My Adventure Begins

The journey has ended.

It took three months to get here, as it wasn't a forced march.

Kate's arm wound had healed. After escaping the goblin territory, they hadn't encountered any further dangers.

The medicine Mel Carlo had given her was effective; Kate's arm hadn't become infected.

"Mel, until we meet again. I'll be honing my skills at the Oak City Adventurer's Guild. And I'm taking this unused powder with me."

"Goodbye, Kate Green..." Mel Carlo didn't seem particularly happy. His eyes remained calm. Only after she had left did he let out a sigh.

Any secret, no matter how well-kept, had the potential to be exposed unless one forgot it. Mel Carlo had a good mindset about it.

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

Although he had a suspicion of having betrayed Mel, fortunately, he had performed his duties diligently throughout the journey. Even if he couldn't get the remaining 1500 Oren, getting another 500 Oren would be fine.

"Although I'm a bit reluctant to give it to you, I am a person of my word. Here are the remaining 1500 Oren." Mel Carlo produced one gold coin and five silver coins, handing them over to Freli with great generosity.

If he were in Freli's shoes, he would indeed find it difficult to withstand the pressure from the gang. The biggest problem was that he had carelessly revealed the use of silver coins.

After Freli took the 1500 Oren, Mel Carlo was left with only one silver coin. However, he didn't feel any panic. As long as he didn't starve to death, nothing else mattered.

"Mr. Freli, if you could do me a favor, I can give you another silver coin." Mel Carlo looked at the cunning merchant before him. He wanted to return the wallet, but he couldn't do it himself.

Freli had naturally guessed what the impudent kid in front of him wanted.

Without any hesitation, he directly shook his head. "Boss Mel, I can't help you with this. I'm afraid I won't be able to go to the Imperial City for a long time. Helping you escape would surely incur the wrath of the Imperial City Gang."

"No one knows you helped me."

"They will. This world is never short of eyes." Freli knew when to stop. He wouldn't return to the Imperial City of the Gard Empire, at least not until he had the ability to protect himself, not to that hellhole.

"Lord Mel, take care of yourself and wear more clothes." The short-haired young girl bid Mel Carlo a sincere farewell. She wasn't sure where she would go next. Merchants traveling the world had no fixed abode.

Winter had ended, but spring hadn't fully warmed up yet. It was indeed time to add another layer of clothing. Without special medicine, a cold or fever could be fatal.

"Farewell, Claire." Mel Carlo turned and walked towards the city. He had finally returned to the new player city in the game. The gate was even newer than the one in the game.

Every scene at the city gate was incredibly familiar, as it was a landmark location. A moat ran from outside the city. Without the Demon King's Army's disturbances, it appeared peaceful and serene.

The river water, after the snow melted, looked exceptionally clear. He walked step by step towards the city.

Stopping on the city gate bridge, he glanced at the tall city walls, a wave of emotion washing over him. His feelings were the same as when he first played the game, filled with awe. "My adventure has begun."

After entering the city, the scenery had changed significantly, very different from the game. In the game, to accommodate performance and playtime, the towns were basically scaled-down versions. Now, he was in the real Oak City.

However, he had anticipated this. It was the same when he was in the Imperial City before. There were a few streets he recognized, but most of it was parts that hadn't appeared in the game, and the distances between different areas were quite far.

According to the Imperial Calendar, it was now spring of the year 201 of the Imperial Calendar. He should have had a proper birthday. But he didn't know the original body's birthday. His past self hadn't celebrated a decent birthday either. When he was younger, he still had some expectations for birthdays. Later, after too many disappointments, he gradually stopped having any expectations.

Birthdays seemed no different from any other ordinary day.

"I need to take care of two things first: the Adventurer's Guild and a place to stay." Mel Carlo wandered aimlessly through the city, occasionally stopping at stalls, pretending to want to buy something, but actually inquiring about the locations of various facilities in the city.

After walking for a while, he finally found the location of the Adventurer's Guild.

At the Adventurer's Guild, many adventurers were drinking. The aroma of malt filled the hall, and various parties were conversing happily. People were also picking up quests at the counter, while others were settling their rewards.

The doors were tightly shut, and the cold wind outside couldn't reach the guild hall.

"Miss, another drink!" A man, his face flushed red from drinking, still shouted for more. He placed his wine glass heavily on the table.

Because it was a wooden cup, it wouldn't shatter instantly like a ceramic one.

"Drinking so heartily today, did you complete your last mission?"

"Of course! I made a fortune from that mission, so I have to drink my fill."

Just as the atmosphere was pleasant, the long-silent Adventurer's Guild doors were pushed open. Hearing the sound of the door opening, the gazes of all the adventurers were drawn to it. They wanted to see who had arrived.

What walked in was a young kid.

Someone immediately cracked a joke, "Who is it? Your son?"

"Don't know? Probably someone's kid."

Mel Carlo ignored all the mockery and walked directly towards the guild's receptionist.

The girl, who had just finished registering a newcomer, also noticed Mel Carlo's arrival. Her first thought was that it must be some adventurer's child looking for them.

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

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

"Hmm? Adventuring is very dangerous, and you're a bit young." The girl looked at Mel Carlo, appearing slightly troubled.

The guild hadn't specified what age one was allowed to register as an adventurer. Adventuring itself didn't have many prerequisites; the main thing was whether one had the strength to defeat monsters.

The guild merely provided a platform for employers to post needs and adventurers to accept quests. However, she didn't want this child to carelessly lose his life.

"Haha, go back home to your mom?"

"This is not a place for you."

"Kid, if you encounter a monster, you'll be eaten."

The surrounding laughter and teasing didn't stop. But Mel Carlo ignored these sounds. He wasn't a child, so he wouldn't feel ashamed by these words. He just found it noisy.

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

In an instant, the receptionist was stunned. Was this really a child? She shook her head slightly, starting to doubt herself.

"To become an adventurer, you need to have your skills tested first. You must master at least one skill."