The first thing Kael noticed was the noise.
Even before the carriage reached the city gates, he could hear people talking, merchants shouting, horses pulling carts, and adventurers coming and going.
Kael leaned toward the carriage window.
"So this is Ironbrook?"
Serena looked up from her map.
"Yes."
Kael stared.
The city was much larger than Greenwood. Tall stone walls surrounded it, with several watchtowers rising above them. Beyond the gates, he could see streets packed with people.
There were humans, elves, beastfolk, dwarves, and even a few people Kael couldn't identify.
He smiled.
"There's so many people."
Serena laughed.
"You've really never been to a large town?"
"No."
"You grew up in that village, right?"
"Yeah."
"Then don't wander off."
Kael looked at her.
"I'm seventeen, not seven."
"You say that now."
"I won't get lost."
"We'll see."
The carriage slowly entered the city.
Kael couldn't stop looking around.
There were weapon shops, restaurants, magic item stores, clothing shops, and several large buildings with guild signs.
Compared to Greenwood, Ironbrook felt like another world.
Then Kael noticed something.
A large stone building stood near the center of the city.
Its sign showed a sword crossed with a staff.
"What is that?"
"The Ironbrook Adventurer Guild."
Kael's eyes brightened.
"That's huge."
Serena smiled.
"You haven't seen the inside yet."
---
The carriage stopped near the guild.
Kael climbed down with his bag.
He looked up at the building.
It was at least three times larger than the guild in Greenwood.
Adventurers were constantly entering and leaving.
Some wore heavy armor.
Others carried staffs, bows, or large weapons.
Kael suddenly felt excited.
"This is where real adventurers work."
Serena stepped beside him.
"Don't get too excited."
"Why?"
"Because most of these people are still idiots."
Kael laughed.
"Really?"
"Very."
They entered.
The guild hall was crowded.
A receptionist was arguing with an adventurer about a quest.
Two parties were discussing monster materials.
Someone was loudly celebrating a successful hunt.
Kael looked around with interest.
Then a voice came from behind the counter.
"Serena?"
She turned.
A woman with short brown hair looked at her in surprise.
"You came back!"
Serena smiled.
"Didn't expect me?"
"Not at all."
The woman came around the counter and hugged her.
"You disappeared for months!"
"I needed a break."
"You could've sent a letter."
"I did."
"I never got it."
"Then blame the messenger."
The woman laughed before noticing Kael.
Her eyes moved to his bronze adventurer plate.
"And who's this?"
Kael stepped forward.
"Kael Grey."
"New partner?"
"Temporary."
The woman looked at Serena.
"You brought a rookie?"
Kael frowned slightly.
Serena answered calmly.
"He's a Bronze Rank adventurer."
"How long?"
"About two weeks."
The woman's eyes widened.
"Two weeks?"
Kael scratched his cheek.
"Yes."
"How did you get Bronze Rank that quickly?"
Serena answered before Kael could.
"He helped kill a hobgoblin."
The woman stared.
"...You're joking."
"No."
She looked at Kael again.
"You?"
Kael nodded.
"With a party."
"Ah."
Her expression relaxed slightly.
"That makes more sense."
Kael smiled.
"I'm still learning."
She nodded.
"Good answer."
She pointed toward the stairs.
"The Guild Master is expecting you."
Kael took out the sealed letter.
"I have something from the Greenwood Guild Master."
The receptionist accepted it.
"I'll deliver it."
She looked toward Serena.
"And your room is still available."
"Good."
Kael blinked.
"Room?"
"You'll need somewhere to stay."
"I thought we'd be leaving again."
"Not today."
Serena looked at him.
"We need supplies."
"And you need to register your promotion."
Kael nodded.
"Alright."
---
After completing the registration, Kael received another bronze plate.
His old one was exchanged for an Ironbrook Guild record.
The receptionist explained that his rank remained the same.
"You don't become stronger simply because you change guilds."
Kael nodded.
"I understand."
She smiled.
"Your Greenwood record is clean."
"Only one week of work."
"And already a completed monster subjugation."
She handed him a small booklet.
"These are the local regulations."
Kael took it.
"Thank you."
"Read them."
"Especially the rules concerning dungeons."
Kael looked interested.
"Dungeons?"
Serena immediately shook her head.
"No."
Kael looked at her.
"I didn't say anything."
"You were thinking about it."
"...Maybe."
She sighed.
"We're not going into a dungeon yet."
"Why?"
"Because you don't know how they work."
"I can learn."
"That's exactly what you'll do first."
Kael sighed.
"Fine."
---
After leaving the guild, they walked through the market.
Kael stopped several times to look at weapons.
One blacksmith had dozens of swords displayed outside.
Kael picked one up.
He tested its weight.
"Too heavy."
He picked up another.
"Balance is strange."
The blacksmith looked at him.
"You know weapons?"
"A little."
The man laughed.
"You're young."
Kael smiled.
"I've been using a sword for a long time."
The blacksmith examined him.
"You're a swordsman?"
"Yes."
"Magic?"
"No."
"Aura?"
"No."
The blacksmith paused.
Then he looked at Kael again.
"Interesting."
Kael returned the sword.
"I'm not looking for one today."
"Come back when you are."
"I will."
They continued walking.
Eventually, Serena stopped outside a small shop.
"Potions."
Kael looked inside.
Rows of bottles covered the shelves.
"How expensive?"
"Depends."
She picked up a small red bottle.
"This restores minor injuries."
"How much?"
"Two silver."
Kael frowned.
"That's expensive."
"Not compared to a funeral."
Kael nodded.
"Fair."
He bought two.
Serena smiled.
"Good."
"You'll learn quickly."
---
By evening, they returned to the guild.
Kael was exhausted.
Not from fighting.
From walking.
Ironbrook was simply too large.
They sat at a table in the corner.
Serena ordered dinner.
Kael leaned back.
"This place is huge."
"You'll get used to it."
"I don't think I will."
She laughed.
"So what do you want to do tomorrow?"
Kael thought.
"Find a quest."
"Of course."
"I need money."
"You have enough for now."
"I don't want to spend everything."
"Fair."
She took a drink.
"We'll look at Bronze Rank quests tomorrow."
Kael nodded.
Then his eyes drifted toward the entrance.
A man had just walked inside.
Black cloak.
Hood pulled low.
Kael froze.
Serena noticed.
"What?"
Kael didn't answer.
The man walked across the guild hall.
Then stopped.
For a moment, he turned his head.
Their eyes met.
Kael's heart began beating faster.
The man slowly raised one hand.
The black symbol appeared briefly against his skin.
The same eye.
Kael stood.
"Wait."
The man immediately walked away.
Kael moved after him.
"Kael!"
He ignored her for only a second before stopping himself.
Serena caught up.
"Don't."
"That's him."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
They rushed toward the entrance.
But the man was gone.
Kael stepped outside.
He looked down the street.
Nothing.
Hundreds of people moved through the city.
No black cloak.
No strange symbol.
Nothing.
Serena stood beside him.
"He disappeared."
Kael clenched his fist.
"Again."
She looked at him.
"Then we know one thing."
"What?"
"He wanted you to see him."
Kael looked back toward the guild.
"Why?"
Serena shook her head.
"I don't know."
A faint blue light briefly appeared on the back of Kael's hand.
Neither of them noticed.
It disappeared just as quickly.
Somewhere on the other side of Ironbrook, the hooded man stood on the roof of an old building.
He looked down at his hand.
A small black symbol glowed against his palm.
"He saw me."
Another voice came from behind him.
"Was that necessary?"
The hooded man smiled.
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Because he's finally moving."
He looked toward the Adventurer Guild.
"His journey has begun."
The second figure remained silent.
The hooded man continued.
"And soon..."
"He'll start asking the right questions."
Back at the guild, Kael stood beneath the evening sky.
He had come to Ironbrook to become stronger.
To gain experience.
To find answers about his parents.
But he was beginning to realize something.
His past wasn't waiting for him somewhere far away.
It was already following him.
---
100 ps = 1 extra chapter
200 ps = 2 Extra chapter
1 Golden ticket = 3 Extra Chapter