S-rank??

Dylan rushed up to the quest board his eyes lighting up as he scanned through the postings. His excitement peaked when he spotted an elimination quest and he quickly reached for it. "Oh, this one looks awesome!" he exclaimed, ready to take it.

before he could pull it down Caius grabbed his wrist and sighed. "Dylan, we're F-rank. I don't think we can do a C-rank quest."

Dylan blinked realizing Caius had a point. "Oh yeah… fine let's see what we can take." 

He started scanning the board again, searching for something within their rank. After a moment his eyes landed on an F-rank quest and he eagerly grabbed it. However as he read the detailshis excitement quickly faded.

"A herb-gathering quest?" Dylan groaned slumping his shoulders. "Come on! I wanted some action not picking leaves like some errand boy!"

The group shot Dylan a look and in unison said "Don't complain and just do it!"

Dylan sighed slouching in defeat. "Alright, alright… I get it" he muttered, stuffing the quest paper under his arm. "But if I see a single goblin out there I'm fighting it.

Axel smirked and patted Dylan on the back. "Yeah just dont get beaten up by it."

Dylan scoffed crossing his arms. "Please, like that's gonna happen."

Alisan chuckled. "Yeah, yeah,. Now let's go get those herbs before you start challenging trees to a fight."

The group approached the receptionist and handed over the quest paper. She took a quick glance and smiled.

"Oh, so you picked this quest" she said, nodding approvingly. "Since you're all new here take this." She reached under the counter and pulled out a small book, placing it in front of them. "This is an Encyclopedia of Herbs. It'll help you identify the plants you need to gather."

Dylan sighed dramatically. "Great now we're studying botany."

Cauis chuckled picking up the book. "It's better than gathering the wrong herbs and failing the quest."

Axel smirked. "Or poisoning yourself by accident."

Dylan groaned. "Fine fine… Let's just get this over with."

The group made their way into the forest the sunlight filtering through the trees as they began their search for the herbs. Everyone carefully looked around checking the encyclopedia to identify the right plant everyone except Dylan.

Dylan, completely ignoring the book started grabbing random plants and holding them up. "Is this it?" he asked waving a handful of leaves.

Caius sighed. "Dylan... at least check before you pick things up."

Cauis shook his head. "That's just grass, Dylan."

Dylan blinked at the handful of plain green blades in his hand. "Oh... well, what about this?" He grabbed another random plant.

June looked over and raised an eyebrow. "That's poison ivy."

Dylan's eyes widened and he immediately dropped it frantically wiping his hands on his shirt. "WHY DIDN'T YOU SAY SO SOONER?!"

Axel burst out laughing. "This is gonna be a long day."

After searching for a while the group finally found the herbs listed in the quest. With their bags full and the task complete they started making their way back.

Just as they were about to leave the forest the distant sound of clashing metal and deep rumbling growls caught their attention.

"You hear that?" Alisan whispered her eyes narrowing.

Dylan perked up. "Sounds like a fight!"

Curious, they moved quietly through the dense foliage, pushing past the tall grass. As they peered through they spotted an adventurer with striking red hair, wielding a sword locked in battle with a massive 20 foot bear. The beast roared swiping its massive claws as the adventurer skillfully dodged and countered with sharp precise strikes.

June tensed. "That thing is huge..."

Axel clenched his fists. "Should we help him?"

Caius hesitated. "We're just F-rank. That thing looks way out of our league for now."

Dylan grinned his excitement bubbling up. "Come on, this is way better than herb gathering!"

Alisan kept her gaze fixed on the battle. "Let's watch for a bit first. If he needs help, we step in."

The group remained hidden, observing the intense fight unfold before them.

The group watched in stunned silence as the red haired adventurer effortlessly dodged the bear's massive claws, weaving through its attacks with fluid precision. Every movement was calculated every strike clean.

With a final swift motion he dashed forward his sword gleaming as it cut through the beast's thick hide in one decisive strike. The bear let out a deep gurgling roar before collapsing to the ground lifeless.

Dylan's jaw practically hit the floor. "No way... he just took down that thing like it was nothing!"

Cauis blinked, still processing what he just saw. "His skill is incredible… He didn't even struggle."

Axel crossed his arms his respect for the swordsman growing. "That guy's on a whole different level."

Alisan kept her eyes on the red haired adventurer as he calmly wiped his sword clean. "Who is he…?"

As if sensing their presence the swordsman suddenly turned his head in their direction his sharp eyes locking onto them through the tall grass. The group tensed he knew they were there.

The red haired adventurer smirked his voice calm yet commanding.

"So, how long are you five gonna hide there in the bush, hmm?"

The group stiffened.

Dylan chuckled awkwardly pushing aside some leaves. "Uh… haha, you noticed us, huh?"

Cauis sighed, stepping out first. "Yeah, sorry about that. We didn't mean to spy, we just heard the fight and- "

Axel followed rubbing the back of his head. "We were kinda shocked seeing you take that thing down so easily."

The swordsman sheathed his blade and turned fully toward them, his sharp eyes scanning the group. "New adventurers, huh?"

Alisan nodded. "Yeah.. we just took our first quest today."

The red-haired man smirked. "And you thought watching a real fight would be more exciting than picking herbs?"

Dylan grinned. "Pretty much!"

The adventurer chuckled his deep voice resonating through the forest. "Can't blame you. Name's Baskar. S-rank adventurer."

He gestured to the massive bear, his large muscular frame standing tall and imposing. His beard, long and beautifully groomed gave him a distinguished yet rugged appearance, the silver strands catching the sunlight as he moved. "This guy was causing trouble near the villages so I took the request to get rid of it."

Caius blinked in surprise. "S-rank…? You're on a whole different level than we thought."

Baskar's eyes twinkled with a knowing glint. "Experience, young ones. Don't rush it, you'll get there. But only if you can survive the trials ahead." He patted the bear's side with a heavy hand his muscles rippling under his weathered skin. "Now, you gonna help me carry this back or just keep staring?"

Axel stepped forward cracking his knuckles. "I'll help. Out of all of us, I've got the best strength" he said with a confident grin.

Baskar's sharp eyes scanned Axel's physique, taking in the way his muscles tensed and the subtle aura around him. "Oh? That's some nice original magic you've got there" Baskar said his voice deep and approving.

Axel froze, his eyes widening in surprise. "How—how'd you know?"

Baskar chuckled his deep voice rumbling. "It's written all over you. The way your body moves the way you're built. You've got the magic of strength binding it all together. Strengthbound, right?"

Axel blinked still a bit awestruck. "Yeah, that's right. But how did you precisely know? Do you have a skill that lets you see our stats or something?"

Baskar chuckled again shaking his head. "Nah, nothing like that. It's more about experience than any fancy skill." He flexed one of his massive arms his beard shifting slightly. "When you've been around as long as I have you start to notice the little things the way someone carries themselves, the aura they give off the way their magic flows. It's not about seeing stats it's about feeling them."

Axel frowned in thought still trying to wrap his mind around it. "So you can just... sense it?"

Baskar nodded. "Exactly. It's subtle, but once you've encountered enough adventurers, you pick up on it. You've got the build of someone who's tapping into that power, and your stance when you move it's like the earth is supporting you." He gave Axel a hearty clap on the back, causing him to stagger slightly under the force. "Good stuff kid. You've got the right tools. Just need to polish them."

The group immediately tensed as they heard the rapid sound of running footsteps approaching from behind them. Caius, Alisan, June, Axel, and Dylan instinctively dropped into a defensive stance eyes scanning the surrounding forest, ready for whatever might be coming.

Baskar, however, remained completely unfazed. He casually adjusted his grip on the massive bear, seemingly uninterested in the approaching noise.

Dylan whispered to the others, "Stay sharp, we don't know who's coming."

Cris's hand was already glowing with a faint light, prepared to use his magic if needed. Alisan's posture was alert, eyes darting to every movement in the trees. Axel, his muscles flexing, was ready to charge if necessary.

But before they could react further, a figure burst from the trees, panting heavily.

"MASTER BASKAR! DON'T RUN OFF BY YOURSELF! IT'S A HASSLE TO CLEAN UP EVERY MESS YOU MAKE!"

The group blinked in surprise, and the adventurer who had been running appeared even more agitated now, his hands waving frantically. He was dressed similarly to Baskar wearing the same guild insignia, but his expression was a mix of frustration and concern.

Baskar still holding the massive bear casually over his shoulder didn't seem bothered in the slightest. "Relax, kid. I've got it handled," he said calmly as if he weren't holding a giant bear carcass at all.

The adventurer a bit out of breath, scowled. "Yeah, sure you do. Every time you go off on your own, there's a trail of chaos left behind and guess who has to clean it up?"

Axel raised an eyebrow at the interaction. "Is this how S-rank adventurers handle things?"

June chuckled lightly. "Seems like there's a lot we still don't know about this world."

Baskar grinned at the newcomer. "Come on, Galland. Quit complaining and help me with the bear."

Galland, clearly frustrated let out an exasperated sigh running a hand through his disheveled hair. "You're impossible, Master Baskar" he muttered, but without further complaint he moved over to assist.

The group watched the exchange with curiosity. It was clear that Galland was used to Baskar's laid back reckless approach yet still couldn't help but be dragged into the aftermath of his actions.

Axel couldn't help but chuckle at the dynamic. "Seems like they've got quite the history."

Cauis nodded, a faint smile on his face. "Definitely not your typical S-rank adventurer."

Galland gave them a brief, exhausted glance. "Trust me, you don't want to learn from him. He's a handful

Baskar shrugged, unfazed. "Somebody's gotta get the job done, and it might as well be me." He flashed a grin at the group. "So, are you lot gonna stand there all day, or do you want to learn a thing or two from a real adventurer?"