The guildhall buzzed with activity metal clanging from trainers sharpening gear, Pokémon padding between chairs and tables, laughter and tension woven in equal measure through the air.
Shion stood near the center, holding his newly issued adventurer card, still trying to believe it was real.
It glowed faintly with his name etched into it.
He turned to where he'd last seen Kaela and spotted her again by the main quest board, this time speaking to a tall man clad in light plate armor trimmed in navy. A regal-looking Metagross stood behind him like a statue carved from psychic steel.
Shion swallowed.
Just talk to her, he told himself. Don't be weird.
---
He walked over with hesitant steps.
Kaela was mid-conversation, arms crossed, eyes locked on the man's face. Her tone was unusually serious. When she noticed Shion approaching, her brow rose slightly.
"You again?" she said. "What now, farm boy?"
Shion rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "Uh… I just… thought I'd let you know I registered."
Kaela blinked. "Registered for what?"
Shion raised the card.
"…I'm an adventurer now."
Kaela stared at him in genuine silence for a moment.
"You were gone for five minutes."
"It just kinda… happened?"
"You tripped and fell into an adventurer contract?"
Shion laughed awkwardly. "The clerk was really convincing."
The man beside Kaela turned his attention to Shion. He looked to be in his late twenties, clean-shaven, with short dark hair and calm, focused eyes. He wore a golden brooch in the shape of a roaring Garchomp clear mark of a high-rank adventurer.
He studied Shion for a moment, then offered a faint smile.
"This him?"
Kaela shrugged. "Yeah. That's the kid . Just got here a few days ago. He has… unique lycanroc...."
Shion blinked. "Uh, thank you?"
"Reinhart Velis," the man said, offering a gloved hand. "Gold-rank adventurer. And currently acting as the liaison between Avia's Hollow and the Ravelle Capital."
Shion's eyes widened. "You're Gold rank?!"
Reinhart chuckled softly. "That's right."
"I didn't think I'd meet someone that high up! You must've done amazing things defeated dozens of corrupted Pokémon, traveled the Dead Land, climbed Soldris Peak "
Kaela cleared her throat.
Reinhart gave a humble nod. "Nothing quite that legendary. But I've seen a few battles. And the Dead Land… well, best to avoid that place if you can help it."
Shion felt a burst of awe well up in his chest. He looked up to Reinhart like a kid seeing a hero for the first time.
Kaela seemed to sense the shift and rolled her eyes. "Don't get attached."
---
After a few more pleasantries, Kaela's tone sharpened.
"We've got business," she said to Shion. "You've got your card now. Go find something Bronze-level and stay out of trouble."
Shion flinched slightly but nodded. "Right. Of course. Sorry."
He turned to go. Reinhart gave him a polite wave as he left, and Shion waved back.
Sheesh, Shion thought. I really should stop bothering her.
Still, he couldn't help but glance back once.
She was already deep in conversation again, eyes narrowed. Whatever she was involved in… it was serious.
---
Shion walked up to the Bronze Rank quest board. Compared to the massive lists on the other boards, this one was smaller and more practical.
> Quest: Herb Gathering in Greenpath Glade
Urgent request for Silverleaf, Sunroot, and Leechmoss. Needed for town healer's salve. Watch for territorial Bug-types. Return herbs to guild desk before sunset.
Reward: 110 copper coin
Rank: Bronze
He pulled the flyer from the board.
From his satchel, Bidoof groaned. "What's this?"
"A gathering quest," Shion said. "Just something simple to start with."
"You're supposed to be looking for Plates," Bidoof muttered. "We don't have time to pick flowers."
Shion shrugged. "We need money. Supplies. And if I want access to more regions restricted ruins, noble-held lands I'll need status. Adventurer status can get me that."
Bidoof froze.
"…Huh. That's actually a decent idea."
"just thought about it ."
---
The sun hung high in the sky by the time Shion left the town gates, map in hand, Kiba trotting beside him, refreshed and alert. The Greenpath Glade was just a short walk northeast, a gently sloping field filled with wildflowers, soft winds, and buzzing Pokémon.
"Alright," Shion muttered, pulling out the herb list. "Silverleaf… looks like a small, pale flower. Sunroot grows in the shade. Leechmoss… ugh, that sounds fun."
Bidoof waddled ahead, sniffing. "I am not touching anything slimy."
"I don't expect you to do anything," Shion said. "Just try not to eat the herbs."
They searched the glade for over an hour.
Kiba helped by sniffing out roots. Bidoof provided sarcastic commentary.
Eventually, they gathered all three herbs only needing to chase off one very irate Venonat who didn't appreciate them picking moss near its den.
---
At the back of the guild, behind soundproofed walls and closed doors, Kaela sat at a round table beside Reinhart.
Three other adventurers sat with them two women and one older man. All of them bore Silver or Gold crests on their cloaks.
A map lay across the table, with marks circling forest shrines, caves, and a red "X" over the shrine where Talonflame had attacked.
Reinhart spoke evenly.
"We've confirmed five corrupted Pokémon in the last two weeks. All different types. All escalating."
One of the women leaned forward. "This isn't random wild behavior. Someone's driving this. Corrupting them."
Kaela nodded. "They don't retreat. They don't respond to basic type fears. They only leave when they're weakened or something pulls them away."
The older man scratched his beard. "The capital's worried about what chaos this incident could make . They want us to find the source and shut it down quietly."
"No civilians involved," one of the women said firmly.
Kaela didn't comment, but her jaw tightened.
She had seen what civilians looked like after corruption. Not everyone survived.
---
With herbs gathered and the sun beginning to dip, Shion sat by the riverbank, just outside the town.
Kiba stood in the shallow water, splashing with his front paws, fur damp and glistening in the light. Shion sat shirtless on a rock, rinsing mud off his arms.
Bidoof floated nearby on a piece of driftwood, snoring with his tongue out.
"Y'know," Shion said aloud, watching the sun melt into the trees, "I thought this whole journey would be dramatic from day one. Dangerous. Life-changing."
Kiba barked once, calmly.
"But it's kind of… peaceful. Sometimes."
He reached for his adventurer card, still tucked into his belt pouch.
He looked at the glowing name.
Shion.
He smiled.
"Guess I'm really doing this."
Kiba padded up, shook off water spraying Shion and then laid down beside him.
"…Yeah, you're definitely my partner."