So, the new skills got integrated with the Status Screen? Hmm, let's test out some of the skills.
"Map."
Suddenly, the familiar blue screen popped up, showing me a bird's eye view of the town with a small red dot indicating my location. So, is this the user location sub-skill from the Map? It reminds me of a game's map.
For now, I don't have anything to appraise, and I can't test auto-gathering now. Then let's test out the Inventory.
"Inventory."
The screen popped up once more, but this time there were many small empty boxes visible on the status window. Let's try putting my money pouch inside. I took the money pouch and placed it in the Inventory.
I could see the picture of a coin bag in one of those boxes. I selected it, and it displayed, "You have a total of 7584 coins." So, I paid around 108 coins for the room and the food. That's not a lot, but I still have around seven thousand coins. Maybe when the old man said these were his retirement fund, was he telling the truth?
Well, whatever, I am very tired now since Truck is still on cooldown. Let's go buy a weapon and some armor tomorrow and try to do some quests tomorrow. I should also meet the old man Owen tomorrow as well.
…
The next day, the sunlight woke me up. I got out of bed, washed my face, and refreshed myself. Then I went downstairs to get something to eat.
The ground floor was bustling with people, and I somehow found a free table. "Excuse me, can I get some food? I'll have today's special."
After getting some food, I went straight to the Guild and greeted the attendant there. Ember was nowhere to be seen; it was a different attendant.
"Hello, I just became an adventurer yesterday. Can you please recommend me a quest to start with?"
The attendant looked at me and said, "Certainly, since this is your first quest, let's start with something simple. Just wait here; I will bring you a suitable quest."
After a few minutes, she came back with something in her hand. "This is a quest to gather some herbs. The name and picture of the herb are here. Please have a look."
I took a look; it looked similar to a mint plant.
She continued, "You can find it in the nearby forest. It's mostly safe, but sometimes Onis show up, so be careful. Also, please give me your guild card; I will register this quest for you."
I handed her my guild card. She took it and scanned it using a machine that resembled a computer.
"Thank you for waiting, and good luck on your quest."
"Thank you. Can I ask for one more favor? Where can I find the Firebrand Smithy?"
"You can find it near the town square. It's easy to spot because of its large anvil and fire signboard."
I thanked her once again and left the guild. I headed toward the town square and searched for the Smithy. After a few minutes, I found it just as the attendant had described. The signboard made it easy to find.
I entered the Smithy and asked, "Hello, is this shop still open?"
The old man I saw yesterday appeared.
"Oh, look who's here? Someone has been going around and using my name as they please. It's bold of you to show up at my shop after the stunt you pulled yesterday."
He started getting closer to me, cracking his fingers. He was nearly 2 meters tall with bulging strong muscles. I started sweating profusely due to fear.
"I-I have a very good reason for that. If you just let me explain then-"
Suddenly, I heard a familiar voice. "Dad, are you picking a fight with the customers again?"
I looked at the source of the voice, and it was Ember. She looked at me and said, "Aren't you the new adventurer who registered yesterday? What are you doing here?"
"Do you know this guy? He's been going around and using my name as he pleases.", Owen asked Ember.
"Ju-just as I said, if you please give me a chance to explain, I will tell you everything," I managed to say somehow.
He looked at me and then at Ember and said, "Consider yourself lucky. If it weren't for Ember, I would have beaten you black and blue and handed you over to the guards. You have one chance. If I'm not convinced, I will do exactly what I said."
I somehow managed to survive. But if I don't tell them the truth, I could end up in jail. So, I guess I have no other choice. I told the old man everything that happened yesterday, excluding the part where I beat people up and stole their money.
…
After a few minutes, we were sitting in the shop, and Ember went to bring us some tea. The old man began to speak.
"I see you're a hero. That explains that weird vehicle I saw yesterday. If you were just summoned yesterday, then that makes sense why you didn't have an ID back then. Very well, you've convinced me. I'll leave you alone for using my name yesterday."
Somehow, I managed to avoid getting into trouble.
"So, you were a Hero? Then why are you hiding that fact from everyone? If people find out that you're a Hero, they will treat you with respect," Ember asked me while carrying a teapot and a few cups of tea.
She gave me some tea, and I thanked her. Then I began speaking, "Well, to tell the truth, I have no idea how strong I am. If I go around saying that I'm a hero, someone from the Demon King's army could easily kill me when I'm vulnerable."
"I see. I understand. Anyway, Dad, don't you think you owe an apology to the Hero?" Ember scolded her father.
"Yes, yes, I'm sorry for what I did. As an apology, I'll give you a weapon for free."
"Really? Thank you, Mister Owen." That's great. I can get an expensive weapon and sell it later.
"Oh, just so you know, I won't give you anything expensive. Just something that a beginning-level adventurer can use."
Dammit! There goes my plan. Well, whatever. At least I'm getting a free weapon.
After finishing my tea, I started rummaging through the weapons, but nothing caught my eye. To tell the truth, they're all trash. I guess that's what you get from beginner-level weapons.
Oh, what's this? I found an axe with a red handle, and most of the axe itself was red except for the blade. It kind of reminds me of a fire axe. Well, whatever, let's try to appraise it.
"Appraisal."
The familiar blue screen popped up, showing me the information about the axe.
Bloody Axe Rex
This axe is the favored weapon of a loyal dog named Rex, who used it to protect his owner. Legend has it that Rex targeted enemies' Achilles' heels and tendons, injuring their legs and slowing them down. After battles, both Rex and the axe were often covered in blood, earning it the name Bloody Axe Rex. The axe's handle even bears his bite marks.
Effects: Allows the user to use Blood Magic. If the axe hits someone, there's a 75% chance that their movements will be reduced by 20% for up to five minutes. It cannot stack. There's also a 25% chance that one of their limbs could be severed at random.
Special Skill: If someone willingly offers some of their blood to the axe, it will recognize them as its owner and always return to their hand.
Hidden Skill: The appraisal level is insufficient to reveal this option.
Artifact Skill: Blood Magic
Life Drain: Drains the enemy's health and gives it to the user. Five percent of the enemy's health is gained every time it's used.
Energy: 200
Blood Spikes: Create a spike made of blood and attack the enemy.
Energy: 100 Per Spike
Blood Shield: Create a small shield made out of blood to protect the user.
Energy: 150
What's up with this axe? It's definitely not something that should be in the beginners' section. Did the old man place this axe here by mistake? And what's up with the effects? The speed reduction is great, and it has a 75% activation rate. It's a pity that it doesn't stack, but a 20% speed reduction is really good.
And there's a 25% chance to randomly sever the enemy's limbs. If activated at the right time, it could turn the tide of battle.
The special skill is currently not activated, but the auto-return feature itself is a plus. It looks like I have to offer some of my blood to activate it.
It even possesses a hidden effect that my appraisal rank isn't high enough to reveal. Could this imply that the axe has the potential to become even more powerful than its current state?
Finally, the Blood Magic. It basically gives me options for ranged attacks, defense, and even some form of recovery. What more could I ask for?
Who is this dog, Rex? I have never heard of or seen a dog using an axe. If the dog's axe itself is this powerful, then how strong is the owner of the dog? Well, whatever, let's just take this.