After I close the door, Burch tosses a bag to me.
"Get changed and take a shower. You smell like shit."
I look down at my blood soaked clothes, realizing that I must smell like roadkill.
Smiling sheepishly, I head to a small attached bathroom. After locking the door, I take my armor off piece by piece.
Glancing over my shoulder, I finally take a piece of parchment out of one of my inner pockets.
'Time see what was so important that a Chief carried it with him into battle.'
As I unfurl the sheet, a smaller piece of paper falls out. Unfolding it, I can see a string of numbers and something written in Orcish.
Turning back to the larger piece of parchment, a crude map of the surrounding countries greets my eyes.
'No markings, no notes, just a map? There's gotta be something more.'
Disappointed, I carefully fold the map back up, tucking the note in the there too.
Next, I investigate the flashing light on my wrist. In the six month's of my training, this had never happened.
After pressing my wrist, the same old screen pops up.
[God's Blessing]
Level 0: Human
Class: Rogue
Strength: 100
Agility: 100
Fortitude: 100
Stamina: 100
Mind: 100
It only took a month to get all my stats to 100, with an exception to mind.
In my second month of training, Burch introduced magic. Part of the training included increasing my mind, which directly corresponds to the amount of mana you're able to tap into.
After that month, I finally had straight 100's across the board.
Now the screen that hasn't changed in four months has a message written across it.
[Level Up Available]
Excitement floods my veins.
I begin to focus on the connection I feel to the blessing.
Tracing the feeling of stronger connection, I follow it to my core, which starts vibrating with energy.
Ten minutes later, I step out of the bathroom, damp hair in my face.
Seeing my smile, Burch take's his bootless feet off the coffee table.
"Guess who leveled up."
Not even a flash of emotion crosses his face as he replaces his legs.
"Took you long enough."
I wait for more, but that's it. For the first time in a while, he's stumped me.
"That's it? 'Took you long enough'? I leveled up! Almost died! But noooo, he's gotta..."
I can't tell if he can hear me muttering this under my breath, but right now I don't care.
However, his somber mood makes me quickly change attitude. I sit in a chair opposite Burch and wait for him to speak.
"So you lost control again, huh?"
I flinch, my eyes unconsciously fluttering to the side.
"Yeah, yeah I did."
He sighs and pinches the bridge of his nose.
"Listen, I'm fine. I managed to rein it in the end, and I think I made some progress with the breathing exercises. The...beheading...was just a little too much for me."
"You did do well with the breathing exercises, but that's a reaction. Before you gained your calm again, you nearly died. If Alcon didn't come in time, that would've been it. We need to get to the root and deal with that."
I fall silent.
"Give me a little bit. I can handle it."
He shakes his head, but seems to move on.
"Other than that, that fight with the Chief was impressive. Congrats on the level up. Now, let's go shopping."
The sudden change in topic throws me off.
"Shopping? For what? And what about me becoming fully-fledged?"
He tosses me a chain with a bronze tag on it.
"There you go, you're an adventurer. Now lets go."
***
We browse the shopping district before stepping into a familiar shop.
"Kairo! What's up man!"
A teen roughly the same age as me vaults over the counter and wraps me in a bear hug.
"Not even a greeting for me?"
He shoots a smile a Burch as we seperate.
Even though I'm an adventurer, he doesn't lose out to me in muscularity in the slightest.
"Fabron! Your dad's got you behind the counter? Did he catch you sneaking some booze?!"
He laughs at my comment, scratching his head full of blonde hair.
"He hasn't yet! He's busy working on an order and mom's out, so I've got to run the shop. Speaking of, what can I help you with today?"
While I was still in training, Burch brought me to his friends smithy. Balmar, Fabron's father, has always been the one to make and repair Burch's weapons and armor.
On the first visit, I was introduced to Fabron's work and we quickly became friends.
I pull out the pieces of my sword, a sheepish grin stretched across my face.
A sad sigh escapes his lips as he looks at what's left of the sword he had made.
"I also leveled up, so I need something a little sturdier."
"So a full upgrade. New knives too?"
After I nod, he and I walk to the swords.
There are all kids: gladius, longswords, rapiers, even great swords. Fabron pulls a few bastard swords off the wall and hands them to me.
Simply picking one up is enough for me to judge a blade, but I still go through some movements with them. Fourth try, I find one.
The blade is a dark grey steel. The matching cross guard is simple, but the perfect shape for locking up.
While he takes it to the back to re-wrap the grip, I browse the knife section, picking up and fiddling with a few of them.
"Burch! How are you!"
A booming voice comes from the back. A man that looks almost identical to Fabron marches to the front and wraps Burch in a bear hug.
Burch's face is a little softer than usual.
'I mean, they are basically brothers.'
"Balmar, it's been a while. How's that order coming along?"
Shaking his head, Balmar gives a frustrated sigh.
"They asked for some very detailed work, but I'll manage. Fabron told me that you two were here, so I just had to make some time! What all are you looking for today?"
"Just here to get Kairo some weapons. The bastard broke his sword and leveled up."
He turns to me now, a massive grin on his bearded face.
"Oh ho ho, good for you! I remember the first time I leveled up. My smithing became even better than before! Have you gotten to test yourself out yet?"
I shake me head.
"Nah, I haven't gone on any quests or missions since leveling up. But I've got my party together, we just need to get set up."
He nods, then runs off.
Coming back, he has a heart protector in his hands.
The first thing I notice when he hands it to me is the it's incredibly light. However, I can tell that it's strong.
"I'd like to give this to you. However, my wife would be furious if I don't get anything for it, so how about eighty percent off?"
A laugh bursts out of my lips and I go to shake his hand.
"I appreciate anything at all. Thank you."
He grins then pulls out a clip board, writing down how many knives I have and what kind I'm getting.
"However, I can't give the sword and knives to you for a discount. Burch, if you want to get started?"
With a grumble, Burch walks over to the counter. As soon as Balmar is behind it, they burst into a series of negotiation.
As they go back and forth, Fabron steps out of the back.
"Black leather, per usual. Luckily its sheath was black, otherwise you'd probably have me paint it or make a new one."
I shoot him a grin as I take the sword.
"Another perfect wrapping job."
"You know me! It's gotta be perfect every time. Can't ruin my rep."
Burch and Balmars heated bartering draws our attention.
"Burch, you're busting my balls here. Three silver, 50 copper."
"That basic bull shit wont work on me. One silver."
"I told you, that's way too low!"
A few minutes later, they finally reach a compromise of two silver and 20 copper.
"Damn bastard got me again."
With a grin stretched across his face, Burch and I say our goodbyes and grab my stuff.
"Don't forget about the bar next Wednesday!"
Burch shouts this into the shop before closing the door behind him.
"Now, let's get you to the dorms."