Ale's journey: The rise of an adventurer

After parting ways with his new friends, Ale headed towards Eldoria's main market. The streets were bustling, filled with the morning energy. Merchants were setting up their stalls, offering all kinds of goods: exotic spices, vibrant fabrics, ancient artifacts, and much more.

Ale wandered through the market lanes, carefully observing every face, every shop. He hoped to find someone who had known his grandfather, Karl. The old man had often come to Eldoria to sell medicinal herbs, and Ale had accompanied him since the age of twelve. It was possible that some of the merchants still remembered him.

Stopping in front of a stall selling plants and remedies, Ale addressed the vendor, an older man with a graying beard.

"Hello, sir. I'm looking for information about an herbalist who used to come here a few years ago. His name was Karl, and I was often with him. Perhaps you remember us?"

The merchant looked up at him, squinting slightly. Then a smile spread across his face.

"Well, of course! Ale, is that really you?" he said with surprise.

Ale smiled, a bit sheepish. "Yes, it's me. It's been a while."

"By the gods, you've grown! I remember you, always beside your grandfather, quiet but observant. How is Karl?"

Ale's smile faded slightly. "He passed away not long ago."

The merchant's face fell. "I'm sorry to hear that. He was a good man."

"Thank you. I came here to learn more about him and maybe meet people who knew him."

The merchant nodded. "Of course. Karl was well-liked around here. I especially remember that story with the children from the neighborhood..."

Intrigued, Ale encouraged him to continue. "What children?"

The merchant put down his tools and leaned on the counter. "There was a group of street kids back then, who would often hang around here. Some of them were left to fend for themselves, and unfortunately, a few had fallen under the influence of bad people from the slums. Sometimes, they were forced to do regrettable things, like stealing small amounts from the stalls."

Ale listened carefully, sensing that the story was leading to something important.

"One day," the merchant continued, "one of those boys tried to steal from Karl. But instead of punishing him, your grandfather noticed the scars on the boy's arms and around his neck. He realized the boy was being mistreated. Instead of turning him in, he let the boy take whatever he wanted and started talking to him, telling him stories."

"Over time," the merchant went on, "your grandfather tried to teach that boy, showing him the difference between right and wrong. He would give him food, small gifts. Slowly, the boy started coming back not to steal, but to listen to Karl. But soon, your grandfather noticed the scars on the boy had returned after being gone for a while. One day, the boy stopped coming back altogether. Karl grew worried. He discovered that the boy had been severely punished, left between life and death, because he refused to steal from people anymore."

The merchant sighed before continuing. "Karl was a good man, but he didn't want to get involved in the affairs of the thugs from the slums."

"Do you know what happened next?" Ale asked.

The merchant nodded. "The boy was lucky. Word went around that the group exploiting those kids had been taken down. Some whispered that a lone man had confronted the criminals. Shortly after that, the boy returned, free and determined to change his life."

Ale's heart raced. Could it be that his grandfather had been that man? Memories of Karl coming home injured flashed in his mind. He had claimed he had slipped in the rain, but Ale had always felt there was more to the story.

"Do you know what happened to that boy?" Ale asked.

"Yes," the merchant replied with a smile. "His name is Flann. After he was saved, he was placed in an orphanage with the other kids. Inspired by Karl, he decided to become an adventurer to help others. Today, he's a class 5 adventurer. He sometimes stops by the market to see if Karl is around."

Ale was amazed. "Where can I find him?"

"He often visits the adventurers' guild. If you go there, you might be able to meet him. I'm sure he'd be happy to talk to you about Karl."

Ale thanked him warmly. "Thank you so much for this information. It means a lot to me."

As he walked away from the stall, Ale remembered the day his grandfather had come home injured. He could see Karl's face, tired but smiling, downplaying his wounds. Back then, Ale had accepted the explanation without questioning it. Now, he understood the truth.

Continuing his quest, Ale stopped at other merchants' stalls, gathering fragments of stories. Everyone seemed to agree on Karl's generosity and strength of character. Some even mentioned that he had once been an adventurer in his youth, which explained his exceptional skills.

An old man, a vendor of scrolls, shared his own memory. "Karl was a man of action. He couldn't stand injustice. Whenever he saw something wrong, he stepped in, even if it meant taking risks."

Ale asked, "Do you think he could have taken on a group of criminals by himself to help those children?"

The old man smiled mysteriously. "I wouldn't be surprised. Some heroes don't need recognition to act. They do it because it's the right thing to do."

Those words resonated deeply within Ale. He felt immense pride in his grandfather, but also a sense of responsibility. Perhaps it was his turn to carry on that legacy.

Remembering his friends' invitation, Ale thought it was the perfect opportunity to join them at the guild. Besides, it might give him a chance to meet Flann and learn more about his grandfather's heroic deeds.

As he made his way toward the imposing building of the adventurers' guild, located in the common district beneath the slums, Ale reflected on everything he had discovered. Karl wasn't just the kind and wise man Ale had known, but also a quiet hero who had touched many lives.

Standing before the guild's doors, he took a deep breath. This was a new chapter opening for him, filled with promises and challenges. He was determined to honor his grandfather's legacy and follow in his footsteps by helping those in need.