Our story starts here, in the Citadel of Nowhere for our voyage.

Through the years of history and time, this was once an arid land, desolate for but a few struggling farmers.

But one day the beast known as Courage evolved, the first of its kind.

Its masters long dead, it worked earnestly to rebuild the land it called home.

Through its efforts, Nowhere grew once again. Laughter of children could be heard in the streets.

The town became a city, the city a metropolis, and the metropolis a citadel.

In this land, all species of significance live in harmony.

And here, the Cerberus Guild began.

Through generations it once extended its reaches along the world.

Now all it can do is cover the country it now lives.

And from here does our story start.

*****

Citadel of Nowhere, 1785 TC (Time after Courage)

Erica walked along the shops, looking for someone to become her assistant in her travels.

"I finally became a level 1 hero today, now where can I find someone?" Erica didn't want guidance, she just wanted to chart the seas and explore the land. Like her own mother had done.

Today she joined the famous Cerberus Guild like her mother, by her request. She asked them for a map and an assistant, as well as a sword and other materials. She couldn't find an assistant.

Erica checked her inventory:

x1 Level 1 Novice Sword (Common)

x1 Map of Nowhere Nation (Beginner)

x3 Health Potions (20 HP)

x1 Call of Cerberus (Emergency flare)

x1 Cerberus Adventurer License

x3 Antidote

500 Rials

"Sigh, I don't have anything. I need to found a person to help get loot when I fight." Erica wanted to focus on simply fighting the slimes and monsters she encounters. She needed to find someone that could help clean up after her the valuables.

She went into the Nowhere Service Center, and stopped at the receptionist desk.

"Hello, how may I help you?" A petite little girl talked. She was clearly an Elf from her ears as she smiled. Her gold hair only emphasized her clear skin and her big eyes.

"I need an assistant. A good one. Someone that can help loot bodies when I'm done." Erica was straight to the point, adjust her inventory bag on the side. Her quiet demeanor and her fair skin won attention around, but her hair that cascaded down like a waterfall was what shocked others. A beauty. No doubt about it.

"May I please have your license as an adventurer please?" The young Elf behind the desk spoke again with a sweet tone. Erica gave her card to the young lady.

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"From here it says you are a Level 1 Sword Fighter. I'm sorry, but the quality of Supporters will be quite low. The cost is 100 Rials for the initial contract fee." The Elf girl seemed to feel sorry for the young adventurer in front of her.

100 copper Rials were stacked on the table, already bundled into tens. "Thank you. The quality isn't a problem. I just need someone." Erica was guided by the petite Elf girl to the back of the shop.

"You said you wanted to get someone to help with looting right?" The voice of the petite Elf was merry and kind.

Erica nodded. She looked in front, seeing three figures.

"Greetings, Madame. Pleasure to make your acquaintance. A youthful man greeted Erica with courtesy, an inventory bag around his shoulder.

"This is Charlie. He can not only help with looting, he is also a Level 1 Sentinel, and can protect you. He wants 5000 copper Rials." The young Elf was especially kind to Erica.

Erica heard the price of 5000 copper Rials. I only have 400 copper Rials. I can't afford this. "Can we, uhm, look at the other contracts?" Why are they so expensive?

"No problem. Thank you Charlie." The young Elf maiden greeted Charlie goodbye as they went to the next person.

"This is Gregor, he was a mining assistant before becoming a Supporter, and is very meticulous. He wants 1000 Rials." The young Elf was still kind and gentle like a spring breeze. 

Erica looked at Gregor. "Hello miss, I used to help the boss balance the costs before becoming a Supporter. I can help you be efficient and save." Gregor spoke kindly with a slight spunk in his voice. 

Erica heard the price and her hopes plummeted. 600 copper Rials short. Why today of all days? "Ehm, can we look at someone else. I'm a bit low on funds."

The petite Elf dressed in the Nowhere Service Center uniform hesitated before forcing a smile. "We have one more person. I hope that he is what you want." She guided Erica to the last person after greeting Gregor.

"This guy's name is Steve. He used to work for famous adventurers. He can loot very well and work as a supporter. He wants 200 copper Rials." The Elf girl pointed at the young man in the corner.

He had black hair, and his skin a bit dry. In his hand was a bottle, on his chest his own inventory bag. The two ladies could here him snore while he laid on top of some crates and barrels, using a barrel as a pillow. He was smiling in his sleep, and even talking a bit here and there.

"Deal." Erica knew that this was it. She was so happy to have this person named Steve on her team. She could just imagine it, becoming a Level 1000 Sword Fighter, Platinum Adventurer, a living Legend with Steve beside her.

The Elf girl looked surprised, but then began to smile. "Miss, please give me the payment." 

Erica quickly gave her 200 copper Rials and then looked at Steve. In his hand was a bottle she hadn't seen before. 

Seeing Erica's confused expression, the Elf maiden put away the money and went to Steve, slapping him in the face. 

"OW!" Steve woke up, stumbling from the crates and barrels. "Marsie, why? I didn't do anything this week. I didn't annoy anyone!"

"It's not me. It's your patron. Look!" The Elf's face quivered with anger as she pointed at Erica.

Steve picked the sand out of his eyes then looked at Erica. His eyes became lewd as he gulped.

"A beauty with C cups! She signed my contract? And that figure, that waist, those hips, I could--"

Steve looked like he was enamored in a fantasy before the Elf stomped on his foot.

"OW!!!! That hurt!" He grabbed at his foot, massaging it of the pain. Erica looked at Steve again and her heart fell down again.

"Why did he lose his old contract again?" Erica looked at the Elf maiden, embarrassed. 

The Elf girl hesitated again then spoke. "The last one was like you, a lady of Level 1 Magician. Steve was too much of a pervert and he drinks a lot. She told me he kept whispering to her lewdly." 

Erica felt terrible inside. How could I join a contract with a lecher?

"Madam, I am not as perverted as I look. I am not a perverted looter. I promise!" Steve felt offended. He remembered his last buyer and started to fantasize again. That big sister, she had E cups. And her clothing was open in all the right places. If I had my hands on--

But before he could think, Marsie stomped on his other foot. It looked like she already knew whenever he was in "pervert" mode.