The line of adventurers had thinned considerably, yet Veil hadn’t moved. His mind was tangled between thoughts of Alynia and the task ahead. A sudden hand on his shoulder jolted him from his daydream, accompanied by a deep voice behind him.

  “Hey, kid. You might want to step forward. Otherwise, we’ll just cut ahead of you,” the man said with a faint smile. “If it’s your first time, relax. No need to be so tense.”

  Veil looked forward and realized only one person stood between him and the counter. Flustered, he hurried on, giving the man an apologetic wave.

  After stamping the last sheet of the adventurer before him, the clerk sent the man on his way. Without lifting her eyes, she called for the next in line, her tired expression betraying how many she had already dealt with so early in the morning.

  “Hello. I’d like to take on a quest, please,” Veil asked timidly.

  The young woman finally raised her eyes, and a smile tugged at her lips when she saw his nervous demeanor.

  “Oh, hello Veil. I didn’t think you’d be back the very day after registering. Usually, newcomers hesitate and take a few days before attempting their first quest,” she said calmly as she shuffled the papers before her.

  “Alynia gave me a week to rank up. If I want to travel with her, I can’t afford to waste time,” he replied, fidgeting with his fingers.

  Without a word, the clerk stood and disappeared into a small room, leaving Veil puzzled by her sudden departure. She returned shortly after, carrying a small book that she placed on the counter in front of him.

  “I understand. In that case, let’s assign you your first quest, so you can start making progress,” she said, sitting down again.

  She pulled out a slip of paper and began scribbling details across it. Veil noticed his name and rank written down. She glanced at him once more before continuing.

  “Alright. I’ll need you to sign this, please. Don’t worry, it’s just to confirm you’ve accepted the mission,” she explained, sliding the paper and a quill toward him.

  Veil took the parchment and quickly read over the contents.

  ────────────────────────────

  Mission Order: Collect medicinal herbs

  Deadline: Two days after validation

  Contract Holder: Veil Wanderer

  Rank of Holder: F

  ────────────────────────────

  Official Guild Seal Contractor’s Signature

  He finally scrawled his name at the bottom and handed the sheet back to her.

  Collecting herbs? That’s a far cry from the dungeon raids Alynia takes on, he thought.

  “Good, everything is in order. Since you don’t know the area yet, I’ll give you a map of the surroundings, along with a small handbook describing the plants and how to recognize them. And here’s a parchment with the mission guidelines,” she said, passing him the items.

  “Thank you. But… what happens if I make a mistake?” he asked, narrowing his eyes slightly.

  “If you make a mistake? Then you’ll be hanged in the public square for treason,” she answered with a dead-serious look.

  The man behind him let out a strange chuckle that others nearby echoed, and even the clerk herself burst into laughter. But Veil’s expression hardened at her words.

  “I’m joking, don’t panic. We’ve got people who sort things out to make sure everything’s correct. Mistakes happen,” she reassured him with a smile. “Some plants look very similar—we know beginners slip up, so don’t worry.”

  Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  But Veil didn’t laugh. In his mind, he was already imagining a rope tightening around his neck.

  Their humor is really twisted. Still… I should’ve known that would’ve been too much for something so minor, he thought, forcing a nervous smile.

  “Relax, kid. You’ll get used to it. We like to laugh around here. Even this little slip of a woman cracks jokes that’d fit right into some dingy tavern,” the man behind him exclaimed.

  “Yeah, call me a drunk while you’re at it, Erzan. I’ll remind you I can hold my liquor better than you. Want me to prove it again?” the clerk shot back with a sly grin.

  Veil hesitated, caught in the middle of their banter, unsure how to respond. For them, it all seemed so natural. For him, it was overwhelming.

  “No thanks. Last time the guys wouldn’t shut up for two weeks. I don’t need that again. But if you want to share a drink in my room, you know where to find me,” Erzan replied with a forced smile.

  “Um… excuse me. Am I free to go? Or is there something else?” Veil asked.

  The clerk blinked, turning her attention back to him.

  “Ah, right. You’re all set, young man. Go ahead. And remember—the most important thing is coming back alive from your missions, understood?” she said, giving him a little wink. “Once you’re done, come back here to have the quest validated, alright?”

  “Thank you. I’ll be careful,” Veil replied.

  He turned toward the exit as Erzan and the clerk resumed their exchange. Pushing open the door, a cool breeze brushed his face, sunlight pouring into the guild hall behind him.

  After everything I’ve faced since I got here, gathering herbs shouldn’t be a problem. At least… I hope not, he thought, trying to reassure himself.

  He stopped in the shadow of a building to unfold the map he’d been given, quickly spotting the fountain and main street that marked the city center. Four gates led in and out of the city, one for each cardinal direction.

  Checking his mission slip, he found the location written clearly: the plains of Kralnoze. Double-checking the map, he adjusted his course and set off toward the city’s southern gate.

  But as he cut through a narrow, deserted side street to reach the main avenue, a harsh voice called out.

  “Well, look what we’ve got here, boys—the little pup’s gone astray,” it barked loudly.

  Laughter broke out behind him. Veil spun around to see five men, their faces hidden in shadow beneath the hoods of their cloaks.

  “Where’s your little bitch? That slut didn’t hold back—I paid a fortune for treatment. So here’s how it’s gonna go: you’re gonna pay me back, or we’ll break every bone in your body until you cough up the coin. Got it?” one of them growled, drawing the sword at his hip.

  The others followed suit, pulling free their weapons—some steel, others iron claws that slipped over their fingers with a scrape.

  “Cat got your tongue? Look at you—serious face, shaking like a virgin girl. If you’d prefer, the boys here can show you a good time, with how you reek of cheap whore,” the leader sneered, stepping closer.

  “Darnan, look at his face. Not even a dog would piss on that,” one of the men sneered.

  Veil hesitated, his hand hovering near the hilt of his sword. He hadn’t even recognized Darnan right away. Taking a few steps back, he silently prayed for something—anything—to break this absurd scene.

  “A-and what does this have to do with me? Alynia humiliated you in front of everyone. You got beaten by a woman, and now you’re taking it out on me?” Veil stammered, his voice unsteady.

  “You little shit. Those damned hybrids only win because of their strength. They can’t solve a problem without it,” Darnan spat.

  He slammed his fist against the wall and leveled his blade at Veil, forcing him back another step.

  “You’re just making excuses. The truth is, you can’t handle the fact she embarrassed you in front of everyone,” Veil shot back, his nerves fraying.

  He knew provoking them was a mistake, but fear pushed the words out of his mouth. The men grew more agitated, and Veil found himself weighing the idea of bolting, running as fast as his legs would carry him.

  “Enough talk. Hand over your money, or you’ll crawl home on all fours like the dog you are,” Darnan snapped.

  Veil clutched his satchel tightly, ready to draw his dagger even though he had no real plan. Fighting monsters was one thing. Facing men—hurting them—was something he wasn’t ready for.

  If I give it to them, they’ll just keep coming back whenever Alynia isn’t around. I get it now, why she told me not to let myself be pushed around. But she could’ve spared me from inheriting their grudges… he thought bitterly.

  As the men closed in, blades clinking and scraping against their armor, the sound of heavy metal boots rang out behind Veil.

  “What the hell’s going on here? Someone want to explain?” a loud voice barked.

  Everyone turned. Two city guards were stomping toward them, gauntleted hands resting on the hilts of their swords, ready to act. The clatter of their armor echoed down the narrow alley.

  Four of the thugs bolted immediately, vanishing into the darkness between the buildings.

  “We’ll meet again, brat. This isn’t over. Next time, you won’t be so lucky—I swear it,” Darnan snarled before fleeing as well.

  One of the guards sprinted past Veil in pursuit of the five men, armor clanking as he gave chase. The other stopped in front of Veil, who remained frozen, still trying to process what had just happened.

  “Papers. Now,” the guard ordered sharply.

  Veil fumbled for his documents, handing over both his adventurer’s papers and his mission slip.

  “Hmm… alright. Everything checks out. But tell me, what were you doing in a deserted alley with those shady types?” the man asked, his tone less severe now.

  “N-nothing, sir. They… they…” Veil began, but his throat tightened, the words sticking as he hesitated to reveal the true cause of the encounter.

  “If you don’t want trouble, you’d better tell me exactly what was going on here, boy,” the guard pressed, his gaze hardening again.

  Veil’s fingers twisted nervously together. After a few more seconds of wavering, he finally decided to explain the situation.

  “I was on my way to my mission. I’d just left the guild. When I cut through this alley toward the southern gate, those men came out of a side street,” Veil explained, forcing his voice to stay calm.

  “Fine, but that doesn’t tell me why. Do you know them?” the guard asked.

  “No, sir—or at least not really. They came because of a fight yesterday with the person who brought me into the city,” Veil admitted. “But I can’t tell you more. I only arrived yesterday myself.”

  The guard studied him for a moment longer, his eyes scanning the papers for the slightest irregularity. At last, he seemed to relent, deciding everything was in order. He handed the documents back to Veil.

  “Alright, you can go. But I don’t want to see you hanging around shady types again. I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt this time. Watch who you keep company with, boy. Good day,” the guard said, his voice dropping to a low warning.

  Before Veil could reply, the man broke into a run, chasing after the direction the group had fled. Veil stood rooted to the spot for several minutes, his papers still clutched in his hands, before finally tucking them away again. He set off once more, making straight for the main street to avoid further trouble.

  At last, he reached the fountain, pausing to splash cool water on his face.

  Come back soon, Alynia… I don’t know if I have the strength to last a whole week without you, he thought, staring at his blurred reflection in the rippling surface.