Hiro left the army camp and went home, where he found Foria already moving around playing with Leara and Leo outside in the front of his home. It was crazy seeing this little woman playing around with two absolutely ferocious beasts but this was the new world that Hiro was living in. Hiro walked up and the two big cats jumped on him licking in a loving embrace. Hiro laughed as the two ligers purred in delight as he rubbed their soft fur.

“Alright I have decided that our first stop will be to get the goblins on our side”, said Hiro “but first, Foria do you know where I can find your brother? I haven’t seen him since we arrived.”

“Oh.. that’s easy, he was summoned to the capital to meet the King. He and Rain left with about 50 armed guards including Blade left about two days ago.”

“I wonder why he was summoned?”

“News of your exploits and our town’s prosperity has reached the King” replied Foria.

“Oh, I was looking forward to seeing him but oh well. I killed a goblin that was holding a sword back in the forest where we met so I would like to start looking for them there but first I need to go to the blacksmith shop and to the general store that Matsuro left me. There are some things I need to sort out.”

“Ok then I will go get Scarlet and Amaterasu and we will meet you at the city gates.”

“Sounds good.”

Foria jumped and hugged him. Hiro place his hands around her small waist and hoisted her off the ground as if she was a feather and kissed her. After that he looked deep into her eyes and said, “I think we should spend one more night here before we leave.”

Foria blushed as she rubbed her finger down the side of his face, “I would like that but first we have to clean you up. This beard has got to go.”

Hiro laughed and nodded his head. The two parted ways and Hiro headed towards the blacksmith shop.

Hiro opened the door at the blacksmith shop and saw all of the armors and weapons that were all over the store. It was amazing in a month he saw such high quality equipment. There were several customers in the store who were being helped by the dwarves. Hiro just patiently waited until he had a chance to speak with his friends once again. After a few moments the customers were taken care of and the store began to empty out. Once the dwarves saw him they all rushed from behind the counter.

“Hiro..? is that you?” asked the weapon’s master

“Yes it’s me. Have I changed that much?” replied Hiro

“Absolutely. You look much more mature and your physique is even more impressive since the last time I saw you. You must have been doing some intense training” the dwarven armor master.

“Well..”, Hiro said while he smiled and scratched his head. “My master was training me for the last month or so and it was pretty tough.”

“So did you come back with a new request?” asked the Master enchanter.

“Yes and no. I received a unique weapon that used to belong to my master. I don’t know much about it so I was coming to see if you could tell ma little about it”, said Hiro as he brought out his new weapon the sword of evolution.

The weapon master came close but he didn’t make a sound. As he came closer he said, “It can’t be. Is it…? Yes it is? Where did you get this?”

“It belonged to my master. He left it to me after he died.”

“Your master was… Matsuro the lighting blade?” asked the weaponsmith master

“Yes how did you know?”

“That weapon is known amongst most weaponsmiths. It is amazing! It is only to be wielded by the master of the Lightning Blade Sword Style. Could you be..?”, asked the weaponsmith master.

“Yes I inherited the title from my master and the sword was given to me as proof of my new title. Do you know about the weapon?”

“Yes, I know a bit about it. The weapon will grow in strength and ability when you allow it to absorb other materials.

The stronger the material it absorbs the stronger that sword will become” said the weapon master. “It appears it has not been used in a very long time though so it needs to absorb some weak material to begin the process.”

“What do you mean absorb?”

“I’ll show you.”

The weapon master gave Hiro several pieces of iron ore.

“Now touch the sword to the iron ore.”

Hiro did as the dwarf asked and the sword began to shimmer. As it did the metal was liquefied and ran into the sword.

“What was that?” asked Hiro

Your sword of evolution has gained 2 levels.

Your sword of evolution has gained three levels in material absorb skill

“Amazing! Hiro you have been given a wonderful gift. Treasure it and as you find materials see if the sword will absorb them.”

“I understand. Thank you for your help.”

“Do you need any equipment?” asked the armor master.

“No, currently my training was to toughen my body so that I can withstand any attack from a blade. So I think I will be ok. Besides I still have my wildfire armor for the time being. If I need anything I will definitely let you.”

“Ok. Well don’t be a stranger.”

Hiro waved as he left the store. He began making his way to the general store. As he got to the store he had a nostalgic moment of the first time he went into the store and Matsuro’s aura left him breathless because it was so overpowering. He walked inside and greeted the attendant.

“Hello” said the attendant.

“Hi. I have to give you some bad news.”

“Bad news, what do you mean?”

“Matsuro died a few days ago.”

“What!?”

“Yes. As his disciple he left me this store.”

“I can’t believe he is dead. He was such a nice boss”.

Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

“Yes he was a great teacher but an even better man.”

“What will you do with the shop?”

“Well that is why I came here. I want you to run the shop as you have done it before but now instead of working for someone, I would like you to be my partner.”

“Partner?! You mean like I partially own the store?”

“Yes. We will be equal partners. I will supply the store with goods and you will sell them at reasonable prices then we will split the profits. How does that sound to you?”

“It sounds unbelievable. Why are you doing this?”

“My master gave me this store but I don’t know how to run it. I would hate to sell it as I believe that would upset him wherever he is. So I thought if I am going to keep it then I should hire you but I know you have been here for a while and I think you should be rewarded for your hardwork.”

“So you want to make me a partner because I worked hard?”

“Absolutely.”

The attendant began to get teary eyed. “Hiro I can’t thank you enough.”

“Thank me by treating people fairly and honest.”

“I will.”

“I am leaving soon. When I return I will have lots of items for you to sell.”

“Alright. I will be waiting for you and the goods that you return with.”

Hiro shook the man’s hand and the waived goodbye.

Alright now its time to go looking for those goblins.

Hiro went to the main gate at the front of town where he was met by Kaura, Orochi, the two ligers, Amaterasu, Foria, and Scarlet. They exchanged pleasantries and began going towards the forest where Hiro and Foria met. The ladies mounted up on the beast companions while Hiro stayed on foot.

“Is everyone ready?”

“Yes”, said the ladies in unison while the ligers roared, Amaterasu howled, and Orochi hissed.

Hiro activated his gravity magic and began at 70 times gravity to continue his training. Then the group was off. They began running at a decent pace. Hiro’s stamina depleted rather quickly. After about 30 minutes. He had to stop.

“Are you ok?” asked Foria

“Yes… huff… I’m ok…. Puff. I am still wearing the weighted cuffs and they are at 70 times their normal weight.”

“How heavy were they to begin with?”

“The set was 100 pounds” replied Hiro.

“What!?” gasped the group.

“You mean you were running that face with over 7000 pounds of weight on you?” exclaimed Foria

“Yes that is how I trained with Master Matsuro.”

“No wonder your strength increased so much” Said Scarlet.

They all laughed and after Hiro caught his breath they were on the trail again. As the continued their journey, Hiro would continue to run with the weights active. He had to stop several times as they continued their trip to the forest. By nightfall they had arrived on the outskirts of the forest. There were all sorts of sounds showing that the forest was definitely alive that night.

The group made camp on the outskirts of the woods and made a fire to cook some meat that Foria had brought with her as a provision. The group laughed and joked over dinner and after filling their bellies they all laid down to rest for the night.

Early in the morning Hiro awoke with Foria snuggled up next to him while the two ligers he and Foria on either side. Hiro looked around and to his surprise Scarlet was laying on Leara snoring softly. Keara was already awake sharpening her blade on a sharpening stone.

“Seems like you are expecting a fight”, said Hiro

“Well I always prepare for the worst.” Replied Kaura

“Sounds like a good idea. Just do me a favor and try not to get violent unless I tell you.”

“Yes sir!” said Kaura as she saluted.

The two got up and began getting their equipment ready. Hiro let out a loud yawn and he began stretching his body as his muscles were a bit sore from walking around with the heavy weights on. As he stretched the rest of the party woke up and he cooked breakfast. After they all ate the group entered into the forest.

“Why don’t you show him your new skill, Foria?” said Scarlet

“New skill?” asked Hiro.

“Yeah, I got a new job while I was out training. It is called huntress.”

“Really?! What does it do?”

“I gained an ability that lets me track any type of opponent that I fought before. I can see any signs of a creature that I have fought before.”

“That sounds awesome!” exclaimed  Hiro “Can you see if you can find any signs of the goblins?”

“Sure.”

Foria closed her eyes and began to concentrate. When she opened her eyes they had changed color. The iris of her eye was now gold and the pupil was a vertical slit like cat eyes. She began looking from left to right and suddenly…

“I found it. There are footprints that look like the ones that we used to track down goblins before.”

“Lead the way.” Said Hiro.

Foria took the point postion and lead the group. They went through the forest for about 2 hours until finally they came to large cave in the side of hill.

“They are in there” said Foria as she pointed towards the cave.

Hiro had already confirmed this with his detect presence ability but he did not want downplay Foria's new ability.

“Alright, remember this mission is non-violent so please no bloodshed unless we absolutely have no choice.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Author's Note:

What will happen with the goblins?

Will they join Hiro's cause or will they die by his hands?

Find out in the next chapter!

I'm still looking for Patreons for my story. Any little bit would help.

Regardless of donations or not I will continue to put out chapters of this story.

I hope you enjoyed this chapter.