I return to the capital a day before my break ends. Using the extra time, I decided on the Merchant Quarter. I remember a blacksmith I frequently visited before the war but I can't remember his name except a vague memory of blur.
I doubt I can sell the Mhythalin without arousing danger or suspicions thus my current best course of action.
In a quiet district away from the bustling activity, a blacksmith store stands with timeless craftsmanship. Its weathered wood adorned with a wrought iron sign exudes the legacy of dedication to metalwork.
I'm pretty sure this is the place.
The interior of the store is simple. The piping hot atmosphere and the smell of metal. Crates of byproducts or failed project stacks at one corner were outcasted from the rows of weapons displayed on the shelves.
"We are closed." A young man covered with soot says. With a mop of rich brown hair from beneath a leather cap, his hazel gaze fills with despair.
It's slowly coming back. I think this young man is the one I'm looking for.
"I-"
"Shut it. Leave!" He says. "Hurry!"
...
I sense three presences behind the door.
Three towering and muscular muscleman blocks the entrance.
No words are needed. I return their glare with mine.
"Wait! He has nothing to do with this. Let him go!" The young blacksmith says.
They reach for their weapons at their waist but my sleight of hand outmatches theirs. A split second later, one line of blood splatters before three heads roll.
---------
Fate: 63020 -> 63320
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"Are they bothering you?" I ask with a smile to the young blacksmith.
He ponders for a while and shakes his head. "You cannot help. Those are henchmen-"
I show him my refined aura, a beautiful blue perfectly engulfs the blade.
!
"What...I only saw this in Knights...someone so young..." The young blacksmith mumbles.
...
"Well...have you heard of a gang 'Revelation'? Recently, they've been garnering influence in several cities. My grandfather and I escaped to the capital to avoid their grasp but to think they permeated even here..."
...Yes, Revelation is currently a small name but a future terrorist.
Rumours speculated their relation to the Outworlders' invasion. It isn't my problem though.
"Your grandfather? Did they take him?" I ask.
The young man nods.
"Hm...Alright, I will get him back. Go easy on the price when I come back." I say and pull out a cloth, tying it around my face. I head out of the store to find four more men loitering near. They've been here from the start and constantly observed the store. The daggers hidden at their belt and distress seal the suspicion.
Without warning, I jump in and slit a throat.
!
Three daggers aim for my head. my duck evaded all attacks and my blade lacerates two bellies, their guts and intestines burst out like an open dam.
"ARGH?!!" The two men fall to the ground in agony.
"A-An elite swordsman at that age?!" the last man exclaims and backs away.
To his surprise, I sheathe my weapon and lift my fists.
"Y-You..." He grits his teeth, an internal battle between his pride and survival instinct erupts within. In the end, the image of a 'mere teenager' clouded his judgement. He throws a thrust which I easily dodge and counter with an uppercut to the elbow. Bones crackles like fireworks before he howls in pain.
His dismay allows me to shoot a few light punches to his torso and ends with a knee to his groin.
"Uck! S-Spare me!" He rolls on the ground. "W-What do you want? Money?"
Hm...
I check his pockets and coat.
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"I'm innocent! I-I was just here with my friends and am not part of Revelation!"
"I didn't mention Revelation to you," I reply.
The man's face turns pale. Regardless of his membership, I would still kill all four to avoid Revelation's radar.
I stab my sword into the ground beside his face, barely cutting him. "Where did you take the old man?"
"I-In the warehouse north from here."
I pull the man up and place his dagger against his back. "Bring me there."
================
The injured member limps through an alley to a small simple structure made of stone. With thick walls and small windows, it's difficult for outsiders to witness the contents of this warehouse.
The member bangs on the locked door and yells "H-Help! We were attacked!"
The lock clicks and the door swings open. One man stares at the injured from head to toe. "Attacked? By who?"
"I-It's..."
Without warning, the man slashes the injured member.
"It must be you." the man says to the pile of boxes near the warehouse. "Come out-"
"Wrong guess."
Unfortunately for him, I appear from the roof and butcher him into two red pulp.
Two assailants from within the warehouse throw a few blades at me. One swipe of mine deflects all and they leap in with their sword. I hop out to avoid an attack and hop back in to slash at his arm. Repeat and rinse; My annoying agility proves to be fatal for the two before I quickly end their life with decapitation.
Refreshing!
Within such a short time, I'm close to attaining my peak strength in my first life, although looking at it, it's quite sad that my previous limits only amount to this.
...
Now there is one more person left. A person wearing a mask with long hair exchanges glances with me. His scrawny and tall physique contradicts the aura his emitting, a predator looking for a weakness. His eyes, as dark as void, dart around my body.
Behind him is an old man tied with ropes.
...This guy seems familiar.
...
"Someone as strong as you are leading such a weak team?" I say.
He stays silent. I can instinctively feel it with his gaze. His raw strength is stronger than mine at my peak, I need to be careful.
However, he shakes his head and disappears into the dark.
What?
...
I look around frantically, sensing mana in the atmosphere in case he cloaked his presence in the dark.
Nothing.
Still nothing.
Five minutes pass but I still can't sense anything. Did he really just leave or is simply patient?
Ugh...this will go nowhere.
I brace myself and walk towards the old man. Nothing attacked me.
"Hey, are you okay?" I ask.
"Ngh...my head hurts..." The old man grasps his face. Despite his age, his body is one of Hercules, honed from decades of testament behind molten metal. A greying beard frames his visage and lines etched his face, mapping a lifetime of dedication.
I help the old man up and bring him back to the store.
"Grandfather!" The young blacksmith runs to me and embraces his family.
"*cough* *cough* You fool. How much did you pay to hire him?" the old man says.
"Uh..." The young blacksmith looks at me and bows. "T-Thank you very much sir, I-"
"It's alright. Elder, I'm simply a customer looking to put in a commission. I desire nothing except a new limb for a swordsman." I reply with a gentle smile.
The old man glances at me and returns the smile. He uses the young blacksmith as support and asks "May I have the honour to my benefactor's name?"
"I am Loi. Nice to meet you."
"Likewise! I am Ruben Kais! And this is my grandfather, Reaslz Kais."
-------
+500 fate
-1 karma
-------
His name jogs my memory and I remember it now. Ruben is the reason why I survived that long. A sword is a swordsman's lifeline and limb. If it breaks, you die. Simple as that.
His grandfather died in my first life to the Revelation and Ruben attempted to find justice with The Holy Light but to no avail. Only later did Ruben find that someone covered up the incident. From then on, he no longer trusted anybody.
Perhaps he saw himself in me. When I first met him in my previous life, my father died an unfair death for political reasons in the army. I wondered the capital aimlessly for...I don't know how long...
This will be the first debt I repay.
"I look forward to working with you." I put out my hand.
Ruben takes it enthusiastically. "Yes! We will try our best."
-------
Fate: 810
Role: Background Character
Talent:
-Blacksmith Tier 8
-Cooking Tier 1
Extract?
[Yes][No]
-------
I knew it. Immense talent yet a destiny of insignificant presence.
"Anyways, let's get to business. I want to commission a sword."
"Alright. What kind." Reaslz stretches his arms and asks.
"Grandfather! It's okay. Rest for today, I will handle this."
"Brat! You can't even properly make a knife because of all that playing around!" His grandfather smacks Ruben's back.
"Hahaha..." Ruben scratches his head and looks away.
...
I take out the Mhythalin ingot.
!
Reaslz springs to my side, suddenly regaining his vigour. "What?! How did you get this?"
"It's my trade secret. So? Can you do it?"
"Yes yes of course! It's been so long since I could make a sword of this degree!" Reaslz exclaims.
"Then I will leave it to you, Mister Kais. As for the payment, is one-"
"It will be free."
?
"Pardon?"
"Why would I charge my benefactor? Besides, you've ignited my long-lost passion, I should thank you for that," says Reaslz.
"But free is a bit...No, take at least fifty silver coins. Consider it an investment in our relationship. If you don't, I'm not coming back."
...
Reaslz sighs and takes the bag of coins. "Come back in a week. I will make sure your new limb will never betray you."
"I will hold you to that."
"Let's get to work. Ruben, see our benefactor out."
"Yes. This way." Ruben guides me out of the store and to the main district in the Merchant Quarter.
"By the way, Ruben, what happened to the corpses?" I ask.
"Ah...some masked men appeared and took them away."
"Right..."
Let's not stick my nose too much into it. Trouble bounds to follow.
"Ruben...how well are you at blacksmith?"
"Not very well. I couldn't even disperse the heat when melting metal. But don't worry! My grandfather is the best blacksmith, you can trust him."
...
"Honestly speaking, there is one way to avoid this from happening again. Recognition. Hone your skills until it becomes difficult for Revelation to touch you," I say.
"Easier said than done."
"Is that really so? Have you truly done your best to realise your potential? If you want to protect your grandfather, you need to do what you can do."
Ruben stares at the ground. "..."
"Well, it's just one way but it's up to you. I will return in a week." I say and leave Ruben to ponder in silence.
Soon later, a sudden panel pops up.
-------
Destiny has changed.
Ruben Kais
Fate: 810 -> 50000
Role: Minor Character
Affiliation: ARW
+30000 fate
-3000 karma
-------
His role changed and there is an affiliation?! Ryse Kard had the same affiliation. Is this a good coincidence?
...
Let's be optimistic. It must be. At least Ruben can have a better life this time.