Chapter 3: First Quest into the Wilderness

In the morning, the sunlight brightly fills the room, gently rousing Izak from his slumber. As his eyes flutter open, they deliver the message that it's a new day, marking the end of the week. This particular day holds immense significance for Izak, as he has been eagerly anticipating it. Today, he will finally provide an answer to the man who is scheduled to arrive, a decision that carries substantial weight in his life.

Emerging from his bed with a sense of urgency, Izak exclaims to himself, "Quickly! I must prepare to embark on my new job." With determination, he readies himself for the beginning of this new chapter in his life. Filled with enthusiasm and without a hint of hesitation, he descends the stairs and takes a seat in the lobby. An air of anticipation surrounds him as he patiently awaits the arrival of the man he's been anticipating.

As he waits in the lobby, Izak decides to indulge in a traditional dish from medieval times, savoring each bite deliberately. This simple act serves as a welcome distraction from the gradual passage of time. As his meal approaches its conclusion, Izak's attention is drawn to the inn's entrance, where the door swings open, revealing the figure he has been eagerly anticipating. A sigh of relief escapes him, and he mutters under his breath, "Finally." With renewed energy, he rises from his seat, motioning the man to join him. A warm smile graces the man's face as he approaches the table, taking a seat and mirroring Izak's choice of cuisine. The unspoken connection between them is palpable as they share this moment.

With a composed demeanor, the man places his hand on the table, interlocking his fingers, and initiates the conversation with a serious undertone. "Well, have you reached a decision? I trust you've thoroughly contemplated your choice. It's imperative that you've weighed the consequences, for once you embark on this journey by my side, there's no retreat." The man inquires, seeking reassurance from Izak that he has given his choice the due consideration it warrants. The gravity of the situation is evident in both his words and his demeanor, underscoring the irreversible nature of the path Izak is about to undertake.

Izak responds with conviction, "Yes, I've meticulously considered every aspect."

The man lets out a small chuckle before remarking, "Very well. To seal this arrangement, all that's required is your signature in blood. No monetary transaction necessary, as what I seek is a companion, not a payment." The man emphasizes the camaraderie he seeks, making it clear that financial matters are not at the forefront.

Izak, in response, offers his reassurance, "Understood. Our future rewards from these quests will be shared equally, a 50-50 arrangement." His words reflect his commitment to a fair and balanced partnership, where the gains will be distributed equitably between them.

"As you see fit," the man readily concurred, displaying neither hesitation nor the need for further inquiries.

Rising from their seats, they departed the inn premises. The expenses for the consumed meal had already been settled, paving the way for their journey towards the city guild.

Within its confines, they could procure rewards for the elimination of malevolent creatures, extending to even those humans who had perpetrated deliberate transgressions—ranging from breaches of law to acts of irrational malevolence such as mass slaughter and serial homicide. This category of offenses also encompassed the sinister practice of venerating maleficent demons.

The man directed his curiosity towards Izak and asked, "Hey, why are you wearing a scarf? Do you have anxiety or something?"

Izak offered a plausible explanation, saying, "I don't really enjoy being in direct sunlight, and there's always dust around that bothers my face."

The man comprehended Izak's explanation without grasping the true reason, and they proceeded together to the Guild hall. Upon reaching the Guild Hall, Izak chose to keep his scarf on as they made their way to the receptionist. There, they went through the process of creating a guild card for Izak, officially marking his entry into the ranks of adventurers.

Upon formalizing their official partnership, the receptionist announced their names. "Izak and... Alex Stormbringer," she uttered in a mixture of astonishment and recognition, clearly aware of Alex's unparalleled status as the highest-ranked adventurer.

"Oh my god! You're a high-ranking adventurer," Izak exclaimed to Alex, realizing that having someone of such experience by his side could greatly enhance his safety in perilous situations.

"Of course, I've been donning top-notch gear for decades and continuously learning along the way," Alex replied to Izak, underscoring the extensive experience and dedication that had led to his remarkable status as a high-ranking adventurer.

Izak and Alex walked over to a board covered with quests posted on it.

"So these are the quests? They look like treasure hunts," Izak remarked, observing the quests which seemed devoid of any bounties.

"Bounties aren't posted here anymore; they used to be when crimes happened or animals attacked. Anyways, let's begin with the mountain expedition. We need to retrieve certain materials for a blacksmith. The reward is substantial, making it a safe and lucrative choice," Alex explained, displaying his knowledge about the quests and their varying degrees of difficulty and safety.

The blacksmith requires a variety of materials for their craft, including ores like iron, steel, and rare minerals. Additionally, they might need gemstones for ornamentation or magical enhancements, as well as specialized components for crafting enchanted items. The specifics of the materials can vary widely depending on the type of weapons, armor, or items the blacksmith is working on.

"It's going to be quite time-consuming, isn't it?" Izak sought confirmation.

"Based on my experience, the journey itself takes around a day, but searching for the rare ore can indeed be quite time-intensive," Alex replied, drawing from his extensive familiarity with such quests.

Without hesitating, Izak promptly responded, "Then let's choose this quest. I'm determined to earn a substantial reward by locating that elusive rare ore." His eagerness to embark on the adventure was evident in his words.

Alex decisively tore the page from the board and handed it to the receptionist. He ensured that their commitment to completing the quest within two weeks was registered, effectively reserving the task for themselves and preventing others from taking it up.

"With this settled, I hope you're prepared with some gear. We'll need a pickaxe and an axe for the expedition. We'll head to the carriage shortly, in about an hour. Take some time to rest while I gather the necessary materials," Alex informed Izak, outlining their immediate plans for the journey ahead.

Izak settled into a chair, patiently awaiting Alex's return. As he sat, his thoughts drifted towards his aspirations. "I hope to earn not only enough to ensure my well-being but also to learn and improve myself. And, of course, to take down the king for his acts of cruelty," he murmured, his determination to bring about change evident in his words.

Exercising patience, Izak waited until Alex returned, a bag slung over his shoulder containing both a pickaxe and a substantial supply of food that would sustain them for weeks.

Boarding the carriage, the two adventurers commenced their journey towards the mountains, embarking on what promised to be a challenging and rewarding expedition.

"You mentioned that finding the rare ore would be time-consuming," Izak inquired.

"Indeed, although we do have a two-week window. During this time, I can impart a wealth of knowledge to you, including self-defense techniques," Alex responded, acknowledging the duration of the quest while also highlighting the valuable learning opportunities it presented.

Izak prepared himself, a mix of nervousness and excitement coursing through him as he readied for his very first quest.

As the night passed, their conversation gradually faded into sleep, and the morning sun found them near the mountains. They reached a quaint little village and secured lodgings at an inn, where they unpacked their belongings and gear.

Curious, Izak questioned Alex, "Where are your swords and shield?"

"I had them sent for repairs before we got on the carriage," Alex answered, explaining their absence.

"I hope we won't need them to fend off monsters or animals," Izak voiced his concern.

Alex responded with a reassuring smile, "Who said we'd only rely on weapons for survival?" He conjured a small fireball over his finger, demonstrating his ability to use magic for protection and safety. The display conveyed that they had more than one means of defense at their disposal.

After a brief pause to gather themselves, Izak and Alex set out, their pickaxes in hand, heading towards the mountains. Their primary objective was to search for the elusive rare ore. As they embarked on this task, they were also aware that once the mining expedition was underway, they would dedicate the remaining time within the two-week window to Izak's training.

After a journey of nearly half an hour, they found themselves amidst the rugged terrain of the mountains. The landscape was a blend of towering rock formations, winding pathways, and patches of dense vegetation. The air was crisp and invigorating, carrying with it the faint scent of pine and earth. The distant calls of birds echoed through the valleys, adding a touch of wildness to the surroundings. As they ventured further into this untamed realm, their footsteps stirred loose pebbles and scattered leaves, making a gentle percussion against the natural symphony of the mountains.