Koizo woke up to shouting downstairs.
For a second, he forgot where he was.
Then the wooden ceiling above him reminded him.
Fantasy world.
Game system.
Almost eaten by wolves.
He sat up slowly.
His body didn't hurt.
That surprised him.
He opened his menu.
HP: 150/150Status: Healthy
"Oh right. Game system healing."
He rolled out of bed and stretched.
Sunlight poured through the small window. Outside, villagers moved around carrying baskets and tools.
A normal morning.
Weirdly peaceful.
His stomach growled loudly.
"Food first. Hero stuff later."
He went downstairs.
The inn was lively. Adventurers in leather armor laughed loudly while eating breakfast. Swords and shields leaned against tables.
The innkeeper waved.
"Morning, rookie!"
Koizo walked over.
"Got food?"
"Two copper coins."
Koizo froze.
"…Coins?"
The innkeeper blinked.
"You're broke, aren't you?"
Koizo smiled awkwardly.
"Extremely."
The innkeeper sighed and slid him a plate anyway.
"Eat. Pay me when you stop looking like you'll die in one hit."
Koizo grinned.
"Thanks!"
He devoured bread, eggs, and meat like a starving animal.
While eating, Lyra walked in.
She noticed him and walked over.
"You're alive. Good."
Koizo swallowed.
"Barely. Thanks again for last night."
She shrugged.
"You're lucky the river was there."
He nodded.
"So what now?"
Lyra sat across from him.
"You said you were a traveler. Travelers usually register at the Adventurers Guild."
Koizo perked up.
"Guild?"
She pointed outside.
"Big building near the well. Can't miss it."
A system notification appeared.
Quest Updated: Visit Adventurers Guild
Koizo stood immediately.
"Alright. Guild time."
Lyra smirked.
"You're energetic in the morning."
"Adrenaline from not dying."
They left together.
The village was fully awake now.
Blacksmith hammering metal.
Children running through streets.
Farmers preparing wagons.
It felt alive.
They reached a large wooden building with a sword and shield symbol above the door.
The Adventurers Guild.
Inside was chaos.
Adventurers crowded tables. Quest papers covered a giant board. A receptionist worked behind a counter.
Koizo's eyes sparkled.
"This is awesome."
Lyra walked to the counter.
"Register him."
The receptionist looked up.
A woman with sharp eyes and tied-back brown hair.
"New recruit?"
Koizo stepped forward.
"Koizo. Future legend."
She stared at him.
"…Right."
She slid a form across.
"Name, age, weapon type."
Koizo scribbled quickly.
She handed him a small metal card.
"Welcome to the Adventurers Guild. Rank F."
A menu appeared.
Registered as Adventurer!
Reward Obtained: Beginner PackReward Obtained: 50 Copper Coins
Coins appeared in his inventory.
Koizo grinned.
"Not broke anymore."
Lyra crossed her arms.
"Now comes reality."
The receptionist pointed to the quest board.
"F-rank quests only. No monster hunts alone yet."
Koizo walked to the board.
Papers covered it.
• Gather herbs near forest edge• Deliver supplies to farm• Slime extermination• Repair fence after monster damage
"Slime extermination sounds easy."
Lyra sighed.
"Nothing is easy here."
He grabbed the quest paper.
Quest Accepted: Slime Cleanup
Reward: 80 Copper Coins
They left the guild.
Koizo looked pumped.
"First real quest."
Lyra followed reluctantly.
"Slimes are weak, but don't get careless."
They walked to a grassy field outside the village.
Blue blobs bounced around lazily.
Slimes.
Koizo blinked.
"They look harmless."
A slime suddenly lunged and smacked his face.
"HEY!"
It burned slightly.
HP: 145/150
Lyra laughed.
"They dissolve things."
Koizo swung his sword.
Slash.
The slime burst into goo.
EXP Gained.
More slimes bounced toward them.
Koizo grinned.
"Okay, this is easy."
He charged.
Slash.
Slash.
Slash.
Slimes popped everywhere.
After ten minutes, the field was clear.
A notification appeared.
Quest Complete!
Light flashed.
Level Up!Level 4 reached.Stat points gained: 5
Koizo pumped his fist.
"This leveling thing never gets old."
Lyra looked surprised.
"You grow fast."
Koizo scratched his cheek.
"Natural talent."
As they walked back, villagers thanked them.
Koizo felt proud.
His first successful job.
His first money earned.
Things finally felt stable.
Too stable.
Back in the forest, hidden deep in shadows, a massive creature moved again.
Trees snapped quietly under its weight.
A monster far beyond goblins and wolves.
Its glowing eyes fixed toward Riverwood.
And it began moving closer.