[You have arrived at your destination.]

  Beep.

  [For ease of communication, popups messages like this are to appear hereafter.]

  [To open archived popups, praise the WarGod or HeroGoddess by clasping hands together and praying.]

  [You have acquired Blessing of the WarGod: Absolute Bravery. Effect: You shall never fear. Scope: All.]

  [You have acquired Blessing of the HeroGoddess: Righteous Killer. Effect: You are virtuous. Scope: you shall not be condemned from killing.]

  [To close popups, please say your strange surname in less than a second.]

  [Mission Accepted: Visit the Adventurer’s Guild.]

  A bunch of popups blocked my view. I tried to grab it but it was only a mass of air. Although insulting, I said my surname and the popups were all gone. I suppose I should visit the Adventurer’s Guild first. I had many questions but it’s best to save them for later and follow the Gods’ instructions.

  A land of forest was in front of me. Judging from the thickness of trees further, this one might go for tens of kilometers. I check the area around me. I was in the middle between the forest and a stonewall. The wall reached at least 10 meters high. Beyond this wall should be a city.

  Coming to this place, my clothes were changed to basic leather clothes. On my waist, there’s a short sword hanging. I had no idea how to wield that but whatever.

  I began trekking along the walls, enjoying my new environment.

  After quite some time, I found a gate guarded by guards. There was a line of people entering so I joined.

  Finally, it was my turn.

  “Show us your ID and your papers,” the guard said.

  I searched through my pockets and there’s none. “Uh, I have no such things.”

  “You doooon’t have anyyy paapeerrs?” The guard said, moving erratically.

  I didn’t react. No time for his weirdness as well. “I don’t.”

  “Could you be here for the Gift Festival?” He talked normal again.

  “Gift Festival? Then I am here for the Gift Festival.”

  “Please ignore my actions earlier, I've just always wanted to try that. Come on in! Welcome to Heslair City.”

  Just like that, I got through the gate. Wow. Their leniency was surprising.

  Inside, a bunch of people and caravans were here and there. Brick buildings were at least two floors. Some buildings had tile signs in front of their oak doors: inns, weaponsmith, armorsmith, restaurant, etc. I’d be sure to visit them later. For now, I’d follow the orders.

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  I went around the town and asked people where was the Adventurer’s guild. Then I found a three-story building adorned with swords and staves. The people inside were rambunctious as they ate and drank in the afternoon.

  [Mission Completed: Visit the Adventurer’s Guild.]

  [Mission Accepted: Join the Guild and attend Gift Festival.]

  “Miorus.” I sighed. I hoped they never appear whenever. I could see my future just saying my surname.

  I went to the receptionist table where a cute lady was smiling directly at me. She had brown silky hair draped over her shoulder and bangs hide her forehead. She wore a one-piece light blue dress with frills just above her breasts.

  As I approached, she lightly bowed her head.

  “Welcome to the Adventurer’s Guild of Heslair City. I’m Shanie. What can I do for you?”

  “I’d like to register.”

  “Understood. Please wait while I prepare the documents.”

  “It’s this simple? Eeehh?”

  “We always accept those wish to join us.” The lady turned, picked up papers from the shelf and presented them to me.

  “Please place your hand over this paper.”

  The paper was the size of my hand. As I touched it, a spark burst. A shock of electricity coursed through me. “That hurt!” I removed my hand from the paper. Scary. To think they’d do that a single warning.

  “Oh, my apologies.”

  “It’s okay. I was just surprised.”

  Shanie held up the paper which now had words printed on it. She took another piece of paper and overlapped the two. Another burst of spark occurred. So, this was how they made copies. She put the original to a portfolio on the shelf and returned to me.

  “Miorus, right? This is your adventurer’s card. The paper will become as hard as a rock an hour from now. Until then, please take care of this paper so it may not get torn.”

  I never said my name yet she knew. As she handed the adventurer’s card to me, I saw details of myself.

  [ Name: Miorus

  Age: 18

  Race: Human

  Level: 1; E-class

  Job Affinity: Swordsmanship.

  Elemental Affinity: None. ]

  “Hey, what does this level and class means?”

  “The level is your average raw combat power while class defines your skill. The strength of further levels are always ten times stronger than the prior digit. For example, a level 4 has a thousand more power than you. An average person in this city is around level 2 while this Guild branch has around level 5.”

  What-the-hell. These loud people were ten-thousand times stronger than me. That’s over nine-thousand. “Aren’t I the weakest thing here?”

  “I won’t say that. If you’re just nine times stronger, then the system won’t recognize you as level 2, so there’s that. Also, there are ranks from letters A-class, the strongest, to O-class, the weakest. Since you’re in the upper third, you can hold ground against a level 3 in the lower third classes.”

  “I see. Raw power isn’t everything.”

  Shanie nodded. “Welcome to the guild. If you want to take a quest, please look at the boards over there. If you have any questions, you can ask me.”

  “Oh yeah, I want to know about the Gift Festival. What’s it about?”

  “It’s a festival held rarely. It’s only when the oracle has received a message from the Gods. The Gods sometimes bestow us with a summon. Selected people who attend may receive a weapon, an armor, or even a partner.”

  “Partner? Could it be a marriage selection?” My parents almost forced me onto a marriage they called a party. Gods might think like them.

  “No, not like that. It can be a monster, a beast or anything. It’ll be locked with you and you can order it however you want. It’s said to be the best of gifts. If you want to attend, go to the right road after you leave this building. Just continue there until you find a bunch of people gathered up in the city plaza.”

  “Thank you. I’ll take my leave then.”

  “Oh, before that,” Shanie said. “Could you please fill up this survey, please?”

  I received a paper about customer service. Since Shanie helped me a lot, I checked all the 5-star boxes and praised her on the comment section. Once I gave it back, she looked very happy and giggled. She really deserved it.

  I left the Adventurer’s Guild smiling uncontrollably. She’s too cute.