I chose Matan as my destination, the third-largest city in the kingdom, with a population of over two million. I picked it because it was the nearest major city to the Misty Forest. There, I planned to sell the carcasses of fourth-class monsters, as well as one of the fifth class. To avoid traveling on foot, I made my way to the nearest small town and took a carriage to Matan.
On the way, I asked my fellow passengers about the kingdom and how things were run here. Some were wary of my questions, while others answered readily, eager to help a country bumpkin from a principality like me. Naturally, I suppressed my power to the level of a second-class warrior to avoid unnecessary attention. The two-week journey passed uneventfully.
The carriage dropped me off at the trade square and rolled away. I wandered among the rows of goods, observing the wares, but nothing particularly caught my eye.
— Could you tell me how to get to the Craftsmen’s Guild? — I asked one of the merchants.
— A newcomer, are you? Why do you people keep coming here? Life’s no paradise in this city—better stay in your villages!
What an idiot, I thought, walking away. A polite question deserved a polite answer. After a few more minutes of wandering through the market, I found myself near a large two-story tavern at the edge of the square.
— Good day, sir! — A young woman greeted me at the door. — Here to dine? We have free tables on both floors. How many in your party?
— Just me. Upstairs, if possible.
The first floor was crowded, so I hoped for a quieter place above.
— Right this way, please, — she said, leading me to a small table near an open window. Handing me a menu, she added, — Call for someone when you’re ready to order.
I took the menu and sat down.
— Hahaha! Brother, I’m sure you made that story up too!
— No, I swear! Look into my honest, oh-so-honest eyes!
— Oh, I know how your honest eyes lie!
A well-dressed young couple passed by and took a seat at the neighboring table.
— Bring us tea! And a menu! — the young man called out, balancing playfully on his chair.
After placing my order, I handed a bronze coin to the waiter and asked:
— How do I get to the Craftsmen’s Guild?
The response was a long, convoluted explanation that I forgot with each new direction—turn here, go there, do something when I see something… Damn it, I thought, pouring myself tea. I shouldn’t have come to such a big city.
— Brother, looking for the Craftsmen’s Guild? We can take you there if you’d like. Right, sister?
The young man turned toward me, waiting for an answer.
— I’d be grateful if it’s not too much trouble.
— Not at all, brother! We were heading there anyway! I’m Tot, and this is my sister, Sui. You’ve come from far away?
— I’m Aney, from the Principality of Atun.
— Whoa! You’ve traveled quite a bit! Don’t worry, though—people here aren’t so bad, and we’ll help you out. Aney, are you here to participate in the tournament too?
— Not really. What tournament? — I asked, intrigued.
— You haven’t heard of the Royal Tournament? It’s a contest to select the kingdom’s best young fighters under twenty-five. They pick the top hundred to serve the royal family. Of course, with your second-class warrior level, you won’t make the cut, but you’ll still get a chance to prove yourself. I, for example, plan to compete and hope to secure a spot in the top hundred.
I assessed his power—about third-class, mid-tier. And people like him could make it into the top hundred?
— No, — I said quickly. — I’m not interested. I’m not strong enough.
— Shame. The rewards are good. Everyone in the top hundred gets to choose a fourth-class weapon or armor. The top ten receive custom-made fifth-class gear, and the champion gets a sixth-class piece! My sister is competing too. Despite her age, she’s already a third-circle mage!
— Whoa! — I looked at Sui with interest. — That’s impressive!
— Oh, brother! — Sui blushed.
— Actually, her real goal is the Magic Academy, but this year’s admissions are over, so she decided to try her luck in the tournament instead, — Tot continued, ignoring his sister’s embarrassment.
— I’m also interested in the Magic Academy. That’s one reason I’m here.
— Really? — Sui’s eyes sparkled. — What’s your circle?
— I’m still weak as a mage, — I dodged the question. — But I want to try.
— Oh, I see… And since you’re a warrior, you can’t be a mage… — she said, sounding disappointed.
Our food arrived, and we pushed our tables together to continue our conversation. When we finished eating, I paid for everyone. Tot protested, saying it wasn’t necessary, but I insisted—it was a small thanks for their help.
— So, what’s your business at the guild? — Tot asked as we walked through the streets.
— I want to sell monster carcasses and buy some new gear. My current equipment is too weak and badly damaged.
That was the truth. Even the new third-class armor that Hek had given me was barely holding together after my fights with fourth-class monsters in the Misty Forest. Hopefully, selling them would bring in enough to afford something better.
— If you’re buying weapons, stick to high-grade ones at the guild. For lower-class gear, used weapons from smaller shops are a better deal.
— I just want to look around first.
— I’m just trying to save you money, Aney. The guild always charges extra. Oh, here we are.
We stood before a massive five-story building.
— If you’re selling carcasses first, this way. — Tot led us to a side entrance.
Inside, Tot explained our purpose to the manager, and we proceeded to the processing hall.
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— Please lay the carcasses here, — the manager instructed, pointing to the floor.
I placed the ten fourth-class carcasses down one by one, saving the shkrah for last.
— Linzi, Tropt, Gusu… and… shkrah?! These are all fourth-class and even a fifth-class monster! — Tot shouted. — Brother Aney, where did you get all this?! You’re only a warrior…
— Just lucky. Really lucky. — I released the power of a Battle Master for a brief moment before suppressing it again. — I hope this doesn’t turn into gossip, alright?
— Of course, sir! — the manager quickly responded.
— Battle Master… and I spoke to you so casually… Forgive me, Lord Aney, I was looking at a mountain but failed to see it! — Tot bowed, and his sister followed suit.
— Hey, hey, what are you doing? Have you lost your minds? — I stopped them. — I liked our conversation just the way it was.
— But, Aney, we disrespected you… — Sui began.
— Not at all. Please, act as you did before.
— Alright! — Tot grinned. — Aney, did you hunt them all yourself? And who’s your teacher? Some legendary Elder?
Tot bombarded me with questions.
— Yes, I hunted them alone. No, I have no Elder teacher… Tot, let’s finish our business first.
— Alright, alright, — he said hastily, turning to the manager. — So, what price are you offering?
— The carcasses are damaged, and the cores are missing… If you could return the cores…
— No, I no longer have them, sorry, — I lied smoothly.
— In that case… I can offer one thousand four hundred… no, one thousand four hundred twenty gold.
— What a rip-off! — Tot exclaimed. — Where’s the poor condition here? The carcasses are fresh. Yes, the meat is a bit chopped and pierced, but all the bones are intact… Well, except for this one, whose skull is split in half. And this one has part of its spine torn out… But overall, this is quality merchandise! Don’t take us for fools. My father’s workshop is also part of the craftsmen’s guild, and I know my trade!
I stared in astonishment at this impromptu theatrical performance, while Sui stifled a laugh into her fist.
— Well… indeed… — the embarrassed manager started counting something — It’s not that bad… Would seventeen hundred gold coins satisfy you?
— Yes! — I interrupted Tot, who had just opened his mouth, gathering air for the second act.
— Deal!
After the manager settled the payment, I asked if I could sell my old weapons here. It was possible, but at a different location, so he led us to the weapons hall and handed us over to another worker.
I laid out all my weapons and armor, except for a dagger and a spear infused with the core of a fourth-class monster—I had prepared them for the battle at the prince’s court. After long negotiations between Tot and the manager, I managed to get nearly a hundred gold coins for everything.
— Well then! — Tot exclaimed in satisfaction. — Now let’s go to the high-class weapons hall!
— Let’s go! — Sui and I responded cheerfully.
The weapons hall was enormous, housing thousands of fourth- and fifth-class samples. Wasting no time, I immediately headed to the section displaying the fifth-class weapons. First and foremost, I needed a good spear, as it was my primary weapon and the one I wielded best.
— How may I assist you, sir? — A young woman in a rather revealing dress approached me.
— I need a spear, at least fifth-class.
— What price range are you looking at?
I glanced at the price tags on the nearby display cases. A thousand to three thousand gold. Not bad—considering the money from the monsters and my inheritance from the old mage’s vault, I could afford it.
— Price isn’t an issue. The durability of the weapon is my priority.
The saleswoman assessed my appearance, then handed me one of the cheaper spears.
— A short spear with a wind attribute. In skilled hands, it reaches incredible speed!
— Too weak for me. Do you have something sturdier that won’t shatter in my grip?
— This fire-attributed fifth-class spear was crafted by one of our best masters, — she said, offering me another one.
— Still too weak. I don’t care about attributes; I’d rather have one without any at all. Just show me the sturdiest weapon you have.
— He’s just wasting our time, — someone scoffed loudly behind me, ensuring the entire hall could hear. — Get this beggar out of here! He reeks of poverty!
I turned to see a young man dressed in expensive clothing—a third-class warrior of the upper rank. Tot twitched toward him, but I stopped him.
— Whether I’m poor or not is another matter. I’m saying the weapons they’re showing me are absolute garbage—not even worthy of being called fifth-class.
— What would you know about weapons, peasant? — the noble continued, sneering. — This is an excellent spear! A warrior as skilled as I am could even defeat a Battle Master with it!
— A Battle Master? You’re lying. I could crush this spear with my bare hands!
— Hahaha! With your hands?! — Laughter erupted in the hall.
— With just one hand, even.
— If you manage that, I won’t hesitate to pay a thousand gold coins for such a spectacle!
— A thousand gold? — I grinned. Easy money is always welcome. — And you’ll pay for the broken spear, too, right?
— And if you fail? What then? — the noble wasn’t backing down.
— Then I’ll give you a thousand gold and buy this trash heap of a spear.
With these words, I pulled out my purse and placed it on the counter.
— So? Do we have a deal?
— Hahaha! The beggar wants to bet his last gold on it! Of course!
— Who will witness our wager? — I turned to the hall. — I don’t want this whelp claiming later that it was all a joke and he doesn’t have to pay.
Tot and Sui stood as my witnesses, while two other young men backed the noble.
— Gentlemen, please, this is the guild’s hall… — the saleswoman whined, but the noble shoved her aside.
— Well? Are you giving up now to avoid disgrace? — He extended the spear to me, enveloping it in his aura. — Or will you give us all a good laugh?
— Go ahead and laugh.
I grabbed the spear’s tip, released my power, and enveloped my hand in aura. Then I clenched my fist.
A loud crack thundered through the hall, shattering glass in all the display cases and knocking some over. The spear’s tip exploded into dust instantly. Sui raised a barrier in time, preventing injuries among the onlookers. The spear shaft splintered into shards, which shot toward the noble, pierced his aura, and embedded into his skin.
— Had your laugh? Now pay up! — I stepped forward.
— H-how is this possible?! — The noble still couldn’t believe what had happened.
— Pay up! — I repeated, more firmly, taking another step toward him. — Or I’ll crush your empty head next!
He hastily pulled out the gold and handed it over.
— And now, pay for the spear.
— What’s going on here?! — A loud voice echoed through the hall as a group of guards rushed in.
— The hall master! The hall master! — The saleswoman ran to an elderly man who had just entered and started spewing nonsense, claiming I had caused all the chaos.
Oh, what a cunning snake. Listening to her lies, I tucked away my gold and slowly started to boil inside.
— Such behavior is unacceptable! — the hall master shouted. — Boy, you’ll have to answer for this!
— So this is how the craftsmen’s guild operates? You hear one side of the story and already declare someone guilty? You have a chance to speak to the other party, and there are two dozen witnesses! Do you not wish to hear them, sir?
— He’s right, he’s right! — murmurs of agreement spread through the hall.
— Fine, I’ll listen to you, but don’t think this will go unpunished!
— Is that a threat? I came here just to buy a weapon. But instead of decent service, your employee kept bringing me garbage, despite me repeatedly asking for the sturdiest spear you have! And that’s not all. Then one of your customers started mocking me, calling me a beggar and an ignorant fool, even shouting to throw me out because I ‘reek of poverty’! And none of your staff stopped him!
— But you concealed your strength… — the master weakly tried to object.
— Oh? So your guild has a rule against concealing strength upon entry? — I grinned menacingly. — Fine. You want to feel my true power? Then take it!
I focused on the saleswoman, the guards, the noble, and the hall master, unleashing my aura with a thirst for blood. The guards and the saleswoman collapsed unconscious, the noble fell on all fours, bleeding from his nose, and the hall master dropped to his knees, gasping for breath.
— Enough, enough, forgive me! There is no such rule, I was mistaken!
— So, will you finally show me your best spear, or shall we continue this argument?
— Yes, everything will be done, sir, please…
The hall fell into complete silence. I suppressed my power again to the level of a second-class warrior.
— Thank you, sir, — the hall master sat down on the floor, breathing heavily. — I will… I will bring it right away.
He got to his feet and hurried toward one of the display cases as fast as he could.
— Here, this is our finest spear. It also supports two attributes—wind and ice. There is nothing better than this in the entire guild!
I took the weapon in my hands, stepped to the center of the hall, and spun the spear over my head. Not bad, but… too flexible.
— It’s a fine spear, — I said, handing the weapon back. — But it’s too flexible for my fighting style. I’m afraid it would only get in my way.
— But… but this is the best we have… — he seemed to brace himself, as if expecting me to lose my temper again and wreck the place.
— Well then, is there anyone in town who sells better weapons?
— Unlikely… Although, there is one old master. About ten years ago, he brought a spear here, but we refused to take it for sale. Even though it was high-class, it didn’t have any attributes. If he hasn’t sold it yet, that spear would definitely suit you!
The hall master began explaining how to find the craftsman, but Tott interrupted him:
— I know where he lives! It’s near my house!
— Good, then lead the way.
I turned to the young man still lying on the floor, pretending to be a vegetable.
— And you, don’t forget to pay for the spear and the mess in the hall. It’s your fault, after all. Got it?
We left the moment he gave a weak nod.