Chapter 3: My Adventure Starts Now!

The two enter a room larger than any of the ones they were in before.

The walls were lined with stained glass windows and different tapestries depicting the kingdom's history. Rows of benches sit at either side of the room. In the middle, there is a red, velvet carpet leading up to a throne. The throne is on an elevated platform with stairs leading up to it. The throne is red with gold lining and there are different colored jewels are embedded within the gold. Lastly, above the throne is a portrait of the King posing goofily with some fruits.

The King walks over to the throne and takes a seat. Saiba follows, but stops before the stairs. The King announces,

"Before you embark on your journey! There are some things I must explain! If you swipe up with your right hand, a screen should appear in front of you! We call this the [Status Interface] or [SI] for short!"

Saiba swings his hand upwards and a screen resembling a video game interface appears in front of him.

"The SI should state your level, your current armor and tools, and anything else you may have in your possession!"

Saiba scans the screen and sees his level in the top right. It reads, [Level 1]. Saiba looks disappointed after finding out that he was not actually Level 112. The King asks,

"You are Level 112? Right?"

Saiba nods awkwardly before looking over at the screen again and finding button that says [Equipment]. He clicks on it as the screen changes. The screen depicts a featureless figure wearing the same armor he picked out and holding the sword he chose. He hovers his finger over the armor as a pop up appears saying,

[Graystone Armor: Medium-Class Armor. Forged with pure Graystone. ATK +2. DEF +5. SPD -1]

Next Saiba hovers over the sword and a similar pop up appears this time saying,

[Dark Splitter: Katana Type Blade. Forged with Hellstone. ATK +7. DEF +2. SPD +4]

Lastly, Saiba exits out of the Equipment Menu and moves to the last option, [Inventory]. As expected, it was completely empty.

Saiba thinks to himself,

"This is just like a video game, like some sort of RPG or Adventure game..."

The King interrupts his thinking by announcing,

"Now that you have explored had time to explore your SI, I will explain your quest! Mr. Hero, you are to venture to the depths of the Underworld and slay all of the monsters that lay within! Of course, once this is finished you will be given proper compensation for your troubles! Are you up for the challenge?"

Saiba replies with,

"Wait a second. If you guys summoned me here, there is a way to send me back, right...? I mean not that I want to... but just in case."

The King answers with,

"Well of course! It will be included in your compensation if you desire it!"

Saiba thinks for a moment then he decides. He announces as his voice echoes throughout the room,

"I'll accept your challenge, King! I'll become the greatest hero this Kingdom has ever seen!"

The King puts on a large smile and happily says,

"Wonderful! Now then, let us hold a banquet for the departure of our new Hero!"

As the King is saying this, multiple people start to fill the room. First, people with things like tables and chairs enter the room. Next, people with tableware like plates and cutlery follow and set the tables.

After that, people with all different kinds of food and drinks go inside and fill the room with delicious scents. Lastly, a group of hungry people enter to join the King and Saiba in their feast. There are nobles, knights, and even some of the mages from before.

The large group of people party through the whole night. Eating, drinking and conversing.

The next day, Saiba wakes up in room in a large bed. He sees his armor and his sword laid out on a table in as walks over to get suited up and ready for his adventure. He exits the room and the King is already waiting outside for him. The King asks,

"So Hero! Are you Ready!"

Saiba gets pumped up and replies,

"Of course I am!"

The King leads the way as they head to a large door. The door opens to reveal the outside world. Lush fields with rolling hills that contrast the rocky castle walls await Saiba.

The King tosses a small pouch to Saiba. It contains around 1000 gold coins. The King misses and hits Saiba in the head causing him to fall. Saiba gets up while rubbing his forehead and giving an angry glare.

He takes the money and stomps out of the castle while shouting,

"My adventure starts now!"