Chapter 2:

  Totsu City

  The dirt road stretched endlessly before Kaito, flanked by fields, forests, and distant rolling hills. His legs ached from the long trek, his back sore from the weight of his travel bag—filled with the meager belongings he had brought from home. But despite the discomfort, his heart pounded with anticipation.

  Totsu City lay just beyond the next hill.

  Beside him, Ryouma walked with the ease of a seasoned adventurer, his silver armor glinting in the mid-morning sun. The man barely seemed affected by the journey, his posture relaxed, yet his sharp eyes constantly scanned their surroundings.

  Kaito stole a glance at his new mentor, curiosity nagging at him. “Ryouma… what’s Totsu like?”

  Ryouma didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he let out a short chuckle. “A city of opportunity—and danger. It’s not like your quiet little village, that’s for sure. If you’re not careful, you’ll get chewed up and spat out before you even get the chance to make a name for yourself.”

  Kaito swallowed hard but nodded. He already knew this wouldn’t be easy.

  As they reached the hill’s crest, the city finally came into view, and Kaito’s breath hitched.

  Totsu was massive.

  Its towering stone walls stretched far and wide, protecting the countless buildings crammed within. Smoke curled into the sky from chimneys, and even from here, he could hear the faint echoes of bustling life beyond the gates. The city’s center was dominated by the grand structure of the Adventurer’s Guild Headquarters—a fortress-like building adorned with banners bearing the Guild’s emblem.

  “Come on,” Ryouma said, leading him down the hill.

  As they neared the gates, Kaito’s excitement quickly turned to anxiety. The sheer number of people was overwhelming. Merchants shouted from their stalls, children weaved through the crowds, and armored adventurers strode confidently through the streets, weapons strapped to their backs. Beastmen with furred ears and tails, robed mages with staffs glowing faintly, and even towering lizardfolk—he had never seen so many different kinds of people in one place.

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  “You look like a lost lamb.”

  Kaito turned to see a man leaning casually against a wooden post near the entrance.

  He was tall, clad in dark leather armor, his long black hair tied in a loose ponytail. His eyes, sharp and calculating, studied Kaito with mild amusement.

  “Soka,” Ryouma greeted the man with a nod. “I’m leaving this one in your hands.”

  Soka sighed, pushing himself off the post. “Another recruit, huh?” He gave Kaito a once-over. “You don’t look like much.”

  Kaito frowned. “I’ll prove myself.”

  Soka smirked. “We’ll see.”

  With that, he motioned for Kaito to follow, and they plunged into the depths of Totsu.

  The streets were a chaotic blend of wonder and confusion. Soka weaved through the crowds effortlessly, while Kaito struggled to keep up.

  They passed through the Marketplace, where merchants peddled everything from enchanted trinkets to freshly baked bread. The air was thick with the scent of spices, roasting meat, and the occasional whiff of something foul from a nearby alchemist’s shop.

  Next was the Warrior’s Plaza, a wide-open space where adventurers trained in combat. Swords clashed, magic spells burst against stone dummies, and archers practiced their aim on wooden targets.

  “Most recruits spend time here before they take on serious quests,” Soka explained. “You’ll probably be no different.”

  They then reached the Temple District, where robed priests chanted prayers before towering statues of the gods. Kaito recognized a few—Jupiter, the God of the Sky, stood tall with a staff in hand; Athena, the Goddess of Wisdom, watched over the city with a knowing gaze; and Kratos, the God of War, loomed over the plaza, his stone-carved sword resting on his shoulder.

  “Priests offer blessings to adventurers before dangerous quests,” Shiki said. “If you ever feel like you need divine luck, this is the place to be.”

  Finally, they arrived at the Adventurer’s Guild Headquarters. The building was even more imposing up close, with towering wooden doors and a massive hall bustling with adventurers.

  “Welcome to your new life,” Shiki said, pushing the doors open.

  Later that evening, after settling his registration at the Guild, Kaito found himself wandering the streets of Totsu alone. The city had a different atmosphere at night—lanterns flickered in the cool air, casting long shadows across the cobblestone roads. The once-busy marketplace had quieted, but the laughter and music of taverns filled the air.

  His feet carried him toward one such tavern, a lively establishment known as The Rusty Griffin.

  Stepping inside, he was met with a scene unlike anything he had ever witnessed.

  Wizards argued over spell theories at one table, while beastmen shared drinks with armored warriors at another. A bard strummed a lute in the corner, singing a ballad about a legendary hero who once fought a dragon. A group of priests, clearly off-duty, were deep in a drinking contest, laughing as one of their own collapsed onto the table.

  Kaito took a hesitant step inside, feeling both out of place and drawn in by the energy of the room.

  “New face, huh?” A voice called out.

  He turned to see a grizzled dwarf behind the bar, polishing a mug. “First drink’s on the house if you can impress me with a story.”

  Kaito blinked, then grinned.