Five years had passed since the War Potentials' deaths into the Oblivion Spire, leaving behind a severe scar on humanity's forces. The devastation of their loss shook the earth's foundation, the fourteen families, and much more.
The world was still mourning over their deaths, but not Loria City. The city gave way to adaptation ages ago, promising never to repeat the same mistakes as before.
The Loria's Adventurer's Guild introduced new measures, determined to prevent another tragedy like the War Potential's fall.
The first rule was clear, "No entry into the Tower on the night of a full moon". No matter who you were, this rule applied to everyone. The inexplicable surge in danger that night was deemed far too great a risk.
The second change was stricter requirements for venturing past the 50th floor. Adventurers had to meet specific achievements such as:
• Proof of slaying 60 minotaurs
• Proof of Killing 30 Thunder Minotaurs
• Consistent Tower Entry without Major Injury
• Demonstration of Exceptional Magic ability.
Lastly, parties were now mandatory to be in groups, of more balanced roles.
• A fighter: To handle direct combat and brute force
• A Magician: A Familia member who is capable of using magic.
• A Supporter: To offer healing, tactics, or specialized skills.
These changes helped refine Loria's adventuring ranks. The failures of the past were painful, but they had forged a more disciplined and prepared force to face the Tower's harsh reality.
The Adventurer's Guild was a massive information network and provides as part of Loria's main military as well.
It was the heart of the city.
Its grand stone pillars and ancient language carvings spoke of centuries of tradition. The guild was leagued with all Magic Families, on good terms, which made it the best place to feel safe no matter the problem you had.
A three-story building to which the public only had access to the first floor. Inside, the space was a hall filled with adventurers of several kinds- the seasoned veteran clad in expensive gear, young hopefuls eagerly studying the quest board, and guild clerks managing the chaos as best as they could.
Amidst the chatter and small disputes going on in the halls, a young boy who had just turned eighteen had just stepped foot inside of the guild.
He was dressed in an orange sweater covering his white shirt and brown pants, with a small knife strapped to his waist. Rookie was written all over his face. His bright orange hair did make him stand out in comparison to everyone else, though, since that feature mostly hailed from the Almaty Family.
One of the fourteen Magic Families.
This person was Fugo Almaty.
His orange eyes darted nervously across the room while clutching a crushed flyer in his hand.
He slowly approached the reception desk, where a young woman was stationed.
This woman was one of the many clerks present at the guild, but this one was seemingly younger than the rest.
The clerk was stunning to the eyes. Her long chestnut hair was tied into a neat braid, her green eyes gave a subtle glow as she looked up. Despite the noisy background, her smile never wavered.
As Fugo approached her, she immediately recognized the rookie energy radiating from him.
That, and she recognized the registration flyer in his hand.
"Good morning, first time?" she greeted.
Fugo stammered, "Y-yes, mam...No, sorry, I mean... Miss."
The clerk chuckled, sliding an application form across the counter. "Take your time. We look like we're about the same age, so call me Clara. You are?"
"Fugo Almaty."
"Well, Fugo, welcome to the Loria Adventurer's Guild. Let's get you started!" Clara said cheerfully. "Here, fill this out. It's standard for all new recruits."
Fugo picked up the form, rethinking his decisions as he did with trembling hands.
Deep down, this man was still unsure of himself.
Should he become an adventurer or not?
Clara watched closely at what Fugo was scribbling down. "Your last name is Almaty, You're a special recruit then."
Fugo nodded. "Sorry, but it's nothing like that. The Almaty Family just so happens to be where I was born in. Nothing more."
"I understand."
"Normally, I'd know when a Familia member will be coming to the guild."
Fugo forced a smile, unsure if he should feel relieved or not that he did not have to go in depth about his situation. The next section of the form was about address and status.
When Fugo reached the status section, Clara almost choked on her tea as she read his response mid-writing.
"Wait– Married?" she exclaimed, her cheeks blushing brightly.
"Her name's Lina. She's supportive of me becoming an adventurer."
Clara stared at him in disbelief, then burst into laughter. "Well, Fugo, I wish you the best of luck. You might be the first rookie who has something to lose but still registering for a job like this."
Once again, Fugo was unsure how to take that. Was it a compliment?
After handing over the completed form, Clara gave Fugo his official Adventurer's badge. "Alright, you're all set. Just be careful out there, okay? And be sure to join a party before exploration."
Fugo nodded, putting the badge in his top pocket. "I did it...the first step."
To Fugo, this was the beginning of a new path for him.
Change.
That was his drive for today's actions.
Just Change...He hated himself...who he currently was....And wished to become his ideal self.
At the center of the guild hall stood the quest board, an imposing structure carved from dark oak and standing twice the height of an average man. It was divided into two distinct sections marked by brass plaques.
Monetary Quests: The left side of the board shimmered with neatly pinned parchments detailing quests for acquiring rare items or tower materials. These were straightforward tasks, find this, kill that, and bring back proof for cash rewards.
Exploration Quests: The right side of the board looked less crowded but carried an air of prestige. These missions focused on venturing into unexplored territories of the Oblivion Spire. Exploring the unknown and bringing back vital information to aid humanity's struggle.
The mere thought of exploring the higher floors sent a chill down Fugo's spine. All of a sudden, his legs were shaking. He was not ready for something so grand.
His eyes darted back and forth between the two sections. Should he start small with a monetary quest? Or should he risk embarrassment by typing to join a team tackling an Exploration Quest?
Fugo shuffled closer to the board, his dagger clinking softly against his belt. A dozen adventurers surrounded the board, most of them conversing in tight-knit groups as they debated which quests to take on.
He scanned the crowd, searching for anyone who looked approachable—or better yet, alone.
He glanced around.
Everyone already seemed to be in a party. Over at one corner, a burly man in thick armor slapped his hand against the board, laughing with his companions as he pointed at a high-paying Monetary Quest.
Beside him was a magician in her flowing red robe.
To the right, a trio of young adventurers, perhaps only a few years older than Fugo, huddled together around an Exploration Quest poster, their whispers carrying hints of excitement and friendship.
No one stood alone.
"Maybe this was a mistake," he muttered under his breath.
"Why would anyone want me in their party?"
"I don't even know any magic spells."
"I'll just hold people back."
Despite the nagging thought, Fugo could not pull himself away from the quest board. His eyes lingered on a low-tier Monetary Quest pinned near the bottom. The reward wasn't much —just a handful of coins for retrieving herbs from the Tower's 5th floor—but it seemed manageable.
"Maybe I could... No, what if I hurt myself?" he thought, hesitating to pluck the paper from the board.
"Then I'd have to somehow crawl myself back here, on my own."
Still, something inside him refused to let him give up entirely.
Turning away from the board for a moment, he let his gaze wander across the room yet again.
The guild hall's energy was intoxicating. Adventurers were laughing, arguing, and strategizing at tables scattered across the spacious floor. Some polished their weapons, while others pored over maps.
BAM!
A loud crash drew his attention to a nearby table where a man in a silver helmet banged his fist, roaring with laughter.
"I told you we'd find that beast on the 40th floor!" he exclaimed, raising a tankard of ale. His companions cheered, and Fugo couldn't help but feel a pang of longing for that kind of camaraderie.
"Maybe someday," he whispered.
Returning his attention to the quest board, Fugo resolved to at least take a closer look at the herb retrieval quest.
Just as he reached for the parchment, another group brushed past him, their leader grabbing the same poster with a smirk.
"Sorry, kid," the man said without malice, his broad frame making Fugo shrink back. "You'll need to be quicker if you want to make it here."
Fugo swallowed hard, stepping back to give them space as they pinned another quest in its place.
Standing there among bustling adventurers, alone and unsure, Fugo realized he couldn't put it off any longer. He needed to decide—find a party, take a quest, or leave the guild for now.
"I don't belong here," Fugo sighed, eventually deciding to leave.
Just as he reached the door and pushed it open slightly.
THUD!
He collided with something- or someone.
"OOWW!" came a sharp, exaggerated yelp.
Fugo stumbled back a step, started as the door swung open wider to reveal a young man roughly around his age. He had short brown hair, dark blue eyes, and a slight grin on his face. His blue flower-patterned kimono swayed as he adjusted the sword at his waist.
"Yo! You good?" the guy asked, rubbing his forehead.
"Never mind, you must be okay. You're clearly made of bricks."