Chapter 1 Vol. 1
It is a cold spring morning the ice from the winter has been thawed but the soil is still frozen making farming impossible for the mean time the sunrise gives a refreshing heat as the winters last for 3 months.
Soldiers of the town wear leather armor and thick coat instead of plated armor preventing them from freeze cold as the metal is a great conductor of heat and cold they patrol the area early morning it is a duty as to keep the rotation between batches of soldiers rotating them from morning, afternoon and evening shifts.
While soldiers march the road, a lady passes by as she holds dear for her thick furry coat protecting her from the chilly winds blowing. “It is very cold, winter is over right?” She couldn’t stop shivering as she walked towards a certain building. She enters the facility with her white shirt and skirt uncovered by the furry jacket she used to elapse the chilly wind. The coat covers her brown hair, cute cheeky cheeks and admirable blue eyes, her height may not be tall but she is still in the growing stage and she will have her moment to grow into a beautiful figure.
“Phew, it’s too cold outside” while removing her coat she is having her own moment of thoughts at the entrance, an elegant lady with her long black hair and voluptuous chest that would be appreciated by any males she encounters. “You also complain when it is summer cause it is hot then for Autumn cause it is windy that it flips your skirt.” A lady replied to her complaints while she revise the book of records to check previous records of adventurer reports. “Don’t be like that to me Sister Anastasia, I’m just spouting nonsense hehe...” She smiles cheerfully, looking happy to see her señior she considered her own elder sister. “If you are done complaining Lisa, then help me validate these reports before other adventurers come and report their quest.” Lisa smiles and softly agree, “Yes, Big Sis. ”.
Lady Anastasia’s beauty is very known in the area as the Man-killer because every man falls into her venomous beauty that would make any married man violates their promise towards their wives. Alice enters the records room to sign up for her arrival. A few seconds later, Lisa comes out of the records room holding a stack of paper and sits beside Anastasia. She is still shivering due to coldness while she holds her wavering facial expression. Sister Anastasia is also perfect today, especially those boobs. Lisa compares her own chest to her but Anastasia caught up to it as Lisa's gaze towards her chest in an instant Anastasia pokes the side abdomen of Lisa letting out a cute moan. “Kyaa!” Lisa was embarrassed and covered her blushed face Anastasia is quite astonished on Lisa’s moan she couldn’t hold her grin. “Please stop bullying me Sister Anastasia.” as she tries to act pitiful “Try to loosen up Lisa someone will come by now so ready to learn so you can get your license.” She smiles elegantly, showing off her maturity and childishness towards her.
Lisa tries to calm herself by breathing in sequence. “So, how’s your morning?” Anastasia asks, then Lisa smiles and replied with an energetic tone. “Uh, it is good so far, and ate breakfast so I can take the morning works.” Anastasia’s mature beauty aura intensifies with her glorious smile. “Good, so try to keep up on my work pace and experienced it for yourself working for your first morning shift.” Lisa smiles back at her, being grateful towards her senior. “Yes, Ma’am.” Lisa replied with an energetic tone, having Lisa released her tense emotions it would be helpful to stay focused on any task.
A few minutes later, after the small chat of the beautiful ladies. A young man enters the guild with his ragged white shirt, leather vest and shoulder and knee pads for vital protection and sword on his back and knife on his waist pouch. He carries his bag with ease wearing a bright smile walks near the reception table as he greets Anastasia. “Good morning, Lady Anastasia. Anastasia is enlightened with the energetic greeting “Good morning too Henry, what could I do for you today?” He grabbed a pouch full of herbs from his bag. “I’m here to submit a report from my previous quest, and I will also take another quest for today.” “Understood, let me have the quest materials and I will write your report.” The guy placed a pouch full medicinal herbs called Pijiafrass, people who request these are local villagers alchemists tends to buy herbs in bulk and they used it to create potions. “Let me submit these and have a look at the board for your new quest Henry.”
Lisa is observing quietly and follows Anastasia towards the records room. “Sister Anastasia, do you know that guy? It is my first time meeting him.” “Yeah, he just recently joined and do regular gathering quests.” “I see, but I think he’s very well equipped to do hunting. Why do he bothers do gathering quest?” Lisa asks questions after questions regarding Henry “As the receptionist we value our Adventurer’s privacy so we don’t interfere with their decisions, it always been a norm for our newbies to start hunt goblins or other hunt quest and gathering quest being taken is very rare these days.” Eventually Lisa’s curiosity is answered “I see, but will he rank up if he continues doing these quest?” Anastasia silenced for a bit to think for an answer. He may be still thinking about that…“Sister Anastasia?” Anastasia fall silent for a bit “Oh! I’m sorry I was a bit lost there. We don’t know. Maybe he will take a hunt quest once he gains his confidence.” Eventually, Anastasia finished the report and prepared to leave the room.
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Henry is picking another Gathering Quest. Choosing this quest should be enough for today, they always leave Herb gathering quest, maybe others think of it is a boring job and they would rather take hunting quest. Anastasia returns to confirm Henry’s quest to be active. “Henry the confirmation’s done! You can start your quest.” Anastasia’s smile is dignified, and it continues to trigger every male’s libido. “As always, I appreciate your effort madam Anastasia.” Henry slightly bows to express his gratitude. “Be safe out there” “I will”.
Henry leaves the guild hall with a grin because of his excitement for the incoming adventure. It may not be that exciting for any normal or veteran mercenaries, but for him every step towards the unknown is a new discovery in his experiences. “I need to sharpen my dagger, might as well visit old man Baldemur.”
For Henry’s last preparation he visits a shop, upon opening the door he encounters an old man with 5 feet stature, brawny muscles with his smudges of coal on clothes and thick beard as he sits while polishes his daggers with its unique engravings that enhances the designs of the blade. “What do you need, Henry?” At Old Baldemur’s shop, I’m uncertain or a self proclaimed regular customer of his, as I buy old tools from him and sometimes repair my broken tools. “Old man Baldemur, I need some whetstones can you spare me some?” Baldemur stands up and confronts Henry “Hey kid why don’t you let me handle your dagger and just pay for the service fee, you’ll just waste my whetstones if you are not careful on grinding.” Henry grins and scratches the back of his head while prepares his reasoning. “I also want to try sharpening my tools.” Haha “Are you doubting my skills, kid?” as he gazes towards Henry “wait! It’s not like that old man Baldemur” I’m just being cheap because I need to elevate my savings for new equipment.
Baldemar scratches his chin until he decides. “All right, kid, I’ll teach you how to whet blades. It is just some tips so it won’t take long.” Baldemur agreed as he sees the kid’s willingness to learn “Thanks old man Baldemar, you are the best.” Henry shows a sharp smile, pointing out his gesture of appreciation to Baldermur. “Stop your yapping and bring your blade to my workplace.” Baldemur turns the other way. Is he embarrassed? He is weak to complement, I might as well add that to my list. “Yes! Sir.”
Henry takes unsheathes the dagger and enters the inner room of the blacksmith. Wow! Those weapons… Upon entry, different kinds of weapon was displayed across the wall from daggers, Short swords, Long Swords, Axe and etc. They are in pristine quality as they shimmer through Henry’s eyes. “Are those your collections? Baldemur replies with an arrogant tone, attempting to flex his craft work. “Yeah, those are my best creations." Baldemur grows an imaginary nose. “How much are those costs?” Baldemur waves his hand as a sign of refusing. “Nah! I got no plan to sell those.” Having those shelves is somewhat regretful because their quality is superb and they are only shelved, But Baldemur shelving them must have a certain reason or just a personel preferences to collect his best works.
Baldemur shows a demonstration to Henry on how to whet blades efficiently. “When sharpening your blades don’t put too much Force, it will make the edge rougher.” He replies with a slight nod. “I see, please continue.” Baldemur gently slide the blade against the whetstone. “Let the weight of the blade flows and put some hand weight once you sharpen minimizing the whetstone lost and smoother blade edge result.” With every slide he does, the blade doesn’t leave too much metal dust, but it still sharpens the blade significantly. “How many slides should I do for a small blade?” He scratches his chin while he makes his answer “There is no definite count on the strokes it all depends on the quality and the ingredients of the blade,feel the blade it all depends on the craftsman but I couple slides and then feel the edge’s smoothness and for me it would be suffice as long as you are satisfied on the result.” Baldemur demonstrates his expertise on blade smith with his handiwork and answers as a veteran on the field of weapon forging. “I see.” What a clear and precise answer from old man Baldemur. He really puts his heart to his work. "For sharpness test to peel some tree bark and do more slides if you are still not satisfied.”
The blades could be treated as a work of art because of the unique engravings and characteristics putted into the blades. Sharpening blade is all about feeling and satisfaction of the Craftsman. Those weapons on the wall are his lifework and they are definitely regretful to let go as for the Craftsman.I wonder if I could buy one of those someday, I guess aiming or a better equipment is not a bad goal for now.
While Henry is having his moment being mind blown by the blades displayed on the wall, Baldemur unravels the sheet cloth on blocks of Wheatstone and picks a block. “I’ll give it to you for 4 coppers since you are my only customer these days.”
Yes, a jackpot deal. Internally celebrates “Thanks old man Baldemur, I’ll buy one of your crafts soon.” Henry smiles as Baldemur hands over the whetstone to him.” Thanks again, old man Baldemur, I’ll head out now.”
“Take care, kid “What a cheeky kid” Baldemur slightly smirks but deep inside him he reminds of certain someone who really loves his work even if he is a cheap stake. “Where the fuck is that guy now?”
After leaving the door, Henry encounters two (2) guys in robe covering their inner clothing and faces that hides their identities entered Baldemur’s shop. Hmmm… a customer? I guess old man Baldemur is exaggerating his shop having no customers.
Henry decided to ignore those two (2) robed guys to continues his journey.