The buzzing noise of chatter, like the restless hum of a beehive, greeted Rian as he stepped across the threshold of the Golden Adventurer's Guild.
The faintly sour scent of ale, the musk of sweat, and the lingering aroma of roasted meat struck his senses all at once—a strange yet authentic blend that made him feel as though he had leapt straight into the panels of his favorite comic.
Around him, adventurers clad in worn armor and weapons strapped at their sides laughed boisterously, boasting about the monsters they had slain. Some gave him and Catty curious glances, while others spared them no more than a fleeting look before returning to their drinks.
From every corner, whispers began to ripple through the room, discussing the two newcomers whose appearances looked far too clean for a place like this.
"Look, newcomers?"
"The girl is gorgeous, but her ears and tail… is she from a catfolk race?"
"The guy looks ordinary. Probably just her bodyguard."
Ignoring the murmurs, Rian walked straight toward the long reception desk at the far end of the hall. A young woman with a professional smile—though faintly tired—greeted him.
"Welcome to the Adventurer's Guild. How may I help you?" she asked in a polite, practiced tone.
"We just arrived in the city and would like to register as official adventurers," Rian explained.
"Of course. Please fill out this form with your name, origin, and current place of residence in the city," the receptionist said, sliding a parchment and quill toward him.
Just as Fredd had told them, the process was simple. After filling out their information, they would undergo a physical test to determine their basic abilities before signing a contract. Their level and unique skills would serve as the primary evaluation.
Once the receptionist finished reviewing Rian and Catty's forms, she smiled.
"All right, everything is in order. Please follow the corridor to the training hall. The instructor is waiting for you. Good luck."
They were guided into a wide indoor training arena. In one corner, several other hopeful adventurers were anxiously waiting for their turns.
A skinny young man paced nervously while clutching his bow, and a pair of lightly armored knights whispered to each other, pointing at the instructor who stood at the center of the arena.
The instructor was a burly, scar-faced man whose presence radiated the aura of a veteran who had survived countless battles. He held a wooden staff casually, his sharp eyes sweeping over the applicants with a mix of boredom and scrutiny.
When it was Rian's turn, he stepped into the middle of the arena. The instructor gave him a once-over.
"You're next. The rules are simple. Show me your unique skill, then land a hit on me. Just one touch, and you pass."
"My unique skill isn't suited for offense, sir," Rian admitted honestly. "It's this—my unique skill, Storage."
Rian extended his hand. A palm-sized black void appeared in the air with a faint hiss. From within, he drew his sword, then returned it, demonstrating the function.
The instructor let out a small grunt, his expression carrying a hint of disappointment.
"Fine, so you're a support type," he muttered, his tone slightly dismissive. "Forget the unique skill then. Use your basic skills. Take this wooden staff and try to land a hit. Once you touch me, you can head back to the receptionist to finish your contract."
Rian accepted the wooden staff. It felt light and brittle in his hands.
Basic skills? he thought.
This was a problem he hadn't anticipated. Grandpa Bebegig's brutal training had never covered what "basic skills" were.
I could use wind magic for speed, or a fireball… but maybe I'll just stick with wind. I'm not used to throwing fire directly—I prefer channeling it into weapons, like Blade Fire.
Would that count as a basic skill? I have no idea what the standard is in this world…
His hesitation lingered for a moment.
"All right, you may attack me now," the instructor said, slipping into a relaxed but solid stance.
"Understood, sir."
Rian decided to do what he did best. Drawing in a deep breath, he calmed his mind and focused mana into his legs. With a flicker of will, he summoned a surge of wind magic to propel himself forward.
In the blink of an eye, he was gone.
To the spectators, Rian became nothing more than a blur. To him, however, the world slowed to a crawl.
The instructor before him, so confident just seconds ago, now seemed sluggish—trapped in slow motion. Rian could see every detail of the man's startled expression as realization dawned too late.
Rian swung the wooden staff with all his strength.
KRAKK! DUUUM!
The crack of wood striking something solid was followed by the thunderous crash of a body slamming into a wall.
The instructor was sent hurtling across the arena, his back smashing against the stone wall before he crumpled to the floor with a groan. Silence gripped the training hall.
"Sir? Are you all right? Why didn't you dodge?" Rian asked, scratching his head, genuinely confused.
To him, this speed felt normal—no different from dodging Grandpa Bebegig's training strikes.
That speed… what kind of beginner moves like that? I couldn't even blink, let alone dodge… the instructor thought, fighting to mask his pain and humiliation.
He coughed and forced himself to his feet.
"No… I just remembered something I left at home, so I couldn't dodge," he muttered, his face flushing.
"Oh. Shall we continue, then?" Rian asked earnestly, readying his stance again.
"There's no need!" the instructor barked quickly. "You've already landed a hit. A very decisive one. You pass. Go back to the receptionist."
Then, under his breath, almost to himself:
"For a beginner, speed like that is more than enough to escape danger. No need for further testing."
"Thank you, sir."
Rian gave a polite bow, then strolled back toward the receptionist, leaving the instructor clutching his back as the other candidates stared in shock.
When Rian was finished, it was Catty's turn. She stepped gracefully into the arena, where the instructor was still trying to recover his dignity.
"My turn, sir?" she asked with a sweet smile.
"Yes…" he groaned. "What's your unique skill?" he asked, stretching his sore back.
"Dark Shadow—it shows up on my status, sir. But I've never used it before. I still don't know how."
"Fine, whatever. Use your basic skills and your unique skill if you can. Same rule—touch me," the instructor said, this time bracing himself with a far more cautious stance. "Begin!"
Catty picked up a practice spear.
Unlike Rian's explosive, straightforward charge, her movements were fluid and elegant. She twirled lightly, using her body's momentum like a dancer, then with a burst of wind-enhanced speed, she shot forward.
Her motion was just as fast, yet carried a lethal grace. Once again, the instructor barely saw more than a shadow before his body was slammed into the same wall.
What the—again?! Are these two monsters?!
Groaning, the instructor staggered back to his feet, dust clinging to his uniform. He trudged toward Catty with heavy steps.
"You… pass. Go… back to the receptionist."
Catty tilted her head, confused.
"What kind of test is this?" she muttered. "Ah, whatever. The important thing is—I passed! Yay!"
From a distance, the instructor could only watch Rian and Catty walk side by side.
Looks like I'll have to take training seriously from now on. To think I got tossed twice without being able to do anything… Have the standards for beginners risen this much? Or am I just getting old?
When Rian and Catty returned to the reception desk, the same young woman stared at them in awe.
"Already finished? That was quick. All right, your data is complete. The Guildmaster would like to meet you personally to finalize your tier and present your adventurer's necklace. Please head upstairs to the last room at the end of the hall."
They followed her directions to a massive oak door, carved with the guild's crest. Rian knocked softly.
"Enter."
A deep, calm voice sounded from within. Rian pushed the door open and entered with Catty.
The room radiated dignified luxury. A thick maroon carpet covered the floor. Towering shelves of dark wood lined the walls, filled with scrolls and leather-bound tomes.
One wall displayed a massive map of the kingdom, pinned with notes and markers.
At the center stood a grand desk in front of a large window overlooking the city square.
Behind the desk sat a man.
"Ah, the new adventurers. Please, have a seat," the man said, rising to his feet and gesturing toward the pair of guest chairs.
Rian and Catty sat side by side, feeling the powerful aura emanating from him.
"Allow me to introduce myself. I am Naradipa, Guildmaster of Kuningan City," he said, his sharp, intelligent gaze studying them closely.
"I've read the brief report from the instructor. An… impressive result. Where are you two from?" he asked, glancing at their forms.
"I'm from Cikubangsari Village, sir," Rian answered, using the alibi he had prepared.
"I'm from the same place," Catty added.
"Oh, Cikubangsari Village," Naradipa repeated, one eyebrow lifting slightly. "Home of the lionfolk, quite far beyond the borders of the Fulakmi Kingdom."
His eyes scanned the parchment in his hand.
"It's rare for us to receive applicants from there. According to the report, you both passed with extraordinary results. Now then, for your tier assignment…"
He paused, then lifted his head. His gaze sharpened, piercing, as though trying to measure their very souls.
"What level are you?"
"I'm level 81," Rian said calmly.
Beside him, Catty added, "I'm level 34."
The room fell into heavy silence.
The thin smile on Naradipa's face vanished at once. His once-composed eyes widened, locking on Rian. The Guildmaster's relaxed demeanor evaporated, replaced by a fierce aura of shock and wariness.
He could hardly believe what he had just heard.