Chapter 13: First Quest Part 1

Two hours after the first morning bell echoed through the city, a familiar figure strode into the Adventurer's Guild – Alex, ready to claim his first quest.

Compared to yesterday's sparseness, the guild buzzed with activity. The tavern spilled over with adventurers, their boisterous laughter mingling with the clinking of mugs. A wave of anticipation washed over Alex. Today, he wouldn't be just another patron – he'd be an adventurer, stepping onto the path he'd envisioned.

He navigated the bursting crowd, drawn to the quest board like a moth to a flame. A sea of faces bobbed beneath a colorful tapestry of requests, categorized by rank – F for fledglings like him, E for those with a few feathers under their belts.

F-rank quests seemed mundane: fetching rabbit meat, gathering herbs, collecting anesthetic ingredients.

"Horned rabbit," Alex mused, the name conjuring an image far removed from Earth's fluffy companions. He envisioned a beast with a formidable horn, a worthy first opponent.

Moving on to the E-rank board, the challenges escalated. Goblin subjugation, retrieving slime magic stones, subduing poison toads – a catalogue of fantastical creatures waiting to be tamed or vanquished. A thrill danced on his fingertips.

"This feels right," Alex muttered, a grin tugging at his lips.

"Goblins, huh? Killing goblins is a must in a fantasy world."

A nostalgic smile flitted across Alex's lips as he scanned the quest board, memories of fantasy novels devoured on Earth warming him from within. His gaze settled on a goblin subjugation request, the words echoing the countless tales of these mischievous creatures.

This wasn't the typical first quest for a fresh-faced adventurer. Most started with tamer tasks like fetching rabbit meat or gathering herbs. But Alex wasn't most adventurers. He had a plan, honed from his studies back at the Temple of Gods and fueled by the ambition burning within him.

Goblins, according to his acquired knowledge, were weak individually. Child-sized with green skin and spindly limbs, they posed little threat on their own. However, their true danger lay in their pack mentality and cunning tactics. Armed with scavenged weapons, they could become a formidable force in numbers.

"15 copper coins for five ears," Alex muttered, his brow furrowing slightly. It wasn't much, barely enough to cover a night at the luxurious Moonlight Inn. But it was a stepping stone, a chance to test his skills and level up faster. He wouldn't be foolish enough to charge headfirst into a horde. He'd pick them off one by one, utilizing his agility and the element of surprise.

A memory surfaced – a novel titled "Goblin Slayer" that had enthralled him back on Earth. Its brutal portrayal of goblin savagery served as a stark reminder of the caution he needed to exercise.

With a newfound resolve, Alex tore off the request and strode towards Leena, the elven receptionist. Her eyes widened slightly as he placed the paper before her. Goblin subjugation? An ambitious choice for a newcomer, the unspoken question hung in the air.

Alex met her gaze with a calm confidence. "I know the risks," he said, his voice steady.

"But I'm ready. Consider this my declaration of intent."

A ripple of surprise coursed through the nearby adventurers. Some scoffed, others muttered amongst themselves. But Leena, sensing the quiet determination in his eyes, simply smiled.

"A bold first step, Alex," Leena said, taking the request

"May the Goddess of Luck be with you. But you should still be careful.''

"No worries, I'll be cautious," Alex assured Leena, the elf receptionist at the guild. "Where exactly are these goblins?"

Leena's brow furrowed. "They've been spotted near the forest on the Eria highway. Travelers and merchants heading to town have reported recent attacks."

Alex noted the concern in her voice. The forest she mentioned lay north of Eria, directly opposite his home: the Temple of God's Forest. He knew the terrain well, but the news of goblin activity unsettled him.

"Are these regular goblins, or...smarter ones?" he probed, a sudden thought nagging at him.

Leena shook her head. "Usually not, but there's a chance it could be a rare species."

Rare species were mutated individuals, boasting higher intelligence and power than their standard counterparts. They posed a much greater threat, often ranking one level higher than their listed guild classification. For example, a regular E-rank goblin could be as dangerous as a D-rank monster if it were a rare species.

The weight of the task sank in. Alex had just accepted the quest, fueled by the anticipation of his first level up and the unsealing of his mysterious Gift. But now, the potential for a rare species added a layer of uncertainty.

Excitement battled with caution as he exited the guild. The northern forest beckoned, and though the path held new dangers, Alex couldn't ignore the call of adventure.

He envisioned the moment his Gift would finally be revealed, the power it might bestow. The thought spurred him forward as he passed through Eria's north gate. Double-checking his equipment – Black Betty secured on his legs, Razor strapped firmly to his waist – he muttered a determined oath.

"Ready or not, here we go!" Alex declared, embarking on his first quest, a thrilling mix of nerves and anticipation coursing through him. He knew the road ahead wouldn't be easy, but he wouldn't back down. The north awaited, and with it, the secrets of his Gift and the challenges that lay beyond.