The Adventurer's Guild of Trade Town stood on the corner of a busy square — not grand like a noble hall, yet far from shabby.
Its stone walls were weathered, its wooden beams darkened by years of rain and smoke.
A large iron emblem shaped like crossed blades hung above the door, swaying slightly in the morning breeze.
Not humble.
Not fancy.
Just… solid.
A place built by hands that understood hard work.
Valen pushed open the door.
Inside was a different world.
A wide hall stretched before him, packed wall-to-wall with adventurers — swordsmen, hunters, mages, mercenaries half-drunk or half-asleep.
The air was loud with chatter, the clatter of armor, and the scraping of boots on the wooden floor.
Job boards lined the walls, covered in parchment — monster hunts, escort requests, missing caravans.
Valen walked toward the registration counter.
The clerk, a kind-faced woman in her late twenties, smiled at him warmly.
"Welcome. Would you like to register?"
"Yes," Valen said. "I want to register as an adventurer."
But even as he spoke, he felt it — eyes watching him.
Adventurers sizing him up, whispering, judging, wondering what a well-dressed young stranger was doing here.
The clerk continued professionally:
"Of course. I just need your name, surname, job class, and a fee of five gold coins.
Your adventurer card will be ready in two days."
Five gold coins.
A normal person would struggle to save that in a year.
Valen sighed softly, reached into his coat, and placed five gold coins on the counter.
"My name is Valen de Noir. Swordsman."
The entire hall fell silent.
The clerk froze. Her breath caught.
Her eyes widened as if lightning had struck in front of her.
Then she suddenly stood up so fast her chair fell over.
She bowed deeply.
"M–My Lord! Forgive me for not recognizing you!"
Valen gave a gentle, tired smile.
"It's no matter. Truly.
I will return in two days. Thank you for your help."
He turned to leave—
But three rough-looking mercenaries stepped into his path, blocking his way.
Scarred. Smirking.
Men who lived off intimidation.
The leader spat to the side and crossed his arms.
"There's no way you're the real son of Lord Noir.
A noble brat wouldn't be crawling here to get an adventurer card…"
He cracked his knuckles.
"So… how about this?
Give us twenty gold coins, and we'll keep quiet for you."
Twenty gold coins.
In this world, that was a small fortune — a year's income for a family.
Valen smiled thinly.
"Is that so?
My father always told me to punish evil and reward goodness wherever I go."
"It seems you make a habit of scamming new adventurers.
Unfortunately for you… I have no choice."
He unsheathed his sword.
A faint black-crimson aura curled around the blade — sorrow mixed with restrained rage.
The mercenaries paled.
"W–Wait—"
The leader swung his sword in panic.
A flash.
A scream.
Something hit the ground with a wet slap.
The mercenary stared in horror at the spot where his hand had been moments ago.
A man had appeared between them.
Tall. Muscular. Armor worn but polished.
A presence like a wall.
The Guild Leader.
"I cannot allow anything to happen to our Young Lord."
He sheathed his blade as if nothing had happened.
The wounded mercenary writhed on the floor, screaming, but no one in the hall moved to help him except his own companions — who dragged him away silently, terrified.
The guild leader bowed deeply.
"Young Master, I am Dennis Bruckus.
I apologize for this disgrace.
If you wish, we can send ravens to your family and press charges immediately."
Valen shook his head.
"No need. Thank you."
He left the guild and stepped outside into the fresh air.
Just as he crossed the stone steps, he heard a cheerful voice behind him:
"I guess you're always in trouble, Valen."
A girl stood there — about his age.
Golden hair.
Green eyes that shone even in the shadow of the guild's archway.
A beautiful, bright face full of mischief.
Valen blinked in confusion.
"Do… I know you?
And how are you calling me by name after learning my identity inside?"
The girl giggled lightly, covering her mouth.
"We met before.
On the road.
You were exhausted and barely standing."
Valen snapped his fingers as memory clicked.
The merchant caravan…
The man and his daughter…
He hadn't even looked properly at the girl then — but she had clearly looked at him.
She smiled.
And just like that, Valen realized:
His quiet life in Trade Town was already over before it began.
The girl stepped closer, brushing a strand of golden hair behind her ear as she smiled.
"My name is Daphne."
Her voice was bright — warm in a way Trade Town rarely was.
She tapped the bow strapped across her back with a proud grin.
"And that trip with my father?
That was my last trip as a merchant.
I always dreamed of becoming an adventurer, and after years of begging, my father finally gave up."
She puffed her chest out a little, confident.
"So now I'm a full-time adventurer.
A hunter, if you haven't noticed yet."
Valen couldn't help but smile.
Her honest enthusiasm… it was refreshing — a sharp contrast to the deception and heaviness that filled his life lately.
"Nice to meet you, Daphne.
Do you have a team or a guild you're affiliated with?"
Daphne's expression dimmed.
"Unfortunately, no. Most guilds only accept experienced adventurers, and I only registered three days ago… so I'm stuck at rank E."
She sighed, kicking the ground lightly.
"I tried forming a team with other newbies… but let's just say their intentions weren't… professional."
Valen understood instantly.
A young girl, beautiful, alone — of course idiots would bother her.
His voice softened.
"I see…
If you want, we could form a team together."
Daphne's eyes widened — then sparkled like emeralds catching candlelight.
"Really!? YES — I would love that!"
She grabbed Valen's hands without thinking.
Valen froze — heat rushing to his cheeks.
It had been a very long time since someone held his hands like that.
He quickly cleared his throat, trying to regain composure.
"Th-Then let's meet at Pig's Song tonight.
It'll be more lively, so we might find some other beginners to join us."
Daphne nodded eagerly.
"Okay! I'll be there."
They exchanged goodbyes, and Daphne left with a small wave.
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