"Thanks a lot!" Groaned Ker as he dropped off all the things he was carrying for his friends. Everyone was there even Nemgrad. Well, everyone but Sarah. And Nemgrad was only there to see them off since he had nothing else to do in the morning.


    Gord took his shield and spear thankfully. Jenna received a short-sword. She ogled at it in fascination. Ker had to know what she was thinking. "What is it? Not you preferred weapon?"


    "That''s not it. This s a proper short-sword, do you know how expensive they are! I could get a little house for this one. That you even trust me with this."


    Ker had winced at her involuntarily hinting at the wealth disparity between them. He always wished he could help her and now that she had achieved a class, a rare one to that, he was certain she would find a way as adventurer.


    But for that they had to gain valuable experience and climb the ranks of the adventurers. And to help his friends with exactly this they were going to a nearby to hunt monsters.


    "Actually, know that I think about it, should we give them a rundown?"


    "Oh sure, that sounds like great idea. Show the pipsqueaks the rope." replied Helk to Ker''s suggestion.


    "In that case, hear up! There are several rules for adventurers. You could say there are five core rules every adventurer who want to call himself as such should always follow."


    "Rule one: Be prepared! Bring enough food, weapons and useful supplies with you. It is always good to have a bit more than too less. Or hindsight saves the day."


    "Rule two: Take care of your fellow adventurers! Support each other and equalize your strength and weaknesses to create a rounded group."


    "Rule three: Knowledge is power! Know the target / beasts, understand their pattern in behavior and attack. Know the surrounding of your target''s area. And know your limits."


    "Rule four: When you can''t win, run away! You are not a soldier, you are not fighting for some honor and not for your country. You are securing coin for your own livelihood and no one shall say otherwise."


    "Rule five: Trust yourself! You have to trust in your own capabilities, to come up with solutions and find ways even if none are presented."


    In heart Ker agreed with all of them, but in mind he didn''t know if he could pull it of just on his own. Just because he remembered well the speech of the guild master at the day he joined the guild, didn''t mean he would be certain in their message. The first one was clear, bring enough supplies and use them sparsely. He experienced himself how it is to have no food and shelter. Actually he had nothing other than himself when he was in the wilds. Therefore he also got the message of the fifth rule. In his opinion the most important one, no matter what others said. But the thing was that he couldn''t trust himself fully. He lost control over his own actions several times. One time it even cost a life...


    Rule two was obvious to him and at the same time hard to realize in their current group. It made perfect sense to use the strength of every member of the group to cover the weaknesses of one another. He just didn''t know enough about the weaknesses of his friends inside a battle. He also struggled to think about the implementation. It was too abstract for him.


    Rule three was also clear to him. He had enough lessons from Ellora about this topic. Then again after his unwilling expedition into the wilds he doubted his own knowledge would be enough or even sufficient. Some parts he learned might even be wrong. The worst was that he had no idea about his limits. His strength seemed limitless when in rage, if he was willing to let his control go. He also grew in the last couple of weeks. That was not only metaphorical it was also very true in all other aspects. He got slightly faster, somewhat stronger, his reactions got quicker and his body had also grown. He wasn''t eating for nothing.


    Rule four he understood fully. He experienced enough danger to know it was foolhardy to just go into battle and hope to win. That was probably for soldiers and esteemed knights, but most certainly not for him.


    "Mhm, but aren''t all people ruled by nobles." asked Jenna.


    "Yes, all people in this kingdom are governed by nobles and rules by royalty." confirmed Helk.


    "Okay, then why says rule four I should run away? What if noble demands that I do my job no matter what." she asked incredulous.


    Helk nodded "That is to protect the people who task themselves to do all the work which protects others. The guild are basically self-governed. Inside the guild the guild master has the highest authority. He can technically throw the ruling noble out of his guild in their own territory."


    "Was that ever done?" blurted Jenna in between.


    "No, that would be an extreme case. But there was the case of Eglart, later called Eglart the Wise. He often took quests alone, but always very serious. One time Morteheld a noble in the east, tasked him with a quest that would near guarantied suicide. After evaluating the situation Eglart refused. Morteheld tried to order the legendary adventurer, which led to a straight out refusal on his part. The noble in question didn''t took the well and send his men at Eglart. That also didn''t turn out so well. Since then the fourth rule is strictly enforced."


    "Oh!"


    Helk looked befuddled "Wait, shouldn''t you know about all this. You just joined the guild and our guild master is very rigid with the protocol."


    "Eh, I sneaked out, it was so boring."


    Ker rubbed his temple, that would not fly by his mother at all. She would be furious at him for dodging even the first step as adventurer. He and his dad had to convince her for month that it would be a good idea for him. In afterthought she wasn''t wrong about the dangers and he could hardly blame her for worrying too much.


    As they talked more about the strict and not so strict rules as adventurer they arrived at the field near the city. It was still early and basically no one else was present. But that would change soon enough, word travels fast and word about a new hunting-ground nearby travels like a bush fire.


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    "Good" said Ker as he put his backpack down and stretched himself. He was good to go, a look at his friends suggested otherwise. Gord was breathing slightly heavy, Jenna tested the weight of her new sword, just Helk was fine of course. Having more stats and being trained to walk distances were one hell of an advantage.


    He nodded to Gord "Not a problem, I must show Jenna how ti utilize the sword best - or at all - anyway." The last part was coughed in his fist. Jenna immediately thrown him an annoyed look. Nothing he could do about, she still could hear pretty well and pick up everything spoken about, especially her.


    "Let me show you a basic stance and the first basic strikes." With that he stepped beside her and moved her sword-hand above her hip to her right side. He then told her to grab her hand with the other hand under the parrier. "Ok, left foot to the front and right food back. Both feed face to the front and try to balance the stance at about 50/50."


    "Good enough, that''s your first stance. From here on I show you the first three strikes."


    As he showed Jenna the very basics of the short-sword, Helk did the same with Gord. Just because Helk was a ranger didn''t mean he would have no idea about spears and shields. After they understood the absolute basics they declared themselves as ready. Ker saw no reason to disagree. This was as much training as they could get in short time. No better practice than hands-on experience.


    And so they moved in a classical formation on the field. Gord was the tank and therefore took the front role. Ker near him as sword wielder to protect Gord''s flanks. Jenna moved behind the duo near Helk, who was obviously the ranger. Her task was to protect the ranger from any straying beast attack. They chose this formation, because it would train the new adventurers basic party cooperation. It was the greatest weak point in Ker''s opinion and the quicker they could remedy that the better.


    As soon as they entered the field, the rabbit beasts reacted inside a certain area. That got Gord and Jenna alerted, but the more experienced adventurers didn''t react much and so they also tried to stay calm. Every beast inside that area had one out of two reactions, either charge and attack or hobble away. Most charged.


    Gord discovered fast a high stature is not always good, he had to move far closer to the ground to cover his body effectively with his shield. Rabbit beast could and would jump, but not that high.


    "Just see it as leg outwork" commented Ker with a slight smile. Gord just groaned since he wasn''t used to move this way.


    Despite Gord missing several rabbit with his spear and not blocking every dash he hold his ground pretty good for a beginner. He also managed to skewer some of the charging beasts. Ker let him make the experience, every mistake and every win would be good for learning. He only stepped in when a beast got too much around Gord. All in all the most beasts were pretty low-leveled and exactly right for beginners.


    Helk likewise only shot some beasts, more to get used to his prosthetic arm. His aim was way off, since the arm was neither natural nor had very flexible joints. But he adapted to it.


    His shots were meant to draw in some beasts to test and train Jenna. She in turn did a good job in dispatching the approaching beasts quickly. She still fumbled with the stance and not every strike was on point, but it worked.


    "Got a level!" triumphed Gord.


    "Good, what level are you?"


    "Level 2!"


    "Really" Ker had forgotten that Gord was a complete beginner that had never hunted any beast "That''s surprising. You are good for a complete beginner. Just tell me when something changes. Every level from now on you could be offered a class."


    "As you say, my Lordship friend" taunted Gord. Ker rolled his eyes "Just watch out, from your right comes a next one"


    So the carved a way through the field. Time went by and Gord achieved another level, Jenna became a bit more proficient with the sword and Helk could finally hit nearly every beast in a long range. Over the time the field of rabbit beasts shrunk due to an influx of adventurers. Rumor spreads fast and reaches nearly every wannabe and can-be adventurer. That led to Helk calling in a stop. They, mostly the two new ones, were getting tired, besides they progressed so much there was no reason for desperation.


    "So that''s it rookies! Let''s leave the field for now and let the others get their share. We already achieved our daily goal. God job Gord and remember to keep the shield closed to cover the body and Jenna good job preventing the beasts from reaching me. You should work on your fencing to get more variety, but that much is obvious."


    Helk groaned as he stretched his legs. "Finally, now does anybody want some nice fresh-baked bread."


    "I want some" with malevolence dripping voice claimed. Everyone in their friends group turned around. What say saw displeased them. It actually made Gord nervous and Jenna very alerted. Helk stayed calm, stepped slowly back his hand ready to knock another arrow. Ker stepped forward, skepticism reflected in his eyes.


    "We don''t know each other. How about you introduce yourselves first"


    Before them stood a group of five individuals, everyone had the gear of an adventurer but the man staying at front. he wore a full plate armor. Something rather worn in wars, since adventurers had sometimes to move large distances and other usability reasons.


    Also everyone from the opposing group seemed off. They weren''t concerned about the beasts to a point they might not even here for them after all. There was a glint in their eyes that promised trouble. The kind of trouble you get when you wander at night in the shadier parts of a city wearing expensive clothes and trinkets. And the following words even confirmed Ker''s concerns.


    "You are the little bastard who cut us off. We are the jackals and we like to claim our price ourselves. Now you are owing us!"


    Ker squinted his eyes in disbelieve.


    Who do they think they are! Cut them off, off what?


    "I highly doubt that. I neither know you nor does I or anyone of my group owe anything to you."


    The leader gesticulated with his hands "Oh, but you do! See there" he showed around them where the dead beasts lay "you hunted in our territory. now you owe us compensation. Mhm, how about the pelts, the pelts of the rabbits."


    Ker didn''t like the tone, he didn''t like the attitude of the assailant party at all. The claims were made up nonsense of course. The only reason he thought about an answer was his team. They were rather low in level, stats in consequence and with a lot less combat experience. He was responsible for his team, his friends.


    Helk already knocked an arrow, Jenna and Gord with weapons ready in hand, Ker knew his time for a measured response was gone.


    "Hey, i would not do this if I were you. Actually, guys what do you think, time for some tough lessons!"


    At that the assailants drew their weapons and all semblance of a peaceful solution flew right out of the window. Helk acted first, the arrow hit its target right in the eye. From such a short distance, even impeded Helk could hardly miss. The man with an arrow in his eye screamed while holding his head.


    The heavy armored leader swung a jagged sword at Ker, but the swing was off. Not only could he easily avoid the hit it was also too close, the tip was aiming far behind him. A realization struck Ker, that was were Gord stood. He would stand no chance against this group, especially not heavy hitter like the one before him.


    Ker barely managed to raise his sword in the half dodge he was in. With his effort he could deflect the jagged blade, with a screech it slid of his own blade. As reward he had the full attention of the leader on him. This aligned with his interest to keep the main threat away from his friends.


    They in turn were busy with the remaining attackers. Someone with a club engaged with Gord, another sword fighter aimed for Jenna and a mage casts spells at Helk. They also had an rogue fighter, but he was busy with - an arrow in the eye.


    Gord was quickly overwhelmed, he was too low in stats to keep up with an actual combatant. He also had no class yet and with that no related benefits. Additionally he was, just like Jenna, out of breath as the fight started. To call it a proper fight would include some order, it was more a brawl. As soon as the attacker got through Gord''s guard he kicked him to the ground only to lunge with the club. Ker would not allow it.


    He had to dive in between hoping his high constitution would hold. He also had to deflect another blow of the leading figure and managed to get in between the bone crushing lunge and his friend. The club practically bounced off his back, his breath forcefully spend. It did hold. Only to then feel a sharp pain in his right side.