As the cart got closer to Claser Village, something unexpected became apparent.
Despite being a village, it was crowded with people.
At the entrance, guards halted the cart.
"State your reason for coming," one of them demanded.
The cart driver looked back at Cael and commented, "Tell them your reason, kid."
Cael answered calmly, "I'm currently clearing an E-Rank dungeon: Warps of Golems."
"Do you have a guild card?" the guard narrowed his eyes.
It was then that Cael remembered something important.
In this world, only two methods were legal for someone to enter a dungeon:
Being a student of the Academy
Being part of the Adventurer's Guild
That's right.
This world also had an Adventurer's Guild, and people could join to explore dungeons, accept requests, and make money.
Cael shook his head. "No, sir. I'll go to the guild and pick up my card first, then I'll go to the dungeon."
The guard nodded. "Fair enough. You may enter."
The cart rolled forward into the village.
Inside, Cael noticed a number of adventurers walking around. Most of them were here for the same reason as him—the E-Rank dungeon, Warps of Golems.
It was well-known for being easy and profitable.
Once someone cleared an area, other adventurers would enter afterward to farm the monsters and gather more mana cores.
Mana cores were among the most valuable items in this realm. They powered everything—from lamps to fans to other magic-based contraptions—just like electricity on Earth.
For mages, their value was even greater, since mana cores could be used to fuel their mana.
Soon, the cart dropped Cael off near the Adventurer's Guild.
Cael went inside.
The moment he entered, he was hit by loud voices, rough tones, and an overpowering stench of alcohol.
Cael chuckled.
"Heh… the Adventurer's Guild is exactly like it was in the game."
He walked toward the reception desk, where a cute-looking beastwoman receptionist sat.
Standing in front of her, Cael said, "I'd like to get a guild license."
The receptionist looked up, blinking in surprise.
Her gaze rested on Cael's face… then moved down to his skinny body, and her expression shifted.
She muttered under her breath, "What a pretty face… but what a skinny body."
Then she asked, "What's your name?"
Cael was just about to curse at her, but managed to hold back.
Calm down, Cael.
Even if she looks cute, she's almost certainly far stronger than you.
If you act up, you'll be back in bed with bandages wrapped around you.
"My name is Cael," he said.
The receptionist nodded. "Wait a minute."
A short while later, she returned with a crystal and a blank card.
"Put your hand on this crystal," she said. "Then place your blood on this card."
Cael placed his hand on the crystal.
It glowed blue briefly, then stopped shining.
That meant he had enough mana and physical strength to fight low-level monsters.
Next, she placed the card in front of him and handed him a needle.
"Now take this, and drop your blood."
Cael paused for a moment… then pricked his finger and let a drop fall onto the card.
This needle is nothing, he told himself.
Compared to what's waiting for me in this world… this is the least of my worries.
The moment the blood touched the card, it shimmered, and text appeared.
-----------------------------
[Guild Card]
Name: Cael
Rank: G-Rank
-----------------------------
The receptionist smiled.
"There you go. Your card is ready."
Cael stared at it, then looked at her.
"That's it?"
The receptionist blinked. "Huh? What do you mean?"
Cael looked worried. "But what if my card gets stolen, or someone uses it to steal my identity?"
The receptionist burst out laughing.
"Kid, you're really funny! Forget something?"
"Once your blood is on the card, nobody can see your details unless you want to show them."
"If someone steals it, all they'll get is a blank card."
Cael's face flushed with embarrassment.
"S-Sorry… I—"
"It's okay. You being clueless like that is cute," the receptionist said with a giggle.
Cael smirked. "Thanks. You're cute too."
The receptionist froze.
Her ears turned bright red.
"G-Go away!" she stuttered. "Other people are waiting in line!"
Cael laughed and waved.
"Alright, alright. See you soon."
He left the Adventurer's Guild and immediately headed toward the E-Rank dungeon: Warps of Golems.
Finally, after walking for a while outside the village, he spotted it.
A dungeon entrance surrounded by guards and adventurers.
Nearby, people shouted loudly as they sold supplies.
"Potions! Healing potions! Ten bronze apiece!"
Cael pushed through the crowd until he reached a guard.
"One entry to Warps of Golems."
The guard didn't even look at him. "Guild card?"
Cael showed his card.
The guard stamped a token and handed it to him.
"Here. One entry."
Cael took it and joined the line.
Most people entered dungeons in parties, but the Warps of Golems were so easy that many adventurers came alone.
The golems inside were only G-Rank—weak enough for regular adventurers to slay and earn money.
Soon, it was Cael's turn.
He stepped closer to the entrance.
A massive circular gate stood before him, blue energy swirling around it as if reality itself had cracked open.
And honestly…
That wasn't far from the truth.
Dungeons weren't just gateways—they were battlegrounds, designed to throw people into danger for the rewards hidden inside.
Cael moved forward, stepping into the portal.
The moment he passed through…
Everything changed.
Greenery surrounded him. Tall trees stretched high into the air.
It felt like a fantasy world straight out of a game.
A world he had only ever seen through a monitor in his old life.
Now it was real.
Cael smiled weakly and began walking down the path—a path he knew well.
He had traversed this dungeon countless times back when it was only a game.
Soon, he came upon an odd-looking stone sitting near the trail.
But as he stepped closer—
A heavy thud. thud. sounded from behind him.
Cael turned around.
Two G-Rank golems stood there, arms raised, ready to strike.
Cael smirked.
"Let's go. It's been a long time since I've had this much fun smashing rocks."
He stepped forward—
Then a cold realization hit him.
Cael froze.
"…Wait."
"Where the f*ck is my sword?"