Evolution begins with an ant colony

The sun cast a warm, golden hue across the bustling streets of the royal capital. People moved about, their footsteps echoing against the cobblestone pathways. The Adventurers Guild, a grand building adorned with a wooden sign bearing its name, stood prominently in the heart of the city.

Evan, dressed in his casual yet sturdy fantasy attire, gazed at the guild with anticipation. He had spent months honing his skills as a swordsman, and today marked a significant milestone in his journey. His fingers rested on the hilt of the sword secured at his waist, a symbol of his newfound strength and determination.

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With a heart filled with determination and excitement, Evan couldn't help but exclaim inwardly, "The day is finally here!" His face beamed with a sense of achievement as he stood before the Adventurers Guild, ready to embark on a new chapter of his life as a hero.

Evan took a deep breath, his determination unwavering as he clenched his fists in front of his face. With a final moment of resolve, he muttered to himself, "Here goes nothing."

Pushing the heavy wooden door of the Adventurers Guild open, he stepped inside. The scene within was lively and bustling with activity. His gaze swept across the room, taking in the sight of adventurers from various walks of life.

Some sat at tables, drinks in hand, exchanging stories of their daring exploits. Others huddled in groups, animatedly discussing potential quests. A few even gathered around a makeshift gambling corner, rolling dice and testing their luck.

Evan couldn't help but feel a sense of camaraderie among these individuals, all driven by the thrill of adventure.

Evan met the friendly gaze of the woman behind the counter, her demeanor welcoming. She greeted him with a warm smile, "Good morning, sir. How may I help you today?"

Evan's excitement shone through as he leaned in, placing both of his hands on the counter. "I would like to register as an adventurer, please," he replied eagerly.

The woman nodded, reaching for a parchment and a quill. She placed them in front of him and said, "Certainly. Please fill out this form with your details." Evan took the paper and quill, ready to embark on this new chapter of his life as a registered adventurer in the royal capital.

Evan efficiently filled out the parchment, double-checking to ensure all his details were accurate. With the quill now set aside, he handed the parchment back to the woman behind the counter. "Here, I'm finished," he declared confidently.

As she took the parchment and scanned the contents, her eyes widened with surprise when she reached a particular section. Her voice was laced with eagerness as she asked, "Sir, in this class box, you filled in 'Hero; swordsman.' Do you have anything to prove this information?"

Evan nodded and reached into his pocket. From it, he retrieved a gleaming golden insignia bearing the emblem of the Holy Church. He presented it to the woman, asking, "Will this be enough?" His actions prompted a flurry of whispers among the adventurers in the guild hall, many of them recognizing the symbol and murmuring in response.

The woman behind the counter, slightly flustered by the unexpected revelation, quickly composed herself. She offered a polite smile and apologized to Evan for any presumption.

"I'm sorry for being presumptuous," she said earnestly. "I will get your guild card ready immediately."

With a sense of urgency, she retrieved the necessary materials and began the process of creating Evan's guild card, leaving behind the curious whispers of the adventurers in the guild hall.

Evan, now officially an adventurer, examined his new guild identification card. It bore all his details, affirming his status as an adventurer:

Name: Evan

Age: 18

Class: Hero; Swordsman 3★

Adventurer Rank: E

Number of Quests Completed: 0

Highest Quest Rank Taken: N/En/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Evan's excitement grew as he stared at the card. He couldn't help but wonder why his rank started at E, but he quickly shrugged it off, realizing that he was now officially an adventurer. He grinned and muttered to himself, "Alright! Time to take on my first quest."

Walking toward the imposing quest board in the guild, Evan began perusing the available quests. However, he was soon interrupted by a man's voice calling out to him.

"Oi, hero!"

Evan turned to see a rugged man with brown hair, a grizzled beard, and numerous scars adorning his face. The man's leather armor showed signs of battle, and his well-built frame hinted at his combat prowess.

The rugged man extended an offer, "Mind taking up a quest with me and my party?"

Evan's thoughts raced as he considered the opportunity. He couldn't help but acknowledge the perks of being a hero. His eyes gleamed with enthusiasm as he replied, "Sure."

The man flashed a confident smile and said, "Okay, you won't regret it." He confidently approached the guild board, swiftly tearing off a B-rank quest. Walking up to the counter, he placed the quest on it and declared, "I, my party, and the hero will be taking up this quest."

The woman by the counter, her eyes widening as she glimpsed the quest's rank, stuttered in response, "Isn't this a bit high for the hero's first quest?"

The man casually brushed off the woman's concern with a dismissive sound, "Pfft. Don't worry, we can handle it. Nothing bad will happen to the precious hero. Besides, this will be very valuable experience for him."

He then turned his gaze back to Evan and asked, "Ain't that right, sir hero?"

Evan responded with uncontainable enthusiasm, "Of course!" There was a glint in his eyes, ready to embark on this challenging adventure with his newfound companions.

Reluctantly, the counterwoman stuttered, "O... okay." She picked up the quest request paper and stamped it before handing it back to the man. He smiled and turned to Evan, saying, "Alright, sir hero, off we go now."

The man took the lead, and Evan followed closely behind him. He couldn't help but notice the worried expression on the woman's face, but he brushed it off, determined to focus on the adventure that awaited him.