After getting a new goal from Chris, the Guild Master, Loki sets out with renewed desire to push himself to level 10. Loki also hasn't forgotten to reach level 5 and learn more about blacksmithing from Ignatius.
Set on leveling up a couple times, Loki decides first to head to the quest board and accept 4 quests for the normal boar fur, bear hide, wolf fur. Each quest is about 50 gold and if he can complete it, he'll gain 200 gold.
Loki left the Adventurer's Guild with a clear plan and quests and wanting to go speed run some levels in the forest nearby. Loki is more than confident he can reach at least level 5 today, and as he reaches the gates, he checks his stat panel to see just how much experience he really needs.
[Loki Green]
Stats:
Tier 0: Sub-Human
Level: 2 (180/200)
Base Physical Attack (ATT): 12 (+13.5) (+10%)
Base Magical Attack (MGI): 20
Defense (DEF): 10 (+4)
Vitality (VIT): 14 (+1)
Agility (AGI): 9 (+1)
Health Points (HP): 150/150 (Base: 140)
Mana (MP): 150/150 (Base: 140)
Charisma (CHA): 25
Movement Speed: 10 (10 mph)
Free Stat Points: 0
Skills: - Enhance, Martial Arts Mastery (Basic Grade), Sword Mastery (Intermediate Grade), ???, ???
Affinities: - Nature; Unknown (reach a higher tier to gain access)
Weapons:
- Apprentice's Sword (+12-15 ATT)
Armor:
- Leather Tunic (+2 DEF, +1 VIT)
- Leather Leggings (+1 DEF)
- Fair Boots (+1 DEF, +1 AGI)
Loki only needs 20 exp to reach level 3. He definitely seems lackluster in terms of fighting strength, but hopes to balance it all out and maybe even reach 20 in most of his stats by the end of his grind. Loki fuels his excitement by the thoughts of speeding through monsters when he has an even higher agility stats.
Loki reaches the forest while being consumed by his own thoughts, and brings out his sword and prepares to sprint through the forest and mainly fight bears and wolves as they'll give the most experience.
Loki needs to find a level 2 foe or higher and, thankfully, he reaches a level 3 boar in record time and slays it with precision. He reached his first small goal to help him grind faster.
*Ding* [Level up!]
+10 free stat points
"Perfect! Now to put a few points into agility to increase my travel time and attack speed to defeat monsters faster!" Loki shouted in excitement and then checked his new stats.
[Loki Green]
Stats:
Tier 0: Sub-Human
Level: 3 (40/300)
Base Physical Attack: 12 -> 14 (+13.5; +10%)
Base Magical Attack: 20
Defense: 10 -> 12 (+4)
Vitality: 14 -> 15 (+1)
Agility: 9 -> 14 (+1)
Health Points: 160/160 (Base: 150)
Mana: 160/160 (Base: 150)
Charisma: 25
Movement Speed: 15 (15 mph)
Loki has a satisfied look on his face and he begins to feel faster and a little stronger, doing about 30 damage per attack now.
Now, Loki speeds ahead and just keeps fighting till he hits Level 5, only resting when he runs out of energy to continue moving. This goes on for about 6 hours; fighting a few more boars for the quests and then only hunting bears and wolves.
A few close calls happened when he took damage and almost didn't get up in time, which would end up with Loki being stomped on by a bear or bitten by a wolf. However, in the end Loki hears his favorite sound, a notification.
*Ding* [Level up!]
+10 free stat points
"Now, time to check my stats after applying 20 more points from leveling twice." Loki beams with joy at his own growth.
[Loki Green]
Stats:
Tier 0: Sub-Human
Level: 5 (0/500)
Base Physical Attack: 18 -> 20 (+13.5; +10%)
Base Magical Attack: 20
Defense: 14 -> 17 (+4)
Vitality: 15 -> 18 (+1)
Agility: 18 -> 20 (+1)
Health Points: 190/190 (Base: 180)
Mana: 190/190 (Base: 180)
Charisma: 25
Movement Speed: 21 (21 mph)
(Author Notes - The math ain't mathing but it's fine, currently he does 34.65 damage, will I use precise numbers? no however, please comment on if you want more precision and I will gladly do it)
Loki feels extreme satisfaction looking at his own stats, especially his attack stat that caught up to his magic attack. Hoping to find reason to use his mana too, Loki remembered that he should head back to the city and help Ignatius with some orders. It seemed important, maybe he'll make a bunch of money.
Half an hour later, 15 minutes just to leave the forest because of how deep he was, Loki felt the forest was a little emptier than usual. Loki just chalked it up to other adventurer's also hunting in this area before him. Little did he know that a storm was brewing just a few miles away from where he was hunting.
Upon returning to the city, Loki first goes to the guild and gets 200 gold from his quests. Upon arrival, he is told that he is only 2 or 3 quests away from becoming a D-rank adventurer; this means he'll be able to take C-rank quests when he passes the examination. However, that will be for a later time. Loki heads over to the blacksmith to continue his smithing journey as well.
Walking into the forge Loki greets Ignatius, who is hard at work, "Hey boss, I'm back and ready to help out with orders."
Ignatius looks over at the boy as if he seems like a different person as if gaining a more confident aura, for a level 5 that is, and responds with a slight chuckle, "Heh, you're looking better kid. Stronger and more confident, good! Come here, we have a huge order from the Royal Cavalry."
"Royal Cavalry? What do you mean?" Loki asks, absolutely bewildered.
Ignatius looks stunned, "Do you not know about the Royal Family, or the fact you are in a Kingdom???"
"Uh, no? I just learned the city name a few days ago..." Loki, feeling like an idiot, looks down in shame.
"Sigh, you are currently in the Kingdom of Sanaria's Ravenport city, how do you not know this? Whatever, we have an order from the Royal Cavalry to fit their ranks with spears and to upgrade their arrows to stronger than iron. Which is why I wanted you to get stronger, because today we will be dealing with Steel instead of Iron." Ignatius said in exasperation over Loki's knowledge.
"Okay, so when do we get started? I want to learn as much as I can today, it's been a good day for me, I'm ready." said Loki.
"Good, good! We need to make a total of 50 steel spears and 750 steel-tipped arrows. You'll take 10% of the order as well as 10% of the fee; you'll see how much it is when we are done." instructed Ignatius as they went through how to make a spear and arrows together.
They were simple enough in design, to start, make the shaft out of wood and a spearhead mold was prepared for Loki to easily make molten steel into the general shape of a spearhead and then reheat it to sharpen the edges. The arrows were a little more complex because they needed to be smaller and sharper as well as making the feather fletching and the nock had to be universal size.
After 2-3 days of endlessly crafting, both Loki and Ignatius finished their order and a representative came to the smithy to pick up the order with a supply carriage. Ignatius was impressed by the products Loki came out with. Although he failed making 40% of his spear attempts, he kept pushing to finish his quota.
Loki even reached level 5 in blacksmithing, which meant he was able to decrease his failures by 15-25% based on the metal. He, unfortunately, didn't make any uncommon spears this time around.
Thinking of the new respect for Loki's determination, Ignatius moves forward to talk to the representative, "Tell the Royal family I said thank you for your patronage. I hope the cavalry makes good use of the new gear."
"I will! It is always a pleasure to work with a blacksmith of your talents. They still feel unlucky that they couldn't hire you, but respect your work. Your apprentice here seems to do good too, his products were above average!" The representative exclaimed.
"Yes, he is quite the hard worker. Hoping to make a second me, although he's more adventurous." Ignatius replied with a grin.
"Weren't you the same Ignatius 'The Wanderer' Lorentus? HAHAHA, well I better bring this back to the troops. Good luck with your future endeavors and here is your payment." waved the representative before riding off.
Ignatius turns to Loki with a hint of pride in his eyes, complimenting him, "Good work boy! You took on the challenge of a new steel with ease; I'm looking forward to seeing how much further you grow in blacksmithing and in general."
"Thank you! I worked as hard as I could and like being able to immerse myself in this work, it's so much fun. I am thankful to be learning blacksmithing from you." Loki responds with sheer gratitude.
Tears almost wanting to well up in Ignatius' old eyes, he begins to wave off Loki and says, "Enough of the sappy stuff boy! Go on and do your own thing now; get stronger and we'll have more work to do in no time."