The Windale guildhall was a cozy wooden building with a slanted roof and a creaky sign that read: Adventurer's Roost. Inside, the scent of mead and fresh parchment mingled with the clatter of mugs and laughter.
Kazuki stepped in, dramatically flipping his cloak for maximum effect. Heads turned—some curious, some unimpressed.
He approached the quest board, scanning through postings.
"Goblin nest near the river."
"Missing chickens."
"Need someone to retrieve herbs from Bonebark Forest."
He tilted his head. "Bonebark Forest sounds suspiciously cursed."
A bored receptionist peeked over a book. "First time registering?"
Kazuki gave a half-smile. "Yup. I'm the Demon Lord from Another World."
She blinked. "So... Kazuki, then?"
"Touché."
She slid a parchment forward. "Fill this out. You'll start as Iron Rank. No powers, no glory, just honest work and maybe a goblin or two."
> New Objective: Register as an Adventurer.
Reward: Access to Guild Quests and Facilities.
Bonus Reward: Local Reputation Increase
Kazuki completed the form, resisting the urge to write "Race: Demon Lord" in all caps.
As he handed it back, she gave him a curious look. "You're not the first weirdo who claimed to be from another world, but you might be the first who didn't get laughed out of town."
"People laugh when they're nervous," he said. "Or charmed."
> Charisma Check: Success
+1 Favor with Receptionist Lara
He turned to the quest board again and picked one that seemed useful.
> Quest Accepted: "Chickens Gone Rogue"
Objective: Investigate the disappearance of Farmer Elric's livestock.
Reward: 300 Liria Coin
MP Bonus: +10 on Completion
"Chickens," he muttered. "All this power and I'm going after poultry."
"Every legendary hero starts somewhere," Celestia chimed in with mock-seriousness. "Besides, chickens can be vicious. Haven't you seen those talons?"
As Kazuki left the guildhall, the sky had begun to darken. Twilight painted the horizon in soft hues.
He walked through the outer fields until he reached a farm with a crooked fence and a frazzled old man yelling at a scarecrow.
"You Elric?" Kazuki called out.
The farmer turned. "You the lad from the guild?"
Kazuki nodded. "The Demon Lo—Kazuki. Let's talk missing poultry."
Elric sighed. "They've been vanishin' one by one. No tracks, no signs. Just gone in the night. Whole coop's cursed, I say!"
Kazuki activated [Conceal Presence], letting the world go just a little quieter. His senses sharpened.
He scanned the coop. Then noticed… a shimmer in the grass.
A strange rune.
A teleportation circle.
"Oh, well that's definitely not chicken-related," he muttered.
> Discovery: Hidden Rune Trap
Optional Objective Added: Investigate Magical Source
Kazuki deactivated his concealment and turned to Elric. "I might need to create something."
> [Create] Activated
Input: [Rune Tracker Lens] – a small monocle that reveals hidden magic trails
Estimated MP Cost: 60
Proceed?
[Yes]
A faint blue shimmer materialized in his hand. He placed the lens over one eye, and the trail lit up—leading straight into the woods.
"Well, that's suspicious," Celestia murmured.
Kazuki grinned. "Let's see who's messing with chickens."