Espen descended the stairs with steady steps. With every tread, the weight of his purple cloak served as a reminder: he was now in the heart of a world that was no longer just a story he read, but a reality he could touch. He stopped before the reception desk where Melda awaited him. He reached out and took the papers slowly, flipping through them with eyes trying to decode this new system.
He looked up at Melda and asked in a tone more curious than commanding:
"Miss Melda, as the expert here... what do you suggest I choose? Truthfully, I feel a bit lost amidst these options."
Melda smiled spontaneously. The barrier of stiffness that had once coated her interactions with him began to melt away, and she answered him gently:
"Well, Master Espen, looking at today's list, I believe this mission is perfect for you. It's simple, uncomplicated, and carries no grave risks. All you need to do is hunt three 'One-Horned Goblins' and extract the crystal stones embedded in their guts."
Espen's features contorted as a wave of nausea swept through his stomach. He said with disgust:
"Oh, gross! Do I really have to gut monsters to pull out stones? And since when do Goblins have horns, anyway?"
Melda laughed softly as she clarified:
"This is a specific breed of this world, Master Espen. Known as the 'Horned Goblin,' they are scattered across the vast lands of 'Orbisfera'."
Espen repeated the name to himself, memorizing a new key to this universe:
(Aha.. so this world is called 'Orbisfera.' A resonant name befitting a place full of monsters and horns.)
He continued his inquiry while scanning the rest of the papers:
"And what about the other two options? What are their details?"
Melda pointed her slender finger at the written lines:
"The second mission is from a merchant seeking 'Hellhound' hides; he specifically needs 26 pieces. As for the third, it aims to collect 'Ether Crystals' from a mysterious crypt located in the 'Goblin Forests.' They are named as such because they teem with those creatures above ground, in addition to the crypts that appear and disappear suddenly depending on time and location in the land of Orbisfera."
Espen contemplated the missions with focus, then raised his head, questioning:
"Alright, the most important question remains.. will I face this ordeal alone, or is there someone to accompany me?"
Melda replied seriously:
"You certainly don't have to go alone. The academy is buzzing with talented students; you can choose whomever you wish. Since you've met some of them at school and told them about your memory loss, communicating with them might be easier."
Espen shrugged thoughtfully:
"I've met two so far: Nira and Rosaline. I'm not sure if they'd accept coming with me.. is it customary for everyone to agree when I ask?"
Melda leaned in slightly, placing her hand over her mouth to whisper so no one else could hear:
"The truth is, Master Espen, as I told you before.. no one here dares to refuse your request. Everyone either seeks your favor or fears your influence.. with only two exceptions: Linda and Rosaline."
Espen placed his hand on his chin, thinking out loud:
"Well then.. it seems Nira is the safest bet for this mission."
Suddenly, a faint and confident voice pierced the quiet from behind him:
"Espen.. I am here."
Espen turned quickly, freezing in place at the sight. Rosaline stood behind him, looking like the living personification of a wild fantasy legend. She had traded her school uniform for adventurer's gear that could only be described as strikingly bold, designed meticulously to highlight her powerful femininity and rival her bronze beauty.
She wore a dark apricot crop top in an asymmetrical halter design. It wrapped around her neck like a provocative silk scarf, exposing her entire left shoulder while the other half surged down to tightly embrace her full chest. The taut fabric left nothing to the imagination, her curves protruding clearly, leaving the stomach and waist completely exposed beneath the short hem.
She wore high-waisted shorts made of soft, midnight-black leather, exceedingly short. The design emphasized the provocative contrast between her slim waist and powerfully full hips. Mysterious magical engravings glowed faintly on the sides of the shorts, while thin, crisscrossing leather straps wrapped around her waist, adding a touch of "fantasy" combat flair.
The look was completed by fiery crimson high-heeled boots that reached the ankle with a sharp cut and wing-like sides, making her steps look as if they defied the laws of gravity.
Rosaline stood in a pose that blended the stature of a warrior with the allure of a siren. Her fiery red hair cascaded over her warm bronze skin, and her violet eyes gleamed with silent defiance, causing a hush to fall over the lobby as if everyone had lost the ability to speak in the face of such overwhelming charm.
Espen regained his balance before Rosaline's dominant presence. He painted a calm on his face that no one had ever seen before, then said in a flat but polite tone:
"Rosaline.. welcome."
Rosaline smiled a smile that carried a soft challenge, saying as she leaned her body slightly toward him:
"How about I accompany you on the first mission you receive after your memory decided to abandon you? You might need an expert like me to guide you through the corridors of Orbisfera."
Before the echo of Rosaline's offer could fade, the crowd parted for a presence no less grand. Nira had arrived, but she was no longer the broken girl he saw at the house. She was now a living example of combat elegance, wearing an outfit that looked as if it were carved from blocks of sky-blue ice, enveloping her in a cold shimmer of power and grace.
She wore a dark blue corset that gripped her frame strictly, featuring a high collar shaped like metallic armor adorned with a massive blue diamond in the center, reflecting light with sharp coldness.
From her waist hung a split mini-skirt with sheer edges that gradient from misty gray to turquoise blue, decorated at the sides with light silver armor plates encrusted with diamonds.
She wore tight combat trousers in deep azure, topped with sleek armor on the thighs and knees with glowing silver patterns. The look was finished with a detailed silver vambrace on her left arm and tall boots with a sharp geometric heart.
Nira stood firmly and looked at Espen, saying:
"Espen, are you heading out for a mission today? I am ready to accompany you.. if you will have me."
Espen placed his hand over his heart in a noble gesture and said with great dignity:
"I would be very grateful for your company.. your presence will give the mission a different flavor."
A dead silence reigned for a single second before the three of them—Rosaline, Nira, and Melda—burst into hysterical laughter. Rosaline doubled over, clutching her stomach from laughing so hard, while Melda covered her face with her hands.
Melda said, trying to catch her breath:
"Espen! You are so funny! Truly.. 'I would be grateful'? For the first time in your life, you utter a word of thanks in such a formal way! You have no idea the shock you've caused us!"
Then Melda stopped suddenly, her eyes widening in realization as she thought to herself:
(Oh damn, I called him by his name again without titles! Will he explode now? Will he scold me?)
But Espen didn't. His features remained calm, while Nira placed her hand on his shoulder to stifle her laugh, saying sincerely:
"Espen, there is no need to thank us. I am the one who owes you so much after what you did for my siblings. Going out with you is but a small part of a debt I must repay."
As for Rosaline, she crossed her arms and shot him a bright, curious look:
"Honestly, I'm dying to see the adventurous side of your new personality. I feel this will be the most beautiful experience of my life; seeing the 'New Espen' facing the forest monsters."
Espen regained his usual sarcastic tone and shook his head helplessly:
"Ha ha.. well, it seems I've suddenly become the center of attention for beauties. And from whom? From two girls I only met today! Anyway, let's stop the laughing and get this mission done.. let's go, guys."
The three moved together with confident strides; Rosaline with her bold bronze charisma, Nira with her calm icy majesty, and Espen with his purple cloak and mysterious charm. They left the Guild headquarters, leaving Melda watching them with a cryptic smile, heading toward the "Goblin Forests" where the first true test of Espen's rebirth awaited them.
Melda stood watching their silhouettes depart, a puzzled smile playing on her lips as she muttered to herself:
"Am I wrong in my assessment, or will Espen truly be able to turn the ashes of his filthy reputation into something noble? I don't know what fate hides for him, but the air around him has become purer."
Amidst the tangled trees and thick fog, the three moved cautiously. Rosaline stopped suddenly, dropping to her knee to touch the damp soil with her fingers. She stood up, saying in a confident tone:
"Espen, just a reminder.. my ability is linked to nature, and the earth tells me they are here. The Horned Goblins are close, so get ready.. for you are the strongest among us, even if you don't realize it yet."
Espen thought of her words with sarcastic pride:
(Yes, yes.. of course, I am the 'Hero' here, and it's only natural that I am the strongest. I just hope this strange story goes well; the Author thrust me into the body of a person with a bad reputation, and now I must carry the burden of both his heroism and his filth!)
Suddenly, the bushes split open with sharp screams, and the Horned Goblins rushed toward them. The team didn't wait; Rosaline summoned massive roots from the earth, wrapping around one of the monsters and crushing it with terrifying force until it breathed its last. As for Nira, she raised her hand to unleash sharp crystal shards from the ground, slicing another monster clean in half.
As for Espen, he surrendered to the instinct of dark power. With a motion as swift as lightning, sharp shadows shot from his hands, severing the goblin's four limbs in the blink of an eye.
Espen stopped, looking at his shadow blade, and thought mockingly:
(If you think I did this by accident, I didn't tell you that I've been training 'behind the scenes' away from the Author's eyes! I feared he'd put me in a bad spot, and thank God I did. The sight of these creatures up close is very revolting.. Anime really used to beautify the truth!)
Rosaline looked at Espen in awe:
"Brilliant! Despite losing your memory, you did well. For your information, you possess power enough to face a 'Gulb'.. that massive-bodied breed with the red eye, whose size might even exceed that of your giant father!"
Espen mocked the description:
"Oh, joy! A creature larger than that giant who's supposed to be my father? It seems I'm in a bit of a size predicament here."
Nira said, dusting off her armor:
"In any case, we finished the mission in record time. Now, it's time to extract the crystals from their guts."
The two girls stepped forward and began the work with combat coolness, while Espen stood at a distance feeling nauseous:
(Truly disgusting! Why do I have to do this? Rosaline and Nira look like enchanting girls, yet they deal with intestines and blood as if they're on a picnic!)
The team returned to the Guild and received their reward: three copper pieces of the 5-class. Espen distributed the coins fairly, each taking one piece.
Rosaline bid him farewell, leaning her hip with a smile:
"Fighting with you was fun today, Espen. If you need me, I'm always around." Then she departed with her usual mystery.
Nira followed, saying:
"Thank you for your generosity; I won't forget your help for my siblings. See you tomorrow at school."
Espen remained alone before Melda's desk. She said with a mischievous smile:
"It seems you've broken the 'Impossible' rule, Espen. You've returned victorious and polite."
Espen answered as he headed toward the stairs:
"Maybe it's just luck. Speaking of which, is this world only inhabited by girls? Since I arrived, I haven't seen a single man except for my father!"
Melda replied seriously:
"Espen, don't say that! You met your father, and he was a man in every sense of the word.. a big one!"
Espen waved his hand sarcastically:
"Yes, that creature that escaped from 'Isayama.' I'm going up now to rest; I've had enough adventures for one day."
Espen climbed the stairs and reached his room. He placed his hand on the knob and opened the door, thinking of his comfortable bed, but the blood froze in his veins.
In the middle of the room, in the darkness of the corners, the Priest sat in the chair with terrifying dignity, awaiting his arrival. The Priest spoke in his coarse voice that sounded like the rustle of snakes:
"Welcome, Espen.. may I speak with you for a moment?"
Espen closed the door behind him very quietly, his heart pounding violently.. the confrontation he had tried to postpone had begun now.