Chapter 42:
Reyn and Garrett set out on a sunny morning, ready to explore the vast forest surrounding Greyhold. Garrett, familiar with the region, took the lead, pointing out locations he had scouted during his adventures. "You'd be surprised at how much this forest hides," Garrett said, gesturing to the dense foliage ahead. "There's everything from rare herbs to dangerous mana beasts. You can even find traces of ancient battlefields if you know where to look."
As they moved deeper into the forest, Reyn marveled at the abundance of natural resources. Magical herbs glowed faintly under the shade of the trees, streams shimmered with mana-infused water, and he spotted clusters of rare ores embedded in rocky outcroppings.
While inspecting a clearing, a sudden rustling noise drew their attention. A pack of shadow wolves emerged from the underbrush, their sleek black fur glinting ominously in the light. Reyn smirked and muttered, "I could use their fangs for crafting a dagger."
"Leave it to me," Garrett said confidently, drawing his sword. He dispatched the wolves with swift, practiced movements, giving Reyn a moment to observe their anatomy and consider how their parts might be used in future weapons.
Once the threat was handled, Reyn remarked, "You've got good instincts. These wolves would've been trouble if we weren't prepared."
Continuing their exploration, Garrett brought Reyn to a small mountain surrounded by a vibrant forest. "This place has everything you'd need," Garrett said. "The mountain likely has untapped ore, the forest has magical beasts and herbs, and the stream nearby can serve as a water source."
Reyn took a moment to examine the location. The mountain loomed above, a natural fortress, while the area around it teemed with resources. "This will work perfectly," Reyn said with a grin.
He summoned his construction golems, small but sturdy humanoid machines crafted from enchanted steel. They immediately began carving into the rock to create a hidden entrance. Reyn walked among them, tweaking their performance and muttering to himself. "Keep the foundation stable, and we'll need proper ventilation for the forge," he instructed the golems as if they were his apprentices.
Inside the mountain, the base began to take shape. With the use of spatial magic, Reyn expanded the interior, creating a massive underground space that far exceeded the mountain's external dimensions. The forge, a central feature, was equipped with enchanted molds, magical tools, and a room dedicated to weapon experimentation. Reyn also inscribed the walls with runes for protection, energy amplification, and mana flow regulation.
"This place is perfect," Reyn said as he activated the protective enchantments. The runes glowed faintly, ensuring that the base was shielded from both magical and physical intrusions. He also set up a teleportation circle for his personal use, keeping its access restricted to himself.
As he stepped outside to admire the mountain from a distance, Reyn turned to Garrett. "This is just the beginning. I can already tell this forge will be the birthplace of some incredible creations."
Garrett nodded but looked thoughtful. "You know, Reyn, I've been hearing stories about the holy knight Seraphine lately. The sword you gave her? She's been using it to feed and clothe orphans, take down slave traders, and even defeat high-ranking monsters."
"That's good to hear," Reyn replied with a small smile. "It's why I gave her the sword—to make a real difference."
The two shared a brief moment of silence, letting the peaceful surroundings sink in. Reyn finally said, "This spot has everything I need to build a future—not just for myself, but for the weapons and warriors who'll use them."
As Garrett turned to leave, Reyn took one last look at his new base. The mountain, the forest, the resources—it was all falling into place. Yet, somewhere in the back of his mind, Reyn sensed that the challenges ahead would only grow from here.
Alarcus arrived at the outskirts of the southern region, stepping into a small but bustling town. He headed straight to the adventurer's guild, the hum of activity filling the air as adventurers swapped stories and reports of their latest hunts. Zetsuei's presence drew almost immediate attention, its sleek, otherworldly form captivating the guild's patrons.
"Hey, is that a golem?!" one mage exclaimed, his eyes wide with fascination. Others joined in, gathering around Alarcus, their curiosity quickly turning into offers.
"I'll pay 500 gold to study that thing for a week," another mage chimed in, clutching an ornate staff.
"How about trading it for this enchanted ring? It increases mana reserves by 15%!"
Alarcus waved them off, growing irritated. "Zetsuei isn't for sale, study, or trade. It's my partner, not a research subject," he said firmly. Zetsuei let out a low, metallic hum, causing the mages to step back nervously.
Turning to the guild counter, Alarcus spoke to the attendant, a middle-aged woman with sharp eyes and a warm smile. "I'm looking for information on high-ranking wind monsters. Got any leads?"
Her expression turned serious. "You're brave to even ask. The wind monsters around here aren't just some pests. They're a kind of massive bird—bigger than a wagon—with razor-sharp talons and a wingspan that blocks out the sun. These creatures swoop down to snatch livestock, caravans, and even people off the streets. The only one who's been able to handle them is Kael, a young mercenary who fights with nothing but his fists."
"Fists?" Alarcus asked, raising an eyebrow.
The woman nodded, lowering her voice. "Yeah, he's not your average fighter. Kael's been around for a couple of years, and every time one of those monsters shows up, he's the one who takes them down. He doesn't talk much, but when he does, it's either sarcastic or straight to the point. Rumor has it, he's been looking for the mother of those monsters—the one that nests deep in the mountains. If it's a high-ranking wind monster you're after, that's your target."
Alarcus took in the information, glancing down at Zetsuei. "What can you tell me about this mother bird?"
The guild worker grimaced. "She's a nightmare. The locals call her 'Gale Tyrant.' She's been terrorizing these parts for decades, swooping down on villages and caravans, leaving nothing but wreckage in her wake. People say her storms can flatten entire buildings, and her talons can crush boulders like eggshells. Kael's been preparing to hunt her for a while now, but so far, no one's had the courage to join him."
As the woman described the monsters, Alarcus visualized their threat. The smaller wind birds already sounded deadly—sharp talons, a beak strong enough to snap a man in half, and feathers that shimmered with mana. The thought of facing the mother bird, with her immense size and power, sent a chill down his spine.
"You'd better prepare well if you plan to go after her," the woman added. "And you might want to find Kael. He's probably your best bet for survival."
Alarcus thanked her and turned to leave, only to be stopped by another adventurer. "You're going after the Gale Tyrant?" the man asked incredulously. "Are you insane? Even Kael hasn't made his move yet. And you're walking around with that golem like it's a trophy."
Alarcus smirked. "Don't worry about me. I've got Zetsuei." He patted the golem on the shoulder, its glowing eyes flickering briefly in response.
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Kael's Reputation
Later that evening, as Alarcus walked through the town, he overheard more stories about Kael. Some spoke of his daring rescues, where he faced monsters head-on, using nothing but his fists and uncanny speed. Others painted him as reckless and unpredictable, with a biting wit that often landed him in trouble.
"Kael once punched a wind monster so hard, its wing broke in midair," one man said at a tavern, laughing as he recounted the tale.
Another chimed in, "Yeah, but he also has a habit of antagonizing people. He called the mayor's son a 'pampered windbag' to his face last month."
Alarcus couldn't help but feel intrigued. "Sounds like someone I'll need to meet," he muttered to himself.
The next morning, Alarcus prepared for the journey, gathering supplies and plotting his route through the southern mountain range. However, before he could leave the guild, a group of persistent mages surrounded him, their attention fixated on Zetsuei.
One of them, a tall man clutching a jeweled staff, stepped forward. "That construct of yours is remarkable. I'll trade you this staff—enchanted to amplify magic tenfold—for it."
Another mage, a younger woman, chimed in while holding out a pouch of coins. "Or how about gold? Enough to make you wealthy for life."
Alarcus sighed, crossing his arms. "I've said it before, and I'll say it again: Zetsuei isn't for sale. Move along."
The tallest mage sneered, taking a step closer. "You clearly don't understand its worth. It shouldn't be wasted on some nobody adventurer. Everything has a price, and we'll make sure—"
Before he could finish, Zetsuei moved. Its long, metallic whip-like appendage lashed out with terrifying speed, striking the man square in the chest. The force sent him tumbling across the street, crashing into a pile of crates.
The remaining mages froze, their eyes wide with shock. Zetsuei's glowing gaze shifted to them as its long legs planted firmly into the ground, its metallic frame tensing. With another swift motion, its whips curled threateningly, as if daring the others to step closer.
"I wouldn't test it," Alarcus said, smirking as he patted Zetsuei's side. "It doesn't like pests."
The group scrambled to retreat, dragging their unconscious comrade away as Zetsuei released a faint hum that almost sounded smug.
"Well, that's one way to clear a path," Alarcus muttered with a grin. "Nice work, partner."
With the unwanted distraction gone, Alarcus and Zetsuei continued toward the mountains, leaving behind a scene that would be whispered about in the guild for weeks.