The group made their way down the hall to the quest board. A broad, lacquered slab of wood overflowing with scrolls met them, each parchment sealed with an official wax stamp. The air around the board felt alive with anticipation, alive with the unspoken promises of gold, glory, and adventure. Adventurers of all stripes, newly minted and veterans alike, crowded around, pointing at mission descriptions or haggling over resource-sharing. Standing on tiptoe, Itsuki tried to see beyond the cluster of bodies. “There are so many options! This is exciting!” she said, her voice high with wonder. She finally found a gap to slip through and snatched one scroll from the board. Behind her, Yoshinori moved with surgical efficiency, scanning the postings with a critical eye. “We should start with a D rank mission,” he suggested. “That’s enough challenge to test our teamwork without putting us in serious danger right away.” Shunjiro nodded, a look of agreement crossing his face. “Exactly. No point in biting off more than we can chew on our first assignment. Let’s pick something that’ll let us figure out each other’s strengths.” After careful deliberation, they all nodded at once, four heads gently bobbing in unison. They’d found it: a daring rescue mission. The details: a merchant’s daughter had disappeared in the heart of the Whispering Woods, a region notorious for its eerie atmosphere and hidden dangers. Even the brief mention of those dark groves was enough to stir a little thrill in Shunjiro’s chest. “With this scroll,” he murmured, tucking it under his arm, “we’ll make our debut as the Strongest Guild.” The sun stood high in a powder-blue sky as the four newly affiliated adventurers walked out of the guild hall. Their footsteps crunched along the dirt road leading south, a route that wound its way toward the Whispering Woods. Though they’d only been a guild for a short time, an unmistakable sense of unity already burned between them. Shunjiro took the lead, bounding forward with an infectious energy. Tetsuo ambled beside him, wearing a contented smile that softened the hardened lines of his muscular physique. Trailing close behind, Itsuki and Yoshinori marched with purposeful strides, Itsuki light on her toes, and Yoshinori poised, composed as ever. “Man,” Shunjiro said, spreading his arms as if to embrace the wide landscape, “it feels great to do this with you guys. You know, stepping onto a path that’s really ours, not something forced on us.” Tetsuo chuckled, adjusting the pack on his shoulder. “Sure beats the old days, that’s for sure. No more elders telling me how to manage the farm or clucking their tongues when I said I wanted to fight monsters. Ugh.” Itsuki giggled at Tetsuo’s dramatic eye-roll. “It’s nice to have freedom,” she agreed, “but don’t forget, we’re heading into a place called the ‘Whispering Woods.’ That sounds like we’ll need to be on our toes.” Shunjiro shot her a playful grin. “Don’t worry. I’m serious about this. Mostly.” They all burst into laughter at his half-teasing remark, their voices echoing across the surrounding grassy fields. Over the next few hours, they conversed in easy fellowship, the sun inching gradually toward its zenith. Eventually, Tetsuo turned to Shunjiro, curiosity evident in his eyes. “So, Shunjiro,” he ventured, “we’ve been traveling a while, but I don’t know much about your hometown. Where exactly are you from?” A bright smile lit Shunjiro’s face. “I’m from a small place called Suncrest, near the path we’re heading. It’s cozy, quiet, great sunsets, too.” He paused, a flicker of longing crossing his gaze. “I hope they’re proud I’m starting a guild.” Tetsuo nodded. “I bet they are.” He shifted the conversation with the subtlety of a sledgehammer. “Anyway, I grew up in the mountains, just me and my dad after my mom passed away. She got sick, and medicine was scarce up there.” His large shoulders tensed momentarily. “I couldn’t stand by and watch him struggle on the farm. Becoming an adventurer felt like the best way to support him.” A brief hush settled over them, the weight of Tetsuo’s story permeating the warm afternoon air. Shunjiro placed a comforting hand on Tetsuo’s back. “I’m sorry about your mother. But I really respect you for taking this step to help your dad.” The corners of Tetsuo’s lips turned up in a half-smile. “It means a lot, hearing that.” Yoshinori, who had been quietly absorbing this exchange, broke his silence with a subtle grin of approval. He thought, These are definitely good people. I made the right choice. A few minutes later, Shunjiro twisted around to face Itsuki and Yoshinori. “So, what about you two? Tetsuo and I have been hogging the conversation. Tell us about your homes, your families.” Itsuki’s eyes flickered with a soft light as she recalled her past. “Well,” she began, “I grew up in a quiet village, too, surrounded by farmland and gentle hills. My parents and I, along with my older sister, lived a peaceful life. But then… my sister decided to become an adventurer.” The group listened intently, noticing the hint of sorrow in Itsuki’s voice. She continued, clasping her hands together. “She left a few years ago, sent one letter to say she made it safely somewhere… and then vanished. We haven’t heard from her in a long time.” Shunjiro’s heart squeezed in sympathy. “Vanished? You mean… you don’t know where she is at all?” Itsuki bowed her head slightly. “Not a clue. She’s just gone. My parents tried to hire trackers, but it’s hard to find a single adventurer in a world this big. That’s why I became an adventurer myself, so I could get strong and resourceful enough to go look for her and bring her home.” A hush enveloped them. Shunjiro’s throat felt tight, remembering how he was on the same quest for Takeshi. No wonder she’s so eager to help me. When he found his voice, it emerged softly. “Itsuki… I had no idea. Now I see why you relate to my situation with Takeshi. You’re missing someone important, too.” She nodded, her eyes reflecting a fierce determination behind the sadness. “That’s exactly it. When I heard your story, I knew I had to help. We’re in the same boat, you and I, trying to find the people we love.” Shunjiro reached out, lightly covering her hand with his. “Then let’s do it together. We’ll find your sister and my brother. Nothing’s going to stop us.” At his words, a bright shine sparked in Itsuki’s eyes, and her heart gave a sudden, fluttering jolt. She quickly looked away, hoping no one noticed. But the quiet flush on her face betrayed her feelings more than she realized. Clearing his throat, Shunjiro turned to Yoshinori next, aware that the typically reserved strategist had yet to fully share his background. “What about you, Yoshinori?” he asked. “We know you’re from a mountain region, like Tetsuo, but not much else.” Yoshinori paused to gather his thoughts. “I come from a different mountain village, a few days’ travel from Tetsuo’s region. My father is a researcher, no, more like an obsessive scholar,” he said with a faint, affectionate smile. “He studies all sorts of phenomena in the world. My mother, meanwhile, takes care of our home and my younger sister.” Tetsuo’s eyebrows shot up. “A researcher, huh? Like weird magical stuff and ancient ruins?” Yoshinori chuckled under his breath. “Something like that. He’s convinced there’s more to the world than what we see, that hidden knowledge might reshape our understanding of reality. Problem is, a normal citizen can’t access certain archives or restricted libraries. Only advanced adventurers or those with enough authority can get their hands on that info.” Itsuki leaned forward, intrigued. “So you want to become an adventurer to help your father’s research?” Yoshinori’s gaze glimmered. “Precisely. I realized that if I can climb to the highest rank, SSS rank, I’ll be able to access places and data no one else can. Father and I share this dream: to uncover the truth of our world. If I remain an ordinary villager, that’ll never happen.” Stunned silence followed. Shunjiro spoke first, a sense of awe in his tone. “That’s… a huge goal. Bigger than I expected.” He broke into a grin. “But it’s amazing, Yoshinori. You want to do more than just kill monsters or get rich. You’re aiming to unearth secrets that could change everything.” Tetsuo gave a low whistle. “Count me impressed. You’re not exactly the showiest type, but your ambition is huge, man.” Blushing faintly at their praise, Yoshinori smiled. “Well, it’s not like I’m an open book. But… Yes, I guess that is my motivation. I want to see just how far we can push the boundaries of knowledge.” Itsuki smiled, her earlier flush still lingering. “We’ll help you however we can. That’s what guildmates do.” Yoshinori nodded, his voice warmer than usual. “Right. It’s good to be here.” Their collective enthusiasm surged after hearing each other’s stories and dreams. Each one had an unwavering reason for taking on the mantle of adventurer, lost family, upholding family legacies, and searching out hidden truths in an ever-mysterious world. Shunjiro felt a swell of pride and affection for these people who had become more than just teammates; they were on the brink of being lifelong friends. “Let’s make the Strongest Guild live up to its name, huh?” Shunjiro said, injecting lightness back into the atmosphere. He gave a quick thumbs-up, prompting Tetsuo to grin and mirror the gesture. “Couldn’t have said it better,” Tetsuo added. They continued walking, talking easily. The late afternoon sun dipped, casting long shadows across the road. The gentle hum of cicadas resonated through the nearby fields, and in the distance, the treetops of the Whispering Woods shimmered with a faint, disquieting rustle. Finally, dusk began to fall. The sky blushed with streaks of orange and purple as the sun slid beneath the horizon. In the gathering twilight, the edges of the Whispering Woods stood before them like a looming sentinel. “Looks like we made it,” Shunjiro murmured, slowing his pace to take in the dark tree line. “But it’s probably best we don’t venture in until morning. The mission can wait a few hours.” Itsuki squinted into the gloom, half-excited, half-cautious. “Agreed. Let’s rest at that inn we saw in the distance. No point stumbling around in the dark, especially in a place people call ‘Whispering.’” Yoshinori tilted his head, noting the faint flicker of lanterns in the distance. “Yes, we’ll function better with fresh minds and bodies. No sense risking a night ambush.” Tetsuo patted his stomach. “Plus, I’m starving. Let’s go find some food, quick.” They followed a winding dirt path to a small, cozy inn nestled among tall spruce trees. The building’s front windows glowed warmly, inviting travelers in from the night’s chill. Inside, the innkeeper, a stout man with a booming laugh, greeted them heartily. Within minutes, they were seated around a wooden table near a crackling fireplace, a hearty meal set before them. Over steaming bowls of stew, crusty bread, and a pitcher of cool water, the group continued sharing quips, jokes, and half-serious strategies for the next day’s rescue mission. The homey environment only strengthened their sense of camaraderie. Later, in the inn’s modest communal bedroom, Shunjiro paused to glance around at his companions. Tetsuo lounged on a bunk, already half-asleep, while Yoshinori meticulously examined the rescue mission scroll by lantern light. Itsuki sat cross-legged near the foot of Shunjiro’s bed, humming a soft tune under her breath. The vision filled him with a comforting sense of belonging. We’re on our way to do something big, and we’re doing it together, he thought. Each of us has a story and a dream. It’s only the first step, but I know we’ll become unstoppable once we find our stride. As he settled in for the night, listening to the faint crackle of the lantern and the quiet breathing of his friends, Shunjiro felt optimism grow within him like a living flame. Tomorrow would mark the real beginning of their quest, the first mission for the Strongest Guild, and he intended to face it boldly, with these unwavering allies at his side.