Not too small
The road was we'll kept compared to the town roads I've seen back home. Small plain hills could be seen with scattered forests, far away mountains were blurred out by the distance. The sun was high up in the sky, light blue was spread wide with white cloud splattered everywhere.
The approaching city was a lot larger than it was displayed on the map. Spreading outwards over and wider than a couple miles. Mainly consisting of farms and small stands to sell fruits and vegetables.
The main city was surrounded by a large rock wall, with enough room to let the people working on farms inside. It separated the farms and the markets to the bigger businesses and other large buildings.
"It looks like this map is slightly outdated" Milda chuckled as she looked back at her map. Nell was slumped over her in a piggy back sleeping.
I nodded, taking off the backpack she had given me to carry Nell. Opening it up I grabbed her map and put it back inside and continued to walk, people were working on their farms diligently, while some were laying down and taking a nap. A group of lightly armored humans were walking towards them with a large sheet of paper.
"Hello! Are you first-timers?" A large man with a trimmed goatee said.
"We are adventurers going out to slay a couple of monsters, we don't need this map of the city anymore so you can have it." He said with a large smile
Receiving the map with a bow Milda grabbed it and smiled back at the party, it seemed most of the members were rather old, being around 30-40 years old. All of them seem to be quite happy.
"A standard map of the city is free with registration at the guild, or if you're a member they will give you one. But it's just easier to track on a map before hand" He showed us a small badge located on his right shoulder. The other party members bowed and started to walk ahead.
"Thank you sir" Milda nodded and Nell stirred hearing the previous conversation.
"No need, come find me in the guilds inventory if you need to!" He said as he jogged to catch up.
'Ah he works at the guild'
Akio was starting to wonder if he was being nice for a reason or if he was just a happy man.
Approaching the entrance of the town, the guards looked at us, one extended his hand.
"I'm going to need an adventurer card or have you padded down for and illegal materials." He said with a monotone voice.
"We have no card, but rather have never been to a city like this before. We only have this bag here." She grabbed one of the straps off my back and handed it to the guard.
He opened up the bag and nodded for us to pass, tossing the bag to me. Nell who was now fully awake hopped down off Milda's back and stood beside her.
"Welcome to Ardia, follow me for a short guide around to get you started. Do you have any money ma'am?" He turned towards the gate with a glade back.
"No sir"
"Very well, we have a small loan for new city members." He smiled, handing us a document.
While looking it over I realized that it was not only a very unfair interest rate, but it had an a daunting rule set. Some of them made my veins pop.
•1. All amount paid will be taxed before deducted from total amount
.
.
.
•5. If amount is not paid off within the first month, all money afterwards will be charged at 5% interest per week
.
•7. If amount is over 10 gold, receiving party will be forced into slavery for Ardia•
with a frown I decided to follow him without a word.
After a while the sky was now purple as the guide from one of the spare guards ended. The town was large, spanning over a couple miles wide. They had one main adventures guilds with many large groups of adventurers. Some call them guilds some call them clans, while others call them parties. He lead us to a small constructed building,.
"This is the tavern you will be staying at for a while. until you get on youre feet; you're stay will be covered by the knights per our contract." He gave us a small grin and with a bowed continued.
"I welcome you to Ardia, Please enjoy your stay"
We looked as the back of the knight walked back to his gate.
We turned back to the small tavern. Nell looked on at he door and started to open it, Milda followed through. The front desk was occupied by a skinny man with loose blonde hair, he looks like he hasn't left that spot for over a week. At least not for long. The place wasnt that fancy; a run down bar is seen on the main floor. Like a normal tavern, they serve food and. Beer. The blonde man sees us walking in and gives us two keys without saying anything. He was probably previously notified by one of the stationed guards.
"Thank you" Milda lowered her head and walked in. Milda and Nell took one room, while i took the other. But because i was so young i was given a smaller room next too theirs. After entering the small room i laid on the bed and opened up my system to see if i got anything new too do with it.
------------status------------
Name: Akio Sano
age: 10 years
HP: 100/100
Con:10
MP:150
Level:11
Status points:82
Str:57
Dex:57
Int:46
Wis:41
Mana: 5200/5200
Skills: [appraisal], [passive: blessing of Verglas],[passive: Mana absorption] [transformation LVL 1] [Flare LVL 1 (ice)]
------------------------
'Hmm I haven't been using my appraisal much, Maybe I should head out and fight something while I can.'
The day was already nearing its end as Akio walked outwards towards the guild. The thought of having a card for travel is nice, But having them know everything it quite the pain. He thought about not joining the Guild and not having his stats tracked. But decided to ask a couple of questions first. As he opened up the door the place was almost full, with people at every table. AS he walked up to the front desk a man with light grey hair sat there. he looked down at Akio with a smile.
"What can I do for you young sir?
"Is it worth having an adventurers card?"
The old man looked surprised at his question. Then gave him a smile.
"I would not recommended it unless you stay here permanently, as its benefits only apply here and every other city within 1000 miles don't need one. If you are looking to be a traveler than I recommend getting this." He turned and grabbed a small ring from a large row.
"This will allow you to enter almost any city under rule of the king."
Nodding Akio grabbed it and then made a bargain. He would pay him back for the ring at the end of the week. The old man trusted him as he was under the contract and was not allowed too officially leave until its been paid. They discussed matters of what too do with parts of the monster and where it can be bought and sold. All of which were conveniently at the guild.
Akio walked outside of the guild with more knowledge on what too do and ran outwards towards the gate. The sky had turned a crimson pink as he ran outside the town gate towards the forest beyond the farms and town homes. That was where he encountered all of the monsters he had fought. in the forest, while it wasn't the same. That's where he bet his money on.
The trees loomed over him as he approached the line of green. He tried to appraise the trees in front of him but something prevented him, a small ring rang out inside his head proving that it didn't work.
The forest was over run with weeds and grass, no paths were formed from any living animal, even deer paths which ran rampant in most forests were nowhere to be seen. Akio didnt pay attention to the floor as he stepped on stick after stick.
'I hope i can find something, as long as it doesnt have something stupid like. Stick as a weapon' He frowned looking at his only current weapon was the frozen club from his inventory
------------------
[Frozen club]
Physical dog: 15
Durability [88/100]
------------------
The club wasnt very impressive as is but it was the best he got. He turned towards a small clearing and crept forward, he heared a small grunt as he rounded a large tree the width of his wingspan. Looking around the tree, a large wolf the size of two adult wolves on top of each other lay sleepily down under a large bush.
'Appraisal'
------------------
Appraisal lvl up!
1—->2
------------------
------------status------------
Race: levin wolf
3rd status
age: 26 years
Level:27
Str:59
Dex:85
Int:42
Wis:22
Mana: ?????
Condition: tired
------------------------
'What the hell is 3rd status?' Looking at him, the beast woke up with a jolt and looked around sniffing the air.
'Looks like appraisal alerts the other end' akio sighs and walks around the tree, knowing he couldn't run from it as his Dex was far lower
------------status------------
Name: Akio Sano
age: 10 years
HP: 100/100
Con:10
MP:150
Level:11
Status points:82
Str:57
Dex:57
Int:46
Wis:41
Mana: 5200/5200
Skills: [appraisal], [passive: blessing of Verglas],[passive: Mana absorption] [transformation LVL 1] [Flare LVL 1 (ice)]
------------------------
. . . . . . . . .
I'm using these weeks to write ahead, I will also revert some of the cringey issues from previous chapters from here outwards, some issues will be retained and replaced with other knowledge as well as a small writing style change.