Eternal Rest

Finishing his coffee—more accurately, emptying his cup—Bones strolled back to the shopping district. With no particular rush, he had already decided to stay the night. The hotel seemed too pricey for his current funds, acquired from looting the adventurers, minus the cost of drinks he treated the group to.

The prices in the shops varied based on size, type, and rarity of goods. Novice weapons and armors were predominantly common, made of iron, with occasional uncommon pieces crafted from steel or similar materials. One-handed melee weapons ranged from a gold for a dagger to three gold for a sword, axe, or mace. Two-handed weapons cost twice as much, as expected.

Armor prices, however, were a surprise. Bones anticipated that full body armor would be the most expensive, but that wasn't the case. Due to the lack of defensive classes, governing bodies had implemented temporary measures to attract more users to choose these classes. As a result, defensive classes currently had the cheapest gear available, including shields and weapons of their choice.

As he observed the displayed equipment, Bones contemplated what to do about his own gear. His current attire didn't quite fit; the hood and gloves were fine, but the boots were a bit large on the sides, slightly impairing his movements. The upper and lower body parts did their job of covering, fitting loosely, but it was evident they weren't the best fit. Everyone in the previous group, however, had been too polite to mention anything.

Bones stepped into one of the shops specializing in regular-looking clothes and inquired about browsing their selection. The attire on display was plain yet comfortable-looking. After trying on the smallest available pieces in the changing room, he found them still too loose and restrictive. The shopkeeper suggested trying an enchanted clothing store.

A few minutes later, Bones found himself in front of a lavishly decorated building with a sign reading "Enchanted me for enchanted you" hanging above the entrance. The meaning wasn't entirely clear, but he entered nonetheless. The interior boasted marble tiles on the floor and walls, creating a shiny and elegant atmosphere. The level of investment put into the shop was evident.

“Greetings, sir. Any way I can help with whatever you're searching for?” A clerk dressed in a fine black and white suit approached and asked.

“Greetings. Could you show me clothes with a - self-fit enchantment?”

“Dear sir, all our clothes have both self-fit and self-repair enchantments on them!” the pretentious-sounding clerk replied matter-of-factly.

“Oh well, excuse my ignorance! Can you show, ignorant me, your cheapest clothes?”

The shopkeeper wasn't amused at the mocking, sarcastic tone Bones displayed, but in all honesty, the shopkeeper did sound like a self-centered, pompous ass. Even more so than himself! Bones might say.

Regardless, the shopkeeper was a professional. Even as annoyance was evident on his face, he led Bones through a variety of enchanted clothing they had on discount. They were still out of his price range at five gold each for simple lower and upper garments. Bones thanked the clerk and said he would return at a later time, much to the shopkeeper's displeasure at wasting his time.

The one constant thing that hadn't changed over the course of thousands of years was the need for money, and after a long time, Bones found himself lacking funds.

Night descended upon the town, casting a magical glow on the streets, which became even more livelier than during the day. Towering manaposts, standing high above the crowd, emitted a warm and pleasant white light. These ingenious structures, known as manaposts, were among the many novel creations that Bones had yet to experience. Spaced roughly thirty meters apart, they were connected by thin silver wires that served as conduits, supplying mana to the lesser mana crystals suspended at the top of each post.

When Bones had asked Nica earlier, she kindly explained that these were the cheapest and easily replaceable mana crystals with low output, making them suitable for illuminating the streets at night. Moreover, mana crystals were not limited to street lighting; they were commonly used in households as well. However, excessive mana could lead to the crystals cracking and breaking, rendering them useless and necessitating replacement. Hence, the regulation of mana output was crucial to their durability.

Bones headed west, leaving behind the lively ambiance of the shopping district for a more subdued and tranquil atmosphere in the outer regions of the town. The cobblestone path meandered through the buildings constructed from rammed earth, with intersections breaking the monotony every few streets.

As he navigated through the intersections, Bones noticed the distinct shift in the district's character. The apartment buildings, while not impoverished, lacked the cleanliness and refinement of the central area. Wooden doors and windows with wooden frames were the common features here.

Continuing westward, Bones eventually reached the reputed "shady" part of town. The atmosphere was palpably different—attires were more dubious, voices hushed, and stares more suspicious. The lack of adequate lighting only accentuated the gloomy ambiance. He had arrived at the place he sought, not for lodging, but the place he would most likely get…

Your scene has a nice blend of humor and action! Here are some suggestions to enhance the flow and clarity:

“Hands up and don't make any sudden movements,” a thug warned in a ruffian voice, appearing from behind.

“Oh? And why not?” Bones spun around, asking naively.

“Can't you tell, stoopid?” The other thug approached, stopping next to the first one.

“Do I have something on my back? Is it a spider? Get it off!” Panicking, Bones shouted, flailing his arms wildly while moving towards the two thugs.

“What a - stop! Don't come any - wait! Stop!” The second thug shouted, but his words fell on deaf ears. Bones continued to panic and approach the duo.

“Tsk, alright! It looks like it's gonna be the hard way - just the way I like it! kek kek kek” The first thug cackled, flaunting his dagger.

Just as Bones came closer, within arm's reach, a knife struck his guts. The thug leaned closer and whispered, “Your money and your life!” right next to his ear.

The words echoed in Bones' head, and it took a lot of restraint from laughing out loud right there and then! With a look of bewilderment, he asked, “What? Wasn't it supposed to be 'Your money or your life?'”

The thugs, taken aback by Bones' lack of reaction to the stabbing, were startled when he pulled the knife out and stabbed the thug back in the neck, severing an artery. The man clutched his hands around his neck, trying to stop the unceasing gush of blood. He collapsed to his knees while Bones turned to the other thug, who watched everything transpire panic-stricken with fear. He opened his mouth and was about to utter something when a Bone Spear pierced his throat, silencing him permanently. The first thug bled out sprawled on the cold stone of the pavement.

“'Your money and your life?' pffft” Bones couldn't control himself anymore and burst out laughing. Seconds later, he stopped and exhaled. "I like it."

After going through the dead bodies, he found a bit over three gold in hidden compartments and nothing else of value.

“Looks like I wasn't the only victim tonight.” He stashed the money, ignoring the dirty rags they wore. He'd rather be naked than wear what they were wearing. He looked around the lone alley and spotted a few windows hurriedly shutting close. With a skip in his step, Bones continued down the alleyway.

Turning corners and navigating through various alleys, Bones eventually found himself delightfully lost. Surprisingly, at each turn, some rather obliging thugs approached him, offering not only directions but also generously parting with their valuables."

For the remainder of the night, Bones continued his unconventional method of "asking for directions." By dawn, he found himself back at the square, seated in the coffee shop with a view of the Adventurer's Guild. However, his attempt to enjoy another cup of coffee ended with a spill onto his lap.

As Bones observed the flow of adventurers entering and exiting the Guild, he felt a surge of determination. Making up his mind, he stood up, settled his coffee tab, and strolled toward the entrance, clutching a brochure that outlined the requirements and expectations for joining the Adventurer's Guild.

Upon entering, he was greeted by a bustling crowd. Some individuals engaged in casual conversations, while others formed more serious, focused groups. A queue had formed at the reception desk, and without hesitation, Bones joined in, recognizing it as the likely source of additional information. Patiently waiting as the line inched forward, he spent about twenty minutes before finally reaching the desk. A slim receptionist, impeccably dressed in a suit and sporting glasses, politely greeted him, though Bones couldn't ignore a hint of indifference beneath the formal tone.

The receptionist's polite greeting echoed a thousand times, though Bones couldn't ignore a hint of indifference beneath the formal tone.

"Greetings. I'd like to register as a security contractor with the guild," Bones announced.

The receptionist raised an eyebrow but refrained from probing further. "Ah, I see. Please forgive me for a moment while I fetch someone to get you a standard application form."

Shortly after, a young woman approached, presenting Bones with an application form and indicating the required and optional sections.

"Is that all that's necessary?" Bones inquired.

"Hm? Oh no, this is just an application. After you submit it, it goes to the upper floor for review, and if approved, you'll be set up for a test," she explained.

"A test?" Bones asked.

"Yes, sir. It's essential for grading your capabilities and assigning an appropriate rank. After passing, there's a one-gold fee for application and administration," she clarified.

"I see. And what can I expect from the test?" Bones questioned.

"It varies by instructor, but it's usually a standard combat test on the first floor of the Tower of Trials," she replied, gesturing towards the towering structure behind the Guild.

"A Tower of Trials?" Bones repeated, recalling the building.

"All will be explained in your meeting with an instructor. Please take a seat over there," she pointed to a hallway with lounge chairs. "Someone will be with you shortly."

"Alright, thank you, miss. Have a good day." Bones acknowledged before heading towards the designated seating area.

With the application completed, Bones settled into a lounge chair, patiently awaiting his turn. As promised, a robust, clean-shaven man with short hair approached him after twenty minutes.

"You here for the merc contract, right?" the man inquired.

"Merc? Ah, yes," Bones affirmed.

"Let's get straight to the point. The test will be the standard combat assessment on the first floor of the Tower of Trials. You'll be facing undeads ranging from level 5 to level 10 - a minimal requirement for a security contract. Any issues with that?" the instructor questioned.

"No, none at all. Lead the way," Bones replied.

"Great, follow me closely."

The instructor guided Bones through a series of corridors, taking rights and lefts until they reached the stairs. Up and across the bridge, they arrived at the tower's entrance.

"Take the left door and go down the stairs. Take your time, and if things go south, I'll be close by, so don't worry. Good luck." With those words, the instructor left.

Bones couldn't discern the instructor's level. The "???" marks intrigued him momentarily, but he refocused on the door ahead, preparing for the test that awaited him.

As the test commenced, Bones couldn't suppress a chuckle at the irony of facing skeletons. Was it mere coincidence, or did it have something to do with a certain skeleton army? Regardless, he aimed to conclude the test swiftly.

Initially expecting an easy endeavor, Bones soon realized his Bone Spears were ineffective against the undead foes. He found himself in an awkward position, prompting the need for a different approach.

"Is this how the archer felt shooting at me?" Bones mused, reflecting on the challenges posed by his skeletal adversaries.

Expanding his senses to the fullest, Bones confirmed the instructor's absence and swiftly retrieved a mace from his inventory. Charging towards the summoned undead skeletons, he noticed their slower movements and predictable attack patterns. With a keen understanding of their actions, it became more of a routine than a challenge to dismantle them, even though their sheer numbers posed a significant obstacle. Bones, unaffected by fatigue, decided to accelerate the process and intensified his assault, bashing their heads left and right.

However, he encountered a hurdle as he approached the end of the floor. Four new arrivals stood out from the standard skeletons. Level 9 Skeleton Warriors, adorned in armor and wielding proper weapons, presented a more formidable challenge.

Observing the four formidable Skeleton Warriors, Bones briefly pondered their nature.

"Are these four sentient or summoned as well? Their behavior seems almost natural," he mused.

Bones swiftly closed the distance with the first of the four Skeleton Warriors. Aiming for a decisive strike, he swung his mace overhead with the intent to shatter the wooden shield, creating an opening for follow-up attacks. However, his attempt was thwarted as the skeleton skillfully bashed away the incoming blow. The undead warrior retaliated with its own overhead strike, brandishing a sword.

Bones adeptly sidestepped the sword strike but found himself compelled to dodge an attack from the side. The other skeletons, far from mere spectators, seized the opportunity to strike at the first available chance.

While not matching Bones in speed, the undead warriors exhibited a fluidity and unpredictability in their movements and attacks. The first skeleton demonstrated a skill called Shield Bash, distinguishing itself as the lone warrior with both a weapon and a shield. The remaining two wielded two-handed swords, and the last skeleton dual-wielded axes. This formidable and offense-oriented group posed a unique challenge for Bones to navigate and overcome.

Adjusting his strategy, Bones focused on dispatching the damage dealers first, leaving the shield bearer for the final confrontation. In a dance of calculated movements, he weaved in and out, redirecting weapon trajectories to evade and deflect strikes. Despite a few hits penetrating his armor and nicking his bones, the trusty Bone Mend efficiently repaired the minor damages.

As the skirmish reached its climax, Bones confronted the last warrior, the shield bearer. With a swift maneuver, he grabbed the edge of the shield, yanking it from the warrior's grasp. A powerful backhand strike to the head sent the warrior's skull flying, the impact echoing with a crack as it collided with the nearest wall. The formidable adversary had been vanquished and Bones, reflecting on the lack of experience gained from the trial, reached the end of the trial and prepared to ascend to the second floor of the Tower of Trials. However, the sound of descending footsteps caught his attention. Looking up, he saw the instructor approaching.