Chapter 110: Intermission
Chapter 110: Intermission
Elsewhere in the fantasia realm, just after the tutorial ended.
Qu Quan, Will, and Jake found themselves standing in the middle of a bustling medieval city street, surrounded by perplexed townsfolk going about their daily lives. People gasped and pointed as the trio materialised out of thin air, causing quite a commotion.
"Where are we?" Qu Quan whispered, her eyes wide as she took in the unfamiliar surroundings.
Will glanced around, his brow furrowed. "This doesn’t look like the tutorial at all. Did something go wrong with the teleportation?"
Before they could ponder their predicament further, a tall, middle-aged man with a long beard and a friendly demeanour approached them. He wore a leather vest and a weathered traveller’s hat, giving him the air of a seasoned adventurer.
"Good day, travellers!" the man greeted them with a warm smile. "I couldn’t help but notice your rather unconventional arrival. Did you, by any chance, just make the jump from the tutorial?"
Qu Quan, Will, and Jake exchanged glances, their curiosity piqued. "Yes, we did," Jake replied cautiously. "Is this the Fantasia Realm?"
The man chuckled, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Indeed, it is. Welcome to the world of fantasy, where adventures await at every turn."
He gestured toward a nearby tavern with a wooden sign bearing the image of a dragon.
"Why don’t you join me for a drink and a chat? It’s not every day you meet fellow travellers fresh from the tutorial. My treat."
Qu Quan, Will, and Jake exchanged another glance and then followed the man into the tavern. The interior was dimly lit, with a warm and cosy atmosphere. Patrons sat at wooden tables, sharing tales of their adventures over mugs of frothy ale.
The man led them to a corner table and took a seat. He introduced himself as Toren, a seasoned adventurer who had been in the Fantasia Realm for several years. He was eager to hear about their experiences in the tutorial.
As they sipped on their drinks, Toren inquired, "So, what are your levels and soul tiers?"
Qu Quan, Will, and Jake shared their levels: Qu Quan was at level 34, Will at 35, and Jake at 37. Toren nodded thoughtfully.
"Ah, you’re starting out strong," he remarked. "But there’s much to learn and explore in this realm. Have you heard of the Hunter’s Guild?"
The trio exchanged puzzled glances before shaking their heads.
Toren leaned in, his voice low and conspiratorial. "The Hunter’s Guild is an organisation that connects adventurers with quests, jobs, and opportunities all across the Fantasia Realm. They also offer training, equipment, and support for adventurers like yourselves. It’s an excellent way to earn a living and rise in the ranks."
Will’s eyes sparkled with interest. "That sounds incredible. How do we join?"
Toren smiled, reaching into his pocket and producing three intricately designed emblems. Each bore the insignia of the Hunter’s Guild—a stylized bow and arrow intertwined with a dragon’s scale.
"These are your guild emblems," Toren explained. "Consider them your tickets to a world of adventure. Wear them proudly, and when you arrive at the guild’s headquarters in the city, show them to the receptionist. They’ll guide you from there."
Excitement and anticipation filled the air as Qu Quan, Will, and Jake accepted the emblems. They were eager to embark on their own adventures in this new and fantastical realm.
Toren raised his mug in a toast. "To new beginnings and countless adventures ahead! May your journeys be filled with wonder and challenges worthy of your skills."
The trio clinked their mugs with Toren’s, their hearts brimming with a sense of destiny and the thrill of the unknown. They had left the safety of the tutorial behind and stepped into a world where anything was possible. Fantasia awaited, and they were ready to embrace it with open hearts and minds.
Toren took a sip of his ale and leaned back, his eyes filled with nostalgia. "Ah, the thrill of embarking on one’s first real quest in the Fantasia Realm. It’s a memory I’ll always cherish."
Qu Quan, Will, and Jake listened intently, eager to learn more about this new world they had entered.
"As for me," Toren continued, "I’m currently at level 47, and I’ve been residing in the city of Valeria for quite some time now. Valeria is the capital of the country of Veridia, a place where adventurers from all corners of the realm gather to seek fame, fortune, and glory."
He glanced around the tavern, a sense of pride in his voice. "The city is known for its bustling markets, thriving guilds, and grand coliseum where adventurers can test their mettle in combat. Veridia itself is a powerful nation that shares its borders with several other countries, each with its unique culture and challenges."
Qu Quan couldn’t help but feel a sense of excitement. It was a far cry from their previous lives on Earth.
Toren drained the last of his mug and stood up. "But enough talk for now. If you’re interested, I can take you to the Hunter’s Guild and help you register. They can provide you with more information and suggest some quests to get you started. What do you say?"
Qu Quan, Will, and Jake exchanged glances and then nodded in agreement. Toren’s offer was too good to pass up.
The quartet left the cosy tavern and made their way through the bustling streets of Valeria. The city was a marvel of architecture, with towering spires and bustling marketplaces. It was a stark contrast to the tutorial’s simplicity, and the trio couldn’t help but marvel at the sights and sounds of this new world.
The Hunter’s Guild was a grand building with an ornate facade adorned with dragon motifs. Its double doors opened to reveal a bustling interior filled with adventurers of all kinds. Toren led them to a receptionist, a friendly woman with a helpful disposition.
"These three are fresh from the tutorial," Toren explained, motioning to Qu Quan, Will, and Jake. "They’re looking to join the guild."
The receptionist smiled warmly and handed them each a form to fill out. "Welcome to the Hunter’s Guild! We’re always delighted to welcome new members. Just fill out these forms with your details, and you’ll be officially registered."
After completing the necessary paperwork, the trio handed their forms back to the receptionist, who provided them with their official guild emblems—a mark of their newfound status.
"Now," Toren said with a grin, "I have a few quests in mind that would be perfect for newcomers like yourselves. How about we start with something exciting but manageable? You can choose to work on them individually or as a team."
He gestured to a large board filled with posted quests, each accompanied by details of the mission, rewards, and level requirements. There were quests ranging from simple monster exterminations to treasure hunts and escort missions.
Qu Quan, Will, and Jake huddled around the board, their eyes scanning the available quests. They were spoiled for choice, and each quest seemed more enticing than the last.
Toren leaned in to offer his guidance. "Remember, the Hunter’s Guild is here to support you. If you’re unsure about anything, feel free to ask the experienced adventurers around you for advice. And if you decide to take on a quest, don’t hesitate to call on me. I’d be more than happy to join your party and provide some guidance on your first adventure."
The trio nodded in appreciation. Toren’s offer was a reassuring one, especially as they were still finding their footing in this new world.
With their guild emblems proudly displayed and a wealth of quests to choose from, Qu Quan, Will, and Jake were ready to begin their journey in the Fantasia Realm, not knowing where this fresh start in this whole new world would take them.
Excitement coursed through Qu Quan, Will, and Jake as they browsed the quest board, each quest sparking their curiosity. After a brief discussion, they settled on a quest that involved investigating reports of mysterious disturbances in a nearby forest. It was a straightforward-sounding mission that they believed would be a good starting point.
Toren smiled in approval. "A fine choice for your first quest. Investigative missions can be quite revealing and help you get accustomed to the workings of the Fantasia Realm."
Qu Quan couldn’t shake the nagging feeling that something was amiss about Toren. His overly enthusiastic offer to join them on their quest raised her suspicions. She decided to keep a close eye on him as they set out.
The group left the bustling city of Valeria and ventured into the dense forest described in the quest details. The woods were ancient and cloaked in a thick canopy of leaves that filtered the sunlight, casting dappled shadows on the forest floor.
As they walked deeper into the woods, Toren shared stories of his past adventures and provided valuable tips on navigation, tracking, and wilderness survival. His knowledge was undoubtedly helpful, but Qu Quan couldn’t ignore the lingering sense that he had an ulterior motive for joining them.
After several hours of trekking through the forest, they reached the area where the disturbances were reported. Strange symbols had been etched onto the trees, glowing with an eerie, otherworldly light.
Will examined the symbols, his brow furrowed. "This doesn’t look like the work of a typical forest creature. It’s as if someone or something is trying to communicate."
Before they could investigate further, a low growl echoed through the woods. Out from the shadows emerged a pack of aggressive, wolf-like creatures with glowing red eyes. They were unlike any beasts they had encountered before, their fur matted and dark, and their claws sharp and menacing.
Toren’s expression shifted from one of camaraderie to one of grim determination. "Stay close, everyone. These are Bloodshadow Wolves, formidable foes known for their cunning and aggression."
As the creatures closed in, Qu Quan couldn’t shake the feeling that they had walked into a trap. She watched Toren closely, suspecting that he might have led them here intentionally.
With the Bloodshadow Wolves circling them, the group prepared to fight for their lives. Qu Quan couldn’t help but wonder if their supposed ally was friend or foe in this perilous situation.
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