The Free People Coalition.

A long time ago there was a great empire ruling over the region, the empire fell and the nobles started to rule their own region as kings. Eventually, forming the Coalition.

In time, villages, towns, and cities were built around the region. With every city serving as their own capital, the seat of power of the noble's kingdom. Every ruler hated one another thus they lacked an organized military force as a whole, yet they banded together when there were invasions or threats from outsiders.

The areas between human settlements were considered lawless regions with monsters infesting the sectors or other hazardous factors that made travel between places difficult. A specialized profession was established - Adventurers, people who took quests, fought monsters, and completed it for rewards.

It was the Golden Age of Adventurers. Mercenaries branded with another name, they took a very diverse range of quests. Sought a lost cat, guarded people traveling to other towns, slew dangerous monsters near a city, saved a beautiful maiden, held their ground against an army of invaders, destroyed a town with grand magic.

Stories and songs spread far and wide of adventurers quests, both grand and terrible to behold. Children heard their tales and dreamed of making their own adventure.

In time, the Adventurer’s Guild was established to better coordinate adventurers' activity throughout the whole Coalition. Not long after, adventurers could be found throughout the whole continent, although the Coalition remained the region with the most quest givers.

A boy took a wooden stick and went slaying monsters then never came back home was a common story throughout the Coalition back then. The death rate was so high that the rulers were forced to do damage control, however, adventurers had become such a crucial part of the Coalition's workings to be forbidden completely.

To prevent needless children’s death, the guild made a rule that only those with age of above 15 could register as adventurers and created training institutes, so the young would-be adventurers could be taught the know-how of fighting monsters and the basic yet necessary skills such as reading and writing.

As time went by, the Training Centers were considered to be akin to a primary education institute. In a world where monsters ran rampant, to have some ability to defend themselves was crucial. And yet, because of many reasons, nowadays only those who were able to pay the entrance fee could enroll. The sum was quite a burden for families with lower incomes, thus defeating their original purpose.

While the education at the Training Centers managed to lessen the casualties, the cases of fledgling adventurers died during their first few quests remained high whether said adventurer received training or not. But it was not severe enough for those sitting at the top, thus were the state of affairs for the adventurer’s situation at the Free People Coalition.

***

Viers was lying down in a bed made of straw covered with a cloth, his eyes were looking at the wooden ceiling but his mind was elsewhere.

I felt dangerous vibes from those two… If they want to harm me can I prevent them? Unlikely… I can only hope they are not targeting me, shit... what an unpleasant feeling. To be constantly worrying about your own life sucks! I have to stronger, I must! Even if I have to throw up blood! This world is far more dangerous than Earth, the life of a weak person is short and fragile!

Now, what should I do about Gary and Collins? Fighting them is folly, should I give them all the items I have? If it comes to that I can only give them whatever they ask, even if I turn into a penniless pauper, but if they want to kill me… I will kamikaze attack them to do as much damage as possible, maybe I can destroy an eye from one of them.

Then a realization hit his mind.

What if the meal I ate was poisoned? Isn’t it game over already you idiot? Arrrgggh, stupid, stupid… take a deep breath… and exhale. Alright Viers, what’s done is done, learn from this and don’t make the same mistake.

That reminds me, my healing factor! That should give me resistances to poison right? At least in the stories they were… This mutation seems biological, what I know about this world, the Path is about the mastery of Mana. They make you can use wizardry-stuff and make your body stronger, is this related to Mana or completely different? Insufficient data, can’t do anything for now… time to sleep.

Viers's mind drifted to slumber, it had been a long day.

Morning light felt brighter than usual in Viers’s eyes, he felt great, his burns were almost completely healed but he still wrapped it out from sight, his other minor wounds were history. No exhaustion of any kind, Viers was grateful for his healing factor.

He greeted Gary and Collins then ate some breakfast, the menu was some bird they hunted, it was quite juicy and delicious. Viers helped put their baggage to the carriage, fed the two horses, generally, he tried to make himself useful for his possibly dangerous travel companions.

They were ready after a while. Gary and Collins sat at the front to drive the carriage and Viers stayed at the back with the baggage. I wonder what are those, animal meat to sell at the town perhaps? They depart accompanied the sound of a moving carriage.

Viers savored all the sensations he could felt, the sound of clattering hoofs, the creaked of wheels turning, the carriage rocked when making turns, the scent of fresh clean air, of grass and trees, the sight of blue clear skies, all of this Viers enjoyed happily.

How long has it been since I experienced life outside the city? The carriage is a lot slower than a car but no pollution is a plus point, how refreshing.

Time continued to flow, there was no problem during the journey. Gary and Collins were good hosts, they met a few people in the road though each of them minded their own business. Viers also sighted some adventurers looking group.

How young, none of them is past twenty. Their gear isn’t looking impressive either, they must be newbies. Adventurers…

Viers continue looking at them until they are out of sight, all the while searching any information about adventurers that he remembered.

“Hey kid, come over here and take the reins,” said Gary all of a sudden.

Viers snapped back from his daydream replied. “Sir, I don’t know how.”

“Just come to the front and do as I say,” Gary started snarling.

“Yes, sir.” Gary made it clear he won’t take no for an answer.

Viers just did what Gary told him, Collins gave a kind smile as he traded places with Viers then started resting in the back, with a round hat covering his face, he reclined like a cowboy. Gary's lesson was surprisingly good, Gary corrected him from time to time but all in all, it was a good way to pass the time.

As he continued along the road, more and more signs of human activities could be seen. Eventually, Luxore town was in sight.

The town looked lively, most of the houses made of stones with white color, their roofs made with tiles of red brick clay. A simple gate could be seen in front, there was a sign on the gate with clear words - Luxore town. There were guards posted before the gate, checking those who wanted to go inside the town.

The three of them waited for the people in front to finish, after some time, Gary started to look impatient.

“What is your purpose here?” Said the guard, they all wore leather armor with a uniform design. His eyes swept all over Viers and Gary who sat in front.

Gary said nothing, he took out a parchment and gave it to the guard.

“Travel permit... you may pass, remember there shall be no loitering around the town after midnight, or you will be forced to jail.” After checking its context, he returned the parchment. Gary answered with a nod, and the carriage moved inward. Viers continued his survey on the city.

Luxore town could be considered quite prosperous, he saw some high building in the center part of the town. The streets looked clean and well maintained, no heaps of garbage piled up on the streets. The market place was akin to a bazaar with people to and fro.

All in all, bigger and better than Peja town where he came from, though his excitement abated when he compared it with the big cities from Earth. When they arrived at the town square Gary stopped the carriage.

“This is it kid, your destination,” Gary called to him.

“Yes, thank you very much, Mr. Gary, and to you Mr. Collins. I still have money as thanks for your troubles…” Viers went off the carriage and reached out for his money pouch.

“No need for that, young Viers. Helping others when they are in trouble is part of the goddess teachings,” Collins said as he approached closer to stand in front of Viers.

“It was a pleasure meeting you, I hope you success in your studies.” Collins offered his right hand.

“Thank you, where will the two of you go? Are you staying long in the town?” Viers asked while shaking hands.

“We shall see how our business goes, come on brother say your farewell to our traveling companion.” Said Collins while nudging his brother.

“Stay out of trouble kid” Gary curtly said his piece.

“Yes, sir. Thank you both.” Viers watched as they continued on the road.

Whew, thankfully nothing happened, or I simply too paranoid and they are just good samaritans? If so I must pay them back should we ever meet again… I've finally arrived here… Time to find the Adventurer’s Guild.

After asking around he went to the noisier part of the city, makes sense I guess, should be in a place where accessible and have many people. Viers didn’t walk long, the Guild was easy to find.

It was a big building, with a green roof, white stone walls, three stories, Viers went through the main door. Very spacious inside, there was a path that led to the side building. He took a glimpse as he went past, it was a restaurant and mingling area for adventurers. He went straight to the receptionist.

A young woman in her early twenties, green eyes with straight reddish-brown hair split in left and right; the two ends were resting on her shoulders. The low and loose pigtails style tied below her ear gave her a cheerful impression.

“Welcome to Adventurer’s Guild, how may I help you?” She asked with a smile.