Chapter 3

Opportunity rich environment

Thorin smirked but said nothing as they finally reached the heath. He took in the layout, his eyes locking onto the solitary tree standing like a watchtower in the field. Perfect. He made his way toward it, testing the bark for handholds when—

"Movement." Vorn’s tone sharpened.

Thorin froze, his eyes darting to the horizon. From the eastern edge of the field, three goblins were making their way toward the tree, chatting in their guttural tongue, weapons slung lazily over their shoulders. He didn't know if they had spotted him, but he wasn’t about to risk an open fight in the middle of a field with no cover.

Without hesitation, Thorin scaled the tree, hauling himself up onto a thick branch just as the goblins closed the distance. He barely managed to pull himself out of sight when he heard them approaching the tree’s base, their voices filled with casual bickering.

As he steadied his breathing, another shape caught his eye.

Emerging from the opposite side of the heath, the quest boar—a monstrous, scarred beast with thick bristled fur and wickedly curved tusks—lumbered into view. It sniffed the air, its massive frame moving with a deceptive grace for its bulk. It was heading straight for the goblins.

Thorin slowly reached for his two spears, testing their weight in his grip. At the same time, he carefully opened his sack of rocks, the ones he had gathered along the way.

A wicked grin spread across his face.

"Well, this just got interesting."

Thorin crouched low on the thick tree branch, his grip tightening around his crude spear as he watched the goblins move into position. The boar, a massive beast covered in coarse, bristling fur, snorted and scraped the ground, its small, furious eyes locking onto the goblins.

The goblin with the shield and axe banged his weapon against the wooden rim of his shield, drawing the boar’s attention. The other two goblins flanked to either side—one gripping a long, rusted spear, the other a jagged-edged sword and dagger. Their plan was clear: the shield-bearer would hold the boar in place while the others struck from the sides, cutting and bleeding it.

Thorin remained perfectly still, his breath controlled. The moment the goblins had done their work, he would strike.

The boar bellowed and charged. The shield-bearing goblin braced, his squat legs digging into the dirt. The impact sent him sliding back, but he held firm, gritting his sharp teeth. The spearman lunged, stabbing into the boar’s exposed flank. A squeal of rage erupted from the beast as blood splattered the dry grass. The sword-wielding goblin darted in from the other side, slashing at the thick hide, drawing another deep wound.

The battle raged below as the goblins worked to keep the boar under control. Thorin watched closely. The shield-bearer was focused entirely on defense, locked in a battle of endurance with the boar. The others were too busy attacking to notice him.

Now.

Thorin shifted his weight and struck. His crude spear plunged downward, the tip punching through the top of the shield goblin’s skull with a sickening crunch. The creature stiffened; his body held up only by the weight of the boar still pressing into his shield. Thorin yanked the spear free, and the goblin collapsed in a boneless heap.

The remaining goblins barely had time to react. The boar, freed from its primary target, turned wildly. The sword-wielding goblin screamed as the boar’s tusks caught him in the gut, lifting him off the ground before flinging him aside like a ragdoll.

Thorin struck again. He reversed his grip on the spear and drove it down into the spearman’s exposed neck, the blade punching through flesh and windpipe. The goblin gurgled and thrashed before slumping lifelessly into the dirt.

The boar, now mortally wounded and alone, stumbled. Thorin adjusted his stance, took aim, and hurled his crude spear, the weapon sinking deep into the beast’s shoulder. As the boar staggered, he leaped from the tree, the goblin spear aimed downward.

The force of his fall drove the weapon straight through the boar’s skull.

A final shudder ran through the beast’s massive frame before it collapsed, blood pooling around its head. Thorin pulled his spear free and took a step back, breathing heavily.

The battlefield was silent.

Total XP Earned: 300 XP (Goblins) + 200 XP (Boar) = 500 XP

[Quest Completed: The Heath Menace]

You have slain the rampaging boar terrorizing the heath. The villagers will be relieved, and the hamlet’s hunters can now safely gather game once more.

Reward: 5 Copper

Bonus for Solo Completion: 2 Copper

Total Earned: 7 Copper

XP Earned: 100

Thorin exhaled, rolling his shoulders as the weight of the battle settled in. He glanced at the dead goblins and the fallen boar, then at the lone sturdy tree that had given him the advantage.

Not bad.

He reached down, collecting the coins from the goblins’ pouches before retrieving his spears and gathering anything else of value

Thorin and Vorn survey the aftermath of the battle, ensuring no threats remain. With the boar eliminated, Thorin brings up the other quest, weighing whether they should tackle it immediately.

Vorn tilts his head in thought. "If the cave is dark, you’ll need a light source."

Thorin considers their options. "We could gather materials and make torches, but that takes time. Maybe there's another way—do you know anything that could help?"

Vorn hums, mulling over the possibilities. "Some creatures see without light, but I don't think you have that ability. We could look for glowing fungi or crystals, or perhaps you could craft a lantern instead."

Thorin nods. "If we can't find another solution, we’ll have to make do with torches. Either way, we should prepare before heading in."

Thorin and Vorn traveled across the heath, their pace steady but cautious. With the boar no longer a threat, they could now focus on completing the other quest. As they walked, Thorin collected dry moss, twigs, and thick branches that could serve as makeshift torches. Vorn, floating nearby, occasionally flicked his gaze toward promising pieces of firewood, his sharp vision helping locate the driest materials.

By the time they reached the cave entrance, they had enough to prepare several torches and fuel for small campfires. The cave mouth yawned before them, dark and uninviting, with the faint scent of damp stone and decay drifting out. Thorin crouched by the entrance, quickly fashioning torches by binding dry moss and strips of cloth around sturdy branches. He handed one to Vorn, though the wyrm had no hands for it.

Vorn gave a low hum. “I can ignite these when needed. Use them wisely.”

Thorin nodded. He pressed his ear to the rock wall, listening. Faint skittering sounds echoed from within likely the very creatures they were sent to deal with. He readied his spear, adjusting his grip. "Let’s get started."

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Thorin lit the first torch with Vorn’s help, then planted it in the dirt near the entrance. It cast flickering shadows along the rough walls, revealing a winding passage leading deeper inside. They moved cautiously, placing small piles of firewood at key points along the way—potential barriers to cut off an enemy’s retreat or funnel them into an ambush.

As they ventured deeper, the air grew stale, and the sounds became more distinct. The creatures were close. Thorin crouched, gripping his spear, readying for battle.

Piling a small amount of wood, Vorn ignited it.

The first enemies revealed themselves—cave vermin, large rat-like creatures with elongated fangs and sharp claws. Their beady eyes glinted in the light as they scurried toward Thorin, hissing.

Thorin thrust at the first one, skewering it, before kicking the corpse off the weapon. The second lunged for his leg, but he pivoted, smashing it against the wall with the shaft of his spear before driving the tip into its throat.

More were coming. Thorin hurled a torch forward. The flame crashed into a pile of dry twigs, igniting instantly. The fire flared up, forcing the creatures back with screeches. Singing the closest.

Using the flames to pin the vermin in a choke point, Thorin speared two more before they could react. Another tried to rush past the fire, only for Vorn to breathe out a small jet of flame, scorching it mid-leap. It landed with a smoldering hiss, twitching before being eaten by Vorn.

Thorin looked at Vorn flatly, "what I was hungry, besides it was my kill"

With the creatures pushed into a tight corner, Thorin lit another pile of wood, that prevented them from escaping deeper into the cave. The remaining vermin, desperate, charged through the flames—already burning as they lunged. Thorin met them with quick thrusts of his spear, finishing them off one by one.

As the last fell, the cave was left silent except for the fire.

Thorin wiped sweat from his brow, exhaling sharply. “That went better than expected.”

Vorn hovered above the smoldering remains, inspecting them. “Fire is quite effective, you should gather anything useful before heading back.”

Thorin quickly searched the cave, retrieving a few intact fangs, pelts, and bones that might be useful for trade. Leaving the torch near the entrance lit as they made their way out.

Outside, the night had begun to settle over the heath. The two exchanged a look before Thorin stretched, feeling the exhaustion set in.

“Let’s head back to the hamlet,” he said. “Time to collect our reward.”

Thorin and Vorn made their way back to the hamlet, their packs heavier with loot and coin. The battle with the goblins, boar, and cave creatures had been profitable, but Thorin knew his equipment needed improvement. They headed straight for the local blacksmith, who also ran the hamlet’s general goods store, to do just that.

The blacksmith, a grizzled older man with soot-stained arms, looked up as Thorin placed both goblin spears on the counter.

Thorin: "Can you combine these? I need a better spear—stronger head, more balanced shaft."

The smith inspected the weapons, nodding. "Aye, I can reforgin' 'em into something' proper. That goblin metal ain't great, but with a better head and solid Ashwood for the shaft, it'll hold true. Cost you though."

Thorin placed the looted sword and dagger on the counter. "How about a trade?"

The smith scratched his beard, considering. "A fair trade, with a few coins on top for labor. That works."

Thorin then set down the goblin axe and his battered shield.

Thorin: "Can you fix this shield? Maybe reinforce it with some of this boar hide?"

The smith smirked. "Now that's an idea. Leather backing will absorb shock, and I can reinforce the rim with better iron after expanding its size. The axe in trade will cover the work."

With the trades settled, Thorin sold the remainder of his boar meat, pelts, and vermin fangs, earning a handful of copper coins.

As they browsed the shop, Thorin’s gaze landed on a simple cloth bag, appearing to be filled with stones.

Thorin: "Why is this so cheap?"

The blacksmith chuckled, shaking his head. "That? Hah! Some enchanter tried to make a bag connected to some useful or expensive realm. But somethin' went wrong, and all it does is pull rocks from gods-know-where. Can’t store nothin’ else in it. No one wants a bag that only ever gives you rocks."

Vorn immediately perked up, his eyes flashing. A limitless supply of rocks?

Thorin, grinning: "We’ll take it."

The smith laughed, happy to be rid of the useless bag.

They finished their transactions at the smithy, with two days before the gear would be ready, Thorin knew he had time to train. He turned to Vorn, holding up the Bottomless Bag of Rocks with a smirk.

Thorin: "Do you think I can throw rocks into the spell?"

Vorn’s eye-light flickered in what could only be interpreted as incredulity. "Did you fall on your head? Why in all the realms would you want to do that?"

Thorin’s grin widened. "Because if you can shoot them back out at me at the same speed, I throw them in, I can use it to train my evade and mobility speed. And if I throw them back after dodging, my throwing skill gets better too."

Vorn went silent for a moment, then slowly nodded. Your logic is sound."

With that, they headed to a secluded clearing on the edge of the hamlet, out of sight of curious eyes.

Thorin stood several paces away from Vorn, gripping a rock from the bag.

Thorin: "Ready?"

Vorn tilted his head, giving the signal.

With a sharp snap, Thorin hurled the first rock straight into the spells opening.

A split-second later, a blur of motion shot back at him—Vorn had launched it with precise force. Thorin twisted, narrowly dodging the projectile as it whizzed past his ear.

Thorin: "Perfect!"

For the next hour, they repeated the process:

Thorin threw rocks into the bag.

Vorn launched them back at increasing speeds.

Thorin dodged, rolled, and sidestepped, gradually increasing his reaction time.

He occasionally caught a rock midair and threw it back, working on his aim and dexterity.

At first, several hit him, leaving small bruises, but with each attempt, he became sharper, faster. His body adapted, adjusting to the rhythm of attack and evasion.

Then the messages started.

System Notifications:

[Mobility Speed] increased!

[Evade Skill] increased!

[Throwing Skill] increased!

[Dexterity +0.10]

Breathing heavily, Thorin wiped sweat from his forehead. He wasn't expecting the boost to his dexterity, but the results were clear—his aim was better.

Thorin: "Didn't expect that last one, but I'll take it."

Vorn nodded approvingly, though his eye-light still flickered with amusement. "Your survival instincts are adequate. Hoard value still rising."

Thorin felt the difference—his movements were sharper, smoother, and his aim more precise. He was still far from an expert, but with each training session, his combat efficiency continued to rise.

Vorn, meanwhile, seemed satisfied with the results, though his eye-light flickered with mild amusement at Thorin’s unconventional approach.

Tomorrow, they would continue training while waiting for their upgraded gear to be completed.

Thorin chuckled. This method of training was working. He might not have formal instruction, but between creative problem-solving and Vorn’s assistance, he was getting stronger every day.

With the sun setting, they decided to head back into the hamlet, eat, exercise and rest—tomorrow, they would continue training while waiting for their gear to be finished.

With two full days before his upgraded gear was ready, Thorin committed himself to an intense training regimen. He paid for room and board, ate dinner, and repeated his previous night’s exercises, gaining similar improvements.

The next morning, he set into a structured cycle:

Speed and evasion drills (dodging rocks).

Strength and endurance training (sprinting, pushups sit-ups, burpees).

Throwing practice (using the BBR).

45 minutes of training, followed by 15 minutes of meditation to recover stamina.

Repeated throughout the day with brief rests for food and hydration.

For two full days, Thorin pushed his limits, only stopping for meals, meditation, and sleep. By the third morning, his training had yielded substantial improvements.

By the time Thorin picks up his upgraded gear, he has significantly improved his physical stats and combat skills. His speed, endurance, and accuracy have increased, making him a more capable fighter.

Constitution 7.25 (360 Health)

Mana: Unknown

Strength 28.50

Dexterity 26.75

Agility 3.00 27.00

Stamina 26.75

Intelligence 27.75

Skill Gains

Skill Post-Cave Quest

Mobility Speed

Armor Piercing Acquired

Evade Skill 24.50

Throwing Skill 24.65

Dexterity (Aim) Skill 24.00

Spear Combat 1.00

Fire Tactics 0.50

Physical & Performance Changes

Faster

Stronger,

Greater stamina,

better accuracy.

More defined muscle tone, making him visibly stronger and more athletic.

Primary Stats

Constitution 7.25 (360 Health)

Strength 28.50

Dexterity 26.75

Agility 27.00

Stamina 26.75

Intelligence 3.75

Skills & Abilities

Mobility Speed Acquired

Armor Piercing Acquired

Evade 24.50

Throwing 24.65

Dexterity (Aim)24.00

Spear Combat 1.00

Fire Tactics 0.50

Upgraded Spear (Reforged, improved balance and spearhead)

BBR (Bottomless Bag of Rocks)

Upgraded Shield (Larger, reinforced, and covered with boar hide)

Assorted coins from selling loot

Various survival supplies and food rations