The path back to Naraheim was relatively short from the mountain, but Seun-mi Ho remained alert. Even on the simplest of journeys, he knew something could always emerge from the shadows. However, this time, the road was peaceful. The trees lining the trail swayed gently in the breeze, and even the birds seemed quieter than usual. Seun-mi walked at a steady pace, his mind already focused on his next destination.
The village of Naraheim wasn't large, but it was well-kept. Its inhabitants were hard workers, mostly artisans and traders, and the few adventurers who passed through often sought resources or repairs. This was precisely what Seun-mi had in mind as he approached the village entrance.
"I can finally wrap up this mission," he thought, glancing at his inventory where five rare ore fragments lay. They had been his priority for days, and the promised reward was well worth the effort.
The village itself was calm at this time of day. Children ran through the dirt streets, and merchants haggled with customers under the tents of their stalls. Seun-mi recognized a few familiar faces but didn't linger. He had a mission to complete, and he knew exactly where to go: the forge at the northern end of the village.
The forge's structure was imposing despite its simplicity. A large stone building, with a chimney billowing thick black smoke, a sign that the blacksmith was hard at work. The metallic sound of hammer striking metal echoed in the air, each blow seeming to vibrate through the ground. Seun-mi approached the heavy wooden door and pushed it open without hesitation.
Inside, the atmosphere was hot, almost suffocating, due to the roaring flames in the hearth. The blacksmith, a shirtless man covered in soot, stood before his anvil, hammering a glowing piece of metal with impressive precision and strength. His muscles, hardened from years of work, flexed with each strike, and sweat beaded on his brow.
"I knew you'd be back soon," the blacksmith said without even turning around. His deep voice resonated in the workshop. "So, did you manage to get your hands on those ores?" He set his hammer aside, plunging the metal piece into a bucket of water with a loud hiss of steam.
Seun-mi nodded and opened his inventory, pulling out the five rare ore fragments. They glimmered faintly in the dim light of the forge, their golden sheen immediately catching the blacksmith's attention.
"Not bad," the blacksmith said, stepping closer and carefully picking up one of the fragments. "This is exactly what I was expecting. These ores are incredibly rare. Of course, I can forge something exceptional for you with this." He smiled, his white teeth contrasting with his soot-covered skin.
"The deal was clear," he continued, placing the ores on his workbench. "I'll forge you an enhanced weapon with these ores and also give you your gold reward. You've earned every coin."
The blacksmith turned and walked over to a large wooden chest near the wall. He opened it with a heavy creak and pulled out a small leather pouch. He gave it a light shake before handing it to Seun-mi.
"300 gold coins, as promised," he said with a satisfied smile.
Seun-mi grabbed the pouch and stored it in his inventory, pleased to see the sum added to his resources. It was a considerable amount, especially for a mission that, while dangerous, had allowed him to hone his skills.
"Now, as for your weapon," the blacksmith said, turning back to the ores. "I'll need some time to work with these materials, but you can leave me your dagger. I'll enhance it using these ores. It'll be far more powerful once I'm done."
Seun-mi nodded and handed the blacksmith his dagger. Though he was particularly attached to the weapon, he knew the upgrade was worth it. The rare ores would reinforce the blade, making it sharper, more durable, and possibly even imbuing it with magical properties.
"Come back in a few days," the blacksmith said, carefully taking the dagger. "You'll be surprised at what I can do with such precious materials."
Seun-mi nodded. "I'm counting on you," he said before heading towards the forge's exit.
As he left the workshop, a new notification appeared before him.
[Mission Complete: The Rare Ore Quest]
Reward received: 300 gold coins
Progress: Weapon in progress of enhancement
"One mission down," he thought as he watched the interface's animation disappear. But he knew that didn't mark the end of his responsibilities. There was always another mission to complete, always a new danger to face.
As he walked away from the forge, another notification popped up, this one tied to an ongoing quest.
[New Quest Available: Bandits on the Trade Route]
Description: Bandits have been spotted near the trade route leading to the village. They are attacking travelers and disrupting essential trade for Naraheim. The village needs someone to neutralize them.
Seun-mi closed his eyes for a moment. He had heard about the problem earlier while talking to the villagers. The trade route was the main artery connecting Naraheim to other towns and villages. If it were compromised by bandits, it would endanger the local economy, but more importantly, it would lead to casualties. These bandits were notorious for their cruelty and combat skills.
"Time to deal with them," Seun-mi thought, accepting the quest via the interface.
[Quest Accepted: Bandits on the Trade Route]
Objective: Neutralize the bandits (estimated number: 10-15).
Reward: 500 gold coins, increased reputation with the village of Naraheim.
The reward amount was tempting, but for Seun-mi, money wasn't his only motivation. He knew that every quest was an opportunity to grow stronger, to sharpen his skills, and to advance along his own path.
He headed straight to the village inn, where he had booked a room for a few days. Night was falling quickly, and although he was tempted to venture onto the trade route immediately, he knew that dealing with the bandits required careful preparation. There were many of them, and even with his new skills, he had to be cautious.
Once in his room, he sat on the bed and opened the interface to review his stats and skills. He thought over the strategies he could use to take down the bandits.
---
Current Stats Summary for Seun-mi Ho:
Level: 14
Rank: Experienced Adventurer
Strength: 44
Agility: 54
Intelligence: 35
Charisma: 31
HP: 500
MP: 250
---
"With Intimidation at level 2, I can already demoralize them before the fight even starts," he thought, recalling the description of his enhanced skill. It would give him a definite advantage, especially if he had to face multiple enemies at once. But he wasn't relying solely on this ability. He knew that a well-thought-out strategy executed properly was better than raw force.
He spent much of the night thinking through different approaches. The bandits were known for setting ambushes on the road. That meant they often attacked in groups from advantageous positions. "If I can catch them off guard, I'll reduce their chances of fighting back," he thought.
By morning, Seun-mi felt ready. He left the inn without a word, his plan firmly in mind. He was heading to the trade route to put an end to this threat once and for all. The bandits certainly weren't expecting to encounter an adventurer of his caliber.
"They have no idea what's coming for them," he murmured as he left Naraheim, his silhouette blending into the early dawn.
End of chapter 11.