Sai spent the next few hours gathering information about Dunewood, ensuring that he understood the town’s political and social structure before making any commitments. From his inquiries, he learned that Dunewood was under the authority of a local governing council led by a viscount, an appointed noble who managed the town’s affairs. However, most day-to-day decisions were influenced by the Merchant's Guild, which had a strong presence due to Dunewood’s position as a trading hub. Alongside them, the Adventurers’ Guild and the Mercenaries’ Guild played significant roles in maintaining security and handling various tasks that the local authorities could not.

  After weighing his options, Sai ultimately decided to join the Adventurers’ Guild rather than the Mercenaries’ Guild. The main difference between the two was their scope of work—mercenaries were often hired for military or protection-based contracts, while adventurers had more flexibility, taking on diverse quests such as monster hunting, resource gathering, escort missions, and dungeon explorations. Sai figured that becoming an adventurer would provide him with a broader range of opportunities while allowing him to explore the world at his own pace.

  With that decision made, Sai returned to the inn where he had stayed the previous night. He approached the innkeeper, an elderly man with a well-trimmed gray beard and sharp eyes that suggested a lifetime of experience.

  “Excuse me, where can I find the Adventurers’ Guild?” Sai asked politely.

  The innkeeper looked up from wiping the counter and nodded. “Ah, you’re looking to become an adventurer, are you? Good choice, lad. The guildhall is easy to find—just head straight down this road until you reach the town square. From there, take a left, and you’ll see a large building with a silver emblem of crossed swords and a shield above the entrance. Can’t miss it.”

  Sai gave a small bow of gratitude. “Thank you.”

  Following the directions, he made his way to the Adventurers’ Guild. The streets of Dunewood were bustling with people, a mix of merchants, townsfolk, and travelers. Sai observed the town’s architecture—sturdy stone buildings with wooden accents, bustling market stalls selling everything from fresh produce to weapons, and well-guarded gates that hinted at the town’s wealth and importance.

  Soon, he arrived at his destination. The Adventurers’ Guild was a grand building, larger than most other establishments in the vicinity. The silver emblem above the entrance gleamed under the sun, and Sai could see multiple adventurers entering and exiting, some in groups and others alone.

  Stepping inside, Sai was greeted by a lively atmosphere. The guildhall was filled with adventurers clad in various types of armor, from leather to full plate. Some were seated at wooden tables, discussing their recent quests ,while others were inspecting the mission board.

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  Sai approached the front counter, where a young woman with auburn hair tied in a ponytail stood behind a wooden desk, managing paperwork. She wore a neatly pressed uniform with the guild’s insignia embroidered on the shoulder. As Sai stepped forward, she looked up and gave him a professional yet friendly smile.

  “Welcome to the Dunewood Adventurers’ Guild. How can I assist you?”

  “I’d like to register as an adventurer,” Sai stated calmly.

  “Of course,” the receptionist responded, pulling out a form and an inked quill. “There’s a registration fee of one silver coin. Do you have any prior experience with combat or adventuring?”

  Sai handed over the required amount and shook his head. “No prior experience, but I’m confident in my abilities.”

  The receptionist nodded. “Understood. All new members start as the lowest-ranked adventurers, which in this guild means the Copper Rank. As you complete quests, you’ll earn points toward promotion. Higher ranks grant access to better-paying and more dangerous missions. Quests are categorized by rank, so you should start with something manageable.”

  After finalizing the paperwork, the receptionist handed Sai a small badge made of copper. It was simple but well-crafted, with the guild’s emblem etched onto its surface.

  “Here is your official Copper Rank badge. With this, you can accept quests from the mission board. As a new member, you’ll also receive a basic set of gear—a simple dagger and a pouch for carrying items. If you need better equipment, you’ll have to purchase it from the market or earn it through quests.”

  Sai took the badge and the provided gear, nodding in acknowledgment. “Got it. How do I accept a quest?”

  “Just take a request slip from the board and bring it to the counter for approval. If the quest is suitable for your rank, you’ll be given permission to proceed. Make sure to report back once the task is completed.”

  Sai thanked the receptionist and turned his attention to the mission board. A variety of requests were pinned there, ranging from escort missions to monster subjugations. Since he was just starting, he decided to pick a simpler task herb gathering. The request was from an apothecary who needed medicinal herbs from a nearby forest. The reward wasn’t high, but it seemed like a good starting point.

  He pulled the request slip from the board and brought it to the counter. The receptionist glanced at it and nodded. “This is a good beginner quest. The herbs you need can be found in the Verdant Grove, which is about an hour’s walk from here. Be cautious of small predators and goblins that sometimes lurk in the area. Bring back a bundle of the requested herbs, and the apothecary will verify their quality before you receive your reward.”

  Sai accepted the instructions, securing the quest slip in his pouch. He glanced out the guild’s window and noted that the sun was still high in the sky—he had plenty of time before nightfall.

  It didn't take long for Sai to find the herbs he needed. The knowledge he had gained from the library in the dragon mansion made the process effortless. Every leaf, stem, and root he examined carried traces of information he had already memorized. His sharp eyes scanned the undergrowth as he moved through the dense forest, plucking only the freshest, most potent herbs.

  After completing the quest, Sai thought of returning to the guild. During the herb collection, he had killed two goblins who had tried to sneak up on him. As he approached the town gate, he sensed someone observing him