Kyle stepped inside.
The guild hall was very large and well-lit. Small tables were scattered along the sides where different adventurers sat.
The wide hall buzzed with activity—adventurers of all kinds moving around.
Some wore armor stained by battle, others leaned casually against pillars with staves or bows. A few sat around tables, laughing loudly, while others argued over rewards and missions.
At the side, a massive wooden quest board dominated one wall—requests, bounties, escort jobs, monster exterminations. Some were torn down halfway, others freshly pinned.
At the back, the guild staff were busy at their desks, and above them was a balcony overlooking the hall from the second floor.
Next to them was a staircase leading up to that second floor, which was full of rooms that looked like they belonged to the guild leaders and officials.
Kyle took it all in quietly.
`So this is how a guild looks...`
He made his way toward the back counter, where a young guild clerk sat sorting documents. She looked up as he approached and offered a smile.
"Welcome to the Golden Vanguard Guild. How can I help you?"
"I want to register as an adventurer," Kyle said simply.
She nodded. "Registration fee is three silver coins."
Kyle didn't hesitate. He reached into his pouch and placed the coins on the counter.
She swept them away neatly. "Name?"
"Kyle."
She scribbled it down. "Your class?"
Kyle paused.
For just a moment, his thoughts stirred.
`I can't just say I'm a Mind Controller. That would raise too many questions.`
He lifted his gaze calmly. "I'd like to keep my class undisclosed."
The clerk blinked—then nodded without much surprise. "That's fine. Some adventurers prefer privacy."
She flipped through a ledger, made a few notes, then reached beneath the counter. Moments later, she placed a small metal badge in front of him.
An E-rank Adventurer Badge.
"This badge allows you to accept E-rank and D-rank quests only," she explained. "To advance, you'll need to complete a certain number of D-rank missions, receive a recommendation, or provide proof of strength."
Kyle picked up the badge, weighing it lightly in his hand.
"Understood."
"Good luck out there," she added.
Kyle nodded once in thanks and turned away from the counter, leaving the guild.
He turned his head and looked at the building next to the guild. The inn was exactly where Luna said it would be—right beside the guild hall.
It wasn't large or flashy, but it looked clean and well-maintained. After a brief exchange, Kyle paid seven bronze coins and secured a room for a week.
He climbed the stairs and entered his room.
As he stepped inside, he was greeted by a cozy, well-furnished room. A bed in the center, with a small table and chair tucked in the corner and a wardrobe beside them.
The window offered a decent view overlooking the bustling street below.
He placed his small bag on the table and sat down on the bed, placing his dagger carefully beside the pillow—within easy reach.
`So, tomorrow I guess I'll go to the guild and start with E-rank quests.` Kyle thought to himself as he sat on the bed.
But for now, the fatigue from the long journey weighed heavily on his shoulders.
Kyle lay back on the bed, staring briefly at the ceiling. And within moments, exhaustion pulled him into sleep.
---
Kyle woke early the next morning.
The inn was quiet, the faint sounds of the city just beginning to stir beyond the window. He washed up quickly, ate a simple breakfast downstairs, then headed out.
The guild hall was already far livelier than it had been the night before.
Voices echoed across the room. Adventurers moved back and forth, some fresh and eager, others battered and tired. A few were already arguing in front of the reception desk.
Kyle gave the room a brief glance before turning toward the large task board.
It was massive—covered in neatly arranged requests. Most of the notices clustered at the bottom. Rank E and Rank D dominated the board.
Above them, Rank C missions were fewer, spaced farther apart. Rank B was sparse. Rank A had only two notices pinned at the very top.
As for Rank S... Kyle didn't see a single one.
His eyes dropped to the lowest section first—Rank E.
Delivery errands inside the city. Pest extermination. Sewer rats. Missing pets. Small chores with laughable rewards—five bronze coins or less.
Kyle exhaled quietly.
`These aren't missions... they're favors.`
He shifted his gaze upward—Rank D. Hunting requests, guard duty for caravans, dealing with troublesome animals. Slightly higher risks—and rewards to match.
He looked around the room, seeing other new adventurers also browsing the board—some seemed eager, others hesitant.
`Guess I better start with something simple.` He thought to himself.
Kyle studied them carefully.
After a short while, he nodded. One task caught his attention.
A wolf had been preying on sheep near a farm just outside the city. Two silver coins as payment.
He reached up, pulled the task free, and headed for the reception desk.
"I'll take this one."
The clerk looked over the task, then at Kyle. "Alright. Sign here," she said, pushing a sheet of paper towards him.
Kyle signed it with a flourish of his name. The clerk handed him a small, sealed envelope containing information.
"There you go. Good luck," she said with a small smile. "Remember, if you have any trouble, just call for help. We'll send someone to assist you."
Kyle nodded once in understanding, tucking the envelope into his pocket. "I will. Thanks."
After that, Kyle left the guild and made his way toward the city's outer edge.