Leo took a moment to think about his next move. The system had been helpful so far, so he decided to ask it for guidance.
*"System, any recommendations before I head to the town?"* Leo asked.
*"For 10 currency points, you can upgrade the mansion's defense system. This will ensure protection from any surprise attacks while you're away,"* the system proposed.
Leo didn't hesitate. He knew he had to leave the mansion unattended for some time, and it was better to be safe than sorry. *"Do it,"* he commanded.
A surge of energy pulsed through the mansion grounds. Leo could feel it even from a distance—a shield of invisible magic settling around the estate like a barrier, ready to ward off any threats. He nodded in satisfaction, then set off toward the town.
---
As Leo approached the entrance to the town, he was struck by the sight of a round concrete wall encircling the area. A massive iron gate, flanked by vampire and werewolf guards, stood in the center. He paused for a moment, surprised. He had heard countless tales of the bitter, ancient feud between vampires and werewolves. The two races had been at war for centuries, locked in a seemingly endless struggle for dominance. Yet here, they were side by side, coexisting peacefully as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
He decided not to dwell on it for now and moved toward the gate. As he was about to pass through, one of the guards stepped forward, blocking his path with a raised hand. The guard was a tall werewolf, his golden eyes narrowing as he scrutinized Leo.
"Wait," the guard barked, his voice rough but not hostile. "Who are you, and where do you come from?"
Leo kept his expression calm and friendly. "Just a wandering adventurer," he said. "I decided to stop by and take a look around."
The guard's eyes narrowed further. "Adventurer, huh? Then show us your guild ID."
Leo hesitated, then gave a sheepish smile. "I'm new around here, so I haven't registered for one yet."
The guard's stern expression didn't soften. He gestured to his comrades, a mix of vampires and werewolves, who eyed Leo with suspicion. "Follow us. We'll need to conduct a full body search before you enter. And you'll have to pay a toll—5 silver."
Leo nodded, showing no sign of resistance. It was better to cooperate than to cause trouble. As the guards patted him down, checking for hidden weapons or contraband, he quietly observed the dynamics between them. Despite the centuries of conflict between their races, the guards worked together seamlessly, almost as if the age-old rivalry had never existed.
After finding nothing suspicious, the guards stepped back. Leo reached into his pouch and pulled out five silver coins. He noticed the guards' eyes widen slightly at the sight of his pouch, which was filled with a staggering amount of currency—50,000 gold coins and 5,000 silver coins, a fortune by any standard. Leo calmly handed over the toll fee, trying not to draw attention to his wealth.
One of the guards handed him a small, metal ID tag. "This pass is valid for three days," the guard explained. "If you wish to stay longer, you'll need to visit the Adventurer's Guild in town to register for a citizen card or an official adventurer's ID. The choice is yours."
Leo nodded in understanding and took the ID tag. As he was about to walk through the gate, he turned to one of the guards, curiosity getting the better of him. "I don't mean to be rude, but… isn't it unusual to see vampires and werewolves working together like this? I thought your races were at war."
The guard, a vampire with piercing red eyes, gave a small smirk. "You're not the first to ask," he said. "This place is known as the Union State. It's a neutral zone, free from the conflicts that plague the rest of our lands. Here, both races coexist peacefully. The area was established centuries ago by our ancestors, as a safe haven for trade and business transactions between the two races."
The werewolf guard nodded in agreement. "Exactly. Merchants, craftsmen, and travelers from both sides come here to exchange goods without fear of violence. It's one of the few places where you can find peace between vampires and werewolves."
Leo took in this information, fascinated by the unique situation. He had never heard of such a place before, where ancient enemies set aside their differences in the name of commerce and mutual benefit. It was a refreshing change from the stories of bloodshed and rivalry he had grown up hearing.
Just as Leo was about to enter, another werewolf guard leaned in, sniffing the air around him. "You're human, aren't you?" the guard asked with a sly grin. "We've been trying to guess where you're from. The boys and I have a little bet going. So, tell me—are you from the vampire faction or the werewolf side?"
Leo chuckled at the unexpected question. "I've been staying on the vampire side," he admitted.
The guard whooped in triumph, turning to his comrades. "Ha! I told you he was from the vampire side. Pay up!"
The other guards groaned, reaching into their pockets to hand over their losses. Leo couldn't help but smile at the scene. It was a small, lighthearted moment that contrasted sharply with the gravity of his quests.
"Alright," Leo said with a grin, stepping through the gate. "I'll leave you guys to settle your bets. I have a blacksmith to find."
---
Inside the village, Leo marveled at the bustling marketplace. Vampires and werewolves traded goods openly, their interactions cordial and businesslike. Stalls were filled with exotic items—gleaming weapons, rare herbs, vibrant textiles. The village was a melting pot of cultures and trades, a true testament to what could be achieved when two bitter rivals decided to coexist.
Leo made his way toward the blacksmith's shop, following the sound of hammering metal. As he approached, he noticed the shop's sign: *"The Fanged Forge."* The sight of it brought a small smile to his face. Even in this unique village, the residents hadn't lost their sense of identity.
The blacksmith's shop was a large, open-air space filled with the acrid scent of smoke and molten metal. A tall werewolf with silver fur stood at the forge, hammering away at a piece of glowing steel. His movements were precise, the muscles in his arms rippling with each strike. He paused when he noticed Leo, his keen eyes narrowing slightly.
The blacksmith's eyes narrowed as he looked Leo up and down. He was a tall, muscular werewolf with silver fur streaked with patches of black. He wore a leather apron stained with soot and ash, and his bare arms were crisscrossed with old burn scars—a testament to years spent at the forge. He paused his hammering, set the heated metal aside, and wiped his hands with a cloth before turning his full attention to Leo.
"Who are you, and what exactly do you want from me?" the blacksmith growled. "I don't sell cheap equipment, boy. Every weapon here costs a fortune. If you can't pay, don't waste my time."
Leo met the blacksmith's gaze calmly, unphased by the gruff attitude. "I'm not here to buy one of your pre-made weapons," he replied. "I want you to forge me something new, something powerful and custom-made."
The blacksmith let out a hearty, mocking laugh that echoed throughout the shop. "Ha! You must be joking! Do you know how demanding that is? It's one thing to buy a weapon, but to ask me to forge a new one from scratch? I only work with high-quality monster parts—middle-grade beasts and above. Anything less is just a waste of my time and skill."
Leo anticipated this and reached into his bag, pulling out the remains of the wolves he had defeated earlier. He presented them to the blacksmith with a hopeful look. "What about these? Will these werewolf beast parts work for your forge?"
The blacksmith glanced at the materials briefly, then snorted in disdain. "Low-level monsters," he scoffed, tossing the parts back at Leo. "These won't cut it. I can't forge anything worthwhile from scraps like these. If you want a proper weapon, you'll need to bring me parts from at least a medium-grade monster. Otherwise, don't even bother coming back."
Frustration welled up inside Leo. He had been confident that the werewolf parts would suffice, but clearly, he had underestimated the blacksmith's standards. As he pondered his next move, a memory flashed in his mind—the side quest given by the system to defeat the Shadow Goblin boss lurking deep within Chanter Forest. He took a deep breath, then looked the blacksmith in the eye.
"What about parts from a Shadow Goblin?" Leo asked, his voice steady despite the challenge.
The blacksmith's expression shifted instantly, his eyes widening in surprise. He dropped the cloth he was holding and stared at Leo as if he had just grown a second head. "A Shadow Goblin?" he repeated slowly, as if making sure he had heard correctly. "Do you have any idea what you're talking about, boy? Shadow Goblins are rare, high-tier beasts. Their parts are used to craft A-level weapons, the kind that can fetch a fortune on the black market. It's not just any monster—it's one of the most dangerous creatures in these woods. And you're telling me you plan on hunting one?"
Leo nodded firmly. "Yes, I am. If it means getting the weapon I need, then that's what I'll do."
The blacksmith's eyes narrowed again, this time in a mix of disbelief and begrudging respect. "You're either incredibly brave or incredibly foolish," he muttered. "Shadow Goblins aren't like those low-level beasts you fought earlier. They're masters of stealth and trickery, with the ability to manipulate shadows. Their most dangerous skill, 'Shadow Lock,' can trap their prey in a dark void where they're vulnerable to attack. Even experienced guards struggle against them. If you encounter one, my advice is to run. Most men don't live to tell the tale of a fight with a Shadow Goblin."
Leo could sense the seriousness in the blacksmith's voice. This wasn't a warning to be taken lightly. But he also knew that he needed this weapon if he was to survive in this world and complete the system's quests.
"I understand the risk," Leo said resolutely, meeting the blacksmith's gaze. "But I won't give up. I'll get the parts you need from a Shadow Goblin, and when I do, I want you to forge me a weapon that can stand up to anything."
The blacksmith studied Leo for a long moment, as if trying to gauge whether he was truly serious or just another overconfident adventurer who would be dead by morning. Finally, he gave a slow, reluctant nod. "Alright then," he grumbled. "If you somehow manage to bring me the parts of a Shadow Goblin, I'll forge you a weapon. But don't blame me when you end up in a ditch somewhere with your throat slit by the shadows."
Leo gave a slight smile. "Deal," he said simply, before turning to leave the shop.
As he walked away, the blacksmith watched him go, shaking his head slowly. "Crazy human," he muttered under his breath, a flicker of amusement dancing in his eyes. "Either he's got a death wish, or he's got more guts than half the warriors I've seen come through here."