My Adventure Begins

The journey was over.

The trip had taken three months, after all, they had not been marching at full speed.

Kate's arm had already healed. After escaping the goblins' territory, she had not encountered any more danger.

The medicine Mel Carlo had given her was very effective, and Kate's arm had not become infected.

"Mel, farewell. I'll be training at the Adventurer's Guild in Oak City too. And I'll take this unfinished packet of medicine powder with me."

"Farewell, Kate Green..." Mel Carlo was not particularly happy. His gaze remained calm, and only after she left did he let out a sigh.

No matter what secret one had, there was always a chance it would be exposed, unless one forgot it entirely. Mel Carlo took it well.

"Boss Mel." Freli stood before Mel, rubbing his palms together with a smile plastered across his face.

Though he had been suspected of betraying Mel, he had done his duty throughout the journey. Even if he could not get the remaining 1,500 Auren, another 500 would do.

"Although I don't really want to give it to you, I'm still a man of my word. Here's the remaining 1,500 Auren." Mel Carlo took out one gold coin and five silver coins, handing them to Freli without hesitation.

If he had been in Freli's position, it would indeed have been difficult to withstand the gang's pressure. The biggest problem was that he had carelessly revealed how the silver coins were used.

After Freli accepted the 1,500 Auren, Mel Carlo had only one silver coin left. But there was no need for him to panic. As long as he did not starve to death, nothing else mattered.

"Mr. Freli, if you can do me a favor, I can give you another silver coin." Mel Carlo looked at the crafty merchant before him. He wanted to return that wallet, but he could not go himself.

Freli had naturally guessed what the little brat in front of him wanted him to do.

Without any hesitation, he shook his head. "Boss Mel, I can't help you with this. I'm afraid I won't be able to return to the Imperial City for a long time. Helping you escape will definitely make the Imperial City Gang hold a grudge against me."

"No one knows you helped me."

"No, that's not how it works. There are never too few eyes in this world." Freli knew when to quit. He would not return to the Gard Empire's Imperial City, at least not until he had the ability to protect himself. He would not go back to that hellhole.

"Lord Mel, take care of yourself. Put on another layer." The short-haired girl sincerely bid Mel Carlo farewell. She did not know where she would go next. Merchants who traveled the world had no fixed home.

Winter had ended, but spring had not fully warmed up yet. He really should wear another layer. Without special medicine, even catching a cold or running a fever could be fatal.

"Farewell, Claire." Mel Carlo turned and headed into the city. He had finally returned to the beginner's city from the game, and even its gates looked newer than they had in the game.

Every sight at the city gates was immensely familiar. After all, this was a landmark location. A moat ran around the outside of the city, and without the Demon King's Army's disturbances, the place seemed peaceful and tranquil.

The river, fed by melted snow, looked especially clear. He walked into the city step by step.

He stopped on the bridge by the gates and looked up at the towering city walls. A wave of emotion rose in his heart. He was just as amazed as when he had first played this game. "My adventure begins."

After entering the city, the scenery changed drastically. It was very different from the game. To account for performance and playtime, the towns in the game had basically been scaled-down versions. Now, he was standing in the real Oak City.

Still, he had expected this. It had been the same when he was in the Imperial City before. He could recognize a few streets, but most of the city had never appeared in the game, and the various districts were quite far apart as well.

According to the Imperial Calendar, it was now the spring of Imperial Calendar Year 201. He ought to celebrate his birthday properly, but he did not know the birthday of this body's original owner. In his previous life, he had never had a proper birthday either. When he was young, he had looked forward to birthdays, but after being disappointed too many times, he gradually stopped expecting anything.

A birthday did not seem any different from any ordinary day.

"First, I need to settle two things: the Adventurer's Guild and a place to stay." Mel Carlo wandered aimlessly through the city. Occasionally, he stopped by a stall and pretended to browse, when he was actually asking about the precise locations of the city's various facilities.

After walking around for some time, he finally found the Adventurer's Guild.

At that moment, quite a few adventurers in the Adventurer's Guild were drinking. The scent of malt filled the hall, teams chatted cheerfully among themselves, people at the counter were accepting quests, and others nearby were collecting their rewards.

The main doors were tightly shut, keeping the freezing wind outside from reaching the guild hall.

"Miss, another drink!" A man whose face was red with drink still shouted for more. He heavily set his cup down on the table.

Since it was a wooden cup, it would not shatter on impact like a ceramic one.

"Drinking so happily today—did you complete your last quest?"

"Of course! I made a fortune off that quest. I've got to drink my fill."

Just as the atmosphere was cheerful, the long-silent doors of the Adventurer's Guild were pushed open. At the sound, the adventurers all turned their attention toward the entrance, wanting to see who had arrived.

A green little kid walked in.

Someone immediately joked, "Who is that? Your son?"

"Who knows? Probably someone's kid."

Ignoring everyone's mockery, Mel Carlo headed straight for the guild receptionist.

The girl, who had just finished registering a newcomer, noticed Mel Carlo's arrival as well. Her first thought was that he must be an adventurer's child looking for his parent.

"Hello, little brother. Who are you looking for?"

"I'm not looking for anyone. I want to become an adventurer."

"Hm? An adventurer's work is very dangerous, and you're a little too young." The girl looked at Mel Carlo, somewhat troubled.

The guild had never stated what age someone had to be to register as an adventurer, because adventuring did not have many requirements. The main thing was whether one had the strength to defeat monsters.

The guild merely provided a platform where employers could post requests and adventurers could accept quests. But she did not want this child to recklessly throw away his life.

"Haha, go home and find your mother."

"This isn't a place for you."

"Kid, if you run into a monster, it'll eat you up."

The laughter and taunts from those around him never stopped, but Mel Carlo ignored them all. He was not a child, so naturally he did not feel embarrassed or humiliated by such words. He merely found them noisy.

"What are the requirements for becoming an adventurer? I know I look very young." Mel Carlo's voice remained calm, but his expression was utterly serious.

For a moment, the receptionist froze. Was this really a child? She shook her head slightly, suddenly unsure of herself.

"If you want to become an adventurer, we first need to test what skills you've mastered. You need to have mastered at least one skill."