Capítulo 5: The Dudu Bird
Limon, without hesitation, entered the fitting room, cradling the mage robe in his arms. The robe, a single piece, posed no real challenge to put on—just a matter of figuring out which way it went and slipping it on.
Once he stood before the mirror, dressed in the elegant black robe, Limon couldn't help but admire his reflection. The smooth fabric, covered with intricate patterns, felt luxurious against his skin. Atop his head sat a pointed, wide-brimmed mage hat that completed the look. He looked every bit the part of a wizard straight out of a fantasy novel.
As he adjusted the robe, Limon noticed something strange. A peculiar energy seemed to radiate from it. It was as though an invisible force was pulsing within the fabric, and the hat perched on his head sharpened his thoughts, making his senses more acute.
"It's remarkable…" he murmured, impressed by the sensation.
The shopkeeper, seeing him emerge from the fitting room, couldn't hide his appreciation. His eyes lit up, and he smiled broadly.
"You look fantastic!" he said, clearly impressed by how the robe suited Limon.
Despite the compliments, the shopkeeper remained practical, holding up a staff. "This is the only staff available in our store."
Limon took the staff from him. It was about 1.2 meters long, made of polished brown wood, and looked rather simple—nothing grand.
The shopkeeper continued, explaining, "Arizela is in the middle of a desert, and there aren't any powerful tree-like demons nearby to harvest better materials. That's why we only have this basic staff. But it's engraved with runes for 'focus' and 'listening.' It's a very practical choice, and it's worth the 20 gold coins."
Limon ran his fingers over the smooth wood before giving it a few test swings. The staff felt surprisingly balanced in his hands, despite its plain appearance.
"This will do," Limon said, nodding in approval. There was no other choice, after all.
The shopkeeper, still smiling, held out his hand. "Forty gold coins, please, for the robe and staff together."
Limon pulled out his remaining gold coins, a slight tension building in his chest. When the last coin left his pouch, he breathed a quiet sigh of relief.
With the staff in one hand and his new robe and hat on, Limon made his way out of the store, feeling somewhat lighter.
But as he walked, his fingers brushed the now-empty cloth bag. His finances were dangerously low. If he didn't find a way to make money soon, surviving in this city would be a real challenge.
Still, Limon didn't let the worry take hold. He was an adventurer now, and adventurers made their living through action. There would be ways to earn, and he would find them.
Shaking off the thoughts of money, Limon glanced around the rest area, noticing the adventurers relaxing there. He saw their levels: 13, 15, 16, 19… and some much higher—21, 24, and 26.
They were all split into teams, but there were three loners among them. Warriors, magicians, wind runners, and priests made up the group, but their races weren't as clear. From appearances alone, Limon could guess a few things.
The elves were the most numerous—naturally, since Arizela was their homeland. Among the group, four were elves: two priests and two mages. Their levels ranged from 14 to 19. There were also humans, mostly warriors with levels around 20. Then there were the half-elves—easily identifiable by their pointed ears and striking features. They were split between wind runners and mages.
Limon's gaze landed on Lalasa, who, despite her civilian status, had a level of 2. His thoughts briefly drifted to Rhine, who was a priest apprentice with a level of 3. It seemed the path ahead for Rhine was going to be difficult.
But then, Limon's attention shifted back to himself. His level? Zero. Not a single point of experience. He was the weakest adventurer here, a mere novice with no power.
And yet, as he thought this, a cheerful voice interrupted his thoughts.
Lalasa waved at him from behind the counter, flashing a mischievous smile. "Looking good in your new outfit!" she said with a wink. "But don't get too cocky, or I might just have to put you to work."
Limon offered a polite nod and looked away, not sure how to respond to her teasing. She was charming, yes, but her words left him with little to say.
But Lalasa, unfazed, continued. "There's someone you should meet, Mr. Laradoa. He's always looking for help, especially from new adventurers like you. You can find him at the Sandy Fishery. Just head out of the city through the East Gate, then follow the road south until you see a sentry tower. The fishery is nearby."
She handed him a picture book from under the counter, adding, "This atlas will help you. It's a map of Arizela. You'll need it."
Limon took the map gratefully, nodding. "Thank you."
"No problem!" Lalasa chirped. "Just make sure you get there before nightfall. And remember, the bird stable's right next door if you need a ride."
Limon left the Adventurer's Guild, still mulling over the map in his hands. The map showed Arizela City and its surroundings, with key locations like the Golden Square and the East City Avenue clearly marked.
Limon turned the page to read about Arizela itself. It was a bustling trading hub, built up from a mining town into a city-state thanks to merchant consortiums. The power in Arizela was shared between the royal family and the Merchant Council. No wonder wealth dominated the city, Limon thought, eyeing the map's depiction of the opulent merchant districts.
The information on the city's history and governance was helpful, but Limon quickly tucked the atlas away. It would be a good guide for future exploration.
Next, he made his way to the bird stable Lalasa had mentioned. The alley was tucked away, far from the busy streets, and the stench of the place hit him before he saw the stable.
It wasn't the most pleasant smell, but the young man behind the counter, a half-elf with pointy ears and sharp eyes, greeted him cheerfully. "Looking to rent a Dudu bird?" he asked, a smile stretching across his face.
Limon nodded. The bird would help him get around faster, especially if he was heading out of the city.
The young man disappeared into the stable, and soon returned leading a large bird. It stood nearly two meters tall, with bright yellow feathers. It looked strong, but also a bit vacant in the eyes. Its beak was large, and it carried a saddle on its back.
After handing over a deposit of one gold coin, Limon climbed onto the bird's back. It was docile enough, though not overly responsive. He gave the bird a gentle stroke on the head, and it barely reacted.
"Let's go," Limon muttered to himself, preparing for his first real task as an adventurer. There was no time to waste.
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