Blackstone Crossing looked like it had been built by people who really wanted to leave but gave up halfway through.
A wall surrounded the town, if you could call it that—it was mostly logs and pessimism, topped with bored guards who looked like they hadn't seen a dental plan in years. Buildings were squat, gray, and aggressively practical. The only thing colorful was the tavern sign, which featured a drunken pig punching a wyvern.
Kazuki immediately loved it.
Until the people saw him.
They didn't scream or draw weapons. That would've been generous.
Instead, they gave him The Look.
You know the one. The "why is this guy breathing near me?" look. The "this idiot's going to bring a cursed artifact into the soup kitchen again" kind of look.
"Are they glaring at me?" he whispered.
Kaelith didn't even glance at him. "You smell like blood, death, and poor decision-making. Of course they're glaring."
A nearby child pointed at him and said, "Is he the reason the dogs screamed last night?"
Kazuki chose not to respond to that.
They arrived at the Adventurer's Guild, which was somehow even more depressing than he'd imagined. It had the energy of a DMV if everyone was armed.
The receptionist—a tall woman with the haunted eyes of someone who'd seen too many rookie limbs fly off—greeted them with a sigh.
"New registrant?"
Kaelith nodded. "Level five. Unaligned class. Probably cursed."
Kazuki waved awkwardly. "Hi."
The receptionist looked him up and down like she was scanning a ham sandwich for explosives.
"Name?"
"Kazuki."
"Full name?"
"…Just Kazuki?"
She scribbled something that probably said "future insurance liability."
[New Title Acquired: Provisional Adventurer – Rank F]
[Quest Access Unlocked. Guild Board Available.]
Kazuki's system pinged happily. He felt none of that joy.
"Your basic license," the receptionist said, handing him a wooden badge. "Do not lose it. It costs more to replace than your life is worth."
Kaelith smirked. "You're making friends already."
"I think she wants me dead."
"No, if she wanted that, you'd be dead."
"Great. Love the vibes here."
Outside, Kazuki stared at his badge like it might turn into a cookie if he wished hard enough.
"So what now?"
Kaelith gestured toward the quest board. "Now you work."
"Define 'work.'"
"You do horrible jobs for barely enough coin to eat. It builds character. Or kills you. Sometimes both."
Kazuki stepped closer to the board. The postings were... bleak.
"Clean Slime Infestation – 4 bronze (bring mop)"
"Find Missing Cat (Possibly Eaten by Other Cat)"
"Escort Merchant With Trust Issues – Danger: High"
"Mysterious Screaming Well – Sounds Like a Side Quest"
Kazuki sighed. "Fantasy capitalism sucks."