As a longtime receptionist for the Adventurers' Guild—the governing body managing the dungeon—Aina Zuur had seen countless newcomers come and go. Some strode in with overconfidence, acting as if they were already heroes, immediately demanding the toughest quests. Others cowered behind their patron deities, too timid to even look up.
The former group usually died quickly, while the latter rarely achieved much, quietly toiling away in obscurity.
Personality often determines one's fate. At least in Aina's eyes, Ye Yu was a calm and steady young man. Such people, above all else, had the best chance of surviving within the dungeon.
Survival was the first rule. As long as an adventurer lived, no matter how weak they started, they would gradually grow stronger.
As for the so-called genius that Hestia had mentioned? Aina was unimpressed. She had met many geniuses—some who rose swiftly and vanished just as fast, others who fell tragically. Truly successful prodigies who grew steadily were few and far between.
"Let's get you registered. Just some simple paperwork," Aina said, leading Hestia and Ye Yu to her desk. With practiced ease, she handed Ye Yu a stack of forms.
"The Guild offers many conveniences to adventurers like you. Of course, we do take a fee—your rewards, the crystals earned from defeating monsters, are exchanged for gold here, and the Guild deducts its cut directly from that."
Ye Yu nodded and handed back the signed contract, signaling his understanding.
"Good. Remember, adventurers are relatively free in their actions—there aren't many hard rules. But there is one golden rule: adventurers must never recklessly 'adventure.'"
"Adventurers must never recklessly adventure?" Ye Yu repeated, frowning thoughtfully. Though the phrase sounded contradictory, its meaning was clear: always be cautious, prepare thoroughly, and prioritize safety above all else.
"Survival is the top priority. If you face an enemy too strong to beat, shouting for help or retreating isn't shameful. Before battle, analyze your chances, and don't forget your patron deity."
"I'll be your advisor during the early days of your adventure. I'll teach you the basics of adventuring and dungeon knowledge. If you ever have questions, just ask me."
As Aina spoke, Hestia patted Ye Yu's shoulder gently.
"I'm off to work now, Ye Yu. Make sure you study hard! And don't push yourself too much early on—if you follow the mage path, the beginning will be tough."
With that, Hestia waved farewell and left the Guild, leaving just Ye Yu and Aina.
"Your patron said you're going the mage route?" Aina asked.
"Yes... I think so? It seems my magic attribute is higher than the others," Ye Yu answered vaguely. Though uncertain about his own uniqueness, he wisely kept quiet about the mysterious question marks on his magic stat.
"Mages are undeniably powerful, but their path is extremely difficult. At first, we can't provide you with fancy magical equipment—only the most basic weapons. Essential mage tools like wands and magical artifacts must be earned through your own efforts. Early on, you'll have to rely on your own strength and skill to defeat monsters."
Aina's voice softened with regret. This young man was a promising rookie, but with his high magic attribute, the path ahead would be hard. She could already foresee his challenging journey and hoped he would endure.
Though it was just basic instruction, by the time Aina finished, dusk was approaching. Seeing Ye Yu's sleepy expression, she shook her head in mild annoyance.
"Though tedious, these basics are vital. Remembering them well will greatly improve your safety in the dungeon's early days."
"Don't worry, I've got it all memorized," Ye Yu said, brightening up. Aina still doubted his confidence, but said nothing.
Before he left, Aina handed Ye Yu a small dagger and assigned him a task: to venture into the dungeon's first floor, slay the weakest goblin, and bring back its crystal.
Since it was already late, and the dungeon was far more dangerous at night, Aina advised Ye Yu to start his official adventure the following day.
"I can't shake this weird feeling of déjà vu..."
Muttering to himself, Ye Yu walked back clutching the small dagger. Aina's task reminded him of something strange, but no matter how hard he tried to recall it, the memory remained just out of reach.
"Well... I just need to go to the first floor and kill one goblin, right?"
Aina's instructions were clear: be cautious, don't venture too deep even on the first floor. For now, killing a single goblin there was enough.
There was much to learn about combat and adventuring; no need to rush.
That was exactly what Aina had said. She recommended Ye Yu spend at least a month or two on the first floor before even thinking about exploring the lower levels.
Having a high magic attribute didn't necessarily mean one could master magic. Some people with great magical potential ultimately became warriors simply because they couldn't grasp magic.
Of course, Aina didn't know that Ye Yu had already awakened his own unique magic when he signed the contract with Hestia—although even Ye Yu himself didn't fully understand what that magic truly was.
Even as dusk settled, the bustling streets of the labyrinthine city were still packed with people. Here, various races mingled, and Ye Yu, somewhat uneasy with the lively atmosphere, carefully weaved his way through the crowds.
He couldn't name most of these races. Among the throng were ordinary citizens, as well as adventurers dressed in elaborate gear—likely those who had just returned from a dungeon expedition.
Passing through the vibrant main street, Ye Yu slipped into a narrow alley, took a few turns, and left the noisy crowds behind.
At last, he arrived at the end of the road, standing before the place he shared with Hestia—his new home.