Once Dungeon Boss, Now Dad

The decision was made, Lila was determined. She was going to become an adventurer. There was no stopping her now, no matter how much Zora tried. She had always been stubborn, but this time, her resolve was stronger than ever. To officially become an adventurer, she needed to join a guild and to do that she needed to pass the required trials. Their small, peaceful village didn't have a guild, so she had to travel to another town which did. The morning of their departure was bittersweet for Zora. He watched Lila excitedly pack her things, her eyes glowing with anticipation. She didn't even seem to notice his quiet sighs or the worry etched into his face.

"You don't have to come with me, Papa," Lila teased as they set out on the road.

"You know I can't let you go alone," Zora replied firmly.

Lila rolled her eyes but smiled. "Fine, but you'll see, I'll be just fine! I'll pass the trials and become a great adventurer, just like in the stories!"

---

The journey to the town was long but not unpleasant. The road went through huge forests and rolling hills, and the weather was great. Zora, however, couldn't shake his unease. He tried, once again, to convince Lila to reconsider. "Are you sure about this, Lila? The life of an adventurer isn't as glamorous as the stories make it seem. It's dangerous, unpredictable... not the kind of life I wanted for you." ."You know the life of an adventurer isn't all glory. People don't tell the stories about the ones who don't come back. "Then I'll make sure they tell my story, Papa. You'll see." Lila says with a confident smile. Lila turned to him, her face lit up with excitement. "I know it's dangerous, Papa, but that's what makes it worth it! Imagine the places I'll see, the monsters I'll fight, the stories I'll get to tell! Don't you think I can do it?" ."It's not about whether you can," Zora said, his voice low. "It's about whether you should".

But Lila wasn't listening. Her mind was already racing with possibilities. "What do you think the trials will be like? Will I have to fight someone? Maybe solve a puzzle? Oh, what if there's a monster to defeat? That would be so cool!" .

Zora sighed, knowing it was futile to argue. Her enthusiasm was unshakable, and a small part of him admired her for it, even as he worried.

---

As Lila excitedly talked about the trials ahead, Zora's mind drifted back to when she was just a small girl. She had always been fearless, even back then. He could still see her tiny hands holding bugs she'd proudly caught, her laughter ringing through the air as she chased chickens and rabbits around the village. But it was that one day that stayed with him most vividly.

Lila had run into the jungle after a rabbit, completely unafraid, as always. When her friends brought her back, her knees were scraped and bleeding, her face streaked with tears. She had been crying nonstop, clutching his shirt as he cleaned and bandaged her wounds. "It hurts, Papa," she had whimpered, her tiny voice breaking his heart. He had held her until she finally fell asleep, still hiccupping softly. Later, when he asked her friends what had happened, they told him about the rabbit, about how she tripped and hurt herself. But what stuck with him most were her words to them: "My dad would be sad seeing me in this situation. What should I do?"

Even now, those words brought a tightness to his chest. She had been so little, so fragile, and yet even then, her stubbornness had shone through. It had taken everything in him not to break down as he laid her in her bed, brushing her hair away from her tear-streaked face. That night, he had stayed beside her, listening to her soft breathing, praying she'd stay safe.

The memory was bittersweet now. It reminded him of her unwavering determination, but also of how much he had to lose.

What if the world wasn't kind to her this time???

---

By midday, they reached the town. It was much larger than their quiet village, bustling with life and energy. Merchants lined the streets near the entrance, calling out to passersby and showcasing their goods. The air was filled with the smells of fresh bread, roasted meat, and exotic spices. Lila's eyes widened as she took it all in. "Wow! Look at all this, Papa! It's amazing!". Zora couldn't help but smile at her wonder. "Do you want to stop and eat something? Or look around a bit?"

But Lila shook her head, her excitement undiminished. "No time for that! Where's the guild? I need to find the guild!". Unwillingly, Zora followed her through the streets, going between merchants, travelers, and townsfolk. It wasn't long before they reached the guild, a grand building that stood out among the others, with its large wooden doors and a huge sign board illustrated with the guild's crest. Lila practically sprinted inside, leaving Zora to catch up. The interior was lively, filled with adventurers of all kinds, some laughing and chatting, others studying maps or negotiating contracts.

At the front desk, a beautiful young lady greeted them. "How can I help you?". Lila stepped forward, her voice filled with excitement. "I want to become an adventurer!". The woman raised an eyebrow, looking at Zora before turning back to Lila. "You'll need to pass the trials first. Are you prepared for that?". "Yes!" Lila said without hesitation. The woman handed her a form. "Fill this out. The trials will be held tomorrow morning. Be here by sunrise."

Lila quickly filled out the form, her hands trembling slightly with anticipation. When she was done, the woman nodded. "You're all set. Rest well tonight, you'll need your energy."

---

With the formalities complete, Lila and Zora spent the rest of the day exploring the town. They tried local delicacies, admired the crafts in the market, and even watched a street performer juggle flaming torches. Lila was lively as ever, asking Zora endless questions about the guild and what tomorrow might bring. As night fell, they rented a room at a small lodge. It was cozy, with a warm fire crackling in the hearth and soft beds that promised a good night's rest. But Lila couldn't sleep. She laid in bed, staring at the ceiling, her mind racing with thoughts of the trials.

"What if I mess up? What if I'm not good enough?" she whispered, her voice unusually quiet. Zora sat beside her, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Lila, listen to me. You've trained hard, and you're more capable than you realize. The trials won't be easy, but I believe in you. Whatever happens, I'm proud of you." She turned to him, her eyes glistening. "Really?". "Really," Zora said with a small smile. "Now get some rest. Tomorrow's a big day."

Lila nodded, her worries easing as she closed her eyes. Within minutes, she was fast asleep. Zora stayed up a little longer, watching over her. Despite his lingering doubts, he couldn't deny how proud he was of her determination. He only hoped that the world would be kind to her, and that she would return to him safely. With a heavy sigh, he lay down and closed his eyes, and he went to sleep...