Sitting at a bench in the guild, waiting for Alice to fetch the pendent, I was metaphorically rolling my points across my knuckles. Everything sold out except for the lowest tiered candy, and surprisingly, none of the potions. If I had to guess, it’s probably related to the alchemist's guild; they branded their potions somehow, and are actively discouraging people from buying from others.

It’s best to stick to the mana-candy for now, I’m already stepping into their territory; reproducing one of their products is a slap to the face, one I’m not yet ready to give.

I stared into nothing as I opened up the shop. I’ve been doing that a lot lately. My hands were itching to spend my little fortune, or rather what’s left of it; six-hundred something points, about thirteen gold coins, give or take.

Yeah, I’ve been indulging myself a bit. The ability to see prices and the method for gaining points were both a hundred points. I had more than enough points for the last perk I wanted, Status; however, things didn’t exactly go my way. I still remember the message I got.

[ Transaction incomplete. The maximum number of privileges reached. ]

I wasn't too upset about it, though. I knew something like that was bound to happen. Everything had been going a bit too well. What I did get, though, was a large variety of exotic plants and fruits, all of which shared two common traits; incredibly expensive, and when consumed, would improve a specific attribute, for example, stamina, mana-regeneration, etc.

My hand instinctively went to touch the leather armor tightly strapped around my chest. The feeling was still unfamiliar to me. I was supposed to start my first quest, and I came as prepared as I could ever be. I had a nice dagger tucked in my belt, another in my boots, and a simple spear stored in the shop’s ‘holding room’.

I figured I could hold anything there without offering them for sale. In fact, I have been keeping all the mana-infused items there. I am sure there is a limit to how much I can put there; however, I haven’t seen any signs of it so far. “Sir Edward.” Alice called out to me.

Focusing back on the present, I got up and approached her booth.

She offered me a smile. “Thank you for waiting, sir.” Handing me my pendant, she continued. “You can now accept E and D-ranked quests”

The pendant was much like a dog tag necklace, a silver-colored piece of metal, with words inscribed in a foreign language I couldn’t understand. Once I touched the pendant, it instantly glowed a soft blue light, and the silver color turned slightly bluish.

A second of fascination later, I registered what she said to me and asked. “What about C-ranked quests?”

“I’m sorry, you can’t accept those yet.” Alice apologized. “You have to complete at least ten quests of your current rank to participate in anything higher.”

Ah, so E-ranked quests are off the table.

“I see. Well, do you have a D-ranked quest you recommend?”

“Umm, I’m can, but I would strongly advice on starting out with an E-ranked quest, especially if you’re going alone.”

Believe me, I would do it if I could, but sadly I can’t think of a way of explaining that to Valeriana.

“Unfortunately, I can’t do that.” I replied. “And Valeriana will be joining me later.”

“That’s good to hear.” Her ears twitched as she fumbled through a stack of paper. “I would normally suggest slimes, but there aren’t any available right now.”

She kept digging through a drawer for a few minutes, and as I was contemplating whether to just go check the quest board myself, I heard her exclaim. “Aha.”

It was a quest paper with a rough drawing of a rabbit, and judging by the horn, half its length, sticking out of its head, it wasn’t a regular one.

“Horned rabbits?” I asked, somewhat bewildered. They are described as ‘very fast and agile with a pointed horn’, and remembering yesterday’s spars, I don’t trust their definition of ‘very fast’.

I’m also going to go on a limb here and assume that their horn, with enough momentum, is strong enough to impale me.

“Thank you, Alice. Would you mind checking for something else?”

“Of course.” She replied subdued, her ears flattened against her head.

I’m sorry, but I don’t think I can trust you on this.

Some paper shuffling later, she handed me another paper.

Exterminating a nest of Kuras rats. Not much was mentioned on the quest notice other than to watch out for their numbers, claws, and the possibility of contracting diseases from their bites; however, it was strictly mentioned that this quest can only be accepted by a party of at least two members.

I don’t actually know if Valeriana is going to show up or not. She’s supposed to be joining, it was inferred, but I’m not actually a hundred percent certain.

Alice had been watching me the whole time with expectant eyes. I folded the paper and stuffed it into my pocket. “Thank you, Alice. This is perfect.”

And just like a switch, she perked up instantly. “No, problem si-“

I cut her off. “Also, drop the sir.” She was about to voice her objection, but I cut her off again. “Seriously, just Edward is fine.”

She smiled sweetly. “Okay, Edward.”

“Do you perhaps have a map I could use?” I wasn’t entirely sold on the rodent extermination yet. I was still going to check the quest board, but a map wouldn’t hurt.

“We usually offer a single complimentary map per party, but… I’ll make an exception for you this time. Can you hand me your quest paper?”

Fishing out the piece of paper, I handed it over to her. She pulled out a map from a different drawer as she finished studying the quest note. After a few seconds of contemplation, she circled a location near the city.

I accepted the marked map. “Thank you, Alice. I’ll check the guild archives and head out.”

“Stay safe.” She waved me off.

I have no idea if she knows something regarding our situations nor if all of this is an act, but what I do know is that Argus didn’t strike me as someone who would allow Valeriana, a key ambassador, to be managed by someone incapable. It’s best to tread as carefully as possible here.

I continued my way to the guild’s library. I didn’t want to head to the quest board right away, ruining the whole point of my earlier interaction.

Heading to the monster aisle and ignoring the look of pure contempt Owen shot me, I started searching for my quest target.

The Kuras rats are rodents the size of a small dog. Their strength lies in numbers as they overwhelm their opponents and slowly maul them to death. They would usually occupy a cave, construct a nest, and steadily multiply, taking over the cave system.

Their numbers spread fast, and depending on the nest size, a ranking is issued. Since this is a D-ranked quest and only requiring a minimum of two people, the nest should be newly formed, ranging from ten to twenty members.

Finished with my research, I left for the quest board. Surprisingly, this quest was the best option. Excluding the rabbits, everything else was either more dangerous or required more party members present.

I caught Alice’s curious look and answered with a wave. I contemplated waiting some time for Valeriana but ultimately decided otherwise. I have no idea if she would even show up.

The stares and odd looks were starting to unnerve me, I thought I would get used to them at some point, but I was beginning to question that. I’m going to need to get a cloak at some point; I’m standing out way too much.

The city had two exists, and reaching the southern one, I was met with two pair of questioning looks. No words were spoken as I presented them my pendant and as they took out a piece of transparent red glass and hovered it on top of the pendant. Once the glass piece was straight on top of the pendant, the red dissipated turning into a plain glass shard.

Nodding my way, the guards cleared me out. I could still see an unspoken question lingering in the air; however, neither of them decided to voice it out.

Finding the quest’s location wasn’t difficult. I mostly followed the paved road and started taking turns at a mountainside. I located the nest by widely linking to the earth. The cave had a linear formation, and I found around fifteen of them scattered all over the place but concentrated deep inside, all sharing similar weights, around five kilograms.

The Kuras are supposed to be nocturnal, and while they slept, a small number of the group would be standing as sentries, ready to alert the rest. The problem was that I couldn’t find any. I kept a fair distance away from the entrance and utilized my magic for scouting; I would scan once, wait a few seconds, and repeat.

About fifteen or so minutes later, I located two sentries present; one west, and the other was standing directly above the entrance. I decided on starting out with the western sentry first, and attempting to mask my smell, I scrubbed my body with dirt and leaves.

I opened up the shop’s inventory and got both the spear and a heavy mana-potion out. I slowly crept towards the overgrown rodent. I could clearly see the little bastard now. It was true to the guild’s description; an enormous rat with a dark orange coat and sharp nails.

Close to ten meters away, I stopped as it froze. I wanted to take the shot now, but I was still too far away. The rat started sniffing at the air and seeing as it was a matter of time now until I was discovered, I got a bit closer, took a deep breath, and threw my spear.

A heartbeat later, the rat released a squeak as its chest had a wooden pole sticking through it. Hopefully, I am far enough that the other guard wouldn’t have heard it. I pressed a foot on the carcass and dislodged my spear.

I cleaned the spear as best as I could but decided on abandoning it for now. It reeked of blood, and the second guard would smell it a mile away.

Getting back near the tunnel, I spotted the remaining sentinel. I created the link and cast a spell to trap in the unsuspecting rodent. As soon as the spell formed, I uncorked a mana-potion and downed it, feeling mana worth my manapool multiple times over, entering my body and immediately leaving it.

The sensation sent me buckling, but the little bastard was squashed. I took a breather as my whole body was shaking. The potion's side effects were already kicking in; I could feel a pressure forming at the back of my head. A short while later, I dispelled the earthen cocoon, erasing any signs of magic being used.

What's left was a red puddle with innards floating on top. The sight alone made me gag, but as the smell hit me, I could not hold it in. With my breakfast on the ground, I unsheathed my dagger and headed for the cave entrance.

Walking into the narrow tunnel, I was fortunate that I already threw up since I would have definitely done so. The air in here was musky and carried along with a horrific smell. The only light penetrating was through small cracks in the ceiling. I had a ‘mana torch’ with me, but I didn’t want to alert them yet. I’ve been relying on magic to map out the cave, stopping every few steps to establish the link.

I encountered the first rat shortly after. I could feel my heart pounding in my chest as I slit the sleeping rodent’s throat. The cut was from cheek to cheek, not the cleanest since my hands started vigorously shaking, but it was swift. It woke up and started gurgling for a few seconds but quickly panicked, accelerating the blood loss, and in a matter of seconds, it laid motionless on the ground.

Seven more shared the same fate; the slash of a dagger followed by a swift release. The last eight members of the nest were all together at the end of a blocked pathway. They were split into two equal groups, with one of them further than the other.

I approached the first group, intending on repeating the process, but things didn’t turn out as I planned. As soon as I got close, I heard deep growling. Stepping back slowly, I grabbed the torch and pushed some mana into it, instantly lighting up the cavern.

Four gigantic rats were standing on all fours facing me. Slowly, I pulled the second dagger from my boot and took a stance. My vision was blurry, and my chest started hurting from how badly my heart was beating.

I stood my ground and waited for them to approach me first. The one on the right growled louder and leaped at me. I shoved my arm in its way, hoping it would bite onto the armor, but it sidestepped. It went straight for my neck and jumping back, I barely dodged. It jumped on me again, this time toppling me over.

Falling down, I struck the rodent full force, sending it straight into the wall. It got up, but it was limping now. Before I could stand, the rest of the pack was on me. I met one with a dagger to the stomach, impaling it and getting the dagger stuck in the process. The last two got on top of me, scratching and biting, but the armor was enough to stop that. A few stabs were enough to put them down.

Standing up and recollecting myself. I freed both daggers and continued deeper into the tunnel. The limping rat joined the remaining group. It stood in front of the angry pack-member; however, it was the only one standing. All four of them were laying down and looking more closely; all their stomachs were swollen.

The last male of the pack was standing his ground. I got closer and kicked him off his feet, sending him tumbling. A quick stab to the heart ended his misery. The pregnant females were hunched up, screeching and wailing.

I took no pleasure in what I did. After it was over, I unceremoniously dropped my weapons. I hugged my knees as my whole body was still shaking. Whatever fluid I had in my stomach was brought up. I stayed like that for some time, simply observing my undoing.

As I got my body under control, I created the link and sensed my surroundings one last time, confirming that they had all been sorted out. There were no more rats left, but there was a figure moving straight towards me.

I went straight for my daggers; however, as the mysterious form got closer, I recognized this exact weight as one I had been constantly near for a while now.