D-Rank Test

After making a quick pit stop at his residence, Adonis made his way to the guild.

"Wow! Look at him, the handsome lad has become even more attractive," some of the adventurers playfully taunted as soon as he entered. They could sense something different about him, a genuine happiness as if something good had recently happened in his life.

Anticipating such remarks due to the keen observation skills of adventurers, Adonis simply smiled and strolled towards Rosy's desk.

"Good morning, beautiful lady. Your smile is as radiant as ever," he greeted with charm.

Rosy returned the smile, but for some inexplicable reason, she felt restless.

"Good morning, Adonis. It seems something positive occurred for you yesterday," she remarked, trying not to sound too curious.

"Oh, can you tell? Well, I just had a great time last night. I met up with a friend and we had a lot of fun together. Don't worry, it wasn't at the casino," Adonis replied, deliberately omitting the fact that his fun time was with a woman. He wasn't foolish enough to jeopardize his chances with Rosy.

Although her intuition told her that there was more to the story than Adonis was willing to admit, Rosy maintained her smile.

"That's good to hear! I'm glad you had a fun time. However, today you'll be taking the test for the D-rank," she informed him.

"Wow!" Adonis exclaimed, filled with joy. It was finally time to advance to the next rank.

"For your test, you'll be heading to the Forest of Whispers and collecting twenty goblin magic stones. You have one day," Rosy informed him, to which Adonis nodded in understanding. Goblins, despite their small stature, were considered D-rank monsters and were known for their ruthlessness and tendency to operate in groups.

The Forest of Whispers was situated northeast of the city, just beyond the city gates. Reaching the D-rank as an adventurer marked the true beginning of one's journey, as it was only at this rank that adventurers were granted access to dungeons. This was precisely why Adonis was so eager to achieve D-rank status.

"I'll be heading out now, so don't miss me too much!" Adonis playfully threw a flying kiss at Rosy, who couldn't help but smile in response.

"Be careful," she cautioned, her voice filled with concern.

"I will," Adonis promised, his determination evident. Before leaving, he added, "And don't forget, once I become a D-rank, we'll go on that date we talked about!"

Rosy blushed, her heart skipping a beat at the thought of their future date. She had often fantasized about it, and the anticipation made her heart race.

"Don't worry," Adonis reassured her with a smile. "I'll keep my promise."

His words and smile only made Rosy's heart race faster. She couldn't deny the effect he had on her.

Ba-dump!

"This guy is dangerous," she thought to herself, a mix of excitement and apprehension filling her mind.

°°°°°

The Forest of Whispers lay just beyond the city gates, a brooding swathe of ancient trees that seemed to press in on itself, blocking out the sun. Sunlight struggled to penetrate the dense canopy, casting the forest floor in a perpetual twilight. Moss carpeted the twisted roots of gnarled oaks and elms, their branches clawing at the sky like skeletal fingers. An unnatural stillness hung in the air, broken only by the occasional rustle of unseen creatures and the sigh of the wind through the leaves.

An eerie luminescence emanated from certain fungi that dotted the forest floor, casting an otherworldly glow on the damp undergrowth. The air itself held a peculiar quality – it felt heavy and laden with unseen presences. Every rustle of leaves, every snap of a twig, sent shivers down the spine, a constant reminder that you were being watched, though by whom, remained a mystery.

Legends whispered of the forest being haunted by the restless spirits of those who had met their demise within its depths. Eerie moans and disembodied voices were said to echo through the trees, preying on the fears of the unwary. Few dared to venture deep into the Forest of Whispers, and those who did rarely returned unchanged.

Despite its ominous reputation, the forest held a strange allure for adventurers like Adonis. The challenge, the thrill of the unknown, and the rumors of hidden treasures within its depths were all irresistible draws. Here, in the heart of the Forest of Whispers, the line between myth and reality blurred, and the veil between the living and the dead seemed worryingly thin. It was a place where danger lurked in the shadows, and where even the bravest hearts felt a tremor of fear.

In this forest, a multitude of creatures find their dwelling, including goblins and various other formidable monsters. However, it is the goblins who hold the greatest sway, often emerging from the depths of the forest to lay ambushes upon unsuspecting merchant carriages. To mitigate the havoc wreaked by these mischievous beings, the guild undertakes periodic campaigns, diminishing their numbers and minimizing the extent of their havoc. Yet, they do not entirely eradicate the goblins, for they serve as valuable subjects for testing the mettle of aspiring adventurers, much like Adonis right now.