The Mission Hall stood towering over the town's bustling trade area, its sheer size and grand architecture setting it apart from the surrounding buildings.
Its towering stone walls were lined with banners marking the institution's emblem, their colors shifting slightly under the golden morning light. Large iron doors stood open, welcoming the newly awakened into its depths. Within, the vast hall buzzed with activity—rows of desks where officials processed arrivals, towering shelves stocked with supplies, and glowing crystal panels displaying information about upcoming assignments and training opportunities.
At the center of the hall, a wide circular platform glowed faintly, its intricate runic carvings pulsating with energy—the registration altar, where each awakened individual would receive their crystal card and initial resources.
The air hummed with excitement and whispered conversations—some voices filled with enthusiasm, others laced with uncertainty. This was where their journey truly began.
James made his way to the registration altar, where officials processed each awakened individual. After verifying his class, he received his crystal card, the small, glowing object pulsing faintly in his palm. With 100 credits stored within, it was meant to help him take his first steps in training—but how far could that really go?
Curious, he moved toward the supply shelves, where various materials were neatly displayed alongside their respective prices. Scrolls lined with runic inscriptions, arrows infused with minor elemental properties, basic armor sets tailored for different combat styles—all laid out with careful organization.
James scanned the listings. Some items were affordable—a beginner's tome on rune crafting cost 25 credits, while a basic quiver of enchanted arrows was priced at 40. But others… a well-crafted rune engraving set? 300 credits. An advanced arcane bow? Nearly 800.
The old man's words echoed in his mind: "Runemasters burn through money". Looking at these prices, James realized just how true that was. If he wanted to master both archery and rune crafting, he'd need resources—far more than what his initial credit balance could cover.
James approached one of the staff members, a middle-aged man dressed in the Federation's formal robes, standing near the supply section.
"Excuse me," James said, keeping his tone respectful. "How do I earn more credits?"
The staff member glanced at him before nodding slightly. "There are several ways," he explained. "The most common method is by completing missions posted on the request board. They vary in difficulty—some involve simple deliveries or scouting, while others require combat or rune crafting. The more challenging the mission, the greater the reward."
He gestured toward a large crystal panel mounted on the wall, displaying a list of available assignments with corresponding credit rewards. Some missions granted small amounts—5 to 15 credits—while more dangerous ones promised upwards of 100.
"You can also participate in training exercises hosted by the Federation," he continued. "Those who perform well can earn additional resources or sponsorships. And lastly, there are competitions—archery trials, combat tournaments, and even rune inscription contests. Winning those can net you substantial rewards."
James absorbed the information, already considering his options. Missions seemed to be the most direct path, but competitions… If he could prove his skill, maybe there was another way to grow stronger without relying purely on wealth.
James approached a staff member , this time with a more specific question.
"What about monster cores? How much do they usually cost?"
The staff member nodded, gesturing toward a separate section of the supply area where various cores were displayed behind protective glass. "Monster cores vary in price depending on their grade and the type of creature they come from," he explained. "Basic cores from low-tier beasts can go for as little as 50 credits, while mid-tier cores range between 200 and 500 credits. High-tier cores, especially those from rare or powerful monsters, can easily exceed 1,000 credits."
James studied the glowing orbs behind the glass, each pulsing faintly with residual energy. Some were small and dull, while others shimmered with vibrant hues, indicating their potency.
"If you're looking to buy, it's best to start with lower-tier cores until you have the funds for something stronger," the staff member advised. "Alternatively, hunting monsters yourself is a way to obtain cores without spending credits—but that comes with its own risks."
James weighed his options, his gaze lingering on the price listings. There was no way he could afford the materials he needed—not yet.
If he wanted to get ahead, he couldn't rely solely on mission rewards. Hunting for monster cores himself was risky, but if he succeeded, he'd not only gain credits but also valuable experience. The sooner he learned to fight outside the safety of structured training, the better.
The forests at the outskirts were home to low-tier monsters—dangerous, but manageable with caution. If he could take one down, harvest its core, and sell it, he'd have his first real step toward funding his growth as an Arcane Ranger.
Before setting off, James took a moment to prepare.
He browsed through the available guides in the Mission Hall, eventually selecting a basic herb-collecting manual for 30 credits. It wasn't anything advanced, but it covered the fundamentals—identifying medicinal plants, harvesting techniques, and warning signs of poisonous lookalikes. Knowledge, after all, was just as crucial as skill in surviving the wild.
With the guide secured, he checked the mission board, scanning through requests until one caught his eye—a collection task for herbs used in basic recovery potions. It wasn't glamorous, but it was practical, and it would allow him to earn while learning. The mission promised a reward of 10 credits upon completion. He paid the 2-credit guarantee to secure the mission, knowing he'd need to complete it on time to receive the full reward.
James considered his next purchase carefully.
A standard quiver wouldn't be enough—not if he wanted to maximize his effectiveness in battle. He needed something with an edge.
After browsing through the supply section, he found what he was looking for—a quiver of arrows with runes carved into their shafts, designed to enhance penetration upon impact. The enchantments weren't overly complex, but they provided a noticeable boost in effectiveness, making them ideal for someone just starting out.
The price, however, wasn't cheap. In a town where most equipment catered to standard combatants, rune-inscribed arrows were considered a specialty item, usually reserved for more advanced hunters or those with deeper pockets.
James froze for a moment, staring at the price tag—40 credits for just a quiver of 20 arrows.
The reality of how expensive rune-enhanced equipment was hit him harder than he expected.
Taking a steady breath, he steeled his resolve and approached the staff member. "I'll take it," he said firmly, handing over his crystal card for payment.
The staff member nodded and pressed the card against a glowing terminal. A faint pulse of energy surged through the device, and just like that, the transaction was complete.
He knew that just having rune-enhanced arrows wouldn't be enough—he needed a proper bow to complement them.
After scanning the selection available, he found a simple but sturdy bow priced at 20 credits. It lacked any enchantments, but it was well-crafted, reliable, and more than enough for someone just starting out.
Approaching the weapons counter, he handed over his card again. Another pulse of energy from the terminal, and just like that, the purchase was complete. He took back his card, now displaying a mere 𝟴 credits, and secured the bow to his gear. His supplies were limited, but he was as prepared as he could be.
Now, there was only one thing left to do—head into the forest and begin his hunt.