The cobblestone streets of Solen gleamed under the soft radiance of hundreds of floating lanterns. The city was alive that night—music from the plaza danced through the air, laughter from taverns mixed with the scent of grilled meat and roasted nuts. Akari walked among it all, her newly issued adventurer's card tucked neatly in her pouch. She couldn't help but smile, her golden eyes reflecting the lights above.
"So this… is really another world," she murmured in awe, twirling a strand of hair. "Lively people, floating lanterns, and food that makes my tummy protest…"
Her stomach gave a loud growl, interrupting her reverie.
"Et tu, stomach? Can't you at least let me enjoy the atmosphere for five minutes?"
She sighed, both amused and embarrassed, as a nearby vendor chuckled kindly. After all, she'd just passed her "oral" exam—which, as it turned out, was a near-death sword duel with the guildmaster Theo—and was now an official adventurer. If anything, she'd earned the right to celebrate with good food and a warm bed.
Then she remembered Duke Erick's words before she left the castle.
"If you ever need a place to rest, go to the Moon Inn. Show them this pendant."
She reached into her pocket and took out the silver pendant engraved with the crest of House Garner. "Right, the Moon Inn," she said, eyes brightening. "Let's see if that Duke really meant it when he said I'd be 'treated well.'"
After a short walk through the bustling main street, she finally found it—the Moon Inn. It stood grand and proud, three stories tall with glowing blue lanterns that shimmered like moonlight. It looked less like an inn and more like a five-star noble hotel.
Akari whistled. "This isn't an inn. This is a noble's daydream!"
Bracing herself, she pushed open the door. A soft chime rang. Inside, the air smelled faintly of lavender. The lobby floor gleamed, and a chandelier hung like crystallized moonlight. Behind the counter stood a woman in her late twenties, her beauty elegant yet mature. Her golden eyes shifted to Akari with a professional smile.
"Welcome to the Moon Inn," the woman greeted, her tone warm and polished. "How may I assist you tonight?"
Akari blinked, momentarily mesmerized. "A-ah… I, um, would like to rent a room, please."
"Of course," the woman said, tapping something into a crystal register. "That will be ten gold coins per night."
"Ten… gold?" Akari's smile froze. "Uh—haha… I think my wallet just fainted."
She opened her small pouch and counted: twenty shiny gold coins stared back at her. She winced. "That's… half my fortune gone overnight."
The woman tilted her head. "Would you still like to proceed, miss?"
"Wait!" Akari blurted out, rummaging through her bag. "I have this pendant!" She held it out, the silver crest catching the chandelier's light.
For a split second, the woman's eyes widened in surprise before softening into a knowing smile. "Ah, that crest… Please, follow me, Lady Akari."
"Eh? L-Lady?"
"Come this way," the woman said, bowing lightly as she led her upstairs. The hallway was lined with soft carpets and intricate paintings. When they reached the door of an elegant room, the woman turned with a kind smile. "You may use everything here freely—food, clothes, and bath. This pendant marks you as someone deeply respected by the Garner family."
Akari blinked. "So the Duke wasn't joking. He's… way too generous."
"I am Nina, by the way," the woman introduced herself gracefully. "Receptionist and caretaker of this inn. If you need anything, please call for me."
"I'm Akari," she replied cheerfully. "Thank you for the warm welcome, Miss Nina!"
Nina chuckled softly. "Rest well, Lady Akari. You've earned it." With that, she left her alone.
Akari pushed open the door—and gasped. The room was enormous. Velvet curtains, a canopy bed with silk sheets, even a table with fruit and wine. She twirled once, arms spread.
"This is… this is the dream of every tired adventurer!" she laughed. "I could marry this bed!"
She jumped onto it, letting out a blissful sigh. "Soft… fluffy… and smells expensive."
Just before she completely melted into the bed, she sat up abruptly. "Wait—status check first!"
With a flick of her hand, a translucent blue screen appeared before her eyes.
[Status Window Opened]
Name: Akari
Race: Human
Class: Apprentice Adventurer
Level: 3 → 15
HP: 12,460 / 12,460
MP: 290,879 / 290,879
STR: 720
AGI: 845
INT: 880
DEX: 812
LCK: 715
Skills:
Haste (Lv.5)
Vine Hostage (Lv.3)
Fireball (Lv.4)
Power Strike (Lv.1)
Storage (Lv.2)
Adaptability (Lv.2)
"Woooow…" Akari stared, eyes wide. "Five digits HP, and almost three hundred thousand mana?! That's not even fair!"
She grinned proudly, then tilted her head. "So Power Strike is officially in the list now, huh? Well, thank you adaptability system. Guess that fight with Theo wasn't for nothing."
As if responding, her system flickered faintly.
[Adaptability System Notice]
Detected new combat ability integration: [Power Strike].
Skill successfully registered.
Efficiency with mana flow improved by 12%.
Combat instincts evolving.
Akari giggled. "Heh, it's like having a personal tutor that gets me beat up to make me stronger."
Her stomach growled again. "Okay, tutor, time for dinner before I faint."
She changed into one of the free dresses—a simple white and blue outfit—and placed her maid uniform neatly into her Storage. After descending the stairs, she spotted Nina chatting with another woman—tall, wavy-haired, with an elegant yet mischievous smile.
Nina noticed her. "Ah, Lady Akari. Done resting?"
Akari smiled. "Yes! I was planning to grab some food before my body starts a rebellion."
The other woman laughed softly. "You must be the adventurer Duke Erick spoke of." She extended a hand gracefully. "Christina. Head chef of the restaurant across the street—and Nina's old friend."
"Akari," she said, shaking her hand with a smile. "Nice to meet you, Miss Christina!"
Christina's eyes sparkled. "The pendant of the Garner family suits you. Not everyone receives such an honor."
Akari scratched her cheek nervously. "Well, uh… I guess I just got lucky."
Christina and Nina exchanged a look of quiet concern. "Be cautious, Akari," Nina said softly. "The city's been dangerous lately. Slave traffickers have been active even here in Solen."
Akari blinked, her cheerful tone faltering slightly. "Slave traffickers? Here?"
Christina nodded grimly. "They'll target anyone, even adventurers. The Duke's daughter was nearly kidnapped today morning—fortunately, a brave maid stopped them."
"R-Really?" Akari laughed nervously. "What a coincidence…"
Christina's eyes gleamed with admiration. "That maid must've been so cool! Fighting criminals head-on like that!"
Nina chuckled. "Christina tends to dramatize anything heroic."
Akari could only smile awkwardly, thinking, Please don't connect the dots…
But Nina's eyes narrowed playfully. "Wait. Akari… weren't you wearing a maid outfit today? And carrying a sword?"
Akari froze. "Uh-oh…"
Christina gasped. "You're the maid heroine?!"
"W-wait! Shh!" Akari waved her hands frantically. "Please, don't tell anyone! I want people to notice me for my adventurer achievements, not that mess!"
The two women shared a laugh before nodding. "Our lips are sealed," Christina promised.
Just then—growl.
Akari's stomach betrayed her again.
Nina giggled. "Hungry?"
Christina smiled warmly. "Come to my restaurant. Dinner's on me tonight."
"Ehh?! No, no, I couldn't—"
"Think of it as a welcome gift for Solen's newest adventurer."
Akari sighed in defeat. "Well… if you insist!"
The three shared a lovely dinner—Christina's food was divine. Between laughter, stories, and teasing about Akari's appetite, the tension faded. They spoke briefly about the attempted kidnapping, about courage, and the dangers that lurked in the shadows. When the moonlight grew brighter, Akari finally excused herself and returned to her room.
As she lay in bed, she whispered softly to herself, "So much happened today… Becoming an adventurer, fighting a war freak, and almost being found out."
She smiled, eyes slowly closing. "Tomorrow, I'll start my first real quest."
—
The next morning, sunlight filtered through the curtains. Akari woke with a yawn, bathed, and slipped back into her maid outfit—it had become something like her signature gear. When she reached the lobby, Nina greeted her warmly.
"Good morning, Akari. Heading out?"
Akari nodded with a grin. "Yup! Time to earn some gold and glory."
Nina chuckled. "Then take my blessing for safety on your journey."
Akari waved as she stepped out into the lively streets once more.
As she walked, whispers filled the air—people murmuring about strange events near the kingdom borders, but she didn't stop to listen. Her destination: the Adventurer's Guild.
Inside, the guild was even louder than before. Warriors bragged about quests, mages argued over spells, and the smell of steel and ale filled the air. Akari's heart raced with excitement.
"Now this… this feels like an RPG lobby!" she whispered with a grin.
She spotted Arthur behind the counter, sorting documents. When their eyes met, he smiled. "Akari. Congratulations again on becoming an adventurer."
"Thank you! So, about that quest list…"
Arthur chuckled. "I thought you'd say that." He placed three parchment sheets before her. "Before you choose, let me explain something I forgot yesterday—the ranking system."
Akari leaned forward eagerly. "I'm all ears!"
Arthur's calm tone shifted into a teacher's rhythm. "Adventurers are ranked from F to SSS. F is entry level—simple errands. S is for veterans who've survived countless missions. Only a handful ever reach it."
Akari tilted her head. "What about SSS?"
He smiled faintly. "That rank is only rumored. Legends, really."
"And the strongest one now?" she asked curiously.
Arthur hesitated. "…Guildmaster Theo."
Akari blinked, then snorted. "The 'War Freak'?"
A heavy hand suddenly gripped her shoulder.
"Who," a familiar voice rumbled behind her, "did you just call a war freak?"
Akari froze. "Oh no."
She turned her head slowly—Theo stood there, smiling with the intensity of a dragon about to breathe fire.
"Uh, hehe… I mean it affectionately?"
He squeezed slightly. "Affection, huh?"
Arthur coughed politely. "Guildmaster, we were just about to assign Akari's first quest."
Theo released her with a low chuckle. "Don't die too soon, rookie."
Arthur laid the quests before her again. "You may choose one."
Akari scanned the parchment.
Deliver a sealed letter to a researcher in the southeast.
Gather Edge Mushrooms from the Mistwood Forest.
Subjugate a pack of wolves terrorizing the northern path.
Her eyes sparkled. "Easy choice! The wolf subjugation one, please!"
Arthur smiled knowingly. "That one's usually D-rank. But I'll allow it."
Theo added with a grin, "Remember to bring the corpses back. You can sell them for materials."
Akari saluted. "Got it, boss!"
She waved goodbye and left the guild with renewed energy.
As the door closed behind her, Theo's face turned serious. "Arthur."
Arthur straightened. "Yes, Guildmaster."
"What of the reports from the Kingdom of Athens?"
Arthur's expression darkened. "The rumors are true. A monster stampede occurred near their capital. Entire regions have fallen. The survivors speak of a man in black armor—commanding the beasts like his own army."
Theo's jaw tightened. "A commander of monsters? That could threaten Solen itself."
Arthur nodded. "I've sent scouts for more information. But if that man moves west, we'll need to prepare."
Theo's eyes narrowed, a spark of killing intent flickering behind them. "Keep me informed. I'll not let that kind of darkness reach this city."
—
Meanwhile, Akari crouched behind a tall bush at the forest's edge. Her eyes locked onto a pack of ten wolves prowling near the clearing.
She grinned. "Perfect warm-up."
Drawing her sword, she whispered, "Haste."
Her body blurred. In a blink, she dashed forward—vines burst from the ground, entangling half the pack. She raised her hand. "Fireball!"
Two flaming orbs shot out, engulfing the wolves at the flank. The rest howled in confusion before Akari's blade flashed through them like wind. Within seconds, the forest fell silent.
She exhaled, lowering her sword. "And that's how you clear a quest. Easy peasy."
But her system pinged.
[Adaptability Activated]
Analyzing combat pattern… optimizing mana consumption.
Akari smiled proudly. "You're doing great, little system."
She began storing the wolf corpses, humming happily. "I'm definitely getting dinner for free again after this."
Then—her instincts screamed. A dart whistled past her face, embedding itself in a tree trunk.
Her smile faded. "Oh… not again."
From the shadows, a figure lunged—a man in black hood, Akari spun, blocking his strike. The impact sent a jolt through her arms. She kicked him square in the chest, sending him tumbling back.
"You again?" she said sharply, recognizing him from before. "Still trying to kidnap me?"
The man stood, expression hidden under his hood. "You're not wrong. But this time, my orders are clear—bring you to my master."
"Yeah, how about no?" Akari replied flatly. Her vines shot out again, binding his arms. "You should really retire from evil gigs."
The man smirked. "You think you've won?" The dart lodged in the tree began to tremble—then zipped forward, hitting Akari's neck.
Her eyes widened. "Wha—?!"
The world spun. Her body grew heavy.
"It's just a sleep agent," the man said calmly as he tore free of her vines. "Don't take it personally. Orders are orders."
Akari tried to raise her sword, but her strength failed.
Her vision dimmed. "You… jerk…"
Her body fell, the last thing she saw was the man's dark silhouette above her before everything faded to black.
To be continued...