I’ve already gotten used to the outfit that Malice gave me, so I’m not gonna spend any more money just to get a guarantee subterfuge, and besides, it’s normal for outsiders to have this kind of clothing.

But I do need a new weapon. The shopkeeper has this thing kept in the back because no one ever really comes to a general store to buy a staff, until now.

{Old Sphere MagiStaff / Rank D / Rare / Physical Attack: 10 / Magical Attack: 100 / Innate Ability: Can be used as Magi-Catalyst}

Unlike the [Rooted Spirit Axe] where I can use it universally for all my spells whether it’s Miracle-type (light), Hex-type (dark), Elemental-type (Pyro, Hydro, etc.) I can only use pure Magic-type as in (Magi) spells and skills on this thing.

Good thing is, I can still activate all of my spells in another form of way and they’re still good even without a staff. Plus, this one that the old man has is cheap.

But am I gonna buy it though?

No.

Pure Magi-type spells are generally… not good – at least until the 3rd DLC comes out – which is called Dawn of Magi. So… I’m not going to be using any of it since the build I have in mind is heavily focusing on both Hex and Miracle.

“I-I’m really sorry, I thought for sure you would be interested. This item is the heirloom of my family and has been passed down for generations.”

“It’s alright, you got anything else for me?”

“Yes, of course, but they’re somewhat… ordinary in nature.”

Browsing beneath the table, he brings out two items and laid down on the counter. A pair of white leather gloves with a few linings from the top all the way to the back connecting to a circle, it’s a simplistic style of the Divine Order.

{Feather of Tranquility / Rank D / Common / Magical Attack: 50 / Magical Defense: 10 / Innate Ability: Can be used as a Catalyst with Hex as an exception}

The other is a wooden staff that is noticeably taller than me. Lots of wrinkles and it doesn’t look sturdy at all.

{Pagrim Staff / Rank F / Uncommon / Physical Attack: 30 / Magical Attack: 100 / Innate Ability: Can be used a Catalyst}

“What’s Pagrim?”

“Ahh, it’s a type of wood from a tree that commonly grows in the outskirt of Krilla’s Dungeon which is far in the north, near the ocean.”

“Is there anything else you can tell me about this staff?”

“Yes, of course. Pagrim Staff, um… it’s being produced exclusively by the intelligent mind of Arcane Academy in the Lorkhan Kingdom’s capital and usually, be the weapon of choice for newcomers. If you head southwest from here, it’ll take about a week if you go by caravan.”

Arcane Academy, it’s a school that teaches all things Arcane. Meaning, from magic, hexes, all the way to miracles. Players are not allowed to even step foot inside thanks to the headmaster there being so overly OP and so strict with its rules.

“Assuming you can already control magic at your age. I’m sure you will be easily enrolled there without any problem.”

“Eh?”

Right, my sad appearance still hasn’t grown much for the past few years so it’s easy to mistake my age. Not really that interested in school though.

They brought up some really bad memories.

In the end, I ended up taking both items, and they cost me 4080 golds, which is about $40 in total. I wore the gloves right away and held the staff in my arm.

Seems to fit me well enough, least for my appearance.

“Alright, so long, old man.”

“Y-Yes, and thanks again… for selling those items to me.”

“Don’t mention it.”

Upon leaving, I passed a gorgeously long black-haired (young) woman in a uniform. Almost as cute and beautiful as me, if not for her stern expression with that sharp look in her shining black eyes, she would be a bit cuter than that.

“Excuse me, how much for that s—”

Her voice is cute too. Still, I think I would be much cuter than her if I were to don my real hair and put on that sweet little side of me.

:3

There is a large building in the center part of the city, it’s wide and tall, even the lord mansion couldn’t compare to how big it is.

“Adventurers Guild, eh… let’s see what’s inside.”

*Clack*

It’s about what you’d expect really. A bunch of mercenaries together in one place, some are looking at the Quest Board, some are being loud as they drank their ale, loitering around on the side – probably looking for teammates – and a few are on the counter.

My curiosity is at peak and I really want to look up to how powerful they are, but every time I inspect them as I walk around looking for that cat man. I got these annoyances.

==== Quick Inspect ====

??? / Level: ??? / Human / Health: ???

==== Quick Inspect ====

Must be the work of worship to the Divine Order. Some of them, I can appraise, but those are the newbies or people that might be worshipping other gods.

The average level is about 20 on the newbies, as for the others, it’s about 70. Weird really, if I remember it right, the old men that were imprisoned alongside me are equals to the newbies in terms of level. Though I can still remember the attack that Boland did, or at least, the skill it uses. No doubt it's not something a low level noobs would have.

Something... there's something I've missed.

“Hey! The girl in the black outfit! With that staff!”

A familiar voice.

I turn to where it came from and turns out it’s the cat man that I’m looking for. He’s smiling upstairs on the second floor. I walk up to him and he offered me a drink with his colleagues.

“So, let me introduce you to our little group here,” Misty Fang’s accent and deep voice are quite calming in this cold atmosphere.

[Misty Fang]: We go by the name of Hill Vines, and there is our dependable Captain right there, Piercer. A very capable warrior, mind you, he is the one that managed to carry all of us in a very tight situation countless times.

[Piercer]: Haha, did that actually ever happen?

A man in leather armor with blonde hair, it’s quite rare to see that combo around since many blonde hairs I’ve seen are either players or nobles which can usually be spotted for high-tier Quest.

[Misty Fang]: And this little girl right here is called Kian, she’s a well-mannered priest and has been keeping the team alive and well throughout our adventure. Of course, despite her appearance, her age is actually enough to qualify as an Adventurer.

[Kian]: N-Nice to meet you.

Cute.

[Misty Fang]: The dwarf over there is Horgan. Alongside Piercer, he carried us with his superb use of spells.

[Horgan]: A pleasure to meet you, my lady.

Slightly bowing at me.

A mage dwarf, that’s not something you see often unless it's players.

[Misty Fang]: Last but not least, this girl right here is called Six Sense. While wielding the same weapon as me, which is Dual-Daggers. She’s not a Rogue, but an Assassin.

That skin.

[Me]: A Dark Elf?

[Six Sense]: …

Her eyes and mine locked onto each other, and for a moment, I look at her in disgust thanks to the word “Elf” being in the mixed in. While I’m certainly not good with elven people – I suppose dark elves are in a separate case, so it’s fine.

Misty Fang suddenly looks uncomfortable.

[Misty Fang]: While it is true that the rumors circulating around the Dark Elves have not been favorable recently. She’s a proud member of ours. Never had she done anything that is against the human law nor anything that is against the Adventurers Guild itself.”

[Me]: Hm, what rumors?

Suddenly, all their eyes opened in surprise.

[Piercer]: Wait, you didn’t know?

[Horgan]: Then if I may ask, do you have some kind of... complication with dark elves??

[Me]: Ahh, I thought for sure I hid it well… Hehe, sorry to make you all uncomfortable but um yeah… not dark elves specifically. Hearing the word elves really just grinds my gears a bit, but then I thought about it again, she’s not pure elven, so it’s fine.

[Six Sense]: You hate elves?

[Me]: Not really, it’s just… as long as they don’t touch me, they won’t lose a finger – is all I’m gonna say.

[Six Sense]: Should I be careful too?

[Me]: Haha, of course not, you don’t have to. Anyway, rather than talking about elves, you guys seem to be well-prepared. About to go on an expedition or something?

[Six Sense]: …

[Piercer]: Goblin Hunting.

[Me]: Oh?

[Misty Fang]: There have been many appearances of those green mutt lately, filling up the Quest Board multiple times a week.

[Me]: Do they pay well too?

[Misty Fang]: Unfortunately, most of these requests came from farmers or the locals, they can barely even afford it.

[Piercer]: The guild, fortunately, is willing to offer additional compensation for those who are willing to take two rolls from the Quest board, and that’s what we’re gonna do.

[Me]: Hmm…

After a few silent moments.

[Misty Fang]: We currently have one more slot to make a full party. What do you think about becoming an Adventurer and join our little group?

[Me]: …

[Kian]: Wait, sir Fang! We can’t just decide something like that on a whim.

[Horgan]: What she said is true, and even if she wants to become an Adventurer. There are still problems if she were to join our group, the higher-ups’ view can significantly impact her career if a Rank F joins a Rank D team. Don't you remember how our little Kian was having trouble with her promotion? And it wasn't that long ago that it happened.

[Six Sense]: What do you think, captain?

[Piercer]: Hmm… isn’t it fine?

[Kian & Horgan]: Eh?