Chapter 5, In Search of the Lost

Vantias walked through the bustling streets of the city, though he tried not to stray too far from the clinic. He didn't want to get lost in this unfamiliar world. The city was filled with creatures he had never seen before—elves, dwarves, humans, and strange beings whose names he didn't even know.

As he wandered down a quiet alley, a soft smile formed on his lips.

"I wonder... what else exists in this world? Like... is there magic? And if there is, how can I use it?"

He paused, trying to recall someone's name—someone he had recently met.

"Ah... I can't remember his name. But I need to ask him a lot of questions... though first, I have somewhere to go."

His eyes sparkled. His smile now resembled that of a child entering an amusement park for the first time.

"The Adventurer's Guild... where all RPGs begin. That guy said I'm an adventurer. Well, then I'd better go there. Maybe I'll discover something important."

He looked around and muttered:

"But I have no idea which way to go... I'd better ask someone."

A few minutes later, he saw an old man sitting on a bench. Vantias approached him politely and asked:

"Grandpa... do you know which way the Adventurer's Guild is?"

The old man looked up slowly, showing no reaction, as if he hadn't heard him. Vantias repeated the question a bit louder this time.

"Where is the Adventurer's Guild?"

Still, no response. Disappointed, he turned to a group of young people walking by.

"Excuse me... I'm new here. Do you know where the Adventurer's Guild is?"

One of the youths, about his age, with black hair and eyes and clothes resembling those of adventurers, stopped and smiled.

"Yeah, of course... you need to go this way."

He pointed toward the streets and gave Vantias a brief explanation of the path. Vantias thanked him and set off. After passing through a few alleys, he reached a large square. In the center stood a stone statue—four figures side by side: a mage, an archer, a swordsman, and a healer. They were carved with incredible detail and craftsmanship.

He stood before the statue. Its shadow stretched across the ground.

"Wow!... it's huge. How much did this thing cost?"

Behind the statue stood a grand building. The Adventurer's Guild. With tall columns and white marble walls, it looked more like a temple than an office. Ordinary citizens and adventurers passed through its main doors—some submitting missions, others looking for work.

Vantias stepped inside.

The guild's interior buzzed with noise. Some were gathered around wooden boards, checking mission postings. Others talked about nearby monsters, some sharpened their weapons, and behind the counter, a receptionist signed papers at lightning speed. The guild felt more like a marketplace than a formal office.

Still unfamiliar with this world and its people, Vantias felt out of place. Anxiety crept in. He hesitated, then decided to walk straight to the counter.

Behind it stood a young elf with golden hair and green eyes. A warm smile adorned his face—a smile that seemed permanent. That smile gave a strange sense of peace to the room.

As Vantias approached, the elf greeted him kindly:

"Oh... Mr Vantias, welcome."

Then, suddenly, his smile faded, and his voice grew sorrowful:

"I heard what happened to your team... I'm truly sorry. I heard you were badly injured. And about your sister... I'm so sorry. We misjudged that dungeon."

Vantias suddenly felt like the air had been knocked from his lungs. He stammered:

"No... please, don't apologize... just... sorry, who are you?"

The elf was startled.

"You don't remember me? We've known each other for five years! Wait... have you lost your memory?"

Vantias gave a hesitant smile.

"Honestly, I don't know... maybe it's temporary. I just have some vague fragments in my mind."

The receptionist's face changed, concern replacing surprise.

"Oh no... so you really don't remember anything?"

Vantias shrugged.

"Just some really blurry stuff... but nothing specific."

The receptionist took a deep breath and said:

"Alright... then let me introduce myself again. My name is Lissas. We've known each other for a long time."

Vantias nodded.

"Nice to meet you... and thanks for the advice. But... I can't abandon my sister. I have to find her."

Lissas lowered his head.

"But... we don't really know what happened to her. It's possible that—"

Vantias interrupted firmly:

"Doesn't matter. Even if I have to search that dungeon a thousand times, I will find her."

Lissas cautiously replied:

"But you've lost your memory, you're still recovering. You suffered a major injury..."

Vantias clenched his teeth.

"Maybe I don't remember anything, but there's this voice deep inside me screaming that I have to find her. I can't just stand here doing nothing."

Lissas gave a faint smile.

"I understand... just please coordinate with your team. You can even hire other adventurers. The guild will help."

Then he added:

"By the way, your team was here this morning recruiting people to go back to that same dungeon. I think a few folks agreed to go with them... though it'll be costly. But... saving your sister is worth it."

Vantias thought to himself:

"So they're still looking for her... that means there's still hope."

Out loud, he asked:

"Do you know where they are now?"

Lissas answered:

"They were supposed to head out this morning. They're probably on their way to the dungeon now."

Vantias slammed his hand on the counter in panic.

"Which way do I go?!"

Lissas was taken aback.

"No, you're not ready. You'll endanger yourself and everyone else. It's better to wait."

Vantias shouted:

"Please! I can't wait. This is my responsibility... I can't just sit here and do nothing!"

Lissas went quiet. He simply lowered his head.

"I'm sorry. I can't tell you. It's for your own safety."

Vantias clenched his fists. His voice rose. People nearby began to stare. Some whispered behind his back, others stepped away.

At that moment, a man in his forties stepped out from the crowd. He had a long black beard, but his head was completely shaved. His hands were rough and calloused—proof of years of training. He gently placed a hand on Vantias's shoulder and said:

"Vantias... son, that's enough."

Vantias turned around, still burning with anger.

"Do you know me?"

The man smiled and said:

"Come, let's sit and talk."