Damian pushed open the heavy guild doors. The hall was loud mugs slamming, adventurers laughing, armor clanking. He felt every stare land on him.
"First time?" the clerk at the desk asked, barely looking up from his ledger.
"Yeah. I want to register."
Before the clerk could answer, a sharp voice cut in.
"So you're the rookie who killed a wyvern."
Damian turned. A woman with black hair and piercing green eyes leaned on her staff. Her armor was light but practical, marked with faint scorch marks. She studied him like he was some rare beast.
"…Who's asking?" Damian muttered.
"Elira Veyra. Mage-knight. Silver rank." She stepped closer, eyes narrowing. "And you?"
"Damian Arkwright."
"Strange name. Not local."
He stiffened. "That's"
"Relax." She smirked. "You don't look like you can lie anyway."
A deep voice interrupted. "So it's true. You rely on raw power."
Damian looked to see a tall, scarred man with a massive blade strapped to his back. His gaze was sharp, steady.
"Rowan Hale," he said simply. "Your technique is sloppy. Your body's weak. If you want to live, you train with me."
Damian frowned. "I didn't ask for a trainer."
Rowan shrugged. "Didn't say you had to. You just won't last without one."
A soft laugh followed. "Don't mind him. He's blunt with everyone."
The speaker was a girl in priest's robes, smiling warmly. She clutched a staff topped with silver.
"Mira Solen. Priestess. If you do train with Rowan, you'll definitely need healing. Lots of it."
Damian rubbed the back of his neck. "…Do people here just walk up and adopt strangers, or is it my lucky day?"
Elira smirked. "Not luck. Survival. Lone wolves die fast. You stood out. That wyvern fight? Everyone in this guild is talking about it."
Damian's stomach tightened. "…Great. Just what I wanted."
Inside his head, the AI chimed in, clearer than before. "Analysis: These three individuals possess high potential as allies. Survival odds improve significantly with cooperation."
Damian muttered under his breath. "…You're enjoying this, aren't you?"
"Correct."
Elira raised a brow. "Talking to yourself already? We've got a healer for that too."
Rowan grunted. "So what's it going to be? Join the guild, train, and survive? Or keep pretending you can handle everything alone?"
Mira leaned forward, eyes shining. "Don't worry. We'll look out for you."
Damian hesitated, then sighed. "…Fine. I'll join."
The clerk finally stamped the papers. "Welcome to the Adventurer's Guild. Try not to die."
Laughter and shouting rose from the tables around them. Damian glanced at Elira, Rowan, Mira three strangers who seemed far too ready to drag him into their world.
And for the first time since arriving here… maybe he didn't mind.