pressed forward, driven by the thought of starting fresh as an adventurer.
“Uff, only two days left before the capital…” I muttered to myself, pausing to pull out one of the lunches I had packed.
“Yes,” Pachesko responded, his voice cool and distant. I hadn’t really expected him to chime in.
I glanced his way, holding up a sandwich. “Don’t you want some?”
He shook his head, an air of superiority in his tone. “No need. If I wanted a sandwich, I could create one for myself.”
“Alright then…” I shrugged, biting into my food. Silence stretched between us, save for the rustle of leaves and the occasional chirp of a distant bird.
Once I finished, I dusted off my hands and adjusted my pack. “Time to walk again, I guess. I need to find a good spot to camp before it gets too dark.”
As I took the first step forward, Pachesko’s voice sliced through the quiet.
“Well, I’m hiding now!”
Before I could ask why, he dove into a nearby bush, his small form disappearing among the leaves.
“What—” I started, but my words were cut off as a group of men stepped out from the woods. There were at least twenty of them, dressed in rough, mismatched gear, their faces marked with the kind of grins that made my stomach churn. Bandits. Great.
One of them, a tall man with a jagged scar across his cheek, stepped forward. “Ah… excuse me, kid. You lost?”
I blinked, keeping my expression neutral. “Not at all. Just heading to the capital.”
The man chuckled darkly. “Oh, I see. A bright-eyed wannabe adventurer, huh? How charming.”
Another man, shorter but no less menacing, chimed in. “Careful now, boy. These roads are crawling with dangerous folks. You never know who might want to take advantage of a beginner like you.”
The group began to circle around me, their laughter growing louder. My pulse quickened, but I forced myself to stay calm. These types relied on fear—showing weakness would be like blood in the water.
“Hahaha, guys, guys. We’re civilized, right?” I said, my tone light but firm. “We can solve this without any unnecessary violence.”
The scarred man tilted his head, pretending to consider. “Of course. We’re gentlemen. But, you see, we’ve been working so hard, patrolling these woods to keep the roads safe from real bad guys. Funds are tight, you know. Maybe you could help us out? A little donation, perhaps?”
“I don’t have money to spare,” I replied, shrugging. “Sorry.”
The shorter one grinned, his eyes narrowing as he glanced at my pack. “Don’t be like that, friend. You’ve got a big ol’ bag there. Surely, you’re carrying something valuable.”
I gritted my teeth, my mind racing. They were pushing now, testing how much I’d resist. If I didn’t play this right, it would turn into a fight—one I wasn’t sure I could win. I scanned their movements, cataloging every detail. Some had their hands on their weapons, while others seemed more relaxed. That meant they weren’t all expecting a fight. Yet.
I shifted my stance, keeping my tone calm but firm. “This bag’s got supplies for a four-day walk. Nothing you’d be interested in. So how about we call this a misunderstanding, and I’ll be on my way?”
The scarred man laughed, loud and mocking. “Misunderstanding? No, no, boy. This is business. Now, hand over the bag before we take it by force.”
I felt the tension in the air shift, the unspoken threat settling like a weight on my chest. My fingers inched closer to the hilt of my blade, my muscles coiling.
“Relax,” I said, my voice steady but cold. “I don’t want to hurt anyone.”
“You? Hurt anybody? Haha!” The scarred man doubled over laughing, motioning to his crew. “You hear that, guys? The kid doesn’t want to hurt us!”
Their laughter filled the air like a warning drum. One of the men sneaked up behind me, probably thinking I was too distracted by their mockery to notice. Big mistake.
Before he could grab me, I sidestepped swiftly and seized his arm, twisting it behind his back in one fluid motion. He yelped in pain, struggling, but my grip didn’t falter.
“I’m serious,” I said coldly, pressing his arm tighter.
The man thrashed, his face contorted in panic. “Boss! This guy’s strong!”
“What are you whining about, idiot?” the scarred leader snapped. “He’s just a boy!”
I twisted the arm a little further, enough to make him gasp. “We can pretend this never happened,” I warned, “or your friend here loses his arm.”
The laughter died instantly, replaced by a tense, heavy silence. For a moment, it felt like I’d turned the tide—but then, the leader’s face hardened, and he pointed his weapon at me.
“Get him!” he barked.
The men didn’t hesitate. They rushed at me all at once. I released my captive and tried to defend myself, but it was hopeless. There were too many. A punch caught me in the stomach, another hit my shoulder, and before I knew it, they had pinned me to the ground. One of them grabbed my pack, tearing it away from me.
“No!” I shouted, but it was useless. They were already rifling through it, taking everything—my food, my coins, my supplies.
The leader sneered down at me as his crew retreated into the woods. “Tough luck, kid. Next time, learn your place.”
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Penniless and beaten, I staggered down the road for a couple of days. My muscles ached with every step, and my pride stung worse than my bruises. But there was no turning back.
The capital loomed in the distance, its towering castle in the middle of the big kingdom, like a beacon of hope—or maybe mockery.
As I got closer, the city came alive around me. The streets were bustling with cheerful crowds, vendors shouting their wares, and children laughing as they ran past. There was a festive air, but I felt completely out of place.
People gave me strange looks as I walked by. My clothes were torn, my hair a mess, and I probably smelled like sweat and dirt. I tried to ignore them, keeping my head down as I navigated the busy streets.
“Excuse me, where’s the adventurers’ guild?” I asked a passing merchant.
“Two streets down, left at the fountain,” he replied, eyeing me warily.
I followed his directions, weaving through the crowd until I saw it—a grand stone building with a large wooden sign overhead, its bold lettering proclaiming Adventurers' Guild.
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“Finally,” I muttered, relief washing over me as I stood before the imposing doors. “The guild.”
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The inside of the guild was just as lively as the streets outside. Adventurers of all shapes and sizes crowded the hall, laughing, boasting, and exchanging stories. My heart raced with excitement. This was it—the start of my adventure in this world.
“Which party should I join?” I wondered aloud, scanning the room. My imagination ran wild. Elves, female wizards, warrior women—they were all here, right? A grin spread across my face as I pictured the possibilities.
“Hehehe,” I chuckled, unable to help myself as a little drool escaped.
A deep voice cut through my daydream. “Are you a beginner, huh, brat?”
Snapping out of it, I turned to face the speaker. He was massive—tall, muscular, with a scar running down one side of his face. A real adventurer if I’d ever seen one.
“Uh, yeah,” I admitted, standing up straighter in an attempt to look confident.
He burst out laughing. “A slim guy like you? Haha! First off, stop the drooling. With a face like that, you’re not attracting any females!”
He clapped me on the shoulder—hard—and walked away, still laughing.
I grit my teeth, my cheeks burning with embarrassment. “Jerk,” I muttered under my breath, but I let it go. There were more important things to focus on.
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The wizard:
The inside of the guild was just as lively as the streets outside. Adventurers of all shapes and sizes crowded the hall, laughing, boasting, and exchanging stories. My heart raced with excitement. This was it—the start of my adventure in this world.
“Which party should I join?” I wondered aloud, scanning the room. My imagination ran wild. Elves, female wizards, warrior women—they had to be here, right? A grin spread across my face as I pictured the possibilities.
“Hehehe,” I chuckled, unable to stop a bit of drool from escaping.
A deep voice cut through my daydream. “Are you a beginner, huh, brat?”
Snapping out of it, I turned to face the speaker. He was massive—tall, muscular, with a scar running down one side of his face. A real adventurer if I’d ever seen one.
“Uh, yeah,” I admitted, standing up straighter in an attempt to look confident.
He burst out laughing. “A slim guy like you? Haha! First off, stop the drooling. With a face like that, you’re not attracting any females!”
He clapped me on the shoulder—hard—and walked away, still laughing.
I grit my teeth, my cheeks burning with embarrassment. “Jerk,” I muttered under my breath, but I let it go. There were more important things to focus on.
I approached the reception desk, where three windows were open, each staffed by a stunningly beautiful receptionist. All of them with earring,
and they were all dressed professionally, not ignoring their warm smiles and kind eyes that made them seem almost divine.
“Oh, so the gods do exist here,” I murmured, unable to decide which one to approach.
Closing my eyes, I pointed randomly, chanting under my breath, “De-tim-marin-de-don-pin-we...”
When I opened my eyes, it turned out to be the receptionist on the far left. I strolled up to her, flashing my best attempt at a charming smile.
“Hey, did you lose your path to heaven, or why is an angel like you walking on earth?” I even threw in a wink for good measure.
She raised an eyebrow, her expression a mix of confusion and annoyance. “Kid, do you want to become an adventurer or what?”
And just like that, my ego took a nosedive. Crushed. Shattered. Much like my dignity in my previous life. Well, no worries, I thought to myself. Receptionists don’t count as love interests anyway.
“Yeah, I want to become an adventurer,” I replied, trying to recover some semblance of confidence.
“First, you need to pay the registration fee,” she said, flipping open a ledger with practiced efficiency.
Fee...?
Fee...?!
“A fee...?” My voice came out strained. “How much?”
She didn’t even glance up. “Let’s see... 100 silver coins.”
The words hit me like a punch to the gut. My brain scrambled for alternatives. “Uh... is there any discount if I, say... offer you some flattering compliments?”
Her eyes snapped up, and she glared at me. “No, kid. Learn to be respectful. And by the way, you smell bad. Pay the fee or leave.”
I blinked, caught off guard. “You’re rude.”
“And you’re broke.” She waved dismissively. “Next!”
I clenched my fists, forcing myself to breathe. “Fine. I’ll be back with the money.”
Turning on my heel, I stomped out of the guild, muttering under my breath about rude receptionists and overpriced registration fees. So much for my grand start as an adventurer. First, I needed to find a way to scrape together 100 silver coins—or I’d never get past square one.
“I don’t understand why I need to pay to work…” I grumbled, kicking a stray pebble along the dirt path.
Without warning, Pachesko delivered a sharp whack to my head.
"Can you stop appearing out of nowhere!"
“Idiot!” he snapped. “You’re not just paying to work. You’re paying for the benefits—like getting a class, recognition as an adventurer, and the ability to accept guild-approved jobs.”
I blinked, rubbing the sore spot on my head. “Wait, so this means I can’t get a class unless I join a guild?”
“That’s right,” Pachesko said matter-of-factly. “Most people get their class through a guild or a specialized business. But here’s the thing: around the capital, you might find freelance jobs that match your skills to pay the fee needed.”
I nodded slowly, letting the idea sink in. “That doesn’t sound too bad. Let’s give it a try.”
With newfound determination, I headed toward the outskirts of the capital to search for work. But reality quickly slapped me in the face.
Most job postings were already filled, with positions snapped up by more experienced or better-connected applicants. The few employers I managed to approach barely glanced at me before waving me off, muttering something about being “too busy” or “no time to train amateurs.”
One shopkeeper even had the audacity to sneer at me. “Peasant,” he said, shooing me away like I was some stray animal. The door slammed in my face before I could respond.
I stood there for a moment, stunned. Frustration welled up inside me, but I pushed it down. With no money, there was no hope of paying for a hotel, making this more complicated since it was getting dark outside.
“Okay, it’s like life is giving me a test,” I muttered to myself, my stomach growling in protest.
Then I remembered something my father once told me: the mining company had a branch in the capital. That could be my ticket out of this mess.
I decided to start asking around, following vague directions that led me through winding streets and bustling crowds. After hours of wandering, I finally found the place. Too extravagant for a mining company—or at least what I imagined one to look like. Gold trim lined the walls, reflecting sunlight in dazzling patterns.
Do they just trust no one’s going to steal that? I wondered.
Inside, the décor was just as lavish, with polished wood floors. It would have felt like a mansion if the place were bigger. I approached the receptionist, who listened to my rambling explanation about my father and his connection to the hiring manager.
“Come back tomorrow,” she said curtly. “Your new boss will be here then.”
That was it. No unnecessary questions or long waits. It was almost too fast, taking only an hour to resolve.
“Great,” I muttered to myself as I left. “Now, how do I present myself tomorrow without smelling like dirt?”
As I walked back during the path, I saw a current of water, and it gave me an idea.
I decided to find a river to bathe in. The plan seemed simple enough until people started yelling at me.
“Hey! This is a public family area!”
“Get out of here before we call the guards!”
Apparently, scrubbing yourself in a river wasn’t as socially acceptable as I thought. I slinked away, dripping wet and humiliated, and decided to sleep under a bridge for the night.
The area beneath the bridge was packed with people—other homeless souls trying to make it through the night.
“Huh, can I sleep here?” I asked hesitantly.
They exchanged glances before a woman replied, “First time being homeless?”
“First and the last,” I said, trying to sound confident.
They laughed, though there was no malice in it—just shared misery.
“Let me guess,” she continued. “You walked five days or more to get here.”
“Four,” I corrected her.
“And a bunch of bandits stole all your stuff,” she added knowingly.
“How—”
“Yeah, we all ended up like you. No opportunities in the capital. This place only favors people living near the Aetheris Vale,” she explained with a weary sigh.
“Why?” I asked, curiosity piqued.
“The Aetheris Valley is home to the Tidehowlers, a tribe that keeps to themselves. They don’t like war, but they’re territorial as hell. Bandits don’t dare cross their lands, which makes it easier for people from there to reach the capital with their belongings intact.”
“Then why hasn’t anyone stopped these bandits?”
Her expression darkened, and she shrugged. “Because they don’t care. The guards protect the people inside the Valley and the capital’s inner districts. They don’t know what it’s like to come from far away with nothing, only to lose it all before you even get a chance to start.”
Her words hit harder than I expected, and I sat in silence, staring at the murky water below the bridge. Was this what I signed up for?
“Well, In a moment I will do my training routine”
“ I would like to follow you but I guess I will get lost.” Pachesko said
The night darkened, I stood and stretched, shaking off the stiffness from sleeping under the bridge. Despite my situation, I stuck to my usual routine—sprinting for an hour around the capital’s outer wall to get my blood pumping and shadowboxing to keep my reflexes sharp.
The area was eerily quiet as I jogged along the deserted path. Few people ventured out this late, and the silence was comforting until it wasn’t. My ears caught the muffled sound of a struggle—someone’s cries, hastily stifled. I stopped, squinting into the distance, where I saw three figures dragging a struggling person away from the path and toward a secluded corner.
I hesitated. Was this my problem? The muffled pleading made my heart twist. If I didn’t act, would anyone? Perhaps no one else was close enough to hear. Swallowing my doubt, I followed them cautiously, creeping closer to the summit shielding their actions. My heart pounded as I peeked over the edge.
One of the figures, a slim man with a blue mask, was tying the hands of their captive. Her cries became louder, and I could now see someone being taken, tears streaking her dirt-smeared face. A wave of guilt and anger surged through me. Memories of Pachesko advising me to ignore situations I couldn’t control surfaced. I regretted following that advice before. Not this time.
I decided to follow them, each step calculated to do not call attention, anything that is out of scope and maybe that person will never see the light of the next day.
Outside of the capital it seems they tying her arms in a little mount of sand covering their acts.
I took a step forward,
Another step, Getting closer to see at the other side of the mount,
but suddenly when I took a glance, they were gone. A voice broke the silence.
“You lost or something, kid?” The blue-masked man stood a few feet away, flipping a knife in his hand like it was an extension of his arm. He was flanked by two others: a stocky figure in a yellow mask holding the girl with a bag on her head, and a tall man in a black mask, casually twirling a boomerang.
“Don’t you think ganging up on someone is a coward’s move?” I shot back, hoping to buy time to assess the situation.
The blue mask sneered. “Oh, you’re one of those. Alright, kid. Let’s make this interesting. One-on-one”
Without warning, he flicked the knife at my face. I barely dodged it, only for him to rush forward. I evaded his charge and swept my foot low, tripping him to the ground. My victory was short-lived—a sharp pain shot through my back, the knife returned. I stumbled forward, the glint of a blade catching my eye as it was pulled out. The black mask threw his boomerang, wires springing from it mid-air and tangling around my legs.
They laughed, their voices echoing mockingly. Then came the sound of approaching footsteps.
“That’s why I can’t stand this kingdom,” said a deep voice, calm but cutting. “Barbaric tactics for even more barbaric acts. Tsk. And people wonder why this place doesn’t prosper.”
The group turned toward the source. A man emerged from the shadows. His clothes were tattered, but his presence exuded confidence. His mustard-colored hair framed a youthful face adorned with a short beard. His right hand bore a gauntlet, its intricate chains glinting faintly in the dim light.
“Old man, you wanna play hero?” the blue mask snarled.
The newcomer chuckled. “Old? Sure, call me that. But no wrinkles yet, eh?”
The blue mask didn’t wait for more words. He threw his knife again. This time, it disappeared mid-air. A cry of pain followed as the yellow-masked man dropped to the ground, the knife lodged in his leg. The girl broke free and sprinted away without looking back.
“Relax, relax,” Blue Mask stammered, raising his hands.
The black mask was less convinced, reaching for his boomerang. But I had freed myself from the wires and landed a punch square on his jaw. A kick to Blue Mask’s chest sent him stumbling.
“Not bad, kid,” the man said, his gaze sharp and appraising. “That elf is lucky to have a friend like you,” he added, nodding toward the fleeing figure in the distance.
At that moment, all I could think about was how unlucky I was to lose my chance to properly see a real elf for the first time. But I supposed it wasn’t the right time for that.
“Oh, I didn’t even know her,” I admitted with a wry smile.
The man’s eyebrows shot up. “You risked your life for a stranger? That’s... braver than me.” He chuckled, a hint of self-mockery in his tone. “I help people because I can. You almost died for nothing. Admirable, if not foolish.”
I shrugged. “I just didn’t want to regret it later.”
He nodded thoughtfully. “Fair enough. That’s how I started too—doing what I could for someone I loved. Back then, we were strangers, but it turned into something more. And now I am here to find her again”
“Good for you,” I said, brushing off the comment.
“Hey, do you know any hospitals around here? This capital is huge, and I’m not exactly familiar.”
I shook my head. “Not really. You’ll have to ask around.”
He frowned, looking troubled. “Thanks, anyway. Maybe I’ll see you around.”
“Yeah, thanks for the help, but I should get going. Good luck finding the love of your life.”
He tilted his head. “‘The love of my life?’” He muttered, perplexed. “Can’t I love more than one?”
I didn’t answer, leaving him to wrestle with his thoughts as I disappeared into the waking city.
Getting ready for my first day of job tomorrow morning.