Chapter 34: Shadows in the Capital
Reyn and Garrett made their way through the grand halls of the auction house to the collection area, where they'd retrieve the items Reyn had won. The polished marble floors and high vaulted ceilings gave the space a dignified air, attendants left to assist the last clients of the day.
As they reached the collection counter, an attendant greeted them with a polite nod and disappeared into a back room to gather Reyn's purchases. Garrett kept a casual posture, but his gaze swept over the area, taking in every exit and shadow.
When the attendant returned with the martial arts manual and the dwarven sword, Garrett took the sword carefully in his hands, admiring its weight and craftsmanship as he examined the bundle. They turned to leave, but as they stepped outside, Garrett leaned closer to Reyn, his tone low and urgent.
"We've got a problem," he murmured. "We're being followed."
Reyn stiffened, his eyes flicking sideways, but Garrett quickly grabbed his arm, guiding him back toward the main street with an air of nonchalance. "Don't look. Just keep walking. Act natural."
Heart pounding, Reyn managed a steady nod. "How many?"
Garrett's gaze remained forward as he whispered, "At least six. Could be more hidden around us. They're moving in pairs, trying to blend in with the crowd. It's definitely not random—they're watching us."
Reyn's mind raced, thinking of all the wealth he'd accumulated tonight and how valuable the sword was. He realized there were powerful people who would have no qualms about sending hired hands after him.
"Do you think they'll try something in the city?" Reyn asked, keeping his voice barely above a whisper.
"Unlikely," Garrett replied. "The city guard is too vigilant here. But they'll wait until we leave, hoping we're easy prey on the road."
By the time they arrived at the inn, Reyn and Garrett stepped inside, shutting the door and sharing a look of quiet relief. Inside, they found Liora and Alistor seated by the fire, their faces lighting up with curiosity as the two entered.
Liora raised an eyebrow. "So, how did it go? Did you end up buying anything interesting?"
Reyn took a deep breath, sharing a quick look with Garrett before answering, "Yeah… and we've got a situation."
Alistor's eyes widened, and he leaned forward, worry etched on his face. "Situation? What do you mean?"
Garrett leaned against the wall, crossing his arms as he scanned the room to ensure they weren't overheard. "It seems our little bidding war at the auction drew some unwanted attention. We're being followed, likely by hired professionals. They're waiting for us to leave the city before making a move."
Alistor's face went pale, and he shrank back in his chair. "H-hired professionals? Like… assassins?"
"Possibly," Garrett replied calmly. "They won't risk an attack here with the capital's security. But once we're on the open road, things might get interesting."
Liora's expression hardened, her gaze narrowing. "We need to leave as soon as possible, then. I'd rather not give them any more time to prepare."
Garrett nodded. "Edger should be back by tomorrow, fully healed. Once he's with us, we'll leave at dawn and stick together. It's best if we're all on our guard."
Liora crossed her arms, her face serious. "Good. With Edger and the rest of us, we'll have the numbers to hold them off if it comes to that."
Alistor looked nervously at Reyn, shifting uncomfortably in his seat. "So… what do we do until then?"
"Lay low," Garrett said. "We won't draw attention to ourselves, and we'll avoid going out again tonight."
Reyn gave a determined nod. "Right. And when Edger's with us, we'll be ready for whatever comes our way."
Liora managed a reassuring smile, clapping him on the shoulder. "Good thinking. Get some rest tonight, Reyn. You'll need it."
After a simple meal, Reyn retired to his room, the thrill of the day slowly fading as he unwrapped the martial arts manual he'd acquired. He flipped through the pages, his fingers tracing over the diagrams and explanations, each move and stance coming alive in his mind. He could almost picture himself practicing the techniques, feeling the weight of a weapon in his hand.
Before he knew it, his eyes grew heavy, and he drifted off to sleep, the open manual resting on his chest, filled with dreams of battle and the mysteries of martial arts. Outside the inn, hidden figures lurked in the shadows, patiently waiting for their target to emerge from the safety of the city walls.
Chapter 60: A Visit from the Divine Blacksmith
As Reyn drifted deeper into sleep, the familiar dreams of forging were replaced by something entirely different. The air around him shimmered with warmth, the soft glow of molten metal filling the space. He looked around, finding himself in a vast, ethereal forge. Massive anvils and tools of impossible size were scattered across the landscape, and the walls were etched with intricate runes that glowed faintly in the dim light.
Suddenly, a figure appeared before him, an imposing presence with a rugged, weathered face and eyes that seemed to hold the wisdom of countless lifetimes. His hair was a striking silver, bound back in a way that hinted at both elegance and practicality. His powerful hands were marked with old burns and calluses—signs of an eternity spent crafting.
The stranger smiled warmly, nodding at Reyn with a look of familiarity. "Well, well, it's good to finally meet you, junior," he said in a deep, resonant voice. "Since we share the same line of work, you can just call me 'senior,' though others call me the God of Blacksmithing and Craftsmanship. Name's Valtor."
Reyn blinked, trying to make sense of the stranger's words. "God… of Blacksmithing?" he stammered, glancing around the mystical forge in awe. "Wait… Valtor? Why are you… here?"
Valtor chuckled, resting a large hand on Reyn's shoulder. "Yes, lad. It's quite the title, I know. And I'm here for a couple of reasons. First, I wanted to apologize. And second, to give you a warning."
"Apologize? For what?" Reyn asked, a sense of curiosity and caution in his voice.
Valtor's smile faded slightly as he took a breath. "It's my parents, actually. My father, the Supreme God of Life, and my mother, the Supreme Goddess of Death. They're usually the most loving couple you'd ever imagine—always in each other's arms, looking at each other like newlyweds." He sighed, shaking his head. "But every now and then, they have these… heated arguments, let's say. Usually about the balance in the mortal realm."
Reyn frowned, listening intently. "Balance? What do you mean?"
Valtor leaned back, folding his arms. "You see, my father believes there should be enough peace in the mortal realm for people to thrive. My mother, on the other hand, believes a little chaos is necessary to keep mortals on their toes. They take turns tipping the scales back and forth. And… sometimes they take things a bit far."
"You see, my father granted magic to all the races, wanting to give mortals the means to defend themselves and thrive. But my mother, she likes a bit of chaos. So she made monsters, testing those same mortals my father sought to protect. This back-and-forth went on for ages. A while back, my mother even opened a portal, allowing demons to establish a foothold on another continent. My father responded by sending divine beasts and spirits to keep the balance. They're constantly tipping the scales back and forth."
Reyn looked at Valtor, starting to see where this was going. "And… this affects me how?"
Valtor let out a sigh, a mixture of amusement and exasperation. "Well, recently my father saw you—a soul with great skill and heart, living in a world that didn't appreciate your gifts. So, he decided to reincarnate you here, hoping you'd find a place where your talents could flourish."
Reyn's eyes widened, feeling a mix of gratitude and awe. "So… that's why I'm here?"
"Exactly. But, of course, my mother couldn't let him have all the fun. The moment she heard, she decided to reincarnate a… well, let's say a 'gun-crazy war junkie' over in the demon lands. She sees it as balancing out my father's gift of giving you a second chance."
Reyn grimaced, feeling a shiver of unease. "So there's someone else, with destructive powers, out there?"
"Precisely," Valtor said, his tone growing serious. "This person isn't just any soldier; they're the type who thrives on conflict. They won't be content staying in the demon lands forever. Eventually, they'll want to spread chaos throughout this realm. That's my mother's idea of balance." He sighed. "Honestly, I think my parents' antics are a bit ridiculous. They're like children bickering over a toy, except the toy is your world."
Reyn nodded, feeling the weight of Valtor's words. "So… what am I supposed to do?"
Valtor's expression softened, and he placed a firm hand on Reyn's shoulder. "Continue to hone your craft. Stop holding back with the magic you've learned. With the skills and blessings you've been given, there's no reason to limit yourself. You're here for a reason. Stand strong, forge items of power, and protect those you care about."
Reyn swallowed, feeling both reassured and a little daunted. "But… what if it's not enough?"
Valtor chuckled, his gaze full of confidence. "Reyn, my blessing alone makes you far stronger than you realize. And we allowed you to keep your memories from your previous life because we knew they'd give you an edge. With your talents, you should easily be able to handle those assassins lurking around. Man up and kill them before they have the chance to harm you—or the people you care about."
Reyn straightened, feeling a surge of determination. "Thank you… Senior Valtor."
Valtor's eyes glinted with approval, and he gave Reyn a reassuring smile. "Good. Keep this fire within you, Reyn. You're destined to be a force of balance yourself."
As the god began to fade, Reyn felt the forge's warmth start to vanish, the ethereal world dissolving around him. Just before Valtor's presence disappeared entirely, Reyn heard his voice one last time.
"Remember, Reyn… you're more than just a blacksmith. You're a creator, a protector, and a force to be reckoned with. Don't hold back."
As Reyn woke up, Valtor's words echoed in his mind: "Man up and kill them before They have the chance to harm you and those you care about". The thought made him swallow hard, and he sat up, Feeling a chill Despite the warmth of the morning sun Is filtering into the room. He had never taken a life before In Both this life and the previous.
He took a deep breath Trying to steady himself. Valtor's words Had planted a seed of confidence in him But the fear of uncertainty still lingered. "Maybe I don't have to like it" He whispered to himself, " But if it's what I have to do to keep everyone safe, then... I can't let fear stop me"