Orario City, Adventurer's Guild
I sat in the plush chair inside the Guild, right across from a woman who seemed to have carved out a permanent place in the most organized part of many adventurers' lives.
The sofa in this consultation room was actually quite comfortable—more comfortable than my bed back in the village, which was just a thin mattress on the floor of a rickety house. I felt like hugging the chair's cushion and saying: "I'll come back to you."
Eina Tulle sat across the desk, holding documents and a pen, her eyes looking at me as if calculating the chances I'd die in the next three days. Or two. Depending on how unlucky I was today.
"...Kaen, right?" she said, raising an eyebrow. "You came here this morning, didn't you?"
I nodded. "That's right. I just arrived in Orario and came straight to the Guild."
She narrowed her eyes, slightly puzzled. "I thought you'd come back with a disappointed face after looking at the Familia list and being rejected by everyone. But... it turns out you succeeded."
I grinned slightly, trying to sound casual. "Well, after being rejected by almost every big name... I met one that... didn't reject me."
Eina's expression changed slightly. "Don't tell me... Hestia-sama?"
I nodded slowly.
"She lives in the old church near the west side of town, right?" Eina murmured, more to herself. "I know her... A new goddess who came down not long ago. Quite... unique. But... kind-hearted."
I remained silent, not intending to argue. Unique was indeed a very polite word to describe Hestia.
"I know many beginner adventurers who... avoid her," Eina continued, her voice gentle but clear. "But not because she's evil. Just because... she doesn't have any facilities."
I smiled wryly. "Then we're a good match. Because I don't have anything either."
Her smile grew slightly. Maybe there was sympathy there. Or maybe... a little respect?
"Alright," she said, straightening up. "Let's start the registration as an official adventurer."
She opened a large folder on her desk and pulled out several forms. "Full name?"
"Kaen. Just Kaen."
"Age?"
"Seventeen."
"Status?"
I handed over the paper from Hestia showing my first falna status. She glanced at it briefly, then nodded and began writing quickly.
Handing over the status paper was proof that I had joined a familia, of course. Goddess Hestia was careful, so she erased the skill section on the paper.
Clearly, Goddess Hestia didn't want people to know about her skills. After all, skills are an adventurer's secret.
"Congratulations on joining as an official adventurer, Kaen," she said in a formal tone. "From now on, you'll be registered in the Guild system and receive tasks and payments according to the missions you take."
"Thank you," I said, half nervous, half proud.
And like activating 'seminar speaker mode', Eina immediately took over the conversation.
---
"I know you're a beginner," she said, "so let me explain the most important thing first: the Dungeon is not a playground."
I nodded quickly.
"Many beginners think they can go in, kill monsters, and come out with pockets full of valis. But the reality is... the monsters in the Dungeon are extremely dangerous. If you're careless—even for one second—you could lose your life."
I swallowed hard but continued listening carefully.
"They emerge from walls, from floors, even from ceilings. And they won't wait for you to finish swinging your sword. They attack. Continuously. You have to be alert at all times."
Eina continued explaining:
- The floor system in the Dungeon
- The danger of monster spawning
- The importance of leaving before nightfall if you're not strong enough
- The difference between drop items and magic stones
- And of course: don't get cocky just because you can defeat a goblin
I noted everything in my head. Seriously. This might be the lesson of my life. Usually in anime, beginner adventurers enter dungeons and die from carelessness. I didn't want to become a victim of episode one.
"Kaen," she said seriously, "I'm glad you're listening. Most beginners just nod and then leave with a stupid smile."
I smiled slightly. "I think... I know I'm not great. That's why I have to study more seriously."
Eina looked at me for a moment, then smiled. This time genuinely. "You'll last long if you stay like this."
I held my breath. Words like that from someone like her... touched my heart a little.
---
After the intensive session full of information and veiled threats about death, I raised my hand.
"May I ask something?"
"Of course."
"Does the Guild provide beginner equipment?"
Eina looked at me, then at my shabby clothes and the old wooden sword on my back.
"You... don't have anything, do you?"
I nodded slowly. "I come from a village. There, the economic system is still barter. We exchange rice for fish, wood for eggs... things like that."
"...And here, we use valis."
"Yup. And I... don't have any valis."
My stomach rumbled right on cue like a sad drum.
"...And you haven't eaten?"
I laughed slightly. "Last meal... yesterday afternoon. And that was just dry bread. My provisions ran out on the road."
Eina sighed. "Of course the Guild has a beginner equipment program. But... it's not free aid. It's a loan. It'll be deducted from your earnings later."
I nodded quickly. "No problem. I've been ready to live poor for a long time. As long as I'm not naked and starving."
She got up from her chair and went into the back room. Shortly after, she returned carrying a set of equipment: simple leather armor, a thin steel sword, and a small bag with a potion bottle.
"This is basic equipment. It won't make you strong, but at least you won't die immediately."
I received it carefully as if it were treasure.
"Thank you so much, Eina-san. I'll return it... with valis."
She smiled, slightly amused. "You're more polite than other beginner adventurers."
I stood and bowed politely. "I'll come back after completing my first mission."
As I turned to leave, she added, "And Kaen... be careful in the Dungeon."
I looked back and smiled. "I'll treat the Dungeon like a mother-in-law. Cautious and polite, but ready to run if things get threatening."
She laughed softly. "You're really funny."
---
I left the Guild with light steps. Not because of extraordinary enthusiasm, but because my stomach was too hungry to walk heavily.
Along the way, magic lamps began to light up. Food vendors arranged their wares: grilled meat, stuffed bread, hot soup whose aroma pierced straight to the soul.
I swallowed hard.
The sound of my stomach was like a crying kitten.
My eyes were fixed on a piece of grilled meat being turned slowly over the fire. Its oil dripped, its aroma like the devil's whisper.
NO.
I turned away. Walked away. Hugged my bag of new equipment like a baby. I had to endure.
"I'm... truly poor," I whispered.
No answer. Even my stomach was too weak to growl.
My steps trembled. But I kept walking. Toward the old church. A thin bed awaited me. And maybe... a bowl of warm soup from the small goddess who was now my family.
Maybe.
If she hadn't eaten everything first.
I could only pray that Goddess Hestia had prepared food for her.