Chapter 8 — The First Commission
The windmills of Mondstadt turned slowly beneath the bright morning sun.
Merchants had already filled the plaza with colorful stalls, and the sound of musicians echoed through the open streets. Travelers passed through the city gates while knights patrolled the walls above.
Mondstadt was lively as always.
Inside Angel's Share, however, things were quieter.
Aiden wiped down the tavern counter while listening to a pair of adventurers arguing at one of the tables.
"I'm telling you, the hilichurl camp near Whispering Woods has grown again," one of them insisted.
His partner snorted.
"You say that every week."
"This time I'm serious!"
Aiden continued polishing a glass while pretending not to listen.
But he heard every word.
Because rumors like these mattered.
Especially for someone who planned to travel across Teyvat someday.
Behind the bar, Diluc watched quietly while organizing bottles of wine.
Without looking up, he spoke.
"You're listening again."
Aiden didn't bother pretending otherwise.
"…Information is useful."
Diluc placed a bottle on the shelf.
"That depends on how you use it."
Aiden glanced toward the adventurers.
"They said there's a hilichurl camp near Whispering Woods."
"Yes."
Diluc didn't seem surprised.
"The Adventurers' Guild posted a commission yesterday."
Aiden's interest sharpened instantly.
Commission.
That meant someone would eventually deal with it.
Diluc finally looked at him.
"You're thinking about it."
Aiden shrugged.
"Maybe."
Diluc wiped the counter slowly.
"You are still a child."
"That didn't stop the Ruin Guard."
Diluc's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…Fair point."
Aiden leaned forward.
"So what if I took the commission?"
Diluc studied him for a moment.
Then he said calmly,
"Then you would prove whether defeating that Ruin Guard was luck."
Aiden grinned.
"…Challenge accepted."
The headquarters of the Adventurers' Guild stood near the center of Mondstadt.
A large wooden counter faced the plaza, where adventurers constantly gathered to accept missions and collect rewards.
Behind the desk stood the receptionist.
"Ad astra abyssosque."
Her polite smile greeted every visitor.
Aiden stepped up to the counter.
"…Hi."
The receptionist blinked.
"…Hello?"
She glanced down at him.
"You're a bit young to register as an adventurer."
Aiden scratched his cheek.
"I'm not registering."
"I just want to take a commission."
She raised an eyebrow.
"That's even worse."
Aiden quickly pointed toward the notice board behind her.
"The hilichurl camp near Whispering Woods."
The receptionist sighed.
"That commission is meant for trained adventurers."
"I'm trained."
"…By who?"
Aiden paused.
"…My mom."
That answer didn't sound very convincing.
But before the receptionist could object again—
A familiar voice spoke behind him.
"Let him take it."
Aiden turned.
Diluc stood several meters away with his arms crossed.
The receptionist immediately straightened.
"M-Master Diluc."
Diluc nodded once.
"I'll take responsibility."
The receptionist hesitated.
Then she sighed.
"…Very well."
She handed Aiden the commission slip.
"Clear the hilichurl camp."
"Reward will be paid after confirmation."
Aiden took the paper with a grin.
"Thanks."
Diluc said nothing as he turned and walked away.
But Aiden knew what that meant.
He was being watched.
Whispering Woods lived up to its name.
Wind flowed through the tall trees constantly, making the branches rustle softly like distant whispers.
Aiden crouched behind a bush near the edge of the forest.
Ahead of him sat a small hilichurl camp.
Five hilichurls.
Two archers.
One larger brute.
And a cooking pot.
Aiden observed the camp carefully.
"Okay…"
He held the spear low.
"No elemental powers."
"No armor."
"Just strategy."
He waited patiently.
Eventually two hilichurls wandered away from the camp.
Perfect.
Aiden moved silently through the grass.
The first hilichurl never saw him coming.
Thud.
The spear shaft knocked the creature unconscious instantly.
The second one turned—
Too late.
Aiden swept its legs and dropped it with another quick strike.
Three left.
The brute noticed the noise.
It roared loudly.
Aiden stepped into the clearing.
"Guess stealth is over."
The brute charged.
Aiden sidestepped and struck its knee joint.
The massive creature stumbled.
He spun the spear and struck again.
The brute collapsed.
The remaining archers fired arrows.
Aiden sprinted forward.
One arrow grazed his shoulder.
He ignored the pain.
The spear struck the first archer's weapon and knocked it aside.
The second tried to run.
Aiden swept its legs.
Within seconds the camp was silent.
Aiden exhaled slowly.
"…That was easier than the Ruin Guard."
He destroyed the camp supplies quickly and began heading back toward Mondstadt.
By the time he returned to the city, the afternoon sun had begun to dip toward the horizon.
The receptionist at the Adventurers' Guild looked surprised when he handed in the commission slip.
"You already finished it?"
Aiden nodded.
She checked the report from a nearby scout.
"…It's cleared."
She handed him a small pouch of Mora.
"Reward for the commission."
Aiden smiled.
His first real payment.
Not bad.
As he turned to leave the plaza, he noticed someone standing near the fountain.
Diluc.
Watching.
Aiden walked over.
"So?"
Diluc glanced toward the guild building.
"You handled it efficiently."
"Not luck then."
"…No."
Diluc looked toward the distant forests outside Mondstadt.
"You have potential."
Then he walked away without another word.
Aiden stood there for a moment.
Then he smiled slightly.
If this was the start of his journey—
It wasn't a bad beginning.
Because someday…
These small commissions would lead far beyond Mondstadt.
And when that day came—
Aiden intended to be ready.