Chapter 5: Questing

Chapter 5: Questing

William took the 1* Gather quest over to the receptionist, "Is this quest available?"

"Yes it is. Do you have a Guild License?" she responded quickly.

"No, I've never been here before."

William's reply didn't faze the receptionist, who recognized him even though he hadn't registered with the Guild before. She frowned slightly at his blatant lie, but didn't bring it up. She returned to her previous nonchalant look.

"Okay, well let me tell you about the process then. Please fill out this form so we can issue a Guild License." she pulled out a large sheet of parchment paper and passed it along the counter to William.

"Even if you're not a cultivator, you can still be a part of the Guild, you just won't earn any monthly benefits. You also won't be required to participate in any missions because you are too weak. Once you become a Qi Refinement Cultivator, you will be required to take part in at least one quest a month before you receive your benefits."

The paperwork only asked for basic information about William, so it was easy to fill out. Once the parchment was completed, a blood signature was required through a prick of his finger and dropping some blood on the paper. The receptionist told Will that this method was also widely used for contracts to bind both parties. If one broke the terms of the agreement, they would experience a severe lightning tribulation that could not be avoided.

The blood mixed into the parchment, then a set of array symbols appeared, causing the blood to move to the bottom of the page and change its shape to resemble a blood-red W.

-Discovered Arrays: +1 Potential Point

"Thanks for registering with us! Usually, we would require you to take a test to assign your rank, but because you are a non-cultivator, it's not required. You will start as a Semi-Bronze Adventurer, and will be eligible for Bronze rank once you have completed five quests of any Star Rating. We will evaluate your skills at that point.

Your Guild License will be available in a few hours, but you can still accept minor quests while we prepare it for you. For now, take this certificate and a rulebook." she handed William a small sheet of paper with a crest stamped in the shape of a G and a small red book with the same crest. "If anyone questions you, show them this certificate, so they know you are on a quest for the Guild. Also, if you break any of the rules listed in the book, you will be kicked out of the Guild permanently." she finished with a serious look.

-Registered with a Guild: +1 Potential Point

"Okay, thank you. I'm not a troublemaker, don't worry." William took the certificate and shoved it in a pocket, then grabbed the book that would collect dust at home. "Now that I have a Guild License, can I take this quest?" he pointed to the quest sheet still lying on the counter.

"Of course, I will write it down now. The location with Lifeshrooms isn't too far, but you will need to visit Livingwood Forest. I don't need the quest sheet back, but it shows a description of the Lifeshroom and where they grow. It can also give directions to Livingwood Forest if mana is poured into it.

———

STATUS:

—Health: 100/100

—Mana: 36/150

—Cultivation: None (no suitable techniques)

POTENTIAL POINTS: 8

SYSTEM RANK: F- (20PP to next rank)

———

It's been almost 3 hours since I last checked my mana, which was at 6 before. It looks like I currently recover 10 mana per hour at this rate...

William hoped that the amount of mana he had was enough, because waiting for his mana to replenish was out of the question. Will didn't even have a backpack, much less a tent for camping for a few hours in the unfamiliar environment.

There was no telling what William might encounter if he stayed in this area longer than what was needed. Despite the time of day, Will could hear various noises that made him nervous. Let's get this over with. Will thought during his first steps into the mysterious Livingwood Forest.

***

Fria held her phone up in joy, staring at the "Successful Purchase" screen on her phone. The new OtherWorld Prime game had just released, and she spent all Summer doing chores for her neighbors to earn enough money to buy it.

She was excited for the game to come in, but she also knew it would take a few more days before it arrived at her house. She closed the phone and laid on her bed, reminiscing on all her hard work the past few months.

Now she could play the game with her friends, but for some reason it felt as if something was missing. Fria's excitement turned solemn as she thought about what she had forgotten...