The town of Eloria bustled with activity as James made his way down the cobblestone streets. It was still surreal, being in this world. The sounds of blacksmiths hammering, merchants bartering, and the occasional adventurer strolling by in gleaming armor made the whole experience feel like he’d stepped into one of his RPGs. He still couldn’t believe it. He was in a fantasy world, and better yet, he was about to take his first step toward becoming a full-fledged adventurer. James glanced down at his reflection in a nearby shop window. He looked completely different now, tall, with spiky red hair, toned muscles clearly visible even through his simple tunic. His freckled face, once soft and round, now had sharper features, and he could even see his jawline. It was still hard to believe that this was really him. He’d gone from a nerdy guy behind a screen to someone who might just have the makings of a hero. Well, at least in appearance. His magic control? That was a work in progress. After the whole “burning bread” incident yesterday, he’d learned that controlling his fire and lightning magic wasn’t as easy as just thinking about it. Ahead of him, the Adventurer’s Guild loomed, a large, fortress-like building with a giant banner that bore the guild’s emblem, a sword crossed with a staff, framed by a circle of stars. Adventurers of all ranks passed in and out of the double doors, some with weapons slung over their backs, others laughing and recounting their latest quests. “This is it,” James muttered to himself as he approached the entrance. “Time to be a real adventurer.” Inside, the guild hall was just as lively. Wooden tables were scattered around the main floor, with groups of adventurers sharing drinks and stories. A massive board dominated one side of the room, covered in sheets of parchment listing various quests and missions. It was here that James would begin his journey. The guild receptionist, a stern-looking woman with her hair in a tight bun, sat behind a desk near the entrance. As James approached, she glanced up, giving him a quick once-over before returning to the stack of papers in front of her. “New, I take it?” she said without looking up again, her tone bored and practiced. “Yeah,” James replied, standing a little straighter. “I’m here to sign up as an adventurer.” “Name?” she asked, still not meeting his eyes as she grabbed a blank form. “James Porter.” “Rank?” she asked, her pen poised above the paper. James hesitated. “Uh… beginner?” She rolled her eyes. “That would be Rank F.” She scribbled his name down, stamped the form with a wax seal, and handed it to him along with a small silver badge. “Here’s your guild badge. Congratulations, you’re officially the lowest rank in the guild.” “Thanks… I think?” James said, glancing at the badge. It wasn’t glamorous, but it was a start. “Your first mission’s already been assigned,” the receptionist continued, sliding a piece of parchment across the desk. “You’ll be gathering healing herbs in the forest just outside town. It’s a standard task for beginners. The herbs are called moonwort, should be easy enough to find. Stick to the main paths, and you’ll be fine.” James took the parchment, his heart racing with excitement. His first quest! Sure, it wasn’t exactly slaying dragons, but it was a start. “Thanks,” he said, tucking the parchment into his bag. He gave her a nod and turned to leave, but she called after him. “And watch yourself out there. There’ve been reports of higher-ranked monsters lurking near the forest. Stay close to town, and you should be safe.” James waved it off. “No problem! I’ve got this.” James walked briskly along the dirt path leading into the forest just outside Eloria, his mind racing with excitement and anticipation. His simple tunic and trousers, though functional, didn’t feel quite as heroic as the armor or robes worn by the more experienced adventurers he’d seen in town, but it didn’t matter. This was his first official quest. Rank F or not, it was still his moment. The trees around him swayed gently in the afternoon breeze, their leaves glowing in the warm sunlight. The forest was peaceful, serene even, and for a while, James allowed himself to enjoy the atmosphere. He was starting to relax, almost forgetting about his earlier nerves as he ventured deeper into the woods, his eyes scanning for the moonwort herbs he’d been sent to collect. “Alright,” he muttered to himself. “How hard can it be to find a few herbs? This is supposed to be a newbie quest. No big deal.” He knelt down to examine a patch of wild plants. After fumbling through the leaves, he spotted the telltale silvery-blue petals of the moonwort and grinned. “Easy enough,” he said, plucking a handful and tucking them into his bag. The feeling of accomplishment was short-lived. As James stood up, a strange sound echoed through the forest, something heavy, something large, moving through the underbrush. His heart skipped a beat, and he froze, listening intently. For a moment, the only sounds were the gentle rustling of the trees and his own nervous breathing. Then he heard it again. A low growl. “Must be one of those forest critters,” he said quietly, trying to convince himself. “Probably just a boar or something.” But the growl grew louder, deeper, and the ground beneath his feet began to tremble slightly. This wasn’t a boar. A chill ran down James’s spine, and his instincts screamed at him to move. He barely had time to react before the creature burst through the trees. It was massive, easily eight feet tall, with dark fur bristling over thick muscles. Its eyes glowed a sickly yellow, and jagged horns curled from its skull like those of a demonic bull. The beast’s claws dug deep into the ground as it snarled, its hot breath filling the air with the stench of decay. James’s mouth went dry. This wasn’t some low-level forest critter. This was a Rank C monster, something far beyond his current capabilities. He wasn’t ready for this, he had only just started his adventure, and now he was staring down death in the form of a towering, horned beast. Without thinking, James tried to summon his magic. His hands tingled with energy, but it was wild and uncontrolled, sparks of electricity dancing between his fingers as he desperately attempted to focus. “Come on, come on…” he muttered, trying to steady himself. But the beast wasn’t going to wait. With a deafening roar, it lunged at him, its claws slashing through the air. James barely dodged, rolling to the side and stumbling to his feet. His heart pounded in his chest, panic setting in as he realized how outmatched he was. He had no real combat experience, no control over his magic, he was completely unprepared. The beast snarled again, lowering its head as it prepared to charge. “I need to, ” James started, but before he could finish, the monster was upon him. Its horns glinted in the fading light as it barreled toward him, intent on skewering him where he stood. James threw up his arms in a last-ditch attempt to cast a defensive spell, but the magic fizzled, and his mind went blank with terror. This was it. He was going to die, after only one day in this world. But then, just before the beast’s horns could pierce him, a burst of light and energy erupted between them. James stumbled back, blinking as the monster was thrown to the side by an unseen force. His heart still racing, he looked up to see a figure standing in the shadows of the trees. Her voice rang out, clear and commanding. “That’s enough.” The figure stepped forward into the light, revealing a tall woman with flowing purple hair that shimmered with a cosmic glow. She wore a simple but elegant black dress with lace at the edges, and her red-framed glasses perched perfectly on her freckled nose. There was something otherworldly about her, a power that radiated from her very presence. In her hand, she held a glowing staff, its tip pulsing with magical energy. James could only stare, dumbfounded. “Who…?” The woman sighed, adjusting her glasses as she strode confidently toward the fallen beast. “Honestly, what kind of idiot gets himself into a fight with a Rank C monster on his first mission?” “I, I didn’t know!” James stammered, still struggling to process what had just happened. “Of course you didn’t,” she muttered, rolling her eyes. “That’s why I had to step in.” The beast, dazed but not defeated, began to rise again, its glowing eyes fixed on the woman. She glanced at it, unimpressed. “Stay down,” she said, her voice calm but laced with power. She raised her staff, and in an instant, a surge of violet energy shot from its tip, striking the monster square in the chest. The creature howled, collapsing to the ground in a lifeless heap. James watched in awe as she casually approached the fallen beast, kneeling down to examine it. With practiced precision, she retrieved a small knife from her belt and began cutting into the monster’s skull, prying off one of its horns. “I’ve been tracking this thing for days,” she said without looking at James. “Needed its horns for a potion. You’re lucky I showed up when I did, or you’d be its next meal.” James swallowed hard, his mind racing. “Thank you… seriously, you just saved my life.” The woman didn’t reply, focusing instead on her work as she cut off the second horn. When she was done, she stood up and turned to face him, her eyes cool and calculating. “You’re not ready for this world,” she said bluntly. “You’d be dead within a week at this rate.” James couldn’t argue with that. “I know, I know, but I’m just starting out! I just need time to get stronger.” The woman tilted her head, her purple hair catching the light. “Stronger? You couldn’t even manage a simple spell back there.” James winced. “Yeah… about that.” She narrowed her eyes. “You’re reckless, and your magic is a mess. But you’ve got potential. I’ll give you that.” James brightened, sensing a glimmer of hope. “So… would you consider joining my party? You’re obviously really strong, and I could use someone like you.” The woman raised an eyebrow, amusement flickering in her gaze. “Join your party? No. But I’ll make you a counteroffer.” James blinked. “A counteroffer?” She smirked. “Become my servant. I’ll protect you, teach you magic, and keep you alive. In exchange…” She leaned in, her voice dropping to a teasing whisper. “I’ll take your soul.”

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