VIP System

Chapter 17 - First Step

After seeing Amanda so excited, Leo decided to ask her about her job, even though he already knew what it was. Amanda's eyes widened and her mouth gaped in surprise. "Another benefit of being a registered adventurer," she explained, "is that you'll be able to see an adventurer's level, their job, and their name." She pointed above her head as she spoke.

Leo was astonished. "That would be nice," he said, genuinely impressed.

"And monster names?" he asked, curious about how it worked for enemies.

Amanda nodded happily. "Monster names can be seen by anyone. The color implies how dangerous the monster is to you based on your level. Did you see the Orc Lord's name as red?" she asked.

Leo confirmed with a nod. "Yes, it was red."

"That's because it's level 50," Amanda explained. She continued, describing the color code: "A monster with a level more than 20 higher than yours will be marked in red, a level 10 or higher is orange, around 5 is green, and anything less than 5 is white."

Leo was thrilled. In such a short period, he had gained a heap of useful information. "That's an adventurer for you," he told himself with a smile.

As they talked, they approached the gates of the capital. The area was bustling with activity. Merchants and travelers filled the entrance, carts laden with goods, and soldiers on patrol. The air was filled with the sounds of haggling, laughter, and the clatter of wheels on cobblestones.

They were soon inspected by the guards. The merchant was asked about his passengers and he mentioned that they were with Lady Ranna. The guards immediately recognized the name and welcomed the two warmly. Leo noticed that they looked at Amanda differently, almost as if they already knew her. He remembered Ranna mentioning that Amanda used to frequent the guild center to ask for help.

As they entered the capital, still riding in the merchant's cart, Leo marveled at how busy and beautiful the place was. The streets were lined with shops, each displaying a variety of goods. Children ran around playing, their laughter mingling with the sounds of street performers. The buildings were tall and ornate, with intricate designs that spoke of the city's rich history.

Leo also noticed that the walls of the capital were enormous, even taller than the Orc Lord. He made a rough estimate of 21 feet. Soldiers were stationed on top, keeping a vigilant lookout. At regular intervals, there were towers connected to the wall. Leo looked intently at one of them.

Amanda noticed his interest and explained, "That's a station for long-range soldiers like wizards and hunters."

Leo nodded, taking in the new information. The capital was more than he had imagined. It was a place of beauty, strength, and endless possibilities. He felt a surge of excitement, knowing that this was just the beginning of their new journey.

As they moved deeper into the inner city, Leo saw various establishments lining the streets. There were armor and weapon shops displaying glistening blades, sturdy shields, and intricate suits of armor. Alchemists' shops with colorful potions bubbling in their windows, promising cures, enhancements, and mysterious effects. Food stalls emitted tantalizing aromas of grilled meats, freshly baked bread, and exotic spices, making Leo's stomach growl in anticipation.

After a few moments, Leo noticed they were approaching a large building. Flags with different emblems fluttered outside, and many people were bustling in and out of its grand entrance. Leo realized how diverse the kingdom was as he started to notice adventurers of different sizes and species. Looking back at the market area, he saw several demihumans in the crowd, including fox-like people with bushy tails, cat-like individuals with sharp ears, and even some dragonoids with scales and small horns protruding from their heads. Elves with their pointed ears and ethereal beauty mingled with stout, bearded dwarves, who carried heavy axes and hammers with ease.