Newbie's Quest: Awaiting Challenge
Chapter 23: Ethan Walker's Condition

Ethan Walker awoke in a spacious and brightly lit room.

The gentle sunlight streamed in through the half-open window, enveloping the room with a warmth so comforting, it felt as if he was still nestled in a dream.

He spread his palms open, staring at his fingers in a daze.

There was a knock at the door. Receiving no response, the person outside pushed it open and entered.

It was Tess Johnson.

"Ethan, are you awake?"

Her surprise quickly morphed into delight.

Tess was dressed in a pale yellow gown, draped with a jacket from the Avalon Guild, her own team.

She held a tray with breakfast, warm water, and a small bottle of vitamins.

Ethan glanced around the room, discerning it to be a clinic designed for patient rest, yet adorned with a cozy touch.

Tess nudged a chair closer to the bed with her leg and placed the tray on the bedside cabinet.

"Have something to eat first."

Feeling an unusual pang of hunger, Ethan didn't hesitate to start eating the porridge slowly.

"How long have I slept?"

"A day and a night."

Tess picked up an apple and began peeling it leisurely.

"After you fainted at the White Tower, we called a car to bring you back to the guild. You've been sleeping since. Emily Johnson and Alex came to see you, but you were still asleep. My brother has an engagement, but he plans to visit you when he's free."

Ethan felt overwhelmed hearing about so many visitors.

"I'm fine, there's no need for everyone to come. I'm not a tourist attraction."

Tess chuckled softly.

The room fell into silence, save for the rhythmic ticking of the wall clock. Tess finished slicing the apple, placing the pieces on a clean plate and handing it to Ethan.

After consuming half a bowl of porridge, Ethan suddenly pondered her earlier words.

"Your brother is at a social event? With his personality, he's attending social gatherings?"

Tess appeared surprised.

"Ethan, you haven't known my brother for long. How do you know...?"

"Just a guess. You and your siblings are introverted by nature. Hasn't Alex always been the one in charge of the Avalon Guild?"

"Yes, he's helped us a lot, almost like family."

"Hard to believe someone as cunning and astute as the vice-captain can have such human emotions."

Tess smiled slightly at Ethan's jest. Her expression turned melancholic as she remembered something.

"My brother wasn't always like this. He was also in that mission... the one where our elder brother had an accident. He was young then and took a hard hit, developing some shadows..." She trailed off, unwilling to delve deeper into the sorrowful topic. Shifting her gaze with a smile, she said,

"But now it's all good. My brother said he's ready to take up the responsibility to protect me and the guild."

Tess, though introverted, was an optimist at heart; otherwise, she wouldn't have survived those isolated and challenging times.

Ethan nodded without much expression.

"That's good."

"By the way," Tess remembered something Alex had asked her to inquire, "Alex wanted me to ask if you've firmly decided not to join our guild."

"Yes," Ethan's stance remained unchanged, "that was the condition we agreed upon initially."

Tess looked regretful but knew well enough to recognize Ethan's resolve.

"Alright, I'll tell him. But Ethan, may I ask what your condition is? You've helped Avalon Guild so much, Alex and my brother said offering you a vice-captain position is no problem at all." Avalon Guild had approached Ethan with sincerity, and the silver plus contract said it all.

Initially, Alex took a gamble by signing Ethan to complete the Hamilton mission.

Now, Ethan had fulfilled his task brilliantly, safely leading Tess out and ensuring no harm came to the team members.

It was an outcome beyond expectations.

Avalon Guild owed Ethan a generous reward.

Hearing Tess's words, Ethan laughed.

"A vice-captain position? That's quite generous."

"We're serious," Tess emphasized with a hint of frustration when she saw Ethan's disbelief, "Avalon Guild keeps its word."

Ethan waved his hand dismissively.

"I believe in your sincerity, but that's not what I want."

"What do you want then?"

Ethan teased.

"Where's the vice-captain, Alex? He didn't come to see me, the great hero, right away. That's neglect."

As he spoke, the clinic door was pushed open without ceremony.

"The vice-captain is busy; he doesn't have time for idlers like you."

The voice belonged unmistakably to Emily Johnson.

Upon seeing Emily's face, Ethan grabbed the blanket and covered himself.

"I suddenly feel very sick, as if I've seen something filthy. Really uncomfortable."

Tess stifled a laugh, while Emily,

looking helpless, gestured for her to stand up. He then yanked the blanket off Ethan.

"Get up, stop pretending to be sick. Go out and get some sun."

"Cough, cough. Is this how Avalon Guild treats its patients? I'm going to post about this on the forum," Ethan playfully threatened, reaching for his player's bracelet in his pocket. "Emily, leave him alone."

Two more people entered, Alex Johnson, the vice-captain Ethan had been jesting about, and the guild leader, Lucas Anderson.

Several members of Avalon Guild peeked curiously at the door, eager to catch a glimpse of this renowned warrior.

Ethan found himself surrounded.

"I've contracted a dizzying illness. Don't crowd around me; I feel nauseous."

The Anderson siblings, being of a sincere and straightforward nature, immediately moved to leave upon hearing Ethan express discomfort.

Emily Johnson, on the other hand, seemed to itch for an argument at Ethan's words.

It was Alex, the vice-captain, who tactfully covered Ethan with the blanket again.

"Bear with it for the sake of money."

"Are we discussing conditions now?" Ethan's ailments seemed to vanish instantly as he sat up energetically. "Let's hear it."

"You were sick, weren't you?" Emily's temples throbbed with irritation.

"I'm cured, thanks to Doctor Alex, the miracle healer," Ethan said with mock seriousness.

Emily walked to the door, shooing away the nosy team members gathered outside, then shut the door firmly and leaned against it, arms crossed, ready to listen.

Alex, holding a black folder in his hand, opened it and handed it to Ethan.

"Even though you're not interested in the silver-plus contract, you've been a great help to our guild, and we need to compensate you for that. This is your reward, separate from any conditions you might set. Take a look." Ethan took the folder.

The Avalon Guild was generous in its offer. Besides monetary compensation, there were in-game items and weapons that Ethan needed, and all the gold coins he earned from completing the missions were his to keep; the Guild did not claim any. "I'm very satisfied."

After signing his name, Ethan closed the folder.

"Now, shall we discuss my conditions?"

Despite being driven away earlier, a few curious Avalon Guild members soon gathered outside the door again, eavesdropping against the wall.

Ten minutes later, Emily's voice echoed from inside the room.

"What kind of condition is this? We don't agree!"