Training Days

Jihoon's first official day as a guild member began with the sunrise. He arrived at the Adventurers' Guild, determined to prove himself. The bustling main hall was a sea of faces—veteran adventurers, new recruits, and guild staff—all going about their business.

A seasoned adventurer named Mr. Kang, the same man who had directed Jihoon to the guildmaster, approached him. "Ready for your first day of training, kid?" he asked with a friendly grin.

Jihoon nodded eagerly. "Yes, sir. What do I need to do?"

Mr. Kang led him to the training grounds behind the guild. It was an expansive area filled with various training dummies, obstacle courses, and sparring rings. "First, we'll test your physical abilities. Then, we'll move on to basic combat training."

Jihoon spent the morning running through obstacle courses, lifting weights, and practicing his agility. Despite his young age and small stature, he showed impressive determination and resilience. Mr. Kang watched with a keen eye, offering tips and encouragement along the way.

By midday, Jihoon was drenched in sweat but far from discouraged. They moved on to combat training, where he practiced basic strikes and defensive moves with wooden swords. His small frame was a disadvantage, but his quick reflexes and sharp mind helped him keep up.

"Not bad for your first day," Mr. Kang said, clapping him on the shoulder. "You've got a lot of potential, Jihoon. Keep at it, and you'll be a great adventurer."

Jihoon beamed with pride. "Thank you, Mr. Kang. I'll do my best."

After training, Jihoon was given a modest room at the guild's dormitory. It was small but cozy, with a bed, a desk, and a window overlooking the training grounds. He collapsed onto the bed, exhausted but satisfied. For the first time in a long while, he felt a sense of belonging.

The next few weeks were a whirlwind of training and learning. Jihoon quickly adapted to the rigorous schedule, his skills improving with each passing day. He formed bonds with other young adventurers, finding camaraderie in their shared experiences.

One evening, as Jihoon was reviewing his notes on dungeon types and monster classifications, there was a knock at his door. He opened it to find a girl about his age, with short brown hair and a serious expression.

"Hi, I'm Sooyeon," she introduced herself. "I heard you joined the guild recently. Mind if I come in?"

Jihoon nodded, stepping aside to let her in. "I'm Jihoon. Nice to meet you."

Sooyeon glanced around the room before taking a seat at the desk. "I wanted to talk to you about something important. I heard you're looking for your parents."

Jihoon's eyes widened. "How do you know about that?"

Sooyeon sighed. "Word gets around fast here. My parents were adventurers too. They disappeared in a dungeon a few years ago. I've been trying to find them ever since."

Jihoon felt a pang of empathy. "I'm sorry to hear that. It's really tough, isn't it?"

Sooyeon nodded. "Yeah. But I've been gathering information, and I think we might be able to help each other. There's a pattern to these disappearances, and I think it's linked to a specific series of dungeons."

Jihoon's heart raced. "You mean, you might know where my parents are?"

Sooyeon shrugged. "It's a long shot, but it's worth investigating. I was planning to go check it out soon. Want to come with me?"

Jihoon didn't hesitate. "Absolutely. When do we leave?"

"Tomorrow night," Sooyeon replied. "Meet me at the back gate after lights out. And don't tell anyone. We don't want to get into trouble."

Jihoon nodded. "I'll be there. Thanks, Sooyeon."

As Sooyeon left, Jihoon felt a renewed sense of hope. For the first time, he had a lead on his parents' whereabouts. He spent the rest of the night preparing for the journey, determined to be ready for whatever lay ahead.

The next day, Jihoon went through his training with an added spring in his step. When night fell, he slipped out of his room, careful not to make a sound. He reached the back gate where Sooyeon was waiting, a small backpack slung over her shoulder.

"Ready?" she whispered.

Jihoon nodded. "Ready."

Together, they slipped into the night, their destination a mysterious dungeon that held the key to their parents' disappearance. As they ventured into the unknown, Jihoon couldn't help but feel that this was the beginning of a great adventure, one that would test their limits and forge an unbreakable bond between them.