Arthur followed the flow of explorers toward the Explorers Guild.
The building was already alive.
Voices overlapped.
Boots struck the floor.
tal scraped against tal.
So people stood in loose circles, discussing plans. Others leaned against pillars, checking gear or finishing quick als. A few stood at counters, submitting reports and collecting their rewards.
Arthur slowed his steps.
He did not rush, as he watched.
This place was the heart of movent inside the stronghold.
People ca here with purpose.
So left excited.
So left exhausted.
So left wounded.
Arthur quietly took it in.
Different armor colors moved past him.
Bronze.
Silver.
Gold.
They walked differently. So louder than normal.
Others flashier.
The experienced Explorers were easy to identify. Their eyes were calr, and their posture relaxed. People naturally made space for them without realizing it.
Arthur stored that observation away.
He scanned the hall slowly.
He was not sure what his squad looked like yet, but he knew one face.
Ryn.
And It did not take long to find him.
Near one of the wide pillars stood a group wearing bronze badges.
Ryn was in front, arms crossed, speaking casually with a few mbers.
Arthur headed toward them.
Before he could say anything, Ryn noticed him.
The man’s face broke into a grin.
"You’re early," Ryn said.
Arthur nodded. "Didn’t want to be late on my first day."
Ryn chuckled. "Good attitude."
Arthur paused, then added, "Glad to see you too."
Ryn nodded once, satisfied.
The rest of the group looked Arthur over.
Nothing hostile, but mostly curious.
A tall man with a spear gave him a short nod.
A woman sharpening twin daggers glanced up, then went back to her blades.
Another young man about Arthur’s age looked nervous as he quickly avoided eye contact.
Arthur did not force conversation.
He simply stood with them.
A few minutes later, more bronze explorers arrived.
When the last pair joined, Ryn straightened.
"Alright," he said. "Listen up."
The small talk stopped.
Ryn pulled out a thin mission slip.
"We’ve got an assignnt."
So of the squad leaned in.
Ryn began reading.
"Reports of monster sightings along the northern route of the stronghold. Area was affected by a mutated E rank dungeon break two days ago. Dungeon core has already been destroyed, but rchants and travelers claim they’ve seen monsters that didn’t return or didn’t die."
He lowered the slip.
"In short, leftovers."
No one looked surprised and they stayed silent as Ryn continued.
"Mission is to investigate and clear any remaining monsters. Simple sweep. Low risk if we’re careful."
Arthur understood imdiately.
This was the kind of mission ant for experience.
No glory, no huge rewards.
Just the daily work.
Ryn’s gaze shifted slightly.
"However."
The word caught attention.
"The commander instructed that new explorers are to stay behind."
A few people looked toward Arthur and the other newer faces.
Ryn went on.
"You just ca out of a dungeon. You haven’t settled in yet. No need to rush."
Ryn looked directly at them as he continued speaking.
"Use the ti wisely. Train. Rest. Learn the layout of the strongholds. You’ll get your turn soon enough."
Arthur nodded.
The instruction felt practical, not condescending.
Ryn then turned back to the rest.
"Everyone else, prep gear. Standard checklist. We move in thirty minutes."
The experienced bronze explorers began moving imdiately.
Checking bags.
Counting potions.
Adjusting armor.
Arthur watched them for a mont.
This was what daily life looked like. He observed their routine, their preparation before the mission.
He learnt from it. Survival here was mostly discipline, not luck.
Since he was not going on the mission, Arthur already knew what he wanted to do.
Train.
Understand his body better. Test small things.
He turned slightly toward Ryn.
"I’m heading to the training hall."
Ryn nodded. "Good. Don’t overdo it."
Arthur gave a small smile. "I won’t."
That was not entirely true.
But he also was not reckless.
He walked away from the squad and blended back into the flow of explorers.
Others who were left behind moved in different directions.
So toward shops, so toward resting quarters, so towards the training hall like him.
Arthur followed the signs leading to the training hall.
The building was separate from the mission hall.
It was larger and wider.
Designed for constant use.
The entrance alone was almost as big as the mission hall itself.
Inside, the air felt different.
Thicker. Not heavy, but fuller.
Arthur could feel the mana also faintly on his skin.
He approached a long counter near the entrance.
Several clerks stood behind it.
Each one handled different lines.
Arthur stepped into one.
The clerk looked bored as he yawned then reached out his hand.
"Badge."
Arthur handed over his bronze badge.
The man glanced at it, then tapped sothing on a small device.
"Bronze departnt. Hall C."
He pointed down a wide corridor.
Arthur nodded. "Thank you."
He walked in the indicated direction.
As he moved deeper, he began to notice patterns.
Side corridors branched off and each had a sign.
Bronze Training.
Silver Training.
Gold Training.
Even private training halls.
Arthur slowed his steps as he continued to observe.
He saw explorers being directed.
So toward Bronze like him, others toward Silver and a few toward Gold.
Arthur noticed the difference imdiately.
The further the hallway went, the cleaner and sturdier everything beca.
Walls smoother, the floors thicker, and the lighting brighter.
When a door to the Silver area opened briefly, Arthur felt a stronger wave of mana roll out.
Not overwhelming.
But noticeably denser.
He glanced toward the Gold entrance.
Even without stepping close, he sensed it pressure emitted. Like standing near deep water.
So that’s how they separate us. As each rank offered different training environnt.
Arthur did not feel angry or jealous.
He had accepted it.
Every system had ranks, and this world was honest about it.
Arthur soon reached Hall C.
Inside was a wide open space.
The ceiling was high, with thick stone pillars that lined the walls.
A/N:
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