Adrian continued his walk, the image of Yena and her unnervingly accurate assessment lingering in his mind. The Adventurer's Guild came into view, a large, sturdy building adorned with banners depicting various monsters and heroic figures. The sight triggered a wave of nostalgia.
He remembered his early days in Aethelgard Online, grinding through countless quests, his digital Nyxal slowly growing in power. This place, or its digital counterpart, had been his digital home for years. Now, he was stepping into a real version of it.
He pushed open the heavy wooden doors, the sounds of boisterous chatter and clanking tankards washing over him. The main hall was a cacophony of activity. Humans, elves, dwarves, and even a few hulking orcs mingled, their voices rising above the general din. The air was thick with the scent of ale, sweat, and the metallic tang of freshly sharpened weapons.
He approached the reception desk, where a young woman with a warm smile and neatly braided auburn hair looked up. "Welcome to the Oakhaven Adventurers' Guild," she greeted him politely. "I'm Jana. How may I assist you?"
"I'm looking to register as a new member," Adrian replied, his voice calm and confident. "My name is Nyxal." He decided to stick with the name he knew, the name that resonated with his power, even if it might raise a few eyebrows.
Jana's eyes widened slightly at the name, a flicker of surprise quickly masked by professional courtesy. "Nyxal… a strong name. Welcome to the Guild, Nyxal. Do you have any prior experience?"
"Extensive," Adrian replied, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. He decided to leave it at that. His 'experience' was beyond anything she could imagine.
Jana, seemingly unfazed, nodded. "Very well. We have several ongoing situations you might be interested in. The gnoll raids on the outlying farms have intensified, and the local militia is stretched thin. There have also been reports of strange creatures emerging from the Whisperwood, creatures not seen in centuries, as well as the political tensions between the human kingdom and the elves and dwarves."
Adrian listened intently, absorbing the information. The situation was even more precarious than Elara had described. "What about the human kingdom itself?" he asked. "Any internal strife?"
Jana sighed. "The lords are… fractious. King Oberon is a strong ruler, but his advisors are constantly vying for influence. There are whispers of plots, betrayals, the usual noble games."
"And the Guild system?" Adrian asked, steering the conversation back to his immediate needs. "What kind of missions are available, and how are they ranked?"
Jana explained the tiered system of quests, ranging from simple monster extermination to complex investigations and even political assignments. "We use a ranking system, from E-rank for beginners to S-rank for the most experienced and trustworthy adventurers. You'll start at E-rank, of course, but your 'experience' might allow you to advance quickly."
Adrian nodded, his mind already formulating a plan. He needed to establish himself, gain influence, and uncover the truth behind this terrifyingly real Aethelgard. The Adventurers' Guild, with all its bustling activity and hidden currents, was the perfect place to start.