The morning sun shone brightly over Westhaven as Aiden stepped through the doors of the Adventurer Guild.
The lively hall was already filled with adventurers.
Some were drinking before accepting quests.
Others had just returned from hunting monsters during the night.
Compared to yesterday, the guild no longer felt unfamiliar.
Aiden walked straight to the reception counter.
The young receptionist looked up and smiled.
“Good morning, Mr.
Valen.”
“I see you’ve returned safely.”
Aiden nodded before placing five Horned Rabbit horns and the completed quest document onto the counter.
“I’ve completed the request.”
The receptionist carefully counted each horn.
“Five Horned Rabbit horns…”
She nodded with satisfaction.
“Everything is correct.”
Taking a stamp from beneath the counter, she pressed the Guild Seal onto the parchment.
**Quest Complete.**
“Congratulations.”
“You’ve officially completed your first guild quest.”
Aiden gave a small smile.
“Thank you.”
The receptionist disappeared into the accounting office for several minutes before returning with two leather pouches.
She placed the first one on the counter.
“This contains your quest reward.”
“Eight Silver Coins.”
Then she placed the second pouch beside it.
“And this is the payment for the Horned Rabbit materials.”
“The meat was purchased by a restaurant this morning.”
“The hides and horns were also sold.”
Aiden looked slightly surprised.
“So quickly?”
She laughed softly.
“Fresh monster meat is always in demand.”
“Especially when it’s properly harvested.”
“You did an excellent job preserving everything.”
Aiden silently remembered Gareth’s words.
*”Nothing goes to waste.”*
Once again…
The old hunter’s lessons had proven valuable.
After storing the coins inside his Space Storage, Aiden thanked the receptionist.
As he turned to leave, she suddenly called out.
“Mr.
Valen.”
He stopped.
“Yes?”
She smiled kindly.
“You’ve only just become an adventurer.”
“You should find a proper place to stay.”
She pulled out a small card.
“This is **The Silver Oak Inn**.”
“It’s one of the safest inns in Westhaven.”
“Many beginner adventurers stay there.”
Aiden accepted the card.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
“And don’t worry.”
“The rooms are affordable.”
Leaving the guild, Aiden followed the directions through the bustling streets.
The afternoon market was crowded.
Merchants called out to passing customers.
The smell of freshly baked bread drifted through the air.
Children laughed while chasing each other between the shops.
Everything felt lively.
After walking for several minutes, Aiden stopped before a two-story wooden building.
A neatly carved sign swung gently above the entrance.
**The Silver Oak Inn**
Warm light spilled through its windows.
The sound of cheerful conversation echoed from inside.
Aiden pushed open the door.
A wave of warmth immediately greeted him.
Several adventurers were eating together.
Others exchanged stories about recent quests.
A fireplace crackled quietly in the corner.
Behind the counter stood a middle-aged woman with chestnut-colored hair tied into a bun.
She smiled warmly.
“Welcome to the Silver Oak.”
“Looking for a room?”
Aiden nodded politely.
“Yes.”
“For one person.”
“For how many nights?”
“A week.”
The woman glanced at the guild badge pinned to his cloak.
“A new adventurer?”
“Yes.”
Her smile widened.
“Then you’ll receive the guild rate.”
She placed a small brass key on the counter.
“Sixty copper coins per night.”
“Breakfast is included.”
“If you want dinner, it’s another fifteen copper.”
Aiden silently calculated the cost.
It was much cheaper than he had expected.
He counted out the coins and paid for the first week.
The innkeeper handed him the key.
“Room Twelve.”
“If you need anything, just ask.”
Aiden bowed slightly.
“Thank you.”
Before going upstairs, the delicious smell coming from the dining hall caught his attention.
His stomach growled.
The innkeeper laughed.
“I’ll take that as a yes.”
A few minutes later, she served him a simple meal. This chapter is updated first at g.com.
Fresh bread.
Roasted vegetables.
A bowl of hot meat stew.
After months of surviving on roasted monster meat and wild fruit…
The meal tasted incredible.
Aiden quietly finished every bite.
Around him, adventurers laughed as they shared stories of difficult quests and close calls.
He didn’t join the conversations.
He simply listened.
Each story taught him something new about life as an adventurer.
Later that evening…
Aiden unlocked Room Twelve.
The room was small but clean.
A neatly made bed stood beside a wooden window overlooking the streets of Westhaven.
There was a simple table.
A chair.
And a wardrobe.
Nothing luxurious.
Yet to Aiden…
It felt like a palace.
He gently placed his sword beside the bed before sitting down.
The soft mattress sank beneath his weight.
A tired smile slowly appeared on his face.
“This…”
“…is comfortable.”
For the first time since arriving in Eryndor…
He wasn’t sleeping on cold stone.
Or beneath the open sky.
Or beside a campfire.
He finally had a place to call home.
At least…
For now.
As moonlight shone through the window, Aiden slowly opened his Status.
His eyes immediately stopped on a single line.
**〈Authority of Nothingness〉**
**Synchronization: 1%**
“…Still one percent.”
He quietly raised his right hand.
For a brief instant…
Black-violet ripples spread across his fingertips.
The air around them seemed to distort ever so slightly.
Then…
Everything returned to normal.
No explanation.
No message.
Only silence.
Aiden slowly closed his hand.
“One day…”
“I’ll understand your true power.”
Blowing out the candle beside his bed, he lay down and closed his eyes.
Outside, Westhaven continued to buzz with life.
Tomorrow…
His life as an adventurer would truly begin