NOVEL NEXT Chapter 4: Sector 2
[Urano Empire – Adventurers' Guild]
Al dug into his pocket, pulling out a small, dull gem. "I wonder if this thing's worth anything... Only one way to find out."
He pushed open the creaky doors of the guild and approached the counter where Maria, the receptionist, greeted him with a smile.
"So, how can I help you, Al?"
He held up the gem. "Can you tell me what this is worth?"
Maria inspected it briefly. "Hmm. I'd say… 3 Aira."
Al blinked in disbelief. "Three? Seriously? Well… that's still better than what I expected."
"So, do you want to exchange it or hold on to it?"
"Exchange it, obviously!"
Maria handed him three shiny coins and then slid a flier across the desk. "By the way, there's a big bounty in Sector 2. If you're interested, you can register for it here."
"How much is the bounty?"
"40 million Aira."
Al's jaw dropped. "Forty million?! (With that kind of cash, I can pay off that greedy doctor and live like a king!) Where do I sign?"
Maria chuckled and passed him a form. "Right here. And here's the bounty's photo and details."
Al scribbled his name enthusiastically. "Thanks for always helping me, Maria!"
"Don't mention it. Good luck—you'll need it."
[Outside the Adventurers' Guild]
Al hummed a merry tune, his spirits sky-high.
"Hm hm hm! Just gotta pack my stuff, then I'm off to Sector 2! That bounty is as good as mine!"
[Al's Rental House]
When he arrived, Al found his door locked. Frowning, he knocked furiously.
KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!
"Coming! Who's there?"
"It's me, Al! Open up!"
The landlord peeked through the crack, looking surprised. "Al? What do you want?"
"What do I want? Why is my door locked?"
"Oh, that... Well, you didn't come back for three days. I assumed you were dead, so I sold your stuff and put the place up for rent."
Al stared at him, stunned. "You thought I was DEAD?! Why the hell would I die so easily?!"
"Well," the landlord began, eyeing Al's lanky frame, "you do look like a twig with no skills or mana."
"That's harsh!" Al snapped. "Anyway, give me my key back!"
"...About that." The landlord scratched the back of his neck sheepishly.
"What now?" Al groaned.
"A new tenant's already moving in—and they've paid in advance."
"So give them their money back!"
"I… can't. I already gambled it away."
"YOU WHAT?!"
"Also, uh, the money from selling your stuff is gone too..."
Al pinched the bridge of his nose, seething. "Let me guess. Gambled that too?"
"...Yeah."
Al sighed, his voice flat. "I don't care anymore. I'm leaving."
"I promise I'll pay you back someday!" the landlord called after him.
[Outskirts of Urano – Road to Sector 2]
Al grumbled as he trudged along the road, bitterness filling every step. "Three days! I disappear for three days, and everyone just writes me off as dead. Thanks to that doctor and my idiot landlord, I don't even have money for a cart. A week of walking—this better be worth it!"
His journey began:
Day 1: Al was enthusiastic, motivated, and full of hope.
Day 2: His excitement waned as his legs screamed in pain.
Day 3: A pack of wild dogs attacked, stealing his only piece of bread.
Day 4: Starving and exhausted, Al collapsed under a tree.
Day 5: Still under the tree, Al contemplated his poor life choices.
Day 6: A traveling merchant found him and kindly offered help.
Day 7: Al hitched a ride with the merchant, hoping to make it to Sector 1 and eventually Sector 2.
Day 8: Thanking the merchant, Al finally arrived at the outskirts of Sector 2, ready to face his next challenge.
[Sector 2 – Front Gate]
"Phew! That was brutal," Al muttered, stretching his stiff muscles. "Alright, time to get to work!"
He spotted a kid nearby and approached him. "Hey, kid. Have you seen this person?" He held up the bounty's photo.
"F**k off," the kid replied bluntly.
Al blinked, his eye twitching. "What did you just say?"
"You heard me, perverted old man. I'm not helping you!"
The insult hit like a slap, and Al scolded the brat. Before he could finish, the kid ran off, calling him weird names.
"Ugh! What is wrong with people here?!" Al groaned.
[Sector 2 – Dungeon]
The group of armed mercenaries stood at the dungeon's entrance, their leader's sharp gaze piercing through the tension.
"Sir, she went inside the dungeon. Should we follow her?"
The man's eyes narrowed. "Find her. Capture her alive. I want her to suffer for what she did to my brother. Then, I'll kill her myself."
"B-but sir, the dungeon—"
The man's glare silenced the protest.
"You heard him!" another mercenary barked. "Move! Capture that woman, now!"
Weapons drawn, the group cautiously stepped into the dark abyss, ready to hunt their prey.