The warm morning sunlight streamed gently through the high windows of the adventurer's guild hall, casting soft rays over the polished stone floors and sturdy oak furniture. Ethan stood quietly before the towering quest board, eyes darting across the dozens of parchment notices pinned to the dark wood. Each listing offered a task — some written with elegant strokes, others scribbled in hurried, uneven lines.
He felt slightly overwhelmed.
The guild receptionist, a kind young woman named Elira, noticed his hesitation and approached with a gentle smile. Her wavy auburn hair fell neatly behind her shoulders, and her forest-green uniform gave her a certain professional air.
"First time choosing a quest?" she asked softly, her voice friendly.
Ethan chuckled sheepishly and rubbed the back of his neck. "That obvious, huh?"
"Quite." Elira's tone remained light. She gestured toward a nearby section labeled Newcomer Requests in bold lettering. "These quests are designed for beginners. Most adventurers start here — simple, low-risk work to help you get familiar with things."
Ethan nodded and stepped closer, studying the list. There were errands ranging from package deliveries, herb collection, minor monster exterminations, to escorting merchant wagons along safe trade routes.
One in particular caught his attention:
Request: Gather Moonblossom Petals
Location: Eastern Forest Outskirts
Reward: 15 Silver Pieces
Risk Level: Low (Minor Beast Sightings)
Requester: Apothecary Brynn
"Moonblossom petals, huh?" Ethan murmured. "That sounds manageable."
"It's a popular starter quest," Elira encouraged. "The Moonblossoms only bloom around dusk, so time your trip carefully. The area is relatively safe, but minor beasts do roam nearby. Stay alert."
She paused, leaning in just slightly as her voice lowered. "Don't let the low risk fool you. Even a small creature can surprise an unprepared adventurer."
"Understood." Ethan gave a small nod of gratitude.
As Elira processed the quest on her crystal terminal, Ethan's phone vibrated softly in his pocket. He pulled it out discreetly and saw a familiar notification from his strange system.
[The Arkanom — Quest Tracking Activated]
Target: Moonblossom Petals
Location: Eastern Outskirts
Still not used to this… Ethan thought, glancing at the small glowing interface that hovered over the parchment.
Elira handed him the stamped quest slip. "Here you are. And your guild card."
The small metallic card shimmered briefly with a faint glow as it updated his active quest. "Your card will automatically log your completion once you return."
"Thanks, Elira."
"Be careful, Ethan," she said kindly, her warm smile lingering.
—
As he stepped outside into the lively streets of Caldris, the morning air was crisp, filled with the sounds of chatter, clinking metal, and merchants calling out their wares. Ethan paused for a moment, taking it all in.
The bustling city streets were filled with all manner of races, though many looked far more human than the fantastical creatures he might have expected from stories back home.
The beastkin in particular fascinated him — they appeared mostly human, with only slight animalistic traits. Some had furry ears poking through their hair, others sported sleek tails swaying behind them or faint claw-like nails, but their facial features remained almost entirely human. Their canine, feline, or vulpine ears twitched subtly as they negotiated with merchants or chatted among themselves in melodic tones. Many would easily pass for humans at a distance.
Dwarves moved about with their stout builds and thick beards, arguing animatedly over the price of newly forged weapons. Tall, elegant elves strode through the crowds gracefully, their long ears peeking through silver or golden locks as they carried baskets of rare herbs. Ethan even glimpsed a few horned individuals — likely members of elusive bloodlines — browsing through magical trinkets.
It still felt surreal.
Just days ago, he'd been stressing over exams on Earth. Now he stood here, sword at his side, preparing for his first real job in a world of swords, magic, and mystery.
Focus, he reminded himself, exhaling.
With steady determination, Ethan made his way out of the city gates and toward the eastern forests.
—
Hours later, the golden light of the descending sun filtered through the tall trees as Ethan reached the outskirts of the Eastern Forest. The air here smelled cleaner, earthy, and cool. The quiet hum of insects buzzed softly beneath the rustling leaves.
His phone pinged softly again, opening a map interface that displayed a softly glowing circle.
[Target Zone: Within 200 Meters]
Following the trail carefully, Ethan finally spotted them: pale bluish flowers that seemed to shimmer faintly in the fading light. The Moonblossoms' soft glow illuminated the undergrowth like tiny lanterns swaying gently in the breeze.
He crouched and pulled out a cloth pouch, carefully plucking the delicate petals and storing them.
So far, so good...
But just as he reached for another cluster, a low, guttural growl echoed from behind him.
Ethan froze.
Slowly turning, he saw it — a creature he hadn't encountered yet.
It stood low to the ground, its muscular body covered in scale-like plates that shimmered dully in the fading light. Its yellow, slitted eyes locked onto him with primal hunger. Curved tusks jutted from either side of its mouth like serrated blades, and foamy saliva dripped as it exhaled heavily.
[The Arkanom — Threat Identified: Scale-Tusk (Minor Beast, Class E)]
"Well… that figures," Ethan whispered, drawing his sword carefully.
The Scale-Tusk didn't hesitate. With a guttural roar, it charged forward, its heavy frame crashing through bushes and broken branches. Ethan sidestepped instinctively, the system-enhanced reflexes guiding his movement like muscle memory.
He swung his blade low, slicing across the beast's plated side. Sparks danced as steel scraped against its scales, but he found purchase just beneath one of its joints.
The creature screeched and thrashed, swinging one of its jagged tusks wildly. A sharp edge caught Ethan's arm, slicing through his jacket and leaving a thin, stinging gash.
"Shit—"
The beast pressed the attack, but Ethan kept calm. He focused, his breathing steady. His blade danced upward in a precise arc, severing one tusk clean off. The Scale-Tusk shrieked in pain, stumbling backward, and Ethan seized the opening.
With a final thrust, he drove his sword into the creature's throat. The beast convulsed and collapsed, its blood pooling darkly beneath its twitching body.
Panting, Ethan wiped the sweat from his brow.
[Target Neutralized: Scale-Tusk — Experience Gained]
[Basic Swordsmanship Lv. 1 → Lv. 2]
A faint smile tugged at his lips. "Level up... So it really is like a game."
As the sun dipped completely below the horizon, the Moonblossoms shimmered even more brightly, their petals glowing like small moons in the darkness. Ethan gathered the last of what he needed, careful not to waste a single one.
Exhausted but satisfied, he turned back toward the city, his bag full and his confidence growing.
This world is dangerous. But maybe… just maybe, I can make it here.
Yet, as he departed the quiet woods, hidden eyes observed him from the shadows — eyes filled with cold calculation far more dangerous than any Scale-Tusk