The refugees of Spirmond trudged through more farmland. By now the moon was directly above. They had crossed over a natural river that ran east of Oxfell. Maria's legs were growing wobbly, and sore, but they finally made it to the city. Despite the moon’s fragmentation, it still cast an enchanting pale glow against the city’s thick stone walls. It was large with dozens upon dozens of crop fields wrapped around it. They stretched for miles, protected by several smaller wooden walls.

As they approached the cast iron gates, a squad of armored guards blocked their way. Irra commanded the group to stand by while Vadros and her spoke to them. Maria glanced up and gulped. The walls were much taller up close. More guards stood atop, looking down at her group.

“Word is other refugees came through earlier,” a guard said to Irra. “The neighboring village of Galille had been attacked as well.”

“Wonderful…” Irra sighed. “These Shadow Jesters are getting out of control.”

“We’ve kept an eye out for them. Thankfully, we haven’t spotted any in the farmlands or near the walls. They’re getting closer though.”

“It's as if they've drawn a damn circle around us,” Vadros said. “When they're not reducing a village to ashes, they're lurking like vipers in the tree line or probably nesting in the damn mountain caves. They're just biding their time till darkness falls.”

“We’ll put an end to it all soon enough,” Irra said. “The guild has a contract out to find what’s spawning these creatures and destroy it.”

“But no luck has come of it,” said the guard.

“We know,” Vadros grumbled. “Now let us pass. I’m hungry.”

The gates screeched and clunked as they rose. The guards vetted each villager as they entered the gates. When Maria walked through, they gave her a few awkward stares–likely because of her clothing.

Oxfell was a far cry from what Maria was used to. It was like she had gone back in time, and in a way, she had. The towering gray skyscrapers and thick smoggy air were gone, now replaced by shingled roofs and a starry night sky that made her feel like she was on another planet… She was, now that she thought about it. Gardens lined the sidewalks and potted plants willed with cultivated bushes dangled from overhangs. Vines wrapped around the gas lamps dotting the street, and colorful banners and streamers were left hanging. She guessed from a prior festival. The buildings looked real, the ground was solid, and the sky was beautiful, but there was something about it that felt fake. Like she didn’t belong here. But in a way, she did. She was chosen for this. Still, she couldn’t help but wonder if it was all a dream.

Maria followed the refugees to a shelter built between two towering brick buildings occupied by another village worth of people. Many of them looked injured, and blood stained their tattered clothes.

Maria could only stand and watch them as the people from Spirmond settled into the shelter, and were tended to by maidens dressed in loose-fitting, white nightgowns. A few mumbled, disgruntled that they had to be woken up to come back on shift with the new arrival of people.

A voice calling for Maria made her jump. She turned to see Irra.

“Our work here is done. Are you coming or not?” asked Irra.

“To the guild, right?”

“Where else would we be taking you?”

“How about to dinner?”

Irra rolled her eyes and headed to a street where Vadros was waiting.

Maria took one last glance at the townsfolk before somberly following Irra. It wasn’t a long walk, thankfully, though it was a quiet one. She walked behind the trio, letting them guide her way. Luckily, it gave her a great view of Irra’s ass. Maria couldn’t help herself but to fantasize about the kind of panties she was wearing. What kind of panties did people in this world wear? Were there any at all? There had to be. She wanted to see.

Rounding the corner, they arrived at the front steps of the Adventurer's Guild. The building alone was remarkably complex, with multiple stories, a mansard roof, and intricate woodwork. It seemed straight out of a storybook.

The scent of sweet air and bustling conversation erupted as soon as Irra pushed open the large oak doors. “This is the Adventurers Guild.”

The hall was large with a high ceiling where banners and streamers hung. The walls were adorned with maps, trophies, weapons, and large oil paintings that captivated her. Tucked in the foremost left corner upon entering was the mess hall containing several rows of long tables. A colorful array of humans, elves, and dwarves sat around, talking amongst themselves, and wadding to the music enveloping the place. A bard stood by the fireplace, strumming a tune to the cheer of wizards, knights, and warriors. A pair of knights in the corner arm wrestled over gold. Elves sat around acting prim and proper, and a coven of scantily-clad witches gathered around colorful potions. Maria had never seen so many people carrying claymores, colorful swords, large battle axes, and staves. Some weapons even defied reality. One adventurer had a sword strapped to his back, but the blade was bent like a boomerang. Could he throw it? Would it come back?

It had the atmosphere of a movie frat house.

Maria chuckled as her gaze darted all over the room. “I’ve never seen anything like this.”

“You’re serious?” Irra asked.

“Everything back home is made of concrete and steel. This looks so much better.”

Irra puffed her chest. “As you can see, this guild has everything an adventurer needs. Rooms are up on the second floor, above the mess hall. Guild members get a discount on food. We have a blacksmith out back, and the basement has a bathhouse to wash up after a long day. Believe me, you’ll love it down there.”

“It does all sound nice.”

“If you want to sign up for the guild, talk to the women over there.” Irra gestured over to a long, solid table with a vast shelf of locked mail drawers positioned behind it. Two maidens sat behind the counter, both wearing matching blue bodices over their white dress shirts with black pencil skirts and white jabots.

Maria’s eyes ran up and down the women. She licked her lips.

“You got all that?”

“Yeah. Sure.” She didn’t make eye contact.

“Good. You’re on your own now. Good luck.” Irra went to the mess hall with Vadros.

Maria brushed herself off before approaching the desk. There was nothing she could do about the large, black blood stain, however.

The receptionist was stunningly beautiful, with a warm, welcoming smile, and delicate golden hair braided over her shoulder. Inevitably, Maria’s gaze followed the braid down to the woman's considerable cleavage spilling out of her unbuttoned shirt.

“Good evening,” the boobs– pardon– the receptionist said.

“Hello.” Maria returned a warm smile. Her gaze darted between the woman's eyes and her breasts. “This is where I sign up to join the guild?”

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The receptionist nodded with a sultry grin. “Sure is, honey.” She raised her eyebrow looking over Maria. Probably her outfit again. It did stand out compared to everyone else’s tunics, woolen trousers, and armor.

“Great. I’m looking to join,” Maria said.

“Happy to help.” The receptionist bent over and pulled out a slip of parchment and a quill and ink, then slid them to Maria. A simple application. She had never used a quill to write before. No better time to learn. Using one made her feel more professional and fancy compared to using a pencil. Filling it inspired a sense of independence, like she was agreeing to something she profoundly believed she was ready for, even if she wasn’t.

“What’s your name sweetie?” the woman asked in a friendly manner.

“Hm? Oh, Maria. Maria Marigold.”

“I’m Silori. I have to say, your outfit is interesting”

“That’s what most people think.”

“A tad odd, but it looks nice on you, bloody and disheveled as it is.” Silori pressed her finger on her lip. “I wouldn’t mind taking it off you for the evening.”

Maria’s heart skipped a beat. “For cleaning?”

“Sure, if that’s all you want. Is it?”

Maria blushed trying to muster a response. “I’m good for now, but thank you.” She sighed. Cold feet got the best of her. She finished filling out the application and handed it back. “So, how does this work?” Probably should have asked that question before filling out the application.

“Have any adventuring experience?”

“Not really, no.”

“Well, then what we’ll do is find a guild master to train you. If you had experience. then it would be a simple vetting process to make sure you aren’t some unsavory character who would tarnish our name.”

“Oh, I can’t just start right away?”

“Just a precaution we take. Besides, we want to make sure all our adventurers can handle themselves out there. The Demon King is dead, but the world is no less dangerous.”

Maria pursed her lips. “Fair point.”

“Now, let me run these papers up to the head guild master, and I’ll see if we have any guild masters available to train you. It’ll only take a few moments. Please, have a seat somewhere.”

Maria decided to look around the guild hall while the receptionist did whatever she had to. The armor and shields on the wall brandished crests of various animals, not too different from the one Maria had on her wrist. They were each labeled: Nemract, Berlington, Oxfell, Mathh Aethel, Penkurth, and Castlebourne. She had much to learn about this world. Several slips of paper had been pinned to a large quest board lining the wall by the receptionist's desk. Most asked for hard labor, escorting, monster hunting, or protection. Rewards varied in terms of gold and a few offered items, like potions, crops, and food. Another board sat beside the quest one, only this one hung vertically and displayed a list of names organized by rank: bronze, silver, gold, and platinum. At the top of the bronze list, she spotted Irra’s name.

A trio of elves stood near the doorway, speaking in what Maria assumed was elvish. It came across so smooth and elegant despite sounding like gibberish. They wore beautiful, flowing nightgowns that attempted to accentuate their breasts. She stared brazenly at their busts and sighed. They didn’t have large chests at all. Certainly not the kind she had envisioned.

A few moments later, the receptionist returned. Accompanying her was an old, wise-looking man. “This is Guildmaster Eardwulf,” Silori said proudly. “He is one of our most talented spellcasters and educators.”

Eardwulf gave Maria a polite bow. In every traditional sense, he looked exactly how Maria expected a wizard to. He was tall, thin, and hunched over. His long gray hair had been tied into a single braid, and he wore a long dark, navy blue robe with improbably wide sleeves and constellations sewn into it. Amazingly, the stars sparkled in the light.

Maria extended her hand. “Pleased to meet you.”

Eardwulf grabbed her hand and shook it. “The pleasure is all mine. If you don’t mind, I tend to speak to new members before taking any of them under my wing.”

“Not at all.” Maria followed Eardwulf to the mess hall after he took her application. Maria sat across from him on a long wooden bench. Despite being in the heart of the noise, it was surprisingly easy to hear him.

“So, you’re looking to be an adventurer?”

“That I am.” Maria gave him a warm smile.

“Why do you seek to become an adventurer?”

Maria hesitated. Outright telling him the truth may not be the right choice. “I want to see the world and know more about it.”

“Any prior experience?”

Maria gave him a blank expression. “Experience with adventuring?”

“Yes. With combat, the system, things like that.”

Maria’s face reeled back, and she let out a chuckle. “Not really…”

“I see… You’ll need a class. There are three adventurers tend to rely on. Warrior, Mage, and Archer.”

“So I just pick one?”

“You don’t pick a class, per se. It’s the gear you carry that defines you. If you find you prefer to strike from afar, you may lean more toward bows. If you prefer close-quarters combat, you’ll lean towards swords with gear that boosts your health and defense. If you like magic, well… You get the idea.”

Maria nodded.

“You aren’t limited to one style though. Different situations require different tools. That’s what I’ll teach you. I’ll familiarize you with most weapons so you can find which you prefer. Now… you’re not familiar with the system?”

“Nope. I’m not from around here, so this whole… system is still new to me.”

“You come from across the sea?”

“Uhhh… yes. I am.”

“Hmm. Never have I ventured beyond our land, but I have heard of things being quite different there.”

“Evening, Master Eardwulf,” Irra said, appearing behind Maria. Irra had taken off her adventuring gear and slipped into something more casual, a tight-fitting tunic that hugged her, and loose trousers tied off with a thin strip of rope. Without her armor on, she looked amazingly svelte. She had untied her platinum blond hair as well, letting it cascade over her shoulders. She carried with her a full plate of food. It smelled delicious, though Maria couldn’t tell what it was. Some kind of meat glazed with white sauce. Chicken dipped in mayonnaise came to mind, but it couldn’t be. It smelled better.

“Evening, Irra,” Eardwulf said.

Irra sat next to Maria. “What a coincidence you two get paired together.”

“You know this girl?”

“I just brought her here. She got caught up in our defense of Spirmond.”

“Ah, so you made it in time after all.”

“Just barely. I rescued Maria, but she ran back into the flames like an idiot.”

Maria smacked the table. “It was to save a young girl!”

“I see.” Eardwulf glanced at Maria. “I’m glad to hear you have some bravery.”

“And I’m glad someone appreciates it.” Maria glared at Irra.

Irra glared back. “I could have saved the girl easily if she would have left when I told her.”

Eardwulf chuckled. “Cocky, as always.” He looked at Maria. “I’ve had a good month of rest without her by my side.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” asked Irra.

Eardwulf let out a soft chuckle. “Nothing at all. Good seeing you again, but I have an interview to finish.”

Irra picked up her plate and huffed as she walked away.

Eardwulf shook his head. “Forgive her. She’s…”

“Interesting.”

“That’s one word you could use. She is highly skilled for a bronzer-tier adventurer. Probably our best bronze-tier member, in fact. Close to becoming a silver-tier member already.”

She recalled the ranks on the wall. “What are these tiers about?”

“Once you finish training with me, you’ll become a bronze-tier craftsman. The more you adventure, and complete quests for the guild, the higher standing you’ll get. Promotion is tiered by bronze, silver, gold, and platinum. From there, you can work your way up to our highest rank, guild master. Few ever do though.”

“Sounds like an interesting goal.”

“Don’t expect to level up much during your training. Experience will come when we go out on a field mission.”

Maria gave him another blank stare. “Experience?”

“Each time you gain enough experience points, be it from killing monsters or completing our guild quests, you level up and receive a skill point. You can then allocate that to any spell or weapons skill. Put multiple points into one skill to strengthen it. I’ll be sure to get you familiar with that.”

“Thank you. I’m happy to be your apprentice.”

Eardwulf smiled. “We can begin training tomorrow.”

“About that… I just arrived in Oxfell. Where can I stay?”

“Unfortunately, only guild members can use the rooms here.”

“Am I not a guild member?”

“Not until I deem it so. You must prove your worth before I grant you guild benefits, as those before you have. I’ll get you acquainted with how the guild operates, how we handle clients, and reporting quests when completed. Combat training will also be included. It’s up to you from there.”

“Am I just living on the street until I become a guild member?”

“Resourcefulness is a key skill for guild members. Consider finding quarters your first test. But I’ll also give you my first lesson: sleeping in stables is rather cheap.”

“Right, thanks…”

“Have a good evening, Maria. I’ll see you in the morning.” With that, the old wizard stood and left.

Maria let out a long, deep sigh. All she had to do was find a place to stay until her training was complete. Then the adventure could really begin.