Fourteen years of grueling training had culminated in this moment. Alice, Alicia, Lalinia, and Leon stood before the imposing Adventurer’s Guild, their advanced Mana and Attribute training finally complete. Penelope, Monica, Zigyor, and Albert, along with seasoned experts, had guided them through the arduous process.

  “Are we truly going in empty-handed?” Alicia asked, her brow furrowed.

  “We have ample gold,” Lalinia replied, her voice slightly strained.

  “Indeed, we can purchase anything we require,” Alice added, her tone confident.

  Leon surveyed his team. “This is their final test, a trial of our resourcefulness in the real world. We’re ready, aren’t we?”

  "Absolutely," Lalinia affirmed, though her heartbeat betrayed her. A flicker of doubt lingered, the weight of defying her mother’s council settling on her shoulders.

  What if I made the wrong choice? she thought.

  Leon noticed her unease, pcing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “Lalinia, how long will you dwell on it? We’ll find a skilled healer, I promise. Trust in our strength.”

  “Come, dies,” Leon said, his arm gently around Lalinia, guiding them towards the Guild’s entrance.

  The heavy wooden door swung inward, and a hush fell over the bustling guild hall. Every eye in the room seemed to fix upon them. Three counters lined the far wall: the Registrar on the left, the Commission Report and Fee Cim in the center, and the Adventurer Information Service on the right.

  “Who are they?” a woman with a pointed hat whispered, her voice barely audible.

  “Never seen them before,” a man in gleaming silver armor replied, his gaze unwavering. “New blood, maybe?”

  “No armor, no weapons,” the woman observed. “Just…clothes. Let’s see what they’re about.”

  Leon and his group approached the Registrar’s counter, their footsteps echoing on the stone floor.

  “Definitely newbies,” the woman with the pointed hat muttered, a hint of amusement in her voice.

  “And so young,” the armored man added, his eyes scanning them. “Look at their skin—fwless. No sign of hardship, not a scar among them.”

  “Spoiled nobles, or some rich eccentric’s children, I’d wager,” a woman in a crimson tunic chimed in, her tone ced with pity.

  “They won’t st a week. I just hope they don’t fall into the hands of some maniac or bandits.”

  “Worse than any dungeon,” the pointed-hat woman agreed, a shiver running down her spine.

  “Speaking of maniacs,” the woman in crimson said, her voice turning hard,

  “Remember that time we were harassed by those crazy humans?”

  “Ugh, that bald bastard,” the pointed-hat woman spat, her face contorting in disgust.

  “Darling, you never told me about that,” the armored man said, his voice ced with concern.

  “It’s too infuriating to recount,” she retorted, her eyes fshing. “I’m trying to forget it. Besides, why should I rehash such a horrible event?”

  “Please, tell me now,” he pleaded. “I promise I won’t be angry.”

  “Fine,” she sighed. “Promise?”

  “Promise,” he affirmed.

  “I was about to register that day with Lediana when this group of damned bastards stormed in. They looked like C-rank adventurers, all men. One of them, a bald guy, noticed we were newbies. He approached us, asking if we were alone, and Lediana nodded.” The dy with the pointed hat expined.

  “What, now it’s my fault?” Lediana interjected, her voice sharp.

  She shook her head in irritation. “Anyway, after confirming we were alone, he grabbed me by the waist and asked if I’d be his woman. When I refused, he got angry, and they all turned on me.”

  “They all turned on you? Just you?” the silver-armored guy asked, his brow furrowed.

  “Yeah, I don’t know. I was already panicking. Then, the bald guy threatened me. He said Arturu would kill me if I didn’t obey. That ugly Arturu creep sneaked up behind me and pressed a saber to the back of my head. The bald guy repeated his threat, grabbed my waist again, and—” She paused, shuddering. “He forced his disgusting mouth on mine. But it didn’t stop there. I felt a hand on my… nether,” She hesitated again, her voice trembling. “I tried to scream, but I felt the bde pressing harder. I had no choice but to endure.”

  “Lediana, why didn’t you help Azora?” the armored man demanded, his desperation evident.

  “I did help. I ran outside and called for help because no one inside would lift a finger. Thankfully, I found a guard patrolling nearby and brought him back,” Lediana expined.

  “Yeah, you brought him. But by the time you returned, his fingers had already been back and fourth inside my nether,” Azora’s voice cracked. “It was too te.”

  “Oh, so that’s why the guy was kneeling. I thought you’d subdued him,” Lediana said, trying to lighten the mood. “At least you weren’t… fully vioted.”

  “Two fingers and his tongue were enough,” Azora snapped, her irritation fring.

  “Sorry,” Lediana murmured, her tone softening.

  Azora exhaled sharply, her frustration still simmering.

  “That damned bastard… he was the first to y hands on my beloved? I’ll make him pay,” Orobo growled, his voice thick with rage.

  “No need. They’ve already been arrested,” Lediana said, trying to calm him.

  “For how long?” Orobo demanded, his anger unrelenting.

  “It’s over,” Azora said, her voice steady but weary. “I’ve moved on from that ordeal. I just don’t want to relive it.”

  “Worry not, my love. With me here, no one will ever harm you again,” Orobo vowed.

  “Don’t forget about me,” Lediana added with a small smile.

  “Of course not,” Orobo replied. “I’ll protect you both.”

  “Master, I could hear them all,” Alicia murmured, her voice barely a whisper.

  “Don’t mind them,” Leon replied, his gaze fixed on the receptionist.

  “Next!” the receptionist called, her voice sharp.

  “We would like to become adventurers,” Leon stated.

  “Right. First, pce your right hand on this ptform.” She indicated a ft, white surface.

  “What is this?” Leon asked, his brow furrowed.

  “Our test mana compendium. It measures your mana level, which determines your rank.”

  “Alright.” Leon nodded, pcing his hand on the ptform. Keep it low, his father’s voice echoed in his mind. He carefully moduted his mana, presenting only a fraction of his true power. The device registered a faint pulse.

  “Oh, a D-rank, novice. Just a moment.” The receptionist retrieved a thin, erected needle. “Fill this form, then prick your finger and drop a blood sample here.”

  Leon hesitated, pulling a small, ornate needle from his pocket. “Would it be alright if I used my own?” He knew the guild’s needles wouldn’t pierce his skin—a lesson his parents had drilled into him. The needle was made of Zepperium Grava stone, a rare material, that only few beings have possession of.

  The receptionist gave him a measured look but nodded. Leon quickly filled the form, pricked his finger with the Zepperium needle, and deposited a drop of blood. The receptionist took the form and the blood sample to a glowing, humming device. Moments ter, his identification was recorded.

  “Congratutions, you are now an official D-rank adventurer. Information services can assist with any further inquiries,” the receptionist said, her smile professional. Then, her gaze shifted to Lalinia, Alicia, and Alice. “Are these your companions?”

  “Yes, ma’am. They’re here to register as well,” Leon replied.

  The receptionist’s eyes widened slightly. “Quite the collection of beauties you have there,” she murmured, her voice dropping to a near whisper. “But let me give you some advice: keep them close. This pce… it sees things. Murders, rapes, assaults, disappearances. Especially with such striking looks, they’ll draw attention.” Her gaze lingered on Alicia, Lalinia, and then Alice.

  Leon’s jaw tightened. “Thank you for the warning. I’ll remember it.” He gnced at his companions, a silent message passing between them.

  Lalinia stood tall at 5’5”, her posture regal, with a hint of ancient wisdom in her eyes. As a product of a highly experimental and perilous procedure, her form remained unchanged. Alicia was 5’6”, her figure now more curvaceous; she shifted slightly, her hand instinctively going to the small pouch at her side. The long hours spent teaching her to read and write, and the rewards she gave Leon for his patience, had created a bond between them. Alice, as ever, was a picture of serene perfection, her gaze unwavering, maintaining her 5’7” height. Leon, now standing at 5’9”, his muscles subtly defined, exuded an aura of quiet strength. His sharp and focused gaze hinted at a resolve that made even the seasoned receptionist pause.

  Minutes ter, the three dies became official adventurers. Joy and excitement were etched on their faces. Alice, due to her refined mana control, became an E-rank adventurer, while Alicia achieved D-rank, and Lalinia reached C-rank.

  “Where can we get our first commission?” Alice asked.

  “It’s over there,” the guild receptionist said, pointing in the direction.

  “Thank you,” Alice replied.

  “By the way, you can only accept an E-rank commission unless you and your companions form an official group.”

  “But we are already a group,” Alice insisted.

  “Officially,” the guild receptionist crified.

  “Oh, I see. Very well,” Alice said.

  “Don’t worry, it won’t take long. Just put your names here, and we will record it. Please sign here; the leader needs to sign at the top.”

  After the dies signed their names, Leon signed as well, noting that the top line was reserved for him. A smile tugged at his lips as he signed. Once they finished, the receptionist informed them they could now accept a D-rank commission. Their excitement was palpable as they approached the signboard.

  Legend says that hundreds of thousands of years ago, before humans were created, when the god’s creations existed without being divided by kingdoms, a mysterious “fisherman”—an unknown creature, possibly half fish and half human—discovered a huge pure bck rock beneath the beach. Some question this tale, wondering how it could be a human if humans were not yet created. The “fisherman” called others to help dig it out, a task that took three months. The legend continues, saying they argued over who truly owned the rock. To prevent the argument from worsening, the one who found it suggested breaking it and dividing it equally. Thousands of years ter, the fragmented Zepperium Grava has been passed down through generations.

  As they approached the quest board, a massive man with a rugged face and an axe strapped to his back strode towards them. He wore a gleaming gold chest pte and mithril-ced armor on his legs and arms.

  Beside him stood a lizard-like beastkin, his long, thick tail swaying. A silver helmet concealed his head, but his scaled face remained visible. He wore silver armor ptes over leather leggings, and his knuckles were encased in sharp iron.

  A hairy arm, thick as a tree limb, snaked toward Alice’s shoulder. Time stretched, Alice sidestepped the grab, surprising the man. He’d been certain he had her. Frustration flickered across his face, but he pushed it aside. He wasn’t here for idle curiosity; he was here to cim her.

  Leon stepped forward, pcing himself between the man and Alice. “What do you want, sir?” he asked, his voice calm but firm. He subtly gestured for Lalinia to move behind him.

  “I want that beastkin,” the man growled, taking a step closer.

  “I suggest you halt,” Leon said, extending a hand to lightly touch the man’s gold chest pte.

  “Do you know who you’re dealing with, kid?” the man hissed, his eyes narrowing.

  “I know I’m protecting my beloved,” Leon replied, a faint smile pying on his lips.

  The man’s companion drew a dagger, and the rger man hefted a massive double-headed axe from his back. “Beloved, my ass!” he roared, swinging the axe with murderous intent.

  A blur of motion, and the axe was gone. The man stumbled, his eyes wide with disbelief. He looked down, his grip empty. Alice stood behind him, casually examining the hefty weapon. Simultaneously, the companion’s dagger vanished, now held by the maid (Alicia), who regarded it with mild curiosity.

  “How…?” the man stammered, taking a step back.

  Leon took a step forward. “Perhaps you should ask yourself the same question: Do you know who you’re dealing with?”

  “Boss, we need to go,” the beastkin whispered, his voice trembling.

  The man cursed under his breath. “Fine! I’ll use this then.” He reached inside his armor and pulled out a scroll.

  “Oh? What’s this?” Leon asked, his eyes widening slightly as he snatched the scroll from the man’s hand.

  “What is it, love?” Lalinia asked, her voice ced with concern.

  Leon’s eyes widened, and his voice dropped to a hushed tone. “The Scroll of Petrification. Dangerous stuff. Turns someone to stone for a second. Perfect for a quick strike or a sneaky attack.”

  Scroll of Petrification costs 20 gold bars.

  Leon turned his attention to the beastkin. “Did I tell you to leave? Give us all your belongings.”

  The hairy-armed man and his tailed partner hesitantly surrendered their possessions. They fled the adventurer’s guild in haste, nearly naked.

  Leon collected the items and stored them in his space pocket. Their first loot consisted of: a pair of golden bracers, golden chest armor, mithril leg and arm armor, a silver chest pte, iron knuckles, and an A-rank centaur hide. They had also extorted 2 gold, 100 silver, and 800 copper coins from their victims.

  The other adventurers stared at them in bewilderment.

  “Damn! I thought the beastkin was going to be raped,” Azora murmured.

  “Me too,” Lediana chimed in.

  “Why do I feel like you’re rooting for that hairy guy?” Orobo asked, but received only silence in response. “Anyway, I don’t care. Let’s mind our own business,” he continued.

  “I’m excited, Master,” Alice said, then Alicia added, “Me too!”

  They returned to the quest posting board, their eyes scanning the avaible tasks. Monster hunts, guard duties, reconnaissance, and a variety of mundane requests filled the board: farm help, flower gathering, lost pet searches, tutoring, and more.

  “Master, look!” Alice pointed. “Reconnaissance.”

  “An unknown phenomenon in the southern Talina Forest,” Leon read. “They need an investigation.”

  “No fighting, right?” Lalinia asked, a hint of boredom in her voice.

  “Right, just gathering information,” Leon confirmed.

  “Ugh, boring.” Lalinia pushed a monster subjugation quest towards him. “This one’s fun!”

  “Kill at least one hundred goblins in Whispering Woods,” Leon read.

  “Isn’t that fun?” Lalinia’s face lit up with excitement.

  “Master,” Alicia interjected, handing him another quest. “Take a look.”

  “Hmm. Hunt the Satyr wreaking havoc on passing merchants. Location: southern Azure Sataria. An A-rank demon, and an A-rank commission,” Leon announced.

  Alicia frowned.

  “Love, can we take mine?” Lalinia pleaded.

  “It’s a B-rank,” Leon said.

  “And Alice, you’re looking at an A-rank too,” Leon reminded them.

  “Remember, we’re restricted to D-rank or lower.”

  Their enthusiasm vanished.

  “This one,” Leon said, extending his arm, pulling a sheet, and giving it to his women.

  “It says, collect twenty Urodu orchids, ten Bugrite flowers, and five Khursuk mushrooms near the pins of Tsubhol Vilge,” Alicia read, her voice ft.

  “It’s just here in Eldoria,” Alice said.

  “Yeah, not far at all. Just fifteen minutes,” Leon added. “Don’t rush, dies. This is just the beginning. Come on, let’s turn this in at the reporting desk.”

  “May I assist you?” The receptionist’s smile was polite, if a little strained.

  “We’re here to accept this quest,” Leon said, sliding the commission sheet across the counter.

  “Identification, please.” She took his card and scanned it with a humming device. “And your team name?”

  “We don’t have one,” Leon admitted. “Is it required?”

  “Not strictly. ‘Leon’s Team’ is the default. Would you like to change it?”

  Leon gnced at his companions. They shrugged, offering no suggestions. He sighed. “How about… System’s Paramount?”

  “Are you certain?”

  “Hold on.” Leon turned to his team. “Seriously? Nothing?”

  Alice smiled. “Whatever you choose, Master.” The others nodded.

  “Fine,” Leon said, resigned. “Leon’s Team it is.”

  “Very well. And how will you divide the reward?”

  A quick, silent exchange passed between Leon and his team. “We’ll take it as a whole.”

  “Understood. You have three days. Completion earns seven hundred copper coins. Failure incurs a penalty of one silver and five hundred copper.”

  “They don’t take failure lightly,” Alice murmured.

  “Indeed,” the receptionist said, her smile fading slightly. “Every quest, even the simplest, carries risk. Preparation and bance are crucial.”

  “Thank you for the reminder,” Leon said.

  “Be careful. Dangers lurk everywhere. Good luck.” Her smile returned, a touch warmer this time.

  Pangaea Currency:

  1 gold bar = 1000 gold coins.

  1 gold coin = 100 silver coins.

  1 silver coin= 1000 copper coins.