V2C2 - A Step Forward

The morning sun was already high, its golden light spilling through the window and warming the room. I stretched, groggily rubbing the sleep from my eyes as I sat up. The bed at the Hearthlight Inn had been comfortable, and the warmth of the place lingered even now. It was a welcoming space to wake up in.

I dressed quickly, the soft hum of the morning stilling my mind as I grabbed my Arcane Sigil, keeping it tucked at my side, ready for the day ahead. As I left my room, the familiar scent of fresh bread and brewing coffee filled the air. The common room of the inn was quiet, with a few early risers already enjoying their meals. Marella, the innkeeper, was behind the counter, preparing something in the kitchen.

“Good morning, Lucen,” she greeted me with her usual warmth when she saw me enter. “Sleep well?”

“I did, thank you,” I replied, rubbing my eyes and making my way to the dining area. The table near the hearth had been set with simple, hearty food—fresh bread, porridge, and a side of fruit. It felt like home, even though I hadn’t been here long.

Marella brought a bowl of porridge over to me, smiling as she set it down in front of me. “You’re looking well-rested. How’s the adventuring going?”

I glanced up from the food, a bit of hesitation in my voice. “I’m planning to report in at the guild today. Just finishing up some small quests. I’ll be ready for more after that.”

“Don’t push yourself too hard,” she said, her tone light but sincere. “It’s a big city, and not everyone is cut out for the dangers beyond the gates.”

“I’ll be careful,” I promised, taking a spoonful of porridge. The warm food settled my stomach and gave me a bit more confidence.

After finishing breakfast, I paid for my meal and left the inn, ready for what the day would bring. The sun hung high in the sky, casting a soft light over the cobblestone streets of Falridge. People were already out and about, some haggling at market stalls, others heading toward the guildhall to start their tasks for the day.

The guild building was only a short walk from the inn, and I made my way there, still thinking about the task I’d completed yesterday. Helping Rivvy at the forge had been a good first step, but now I needed to report in, confirm that I was ready for bigger challenges, and see what the guild had in store for me next.

The guildhall stood tall and imposing in the heart of the city, with its large wooden doors and stone walls. As I pushed open the door, I was greeted by the familiar hum of activity. Adventurers milled around, checking in with guild officials or chatting with one another.

I made my way to the front desk where Eyla, the guild receptionist, sat. She looked up from her work as I approached, offering me a smile.

“Back so soon, Lucen?” she asked, her eyes scanning her papers. “I take it your task with Rivvy is complete?”

I nodded, glad to see a familiar face. “Yes. I helped Rivvy with some work at the forge. It was a good start, but I’m ready for more.”

Eyla nodded and made a note on her paperwork. “Good. It’s always nice to have a successful first quest under your belt. I’ll mark it as complete, and the reward will be transferred to your guild account. You should be able to access it soon.”

She tapped the Arcane Sigil embedded into the desk, and with a few quick gestures, my quest was officially marked as finished. “You’ve got a few options for your next task. We’ve got some low-level monster slaying requests or a simple fetch quest. What do you think?”

I paused, considering. The low-level monsters sounded like a good challenge, a step up from the forge task. “I’ll take the monster-slaying quest.”

Eyla raised an eyebrow but didn’t object. “Alright, then. Just be careful. Even low-level monsters can pack a punch if you’re not prepared.”

“I will,” I said, nodding firmly. I knew this was the right next step for me. “Thanks.”

After confirming the quest, I turned and left the guildhall. It was time to prepare.

I headed straight for Rivvy’s blacksmith shop. The small but bustling shop was a familiar sight, with the clang of metal and the warm glow of the forge greeting me as I entered. Rivvy was hard at work behind the counter, hammering away at a piece of metal. She glanced up as I stepped inside, a grin spreading across her face.

“Well, look who’s back again already,” she said, wiping the sweat from her brow. “Finished your task for the day, eh?”

I smiled, walking toward her. “I’m ready to head out for a real challenge. I’m going after some monsters. Could use some armor to go with my sword.”

Rivvy nodded, as though it was exactly what she expected. “Good thinking. You’re going to need more than just a sword if you’re serious about this.”

She led me to a section of the shop where she kept light armor for adventurers. The pieces were simple but well-made, offering good protection without being too cumbersome. I tried on a set, feeling the weight and comfort of it as I fastened the straps.

“This will do,” I said, nodding in approval. “Thanks, Rivvy.”

“No problem,” she said, smiling at me. “Take care out there, and don’t do anything foolish.”

“I won’t,” I assured her, fastening my sword back at my side. “Thanks again.”

After getting the armor, I made my way to the front of the shop where Rivvy had a small counter for payment. “How much?” I asked.

“Just head over to the guild,” she said casually, “When your quest is completed, they’ll send the payment over to me through your guild account.”

I nodded. “Got it.”

With the armor on and my sword secured, I set out for the outskirts of the city, where my task awaited. The air was cool, the streets less crowded as I ventured farther from the city’s heart. It felt good to be out in the open, but the weight of my mission kept my mind focused. The monsters wouldn’t be easy, but I was ready.

I reached the area where the monsters were supposed to be. It was a small wooded area just outside the city gates. I crept forward, every sense alert, as I searched for any sign of movement.

The bushes rustled. I turned just in time to see a wild boar charging toward me, tusks bared.

I sidestepped quickly, narrowly avoiding its attack. The boar’s momentum carried it past me, and I took the opportunity to swing my sword. The blade connected with its side, and the boar let out a pained squeal, turning to face me.

With quick reflexes, I readied my stance. This wasn’t a big fight, but it was real. A real test of my skills.

The boar charged again, but this time, I was ready. I sidestepped once more and slashed at its weak spot—the neck. The creature fell, twitching once before going still.

My heart pounded as I looked down at it, the weight of what I had just done sinking in. It wasn’t much, but it was a step forward. I wiped my sword clean and sheathed it.

“Well, that wasn’t so bad,” I muttered to myself, my chest still heavy from the fight.

I had more to learn, but this was just the beginning.