Arriving at the guild before he could go find a place to sit, he saw Liz and she waved him over.

“Good morning, Liz.”

“Good morning, Mr. Thomas you are early, I will take you to where the meeting is to be held. All you will need to do is explain everything you saw and answer any questions to the C-ranked team when called upon. Since I was the one that you reported to, I will also be part of the meeting. Any questions?” Liz explained as she guided him to a door next to the counters. Opening it led up a set of stairs.

“Seems simple enough.” On the second floor there was a hall with 5 rooms. The ones on the sides were numbered one through four. The last one that was straight ahead said No Entry Guild Staff Only. This was the first time he had ever been to this part of the guild.

Before he could ask any questions the always professional Liz spoke again, seeing the questioning look on his face. “One through four are meeting rooms, we will be in number four today. The last door is for guild staff only. Here we are, ah excuse me, this room is booked for a briefing. I apologize but I am going to have to ask you to leave.”

Thomas was standing behind Liz who was in the doorway before he could enter. He could still see over her head. Sitting there was a woman at the head of the table across from the door they were standing in. When the woman looked up, she staired at them, not speaking up in reply yet.

Thomas though was almost frozen in place; she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. She had long black hair, matching his own. Unlike his bright green eyes, hers are golden, like two gold suns staring right at him. This is the first time he has ever seen eyes like hers, and they felt like they were almost pulling him in.

The look she gave them was calculating, judging them almost. He didn’t know what made him lock up. The look she gave them or the way she looked. He wasn’t some teenager that couldn’t control himself when he saw a pretty woman, so he thought something else was at play.

Trying to clear the thoughts running through his head he copied her and matched her observing look.

She was wearing to even his inexperienced eyes a beautifully tailored button-down long sleeve shirt. The blacks and blues of the shirt were accented by the golden trim and what looked like runes sowed into it. leaning on the chair next to her was a sword. Her sword compared to her clothes seemed almost plain, besides a single blue feather hanging off the hilt. It was thinner than his sword and looked a bit shorter as well.

She was reading a pile of papers of some kind when they came in, with a few sheets laying on the table spread out in front of her.

With what he could only call an aura of authority she spoke, “No I am going to be part of the brief too here is a note from the branch director giving permission.” Her voice was soft, with an almost melody sound to it.

Standing up and the woman walked over to Liz and handed her a note. That’s when Thomas realized she was a match for his slightly over six feet of height. Unusual since he was considered tall for a man. She was also wearing a long dark blue skirt that went down to her calf, and boots that disappeared under the skirt.

Reading the note Liz nodded “Very well Miss Thorn. Mr. Thomas, please have a seat. I will be back when the C-ranked team, Dawns Horizon, gets here.” Her voice sounded more controlled than normal, almost trying to seem more professional. Thomas stepped into the room but before he could even say hello to the newcomer Liz left without another word. Closing the door as she went.

Turning to the only other person in the room, finding she was back in her seat reading again. Thomas gave her a nod which she clearly didn’t see.

“Hello, I am Thomas, a newly promoted D-ranked.”

Looking back up at him with an almost evaluating look again for a second “I am Abigail Thorn.” Then she went back to reading.

Getting the feeling she wasn’t in the mood for a conversation, Thomas finally looked around the room. In the middle was a large table that could comfortably fit eight people. Behind the table it looked like a small lounging area with two couches and a table. The room was what he could only think of as ornate, a few paintings on the walls with other decorations here and there.

There is more wealth in this room than he had ever seen before in his life. The feeling that he didn’t belong here tried to well up, but he crushed it down reminding himself he did belong here. He wouldn’t let his upbringing dictate where he is allowed to be. He is an upstanding member of the guild, not some penniless orphan. Taking a deep breath, he went to sit down.

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Sitting down at the table two seats down to the right of the mysterious Abigail Thorn. Dropping his pack beside his seat, pulling out the little book Tessa gave him.

It was fascinating, the number of plants he clearly remembers seeing on his journeys through the woods that have value. Purple mana grass, three cap mushrooms, tiger lilies, and so many more he passed right by that he could just grab.

It went into detail about how to harvest and store them properly for maximum value when selling. So that they don’t lose potency. It also had information about things he could eat to help in many situations. From natural antidotes, to some that help you naturally heal faster. Also plants he should never touch without proper protection. So much information that could save his life or make him easy coin, he was almost mad at himself for not asking Tessa earlier for tips.

“Whoever wrote that is extremely knowledgeable.” the clear soft voice that came from just beside his ear.

It startled him so badly he almost threw the book out of his hands. Leaning away and turning slightly he was Abigail standing over him looking at what he was reading. He had seen beautiful woman before, even been close to a few but she was in another league which flustered him even more.

When she saw the startled look on his face a small chuckle escaped her mouth. “Sorry I didn’t mean to startle you, but I asked a question, when you didn’t respond. I was curious what had your undivided attention. I can see why it is interesting, in-depth knowledge and visual aids to help show exactly how to do everything.”

Feeling flustered “I uh sorry Miss Thorn umm what did you ask me?”

Standing straight again Abigail went back to her seat saying, “I asked how often you enter the eastern forest.”

Calming himself replying “I go probably twice a week, a few hunting or gathering quests. Sometimes I go to train, I don’t go to the southern forest though as often.”

A thoughtful expression appeared on her face, “Have you noticed any odd movements of the monsters or mana beasts in the area. Other than the one you reported yesterday?”

Thinking about it he realized that the monsters in the eastern forest have been more active lately. Speaking up “Actually yes, in the last few weeks I have run into a few more monsters than normal. I didn’t really think much about it because they were on the weaker side. More slimes, more rust wolves, a few mystic foxes. Nothing really out ordinary, just more of them. Besides yesterday I have only seen goblins a few times in the eastern part. Ah there was a group of three kobolds which was weird. They are normally only seen in the southern forest.”

Humming to herself and writing something down in her book. “Ah kobolds, goblins rat cousins. Goblins and kobolds are normally only found in the early parts of the southern forest, correct?”

Shrugging slightly Thomas still couldn’t get a grasp of who this woman was but answering anyways “I think so Miss Thorn, I haven’t been to the southern forest much. Only been an adventurer for a year and have only recently felt like I was skilled enough to go to the southern forest. So, I am not much help if you have questions about that one.”

For the first time Abigail looked a little surprised by something. A smile appeared on her face, she looked at him a bit longer nodded then said, “You can call me Abigail, only a year and already D-ranked. I can feel that your core is decently strong. Still, it normally takes six months to get out of F-ranked and promoted to E-ranked. Then a year to three to get out of E-ranked. Impressive.”

Feel his core? You can’t feel people’s cores, what in all the nine hells was she talking about. Before he could open his mouth to ask, three knocks and the door opening interrupted him. Liz walked in with three men behind her.

Liz walked quickly, almost like she was trying to get away from the people behind her. Liz went to the seat directly next to Thomas, between him and Abigail. As she did, she gestured to the seats across from us while speaking said “please take your seats and introduce yourselves so we can get start.”

The one first one was a tall, short cut blonde-haired, blue-eyed man. Wearing impressive plate armor with a shield on his back and a sword on his hip. His eyes swept the room, eyeing Thomas for second before dismissing Thomas completely. When the man saw Abigail though a smile appeared on his face which Thomas assumed the man thought was charming.

Thomas stifled a sigh he already had an idea what type of person this guy is.

Behind the first guy was a man with shoulder length brown, matching eyes, and a smaller build but walked with a grace that you normally wouldn’t see. His dark brown leather armor and twin short swords indicated he was more of an agile fighter. The bigger difference between the two was the pointy cat ears and tail the man had. Making it clear he is a beastkin.

The last one was an average looking man, in all definition of it besides he had a staff with him. He had brown hair and eyes as well, wearing light weight clothes that looked like a robe. He had the smallest out of the three and least intimidating out of the bunch. Still, the man gave off the impression he was just as skilled as the other two. Just in his own area of expertise. If Thomas had to guess he is a mage of some sort.

They walked in the room with the confidence that they were skilled professionals, but the first man gave off an air of arrogance. He walked over and took the seat right next to Abigail and leaned closer to her. When he spoke it all but confirmed it.

“Hello there, my name is Tristan Worth I am the team captain of Dawns Horizon. We are the top C-ranked team in the town but should soon be B-ranked.” He flashed another smile then continued, “Directly to my left is Phillip Robertson, as you can see a beastkin, deadly as they come. Last but not least Steven Ayla, our healer and mage, trained at the renowned Varnas university. I would love to know what your name is.”

This Tristan fellow was clearly only addressing Abigail during all of this. Like he was trying to impress her with how amazing they are.

The only thought that Thomas had was. This is going to be a pain, isn’t it?