Riley stood before the Adventurers' Guild building, gazing at it in silence.
How many times had he read about this place in stories?
How many times had he imagined himself here, among adventurers—not as a slave… not as a victim… but as a human choosing his own path with his own feet?
And now… he was truly here.
He extended his hand, pushed the heavy wooden door, and stepped inside for the first time.
A cold shiver ran through his body—not from fear alone… but from the feeling that something in his life had changed forever.
Loud noise greeted him immediately.
Raucous laughter, shouting, the clinking of cups, and adventurers scattered around tables; some eating, others arguing, others recounting battle stories as if death were nothing more than an old joke.
Riley stopped in place, his eyes shining.
He clenched his fist tightly, trying to suppress the trembling in his fingers.
"I'm here… finally."
He didn't want to waste a single moment.
He spotted the registration desk across the hall, papers and metal stamps piled upon it, and headed toward it with eager yet slightly hesitant steps.
He stood before the desk and spoke in a voice he tried to keep steady:
Riley:
"Hello… I'd like to register in the Adventurers' Guild."
The registration clerk raised her head, gave him a quick, familiar look, then a formal smile that held neither surprise nor disdain.
Registration Clerk:
"Welcome. Please fill out this form… and the registration fee is one gold coin."
Riley froze.
Riley:
"A… gold coin?
But… I don't have any money."
She looked at him calmly, as if she had heard this answer hundreds of times.
Registration Clerk:
"You can take a loan from the guild.
The amount will be deducted gradually from your mission rewards."
Riley hesitated for a moment.
Debt… a heavy thought, but not heavier than leaving with nothing.
Riley:
"And how do I repay it?"
Registration Clerk:
"With every mission you complete, we take a portion until the account is settled."
A small smile formed on his face, a mix of tension and excitement.
Riley:
"All right… I agree."
He took the form and began filling in the details.
His name… his age… his origin…
When he reached the final line, his hand stopped.
Registration Clerk (glancing over the paper):
"Sir… the element field is empty.
What is your element?"
Riley's chest tightened.
His element…
The question he had avoided for so long.
Darkness?
Fire?
Or just a name he would cling to so he wouldn't be asked further?
He hesitated for a moment, felt indirect glances around him, then took a deep breath.
Riley:
"…Fire."
The clerk wrote the word down without comment, as if it meant nothing to her… while it meant everything to him.
Registration Clerk:
"Welcome to the Adventurers' Guild.
This is your card.
Your rank: Beginner."
She handed him a simple metal card, cold to the touch.
Riley:
"Beginner?"
Registration Clerk:
"Yes.
The ranking is as follows:
Beginner – Trainee – Expert – Master – Elite – Kings.
Each rank contains three levels."
Riley nodded in silent admiration.
The road was long… but it existed.
Riley:
"Thank you for the explanation."
Registration Clerk:
"Head to the mission room.
I recommend a medicinal herb-gathering quest.
Easy… and it gives you a good start."
Riley bowed in thanks and moved on.
As he walked, a sharp shout echoed through the hall.
Two adventurers were arguing…
and a girl stood between them, shouting angrily.
Riley turned without meaning to.
His eyes met hers.
A sharp, steady gaze, carrying both confidence and danger at once.
She stood upright, shoulders tense, as if the entire hall was forced to acknowledge her presence.
A primal sting pierced his chest.
He quickly turned away.
Riley (to himself):
"I don't want trouble on my first day."
He entered the mission room and examined the wooden board filled with notices.
He reached out and pulled one free.
Gather Medicinal Herbs
Reward: 10 copper coins.
He paused.
He went back out and asked a nearby adventurer.
Riley:
"How many copper coins equal one gold coin?"
The adventurer laughed, as if the question had taken him back to his own beginnings.
Adventurer:
"One hundred copper coins."
Riley's eyes widened.
Riley:
"…Thank you."
He left the guild and stood before the door once more.
Excitement burned in his chest.
Fear pressed against his heart.
Alexeron Forest… once again.
But this time…
not as a lost child.
But as an adventurer
who had taken the first step on his path.
End of Chapter 19