The gates of Tolany loomed ahead, their massive stonework an unyielding barrier against the world. Two guards stood watch, their polished armor gleaming under the midday sun. They scanned the people coming and going, their eyes hard as they observed the bustling crowd. I didn’t mind the scrutiny.

  I approached, my steps slow and certain, the dark green tunic I wore blending into the shadows of the gate. A small movement beneath my jacket, and I accessed my inventory, pulling the coin pouch from the pocket space. I attached it to my belt without breaking stride. I read the guards’ posture as they sized me up, their suspicion palpable. I knew what they saw in me. Just another stranger and another piece of the city’s endless tide of wanderers.

  The guards watched me with their hands on their weapons, but they didn’t move. Their gaze flicked over me then settled elsewhere.

  As I passed through the gate, I felt a tug at my attention. A long line of people waited at a station just beyond the threshold, each one handing over coins to another stern-faced guard. The line moved slowly, methodically, the sounds of murmured conversation barely reaching my ears. I kept my pace steady, sliding toward the back of the line

  I observed the people ahead of me. A collection of nervous traders, hardened adventurers, and a few townsfolk looking to visit the city. Some handed over coins with barely a second thought; others grumbled as they fumbled through their pouches. The guard took their coins without question, marking their entrance and sending them on their way.

  The first man in line, a trader by the look of him, his clothes too fine for an adventurer, handed over two copper coins with a nod. The guard took it without hesitation, barely glancing up. The next person, an old woman with a basket of bread, paid two copper pieces as well, which seemed to satisfy the guard just as quickly. A group of burly adventurers followed, each handing over the same amount.

  I followed along, watching carefully, absorbing the unwritten rules. When my turn finally came, the guard eyed me, his gaze sharper than before. “What have we here?” he muttered under his breath.

  I could feel the suspicion radiating off him, but I kept my posture neutral, my expression unreadable.

  I pulled the coin pouch from my belt, opened it with a subtle twist of my wrist, and retrieved two copper coins. I placed it on the counter, my fingers brushing the smooth metal, and let the coins settle in front of the guard with a soft clink.

  The guard nodded, taking the coins with a firm grip before marking something in a small ledger.

  "Welcome to Tolany," he muttered, his tone flat.

  I nodded once and stepped past him. The gates of the city opened wider as I moved forward, no more than another face in the crowd.

  The atmosphere inside the city hit me at once. It was a combination of the warmth of bustling life, the clash of voices, the smell of food and metal. But I was no longer paying attention to the streets or the crowd. The moment I passed the guard, I was back to my goal. My gaze swept the streets quickly, searching for any sign of where I should go next. Though I had gained entry, I still needed to understand the value of the currency and how to acquire more.

  The streets twisted around me, and I kept to the shadows, my mind focused ahead. I didn’t need anyone to know I was here until I had the lay of the land.

  As I wandered through the bustling marketplace, I watched the exchanges carefully. Merchants haggled with customers, coins changing hands in swift, practiced movements. The more I observed, the clearer the pattern became. Small purchases were made with copper, while silver was used for more substantial goods or bulk orders. I spotted a handful of gold coins, the only type of currency that stood apart from the silver and copper ones. Through careful scrutiny, I discovered that copper coins represented the smallest denomination, with one hundred of them equal to a single silver coin. Similarly, it took one hundred silver coins to equal a gold coin, and one hundred gold coins converted into a platinum piece, an amount I had overheard when a customer openly lamented the outrageous price of a merchant's goods. I took a moment to count the coins in my purse, gauging my current wealth. I found I had twenty-two silver coins and eighty-seven copper. Enough to get by for now, but I needed a way to earn more.

  As I walked through the marketplace, snippets of conversation reached me. The Adventurer's guild and Mercenary guild were at odds over jurisdiction on certain missions. The tension was clear from the grumbles of merchants discussing protection fees and available contracts. I filed that information away and approached a group of vendors, their stalls laden with spices, textiles, and trinkets.

  "Looking for something?" an older merchant asked, his sharp gaze assessing me as he adjusted a stack of woven cloths.

  "An inn," I replied, keeping my tone even. "Preferably one with reasonable rates."

  The merchant exchanged a glance with a younger man beside him before nodding. "Adventurer’s Folly would suit you. Fair price for room and board. Safe, too."

  That was all I needed. I gave a small nod and followed the directions they provided, navigating the twisting streets until I arrived at the inn. A wooden sign bearing the name ‘Adventurer’s Folly’ creaked above the entrance. The scent of roasting meat and fresh bread drifted out as I stepped inside.

  A broad-shouldered man with brunette hair stood behind the counter, his sleeves rolled up, revealing forearms marked with the faint remnants of old scars, the kind earned through years of hard work or battle. He grinned as I approached. "Welcome to Adventurer’s Folly! Name’s Jack Singe, and if you’re looking for a place to rest, you’ve found the best in Tolany."

  "I’ll take a room," I said, pulling out my pouch. "How much?"

  "Ten copper a night," Jack replied easily. "Six more if you want meals included for morning and night. My wife, Ellie, makes a mean stew."

  "I’ll take both."

  "A man who appreciates a good meal! You’ll fit right in here," he chuckled, handing me a key. "So, what brings you to Tolany? Looking for work?"

  I considered my words carefully. "Something like that. Just seeing what the city has to offer."

  Jack nodded knowingly. "Well, if you’re thinking of making coin, the Adventurer’s guild is always hiring. I was an adventurer myself, back in the day. Adept-tier scout. My son, Todd, he’s an adventurer himself. Journeyman-tier ranger, Bronze rank now, but he’s got promise."

  "The guild has rankings?"

  Jack raised an eyebrow. "You new to all this?"

  I shrugged. "I’ve been out of touch for a while."

  "Well, guild adventurers are ranked. Starts at Tin, then Copper, Iron, Bronze, Silver, Gold, Diamond, and finally Platinum. You won’t find Diamond or Platinum ranks here. Those are reserved for the powerhouses at the guild in the capital." He leaned on the counter. "If you’re looking to join, there’s a fee and a test to prove your worth. If you’ve got skills, the pay’s good." The door to the back swung open, and a woman stepped out. She was of average height, with golden blonde hair neatly tied back, and striking blue eyes that carried a sharp and kind intelligence. Her features were soft yet refined, a natural beauty that made her presence both inviting and confident. She caught the tail end of Jack’s speech and let out a light sigh. "Jack, must you bore every traveler with your old adventurer stories?" she teased, her tone carrying both fondness and exasperation.

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

  Jack held up his hands in mock offense. "Boring? I'm working on a good tip!"

  The woman wiped her hands on her apron and gave me an appraising look before offering a friendly smile. "Ellie Singe. I run the kitchen here," she said, her voice warm and confident. "And this one," she gestured at Jack with a playful smirk, "is supposed to be helping, but he’d rather swap stories than do any real work."

  Jack let out an exaggerated sigh. "I provide the charm, dear wife. Vital to any fine establishment."

  Ellie rolled her eyes but chuckled before turning back to me. "You look like you could use a meal. Want me to fix you up a plate?"

  I gave a small nod and smiled. "Yes. That would be appreciated."

  "Good. Have a seat, and I’ll bring it right out," she said before disappearing into the back again.

  Jack leaned in slightly, lowering his voice. "Now, if you're looking for the best adventurer parties in Tolany’s guild, you’ll want to keep an eye on a few names. There’s Golden Fang, they’re solid, good teamwork. Ember Blades, a little reckless but strong. And then there’s Solstice, the party my boy Todd is in. For a Bronze rank , they’re one of the strongest. Mark my words, they’ll hit Silver before long."

  I absorbed the information, careful not to show too much interest. I wasn’t here to bind myself to another duty, but making money was necessary. "I’ll think about it."

  Jack clapped a hand on the counter. "You do that. In the meantime, get some rest. Ellie’s stew will be ready soon."

  I gave him a nod, took my key, and went up to my room. I had no obligations, no duty weighing on my shoulders. For the first time in a long while, I had the freedom to decide my next step. But first, I’d eat and rest. Tomorrow, I’d see what the city had in store for me.

  I awoke in my room at the Adventurer’s Folly, sunlight filtering through the window, casting soft rays across the wooden floor. I sat up, rubbing sleep from my eyes, and took a moment to gather my thoughts. The previous day’s events felt surreal, yet vivid. My awakening in this new world, the summoning ritual, and the chaotic aftermath.

  With a quick motion, I focused inward, only wanting my status to display my basic physical template. The adjustment was answered with a translucent interface flickering to life before my eyes.

  Name: Koa Destus

  Age: 19

  Level: 24

  Strength: 23

  Endurance: 24

  Vitality: 21

  Agility: 41

  Dexterity: 40

  Intelligence: ???

  Wisdom: ???

  Essence Points Acquired: 46

  The numbers stared back at me. This was all as I remembered from yesterday. I pondered for a moment before assigning my Essence points. Strength rose to 32, Endurance to 33, Vitality to 25; Agility and Dexterity both increased to 53 and 52 respectively, honing my reflexes and precision in every move.

  This distribution mirrored what I’d relied on in my previous world. Speed and reflexes had always been vital to my prowess as a swordsman; they complemented my fighting style perfectly. I envisioned a similar benefit even with the inclusion of my new abilities.

  Intelligence and Wisdom were left untouched as my raw understanding of mana and spatial manipulation coursed through me without limitation.

  I pushed myself off the bed, feeling the solidness of the floor beneath my feet as I stretched out my limbs. Ready for the day ahead.

  Downstairs in the inn's main area, Jack stood behind the counter, a grin plastered on his face as he polished some mugs.

  "Morning! Sleep well?" he asked.

  "Like a rock," I replied, scanning for Ellie.

  She appeared from the kitchen just then, her apron dusted with flour but her smile bright as ever.

  "Breakfast is ready!" she announced cheerfully.

  I settled into one of the wooden chairs as she placed a steaming bowl of stew before me, a rich aroma wafting up that made my stomach rumble in response.

  "This smells incredible," I said, diving into it with enthusiasm.

  Jack chuckled as he leaned against the counter again. "Best meal you’ll find around here."

  Ellie beamed at him while refilling her own mug of tea before taking a seat across from me.

  We shared light conversation over breakfast, discussing little things about Tolany and its peculiarities. After finishing up, I wiped my mouth with satisfaction and rose from the table.

  "I appreciate your hospitality," I said to both Jack and Ellie before heading toward the door.

  "Remember," Jack called after me as I stepped outside, "the guild’s just down that street!"

  I turned to face Jack's sardonic grin, knowing he had accurately anticipated my choice to join the Adventurer's guild. I returned the smile and tossed a copper coin, which he caught in his outstretched hand, before making my way out of the Inn.

  With their voices fading behind me, I headed toward the Adventurer's Guild.

  I paused as I neared the formidable building, its fa?ade adorned with a design of crossed swords, which I presumed represented the guild. The emblem shone in the sunlight, a symbol of camaraderie and ambition. A stream of adventurers bustled through the front entrance, their packs laden with supplies or trophies from quests just completed. Laughter mingled with shouts, a cacophony of excitement that wrapped around me like a cloak.

  I stood at the threshold, taking in the scene. Some members exchanged tales of their latest exploits, while others animatedly debated strategies for upcoming missions. The energy was infectious with a mix of eagerness and determination that made my pulse quicken. Yet beneath that surface lay something darker; I sensed an undercurrent of danger lurking just out of sight. The glances exchanged between seasoned adventurers hinted at rivalries and unspoken challenges.

  I stepped inside, crossing into the bustling hall where polished wooden beams met high ceilings. My eyes scanned the interior, absorbing every detail: quest boards plastered with requests, tables crowded with groups poring over maps and plans, and a bar area where drinks flowed freely to those celebrating their victories or drowning their failures.

  At one table in particular, a group animatedly discussed recent encounters with monstrous creatures. I listened closely as they recounted harrowing tales filled with close calls and narrow escapes. Their voices raised in intensity, I could almost feel the tension electrifying the air around them.

  I noticed another individual leaning against a wall near the quest board. He was an Adept, judging by his mana signature. This evaluation resembled one I observed with Jack, though it was somewhat more powerful. His armor was marked with scars from battles past, each dent telling its own story. He scrutinized newcomers like me with a discerning gaze, assessing who might be worthy of his focus or a possible rival to his standing.

  While I kept watching, I sensed the burden of anticipation in the air. There was a blend of optimism and thrill that every explorer must shoulder as they pursued fame or aimed for wealth amidst concealed perils. I ventured further into the hall, making my way to the registration desk.

  An elderly man sat there, his weathered face a map of lines and creases. He looked up, sizing me up with eyes that had seen countless adventurers come and go.

  "I’m here to join the guild." I began.

  "Name?" he asked, his voice gruff yet steady.

  "Koa Destus." I kept my tone even.

  He raised an eyebrow, a flicker of interest sparking in his gaze. "Joining, eh? You know this isn’t a walk in the park?"

  "I’m aware," I replied. "What’s the process?"

  He leaned back slightly, crossing his arms over his chest. “We rank our members here by Tin, Copper, Iron, Bronze, Silver, and Gold. Each tier comes with its own set of expectations.”

  I nodded as he continued.

  “Most newcomers start at Tin,” he said, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes. “But you have two options: take the lowest badge and work your way up from there or undergo an assessment to gauge your battle power. That’ll determine where you fit among us. Both approaches come with fees, the first being ten copper coins and the second costing twenty copper coins.”

  “Assessment,” I decided quickly, counting out twenty copper coins and handing them over. Joining as Tin wouldn’t serve my purpose well. I wanted to be respected. I’d aim for Adept-tier as that seemed ideal.

  “Got some experience then,” he said as he jotted down my name on a parchment with a quill that scratched against the surface like nails on wood. “Koa Destus… got it.”

  He pushed the parchment aside, collecting my fee, and gestured for me to follow him.

  “Right this way.” The man rose from his chair and led me through the bustling hall toward a doorway marked “Assessment Hall 1.”

  The corridor was quieter here; anticipation hung thick in the air as we approached a set of heavy wooden doors. The man opened one side and gestured for me to step in.

  Inside lay a spacious arena-like chamber with bare stone walls lined with targets and various training dummies scattered around.

  “Don’t hold anything back.” he advised without turning around as I stepped further into the room. “We need an accurate read on your capabilities.”

  With a slight nod, I mentally focused on suppressing my strength and mana to fit within what I considered an Adept, envisioning the mana signature matching the individual I had noticed by the quest board and Jack's. The thrill of potential discovery surged through me as I prepared for whatever challenge awaited within these walls.