Thornwatch’s streets were a tangled web of stone and timber that seemed to shift depending on who you asked for directions.

The city had grown organically over centuries, starting as a frontier outpost and swelling into a hub for every kind of opportunist imaginable, merchants hawking glowing crystals from the depths, adventurers nursing tankards of frothy ale while swapping tales of narrow escapes, and nobles in silk finery pretending they weren’t here to buy the same illicit goods as everyone else.

Kai led Eliza and Sera through the eastern gate, their hoods pulled low to blend into the crowd of travelers and locals.

The air filled with activity: street vendors calling out prices for spiced meats on sticks, children darting between legs with baskets of fresh bread, and the distant clang of blacksmith hammers shaping weapons for the next foolhardy expedition.

"First stop, the Adventurer Guild," Kai said, weaving through a group of rowdy dwarves arguing over a map.

"We need to register. Fake names only."

Eliza nodded, her eyes scanning the rooftops for any sign of trouble.

"Smart."

Sera adjusted her pack, her archer’s quiver bouncing against her hip.

"What name should I use? Something exotic? Like... Lady Shadowarrow?"

Kai snorted. "Try something forgettable. Mary. Or Jane. Nothing that sticks."

They found the guild hall squeezed between a potion shop and a tavern called The Broken Helm.

The building was a sturdy three-story affair with a massive wooden sign depicting a sword piercing a snarling beast. Inside, the main hall buzzed with energy, long wooden tables groaned under maps and tankards, a massive quest board dominated one wall, and clerks behind a polished counter processed paperwork with the efficiency of people who’d seen it all.

A harried receptionist with ink-stained fingers looked up as they approached.

"Party of three? Names, classes, and reason for registering."

Kai stepped forward.

"I’m calling myself Lian. Knight. This is Eliza, ice mage. And Sera, archer. We’re here for work."

The receptionist scribbled it down without looking up.

"Standard fee is five silver. Sign here."

As Kai paid and signed, his eyes drifted to the quest board. It was plastered with parchments of every color, yellow for easy herb gathering, green for escort duties, red for high-risk dungeon crawls.

One notice stood out, pinned at eye level with a golden border that practically screamed: "important."

[HIGH-REWARD QUEST: ABYSSAL SPIRE INVESTIGATION]

[Location: Subterranean ruins beneath Thornwatch’s eastern district]

[Details: Recent monster surges have flooded the lower levels. Something is stirring in the Abyssal Spire, a forgotten tower buried centuries ago during the city’s founding. Guild scouts report goblins, giant spiders, and worse pouring out through sinkholes. Investigate the source, clear the immediate threats, and report back findings. Bonus for any artifacts recovered]

[Rewards: 500 gold base]

[200 extra for spire access]

[Level-appropriate gear upgrades. Guild favor]

*Posted by: Guildmaster Voren. Urgency: Critical.*

Kai stared at it, his pulse quickening.

’Abyssal Spire. In the original game, this was a mid-game dungeon, optional for farming rare drops. Unique loot like the Voidheart Crystal that boosted mana regen by 30 percent, or the Spireblade that ignored 50 percent of armor. And the monsters... they scaled with party level, dropping experience like candy. Perfect for a fast power-up before Meriel shows his face.’

Eliza leaned in, reading over his shoulder.

"That payout is insane. But the risks..." 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

"Exactly why no one’s touched it yet," Kai said.

The receptionist glanced over. "You three want the Spire quest? Bold choice. Last party that went in hasn’t come back up."

"We’re not the last party," Kai replied smoothly.

"Sign us up."

She shrugged and stamped their registration.

"Entrance is through the old temple catacombs in the eastern district. Good luck. You’ll need it."

*******************

Outside the guild, Sera pulled Kai aside near a fountain where street performers juggled flaming torches.

"I’ve got to head off for a bit. My uncle’s in the merchant quarter; he runs a trading post here. Need to talk business, pick up some supplies, maybe get intel on the black market routes."

Kai frowned.

"Alone? With everything going on?"

Sera punched his arm lightly.

"I’m not helpless, you know. I’ve got my bow, and Uncle Roderick’s place is fortified like a fortress. Besides, you two need time to prep for that suicide quest. I’ll meet you at the Rusty Nail by sundown."

Eliza placed a hand on Sera’s shoulder. "Be careful. Call us if anything feels off."

Sera grinned, her eyes sparkling with that irrepressible energy.

"Always am. See you soon."

She melted into the crowd, her lithe form disappearing around a corner stacked with crates of exotic fruits from distant lands.

Kai watched her go, a knot forming in his gut.

"Come on," Eliza said, tugging his sleeve. "Let’s gear up."

Thornwatch’s underbelly was a marvel even to someone who had "played" this world before.

The city wasn’t built on solid ground; it perched atop a network of ancient ruins from a long-forgotten civilization called the Reverians. Their architecture defied logic: spiraling towers that twisted like living vines, chambers with ceilings painted to mimic star-filled skies that still faintly glowed after centuries, and walls inscribed with runes that whispered secrets to those who listened.

The entrance to the Abyssal Spire lay beneath the Temple of Forgotten Stars, a crumbling edifice in the eastern district where beggars and mystics gathered to trade prophecies for scraps.

A hidden stairwell led down into the catacombs, lit by bioluminescent fungi that pulsed soft blue light along the walls.

Kai and Eliza descended carefully, their feet echoing softly. The air grew cooler, carrying faint echoes of dripping water and distant skittering.

"You really think this is a good idea?" Eliza asked, her staff glowing faintly with magic.

’Eliza is not well versed with magic and will only slow me down if I have to take her with me.’

Kai reached the chamber’s edge and called up.

"Eliza, stay put at the entrance. Watch for Sera or anyone suspicious. I’ll handle this solo, yell if you need me."

Her voice echoed down faintly. "Got it. Be careful!"

He grinned, drawing his sword.

"Always."

Kai walked towards the temple of forgotten stars.

A/N: Donate Power Stones or Golden Tickets if you liked it:)