Alex handed over five gold coins and stepped out of the blacksmith's shop, the weight of his new sword hanging comfortingly at his side. As the door shut behind him, he paused, letting the buzz of Village Tervana wash over him—vendors shouting their wares, adventurers haggling over gear, and the general hum of a world teeming with life.
Next on his list was the Information Hall of [ROA]—his go-to for maps and knowledge. If he was going to make it far in this world, he needed to know what lay beyond the winding village streets.
He strolled through Tervana, his gaze flitting from one colorful storefront to the next. Laughter and chatter drifted through the air—snippets of conversation between fellow [ROA] players echoed tales of legendary monsters and untold riches. The village pulsed with excitement, every corner brimming with the thrill of adventure.
Following the blacksmith's directions, Alex weaved his way through the alley-like paths until he spotted a modest building bearing a neatly carved sign: Information Hall – Your Gateway to Knowledge. A ripple of excitement stirred in his chest as he stepped inside.
The place buzzed with energy. Players decked out in mismatched armor clustered near bulletin boards, exchanging gossip and strategies. Alex made his way to the reception desk, where a cheerful woman named Rein stood waiting with a bright smile.
"Welcome to the Information Hall," she greeted warmly. "What can I help you with today?"
"I'm looking for a world map… and one of the village too," Alex said, unable to hide the anticipation in his voice. "I want to explore, see what's out there."
Rein nodded knowingly and pulled out a pair of parchment maps—one broad and sweeping, the other a more detailed guide to Tervana's layout. "These should do the trick. You'll find quest hubs, resource points, even some rumored dungeons on here."
He paid her in gold, fingers trembling slightly as he took the maps into his hands. Holding them made it real—this journey, this world, all his to discover.
"Thank you," he said, eyes gleaming. "I'm ready to find whatever this world's hiding."
Rein gave him an encouraging nod. "Remember, knowledge is a powerful tool here. If you ever dig up something new, come back—we buy information too. Oh, and don't forget to visit the church once you hit level ten for your class selection. May fortune smile on your path."
"I'll be back," Alex promised with a grin, tucking the maps safely away before stepping out into the sunlit street.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Alex's POV:
As soon as I left the Information Hall, I pulled out the village map, orienting myself toward the Adventurer's Hall. Time to make it official.
The village buzzed with life—players bartering with NPCs, triggering quests, or simply sharing stories. The way these conversations flowed… it was hard to believe they were scripted. Everything felt real. Like I was living inside a waking dream.
Lost in thought, I eventually found myself standing before a towering structure crowned with a massive banner: Adventurer's Hall. I passed through the gate and into a wide, echoing chamber where a scene was already unfolding.
At one of the reception counters, a group of players were locked in a loud argument with a receptionist. I made my way to another desk, hoping to steer clear of the drama.
But the voices were too close to ignore.
"You scammed us!" a man shouted. "That map costs less at the Info Hall!"
The receptionist, visibly trying to stay composed, replied, "Sir, the one sold there is less detailed—"
"Shut up and give me my money back, you whore!" he barked, raising his hand.
But before it could come down, it froze in the air—like someone hit pause.
"What do you think you're doing, young man?" a voice cut through the hall, deep and commanding.
Everyone turned. I did too.
A tall man with a white beard and a presence like a storm stood just behind the offender.
"Sir, I—" the aggressor started, his arrogance quickly dissolving.
"Leave now, or be blacklisted."
A cloaked woman beside the man grabbed his arm. "Let's go, Kain. I won't get banned on my first day because of your tantrum," she muttered, dragging him out. Her voice was sharp, and her tone didn't leave room for argument.
Even after they were gone, the silence lingered like smoke. No one moved, not even me.
Then, the old man chuckled lightly. "Well, apologies for that display. As a gesture of goodwill, everyone here will receive free registration today—and two health potions on the house."
A ripple of surprise passed through the room.
"Lara, see to it that everyone's satisfied," he added.
"Yes, Hall Master," the receptionist replied with a slight bow. So her name's Lara.
I blinked, breaking out of my daze. "Well, guess I owe that hothead a thanks," I thought, a smile tugging at my lips. "Wait… Kain? That name… sounds oddly familiar…"
"Hey, you! Move up!"
"Oh—yeah, sorry, I'm moving," I said quickly, stepping forward in line. "Whatever. Doesn't matter. Gotta focus."
I approached the counter where the receptionist greeted me with a calm, professional tone. "Hello, sir. How may I assist you today?"
"Greetings, miss," I said, trying to sound cool while flashing a polite smile. "I'm new here. I'd like to register as an adventurer."
She looked up from her screen—and blinked. Her voice cracked with surprise. "Wow! Are you… for real?"
"…What!?"