Chapter 6 My First Step Into an Adventurers Life
After leaving the clothing store with my new gear, I made my way through the town's bustling streets. My destination: the Adventurers Guild.
The building stood tall and wide, its large wooden doors carved with the symbol of a sword and shield entwined in flame.
Inside, the atmosphere was electric-buzzing with the chatter of warriors, mages, archers, and rogues alike.
As I stepped through the threshold, the warm scent of oiled leather, burning firewood, and a hint of ale hit me like a wave.
Every adventurer inside looked seasoned, confident, and battle-tested.
I walked past them quietly, absorbing the scene. This wasn't a dream anymore. This was real. I had arrived.
Approaching the front desk, I was greeted by a female clerk with sharp eyes and a welcoming smile. Her posture was crisp, her uniform immaculate.
"Welcome to the Adventurers Guild. How can I help you today?"
"I want to register as an adventurer," I said firmly.
She reached under the counter and brought out a form. "Please fill this out. What's your name?"
I hesitated for a moment. Should I really use my real name?
The goddess's blessing had subtly altered my appearance-my eyes were sharper, my features more mature, and my overall aura gave off a completely different vibe.
If I ever ran into any of my classmates in the future, they might recognize me if they heard my real name.
I smiled faintly. "Raito. My name is Raito."
The clerk nodded without pause and began explaining the registration process.
"All new adventurers start at Rank G. To rise in rank, you'll need to complete quests and earn guild points.
For example, it takes 50 points to reach Rank F.
Quests are posted by rank-you can only take quests that match your rank, or one rank above, if you're confident in your abilities. "
She filled in my details, then handed me a small, rectangular metal card with a silver stamp embedded in it.
"Here is your Adventurer's Card," she said. "Always keep it on you. It will let you pass checkpoints in any town and automatically records your quests and rank progression."
I gave a grateful nod and walked over to the massive quest board mounted on the far wall.
Dozens of parchment posters were pinned there-each with descriptions, rewards, and ranks clearly marked.
The G-rank section had mostly low-risk jobs: gathering herbs, helping with deliveries, assisting local farmers.
One of them caught my eye:
"Collect 5 medicinal herbs = 1 point."
It was simple. Straightforward. But then I noticed an F-rank quest among the clutter:
"Eliminate 3 Goblins - Reward: 2 points."
Tempting. But the sun was already beginning its descent. Fighting goblins again in the dark-even for someone like me-would be reckless. I could take on three goblins easily now, but it wasn't worth the risk tonight.
Instead, I grabbed the herb-gathering quest and brought it to the front desk.
"Smart choice for your first day," the clerk said with a smile, stamping the paper.
I left the guild and sprinted into the open fields beyond the town walls. Activating Advanced Search, I was instantly flooded with data overlays-glowing highlights of every herb, plant, and resource node within range. Medicinal herbs glimmered like stars scattered across the landscape.
I moved efficiently from one cluster to another, plucking herbs with mechanical precision. It felt like a game-only this time, the rewards were real.
By the time the moon began to rise, I had collected over 250 medicinal herbs-enough to complete the quest fifty times over.
Covered in sweat but beaming with satisfaction, I made my way back to the guild. The streets were dimly lit by lanterns now, casting long shadows across cobblestone roads. I reached the guild doors and pushed them open.
Inside, the earlier chaos had calmed. The hall was bathed in a warm glow from mounted lanterns, the air thick with the scent of roasted meat and aged wood. Adventurers sat around tables, nursing drinks and trading stories.
I walked straight to the front desk and placed several full sacks of herbs down with a soft thud.
The clerk blinked in disbelief. "W-Wait... you gathered all this by yourself?"
"Yeah," I said casually. "It's easy if you've got a sharp eye."
The murmurs started almost immediately. Adventurers nearby turned to look. Some glanced at the sacks, others at me. Their whispers spread like wildfire.
That's when I heard the scoff.
A tall, broad-shouldered man rose from a nearby table, his armor clinking as he stepped forward. His expression was smug, his voice loud enough for everyone to hear.
"No way a newbie like you gathered that many herbs. Admit it-you bought them from a store."
I met his eyes, unflinching. "I didn't buy them. I picked every single one."
He stepped in close, his breath heavy with the stench of ale. "You expect me to believe that? Don't lie to me, punk. Either you admit you cheated, or I'll make you regret it."
I didn't respond.
He grabbed the front of my shirt, yanking me forward.
Something inside me snapped.
I caught his wrist with a single hand-firmly. He flinched.
"What the-?"
I tightened my grip. His eyes widened as pain shot up his arm.
He tried to pull back, but I didn't let go.
Finally, I released him. He stumbled, shaking his arm out.
His face turned red with fury. In a flash, he unsheathed his sword.
"Big mistake," I muttered.
He lunged. I sidestepped.
Then I punched him square in the gut.
The force sent him flying backward across the room. He crashed into the far wall with a thunderous crack, leaving a crater in the wooden paneling. Dust and plaster rained down around him.
Dead silence.
All eyes turned to me.
I calmly faced the clerk. "So... when can I upgrade to F-rank?"
She stared, eyes wide. "Y-You can collect your updated card tomorrow morning," she said after a pause.
Then, leaning closer, she whispered, "Are you going to be okay?
That guy you just flattened... he's a D-rank.
Part of the Black Hounds. They've got a nasty reputation.
One of them's a C-rank-he's even worse. People say he crippled a rookie just for bumping into him. "
I shrugged. "I've fought worse."
She let out a breath she didn't know she'd been holding, then gave a small, nervous smile-equal parts impressed and concerned.
"Well... here's your reward." She handed me a pouch. "Five silver and ten copper coins."
I thanked her, turned toward the door, and paused.
"Any inns nearby you'd recommend?"
"Yeah. Go out, take a right, two blocks down. Look for a place called The Restful Flame. It's clean, affordable, and the owner's kind to newcomers."
"Appreciate it."
As I stepped outside, the creaking doors closed behind me. But inside, whispers were already spreading like dry leaves catching fire.
"Who was that guy...?" "Did you see that punch?" "He's just a rookie? No way..."
The cool evening breeze brushed against my face as the town settled into twilight. Stars had begun to appear, scattered across a velvet sky. The cobbled streets glowed under lantern light, and for the first time, I felt it.
Not fear. Not anxiety. But a steady fire burning in my chest.
I hadn't come here to show off. I hadn't meant to stand out. But fate had different plans.
The name I'd chosen-Rio-was already starting to spread.
And whether I liked it or not...
I wasn't going to stay invisible for long.