His legs felt strange as he walked away from the girl. Yesterday he was a normal guy in a "normal" world and now he was here. Apparently trying to become an adventurer. His heart was beating fast.
This was insane, but he was going to have to make the most of it. It's not like he had any idea how to get home for now.
He looked at the card. He had the worst stats he'd ever seen, how would he even get these leveled up? Read books for intelligence? Lift books for strength? Run away from books like he did in school? Would that even work, do those stats even level up?
He stood still and took a deep breath, to silence his wayward thoughts. He needed more information. The girl was helpful enough at least, but she was already occupied helping someone else.
Actually people in this world seemed nice enough, first the caravan then the girl.
He took stock of his options.
He had a power with an unknown purpose, but it's name was pretty self explanatory. Probably, there was no way things were going to be that easy.
He looked through the hallway leading to the great hall the girl had pointed out. Through the hallway behind he could spot many other adventurers. Guys and girls and...some humanesque things? Probably? He couldn't quite make it out from here without staring or going closer.
But would any party of adventurers even take him in?
He had no money, shitty stats and just a rusty knife.
He shook his head. If this was a game he would probably only pick himself to use as sacrifice should things go south. He was the guy you would trip up to feed to a bear while you got away safely.
No. The best course of action would be to check out the board. Maybe there were some simple tasks like grocery shopping or saving kittens from a tree to get some cash and maybe get some gear. It could even present a safe opportunity to use his power.
He turned away from the hallway and walked towards the job board.
Actually, there were multiple boards. They covered the entire length of a wall and placed slightly apart. A large metal letter was afixed above the boards, going from A down to F.
He chuckled to himself, at least his intelligence was enough to be able to read. Each board had attendant in uniform next to it answering questions from the people before it.
The A board was the only board with no one before it so Alec quickly moved to look.
The boards edges were ornately decorated with woodcarving of dragons and lions. A large man, at least twice as wide as Alec was standing next to it. His uniform was a little ill fitting due to his huge muscles.
A large scar ran over his left eye, his face was fixed in a permanent scowl.
"I'm sure this isn't what you should be looking at kid." He said in a low gravely voice.
"Hi I'm Alec. I'm new here and as there was no one here so I figured I'd see what was on it to get my bearings."
The man laughed heartily. "Ahh, I remember my first time here. A confusing place isn't it? Here let me help you out. This is the A board. This is where A rank missions are posted."
He pulled a piece of paper from the board and showed it to Alec.
"Can I have a look at your card?"
"Sure" Alec took the paper and gave the man his card.
He read the paper and swallowed. "Eradicate a goblin settlement? I think this might be above my pay grade." He gave the paper back and his card was returned.
"You need to work out more kid." The man held his own card out for Alec. A small model of the man before him floated above it. He had A's across the board, but no special powers.
"Any idea what your power does?"
"No I haven't tried yet."
"Alright, so shall I explain some stuff?"
"Yes please."
"The A board has some of the hardest missions as you saw. Not the hardest the guild has though. That's the S board, but that's invite only.
Technically you're allowed to pick any mission from any of the boards on this wall. But looking at your stats and equipment I recommend going to the F board to get an easy one. And while you're at it try to figure out your powers." The man pointed to the board on the far side of the wall. A large metal F was bolted above, you really couldn't miss it. But there was a throng of people before it.
"Thanks." Alec said as he started towards the F board.
"Don't mention it. Maybe one day I'll see you here and if you have any questions feel free to ask any of the attendants. Or just come to me. The A board has been unusually quiet these days."