The carriage gets closer and Kyle sees these massive stone walls... Stonehelm. They just stretch on forever.
The gates were already open, and a steady stream of people and carts were going in and out.
They finally hit the gate and the carriage just stops.
Kyle, Garrick, and Luna hop down and join the crowd of people trying to get inside. They pay a little fee and the guards just wave them through.
The second Kyle walks past those gates, it's like everything changes.
The streets and houses stretched out before him. The place was crowded with people wearing what appeared to be medieval clothing.
Merchants called out from open stalls, while adventurers moved freely through the streets, their weapons worn openly.
Some bore armor marked by battle, others carried gear that faintly hinted at enchantment.
Kyle's eyes kept moving around, surprised by the look of a city in a fantasy world.
Garrick clapped Kyle's shoulder. "We're heading to the market square. You sure you don't want to stick with us?"
Kyle nodded. "I'll find my way."
Luna added, "There's a nice inn near the central district, next to the Golden Vanguard branch."
Kyle thanked them, then they split up soon after. He continued alone until a low rumble came from his stomach.
He paused.
`Let's eat first... Exploring could wait.`
He walked into a tavern and the noise just hit him—people laughing, yelling, glasses clinking everywhere.
Packed with adventurers and regular folks too. Armor leaning on the walls, swords just sitting on tables like it's nothing.
Kyle grabbed a corner seat and told the waiter to bring whatever food they had ready.
While waiting, Kyle watched the place. There were lots of adventurers, some were totally drunk, others just talking or maybe planning stuff for later.
He looked at their gear too. Some of it was just normal junk, but other pieces... they looked kinda magical or something.
Kyle looked at a middle-aged adventurer with a big shield, sitting at the counter. Then, calmly, he summoned up his status screen.
[Name: Rickard]
[Strength: 23 | Intelligence: 17 | Endurance: 31 | Agility: 16 | Magic: 0]
[Affection: 0%]
Then, he shifted his gaze to a young girl chatting with her group.
[Name: Mirya]
[Strength: 18 | Intelligence: 27 | Endurance: 14 | Agility: 19 | Magic: 20]
[Affection: 0%]
He kept checking the adventurers and their stats. After a moment, his gaze dropped, and he fell silent before letting out a quiet sigh.
`Even the drunkard in the corner has higher stats than me.`
Kyle wasn't surprised. These people made a living fighting monsters. He wasn't meant to outmuscle them—at least, not yet.
After a moment, the waiter plopped a steaming plate before him—herb-crusted mutton ribs, alongside a hunk of rye bread.
He dug into it with appetite. At the same time, he kept his eyes and ears open, trying to pick up the rumors and news going around.
"...Heard there's a huge dragon out in the Blackroot Mountains attacking adventurers. The guild's putting together a big party for it."
"...I don't know. I heard it's a red dragon. 300 years, they say."
"...300? Fuck that. I ain't got a death wish."
"...Me neither. Stick to the small fry for now, I say."
Kyle listened intently, trying to gauge the difficulty of the monster. He had some experience with the animals of the forest, but the Blackroot Mountains sounded like a whole different level.
`300 years red dragon...` He mulled over their words. `Guess I better start at the bottom and work my way up.`
He kept eating, ignoring most of the talk around him, until one rumor caught his attention.
"...I heard that the Hero and his party are coming to Stonehelm in a few days."
Kyle paused mid-bite, glancing over at the speakers.
`The Hero?`
Kyle had heard a lot about the hero since he came to this world. This hero seemed to him literally like a main character from a fantasy novel.
He listened closer as they continued chatting.
"...They say that they're stopping in Stonehelm for a few days. Gonna take on the red dragon."
"...Hah! They must be really desperate for fame and glory. 300 years? They don't stand a chance."
"...Bah, I don't care about the Hero. All I want to see is that saintess. They say she's the most beautiful woman in the entire kingdom."
"...You can't resist her body, huh? I'm telling you, she's a fucking saintess."
Kyle frowned, then turned his attention back to his meal.
`Guess I'll have to see them when they arrive.` He thought to himself. `For now... I have more important things to do.`
After finishing his meal, Kyle paid for it and stepped out of the tavern, melding into the crowded streets of Stonehelm.
He walked down the streets, observing the various people around him.
Some were merchants, others were simple townsfolk, and there were always a few adventurers scattered about.
Kyle kept walking until he reached what seemed to be the central district.
Eventually, a symbol came into view—a golden gauntlet clutching lightning. The Golden Vanguard Guild.
It was beside the inn Luna had mentioned before.
Kyle stopped in front of the guild hall, its doors open, voices echoing from within.
He stepped forward and entered.