As the carriage rolled closer, Kyle could see the towering stone walls of Stonehelm stretching out before him.
The gates were already open, and a steady stream of people and carts were going in and out.
When they reached the gate, the carriage came to a halt.
Kyle, Garrick, and Luna climbed down, joining the steady flow of people entering the city. They paid a small entry fee before being waved through by the guards.
The moment Kyle stepped past the gates, the world seemed to shift.
Wide stone streets spread out before him, crowded with people in practical, medieval attire—leather coats, cloaks, and worn boots.
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 stepped into a nearby tavern, the noise hitting him instantly—laughter, raised voices, clinking mugs.
The place was crowded with adventurers and locals alike, armor stacked against walls, weapons resting casually on the tables.
Kyle took a seat at the corner, then ordered dinner, leaving the choice to the waiter.
While waiting, Kyle observed the place. There were lots of adventurers, some drunk, some talking, and others planning their next missions.
He glanced at their equipment. There were some weapons and armor that looked ordinary, and others that undoubtedly looked magical.
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: 33]
[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.