Maria noticed the look in his eyes, the way he leaned in, his focus sharp. A faint smile tugged at her lips. He was taking this seriously, and that impressed her.
She decided to continue.
"Aaron," she said gently but firmly, "Since you now understand the different grades of gear and items, it's time I tell you the basic things every adventurer should know. Without these, even a strong sword won't help you survive long."
She straightened up slightly, her tone shifting from friendly to professional.
"Before starting your journey as an adventurer, you'll need to understand a few essentials. The guild has clear rules that help maintain fairness, safety, and order, both within its halls and out in the field."
"When it comes to quests, each mission includes details like its difficulty, the expected reward, and whether it's best tackled solo or with a team. Choosing wisely based on your abilities and rank is crucial."
"Managing your earnings is a skill in itself. From coins and magical items to rare loot, knowing how to store, spend, or trade your rewards helps you stay prepared for the challenges ahead."
"Out on quests, dangers come in many forms, monsters, traps, cursed objects, and harsh environments. Understanding what threats you might face and how to deal with them can be the difference between life and death."
"The Status Skill is something every adventurer needs to buy. It costs 2 silver coins and lets you view your own stats, check someone else's, and get details about items like equipment, potions, and more."
"Healing is a necessity after battles or long travel. You'll depend on potions, healing spells, rest zones, or professional healers stationed at safe spots along your journey."
"If you're working with a group, knowing how to behave as a team player is vital. Sharing loot fairly, communicating clearly, and protecting one another fosters trust and strengthens the party."
"After completing your quest, you'll return to the guild to report your success. This final step confirms the mission outcome, logs your experience, and ensures you receive your well-earned reward."
Maria took a slow sip from her wooden bottle, letting the silence linger for a moment. Then she leaned forward, her expression turning serious.
"Well, Aaron," she said, "it's time I told you something very important. You already know this world has monsters... but you may not know they're classified into distinct grades."
She held up her fingers as she listed them, her voice steady and clear:
- Ordinary Grade Monsters – These are the weakest. You'll find them in beginner zones, creatures like wild wolves, goblins, or mutated insects. Easy to defeat, but still dangerous if underestimated.
- Elite Grade Monsters – Stronger than the average beast. They have better instincts, enhanced strength, and sometimes minor magical traits. They often guard valuable areas or rare resources.
- Boss Grade Monsters – These are powerful enemies that serve as the final challenge in certain dungeons or quest zones. They're tougher, have unique abilities, and usually require teamwork to defeat.
- Leader Grade Monsters – Commanders of monster groups. Think of them as generals in the wild. They often boost the abilities of nearby creatures and display tactical behavior, making them deadly in coordinated attacks.
- Hell Grade Monsters – The rarest and most terrifying. These are nightmare-tier beasts, often tied to ancient legends or forbidden zones. Only the most elite adventurers, those with Red Cards, dare face them, and even they don't always return.
Maria's tone softened just a little as she added,
"Knowing what kind of monster you're facing can save your life. So pay attention to your surroundings, your quest notes, and your instincts. Classification isn't just for record-keeping, it's how you survive."
Maria took another sip from her wooden bottle, then leaned in with a knowing smile.
"Now, let's talk about drops," she said, her tone shifting toward something more secretive, like she was sharing insider knowledge.
"You might not have heard many people discuss this, but every monster you defeat has a chance to drop items. Things like weapons, armor, potions, and even skill scrolls. It's one of the ways adventurers earn rewards outside of their quest pay."
Aaron's eyes narrowed with curiosity.
Maria continued, "Now, not every monster is generous. Ordinary-grade monsters, the weak ones, rarely drop anything valuable. You might get a basic sword or a worn-out boot if you're lucky." She chuckled.
"But as the monster's grade increases, so does the chance of getting better loot. Elite monsters might drop rare gear or healing potions. Boss-grade ones can reward you with powerful items or even unique scrolls. If you ever face a Leader or Hell-grade monster…" Her voice dropped slightly, "…those can drop treasures people spend their lives chasing."
She paused, letting the weight of those words settle in.
"Of course, higher-grade monsters are much harder to defeat. But that's the balance, greater risk, greater reward. So always keep an eye out after a fight. Even a single drop can change your fate."
Aaron's head was buzzing. He had just absorbed an avalanche of new information, grades, ranks, quest rules, healing techniques, and loot drops, yet his mind stayed sharp. His intelligence helped him memorize it all, but even so, it felt like he had walked straight into the heart of a complex new world.
Just as he began to relax, thinking the briefing was finally over, Maria gave him a thoughtful look. That familiar smile reappeared, but this time, there was something heavier behind it.
She took another sip from her bottle, set it down slowly, and leaned in.
"Now that we've covered all the basics," she said gently, "it's time I tell you something a little more… personal."
Her voice dropped a touch lower, like she didn't want others to overhear.
"Never trust adventurers too easily."
She met his gaze squarely.
"I've seen people kill each other over a single rare item. Friends, party members… even siblings."
Aaron blinked, taken aback by the sudden shift in tone.
Maria continued, her expression steady but firm.
"Out in the wild, monsters are deadly, sure. But adventurers? They can be even more dangerous. Greed, desperation, envy, it brings out the worst in people when gold and glory are involved."
She leaned back slightly, crossing her arms.
"Of course, not every adventurer is like that. Most wouldn't lay a hand on a newbie like you. But still… stay alert. Build trust slowly. And always watch your back."