The streets of the capital were always filled with people, coming and going all throughout the day. The types of people that litter the capital varied from merchants, swordsman, knights, smiths, and adventurers of different kinds.

“Damn…It’s crowded, can’t wait for the day I leave the capital.”

In the middle of this chaos was Zadia counting this year she had already become 12.  Zadia now had a more developed chest, longer legs with clear skin, and a more feminine face. Her growth also attracted unwanted attention more than before. Zadia had learn to control herself better, and now only proceeded to hit those that touched her.

“Here we are.” Zadia stared with excitement

Zadia had arrive at the entrance of the adventurers’ guild. Today she took a break from her routine and decided to visit the adventurers’ guild. Julianne had allowed her to go, under the condition she comes back before sundown. She was also given a sword for self-defense, which was attach to her leather belt.

“Hmm, so this is the adventurers’ guild.” Zadia takes big steps while looking around.

The guild had a wooden bar to her right with stools to accompany them and several adventurers hanging about. To her left were several tables with men playing cards, drinking, eating, and chatting. Straight across was the adventurers board, it contain quests that could be taken. Manning the bar was a burly man, she couldn’t see his face as he had his back turned. Zadia made her way towards him.

“Hey old man! Where can I register?” Zadia shouted, as people turned towards her in shock. They started whispering to one another.

“Does that girl have a death wish?” one man whispered.

“Seems that way.” Another responded to his question.

Zadia hearing all the comments coming from the men behind her was getting annoyed. Just as she was about to turn around and start her rampage, the burly man faced her as he glared at her. He had scars all over his face and hands. She wondered how many more scars are hidden underneath his long sleeve shirt.

“Young lady, is that how you address those older than you?” The man spoke in a menacing tone.

[Pfft…Earth and mom are a hundred times scarier than you old man]

“Can, you just tell me where I can go to register?” Zadia eyes started to wonder.

Adventurers nearby stayed quiet listening in curiously.  Some were shocked to see her casually talking to the man without a care. They all expected her to fear him, because most of them in the guild, if not all were scared of this burly man with his hideous scars.

“How old are you?” The burly man inquires as he crosses his arms.

“Twelve.” Zadia retorted while sticking out her tongue.

The burly man paused for a moment. He was stunned by the fact that this girl could be so bold. Then let out a laugh that roared throughout the guild, sending chills down the spines of the adventurers present.

“Hahah!! It’s been a while since I met someone like you.” The man looks around at the other adventurers, all of them averted their eyes as he searched the room.

“Meaning?” Zadia spoke as she observed him.

“There’s not a single real adventurer amongst the lot of them. In the Capital there’s nothing but the greedy and drunk loitering around here.” The man boldly declared.

Zadia noted every ones silence not a single one refuted him oddly enough. Just then she realize what he meant.

“The best of the adventurers are out there in dangerous lands exploring, killing the biggest monsters, discovering the most ancient of artifacts. I have met some of the most famous adventurers while I was stationed out there, where the real action was happening.” The old smiled as he is reminded of the past.  

“Well, I don’t care about that… Where can I register?” Zadia demanded as she stared.

“Hah! You have to be at least 15 before you can become an adventurer, it’s a shame really. If I had to judge, I would say you are ready for it.” The man said scratching his cheek.

“Tch… damn it, I came here for nothing then. I wanted to at least go hunting for monsters.” Zadia mutters as she leaves. The burly man turns his back to resume his duties.

“Hey!”

A voice came from behind, it to belong to a women. Zadia turns around and notices a girl with brown hair, and blue eyes. As she looks behind her she sees two men standing behind her, one was skinny, with black hair, and eyes, with a couple of daggers, while the other was tall, and big ,with a large belly, and black hair, with blue eyes holding a big two handed sword.

“Yes? What is it?” Zadia responded

“You want to come with us? We’re heading over to a village not far from here to do a goblin subjugation request.” The woman offers with a cheery smile.

“Umm… Why do you want to take me?”

“Because, you seemed to be the kind of person that would want to go. So how about it?” The women offers her hand.

“Okay.” Zadia grasp her hand with hers.

“I’m Prina, the small guy here is Arnold, and the big guy is Sten.” Prina points as she introduces them.

“Nice to meet you I’m Zadia.” Zadia waves

“Heh, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” Arnold grins, as he gets elbowed by Prina

“Ouch!!”

“Don’t mind him. He’s the creepy type and Sten… well he’s the quiet one.” Prina takes Zadias hand.

“Well let’s go!” Prina says with a smirk.

The four had left the gates of the capital and were making way towards their destination. Zadia was amazed by being in the open world for the first time, outside the walls of the capital. They occasionally came across weak monsters like slime, and blobs which were just higher level slimes. They had walked for four hours, until they took a break. Prina was preparing dinner, while Sten was sharping his sword, and Arnold staring at Zadia.

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“It’s almost done!” Prina shouted joyfully

“Smells good.” Zadia commented.

“There!!” She had took out the four wooden bowls she had placed to the side, and filled the bowls with the soup. She gave Zadia the first bowl and then past the other two to her companions. Zadia started chowing down, when she noticed Prina and Arnold smiling.

“What are you....” Zadia started become drowsy

[Don’t tell me they put something in this?]

“damn…it…” Zadia mutter as she falls back.

Her vision became dark, and it seems that she had become blind until minutes later. She had open her eyes to see a familiar cold place with white snow, the same dark alleyway, with the same people she or in other words he had despised. They stood there acting high and mighty with their group of five, thanks to these five this place, was the last place he ever saw.

“Hey guys, Lucas is still alive over here!” One of the men called to the others.

[Oh yea this is where I’m Lucas the 25 year old street punk…Damn it… Wait something is wrong, my body is moving on its own!]  Zadia notices the body getting up, as it was filled with knife wounds, bruises, broken bones, and missing teeth.

[Damn…how can I still move?]

“Hah! Look at this guy, the hero still thinks he can still take us, looking like that hahah!” the boy laughs as he leans onto the wall.

[These bastards]

Zadia notices the arms of the body being lifted.

[Great, I can’t do anything… it’s just going to replay the last actions of my former self…I wonder why I tried so hard in the end here … I just look pathetic] The body brings up both his fists and erected two middle fingers, and a smile.

[Oh… now I remember]

“What the hell!?! You bastard!” As the five get ready for round two, sirens rang from a distance.

“Crap! We got to go!!” One of them shouted as he ran off.

[Hahah…25 years of being treated like a criminal just because I had a scary face…hah, no that’s just an excuse… they were right, the moment I started acting like one… hmm I would of become a cop if I just ignored them heh…]

The body still stood battered, with legs trembling.

[Teachers…Students…Adults…I should have ignored them all…Well I had hoped it would have been different, but in the end I became what they called me… hah, a common thug…]

As Zadia was deep in thought the body falls back…

[Hmm… what was I doing here in the first place?] Just then Zadia notices a girl walking up to her in tears. She was a beautiful girl with black hair and dark eyes, and a slightly ripped dress.

[Ah…I remember they were trying to rape that girl…I pulled her away from them and told her to run… she must have been the one to call the cops]

“I’m…sorry, this my fault…” The girls cries out with tears streaming down.

[Did, I die a hero? I wonder…what makes a hero…all I did was leave her with guilt…]

As Zadia was in thought she notices her lips move.

“Am…I….scary?” Zadia was feeling embrassed

[AaaaRGH..What am I saying!!…am I a retard!! Who in the right mind would say no…seeing my face all distorted and bru-]

“No…” The girl responded

[What? Why not?] Zadia wondered as her eyes were forcibly being close.

[Damn it!]

Her vision darkened until the scene of her death finally faded. Her surroundings were once again black, but then her vision slowly returned to her as she slowly opened her eyes, she had a slight headache and what came into view was Prina who was staring at her up close.

[Oh, great you three.] Zadia thought as she looked down to see herself completely tied up.

“Wow, you’re really pretty you know that.” Prina complimented

[Hmm, it’s past sundown, oh I forgot to tell mom, about this… phew these guys are life savers] Zadia let out a relexed sigh

“You don’t look nervous” Prina was staring with a confused face

[That’s because you saved me from getting punished, now I can use the “I got kidnapped excuse.”]

“Do, you realize that we plan on selling you?” Prina says with a smirk

“That’s good, now that my mom heard that. I’m off the hook.” Zadia smiles

“What are you-“ Prina looks behind her and sees her dead comrades, with their blood splatter everywhere.

“Thanks, you’re a lifesaver.” Zadia whispers.

“W-wh-who?” Prina nervously searches around wielding Zadias blade

“How dare you touch my precious daughter” A cold voice emerge sending chills down both their spines. Appealing before them was Julianne with menacing eyes, anger erupting out of her.

“D-da—da—daughter?” Prina stutters.

[I guess I can help her out]

“Mom… Prina was the one that tried to save me.” Zadia interjected, which surprised Prina

“She was a slave forced to follow those guys!” Zadia added

“Y-ye-yea, what she says is true!!” Prina stated

“Hmm…fine then, you should serve as Zadias personal slave, if you live longer than my daughter, I will personally end you.” Julianne replies with a cold stare

“Come let’s go home, Zadia, Prina.” Julianne walks in stride

“Karma huh?” Prina mutters.