After all the commotion at the guild, Zayne decided to find a place to stay for the night. The inns near the guild were quite expensive, but after a brief search, he found a modest accommodation at a reasonable price.

  "Welcome! A room for the night or a longer stay?" asked the innkeeper, a middle-aged man with a thick beard and a dusty apron.

  "For a week," Zayne replied, placing a few silver coins on the counter.

  The innkeeper nodded, taking the coins and handing him a key. "Room on the second floor, at the end of the hallway. If you need anything, just ask."

  Zayne nodded, took the key, and headed to his room. Finally, a safe place to rest and plan his next moves.

  Lying on the bed in the small room, the young adventurer let exhaustion take over. He thought back to the day's events: the mission, the battle against the Bloodwolf King, the recognition he received at the guild, and the attention he had drawn to himself. He never expected to find himself in this situation just a day after registering as an adventurer. He glanced at the Bloodwolf’s fang he had placed on a table next to the bed—a tangible symbol of his victory. With one last deep breath, he let himself drift into sleep.

  The next morning, the entire city of Ravenhold knew about his feat. In the markets, the taverns, and even among the city guards, people were talking about the novice who had single-handedly defeated the Bloodwolf King. Zayne, however, was unaware of his rising fame and had other things on his mind.

  He decided to sell the materials obtained from the monster to earn some money. He headed to the main market, where merchants specializing in rare materials and items had their stalls. After some searching, he found a merchant dealing in monster materials.

  "Hello, boy. What do you have to sell?" asked the merchant, a burly man with a long beard and sharp eyes.

  Zayne placed the materials on the counter. "Bloodwolf King’s hide and claws."

  The merchant's eyes widened as he picked up the hide, feeling its texture carefully. "This is top-quality hide… and these claws are tougher than usual. It’s not every day you see materials from a Bloodwolf King." He made a quick calculation before nodding. "I can offer you 50 silver coins for the hide and 3 gold coins for the claws."

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  Zayne considered for a moment, then nodded. "Deal."

  The merchant smiled and handed him eight gold coins. "Deal done. If you find any more rare materials, feel free to come back to me."

  Now with a decent sum in his pocket, Zayne decided to invest in new equipment. The battle against the Bloodwolf had made him realize that his current gear was insufficient.

  He entered a well-stocked armory, where an experienced-looking blacksmith greeted him. "What kind of armor are you looking for, kid?"

  "Something light, that doesn’t restrict movement but still offers good protection."

  The blacksmith nodded and led him to a section of reinforced leather armor. Zayne tried on a few before choosing one that fit him perfectly, offering protection without sacrificing speed. The price was 1 gold coin—a considerable expense but a necessary one.

  After securing his armor, he moved to the weapon section. There were many swords on display, but none caught his attention until his eyes landed on a blade with a slightly dark hue and a finely crafted hilt. He picked it up and immediately felt a perfect balance. The blacksmith noticed his interest and smiled. "That’s a black steel blade—durable and sharp. It'll cost you 2 gold coins."

  Zayne nodded and paid, satisfied with his purchase.

  As he left the blacksmith’s shop, with his new armor and sword securely strapped to him, Zayne made his way back to his room, feeling the weight of the remaining gold coins in his pocket and reflecting on the day’s events. A messenger intercepted him, handing him a sealed letter bearing the guild’s emblem.

  "A message for you, from the guild."

  Zayne opened the letter and read carefully:

  "Adventurer Zayne, your feat has been verified and confirmed. For your exceptional contribution, the guild has decided to promote you to Rank E. However, to officially confirm your rank advancement, you must undergo a practical trial. Report to the guild today for further details.

  Signed, Ravenhold Adventurers’ Guild."

  Zayne lowered the letter, deep in thought. "A trial, huh?" He wasn’t surprised that they wanted to test him—after all, his achievement was hard to believe. He put the letter away and set off toward the guild.

  The sun was high in the sky, and the streets of Ravenhold were bustling with activity. As he walked, he could hear whispers around him, proof that his feat was still the talk of the town. He passed through the market, beyond the main square, and finally reached the imposing guild building.

  Arriving at the guild, he took a deep breath, feeling his heart pound. The atmosphere around the building seemed charged with anticipation. He stepped toward the door, sensing the energy of those inside. With one last moment of hesitation, he placed his hand on the handle and pushed. The door slowly opened, revealing...