The Wood Plate and the Golden Cage

Passing through the massive stone gates of Akron, the Adventurer's Guild's stronghold, a completely different world unfolded, starkly contrasting the desolate wasteland outside. Well-paved stone streets were lined with buildings of all sizes. The air was thick with the lively chatter of crowds, the rumbling of carriage wheels, and the occasional dull clang of a blacksmith's hammer. The city breathed with a bustling, vibrant energy, like a single massive living organism. Luo wrapped his arm around Hayeon's shoulders as if he owned the place, swaggering forward with confidence.

"Surprised, Hayeon? This is Akron's main street. It's where the immense wealth flowing from the dungeon pools. You can find anything here, and you can buy anything." Pride saturated his voice.

Hayeon found his touch repulsive, but she quietly observed her surroundings, playing the part of a fragile, submissive woman under his protection. The streets were a melting pot of various races. Aside from humans, there were sharp-eared elves, broad-shouldered dwarves, and even beastkin with tails and animal ears. It was a spectacle she could never have imagined in her past life.

This is... truly another world. But... the look in those people's eyes is exactly the same.

The eyes of the men staring at her were filled with unfiltered lust and curiosity. Luo pulled her even closer, casting subtle, threatening glares at the onlookers. He was keeping rival males at bay, holding her tight as if flaunting his prized "possession." Hayeon swallowed a deep sigh at his sickening display.

After navigating several twists and turns through the labyrinthine alleys, they finally arrived in front of an imposing three-story stone building. A massive, intricately carved emblem of a sword and shield adorned the facade. More than half of the people constantly streaming in and out were adventurers clad in gleaming armor and carrying sharp weapons.

"Is this... the Adventurer's Guild?" Hayeon asked cautiously, overwhelmed by the sheer scale of the building.

"Yeah. If you want to survive in Akron and get decent work as an adventurer, you have to register here first. It's basically your identification. Come on, let's go inside," Luo replied with a nod, his face brimming with self-assurance.

Stepping inside revealed a space far vaster and more energetic than she had anticipated. Countless people bustled beneath the high ceiling, each moving with a clear purpose. A massive bulletin board covering an entire wall was plastered with parchment scrolls containing quest commissions, with several adventurers staring at them with grave expressions. On the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠other side, a noisy cafeteria served food and drinks, alongside shops selling various weapons and armor, and a training area where dull thuds echoed. The guild building itself was like a self-contained village, equipped with every convenience imaginable.

Luo walked straight toward the counter labeled "Reception" without hesitation, and Hayeon followed closely behind, her eyes wide as she took in her surroundings.

"I'm here to report the completion of a guild request. Also, this is my new companion, Hayeon. She'll be registering as an adventurer today. Please take good care of her." Luo smoothly introduced Hayeon to the sharp-featured female receptionist, handing over a piece of parchment that looked like a quest completion report.

The young female receptionist skillfully accepted the document, glanced at Luo, and then shifted her gaze to Hayeon. Her eyes lingered on Hayeon's peerless beauty for a brief moment before returning to a practiced, businesslike expression.

"Your name, please?" Her voice was calm, but it carried a mechanical, detached quality.

"Hayeon... Lee Hayeon," Hayeon replied in a slightly nervous voice, attaching her surname from her past life.

"Lee Hayeon... Confirmed. We will proceed with the registration under the guarantee of Adventurer Luo here. Is that correct, Luo-nim?" The receptionist flipped through a file and asked to confirm.

"Yes, I guarantee her," Luo answered curtly.

The receptionist nodded and held out a blue crystal ball about the size of a palm toward Hayeon. "Please step forward. We will conduct a simple mana response measurement for identity registration. Could you lightly place your hand on the crystal? Don't worry, it won't hurt at all."

As Hayeon cautiously placed her hand on the crystal, a faint blue light drifted up like mist from the transparent sphere, responding softly. The light pulsed weakly, almost as if it were alive.

The receptionist retrieved the crystal without any change in her expression. "Registration complete. Lee Hayeon-nim, you have been registered at the lowest rank, the Wood Plate rank. You can raise your rank by successfully completing various missions, which will allow you to accept better requests. The novice quest board is located on the left side of the first floor."

The guild receptionist handed over a crude but sturdy-looking wooden adventurer plate as she gave her final explanation. The name 'Lee Hayeon' and the guild's sword-and-shield emblem were clearly engraved on the plate.

"Thank you..." Hayeon murmured her thanks as she accepted the plate. This was now the only object proving her identity in this world.

Ego Synchronization Rate... Does this mean the more I'm called by this name and live under this identity, the more I'll stop being ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Lee Hangyeol and truly become Lee Hayeon?

Hayeon gripped the wooden plate tightly in her hand. It was humiliating, but at the same time, it was her very first stepping stone to survival in this world.

Just then, Luo approached with a gentle smile and lightly tapped her shoulder. "Don't worry, Hayeon. I'll slowly teach you everything you need to know about the guild and what to watch out for. Everyone is awkward and clueless at first. I'll guide you step-by-step from now on."

His voice was sweet, but beneath it lay a persistent, calculated intent to keep Hayeon completely under his thumb. Hayeon made a cold vow to herself.

Sure, go ahead and teach me. I'll suck dry every bit of information and knowledge you have. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠And the moment you're no longer useful, I'll discard you without a single regret.

She stared down at the wooden plate in her hand. She had officially begun her life as an adventurer in this hellish world under the name 'Lee Hayeon.' Fear and anxiety still lingered in a corner of her heart, but beneath them lay a cold, unyielding resolve.

"Aren't you tired, Hayeon? Now that the request report is finished, we should head to an inn and rest. I know a decent place in Akron where I usually stay. Let's go there." Luo spoke as if he were being considerate of her feelings, but his tone carried a heavy nuance of treating her like his personal property.

Damn it... I really don't want to go to an inn alone with this bastard, but I don't have any other options right now. I have no money, and he's the only person I know in this city...

Hayeon debated briefly, but there was no other choice.

Fine. The moment I get some money, I'm out of here. Besides... this guy's ultimate goal is obviously my body anyway. Whatever, I'll just think of it as using this body to farm some EXP.

She forced herself to rationalize it that way, but the very thought made her feel disgusted with herself. Dressing up humiliation in pretty words was ultimately just running away. Yet, at some point, she had grown accustomed to enduring in whatever way necessary just to survive.

Please, just let this pass without any major trouble this time.

The two left the guild and headed toward the inn Luo had mentioned. The inn was a fairly large, two-story wooden building located not too far from the guild. The first floor served as a bustling tavern and restaurant, already packed with people gathered around tables, enjoying food and drinks.

The moment Luo and Hayeon stepped inside, the tavern fell momentarily silent. Every eye in the room turned toward them—or more precisely, toward Hayeon. Even though she was wearing loose, oversized men's clothes, her undeniable beauty was more than enough to instantly captivate everyone's attention. In particular, several rough-looking men swept their eyes up and down her body with blatant, naked desire.

"What are you looking at, you bastards?! Want me to gouge your eyes out?!" Luo barked, his face twisting into a menacing scowl. Intimidated by his fierce aura, a few quickly looked away, but many continued to steal glances.

Luo wrapped his arm tightly around Hayeon's shoulders and walked up to a young woman who appeared to be the barmaid.

"Hey, you didn't give away my room, did you? The one reserved under the name Luo."

"Oh my, if it isn't Luo-ssi! Honestly, if you were even a day later, I would've had to give it to someone else. Finding a room these days is like catching a star in the sky. But... what happened to the others you usually travel with? Why did you only bring this lovely lady back with you? Hoho, did something happen?" The barmaid gave a sly, knowing smile, looking back and forth between Luo and Hayeon.

"Ah, those guys... some things came up, so we parted ways. It's a personal matter, so I'd rather not go into detail. Anyway, could you bring some food up to the room? A warm stew, some bread, and a bottle of wine, please." Luo brushed her off casually as he placed his order. He then led Hayeon up the creaking wooden stairs toward the second floor.

The room was cleaner and more spacious than expected, but there was only one bed. Luo pointedly ignored Hayeon's gaze as he set down a basin of warm water, a towel, and the meal the barmaid brought up shortly after.

"You've had a rough time, Miss Hayeon. Wash up first, and then have some food. Let me know if you need anything." He acted incredibly sweet and attentive, as if he ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠were doting on a lover.

...No, wait. One room? And only one bed? Sharing a room like this... he's openly targeting me!

Hayeon knit her brows inwardly and cast her eyes downward.

Ah, my head hurts. It's so fucking predictable, seriously.

But even though she knew exactly what he was planning, she had no choice but to play dumb. She desperately needed a safe place to sleep and a meal right now. To survive, she sometimes had to play the fool.