“Well, if you’re so confident, then stand next to me and watch closely. I’ll show you how to use the 10 techniques I want you to learn,” he told me. As soon as I was standing next to him, he began forging. He made 10 different basic swords, each one made with a different technique. I watched closely, my face a mask of intense focus. When he finished, he wiped his hands on his leather apron and turned to me. “I could tell you payed close attention and learned from my demonstration. Excellent work! You have taken your first step towards becoming my apprentice!”
[+Relationship with Blacksmith Karc]
[You have obtained Passive Skill [Basic Blacksmithing I]]
[Basic Blacksmithing I]
[Type: Passive]
[Effects:
1. +1% chance of success when forging Items
2. +1% chance of Item being Rare]
“Uh, thanks,” I said. I was a little underwhelmed by the effects of the Skill, but I certainly wasn’t gonna turn it down. Happy enough, I was about to leave when I remembered something. I pulled the Alpha Wyvern Scales out of my inventory. “Can you use these for something?”
“I most definitely could! Those are stronger than most of the metals I regularly work with, but are easier to melt down and shape,” he replied. “You want me to make somethin’ for ya outta those?”
“What could you make with them?” I asked.
“Well, I could make you a weapon, but you already have a good one,” he replied. “So, I could probably make you a piece of armor. But the scales by themselves won’t be enough. Especially if you want the armor to have any special traits. So please, tell me, what type of armor would you like and what special traits would you like it to have?”
“Hmm, well, I wasn’t expecting this question. Could I have some time to think about it?” I asked. Karc nodded in response, then turned back to his work. Sitting on the stool in the corner, I thought about it. “I’d like to have chest armor of some kind, like a cuirass or a breastplate. And for special traits, I’m still not sure. But to be honest, with how close I keep getting to dying while fighting bosses, I think I just need really good defense.”
I got up and walked over to Karc. He noticed me and set down his hammer.
“Made your decision?” He asked.
“Yessir. I’d like for you to make me a breastplate, please,” I told him. “And as for special traits, I’d just like it to be really, really good at keeping me alive.”
“Alright, I think I can manage that,” he said with a laugh. “However, in order to make it, I need the proper materials. Could you help me collect them?”
[Blacksmith Karc needs your assistance in gathering the materials he needs to forge your breastplate]
[Collect 0/10 [Vials of Metallic Goo]]
[Collect 0/10 [Vials of Troll Blood]]
[Collect 0/10 [Black Iron Ore]]
[Rewards: Rare or higher rarity Item]
[Failure Penalty: no Item, -Relationship with Blacksmith Karc]
[Accept? Y/N]
“Sure, that’s the least I can do since you’re making it for me,” I replied. I accepted the Quest.
“Oh! And one more thing, since you’re going out to collect materials anyway, an important part of being a proper blacksmith is knowing how to collect your own materials,” he told me. “For the next step in your training as a blacksmith, you need to collect some basic materials.”
[Blacksmith Karc would like you to collect materials to prove your worth as an apprentice blacksmith]
[Collect 0/10 [Basic Iron Ore]]
[Collect 0/10 [Fine Iron Ore]]
[Collect 0/10 [Sturdy Iron Ore]]
[Rewards: [Advanced Blacksmithing] Skill, [Metalworking] Skill, +Relationship with Blacksmith Karc]
[Failure Penalty: no longer able to become apprentice, -Relationship with Blacksmith Karc]
[Part 2/3]
[Accept? Y/N]
“Got it. I’ll take care of that as well,” I replied, accepting the second Quest. Nodding to the man, my pets and I left. However, before I could do anything, a man ran into me, pushing past me. “Hey, watch where you’re going!”
[Instance Quest [A Thief’s Story] has been triggered]
[A Thief’s Story]
[Follow the man who ran into you and discover who he is]
Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.
[Follow 0/1 unknown man]
[Rewards: ???]
[Failure Penalty: lose the Instance Quest]
[Accept? Y/N]
“Sure, why not?” I said with a sigh. “Honestly, I might be getting addicted to doing Quests. I just can’t say no to one.”
I then followed after the man. However, he was faster and stealthier than I expected, and I almost lost sight of him a few times. But I managed to follow him until he stopped running. He was standing in front of an old, worn-down cottage. I watched as he walked inside.
“I should probably go in as well,” I thought to myself. Walking up, I looked inside through a broken window. My eyes went wide, as I saw the man handing a bag over to a woman who was standing next to a bed. In the bed lay a very old man who looked sick.
“Thank you so much, Morris, for helping me and my father,” the woman said. “But aren’t you afraid you’ll get in trouble?”
“If I thought anyone would ever catch me, I would’ve found a different way to do this,” Morris replied with a wink. “However, even though my father doesn’t want me consorting with you, I couldn’t just let the father of the woman I love suffer and die. Even if that means stealing medical supplies and bringing them here to you, Evelyn.”
“Thank you again. You’re my knight in shining armor,” Evelyn said, kissing his cheek. She then began pulling items out of the leather satchel. Once she had what she needed, she started attending to her father, Morris watching over them both.
“Guess the story here is that he’s the son of some rich guy but loves a poor woman, such a cliche,” I muttered. However, I then noticed a middle-aged NPC man wearing fancy clothes approaching the cottage. He had multiple guards with him, all wearing armor and carrying weapons. He began banging on the front door.
“Morris! Get out here this instant! You are my son, and I will not have you be seen with such poor filth!” The man shouted.
“I don’t care, Father! Even if I didn’t love her, I’d still be here to help her! It is the duty of the rich, strong, and powerful to help those weaker than themselves!” Morris replied. I saw veins bulging in his father’s neck and forehead. Raising a leg, he kicked the cottage’s door in.
“Then I’ll make this easy for you! I’ll drag you out of here while my guards exterminate these pests!” The man shouted. I then received another system message.
[Instance Quest [A Thief’s Story] changed to Instance Quest [A Man’s Conviction]]
[Save Morris, Evelyn, and her father from Morris’ father]
[People saved 0/?]
[Rewards: ??? (Reward varies depending on how many people are saved)]
[Failure Penalty: the misery of Morris, Evelyn and her father’s deaths]
[Accept Changed Quest? Y/N]
“Of course I’ll accept!” I exclaimed. I could hear my heart pounding in my ears as my blood roared with rage. Drawing my greatsword, I marched up to the nobleman. “Hey! You can’t just burst into someone’s house just because you’re rich or a noble.”
“Ugh, a pesky Adventurer, butting his nose into other people’s business,” he muttered. “Guards, dispose of him while I deal with my son.”
“[Fluffy], [Orthrus], kill them,” I said, already seeing those guards as dead men. Both of my pets shot forward, their bites instantly killing 2 of the 6 guards. The remaining 4 now seemed frightened and hesitated to come any closer. “Good boys. Now, watch the remaining ones.”
The two loyal pets growled and stared down the 4 men. They cowered and shook, their plate armor rattling and clanking. If I wasn’t so angry, I would’ve been laughing. Turning to look into the house, I saw Morris desperately defending himself against his father’s sword.
“Hold on, I’m coming to help!” I shouted. Both fighters turned to look at me, their eyes wide with surprise. I took advantage of their shock to knock the older man to the ground. I then pointed the blade of my sword at his chest, daring him to get up. “Are you all alright?”
“Yes, we’re fine, thank you,” Morris replied. He leaned against the wall to catch his breath. I continued staring down at his father, who still had a murderous gaze in his eyes. “I’ll call the village guards. They’ll take care of my father and his men.”
“Sounds good. I’ll keep him here in the meantime,” I told him. Morris nodded and ran out of the house. He came back several minutes later with a group of men wearing ragged, mismatched armor. They immediately arrested and took away Morris’ father and his 4 remaining guards.
“Thank you very much, Adventurer. I greatly appreciate your help, and I’m sure Evelyn does as well,” Morris said. He kept shaking my hand and thanking me profusely.
“It was my pleasure to help. I’m just sorry that it happened in the first place,” I replied. Morris just shrugged.
“My father has always been that way. I, however, take after my mother, may she rest in peace,” Morris explained. “She was a kind, loving, caring, sweet woman who helped out everyone around her regardless of their station or wealth. But she died when I was still young, and my father didn’t bother trying to continue her charity work. I did my best to do so in secret though.”
“I see. I’m sorry for your loss then, even if it was several years ago,” I replied.
“Thank you, I appreciate that. Now, I feel a reward is in order for everything you did for us today,” he said. “I don’t have anything valuable on me right now, but if you come by my house later toady, I’ll give you something worth your trouble.”
Evelyn then cut in, holding a ring in her hand.
“This is the only valuable possession I have,” the woman said softly. She handed me the ring. “It belonged to my mother before she died, and I feel like you should have it now.”
[You have obtained Item [Mother’s Memory]]
[Mother’s Memory]
[Rarity: Epic]
[Type: Ring]
[Subtype: Defense, Buff]
[Restrictions: has to be given as a gift by Evelyn]
[Durability: 170/170]
[Magic Defense: +75]
[Options:
1. +50 Int
2. +200 max MP
3. +50 Magic Attack Power
4. +5% MP recovery per second]
[An intricate silver ring that gives a feeling of warmth and motherly love to the owner when worn, it boosts the wearer’s magical capabilities through unknown means.]
“Oh, wow, thank you so much! I really appreciate the gift and the sentiment,” I told her. I immediately put the ring on and I felt magic power rush through me. “Again, thank you. I’ll put this ring to good use.”
I then left the small cottage, waving goodbye to the couple. Walking around the village, I was trying to get directions. And after talking to a few different NPCs, I learned the locations of each of the materials I needed.
“In order to get [Vials of Metallic Goo], I need to hunt [Black Slimes] near the mountain,” I thought aloud. “That’s also where I’ll find the ores I’m looking for. However, in order to get troll blood, I need to hunt [Trolls]. Which are found deep in the forest, deeper than I’ve gone before. Well, no time like the present.”
Deciding to get the troll blood first, I entered the ever-familiar forest. Trekking deep into the woods, I walked for nearly an hour before I saw any signs of Trolls. However, once I did, I knew I was in the right place. Examining the tracks, I followed them to a large clearing where several Trolls were sitting in a circle eating.
“I’ll need to get in a sneak attack if I want to kill any of them,” I strategized. Drawing my dagger, I sent it flying out using [Throw I]. The projectile stabbed into the head of the troll closest to me. It jumped to its feet, roaring in pain and anger. Turning, it charged in the direction the attack came from. “That’s right, follow me into the forest. Separate yourself from the others.”
The troll went wild, smashing the trees in its path. However, it didn’t seem to be nearly as strong as the Forest’s Guardian. Smirking, I realized this was going to be easier than I thought. Drawing the Excellent Custom Greatsword, I embedded the blade of the weapon in the troll’s stomach. It roared and thrashed, smacking me aside.
Coughing, I got up from here I landed. However, I hadn’t taken a lot of damage. On the contrary, I watched in satisfaction as the Troll slowly died. It fell to its knees and its body vaporized into particles.
[You have obtained Item [Vial of Troll Blood (x3)]]
[You have obtained Item [Troll Leather (x3)]]
“Oh! I wonder if [Troll Leather] is any good?” I wondered aloud. “Either way, I need more [Vials of Troll Blood] for both Karc’s Quest and Wadd’s Quest. Guess I better get to farming.”
Dashing into the clearing, now knowing how weak these monsters are compared to myself, I began hacking and slashing. Fluffy and Orthrus both joined in, and soon, all of the Trolls in the clearing were dead. Gathering up all of the drops, I had more than enough troll blood for both Quests and plenty of other random Items.
“Now, let’s head to the mountain,” I told the two animals by my side.