After a couple of weeks of sailing, Zayd and the others managed to finally reach the Port Town Arcadias located in the tropical nation of Mediterra. Mediterra was a fairly large country made up mostly of an archipelago of islands off the coast of the continent, Thessuli. However, Arcadias and the nation’s capital were both located directly on the coast which allowed Arcadias to be a central trade stop for goods coming back and forth from the seas to the mainland.
“Whew, it’s good to finally be on solid ground again.” Zayd let out as he hopped off the deck of the ship and onto Arcadias’ docks.
“You speak the truth my liege, I’m feeling a bit green from all that sea travel.” The Orc Knight, Milonia said as she reached him by walking down from the gangway with her hands on her stomach.
“I didn’t expect to still get a tad bit under the weather from motion sickness after riding on ships so much in the past.” She continued.
“So, you’re saying you’re feeling more green than usual?” Zayd jested only for Milonia to proceed to involuntarily gag right in front of him.
“Oh no…” Zayd held up his hands to block any incoming shower of vomit but was surprised when nothing happened.
“Don’t worry, my liege. My stomach is as hard as my muscles. I’ll wait till I can find a quiet place where I can be in solitude.’ Milonia spoke resolutely.
“Uhh, maybe we can find another alternative. Cecilia, you know where the potion shops in this town are, right?” Zayd called out to a green-haired Dark Elf that was walking ahead of them. Her long ears perked up at the sudden shout.
She grunted with irritation. “How would I know that? I’ve been holed up on that small island for as long as I’ve been on Isle. I don’t know much beyond my particular type of magic when it comes to this place.” She continued walking ahead of the rest of the group of four as they headed to the town’s entrance. It was decided that other villagers would remain on the ship until they figured out if it was safe for them to enter a Safe Zone.
Zayd rubbed the back of his head in disappointment. “How about you, Mr. Former Overlord? You got any idea if there’s a potion shop here?”
Erasmus, who was right beside them, had an indifferent look on his face. “Of course, in a trade center this large, there should be one. However, I’ve never gotten the chance to enter one myself...”
The Fiend trailed off as they reached the city’s gates. They were part of a series of massive walls made of stone and mortar that measured up to fifty meters in height and enclosed the entirety of the port town Arcadias. At each corner of the rectangular walls were tall towers with shining green Peace Crystals perched inside of them that automatically kept any monsters from entering through an invisible magical barrier. That was not their only countermeasure as well.
‘The biggest hurdle for us would be the monster detection aspect of those barriers. Any Monster that comes in contact with the barrier will set off an alarm that alerts the entire town’s guard force to their presence.’
While they waited in a long line of people trying to make their way through the gate’s entrance where guards were checking their possessions for anything dangerous, Zayd spoke in a hushed voice to the others “I know my patching ability changed your status from “Monster” to “Adventurer” but I’m not sure that’ll be enough. Allowing you to enter the barrier is one thing but preventing the alarm from going off is another.”
“What do you mean? If the barrier doesn’t stop us shouldn’t the alarm not go off as well?” Milonia asked with a puzzled look appearing on her already strained expression from motion sickness.
“That could be the case.” Cecilia chimed in.”However, if it’s like my magic, this barrier could be composed of two spells with different criteria. It could be one that determines Monsters based on their status and another that determines Monsters based on their blood. That’s highly unlikely though.”
“Yeah, it’s way too roundabout. I guess I’m worrying too much.” Zayd affirmed and kept walking forward with everyone else.
They eventually reached the guard inspectors who searched through their scant possessions and found nothing threatening. There was not much to find at all besides the clothes they were wearing and the measly amount of copper and tin coins they had amassed from both the Adventurer’s ship and the Orc Village’s life savings.
However, they eyed the two former Monsters with odd looks. One guard was a grizzled man with a graying beard and dressed in full armor. He put his hand to his chin as he scrutinized Milonia and Erasmus.
“You two? What are your races?”
Erasmus stayed silent except for sighing. His improvisational skills were likely as nonexistent as any of his Overlord ones.
Meanwhile, Milonia put up a valiant effort to try to come up with an explanation for her unusual appearance.
“Well, I’m an Elf? Wait, no-a Titan! Yes, I’m just an ordinary Titan, sir.”
Titans were one of the five blessed human races of Isle. A tribe of humans with giant statures and naturally sculpted physiques. The average TItan had muscles that no normal human could obtain without spells or dangerous drugs.
‘Not actually a bad comparison to the Orcs as they are now, all things considered, except…”
“Wait..” While the first one was muzzling over Milionia’s claim, another inspector with a lanky face and thin goatee spoke up.”You’re acting pretty suspicious, and I’ve never heard of a Titan with green skin.”
Milonia's eyes shifted to Zayd who realized instantly what she was going to say. “Oh, that’s because of my motion sicknes-”
Zayd rushed in front of Milionia to interrupt her. Video game guards were one thing, but real people were not going to be fooled by something that ridiculous.
“She’s from a special clan of Titans that live deep in the dense green jungles of Ebinrope. Her people developed a unique appearance due to their environment just like the cave-dwelling Dark Elves such as my friend here.” Zayd took Cecilia’s hood off to display her face like he was showing off a pet for Show-and-Tell day, much to her chagrin.
“Oh!” The guards both exclaimed in unison.
“Elves are already rare to see out in these parts, but I’ve never laid eyes on a Dark Elf before.” The gray-bearded guard explained.
“Me neither, it’s said they almost only appear out from the underground during the Harvest’s Twilight Festival at the end of the year.” The other guard added.
“Yeah, this Titan’s clan is similar in that regard, if not more seclusive, but recently they’ve been forced out of their homes due to the Aparthons.” Zayd explained with a fake scowl.
“Hmph, those bastards, huh? So they’ve gotten that far? You’ve chosen the right place to come then, little lady. Arcadias is one of the most fortified settlements this side of the Medirerran Sea.”
“Rest assured. There’s no way those Aparthons are breaching this wall.” The other guard affirmed with a raised fist.
In response, Milonia mustered up a weak smile and nodded. “Thank you for the assurance.”
Zayd felt the tension in the air slowly evaporate like morning dew in the face of the rising sun. The guards were bringing out papers to keep a record of the four travelers since they were entering the city.
“Hold on.” The thin-faced inspector suddenly uttered. “What about the young man with the red hair and horns?” The perceptive guard had not forgotten about the other peculiarity.
“Oh, him. He’s just a Bull Chimera who hasn’t gotten a lot of sun in a while.”
“Ah…is that so? Well, he’ll be sure to find a lot of that here, Arcadias is known for its beautiful beaches along with its trade.”
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“That’s true.” Zayd laughed. Erasmus opened his mouth only to shut it immediately. He knew that his honor as a Fiend would only cause unnecessary trouble at this juncture.
With that matter settled, the party was free to pass through the gateway and enter the town proper.
The town was sprawling enough that it would probably be considered a city in less populous regions of the world. There were cobblestone roads that stretched out in every direction and the buildings were primarily made out of stone and wood. All the stores in view were at least two stories with pristine verandas where gardens were held and tables were placed for any visiting patrons.
Compared to the hut village Zayd had seen before, this place was extravagant. The streets were filled with hundreds of people coming and going. There were dozens of vendors selling their wares which included anything from shiny trinkets to steaming hot delicacies that filled the nose with fragrant smells of spices and savoriness. As he took in the air of this place, Zayd could feel his mouth start to salivate and a pang appear in his stomach.
“Ahh…” Milonia uttered in awe as she admired the sight of a normal human town for the first time from inside. Even Erasmus could not maintain his stoic expression at the wonder of it.
“All this hustle and bustle is chaotic…but somehow ubiquitously peaceful with no one having to worry about fending for their life at a moment’s notice. So, this is what they call a ‘Safe Zone’.”
“Huh.”
‘I’ve never thought much about how captivating that idea would be for this world, maybe any world.’
***
The group proceeded to go venture down the main street to find an item shop that would sell them the valuable supplies they would need after such a long voyage. They eventually found one that did not look too expensive and went inside.
What they came out with included three healing potions, one recovery potion for Milonia which quickly relieved her nausea, a waterskin filled to the brim with cool spring water, and some food rations that would only be enough for the four of them to eat twice that day at best.
The most important item they procured was a map of the area. However, they had been unable to afford a compass, so outside of the town and its clear landmarks and street signs, it would be nearly useless.
“Alright, now that we’ve got a map, we can finally head to the most important place to start any great Adventurer’s saga.”
“A weapon shop?”
“A war room?
“Home.”
Zayd’s brow crinkled with his mouth agape.
“What? Those are horrible answers. I’m talking about an Adventurer’s Guild!”
“Oh, you think we should try to get registered as official Adventurers with the Guild?” Milonia inquired.
“Yeah, that way it’ll be easy for us to get Quests to gather more resources for us to eventually achieve our goal.”
“Hmph, that goal is sure a lofty one. Do you really think a bunch of Monsters and a Wanderer will be able to form their own Branch Guild?”
Zayd replied confidently with a grin. “Well, I’ve already set my sights on the destination. It’s just a matter of reaching it now.”
Cecilia let out a puff of air. “Somehow, I feel like I’ll get dragged along somehow too.”
***
When they reached the local guild hall, they noticed it was filled with people eating, drinking, and chatting. They were sitting around circular wooden tables scattered across the large main area. To the left and right were tall windows that let in an ample amount of the afternoon sun inside.
On the wall opposite the entryway, there was a long counter where people got their various food and beverages. This floor appeared to be regulated to acting as a tavern and meeting place for Adventurers to gather with even a stage and fighting ring on either side of the counter.
Meanwhile, close to the doors, there were two sets of inward-curving stairs in both directions that led to an upper level of the guild hall. This floor was visible from the bottom one and Zayd could see that was where the Adventurer’s Guild receptionists were along with the Quest boards.
Zayd and the others walked up to the stairs and spoke to the closest receptionist who had brown hair and amber eyes.
“Hey there, me and my friends would like to take the official Adventurer’s Badge Examination.”
“Oh, some bold new explorers I see!” The receptionist said cheerfully.”You all have already received a Vision from the Ancients and obtained a Status, right?
“Yes, we totally have.” Zayd answered while only being truthful about having a Status. None of them had received a Status the normal way. That involved being chosen by one of the 12 Ancients and receiving a strange dream from them that informed you of your calling in this land.
‘I wonder what the criteria to get a Status that way is.’ Zayd pondered the ambiguous nature of the Ancients, spiritual beings revered by the people of Isle. ‘Hmm, are the Ancients just puppets of the Admins? Do they even exist?’
Meanwhile, the receptionist was happy to hear his answer. “That’s refreshing. You don’t know how many people come here trying to become Adventurers without even having Status. It’s baffling!”
“It’s that common?”
“Indeed, there are many people who want to be heroes like in the legends, but they should be aware of their limits. Now, could I see your Status Window?"
Zayd nodded and opened it up.
Name: Zayd Naughton Age: 24 Race: Human Title: Island Wanderer Class: None Level: 0 Health: 8/8 Mana: 0/0 Stamina: 10/10 Strength: 170 Agility: 185 Perception: 93 Vitality: 106 Resilience: 97 Intelligence: 102 Skills: 0 Spells: 0 Items: 0
A thin smile appeared on the young man's face. He was proud of the amount he was able to increase his stats just through training, without a single level up.
"Wow, you're only Level 0 with this high of stats. You must have had a Master who was very thorough with your training before sending you off."
Zayd rubbed the back of his head bashfully while, in his mind, he fiercely put down the idea of calling the Admin his master. "Uhh...I just wanted to really make sure I can handle any Monsters that came my way. Being aware of my limits and all that, you know?"
The reception beamed and was similarly impressed by everyone else's Status. However, she seemed to analyze Cecilia's for longer than the others.
'Now that I think about it. I've seen Milonia's and Erasmus's Status but never hers. As another Wandererer with six years being here on top of that, there must be a lot more to it than ours even if she was isolated for most of that time.'
"Well, this is certainly...a talented bunch of new recruits." She shakily proclaimed before regaining her composure.
"Anyway, I’ll take you to the examination location personally. You all should be overjoyed to have this honor.” She playfully teased as she opened up a door by the desk that led to another section of the guild hall.
The receptionist proceeded to lead them through the building until they descended past the first floor they entered and exited into a coliseum-like underground testing chamber. There were several people already there, including veteran Adventurers who were filling in as examiners.
“You all will need to wait here a bit. The examination for today will take place in a couple of hours from now.”
“Ah, that’ll give us plenty of time to prepare then.”
“Speak for yourself.” Cecilia yawned. “All this walking is exhausting, I’m going to take a nap.”
The receptionist laughed. “Pretty confident, I see. I hope that pays off for you. Good luck, my future guild mates!”
With that, the young woman went back through where they came in and ascended to the upper levels.
“Hmm, fellow guildmates?”
“Of course, couldn’t you tell, my liege? She was way too strong to be a normal person, she had the aura of an experienced warrior.”
“Eh..she looked like a random guild hall receptionist. How could you tell?”
“It seems your senses are duller than I expected. Even if they weren’t, you should be able to realize that they would not allow just anybody to be a receptionist that many powerful unknown people are expected to first encounter at this guild.” Erasmus stated dismissively.
“Hmm…I’ve never thought of it like that. I’ll be sure to be more careful, I wouldn’t to piss off the wrong person and get one-shotted before I can even do anything.” Zayd looked around at the other prospective Adventurers, noticing a woman with a blue cape and silver mask, a bulky guy with a large shield on his back, and a long-haired blonde man wearing a ragged brown cloak with a sullen expression on his face. Contrary to his garb, he wielded a splendid iron sword adorned with an opal jewel at its guard.
“Wait. That can’t be…” Zayd was almost stunned speechless.
Noticing his shock, Cecilia asked him a question. “What? Does someone seem out of place?”
Zayd took a while to reply as he collected his thoughts.
“...No, he’s probably the person who belongs here the most.”
That man was the first party member a player could recruit in the game and also the first one to betray them.