There was an adventurer who went by the name Chronos Sagrad. Just like everybody else, he started off as a novice, but went up the ranks fast unlike the rest, or rather, he became strong without anyone noticing him. What does that mean?

Since adventurers are common in this world, the establishment of an organization that deals with adventurers became inevitable. This organization was called Council of Adventurers, or The Council in short.

Along with the establishment of the Council were certain rules and a ranking system. Once registered, one would have to take care following the rules, and of course, they would be ranked based on their exam score. The seven ranks are: beginner, intermediate, advanced, superior, heroic, master, and grand master.

One would be given a starting rank based on their exam score, but after that they would have to work on ranking up step by step until they reach the top. There were also those who choose not to have anything to do with The Council. There are reasons for this. As an adventurer under The Council, one will have to follow the processes and procedures concerning quests and explorations. One would not be allowed to take quests two ranks higher than their own.

For example, if one is an intermediate level adventurer, they will only be able to accept quests of their level up to advanced and no higher than that. Another reason was because The Council will publicize one’s achievements which in turn makes it difficult to stay low profile.

As someone who disliked the idea of a ranking system, and wanting to stay anonymous, Chronos became one of the Freelance Adventurers. It’s funny because adventurers are already freelancers to begin with. Adding freelance on top of that would make them "freelance freelancers". Oh well, times have changed and adventurers under The Council are now considered fully employed.

Of course, that doesn't mean there isn't a single disadvantage to becoming a freelance adventurer. First of all, one will not get any support from The Council. Travel funds, healing funds, and access to plethora of quests doesn't exist which makes it difficult to set out on a journey.

If one wanted to travel, they will have to use their own resources regardless of quest fee, and they will have to walk from house to house if they wanted a chance for a quest. Sometimes freelance adventurers even had to go through some shady taverns in order to get quests.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

Well, Chronos had his reasons for being a freelance adventurer. It wasn't because of some grand dream of saving the world and slaying villains. It was rather simple, but perhaps, it still isn't the time to talk about his drive or personality. Instead, let us talk about what happened just recently which brought him to his current situation.

He was exploring a certain dungeon. A dungeon filled with crystals. A dungeon with conflicting tales and history. Some say it is safe to explore. Some say anyone shouldn't be allowed near it. Others say a guardian of light sleeps within. While there are those who say a guardian of darkness lives there. Defeated by his own curiosity, Chronos challenged the dungeon all by himself just like usual.

At first, the dungeon seemed to match the peaceful stories he heard from a nearby town, but as he went deeper and deeper, he met it. A being of complete blackness. What kind of being it was is debatable. After all, Chronos could only see the pitch-black, violent stormy aura surrounding the entity. Chronos only heard a few words before he was defeated.

"You dare set foot in my sanctuary?!"

These were the unknown entity's words. It was an instant after that. Chronos received a fatal wound in the stomach. He was given a hole the size of an adult's fists without even the chance to fight back. His eyes trembled along with his whole body. His sense of fear came back to him for the first time after so long. Not only his sense of fear but the feeling of inevitable death came to him. His life flashed before him. The time when he was first trained by his father at the age of seven, and when he first set out on a journey alone at the age of twelve. Many years have passed and he was now twenty. He had a dream. It was a simple dream, and yet, it appeared impossible to fulfill in his current state.

He realized that he was no match against the entity he was facing. Even as he received a fatal wound, even though his liver was completely crushed, he clung to life. He was clinging to life not because he wanted to live. He knew it was over the moment he received that wound. He knew he could never be saved. He knew that death was inevitable, but he at least wanted to die somewhere peaceful. He hastily ran towards the dungeon’s exit. With each step, blood splattered. With each jump, a portion of his life was drained out.

Fortunately, the entity covered in blackness didn't bother chasing him. Maybe it knew not to waste its energy as death was inevitable to the wounded human anyway. Chronos on the other hand,

"Phew... That was close. Wait, I'm about to die anyway. He he... Ha ha ha-ughh... This is it for me huh?"

He murmured to no one in particular as he laid his half-dead body in the middle of a grassy plain. He felt immense pain when he tried to laugh. It was a sign that he was still alive. It was a sign that he still had blood flowing through his veins, but for how long would he last? It was near, the abyss of death was calling upon him. He spoke one last time before closing his eyes to meet his demise.

"At least I will die in a place as peaceful as this. Couldn't ask for more."

He closed his eyes with a smile as he said this. Unbeknownst to him, a mysterious girl was nearby. A girl filled with white. Eyes, hair, even her clothes were white. The girl went to take a look at the adventurer who was about to become a corpse. She whispered,

"May you rest in peace."