The morning light slipped through the curtains as the MC woke up in the small inn room.
He stretched, gathered his things, and headed downstairs. After paying the receptionist, he stepped out into the street.
As he walked, he muttered to himself, "I'm running out of money… I need to do something about this."
After a moment of thought, he nodded with determination. "Alright, I've decided. I'm going to join an Adventurers' Guild."
He looked around and spotted a passerby. "Excuse me, sir! Could you tell me where I can find the guild?"
The man paused and pointed down the road. "Just walk straight ahead, then turn left. It should take you about thirty minutes."
"Thanks, sir!" the MC said with a grateful smile.
"No problem," the man replied before continuing on his way.
With that, the MC adjusted his bag and began his walk toward the guild.
After half an hour of walking, he finally found the Adventurers' Guild.
When he looked up at the building, he froze in awe. The guild was massive — a grand structure made of stone and wood, with tall banners fluttering proudly at its entrance. Adventurers of all kinds were coming and going, their laughter and chatter filling the air.
The MC stood there, wide-eyed. "This… this is the guild?" he whispered to himself. He hadn't expected something so magnificent.
Taking a deep breath, he straightened his back and walked toward the towering doors.
As he stepped inside the guild, his eyes widened. The air itself felt different — heavier, denser. He paused for a moment, scanning the hall.
Strange symbols and glowing lines were etched into the walls and floor — powerful arrays humming softly with energy.
Although he didn't understand how they worked, he could feel it — the mana inside was at least ten times denser than outside. It pressed gently against his skin, almost like a living force.
He frowned slightly, thinking, "Just how powerful are these arrays?"
The thought sent a shiver of both awe and curiosity through him.
The inside of the guild was enormous — far larger than the building had appeared from the outside. It felt like stepping into another world altogether.
He looked around in amazement. The ceiling stretched high above, and countless rooms and corridors branched out in every direction. Adventurers bustled about, the sound of footsteps and chatter echoing through the vast hall.
"This… this shouldn't be possible," he thought, eyes wide. Then he noticed the faint shimmer of glowing symbols along the walls and floor.
"A space array formation…" he realized. "So that's how they expanded the interior. No wonder the guild feels so massive."
The sight filled him with awe — and a hint of excitement for the world he was stepping into.
Because the guild was so massive, it was filled with countless people — humans, elves, dwarves, beastkin, and even races he couldn't recognize. The place was like a sea of adventurers, each one busy with their own tasks.
The MC stood in the middle of the bustling crowd, turning his head left and right. He had completely lost his sense of direction.
"Where… where's the receptionist hall?" he muttered, feeling a little overwhelmed. Every corridor looked the same, and there were so many people rushing past that he couldn't stop anyone to ask.
He sighed, scratching his head. "Great… I'm lost already."
Since he couldn't find the receptionist hall, the MC decided to take a stroll and explore the guild instead. There was no harm in getting to know the place first.
As he walked, he discovered just how vast and well-organized the guild truly was.
First, he came across the dining hall — a lively place filled with the smell of roasted meat and freshly baked bread. Adventurers sat at long tables, laughing, drinking, and sharing stories of their quests. The atmosphere was warm and full of life.
Next, he passed by the guild inn, where visiting adventurers could rent a room. The building looked clean and well-kept, with guild staff bustling about to serve food and change linens.
Further ahead, he found the training hall — a massive open area reinforced with magic barriers. Inside, adventurers sparred with each other or practiced their magic. The air buzzed with energy, and the sound of clashing weapons echoed from within.
Finally, he reached the lounge area — a quiet, comfortable space filled with soft chairs and couches. Some adventurers were chatting, others were reading or resting after missions.
Feeling exhausted from all the walking and excitement, the MC let out a small yawn.
"Maybe I'll rest here for a bit," he thought, sinking into one of the soft couches.
Within moments, his eyes grew heavy, and he drifted off to sleep amid the gentle hum of voices around him.
When the MC woke up, the lounge was quieter. He blinked a few times and stretched. Then he noticed someone sitting beside him — a boy about the same age, with a friendly look and curious eyes.
The MC smiled slightly and decided to strike up a conversation.
"Hey, bro. Hi! My name's Eren," he said, extending his hand.
The boy looked at him for a moment, then smiled back and shook his hand.
"Nice to meet you, Eren. I'm Liam."
Eren grinned. "You new around here too?"
Liam nodded. "Yeah. Just got to the city yesterday. Thought I'd check out the guild before signing up."
"Same here," Eren replied with a chuckle. "Looks like we've got something in common."
The two laughed lightly, and just like that, a new friendship began to form.
As they settled deeper into conversation, Eren began talking about his village.
"You know," he said with a grin, "my village was small, but the people there were hilarious. Every week, old man Daro would challenge the kids to chase his chickens — said it was good training for adventurers!"
Liam burst out laughing. "Did anyone ever catch one?"
Eren chuckled. "Not once. Those chickens were faster than half the hunters in the village."
Liam shook his head, still smiling. "Sounds like a lively place."
"It was," Eren said softly. "Kinda miss it sometimes."
Then Liam leaned back and started sharing his own story. "I grew up in a town near the northern border. Life there was tough — cold winters, little food. But we made do. My dad used to tell me that if I wanted to change my fate, I'd have to walk beyond the mountains."
Eren nodded, listening closely. "So that's why you came here?"
"Yeah," Liam said with a small smile. "I figured joining the guild might be a good start."
Eren laughed lightly. "Guess we're both here chasing something bigger."
The two shared a quiet moment, realizing that even though their paths were different, their dreams weren't so far apart.
Eren leaned forward curiously. "Hey bro, what's your occupation?"
Liam smiled and replied, "I'm a healer. I can cast healing and buff magic. It's not flashy, but it keeps people alive."
Eren's eyes lit up. "Seriously? That's awesome, bro! I'm a swordsman. I've trained in advanced swordsmanship since I was little."
He grinned widely, an idea forming in his mind. "Hey, Liam — how about we form a party? A swordsman and a healer would make a great team, right?"
Liam thought for a moment, then nodded with a smile. "Yeah… I like that idea."
Both of them stood and clasped hands firmly, grinning at each other.
"From today onward," Eren said proudly, "we're partners!"
Liam chuckled. "Let's make it count."
And with that handshake, their journey as a team officially began.
Eren looked around with a sigh. "Bro, where's the receptionist hall? I've been searching for it for so long."
Liam laughed softly. "It's on the third floor."
Eren blinked. "Third floor? Seriously? No wonder I couldn't find it!"
He stood up eagerly. "Alright then, let's go!"
But Liam quickly raised a hand. "Wait, it won't open until the afternoon. We still have about four hours before that."
Eren groaned and slumped back into his seat. "Four hours? Guess we'll have to wait, then."
Liam smiled. "Yeah. No rush. Why don't we just talk for a while?"
Eren shrugged, then grinned. "Sure, why not. Let's chat."
And so, the two spent the next few hours talking casually — sharing stories, dreams, and little bits of their lives — as the time slowly passed and their friendship grew stronger.
The two boys leaned back in their chairs, the gentle hum of the guild around them fading into the background as their conversation deepened.
At first, they talked about small things — favorite foods, funny childhood memories, the strange people they'd met on the road. But soon, the talk turned into something more meaningful.
Eren spoke with a spark in his eyes. "Back in my village, I always dreamed of becoming someone strong — a hero who could protect others. Everyone laughed at me for swinging wooden swords all day, but I never gave up."
Liam smiled, resting his chin on his hand. "Sounds like you were already on your way to becoming an adventurer even back then."
Eren chuckled. "Maybe. What about you, bro?"
Liam's gaze softened. "Me? I just wanted to help people. My mom used to say that healing others was the noblest form of strength. That's why I became a healer — not to fight, but to make sure others can stand again."
For a moment, neither spoke. The golden light from the high windows bathed the lounge in a warm glow, and the low chatter of adventurers filled the air like distant music.
Eren nodded slowly. "Then… let's both chase our dreams together. I'll fight at the front, and you'll make sure I can keep standing."
Liam smiled. "Deal."
The two laughed, their voices mingling with the life of the guild around them — a new friendship forged in warmth and shared dreams.
As the sun climbed higher, a soft chime echoed through the guild, signaling the start of the afternoon.
Liam stretched and glanced at the large clock on the wall. "Hey, Eren — it's afternoon."
Eren perked up immediately. "Finally! Let's go and register."
Both stood and made their way toward the guild's grand elevator — a large, enchanted platform made of polished steel and glowing runes. It pulsed softly with mana, rising and descending smoothly as adventurers stepped on and off.
They stepped inside, and Liam pressed the glowing button marked 3rd Floor.
The platform hummed to life, lifting them upward. As they ascended, Eren glanced through the glass walls, watching the bustling halls of the guild grow smaller below them.
He couldn't help but grin. "This place really is something else."
Liam nodded with a calm smile. "Yeah… and this is just the beginning."
The elevator doors slid open with a soft hiss, and Eren and Liam stepped out onto the third floor.
Eren's eyes widened instantly. The hall stretched far and wide, filled with people — young men and women of every race, all lined up before a series of counters where guild staff were registering new adventurers. The air buzzed with chatter and excitement.
Eren turned to Liam, curiosity shining in his eyes. "Hey, bro, why are there so many people here?"
Liam scanned the crowd and smiled. "They're probably newcomers, just like us. Seems like the guild's a popular place."
Eren nodded. "Guess we're not the only ones chasing our dreams."
The two joined the long line, which stretched all the way to the far end of the hall. It was going to be a long wait.
Hours passed slowly. To pass the time, Eren and Liam talked about everything — their favorite foods, the first time they used magic, the monsters they wanted to fight one day.
At one point, Eren laughed as he recalled, "Back in my village, I once tried to fight a boar with a stick. It chased me for half a day!"
Liam nearly doubled over laughing. "A stick? Really? What were you thinking?"
"I wasn't!" Eren admitted, grinning. "I just wanted to look cool."
As they talked, a few others in line joined their conversation — a cheerful beastkin girl with fox ears named Rina, and a quiet dwarf boy named Torren who carried a giant hammer almost bigger than himself.
Rina smirked playfully. "So you two are forming a party? Sounds fun. Don't forget to recruit me when you're strong enough!"
Eren chuckled. "Deal. But only if you promise not to run off with all the loot."
"Ha! No promises," she teased, flicking her tail.
The wait didn't feel so long after that. Laughter and lighthearted chatter filled the air as new friendships sparked among strangers.
By the time the sun began to dip toward evening, the line had finally moved forward to the front counter. Eren stretched his arms with a grin. "Finally. Our turn."
Liam smiled beside him. "Yeah… time to make it official."
After what felt like forever, Eren and Liam finally reached the front of the line. They stepped up to the reception counter, their legs aching from standing so long.
Behind the desk sat a woman in her mid-twenties — elegant yet sharp-eyed. Her long silver hair was neatly tied into a ponytail, and her crisp uniform bore the golden crest of the Adventurers' Guild. A faint smile played on her lips as she looked up at them.
"Welcome to the Adventurers' Guild," she said politely, her voice calm but professional. "You must be new recruits?"
Eren nodded eagerly. "Yes, ma'am. We'd like to register."
"Of course," she replied, sliding two sheets of parchment across the counter. "Please fill out your information — name, age, and occupation."
Eren and Liam exchanged tired glances, then leaned over the counter, grabbing quills from the inkpot. Their hands moved slowly — fatigue written all over their faces — as they filled out the forms.
When they were done, they handed the papers back to her. She glanced over them quickly, then stacked them neatly on a pile.
Eren tilted his head. "Um, excuse me, where do we get our badges?"
The receptionist looked up with a small, patient smile. "Your guild badges will be ready in about a week."
"A week?" Eren asked in surprise. "Why so long?"
She folded her hands neatly. "The guild has to verify your backgrounds — to ensure there are no criminal records or issues before you're officially registered. It's a standard procedure for everyone."
Eren sighed but nodded. "Alright, I understand."
"Good," she said, smiling slightly. "In the meantime, you're free to stay at the guild inn or explore the city. Once your badges are ready, we'll send a notice."
Liam thanked her politely, and the two boys turned to leave — tired, but filled with quiet excitement.
Their journey as adventurers had just begun.