The obsidian gates of Velnaira towered above the road like sentinels of a forgotten age. Runes faintly pulsed at their edges, etched with craftsmanship both human and not.
The merchant caravan pulled to a stop just before them. Guards began exchanging coin and parchment at the checkpoint while a few merchants dismounted to stretch their legs.
Seran Maedrin, the lead merchant, approached Crystal and Elyssia.
"You two were a godsend. Truly i underestimated the dangers of travel without sufficient protection and hired only the cheapest escorts. If you ever need a recommendation—or Exchange coins for monster I'd be happy to help—I owe you more than I can put in a pouch."
He handed over a neatly tied leather bag with the crisp jingle of silver.
"We're headed to the Adventurers' Guild," Elyssia replied, accepting the payment. "Is it close?"
Seran nodded. "A few streets north from the trade plaza—look for the banners and the noise."
His gaze shifted to Crystal, who stood slightly behind Elyssia, silent and unreadable.
"...She doesn't speak?"
Elyssia smiled gently. "Only when necessary."
Seran's lips parted slightly as if to ask more—but thought better of it. He gave a respectful bow and turned back to his caravan.
The city of Velnaira opened before them like a living labyrinth. Stone roads veined with magic lines spread out like arteries, pulsing with the rhythm of boots, carts, and conversation.
Crystal walked calmly, her silver-white hair catching light as though it were spun from morning frost.
'So much movement,' she noted quietly. 'So many sounds, smells, faces… this world feels heavier than the game. and more alive.'
She observed the demi-human children laughing near a fountain, a cloaked foxkin selling roasted fruit, and a dwarven smith scolding his apprentice.
'This isn't the world I knew. But I like that. It means there's more to learn.'
Elyssia walked beside her, straight-backed and composed. She, too, scanned the city—but more tactically. Evaluating. Measuring.
'No visible surveillance magic. Guard rotations are staggered. Civilian density favors ambush defense… acceptable.'
They found the Adventurers' Guild nestled beside a blacksmith and an inn. A large wooden sign dangled above the stone archway, bearing the Guild crest—a sword behind a map scroll.
The moment they entered, the room seemed to lean toward silence.
A tavern-like space opened up, filled with adventurers of all ranks—grimy boots, steel clanking, laughter echoing from the side bar.
Eyes turned. First to Elyssia.
Then to Crystal.
And stayed there.
Her presence wasn't loud, but it was arresting. Her beauty was unnatural—painstakingly crafted by her former self. A masterpiece wrapped in a cloak of quiet.
One man chuckled.
"Well, well… what do we have here?"
Four adventurers approached from the left side of the hall. Scarred leathers. Worn weapons. Grins far too wide for strangers.
The leader, tall and broad with greasy blond hair, stepped closer with a mocking smile.
"This isn't a tea party, little flowers. You sure you're in the right place?"
Elyssia remained serene. "We're here to register."
One of the others leaned in, snickering. "So cute. Think you can swing a blade, sweetheart?"
The leader's eyes scanned Crystal from head to toe.
'She looks like a porcelain doll,' he thought. 'But damn if she ain't the prettiest thing I've seen walk through those doors.'
Then he stepped forward and placed a hand on Crystal's shoulder.
"Tell you what," he grinned. "Join our party. I'll make sure nothing bad happens to—"
His wrist twisted suddenly.
There was a pop.
He dropped to his knees with a cry.
Elyssia stood above him, calm as still water, her hand gripping his arm at an impossible angle.
"I suggest," she said softly, "you do not touch her again."
Two of his teammates reached for weapons, tense and startled.
Crystal raised her foot—and took a single step.
The stone beneath her cracked, thin lines webbing out in a perfect circle.
Silence.
The two adventurers froze.
'how?....' one thought, eyes wide. 'From a single step? Who the hell are they?'
"Ahem."
The tension broke as a woman stepped forward from behind the counter. She was tall, mature, with pale blue eyes and silver-streaked dark hair tied in a long braid. An eyepatch rested over her left eye, and a long ceremonial spear leaned behind the desk.
But her demeanor was composed, polite.
"Let's not make a mess before noon, shall we?"
Elyssia let the man's arm go, letting him fall to the floor with a groan.
The woman gestured for them.
"Over here, please."
They approached the counter. Crystal said nothing. Elyssia remained perfectly at ease.
The receptionist glanced at the man still cradling his arm and sighed, more tired than annoyed.
"You dislocated his shoulder."
"He touched my companion without permission," Elyssia replied evenly.
The woman—her nameplate read Cerys—studied them for a moment longer.
'I've seen nobles. Mercenaries. Even a dryad once. But these two… they're like carved crystal and silk steel. There's something... off.'
"And she is?"
"My charge," Elyssia said. "My responsibility."
Cerys blinked. "...Right."
"Just so we're clear," she continued politely, "Velnaira is a lawful city. Conflicts like that should be resolved through Guild mediation. We expect even visiting adventurers to respect that."
"Understood. We'll abide by the local laws."
Crystal gave a small nod of acknowledgment, eyes watching Cerys without blinking.
Cerys exhaled.
"Very well. Are you here to register?"
"Yes."
"Names, ages, and place of origin?"
"Elyssia. Age twenty. Traveling from the eastern fringe."
"Crystal. Age sixteen. No current affiliation," Crystal said softly.
Cerys paused, eyebrows raised. 'She speaks. Voice like glass on velvet. But no background? No house name? Odd.'
She inscribed two blank ID cards using light glyphs, her fingers deftly weaving minor spell patterns.
"Standard F-Rank licenses. All new adventurers begin there. Your Guild status will rise with successful quests and commendations. These cards are also your ID—don't lose them."
She slid the cards across. Crystal took hers gently.
Elyssia bowed her head slightly. "Thank you."
Cerys nodded in return. "Board's to your left. Start with herb gathering, courier work, or basic extermination. Good luck."
They selected a quest: gathering Glowroot and Silvergrass from the Greenmoor Plains.
As they turned to leave, Crystal's voice broke the silence once more.
"Before that... the library."
"Naturally," Elyssia replied, already leading the way after asking for the directions from Cerys.
The Grand Archive sat at the edge of the Arcane Quarter, surrounded by gardens and scribe towers. Its domes were glass and goldleaf, glowing softly in the fading light.
They entered to the sound of silence—enchanted to preserve focus.
A robed elf greeted them.
"Welcome to the Archive. How may we assist your research?"
Elyssia answered smoothly. "Geography. Political structure. Racial and magical history. Religious canon." Quickly listing of the type of books they were looking for.
'That's quite the list,' the elf thought, impressed. 'They don't look like scholars, but… alright.'
"Please follow me."
They were led to a reserved study chamber, soundproofed and equipped with levitating book trays.
Elyssia moved immediately, pulling scrolls, atlases, and bestiaries in fluent order. Crystal followed slowly, seating herself at the desk and opening a tome on continental history.
'Time to learn,' Crystal thought, her fingers sliding down the page. 'If this world has gods… I want to know which ones people trust. Which ones they fear.'
'And more importantly… which ones are real.'