Alex stood in front of the large quest board inside the guild hall, staring at the dozens of papers pinned to it. Each sheet described a different task.
Some were simple deliveries. Others involved gathering herbs or escorting merchants along dangerous roads. But many of them had the same word written across the top. Monster Hunt.
Alex crossed his arms as he studied the requests.
So this is how people make money in this world.
Behind him, adventurers laughed and talked loudly over mugs of ale. Some wore heavy armor that clanked as they moved. Others carried bows or staffs that glowed faintly with magic.
Alex still felt a little out of place among them.
His clothes were strange, and the only "weapon" he currently owned was a sharpened wooden branch he had picked up earlier.
Yeah… I definitely look like a beginner.
Still, everyone had to start somewhere.
His eyes moved across the board until one particular quest caught his attention.
Quest: Eliminate Shadow Wolves
Location: North Forest
Reward: 10 Silver Coins
Requirement: Beginner Rank Adventurer
Alex's eyes lit up slightly.
Shadow Wolves…
Those were the same monsters he fought the night before. He already knew how they moved and how dangerous they were.
Compared to the other quests on the board, this one felt manageable.
He reached out and pulled the paper down.
Just as he did, a deep voice behind him spoke.
"You planning to take that one?"
Alex turned around.
A large man with a thick beard stood behind him. His leather armor looked worn from years of use, and a large axe rested against his shoulder.
Alex nodded. "Yeah."
The man raised an eyebrow.
"You sure about that?"
Alex frowned slightly.
"Why?"
The man jerked his thumb toward the quest paper.
"Shadow Wolves travel in packs. Beginners usually don't last long if they run into too many."
Alex remembered the terrifying moment the wolves surrounded him in the grass field. He had barely survived that fight. But things were different now. He had the System.
And more importantly…
He had already defeated several of them.
"I'll be careful," Alex said.
The bearded man studied him for a moment before shrugging.
"Your funeral."
He walked away toward the bar.
Alex looked back at the quest paper and headed toward the counter where the red-haired woman sat.
She glanced up as he approached.
"Already picked something?"
Alex placed the quest paper on the counter.
"I'll take this one."
Her eyes scanned the request.
"Shadow Wolves."
She looked at him again, slightly surprised.
"Most beginners start with herb gathering or delivery work."
Alex gave a small shrug.
"I prefer something more… active."
The woman stared at him for another moment before writing something in a large book.
"Alright."
She stamped the paper and handed it back.
"Quest accepted."
Alex nodded.
"Thanks."
As he turned to leave, the woman added one more thing.
"Try not to die out there."
Alex gave a weak smile.
"No promises."
He stepped out of the guild hall and into the bright afternoon sunlight.
The town streets were still busy, but Alex's mind was already focused on the forest.
He needed to prepare.
First, he stopped by a small food stall and bought a piece of bread and roasted meat using the little money he had found in his pocket. The food tasted incredible after everything he had been through.
Next, he visited a simple equipment shop. Inside, a thin old man stood behind the counter polishing a sword.
Alex walked up to him.
"Do you sell cheap weapons?"
The old man glanced at him over his glasses.
"Cheap?"
Alex nodded.
"Very cheap."
The man chuckled and reached under the counter. After a moment he pulled out a short iron dagger.
"Ten copper coins."
Alex looked at the weapon. It wasn't impressive, but it was much better than a wooden stick.
"I'll take it."
After paying, he held the dagger in his hand.
The Analyze skill activated immediately.
Iron Dagger
Quality: Common
Durability: Medium
Alex smiled.
"Good enough."
With food in his stomach and a weapon in hand, he finally left the town through the northern gate.
The road leading to the forest stretched ahead of him. Tall trees stood in the distance, their dark branches swaying slowly in the wind. Somewhere inside that forest were the Shadow Wolves. And this time… Alex was ready.
As he stepped onto the dirt path, the familiar system notification appeared once again.
New System Quest Generated
Objective: Defeat 5 Shadow Wolves
Reward: 100 EXP
Alex grinned.
"Looks like we're thinking the same thing."
He tightened his grip on the dagger and continued toward the forest.
What he didn't know… Was that someone inside the guild hall was watching him leave.
From the shadows near the bar, a hooded figure quietly lowered his drink.
"…Interesting."
The stranger's eyes followed Alex through the window as he walked toward the forest.
"There's something strange about that boy."
And whatever it was… The mysterious watcher intended to find out.