Chapter 5: The Adventurer’s First Step

Nagomi stood before the massive wooden doors of the Adventurers’ Guild. The emblem of a crossed sword and staff was carved into the aged wood, a symbol of both power and opportunity. The streets outside were lively, filled with merchants, travelers, and warriors alike, yet there was an undeniable sense of anticipation in the air as he prepared to take his first official step into this world as a registered adventurer.

He pushed the doors open, revealing a grand hall filled with adventurers of all kinds—some clad in heavy armor, others in enchanted robes, and a few looking just as unremarkable as himself. The scent of parchment, ale, and something vaguely metallic filled the air. A massive board stood at the far end, covered in quest postings, while guild staff members busily processed reports and handled inquiries at a long, polished counter.

"So this is an Adventurers’ Guild…" Nagomi mused to himself. His experience with RPGs gave him a basic idea of how these places functioned. Quests, rankings, rewards—it was all a familiar system. But unlike in games, this was reality, and he would have to navigate it carefully.

He approached the counter where a young receptionist with silver-rimmed glasses greeted him with a professional yet welcoming smile. "Welcome to the Estrellis Adventurers’ Guild. Are you here to register?"

Nagomi nodded. "Yes, I’d like to become an adventurer. But I’d prefer to be a traveling one, rather than staying in one city."

The receptionist adjusted her glasses and flipped through a large leather-bound book. "Ah, you’re looking to register as a roaming adventurer. That’s rare, but certainly possible. You’ll still have a base guild, but you can take quests from most branches across the continent."

Nagomi was pleased. This setup fit him perfectly—he wasn’t here to settle down; he wanted to see the world, experience its wonders, and uncover its mysteries.

The registration process was surprisingly straightforward. He had to provide basic details—name, age (which he estimated since this was technically a new life), and combat preferences. Since he lacked formal training in this world, he was placed at the lowest rank: Bronze. But that didn’t matter to him. Strength and skill came with time and experience.

After finalizing his registration, the receptionist handed him a bronze-colored tag engraved with his name: Nagomi . "This is your guild card. Keep it with you at all times. You’ll need it for identification and quest registration."

He took the card and ran his fingers over the engraved letters. It was simple, yet it marked the beginning of something greater.

"Now then," the receptionist continued, "since you’re new, I’d recommend starting with a simple gathering or delivery quest. Something to ease you in."

Nagomi turned his gaze to the massive quest board. The parchment pinned there displayed various missions—some simple, like herb gathering, others more dangerous, such as monster subjugation. His eyes landed on a quest that seemed just right for a beginner: Collect Moonlit Mushrooms from the Verdant Hollow.

A collection quest. It wasn’t glamorous, but it would allow him to explore a bit more while getting used to the guild’s system. He took the quest notice and brought it to the receptionist, who stamped it with approval.

"The Verdant Hollow is just outside the western gate," she explained. "Be cautious—it’s relatively safe, but low-tier monsters do roam the area at night."

Nagomi nodded and left the guild, stepping into the afternoon light. His journey as an adventurer had officially begun. And while it started with something as simple as gathering mushrooms, he knew that each step he took brought him closer to uncovering the true potential of this world—and himself.

With a deep breath, he set off toward the western gate, ready to embrace the adventure ahead.