The next morning, at the Adventurer’s Guild in Light’s Hope…

Noticeboards are plastered with requests, some from the townsfolk of Light’s Hope and others from the Guild. Adventurers – mostly rookies – gather around these boards, eager to choose missions and get going.

This place is bustling, as always. The Guild receptionists are up to their necks in work, and honestly… I can’t even begin to imagine doing their job. Especially not in the morning! I’m not a morning person by any stretch, and the thought of dealing with waves of adventurers this early? No thanks!

Still… someone’s gotta do it. Without them, this place would devolve into absolute chaos. Nothing would ever get done! They’re the unsung heroes, I’ll say that much.

The Adventurer’s Guild is a cornerstone of life in Nisha, with guildhalls dotted across both sprawling cities and quaint villages. These buildings are impossible to miss – they’re usually, more often than not, the most prominent structures in any settlement. Each guildhall isn’t just an administrative hub; they have inns and shops selling supplies and equipment. Clever, really – most of the gold they hand out as rewards eventually returns to their coffers!

It’s been a while since I’ve been here. I can’t help but soak it all, doing my best to keep my mind from wandering too far. And it all feels really… nostalgic.

I navigate through the crowd of adventurers to get a better look at one of the noticeboards. The usual jobs are up – local Dungeon expeditions… helping locals with errands… and minor Monster bounties. Nothing too intense. The Isle of Spirits is a popular starting point for many an aspiring Adventurer, after all. Many come here to take their first steps towards fame and fortune. It’s a far cry from the frontier towns, that’s for sure.

Even so, there’s always something that needs doing. And everyone’s gotta start somewhere. Like Anna and I… one timeline ago. Gosh, it feels so good to be back!

“Arisa!” Anna calls out, her voice rising above the chatter as she waves me over from the entrance. “Over here!”

“Coming!”

I weave through the crowd again, meeting her at the doorway. She proudly shows me a Guild Mission she’s picked out, the paperwork already sorted out by one of those tireless receptionists.

“Here you go!” Anna says, thrusting the Mission into my hands. “Take a look at this!”

“There’s a family in the woods that needs help…” I read aloud, scanning the parchment. “They’ve got a… Slime problem.”

Anna nods eagerly. “Umm… shall we head out now?”

“Hell yeah. That Slime is so fucking dead,” I reply with a grin. “Let’s go!”

----------------------------------------

Later, inside a small house on the outskirts of Light’s Hope…

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

Tables and chairs lie shattered and smeared with a viscous mix of green ichor and spilt ale, the air thick with the stench of rot and damp wood. It’s very… nauseating.

Good grief. Slimes really are disgusting monsters. They’re blind as bats, and they’re drawn to warmth, smothering their prey with their ice-cold, gelatinous bodies. Slowly but surely… they drain the heat and life from their victims, devouring that precious warmth they crave.

It’s… not a good thought to dwell on. They’re really slow, though! But what they lack in speed, they make up for with superb natural regeneration and downright stubborn durability. It makes them nearly unkillable… if you don’t exploit their weakness to fire or ice!

“Arisa, look over there!” Anna cries out, waving towards the kitchen. “That’s…”

Hmph. Speak of the devil. The Slime invading this house slithers into view – a rippling mass of revolting green, bits of splintered wood and half-dissolved bones floating in its viscous body like grotesque ornaments. Drawn to our heat… it oozes slowly across the floor towards us.

So, as I was saying – there are two ways to kill a Slime. Either freeze it solid and smash it into oblivion or give it all the heat it desires… burning it away till there’s nothing left but foul vapour. As a Healer and a Paladin, we’re best suited to do the latter!

“That nasty thing’s coming in cold…” I say to Anna as I draw Elizabeth and prepare for battle, my hands glowing fiery shades of white and blue. “You thinking what I’m thinking?”

Anna nods, her hand already on Ascalon’s hilt.

“We hit it together,” I instruct, locking eyes with the advancing Monster. “On my Divine Blessing, we engage that Slime.”

“Got it!” Anna replies as she steels herself. “Be not far from me, Rinnah...”

With a gentle wave of my hand, I bestow my Divine Blessing on Anna. A faint glow envelops her as she raises Ascalon, its enchanted edge shimmering red and orange with fire… and she charges at the Slime with eyes blazing white and blue. Simultaneously, I unleash a wave of Holy Fire, engulfing the Monster in searing, cleansing flames.

And just like that, it’s over! Our combined attack obliterates the Slime. All that’s left is a disgusting green stain and the stench of boiled acid. It’s not much of a challenge, really – just another low-level Monster bounty for a basic Adventurer’s Guild Mission. Oh well.

Sheesh! If only the Demon Lord were this easy to kill. That’d be nice.

“No kill like overkill, eh!?” I laugh, pinching my nose as the acrid stench hits me. “Anna! We totally fire-fucked that Slime into next week!”

Anna stares at me with wide eyes, her face a mix of amusement and horror. “Fire-what? Umm… that sounds so wrong. But yes – we did it! Good job, Arisa! And umm…”

She peers nervously at the aftermath, her gaze flitting between the charred remains of the Slime and the room around us.

“Oh no! Arisa…”

I follow her eyes, my stomach sinking as I take in the full extent of the scene before us. Hate to say it, but the once cosy living room and kitchen are a wreck, coated in burnt ichor and slime residue. The furniture is ruined, and the floorboards are warped from the heat of our attack.

“Fuck me…” I murmur, running a hand through my hair. “What a mess.”

Anna gives me a nervous smile, a hand on her cheek. “Umm… after we report back to the Guild, maybe we should… you know… help the family clean up?”

“Really? You think so?”

“It’s the least we can do!” Anna adds earnestly. “All this destruction was mostly the Slime’s doing… but we should lend a hand however we can to those in need. That’s what Mom says!”

“Hmm…”

“Pretty please?”

“Fine,” I say with a silly grin, shrugging my shoulders. “Nothing says ‘heroic Adventurer’ like an afternoon of scrubbing floors…”

“That’s the spirit!” Anna cheers before giving me a mock-serious pout. “Sarcasm aside, of course! But, Arisa... you don’t mind helping out, right?”

I raise an eyebrow, feigning hesitation. “Could I ever say no to my Paladin? Yes, I’m happy to help.”

Anna’s cheeks flush bright red as she presses a hand to her face. “Oh! Really now! Arisa…!”

“I mean it,” I say with a soft laugh, letting a warm smile follow. “I’m in.”

Honestly, I don’t mind this at all. Sure, cleaning isn’t my idea of fun… but after everything in Arcadia… even mundane tasks on Nisha feel like a honeymoon.