--

As soon as I entered the adventure guild, it was already hustling and bustling with life, packed with adventurers. Because quests were of first come, first serve basis, the adventurers were hogging the notice board, obviously searching for suitable quests.

The guild hall was wide could probably fit about 5 platoons. There were 6 receptionists working respectively on their counters. A small café was on the right side of the guild serving refreshment for adventurers.

I parted ways with Raven Cry as they would submit the quest as a party, and proceeded to an empty - queue counter for submission of the quest.

“What can I help you with sir?”

“I have completed a quest.”

“May I have your guild rank card and the completion slip?”

I handed over my guild card and completion slip where Kole gave to us, still puzzled by how it worked, though, the receptionist acknowledged and proceeded to the back before returning with a pouch of coins.

“Here’s the promised reward, 50 silver. Anything else I could help you with? ”

The reception lady with a beaming smile, handed over a pouch of coins. I slip it into my pocket without checking the amount.

“I would like to see the branch manager. Is he around?”

Perhaps mentioning the branch manager was a big deal by itself, the lady stiffens up, trying to look more professional.

“Yes, the manager is in the guild room. May I ask for the reason?”

I took out the letter from my ‘pocket’ and handed over to the lady. The letter was addressed to the branch manager and Ryle's signature was on it.

“This.... Please wait here for a moment.”

The reception lady took a bow before disappearing into the back of the house.

“Oi, Zeig.”

A familiar hush voice called out to me. Well, There were only few who knew my name, so I could easily guess it.

“Hey, Wolfe… and Oshan.”

“We came to say goodbye to you.”

“Mhm, it nice working with you, Zeig.”

“Likewise. Where are those … two?”

“Meh, they’re gone. Probably went for shopping.”

I bidded them farewell, with a firm handshake that businessmen do.

They probably was about to invite me for a drink or something but knowing that I still have business with the guild, they opened the door and left.

Moments later, the reception lady came back.

“The manager would like to see you. Please follow me.”

I was led into the back of the guild, down the alley, passing a couple of doors before stopping in front of a door. As If hearing our footsteps, the person inside answered even before the lady knocked the door.

“Come in.”

“Yes, I have brought Zeig ”

The lady took a bow and exited the room. A skinny young man, with black spectacle and black short hair, was sitting on a chair; his desk was surprisingly neatly arranged and just like any other room, it has a sofa slightly before the desk.

“The guild master has informed me of you Zeig, but I don't comprehend the meaning of ‘Don’t cause unnecessary trouble for him.”

He made an arrogant smirked that made me have the urge to smack him directly in his face. At least the guild master knew who not to mess with.

“Heh, is that so?”

I smirked, releasing a little of my aura. The little aura spread through the room like a sea current almost entirely covered the room and the moment it touches him, an agony looked was shown instantly.

"woah-woah ! Chill, I was just testing you!"

He stood up abruptly, panting and gasping for breath and gave a bitter smile before introducing himself.

“I am Hemarc, the branch manager of Landow, disciple of the infamous Ryle Crayford”

Ohhh! ‘Infamous Ryle’? So the guild master was probably… I mean, obviously, he was after all the guild master.

“I am Zeig”

I searched through the void storage and took out a damp bundle, warped with a cloth. Hemarc was looking at me with different kinds of expression. Mostly with shock as his eyes were wide and jaw was opened.

I threw the bundle to him

“WHAT THE Hell IS THAT?!”

“That? The bandit leader’s head… what was his name again?.”

“NO ! not This! THAT! The black mass!”

“You mean this? The …”

What was it again? Hmm …

Ahh! Yes!

“It is called Void Storage.”

From what he told me, 'Void Storage' was registered as a lost artifact from the ancient civilization documented in a book. Seriously? Was he lying to me? Since I just named it casually like … few moments prior.

But then again, judging by his exaggerated reaction, it’s probably the truth. I may have to borrow the said book for information.

In the game, a click was all you have to do to open the Storage function. But now, even I do not understand the function of this…void storage.

“Well, I have completed my promised to Ryle. Adieu.”

“W-wait!, Please come back tomorrow, I have something for you.”

I walked out of the room without answering back to the guild hall where a pair of blue eyes was watching me silently.

“C-care for a drink?”

“Oh!! You actually ask me out? Miss Elf. ”

“I-t’s Thalia!, It’s fine that you don’t want to.”

Gah, what’s with the change of attitude?

“Hey, wait up!”

I walked down the streets with Thalia leading me to find a tavern. The natives were by one means or another taking a gander at Thalia with a sickened face, yet none approached her.

I guessed it, judging by the huge amount of humans and not other races here in the streets. Yet, not many show dissatisfaction towards her.

She led me to a wooden house with a wooden sign hanging on top, ‘Ye Olde’.

Outside of the tavern, it looked cheerful and pleasant. It's impossible to see through the windows, but the blaring noises from within could be felt outside.

As Thalia pushes through the thick, wooden door, we’ll welcome by amazing, but unknown scents and a feeling of comfort. Rounded, wooden beams support the roof and the huge lamps attached to them. The walls are full of paintings in the surrounding area, all in a different style. There was a small crowd in the tavern, not disturbed by the sight of an elf.

“Welcome to Ye Olde!”

A middle-aged man greeted us. His face changed instantly upon looking at Thalia…

“Thalia!! Hahaha, I see you brought a.... friend here.”

“Y-yes, he is my friend, Zeig. Zeig, this is Olde, the owner of this tavern.”

“Pleased to meet you.”

“Ohh! A polite young man huh. Good for you, Thalia. The usual drink?”

“Yes, two please.”

“Alright!”

So they knew each other. A human and an elf. I knew it, discrimination wasn’t as a whole. We were guided to an empty table before the drinks were served. I took a sip from the mug and … Oh! It’s … Barley? Delicious.

A few tables away from us, three people were gossiping. And it piqued my interest.

“Hey, you heard? The Baron Valter has been executed.”

“Yeah! I heard that Foulk from the Council of Sixth took him into custody.”

“What?! The Beast Master, Foulk.”

Ahh! So, that was the name of the one-eyed guy and judging by his title, he probably could command beast….

Geh! That's right! So does that mean that the classes in this world were different from ‘Phoenix Online’?!

Hmm … Am I forgetting something? Probably not…

“And rumors said that ‘they’ are off the adventure guild ranking chart! “

“That means they’re a monster?”

“Sheesh, it’s just a rumor and you know how rumors overdo stuff”

That’s nothing! I could destroy this continent if I wanted to! But seriously, if this information serves right, apparently they could pose a danger.

While I was pondering intensely onto this matter, the intense stares from Thalia made me stop my inner monologue.

“Y-ou, what are you?”

“What kind of question is that? I am a well-living huma..-.”

“I have seen it.”

Seen what? Was what I wanted to ask. But, I have already known. Should I go with the flow? Or should I ....

“Seen what?”

“T-the .. W-wings”

“Ha, Yes, I have wings; I am of a proud dragon race!”

‘Vampire- Dragon’ was what I wanted to say. But eh, was it a good idea to tell her? Too late. Better gave her a warning.

“You know, you should probably keep it as a secret, it could get ridiculously dangerous once I am exposed. But I certainly thought it was strange, though, how could you, a little elf knew?”

“N-no way, a dragon….No wonder…”

She stared at a blank space, probably still shocked from the outrages revelation. Seriously? Haven’t you seen before a dragon in a human skin? Well, perhaps it’s rare to see a dragon.

After snapping back to reality, Thalia told me that elves, in general, excel in magic and able to sense Mana. But she was a unique born elf, with the ability to see a person’s mana capacity and sense at the same time. And my Mana was insanely huge which the bottom couldn’t be seen. It piques her interest as she had seen before, but not this huge. And when I asked her who and where did she saw it, she shakes her head.

“J-just .. Be careful.”

Was what she said.

Hmm... Someone out there could pose a threat to me?

It was already nightfall, when we got out from the tavern.

"Well, see you around, Thalia. Give my greetings to the other."

"Yes. I will. Goodbye."

I parted ways with Thalia and searched for the mentioned inn.

Jak’s inn. Was said to be the beginner’s inn, cheap and comfortable. Not that I need sleep, but at least I could make my nest here for awhile.

“I need a room.”

10 silver for a night, 13 silver with meals, 15 silver with meals and water.”

The receptionist must have worked for long, saying it in one shot. I took out 5 gold and placed it on the table.

“I would like to stay for a month.”

Basically, the number of days are the same as Earth. There are 365days in a year and 31 days in a month.

I took the room key and bid farewell to the young lady, who was probably shocked by a number of days I am staying in.

The room was simple, a rectangle small window beside a single bed, desk, and chair.

Moonlight filtered in through the open window as I stood by the window, gazing the moon, longing for the home I called Earth.

It’s absolutely scary, being tossed into an unknown world, feeling empty. What do I do now? Should I find my way home? Who send me here? What is the reason? Too many unanswered questions and too little information I have. Besides the objective I have in mind right now, I have no clear goals. And I need them, for my purpose in life, to keep me going, to keep my sanity intact. I am a living human (once) after all.

Hah, well, on the bright side, at least for now, I knew that I am alive and all – powerful. Yet, recalling the crucial information on the council of Sixth, I really wondered how strong they were and what threat could they posed to me.

Well, since I am already here, perhaps having a little tiny test should help me .....

----