SIGILBORNE: The World Beyond

A Reason To Become Adventurer

More than a month had passed since their encounter with the A-grade Corrupted beast.

The journey had been relatively peaceful since then. They crossed several settlements, passed through stretches of farmland, and traveled along roads that grew busier as they moved farther from Wycliffe Barony.

There had been a few encounters with ordinary wildlife, but nothing they couldn't handle. Whenever something approached their carriage, Arthur was usually the first to react, while Seren had become much more confident using her two Sigils.

Their understanding had improved considerably.

Arthur, in particular, had made remarkable progress. The advice Bram gave him during their journey had changed the way he approached Terran. Instead of simply raising walls or shaping large amounts of earth, he had started paying attention to the ground itself. He learned to manipulate its structure, anticipate how weight would shift, and use the terrain to his advantage. He still had plenty to learn, but his control had become noticeably more precise.

Seren had also grown more comfortable with Aqua and Aeris. She could now combine the two with greater ease, shaping water while using air to guide its movement. Her progress was slower than Arthur's, partly because she had two Sigils to understand, but she was no longer as hesitant as she had been when they first met.

Even Eiran had made some progress.

He spent much of his free time studying the strange symbols he had copied from the hidden chamber. His unfamiliar Sigil remained difficult to understand, and he had yet to discover another application beyond restricting movement. Still, he could now activate it with slightly better control, though doing so continued to drain his concentration.

The three had settled into a comfortable routine. Travel, practice, rest, and repeat. It was not an exciting life, but Eiran didn't mind. There was something satisfying about watching the world gradually unfold before them.

That afternoon, however, their journey took an unexpected turn.

As they approached a wide stretch of road leading toward a nearby town, they noticed several carriages gathered farther ahead. A few merchants had parked along the roadside, while groups of people stood together, discussing something with considerable interest.

Arthur slowed the horse and glanced toward the gathering. "What's going on over there?"

"Something must have happened," Eiran replied.

They approached at a leisurely pace and found several travelers gathered near the roadside. Some appeared to be merchants, while others wore the equipment commonly associated with adventurers. Curiosity got the better of Arthur, who climbed down from the carriage and approached a nearby group while Eiran and Seren waited beside their horse.

It didn't take long for him to return.

"Apparently, a ruin was discovered nearby."

Eiran looked at him with interest. "A ruin?"

"Yeah. Some builders were excavating the area when they found something underground. It seems the land belongs to a Viscount who's been trying to expand his territory."

That caught Eiran's attention. He had heard stories about ancient ruins before, though most were little more than rumors. Some contained forgotten structures, old records, or objects left behind by civilizations that had disappeared long ago. Others were far more dangerous.

"How old is it?" he asked.

"They don't know yet. The excavation was stopped as soon as they realized what they'd found. Apparently, people are already gathering near the Viscount's territory." Arthur glanced back at the crowd. "I asked why everyone was interested, too."

He explained what he had learned.

According to the laws governing the kingdom, ancient ruins discovered within a noble's territory could not simply be claimed and sealed away by the landowner. Once properly identified, they were opened to registered explorers, scholars, and adventurers.

The Viscount could manage the surrounding land and oversee the excavation, but the discovery itself was considered a matter of wider interest.

Of course, there were restrictions. Anyone wishing to enter a newly discovered ruin had to present valid identification proving that they belonged to one of the three recognized groups. The rule existed for a reason. Newly discovered ruins were particularly dangerous, as their interiors had rarely been explored or mapped. Traps could remain active, and creatures might have settled inside over the years. Allowing unqualified people to wander into them would only create unnecessary casualties.

Eiran listened without interrupting. Then his gaze drifted toward the distant road.

Ancient ruins, forgotten structures, and places that had remained hidden beneath the earth for who knew how long.

This was exactly the sort of thing he had hoped to encounter when he first left home. He wanted to see the world beyond familiar roads and settlements, to discover things that couldn't be found in books or heard through secondhand stories.

Yet there was one problem.

Neither he, Arthur, nor Seren belonged to any of the three recognized groups. They couldn't enter.

Eiran let out a quiet breath. "Well, that's unfortunate."

Arthur tilted his head. "What is?"

"We've traveled all this way, and now there's something interesting nearby that we can't even explore."

Arthur gave a small laugh. "Then perhaps it's time we did something about that. We've talked about it before. After meeting Rovan and the others, I started thinking about becoming an adventurer. I just never brought it up again."

Seren remained quiet, listening.

Eiran turned toward his friend. "You want to become an adventurer?"

"I do. And judging by the way you're looking at that ruin, I doubt you're against the idea."

Eiran couldn't deny it. He had wanted to explore the world since he was young, and becoming an adventurer would give him opportunities he wouldn't otherwise have.

There were practical benefits as well. Adventurers with valid guild identification were exempt from ordinary entrance fees when entering towns, settlements, and villages. They could travel more freely without having to pay at every gate. It was a useful privilege, especially for people who spent most of their lives on the road.

However, Eiran knew it wouldn't change how they traveled. Because of Seren, they avoided settlements whenever possible. They only stopped when absolutely necessary, usually when their supplies were running low. Even then, Arthur was the one who entered town to purchase what they needed, while Eiran and Seren waited outside with the carriage. Her safety mattered more to them than any convenience a guild membership could offer.

Still, the advantages were difficult to ignore.

He glanced at her. "What about you? Would you want to become an adventurer?"

Seren looked slightly surprised by the question. "I... I'm not sure."

She lowered her gaze toward her hands. She had grown more comfortable traveling with them, but the thought of entering crowded places still made her uneasy.

Arthur seemed to understand. "You don't have to decide just because we want to do it. But if you do, there are ways to keep people from recognizing you. Some adventurers wear armor that covers their entire bodies. Others use masks or helmets. It's not unusual for people to hide their faces while traveling."

He paused before adding, "Though hiding your identity completely can be a little suspicious. Still, most people probably won't think much of it if you simply prefer to keep your appearance private."

Eiran nodded. "You don't need to tell anyone anything you're uncomfortable sharing."

Seren remained silent for a moment. Then she looked toward the road leading to the Viscount's territory.

"I think... I'd like to try."

Arthur smiled. "Then we'll do it together."

Eiran looked at the two of them. It seemed their journey was about to take a different direction.

The gathering near the road gradually dispersed as travelers continued toward the Viscount's territory. Eiran and the others followed at a steady pace, eventually reaching a town where preparations for the ruin's discovery were already underway.

The streets were busier than usual. Merchants had set up temporary stalls, and several adventurers could be seen discussing the discovery outside local establishments. Even the guards appeared occupied, directing travelers and answering questions about the excavation.

Eiran guided the carriage to a suitable place near the market. "We should get Seren a few things first."

Arthur nodded. "I'll handle it."

He climbed down and took a small portion of their remaining money. They still had a considerable amount left from what Cedric had given them before their departure, so purchasing a few pieces of equipment wouldn't be a problem.

Seren glanced at the bags they had brought. "I can keep wearing these clothes. They're comfortable."

She was still wearing the traveling clothes Arthur had given her after her rescue. They were slightly oversized, but she had grown accustomed to them and preferred not to replace them.

"Alright," Arthur replied. "I'll focus on the things you need to hide your appearance."

He disappeared into the market.

Eiran stayed beside the carriage with Seren while they waited. Around them, the town continued its usual activity, though the discovery had clearly attracted more visitors than normal.

Nearly an hour later, Arthur returned carrying several packages. He placed them inside the carriage and began showing them what he had bought.

There was a pair of fitted leather gloves, a dark half-mask made from soft, reinforced leather, and a close-fitting hood with extended side flaps designed to cover the ears. The hood could be worn beneath her cloak, leaving only a small portion of her face visible when she wished to keep her identity concealed.

The mask covered her nose and mouth, with narrow openings that allowed her to see and breathe comfortably. It was simple rather than decorative, made for traveling and practical use instead of drawing attention. Arthur had also purchased a few small accessories to help secure the hood in place.

Seren examined the items carefully. "These should work."

"Good. I wasn't sure what kind of mask you'd prefer, so I chose something simple."

She tried them on. The hood concealed her pointed ears and most of her silver-gray hair, while the mask hid the lower half of her face. With her cloak drawn around her shoulders, very little of her appearance remained visible.

Eiran studied her for a moment. "That should be enough. You look like an adventurer who prefers not to be recognized."

Seren adjusted the edge of her hood. "I hope so."

Arthur grinned. "Besides, plenty of adventurers look stranger than that."

They finished organizing their belongings and made their way toward the local Adventurers' Guild.

The building stood along one of the busier streets, its entrance marked by a wooden sign bearing the guild's emblem. Several people entered and left throughout their approach. Some carried weapons, others wore travel-worn armor, and a few had visible Sigil marks on their hands.

The moment they stepped inside, the noise of the hall reached them. Conversations filled the room. Adventurers gathered around tables, some discussing requests while others exchanged stories over drinks. A large board covered one wall, displaying notices and available jobs.

Eiran took a brief look around. He had visited a guild before only through stories and descriptions. Seeing one in person was different. It felt less like an ordinary building and more like a place where countless journeys crossed paths.

Their arrival didn't go unnoticed.

A few adventurers glanced toward them. Some looked at Arthur's equipment, others at Eiran's travel-worn clothes. A couple of gazes lingered on Seren, though her hood and mask revealed little.

The three paid them no mind and walked toward the reception counter, where a young woman was sorting through several documents.

When she noticed them approaching, she offered a professional smile. "Welcome to the Adventurers' Guild. How may I help you?"

Eiran stepped forward. "We'd like to register as adventurers."

The receptionist looked at the three of them. Her eyes briefly moved from Eiran to Arthur, then settled on the masked girl standing quietly beside them.

"All three of you?"

"Yes," Eiran answered.

The receptionist placed the documents in her hands aside. "Very well. I'll explain the registration process."

And with that, their journey was about to take another turn.