1375 Nero
The Adventurers Guild Building.
Even from the exterior, one could see that it was a grand structure, a testament to the bravery and endeavors of those who walked its halls. The facade was constructed of weathered stone, and the entrance was framed by intricately carved wooden doors. As the morning sun filtered through the stained glass windows, the interior was bathed in a myriad of colors, casting a warm, inviting glow over the guild hall.
Inside, the guild was a hive of activity. Adventurers of all kinds occupied the space, each engaged in their own pursuits. To the left of the entrance, a group of seasoned warriors huddled around a large wooden table, their faces lit by the flickering light of a nearby hearth. They spoke in hushed tones, their conversation punctuated by the occasional burst of laughter or the clinking of tankards. The scent of roasted meat and freshly baked bread wafted from the nearby kitchen, where the guild's cook, a burly man with a perpetual scowl, worked tirelessly to feed the hungry masses.
Larion, they called him—Haunted Face Larion.
In the center of the hall stood a massive bulletin board, covered in parchments of varying sizes and conditions. Each parchment represented a quest or a bounty, offering rewards for those brave enough to take them on. A group of younger adventurers, likely on their first forays into the world, crowded around the board, their eyes wide with excitement and trepidation.
To the right, a small bar was tended by a sprightly lady with silver hair and a mischievous grin. She moved with a grace that belied her quickness, effortlessly managing the constant flow of patrons seeking a drink or a friendly conversation. Above the bar, a shelf lined with bottles of various shapes and colors caught the light, creating a dazzling display that drew the eye.
The walls of the guild were adorned with trophies and relics from countless adventures: a dragon's skull here, a tapestry depicting a great battle there. Each item told a story, a piece of history preserved within the guild's stone walls. A large fireplace dominated the far end of the hall, its roaring fire providing warmth and comfort to those gathered around it. Plush chairs and sofas were arranged in cozy clusters, inviting adventurers to sit and share their stories.
This all seemed like one big family—or a den of ruffians.
Either way, they all seemed very used to it. At the very least, there were no words of complaint.
Amidst these activities...
... The heavy wooden doors of the guild suddenly swung open with a resounding creak. A hush fell over the hall as all eyes turned towards the entrance. Standing in the doorway, framed by the bright sunlight outside, was a young person. Their figure was slender and slightly hunched, as if burdened by an invisible weight. They wore a long, dark cloak that obscured much of their form, the hood pulled up to shadow their face. Most striking of all was the mask they wore, a simple yet elegant piece of craftsmanship that covered the upper half of their face. The mask was white, adorned with intricate silver filigree that caught the light and shimmered subtly.
The young person took a hesitant step forward, their boots barely making a sound on the wooden floor. The silence in the guild hall was almost palpable, the air thick with curiosity and a hint of tension. Who was this masked figure, and what business did they have at the guild?
He went to the nearest desk and placed the parchment that he chose on the table, something of a powerful glint hidden in his exposed eyes as he uttered words that showed nothing short of total resolve.
"I desire to take on the Adventurers Test."
The receptionist looked down at him, not intentionally of course. The boy was simply quite short—at least compared to most of the people that occupied the building. Even the counter seemed a bit too high for him.
Still, none of it seemed intimidating for him.
He simply stood there and waited for the response of the receptionist, who looked at him for a few seconds and asked the same question the bearded man asked him.
"What is your name, young man?"
And, just like before... he gave the name he went by.
"Nero."
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[Welcome To The Kingdom's Adventurer Arc]
{I plan to release at least one chapter per day this month... and I hope I'm consistent in it. Thanks for reading, and I appreciate your support!}