Morning came quietly.
Razan opened his eyes and stared at the ceiling of the inn.
For several seconds, he didn't move.
His body felt heavy.
Not injured.
Just exhausted.
Every muscle seemed to remember what had happened the day before.
He slowly raised one arm.
His shoulder ached.
He moved his fingers.
They were fine.
His legs were another matter.
Razan let out a long sigh.
Chapter 9 — The Beginning of an Adventurer
Morning came quietly.
Razan opened his eyes and stared at the ceiling of the inn.
For several seconds, he didn't move.
His body felt heavy.
Not injured.
Just exhausted.
Every muscle seemed to remember what had happened the day before.
He slowly raised one arm.
His shoulder ached.
He moved his fingers.
They were fine.
His legs were another matter.
Razan let out a long sigh.
He looked at his palm.
The strange black mark was still there.
It hadn't disappeared.
It hadn't changed either.
It simply remained.
Like something waiting.
Razan closed his hand.
He didn't understand what was happening to him.
And that bothered him.
Before he could think about it any further, there was a knock at the door.
"Wake up."
Razan immediately recognized the voice.
"Already awake."
"Good."
The door opened.
Zailthar entered without waiting for permission.
Razan looked at him.
The Black Dragon Tyrant looked exactly as he always did.
Calm.
Untouched.
Not even slightly tired.
Razan narrowed his eyes.
"You look annoyingly fine."
Zailthar raised an eyebrow.
"And you look like you were dragged behind a wagon."
"Whose fault is that?"
"Yours."
Razan sighed.
He knew better than to argue.
Zailthar walked toward the window.
"We are going to the Adventurers' Guild."
Razan sat up.
"For what?"
"You forgot already?"
Zailthar looked back at him.
"The report."
Razan's expression changed.
"Oh."
"And the body."
Razan stared at him for a moment.
"You still have it?"
"Of course."
Zailthar tapped the magic bag hanging at his side.
"I told you I would hand it over to the guild."
Razan nodded.
He had almost forgotten about that.
The creature had been killed by Zailthar, and its body had been stored inside the magic bag.
The guild would examine it.
At least, that was the plan.
"What do you think they'll find?" Razan asked.
"Probably very little."
"That's encouraging."
"I'm not here to encourage you."
"Right."
Zailthar turned toward the door.
"Get ready."
Razan climbed out of bed.
As he dressed, he couldn't help thinking about what would happen when the guild saw the creature.
He still didn't know what it was.
It had looked like a little girl.
But it had not been human.
Not even close.
Its movements.
Its strength.
Those claws.
And the way it had looked at him...
Razan shivered.
Whatever that thing was, he was glad it was dead.
At least, he hoped it was.
The next morning, the Adventurers' Guild was already busy.
The large hall was filled with adventurers.
Some were eating breakfast.
Others were checking the job board.
A few were returning from overnight hunts, their armor covered in dirt and monster blood.
The usual noise filled the building.
Razan walked beside Zailthar toward the counter.
The receptionist who had helped Razan when he first arrived noticed them immediately.
She smiled.
"Good morning."
"Morning," Razan replied.
"We're here to submit the report."
The receptionist nodded.
"Of course."
Razan pulled out the report he had prepared.
It contained everything he could remember.
The location.
The underground passage.
The bones.
The strange room.
The creature.
The battle.
And the fact that Zailthar had killed it.
The receptionist accepted the report and began reading.
Her expression slowly changed.
At first, she looked curious.
Then confused.
Then concerned.
"You actually found the missing-person case location?"
"Yes."
"And this creature was inside?"
"Yes."
She looked toward Zailthar.
"And you brought evidence?"
Zailthar nodded.
He reached into his magic bag.
The receptionist expected perhaps a piece of bone.
Maybe a claw.
Something small.
She was not prepared for what came next.
Zailthar placed something on the counter.
A head.
A little girl's head.
The receptionist froze.
The entire area around them seemed to become quiet.
Someone nearby stopped talking.
Another adventurer lowered his cup.
Razan watched the receptionist's face lose its color.
She stared at the head.
Then at Zailthar.
Then back at the head.
Her lips parted.
"Y-you..."
Zailthar waited.
"You killed..."
Her voice trembled.
"That... little girl?"
Razan immediately understood what she was thinking.
"Wait."
He raised his hands.
"It's not what it looks like."
Several guild members had already begun looking in their direction.
One man stepped closer.
"What happened here?"
The receptionist looked horrified.
"Lord Zailthar..."
Zailthar sighed.
"You people are remarkably quick to misunderstand."
He reached into his magic bag again.
Then he placed the rest of the body on the counter.
The silence became absolute.
The body looked almost human at first glance.
Almost.
Then they saw the hands.
Long claws.
Sharp enough to tear flesh.
The fingers were completely unnatural.
Several guild members stared.
One of them swallowed hard.
"What..."
She couldn't finish.
Razan watched her expression change from horror to confusion.
"This isn't human."
"No," Zailthar said.
"Then what is it?"
Zailthar looked at the corpse.
"If I knew, I wouldn't have brought it here."
Nobody answered.
The guild members stared at the body.
They had dealt with monsters before.
They had seen strange creatures.
They had seen things that looked human.
But this was different.
The creature's appearance made it difficult to understand what they were looking at.
It looked like a child.
But the claws made it impossible to believe.
The corpse itself offered no easy explanation.
One guild member finally whispered,
"What kind of monster looks like this?"
Nobody answered him.
Another adventurer stepped closer but stopped before touching it.
"Could it be some kind of transformation?"
"Maybe."
"Or a cursed human?"
"Maybe."
"But those claws..."
The discussion slowly became quieter.
The receptionist looked at Razan.
"You said it was living underground?"
"Yes."
"And there were bones?"
"Everywhere."
She swallowed.
"Then we'll have to send a team there."
Zailthar nodded.
"That's what you should do."
The receptionist looked down at the report again.
"Where exactly?"
Razan explained the location.
He gave them the route he had taken and described the entrance to the underground area.
The guild immediately began making preparations.
After some time, the receptionist looked back at Razan.
"We'll send people to verify the location and examine the evidence."
Razan nodded.
"Then what?"
"Once everything is confirmed, we'll continue your registration."
Razan blinked.
"Continue?"
"You haven't officially completed it yet."
"Oh."
She smiled apologetically.
"Normally, we would have completed the process sooner. But considering the circumstances, we'll need to verify your report first."
Razan nodded.
"Understood."
"In the meantime, you'll have to wait."
Razan looked around the guild.
Wait.
That was probably the worst thing someone could tell him.
He had already spent enough time doing nothing.
"Okay."
He turned around.
"If that's all, I'll go back to the inn."
He took one step.
"Razan."
He stopped.
Zailthar was looking at him.
"Did you forget something?"
Razan frowned.
"No."
Zailthar stared at him.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
Zailthar walked over.
Then—
Thwack.
"Ow!"
Razan grabbed his head.
"What was that for?!"
"Training."
Razan stared at him.
Zailthar crossed his arms.
"Did you forget?"
Razan's mouth opened.
Then closed.
He looked toward the guild's entrance.
Then toward Zailthar.
"...I did."
"Obviously."
Razan rubbed his head.
"Can't I rest for one day?"
"You can."
Razan's face brightened.
"Really?"
"You can rest when you're dead."
The smile disappeared.
"...I hate you."
"I've heard worse."
Razan sighed.
But as he walked beside Zailthar toward the exit, his expression slowly became serious.
Zailthar was right.
Yesterday had proved something.
Razan had survived the creature underground.
But he hadn't won.
He had lost control.
He had nearly become something he didn't understand.
And if Zailthar hadn't been there...
Razan stopped walking.
What would have happened?
The thought made his stomach tighten.
He couldn't rely on Zailthar forever.
One day, there would be a situation where Zailthar wasn't there.
One day, Razan would have to protect himself.
Maybe someone else.
Maybe innocent people.
Maybe even Zailthar.
He shook his head.
No.
He needed strength.
Real strength.
Not the kind that only looked impressive.
The kind that allowed him to survive.
The kind that allowed him to remain in control.
"Come on," Zailthar said.
Razan followed.
They left Vareth through the western gate.
The city disappeared behind them as they walked toward the forest.
They stopped in a clearing just outside the town.
The forest stood ahead.
Large.
Quiet.
Ancient.
Zailthar turned toward Razan.
"Get ready."
Razan raised his fists.
"Now?"
"Now."
Zailthar took a few steps away.
"Attack me."
Razan tightened his grip.
"With everything?"
"With everything."
Razan lowered his stance.
He remembered the wolves.
He remembered the creature underground.
He remembered every time he had been unable to react fast enough.
He took a breath.
Then moved.
His first step was fast.
His second was faster.
He swung his sword toward Zailthar's shoulder.
Zailthar moved half a step.
The blade missed.
Razan immediately changed direction.
He didn't try to stop his momentum completely.
Instead, he pivoted and used it to bring the sword back around.
Zailthar blocked with his forearm.
The impact sent a vibration through Razan's hands.
"Better."
Razan gritted his teeth.
He stepped forward again.
A thrust.
Zailthar shifted his body.
Razan followed.
A horizontal slash.
Blocked.
Low strike.
Avoided.
Razan changed his footing.
He remembered what Zailthar had taught him.
Don't stare at the weapon.
Watch the body.
The shoulders.
The hips.
The feet.
The balance.
He saw Zailthar's weight shift.
Razan attacked immediately.
His sword came toward Zailthar's ribs.
Zailthar caught his wrist.
Razan's eyes widened.
Zailthar twisted.
Razan was thrown onto his back.
Thud.
The air left his lungs.
"Again."
Razan coughed.
"You're enjoying this."
"No."
Zailthar waited.
"Again."
Razan stood.
And attacked.
The training continued.
This time Razan didn't simply rush forward.
He tried to control the distance.
He attacked.
Retreated.
Circled.
Tested Zailthar's guard.
Sometimes he created an opening.
Sometimes he imagined one.
Sometimes Zailthar allowed one.
Whenever Razan became too predictable, Zailthar punished him.
A tap to the wrist.
A strike against his shoulder.
A kick against his leg.
A controlled blow to the stomach.
Nothing that would seriously injure him.
But enough to remind Razan of every mistake.
Hours passed.
Razan's breathing became heavier.
His arms began to feel like stone.
Sweat soaked his clothes.
His movements became slower.
Zailthar noticed.
"Your feet."
Razan tried to correct them.
"Too wide."
Razan adjusted.
"Too much weight on your front leg."
He adjusted again.
"You're breathing through your mouth."
Razan closed it.
Zailthar struck him.
Razan barely blocked.
"Don't hold your breath when you attack."
Razan exhaled.
Another exchange.
This time he lasted longer.
Then another.
Longer again.
By the time the sun reached its highest point, Razan dropped onto the grass.
"I'm done."
Zailthar looked at him.
"We're having lunch."
Razan stared.
"That's the nicest thing you've said all day."
Lunch was simple.
Bread.
Meat.
Water.
Razan ate like he hadn't seen food in days.
Zailthar watched him silently.
"Slow down."
Razan ignored him.
"If I slow down, you'll tell me I'm wasting time."
"I might."
"Exactly."
After eating, Razan rested for several minutes.
Then training resumed.
The afternoon session was different.
Zailthar no longer allowed Razan to simply attack.
Instead, he forced him to move through the clearing while Zailthar attacked from different angles.
Razan had to react.
A branch snapped.
He turned.
A stone flew toward his head.
He ducked.
Another came from the side.
He raised his arm.
It struck him.
"Too slow."
Razan gritted his teeth.
He listened.
The forest.
The wind.
The insects.
Zailthar's footsteps.
His own breathing.
The training from the past weeks began to make sense.
Razan couldn't see everything.
So he needed to notice everything.
When Zailthar disappeared behind a tree, Razan didn't immediately chase him.
He stopped.
Listened.
Nothing.
Then—
A faint rustle behind him.
Razan spun.
His sword came up.
Zailthar's wooden training blade stopped just before his face.
Razan froze.
Zailthar lowered it.
"Better."
Razan smiled.
A small smile.
He had reacted.
Not perfectly.
But he had reacted.
Then Zailthar kicked his leg out from under him.
Razan fell.
"Your lower body is still terrible."
The smile disappeared.
"You could praise me properly once."
"I just did."
"That wasn't praise."
"It was."
Razan stood again.
They continued.
This time Razan lasted until sunset.
When they finally stopped, he couldn't feel his arms.
He couldn't feel his legs.
He wasn't sure his spine was still attached to his body.
Zailthar looked at him.
"Tomorrow."
Razan stared at him in disbelief.
"Tomorrow?"
"Yes."
Razan nearly collapsed.
"Why do you hate me?"
"I don't."
"Then why?"
"Because you're weak."
Razan's expression hardened.
He looked toward the setting sun.
"I'll get stronger."
Zailthar smiled faintly.
"I know."
Razan barely remembered returning to the inn.
He ate.
He washed himself.
And then collapsed onto the bed.
He was asleep before his head completely touched the pillow.
The next morning, Razan woke feeling like he had been reborn.
Not because he felt good.
Because he felt terrible.
He sat up slowly.
"Everything hurts."
Zailthar looked at him from across the room.
"Good."
Razan stared at him.
"I don't think that word means what you think it means."
Zailthar ignored him.
"Get ready."
"For training?"
"No."
Razan blinked.
"The guild."
Razan immediately remembered.
His registration.
"Right."
They left the inn.
When they entered the guild, Razan immediately noticed something different.
The receptionist looked unusually cheerful.
She spotted him and smiled.
"Razan!"
He walked toward the counter.
"Good morning."
"Good morning."
She placed several documents on the desk.
"I have good news."
Razan raised an eyebrow.
"The team returned?"
"Yes."
"And?"
"They confirmed everything."
Razan nodded.
The receptionist smiled.
"So we can finally complete your registration."
Razan smiled.
"Finally."
She laughed.
"I suppose you've been waiting."
"More than you know."
She straightened.
"Before we begin, I should probably introduce myself properly."
She placed a hand against her chest.
"My name is Mira."
Razan nodded.
"Mira."
"It's nice to officially meet you, Razan."
She glanced toward Zailthar.
"And Lord Zailthar, of course."
Zailthar gave a small nod.
Mira turned back to Razan.
"Follow me."
She led him deeper into the guild.
They entered a room containing a large crystal sphere mounted on a stone pedestal.
Razan stared at it.
"What is that?"
"The status measurement crystal."
Mira gestured toward it.
"It measures the basic status of an adventurer."
"Level?"
"Level, physical ability, magical capacity, and several other factors."
Razan looked at Zailthar.
Zailthar simply said,
"Do it."
Razan approached the crystal.
He placed his hand against its surface.
For a moment, nothing happened.
Then light spread through the sphere.
Symbols appeared.
Numbers followed.
Mira's eyes widened.
She stared at the display.
Razan looked at her.
"Is something wrong?"
She didn't answer.
"Mira?"
She finally blinked.
"No."
She looked at him again.
"Nothing is wrong."
Then she smiled.
"It's just..."
She looked at the status again.
"You are quite high-level for a rookie."
Razan blinked.
"Really?"
"Yes."
She shook her head.
"I've seen plenty of new adventurers before. Most people who arrive for their first registration don't have numbers like yours."
Razan glanced toward Zailthar.
Mira followed his gaze.
Then laughed softly.
"I suppose I should have expected that much from Lord Zailthar's student."
Zailthar said nothing.
Razan smiled awkwardly.
Mira turned back to the crystal.
"Still, your adventurer rank is separate from your personal strength."
She took out a card.
"Even if you're strong, you have to start at the bottom."
She handed it to him.
Razan looked down.
The guild card was small and sturdy.
His name was engraved across it.
Razan.
And beneath it:
F-Class Adventurer.
He smiled.
"F class."
"Yes."
Mira continued explaining.
"Your rank will increase as you complete jobs and meet the guild's requirements."
"How long will that take?"
"That depends on you."
She pointed toward the job board.
"As an F-class adventurer, you can accept F-class jobs and one rank above you."
"E-class."
"Exactly."
"Can I accept D-class jobs if I think I can handle them?"
"No."
"Even if I'm strong enough?"
"No."
Razan sighed.
"Guild rules?"
"Guild rules."
He looked at the card again.
F-class.
It was the lowest rank.
But Razan didn't mind.
Everyone had to start somewhere.
This was his first real step.
He had spent months training under Zailthar.
He had survived monsters.
He had crossed Dhulmir Forest.
He had faced something he couldn't understand.
But none of that had made him an adventurer.
This card did.
For the first time, he had something that belonged entirely to him.
His own name.
His own rank.
His own path.
Razan closed his fingers around the card.
This is only the beginning.
His first job was simple.
A request to hunt a group of low-level monsters near the edge of the forest.
Nothing dangerous.
Nothing impressive.
Exactly what he needed.
Razan took the job and headed toward the forest.
He also accepted a herb-gathering request.
The pay wasn't much.
But it was money.
Money he had earned himself.
He entered the forest alone.
For the first hour, nothing happened.
Then he heard a rustle.
Razan stopped.
His hand moved toward his sword.
A small creature emerged from the bushes.
It looked like a round ball of fur with four short legs.
A Forest Muncher.
Weak.
Mostly harmless.
But it could bite.
The creature charged.
Razan stepped sideways.
The monster passed him.
He turned and struck with the flat of his sword.
Thud.
The creature rolled across the ground.
It immediately stood again.
Razan frowned.
"So you're tougher than you look."
The monster charged again.
This time Razan didn't attack immediately.
He waited.
The creature jumped.
Razan stepped back and let it pass.
Then he struck its side.
The creature fell.
It didn't get back up.
Razan stared at it.
"That was it?"
He shook his head.
"Zailthar would probably say I wasted too much movement."
He continued forward.
A little later, he found the herbs he needed.
He crouched and carefully collected them.
He had learned that herbs were more valuable when collected without damaging the roots.
It wasn't difficult.
Just tedious.
He filled half his bag before hearing another noise.
This time it was different.
Three small monsters emerged between the trees.
Fang Rats.
Their bodies were about the size of a small dog.
Their teeth were sharp.
Their eyes were aggressive.
Razan drew his sword.
Three.
Not dangerous.
But enough to require attention.
The first rat charged.
Razan moved sideways.
He swung.
The blade struck its shoulder.
The rat stumbled but continued.
Razan stepped back.
The second attacked from his left.
He raised his sword and blocked its bite with the flat of the blade.
The impact forced him backward.
Razan kicked the creature away.
The third was already moving.
He saw it.
This time, he didn't panic.
He turned his body and let it pass.
His sword moved immediately after.
One clean strike.
The creature fell.
The first rat came again.
Razan changed his grip.
Instead of swinging wildly, he waited until it was close.
Then he stepped forward.
His blade struck the monster's neck.
It fell.
The last one hesitated.
Razan stared at it.
The rat stared back.
Then it ran.
Razan lowered his sword.
"Smart."
He didn't chase it.
There was no reason to waste energy.
He cleaned his blade and continued gathering herbs.
A few hours later, he found another group of weak monsters.
Then another.
None of them were strong.
But each one taught him something.
Sometimes he fought.
Sometimes he avoided them.
Sometimes he used the terrain.
Sometimes he made mistakes.
Once, he stepped into a muddy patch and nearly fell while fighting a small horned lizard.
Another time, he underestimated a monster's speed and received a shallow cut across his sleeve.
It wasn't serious.
But it reminded him of Zailthar's lessons.
Don't assume something is weak just because it looks weak.
By late afternoon, Razan had completed both requests.
He had several monster materials in his bag.
A bundle of herbs.
And enough dirt on his clothes to make him look like he had fought a war.
He looked toward Vareth.
For a moment, he smiled.
It wasn't much.
No legendary monster.
No powerful enemy.
No great achievement.
Just a few small hunts and a bag full of herbs.
But it was his first day.
His first real job as an adventurer.
Razan started walking back toward the city.
As he walked, he looked at his guild card again.
F-Class Adventurer — Razan.
He smiled.
There was a long road ahead.
He knew that.
There would be stronger monsters.
Stronger adventurers.
More mysteries.
More battles.
And somewhere in the darkness, there were still unanswered questions.
The Thirteen.
The strange creature underground.
The black mark on his palm.
The voice he had heard.
Take.
Consume.
Absorb.
Razan's smile slowly faded.
He closed his hand around the guild card.
Whatever waited ahead...
He would face it.
But this time, he would become stronger before it arrived.
Behind him, deep within the forest, something moved between the trees.
Razan didn't notice.
He simply continued walking toward Vareth.
Toward the beginning of his life as an adventurer.
After Zailthar had brought him back to the inn, Razan had eaten whatever food was placed in front of him and fallen asleep almost immediately.
He hadn't even bothered changing properly.
Now that he was awake, however, another thought came to his mind.
The creature.
The underground room.
Those bones.
That strange hunger.
And the voice.
Razan's expression became serious.
He looked at his palm.
The strange black mark was still there.
It hadn't disappeared.
It hadn't changed either.
It simply remained.
Like something waiting.
Razan closed his hand.
He didn't understand what was happening to him.
And that bothered him.
Before he could think about it any further, there was a knock at the door.
"Wake up."
Razan immediately recognized the voice.
"Already awake."
"Good."
The door opened.
Zailthar entered without waiting for permission.
Razan looked at him.
The Black Dragon Tyrant looked exactly as he always did.
Calm.
Untouched.
Not even slightly tired.
Razan narrowed his eyes.
"You look annoyingly fine."
Zailthar raised an eyebrow.
"And you look like you were dragged behind a wagon."
"Whose fault is that?"
"Yours."
Razan sighed.
He knew better than to argue.
Zailthar walked toward the window.
"We are going to the Adventurers' Guild."
Razan sat up.
"For what?"
"You forgot already?"
Zailthar looked back at him.
"The report."
Razan's expression changed.
"Oh."
"And the body."
Razan stared at him for a moment.
"You still have it?"
"Of course."
Zailthar tapped the magic bag hanging at his side.
"I told you I would hand it over to the guild."
Razan nodded.
He had almost forgotten about that.
The creature had been killed by Zailthar, and its body had been stored inside the magic bag.
The guild would examine it.
At least, that was the plan.
"What do you think they'll find?" Razan asked.
"Probably very little."
"That's encouraging."
"I'm not here to encourage you."
"Right."
Zailthar turned toward the door.
"Get ready."
Razan climbed out of bed.
As he dressed, he couldn't help thinking about what would happen when the guild saw the creature.
He still didn't know what it was.
It had looked like a little girl.
But it had not been human.
Not even close.
Its movements.
Its strength.
Those claws.
And the way it had looked at him...
Razan shivered.
Whatever that thing was, he was glad it was dead.
At least, he hoped it was.
The next morning, the Adventurers' Guild was already busy.
The large hall was filled with adventurers.
Some were eating breakfast.
Others were checking the job board.
A few were returning from overnight hunts, their armor covered in dirt and monster blood.
The usual noise filled the building.
Razan walked beside Zailthar toward the counter.
The receptionist who had helped Razan when he first arrived noticed them immediately.
She smiled.
"Good morning."
"Morning," Razan replied.
"We're here to submit the report."
The receptionist nodded.
"Of course."
Razan pulled out the report he had prepared.
It contained everything he could remember.
The location.
The underground passage.
The bones.
The strange room.
The creature.
The battle.
And the fact that Zailthar had killed it.
The receptionist accepted the report and began reading.
Her expression slowly changed.
At first, she looked curious.
Then confused.
Then concerned.
"You actually found the missing-person case location?"
"Yes."
"And this creature was inside?"
"Yes."
She looked toward Zailthar.
"And you brought evidence?"
Zailthar nodded.
He reached into his magic bag.
The receptionist expected perhaps a piece of bone.
Maybe a claw.
Something small.
She was not prepared for what came next.
Zailthar placed something on the counter.
A head.
A little girl's head.
The receptionist froze.
The entire area around them seemed to become quiet.
Someone nearby stopped talking.
Another adventurer lowered his cup.
Razan watched the receptionist's face lose its color.
She stared at the head.
Then at Zailthar.
Then back at the head.
Her lips parted.
"Y-you..."
Zailthar waited.
"You killed..."
Her voice trembled.
"That... little girl?"
Razan immediately understood what she was thinking.
"Wait."
He raised his hands.
"It's not what it looks like."
Several guild members had already begun looking in their direction.
One man stepped closer.
"What happened here?"
The receptionist looked horrified.
"Lord Zailthar..."
Zailthar sighed.
"You people are remarkably quick to misunderstand."
He reached into his magic bag again.
Then he placed the rest of the body on the counter.
The silence became absolute.
The body looked almost human at first glance.
Almost.
Then they saw the hands.
Long claws.
Sharp enough to tear flesh.
The fingers were completely unnatural.
Several guild members stared.
One of them swallowed hard.
The receptionist slowly leaned forward.
"What..."
She couldn't finish.
Razan watched her expression change from horror to confusion.
"This isn't human."
"No," Zailthar said.
"Then what is it?"
Zailthar looked at the corpse.
"If I knew, I wouldn't have brought it here."
Nobody answered.
The guild members stared at the body.
They had dealt with monsters before.
They had seen strange creatures.
They had seen things that looked human.
But this was different.
The creature's appearance made it difficult to understand what they were looking at.
It looked like a child.
But the claws made it impossible to believe.
The corpse itself offered no easy explanation.
One guild member finally whispered,
"What kind of monster looks like this?"
Nobody answered him.
Another adventurer stepped closer but stopped before touching it.
"Could it be some kind of transformation?"
"Maybe."
"Or a cursed human?"
"Maybe."
"But those claws..."
The discussion slowly became quieter.
The receptionist looked at Razan.
"You said it was living underground?"
"Yes."
"And there were bones?"
"Everywhere."
She swallowed.
"Then we'll have to send a team there."
Zailthar nodded.
"That's what you should do."
The receptionist looked down at the report again.
"Where exactly?"
Razan explained the location.
He gave them the route he had taken and described the entrance to the underground area.
The guild immediately began making preparations.
After some time, the receptionist looked back at Razan.
"We'll send people to verify the location and examine the evidence."
Razan nodded.
"Then what?"
"Once everything is confirmed, we'll continue your registration."
Razan blinked.
"Continue?"
"You haven't officially completed it yet."
"Oh."
She smiled apologetically.
"Normally, we would have completed the process sooner. But considering the circumstances, we'll need to verify your report first."
Razan nodded.
"Understood."
"In the meantime, you'll have to wait."
Razan looked around the guild.
Wait.
That was probably the worst thing someone could tell him.
He had already spent enough time doing nothing.
"Okay."
He turned around.
"If that's all, I'll go back to the inn."
He took one step.
"Razan."
He stopped.
Zailthar was looking at him.
"Did you forget something?"
Razan frowned.
"No."
Zailthar stared at him.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
Zailthar walked over.
Then—
Thwack.
"Ow!"
Razan grabbed his head.
"What was that for?!"
"Training."
Razan stared at him.
Zailthar crossed his arms.
"Did you forget?"
Razan's mouth opened.
Then closed.
He looked toward the guild's entrance.
Then toward Zailthar.
"...I did."
"Obviously."
Razan rubbed his head.
"Can't I rest for one day?"
"You can."
Razan's face brightened.
"Really?"
"You can rest when you're dead."
The smile disappeared.
"...I hate you."
"I've heard worse."
Razan sighed.
But as he walked beside Zailthar toward the exit, his expression slowly became serious.
Zailthar was right.
Yesterday had proved something.
Razan had survived the creature underground.
But he hadn't won.
He had lost control.
He had nearly become something he didn't understand.
And if Zailthar hadn't been there...
Razan stopped walking.
What would have happened?
The thought made his stomach tighten.
He couldn't rely on Zailthar forever.
One day, there would be a situation where Zailthar wasn't there.
One day, Razan would have to protect himself.
Maybe someone else.
Maybe innocent people.
Maybe even Zailthar.
He shook his head.
No.
He needed strength.
Real strength.
Not the kind that only looked impressive.
The kind that allowed him to survive.
The kind that allowed him to remain in control.
"Come on," Zailthar said.
Razan followed.
They left Vareth through the western gate.
The city disappeared behind them as they walked toward the forest.
They stopped in a clearing just outside the town.
The forest stood ahead.
Large.
Quiet.
Ancient.
Zailthar turned toward Razan.
"Get ready."
Razan drew his training wooden sword.
"Now?"
"Now."
Zailthar took a few steps away.
"Attack me."
Razan tightened his grip around the wooden sword.
"With everything?"
"With everything."
Razan lowered his stance.
He remembered the wolves.
He remembered the creature underground.
He remembered every time he had been unable to react fast enough.
He took a breath.
Then moved.
His first step was fast.
His second was faster.
He swung the wooden sword toward Zailthar's shoulder.
Zailthar moved half a step.
The blade missed.
Razan immediately changed direction.
He didn't try to stop his momentum completely.
Instead, he pivoted and used it to bring the weapon back around.
Zailthar blocked with his wooden training sword.
The impact sent a vibration through Razan's hands.
"Better."
Razan gritted his teeth.
He stepped forward again.
A thrust.
Zailthar shifted his body.
Razan followed.
A horizontal slash.
Blocked.
Low strike.
Avoided.
Razan changed his footing.
He remembered what Zailthar had taught him.
Don't stare at the weapon.
Watch the body.
The shoulders.
The hips.
The feet.
The balance.
He saw Zailthar's weight shift.
Razan attacked immediately.
The wooden sword came toward Zailthar's ribs.
Zailthar caught his wrist.
Razan's eyes widened.
Zailthar twisted.
Razan was thrown onto his back.
Thud.
The air left his lungs.
"Again."
Razan coughed.
"You're enjoying this."
"No."
Zailthar waited.
"Again."
Razan stood.
And attacked.
The session continued.
This time Razan didn't simply rush forward.
He tried to control the distance.
He attacked.
Retreated.
Circled.
Tested Zailthar's guard.
Sometimes he created an opening.
Sometimes he imagined one.
Sometimes Zailthar allowed one.
Whenever Razan became too predictable, Zailthar punished him.
A tap to the wrist.
A strike against his shoulder.
A kick against his leg.
A controlled blow to the stomach.
Nothing that would seriously injure him.
But enough to remind Razan of every mistake.
Hours passed.
Razan's breathing became heavier.
His arms began to feel like stone.
Sweat soaked his clothes.
His movements became slower.
Zailthar noticed.
"Your feet."
Razan tried to correct them.
"Too wide."
Razan adjusted.
"Too much weight on your front leg."
He adjusted again.
"You're breathing through your mouth."
Razan closed it.
Zailthar struck him.
Razan barely blocked with the wooden sword.
"Don't hold your breath when you attack."
Razan exhaled.
Another exchange.
This time he lasted longer.
Then another.
Longer again.
By the time the sun reached its highest point, Razan dropped onto the grass.
"I'm done."
Zailthar looked at him.
"We're having lunch."
Razan stared.
"That's the nicest thing you've said all day."
Lunch was simple.
Bread.
Meat.
Water.
Razan ate like he hadn't seen food in days.
Zailthar watched him silently.
"Slow down."
Razan ignored him.
"If I slow down, you'll tell me I'm wasting time."
"I might."
"Exactly."
After eating, Razan rested for several minutes.
Then training resumed.
The afternoon session was different.
Zailthar no longer allowed Razan to simply attack.
Instead, he forced him to move through the clearing while Zailthar attacked from different angles.
Razan had to react.
A branch snapped.
He turned.
A stone flew toward his head.
He ducked.
Another came from the side.
He raised his arm.
It struck him.
"Too slow."
Razan gritted his teeth.
He listened.
The forest.
The wind.
The insects.
Zailthar's footsteps.
His own breathing.
The training from the past weeks began to make sense.
Razan couldn't see everything.
So he needed to notice everything.
When Zailthar disappeared behind a tree, Razan didn't immediately chase him.
He stopped.
Listened.
Nothing.
Then—
A faint rustle behind him.
Razan spun.
His sword came up.
Zailthar's wooden training blade stopped just before his face.
Razan froze.
Zailthar lowered it.
"Better."
Razan smiled.
A small smile.
He had reacted.
Not perfectly.
But he had reacted.
Then Zailthar kicked his leg out from under him.
Razan fell.
"Your lower body is still terrible."
The smile disappeared.
"You could praise me properly once."
"I just did."
"That wasn't praise."
"It was."
Razan stood again.
They continued.
This time Razan lasted until sunset.
When they finally stopped, he couldn't feel his arms.
He couldn't feel his legs.
He wasn't sure his spine was still attached to his body.
Zailthar looked at him.
"Tomorrow."
Razan stared at him in disbelief.
"Tomorrow?"
"Yes."
Razan nearly collapsed.
"Why do you hate me?"
"I don't."
"Then why?"
"Because you're weak."
Razan's expression hardened.
He looked toward the setting sun.
"I'll get stronger."
Zailthar smiled faintly.
"I know."
Razan barely remembered returning to the inn.
He ate.
He washed himself.
And then collapsed onto the bed.
He was asleep before his head completely touched the pillow.
The next morning, Razan woke feeling like he had been reborn.
Not because he felt good.
Because he felt terrible.
He sat up slowly.
"Everything hurts."
Zailthar looked at him from across the room.
"Good."
Razan stared at him.
"I don't think that word means what you think it means."
Zailthar ignored him.
"Get ready."
"For training?"
"No."
Razan blinked.
"The guild."
Razan immediately remembered.
His registration.
"Right."
They left the inn.
When they entered the guild, Razan immediately noticed something different.
The receptionist looked unusually cheerful.
She spotted him and smiled.
"Razan!"
He walked toward the counter.
"Good morning."
"Good morning."
She placed several documents on the desk.
"I have good news."
Razan raised an eyebrow.
"The team returned?"
"Yes."
"And?"
"They confirmed everything."
Razan nodded.
The receptionist smiled.
"So we can finally complete your registration."
Razan smiled.
"Finally."
She laughed.
"I suppose you've been waiting."
"More than you know."
She straightened.
"Before we begin, I should probably introduce myself properly."
She placed a hand against her chest.
"My name is Mira."
Razan nodded.
"Mira."
"It's nice to officially meet you, Razan."
She glanced toward Zailthar.
"And Lord Zailthar, of course."
Zailthar gave a small nod.
Mira turned back to Razan.
"Follow me."
She led him deeper into the guild.
They entered a room containing a large crystal sphere mounted on a stone pedestal.
Razan stared at it.
"What is that?"
"The status measurement crystal."
Mira gestured toward it.
"It measures the basic status of an adventurer."
"Level?"
"Level, physical ability, magical capacity, and several other factors."
Razan looked at Zailthar.
Zailthar simply said,
"Do it."
Razan approached the crystal.
He placed his hand against its surface.
For a moment, nothing happened.
Then light spread through the sphere.
Symbols appeared.
Numbers followed.
Mira's eyes widened.
She stared at the display.
Razan looked at her.
"Is something wrong?"
She didn't answer.
"Mira?"
She finally blinked.
"No."
She looked at him again.
"Nothing is wrong."
Then she smiled.
"It's just..."
She looked at the status again.
"Your level is 17. You are quite high-level for a rookie. Most rookie adventurers are usually around level 6 or 7, though some reach level 8 or 9."
Razan blinked.
"Really?"
"Yes."
She shook her head.
"I've seen plenty of new adventurers before. you are quiet exceptional"
Razan glanced toward Zailthar.
Mira followed his gaze.
Then laughed softly.
"I suppose I should have expected that much from Lord Zailthar's student."
Zailthar said nothing.
Razan smiled awkwardly.
Mira turned back to the crystal.
"Still, your adventurer rank is separate from your personal strength."
She took out a blank guild card and led him back to the counter. There, she placed the card inside a small magical device and began preparing it. After a few moments, the surface of the card shimmered with light, and letters slowly appeared across it.
Once the process was complete, she handed the card to Razan.
"This is your guild card," she explained. "It contains your name, rank, and other important information. You can also use it to track your progress, including your level, MP, and other status details."
Razan examined the card with interest.
"Even if you're strong, you have to start at the bottom."
Razan looked down.
The guild card was small and sturdy.
His name was engraved across it.
Razan looked down at the guild card in his hand.
Razan.
And beneath it:
F-Class Adventurer.
He smiled.
"F class."
"Yes."
Mira continued explaining.
"Your rank will increase as you complete jobs and meet the guild's requirements."
"How long will that take?"
"That depends on you."
She pointed toward the job board.
"As an F-class adventurer, you can accept F-class jobs and one rank above you."
"E-class."
"Exactly."
"Can I accept D-class jobs if I think I can handle them?"
"No."
"Even if I'm strong enough?"
"No."
Razan sighed.
"Guild rules?"
"Guild rules."
He looked at the card again.
F-class.
It was the lowest rank.
But Razan didn't mind.
Everyone had to start somewhere.
This was his first real step.
He had spent months training under Zailthar.
He had survived monsters.
He had crossed Dhulmir Forest.
He had faced something he couldn't understand.
But none of that had made him an adventurer.
This card did.
For the first time, he had something that belonged entirely to him.
His own name.
His own rank.
His own path.
Razan closed his fingers around the card.
This is only the beginning.
His first job was simple.
A request to hunt a group of low-level monsters near the edge of the forest.
Nothing dangerous.
Nothing impressive.
Exactly what he needed.
Razan took the job and headed toward the forest.
He also accepted a herb-gathering request.
The pay wasn't much.
But it was money.
Money he had earned himself.
He entered the forest alone.
For the first hour, nothing happened.
Then he heard a rustle.
Razan stopped.
His hand moved toward his sword.
A small creature emerged from the bushes.
It looked like a round ball of fur with four short legs.
A Forest Muncher.
Weak.
Mostly harmless.
But it could bite.
The creature charged.
Razan stepped sideways.
The monster passed him.
He turned and struck with the flat of his sword.
Thud.
The creature rolled across the ground.
It immediately stood again.
Razan frowned.
"So you're tougher than you look."
The monster charged again.
This time Razan didn't attack immediately.
He waited.
The creature jumped.
Razan stepped back and let it pass.
Then he struck its side.
The creature fell.
It didn't get back up.
Razan stared at it.
"That was it?"
He shook his head.
"Zailthar would probably say I wasted too much movement."
He continued forward.
After walking for a while, Razan found the herbs he needed for the same hunting request. The guild had included herb gathering as part of the job because the herbs grew in the area where the monsters were found.
He crouched and carefully collected them.
He had learned that herbs were more valuable when collected without damaging the roots.
It wasn't difficult.
Just tedious.
He filled half his bag before hearing another noise.
This time it was different.
Razan stood.
Three small monsters emerged between the trees.
Fang Rats.
Their bodies were about the size of a small dog.
Their teeth were sharp.
Their eyes were aggressive.
Razan drew his sword.
Three.
Not dangerous.
But enough to require attention.
The first rat charged.
Razan moved sideways.
He swung.
The blade struck its shoulder.
The rat stumbled but continued.
Razan stepped back.
The second attacked from his left.
He raised his sword and blocked its bite with the flat of the blade.
The impact forced him backward.
Razan kicked the creature away.
The third was already moving.
He saw it.
This time, he didn't panic.
He turned his body and let it pass.
His sword moved immediately after.
One clean strike.
The creature fell.
The first rat came again.
Razan changed his grip.
Instead of swinging wildly, he waited until it was close.
Then he stepped forward.
His blade struck the monster's neck.
It fell.
The last one hesitated.
Razan stared at it.
The rat stared back.
Then it ran.
Razan lowered his sword.
"Smart."
He didn't chase it.
There was no reason to waste energy.
He cleaned his blade and continued gathering herbs.
A few hours later, he found another group of weak monsters.
Then another.
None of them were strong.
But each one taught him something.
Sometimes he fought.
Sometimes he avoided them.
Sometimes he used the terrain.
Sometimes he made mistakes.
Once, he stepped into a muddy patch and nearly fell while fighting a small horned lizard.
Another time, he underestimated a monster's speed and received a shallow cut across his sleeve.
It wasn't serious.
But it reminded him of Zailthar's lessons.
Don't assume something is weak just because it looks weak.
By late afternoon, Razan had completed both requests.
He had several monster materials in his bag.
A bundle of herbs.
And enough dirt on his clothes to make him look like he had fought a war.
He looked toward Vareth.
For a moment, he smiled.
It wasn't much.
No legendary monster.
No powerful enemy.
No great achievement.
Just a few small hunts and a bag full of herbs.
But it was his first day.
His first real job as an adventurer.
Razan started walking back toward the city.
As he walked, he looked at his guild card again.
F-Class Adventurer — Razan.
He smiled.
There was a long road ahead.
He knew that.
There would be stronger monsters.
Stronger adventurers.
More mysteries.
More battles.
And somewhere in the darkness, there were still unanswered questions.
The Thirteen.
The strange creature underground.
The black mark on his palm.
The voice he had heard.
Take.
Consume.
Absorb.
Razan's smile slowly faded.
He closed his hand around the guild card.
Whatever waited ahead...
He would face it.
But this time, he would become stronger before it arrived.
Behind him, deep within the forest, something moved between the trees.
Razan didn't notice.
He simply continued walking toward Vareth.
Toward the beginning of his life as an adventurer.