.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
As the smoke from the explosion began to clear out, you would assume an explosion that big would obliterate its surroundings, yet everything remained the same as if nothing had happened.
As for the monster, it was clear that he was gone, reduced to atoms.
‘What a spell, so this is magic?’, as Ryu walked to find Sylvia.
Looking proud, Sylvia stood there with a face that expressed ‘did you see my amazing spell.’
“Should you not be asking if I’m okay? That was one hell of an explosion.” Ryu not trying to give her the compliment she wants to hear.
“It’s alright, I made sure my spell only harmed the targeted ones.” She responded casually.
“Is that how magic are supposed to be?” He questioned Sylvia, recalling his knowledge about magic.
“Not really but I’m a unique mage, you could say I am a one in a lifetime talent.” Boasting herself.
“Okay Miss So-proclaimed-Genuis, I won’t question why and where you’re headed but what are you doing here alone.” Questioning her.
“Just traveling.” she said it nonchalantly.
‘If my hunch is correct then she must be from a royal family, this kind of magic power is absurd, I understand that all elves are loved by mana, but this is a different case.’
“And, what about you Mister sword boy.”
“As for me, I was heading to Luminaria until I sensed something malicious and decided to head there, upon my arrival I saw these 3 lifeless bodies on the ground .“Ryu explained.
‘Keres Damion?’ Sylvia pondered what they were doing here, though they were renowned for shady things.
*Snaps finger*
The three lifeless bodies started to burn until non were left.
Ryu was too stunned to speak.
“They’re from a guild called Keres Damion, you can tell guilds from their symbol, vulture but don’t worry about the details, these people are known for devious things, honestly makes me surprised how they even got the right to become a guild.”
“Okay.”
“Anyway, you said you were heading to Luminaria, that’s perfect, thanks to the monster and these guys, I’ve got to report to my Captain. Oh, by the way I am from the Twilight Guild.”
“Hmm, okay, not that I know of.”
“It’s fine, I’ll be your guide for today, consider yourself lucky, not many people have this chance.”
“Aye aye your majesty, I Ryu feel so humbled.” He teased her.
He continued his journey, but this time with accompany.
‘Guess this is not bad eh’
During their journey, Ryu learned a lot about the inside affairs. There currently 8 guilds; Twilight (Lion), Mystic Moon (Owl), Headless Reaper (Crow), Midnight plague (Bat), Keres Damion (Vulture), Thieves of Sorrow (Raccoons), Venom Bane (Inland Taipan), Specter Vanguard (Rhinoceros) were scattered across the Empire. They would always participate in tournaments held at the Capital (Luminaria) to determine whose future guild leader is the most powerful, currently it is Twilight.
This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.
The black market, trading auction hall, dungeons, government army, bandits. The neighbouring kingdom of Arathia Kingdom, which was Atrusea Kingdom and Ereabiris Kingdom, who have been at peace since dawn of monsters and many more.
Along the way Ryu saw rice fields and would spot farmers and local people in the outskirts, looking very lively. As he got closer to the city the sound of the city would hit him first. He would see more and more caravans with goods horded by merchants and sellers passing by him.
And soon he witnessed magnificent structures with elaborate carvings and statues rising into the sky, their marble facades groaning under the weight of the passage of time. Over busy avenues, where market booths overflowed with exotic goods and whispered promises of long-forgotten enchantments, arched bridges spanned. Amidst the maze-like lanes, lavish homes with mosaic-tiled floors whispered the secrets of a bygone age, and a massive amphitheatre recalled the time when both commonplace and fantastical shows won the hearts of both locals and tourists. Each structure in this city of wonders, where the echoes of ancient empires danced upon the stones, stood as a tribute to the might of history and the limitless potential of the human imagination.
[Luminaria]
*Crowded noise*
In the center of the town, Enchanted Fountain of Dreams was displayed. Its grandeur was beyond the comprehension of mortals; it was a cascade of liquid starlight that fell from heaven and collected in a basin of unearthly crystals. The murmured desires of those who came to cast their hopes into its depths were carried by the moonlit waters, which danced with a variety of colours.
The delicate figures of mythological creatures are sculpted into the brilliant stone, frozen in time in awe of the magic that gives them life. The sculptures appear to awaken as the wind blows, their eyes sparkling with the essence of long-forgotten enchantments.
The fountain calls with a voice as gentle as the air, giving an opportunity to catch a glimpse of the threads of fate and a momentary sight of the extraordinary that is just outside the realm of the senses. It is a sanctuary of wonder where dreams and enchantments collide, where the lines between reality and fiction blur like ripples on its magical waters.
Soon the admiration turned into a farewell, just like how they met and introduced themselves, both parties also left the same way, short and fast, but before that short words were exchanged.
“Well, I guess this is goodbye Ryu, before I go here.” Sylvia handed him some coins and left.
“Thanks Sylvia.“He spoke raising his head from his palm, his eyes was met with nothing except for the busy surrounding. It seemed sylvia had already departed while he was monologing.
. . .
One small step for Ryu, one giant leap for his future. At last, he finally entered the Mercenary guild, having registered and getting his digital card which processed details such as age, class, missions/quest completed or failed, and finally rank. Although he was getting looks from everyone, he was used to it ever since the very beginning he entered his first town, it seemed that eastern looks weren’t common, even though demi-humans, elves, dwarf and many more existed.
‘How Ironic’
[Ranks information (Highest to lowest)]
SS
S
A+
A
A-
B+
B
B-
C+
C-
D+
D
D-
As a new joined member, you would start at the bottom of the rank (currently D-) and earn your way to the top. As of what Ryu heard from Sylvia, there is only 1 well known mercenary that ranked in the SS, he is also the descendant of the Mercenary guild founder, as well as a mage. It is said that long ago there was a mage who casted their heritage and decided to help the unfortune make a living and create a society to help each other and grow strong in this accursed world.
‘What a guy’
Looking at the board full of quests and missions, he was limited to what he could do thanks to his D- rank, some were barely fun or interesting.
‘Oh’ As Ryu grabbed the piece of paper off the board.
B- rank, kill the Forrest golem that has been recently destroying a land that holds key to bountiful harvest, fertile lands, and abundant resources.
[150 gold]
‘I’m going to pretend this B- exists’ He walked to the counter of the guild where a middle-aged man was sitting down, Dave was written on his badge.
Ryu handed the sheet of paper.
“You’re not meant to rip it off the board, you’re meant to say the job kid.” Dave telling him off straight away.
‘This kid must be new, but what defined muscle, at his age I was like a stick’ He thought while inspecting Ryu.
“Let’s see your Mercenary card boy.”
Handing him the card, he sees that it is a D-.
“Tch, I knew it kid, are you blind? This is a B- rank, go find something else.” Dave denied him.
“Here, I’ll give you this extra tip if you let me on this.” Giving Dave the remaining coins Sylvia gave.
“Ha this much doesn’t even buy me pair of boxers.” Dave laughing his ass off, never has he ever been bribed by a kid half his age.
“Well Dave you’re in luck, I’ll buy you your pair of boxers with the money I get once I slay this monster.” Ryu counter arguing.
“Don’t push your luck kid, you’re barking at the wrong tree.” Dave responded
“Oh, don’t worry, I don’t bark, I bite.” Ryu returned.
“I’ve seen many like you come and go into the afterworld.” Dave not backing off.
“Well, expect to see me every time I ask for mission.”
“Arg, Suit yourself newbie.” Finally giving up. Dave used his card and scanned it in a circular gadget, and started searching for the mission and gave his fingerprint as approval.
‘Technology, pretty sick’
“If, if you are successful, press this green button, this will scan the area and check for the monster, once it is done, it’ll register in your card’s logbook, after the mission is completed don’t worry if this gadget breaks, just make sure you bring this card, even if it is shattered. Red is obviously when you fail the mission or decide to not do it. This gadget’s name is Fleur, It will guide you to the mission area.” David explained carefully, as he handed him his card and Fleur.
“Thanks.” Ryu said with gratitude and left for his first ever mission, luckily, he was able to persuade Dave into this mission.
“Brat.” Dave made sure Ryu heard this just as he left, he couldn’t help but smile.
It wasn’t against the rule to give missions/quest that were above people’s rank, however it would always come back to bite them. The burden and guilt of killing someone, you’d wish yourself ‘Why did I ever approve that’. Although Dave wanted to deny Ryu, he felt something extraordinary about him, the sparks in his eyes were the same sparks when Dave was a young mage before soon after getting his mana core destroyed in the war. He could feel it in the air, that this boy was indeed strong.
“Tch, don’t haunt me when you’re dead.” Mumbled Dave and continued to his daily work, approving missions.
“HUH, not you as well! Another idiot asking for missions higher than your rank, GET ANOTHER ONE KID!” Dave raging with irritation, today was just not the best day to relax it seemed.
.
.
.
[In the distant]
A big tree trunk painted with vivid green paint and surrounded by thick plant foliage, in the middle of a lush green forest with a waterfall tumbling down the side of a rocky cliff. A lit pool at the base of the waterfall spreads an unsettling green light across the scene as a towering figure emerges, personifying the power of nature itself. The forest golem was perched atop some boulders close to the pool's edge, towering tall and solid.
Its imposing shape is made of entwined vines, twisted tree roots, and rough-hewn stone; moss and ferns cover its untamed fa?ade, fusing life, and stone in a beautiful harmony. The golem's main body coiled around its limbs with roots that resemble sinewy muscles, while branches extend like gigantic arms, each of which ends in a hand fashioned of sharp claws. Its antlers are horned like its head, and its eyes sparkle with emerald and green orbs. A mana crystal sphere that radiated an inner light that mirrored the vitality of the forest was in the center of the body.
The forest golem stood there like a silent sentinel, the guardian of the woods, would be a benefiting title for it rather than an invader.
