[Current Status: A Step Closer to Becoming Stronger]

  Location: Silverbrook Adventurer’s Guild

  System Assistance: PARTIALLY UNLOCKED (Abilities Still Locked for 6 Hours)

  Mood: Proud but Exhausted

  ---

  The sun had already begun to set by the time Yuuto, Era, and Celia returned to Silverbrook.

  Yuuto’s body ached, every muscle sore from the tension of battle. But despite the exhaustion, he couldn’t wipe the small smile off his face. He had done it.

  His first real battle. His first kills. And the best part?

  He had survived.

  As the three of them stepped through the wooden doors of the Silverbrook Adventurer’s Guild, Yuuto let out a deep breath, feeling a strange mixture of relief and excitement.

  ---

  [The Guild’s Reaction]

  The guild was lively as usual, with adventurers drinking, ughing, and boasting about their test conquests.

  But the moment Yuuto and Era entered, a few adventurers turned their heads.

  "Hah! The newbie's back already?" one man with a scarred face chuckled. "Did he even make it out of the vilge?"

  Another adventurer—a burly man with an axe—grinned. "Probably ran away at the first sign of a goblin!"

  Yuuto clenched his fists, but before he could say anything, Era spoke up.

  "He didn’t run." Her tone was cool, but firm. "He killed two goblins today."

  The room went silent for a moment.

  Yuuto felt all eyes turn to him, some filled with mild surprise, others with skepticism.

  Then, a woman in a bck cloak, sitting near the bar, let out a low chuckle. "Two goblins, huh? Well, at least you’re not completely useless."

  Celia snickered. "See? Even the drunk adventurers don’t think you’re a complete failure. That’s progress."

  Yuuto shot her a gre. "Shut up, Celia."

  ---

  [The First Reward]

  Era led Yuuto toward the guild reception counter, where a young woman with short silver hair and bright green eyes stood.

  She looked up and smiled. "Welcome back, Era. And… Yuuto, right? I see you completed your first quest?"

  Yuuto nodded. "Yeah. Two goblins down."

  The receptionist flipped through some papers before nodding. "Great! As a first-time quest reward, you'll receive… ten silver coins."

  She pced a small pouch of coins on the counter.

  Yuuto picked it up, feeling the weight of the money in his hands. It wasn’t much, but to him, it felt like proof that he had truly begun his journey.

  "Ten silver, huh?" Yuuto muttered. "I thought killing monsters paid more."

  Era smirked. "Not when they’re goblins."

  "Damn economy."

  Celia sighed dramatically. "Looks like you won’t be buying a mansion anytime soon."

  Yuuto rolled his eyes. "I’d be happy with a decent meal first."

  ---

  [A Warrior’s Growth]

  Just as Yuuto was about to leave the counter, the receptionist spoke again.

  "Oh! Before you go, there’s something else."

  Yuuto tilted his head. "Huh?"

  The receptionist handed him a small badge. A simple bronze pte, with his name engraved on it.

  [Yuuto – Bronze Rank Adventurer]

  Yuuto stared at it, running his fingers over the cold metal. It wasn’t anything fancy, but… it was real.

  He was an adventurer now.

  Era crossed her arms. "Don’t let it go to your head. Bronze Rank is the lowest. You still have a long way to go."

  Yuuto chuckled. "Yeah, yeah. But it’s a start, right?"

  Era didn’t say anything, but Yuuto could see the small, barely-there smile on her lips.

  ---

  [A Night to Celebrate]

  After collecting his reward, Yuuto followed Era to a nearby tavern.

  The pce was rowdy, filled with adventurers drinking and feasting after a long day of quests. The scent of roasted meat and ale filled the air, making Yuuto’s stomach growl.

  They took a seat at a corner table, and Yuuto finally allowed himself to rex.

  "Man, I thought I was gonna die today," Yuuto admitted, stretching his sore arms.

  Era took a sip of her drink, her amber eyes watching him closely. "You did better than I expected."

  Yuuto raised an eyebrow. "Wait… was that a compliment?"

  Era smirked. "Take it however you want."

  Celia floated beside them, arms crossed. "Pfft. You’re still leagues away from being strong. I bet you’ll struggle again tomorrow."

  Yuuto sighed. "Can you stop being my worst critic for one second?"

  Celia gave him a smug grin. "Nope. That’s part of my job."

  Yuuto groaned, but deep down, he knew Celia wasn’t entirely heartless.

  She had been watching over him the entire time. And despite her teasing, she still cared—in her own, twisted way.

  [A Night to Celebrate – Extended Scene]

  After a night of eating and drinking at the tavern, Yuuto found himself stumbling back to his room at the inn. His head was light, his body sluggish from the alcohol, and it was only thanks to Era that he even made it to his bed in one piece.

  She sighed as she helped him sit down, her amber eyes filled with mild exasperation.

  "You’re heavier than you look, you know."

  Yuuto chuckled zily. "You’re just weak."

  Era shot him a look but didn’t argue. Instead, she shook her head and walked toward the door.

  "Get some rest, idiot. You’re going to regret drinking this much tomorrow."

  Yuuto groaned. "Yeah, yeah… mom."

  Era paused for a second, but then just let out a small huff before leaving, closing the door behind her.

  For a moment, silence filled the room.

  Then, a familiar voice spoke up.

  "Hah. Look at you, already acting like a lost puppy when she leaves."

  Yuuto grunted, shifting on the bed. "Shut up, Celia."

  She floated above him, her ghostly figure glowing softly in the dim candlelight. Her usual smug grin was on her lips, but there was something gentler in her gaze tonight.

  "You really can’t handle alcohol, huh?"

  Yuuto let out a slow breath, his vision blurry as he turned his head toward her.

  "Celia…" His voice was quiet, almost slurred. "Why… why do you have to be a system?"

  Celia’s smirk faltered for a second.

  Yuuto barely noticed. He kept talking, his words slow and heavy.

  "Why was I summoned here…? Why me?" He let out a weak chuckle. "I don’t belong here… but at least… I’m not alone."

  He swallowed, his throat dry, and in a voice so soft it was almost a whisper, he mumbled:

  "Thanks for being here, Celia."

  Celia didn’t speak right away.

  For once, there was no sarcastic reply, no teasing remark. She just stared at him, her expression unreadable.

  Then, in a slow, almost hesitant motion, she reached down and pulled the bnket over him, covering his body.

  Yuuto let out a small, tired ugh. "You do care, huh…?"

  Celia rolled her eyes, crossing her arms. "Don’t get the wrong idea. You’d catch a cold and make my job harder. That’s all."

  Yuuto smiled, eyes half-lidded. His mind was foggy, but there was one st question lingering at the back of his head.

  "Celia… how did you die?" His voice was soft, barely above a whisper. "And… why was I summoned?"

  Celia’s expression changed.

  For the first time, she looked… distant.

  Her lips parted slightly, and she whispered something.

  But Yuuto couldn’t hear it.

  His body gave in to exhaustion, his consciousness slipping a

  way before he could ask her to repeat it.

  And in the dim candlelight of the quiet room, Celia stood there, staring at him for a long moment before letting out a soft sigh.

  ---

  End of Chapter 7