*Events move to the city Yefomit, to a large tower, connected to the royal castle. On the day when main character got into the new world.*
— So, he is here, — said a mysterious figure, in a black robe with a hood, and a magic staff in hands.
— Are you sure that this your, "invincible warrior" will come? — asked a standing nearby young man, of medium-thin build, with short blondish hair, and yellow eyes. In white-black armor, with a sword in a sheath, on the left side of the waist, and with his helmet in the left hand.
— Sure. We just need to hold out until his arrival. Most likely king Eladan is already aware of the capture of this city, and I suppose soon he will send his troops here. Maybe even ask for help from other kings, after all he surely already knows about black magic. And they fear her like fire. Therefore we will need help. We won't cope with our own forces.
— And what will we do?
— I'm going in search of reinforcement for our army, and I won't be in the city for some time. And to you, I entrust to stay in the city, protect it, and watch over it. And tell the necromancers to replenish our undead army. And order the people to go hunting for monsters all over the area, let them capture as many monsters as they can, they will also serve us.
— Understood you. It will be done, — said the man, and nodded his head.
— Excellent. Don't worry Virion, I didn't forget about our agreement. As soon as I fulfill my goal, I'll deal with what I promised you.
*Events transfer back to Nighthold, to Otto's flophouse.*
The next day.
A new day has come, and main character, lying in his bed and deeply sleeping after his tiring first day in the new world, began to slowly open his eyes and wake up, after the rays of the sun began to shine on his face through the window in the room.
Slowly opening his eyes and sitting on the bed, main character yawns, rubbing his sleepy eyes, and after that yawning again, gets up from the bed and begins to do several exercises, to stretch his body and cheer up. After main character did several exercises, he approaches the window located in the room and sees how life is boiling on the street, even at such an early hour. And looking out the window he thinks:
?Still can't believe that I got into a fantasy world. Looks like now I will have to change my sleep schedule, from daytime to nighttime. At least until I have my own home?.
?Okay, need to move out. Today I have a whole day at my disposal, so need to try to find a job for today, and deal with the potion?, — thought main character, moving away from the window and starting to put on his windbreaker taking it off the chair in the room.
Putting on and zipping his windbreaker, main character takes from the table the vial with potion and puts it in the left pocket of his pants. And after that takes out from the bag standing on the table 3 apples, and puts them in the right pocket of the windbreaker, and throws the bag from apples into a small trash bucket standing in the room.
After that, taking from the table the key from the room and turning around, main character headed towards the door. And exiting his room which he rented, and closing the door behind him with the key, he headed to the stairs to the first floor of the flophouse.
Descending to the first floor, main character is immediately noticed by the owner of the flophouse standing behind the registration counter and reading a newspaper, and says:
— Good morning! How did you sleep? — asked Otto, with a smile on his face.
— Normally... — answered main character, a little with a sleepy face, and small irritation in his voice.
— Excellent! I'm always glad to satisfied lodgers of my flophouse. Come again, if you suddenly need lodging.
— Aha, — answered main character, and put the key from his room on the registration counter.
— Goodbye, — said main character, and turning around headed to the exit from the flophouse.
Exiting the flophouse, main character wanted to cross the street and enter the tavern majestic sun opposite the flophouse, but noticing that a lot of people gathered on the street, he, like everyone who was on the street, turns his head to the right and sees how a well-guarded convoy of drakenians and dwarves is driving down the street, which headed towards the royal castle of Nighthold.
After the convoy passed, people and other races who stood on the street and watched the convoy, began to disperse on their affairs. Like main character, who headed towards the tavern looking at the convoy driving further down the street, and thinking:
?Interesting, why does this convoy have so much guard??
Crossing to the opposite side of the street and entering the tavern, main character headed towards the bar counter. And approaching the bar counter he is noticed by the owner of the tavern, who with a small joy in his voice says to him:
— Wow, guy you're alive! I see you found a place to spend the night?
Approaching the bar counter and sitting on a stool, main character said:
— Yeah... Still alive for now. Listen, and what was that guarded convoy that just passed on the street? They headed towards the castle.
— Aaa that. That must have been the kings of dwarves, drakenians, and linoravians. They say today the first council of kings will take place, after 314 years. Most likely they will discuss the war. I feel it will be fun there, hah, — said the owner of the tavern, smirking.
?Well of course, what fantasy without war?.
— And what war? I remember you mentioned her yesterday, but I didn't ask for details.
— Guy what did you fall from the moon?! Almost everyone has already heard about her, are you not aware? — asked the owner of the tavern, raising an eyebrow and with slight surprise on his face.
— I said, I arrived from afar, and to the place where I'm from, no news about the war reached.
— Ah, understood. Well, now you know
— Well in general, a little more than a month ago, refugees from Yefomit came to the city, and said something about some capture of the castle, about black magic, that everyone is in danger, about some mage and his army of the dead, well and other nonsense. Well and when scouts were sent there, it turned out that everything they said was true. And today seems the council of kings should take place, where they will discuss this. They also say by rumors, allegedly this mage who captured Yefomit, was earlier there in the city a powerful court mage, so much that once he got bored with his everyday wizard duties, that he decided to experiment with black magic, ha, can you imagine? Well and further he little by little began his experiments, and he succeeded, and he did it all of course in secret from others. And after each such experiment made notes in his diary, from what they found out there, each time more powerful spells were given to him. And when it seemed he studied all spells, he was caught using black magic, and thrown into prison, but he somehow managed to escape from there. And then after some time, he returned already with an army back to the city, and captured it. Such a story. Well this is what people say, I myself don't really believe in it. But if it's true, then this can become a serious threat. Also by the way there is a rumor, that this mage, killed his brother during the attack on the city, the king of Yefomit. Can you imagine? Ha, looks like he not only uses black magic, but also a psychopath. Yeah... In general murky all this.
?Mage, who captured Yefomit? Hm, looks like yesterday's vagrant was telling the truth after all. Another reason to visit it. Although now looks like it will be even more difficult to do this?, — thought main character, with a thoughtful face.
— By the way guy, and what's your name? I forgot to ask yesterday. After all I didn't see you here before, where are you from?
— My name is Gurren. And where I'm from, it's not important.
— Gurren? — asked the owner of the tavern, with a puzzled face.
— Yeah.
— Understood. And I'm Ermund, nice to meet, — said the owner of the tavern, with a smile on his face, extending his hand to main character for a handshake.
Main character shakes the hand of the owner of the tavern in response, and says:
— Maybe you'll say something about my clothes? What strange they are, — said main character, with a small smirk on his face.
— Ha, well your clothes are really unusual. I noticed it yesterday. But I don't care, what you're dressed in, how you look, and all that other. While you have money of course. Ha-ha-ha, — said the owner of the tavern, chuckling.
— Understood. In general I wanted to ask you, do you know, where here I can find some permanent job? I've had enough of adventurers' tasks.
— Hah, permanent job you say? Hmm... Let me think. Ah, recently Balmir came here, and hung some sheet on the notice board, he seems to be looking for an assistant in the forge. Check, maybe it's still there, if of course someone didn't take it.
— Aha, understood, thanks. And also, can you tell, where here in the city I can find the nearest alchemical or magic shop? Well or something like that.
— Ooo guy, found whom to ask. I'm just the owner of the tavern, and don't understand magic.
— Understood... Well, okay. Thanks for the help, goodbye.
Said main character standing up from the stool, and turning around, he wanted to head to the notice board, but the owner of the tavern suddenly remembered something and said:
— However...
Main character, about to leave, hears how the owner of the tavern says something, and turns back, to listen to him.
— I remember there was one such shop, I passed by it once, what was it called... Omniflacon? Magic shop? No... Something else was there. In general not important, in short, as you exit the tavern, cross to the opposite street, where Otto's flophouse stands, and go left to the end of the street, then when there will be a fork forward and right, turn right. And walk along this street, there you'll find it on the right. Seems this shop was beige color, and with large glasses, through which the shop inside was visible. In general you won't miss, orient on beige color and on large windows, through which you'll see all these magic things, all kinds of vials with potions, scrolls with spells, herbs various, and all that other. There also this shop is run by a young girl.
— Understood, thanks for the information, — said main character, and turning around headed to the notice board.
— Good luck guy, maybe we'll see again.
*Events move to the royal castle of Nighthold.*
The well-guarded convoy of dwarves and drakenians reaches the castle, and from the carriages exit the kings, together with their accompanying generals of armies.
The king of dwarves was dressed in armor with small golden patterns all over the armor, and on his head there was a crown with various precious stones in it. He had white like snow, gray hair, and a large thick beard. And in hands he held a sharp axe with various golden patterns on it.
And the king of drakenians was dressed in golden armor which covered his whole body, including the tail. On his head there was also a golden crown, and as a weapon he used a sword, which was in a sheath on the belt on the left side of the waist. The king of drakenians himself was of medium build, with bright-red scale color, and yellow, almost golden eyes.
Exiting his carriage, the king of dwarves notices the king of drakenians, and says to him with slight surprise on his face:
— Draregon? Eladan invited you too?
— I have the same question.
Said the king of drakenians, and suddenly, the kings notice a flying shadow on the ground, they raise their heads up, and see how giant eagles are flying to them in the sky, on which the king of linoravians and his guard.
Flying to the castle, the eagles land near the carriages not far from the entrance to the royal castle, near the kings of dwarves and drakenians, and from them gets off the king of linoravians together with his general, and the rest of the guard stayed on the eagles.
The king of linoravians was of medium build, with white-black feather color, with a crown on his head, and as a weapon he used a sword, which was in a sheath on the belt on the left side of the waist. On him was worn a cloak, and unlike other kings on him there was practically no armor, only in some places. And he was dressed in ordinary fabric clothes.
After the king of linoravians got off his eagle, he began to stroke it a little, to which the eagle began to rub against him in response.
— Allias, and you're here? Must be something serious happened, since we all were invited.
— Good day friends! Glad to see you. Looks like you also received an invitation to the council of kings?
— Yeah.
— I hope this is something important, and I didn't drag here in vain.
While the kings communicated with each other, to them from the castle comes out a young girl, with long dark-purple hair, and red-violet eyes. On her worn a silver breastplate, a pair of protective plates, on shoulders, arms and legs, fluttering in the wind long skirt, and a red band on the head under the hair. And as a weapon she used a sword, which was in a sheath on the belt on the left side of the waist.
— Good day gentlemen, king Eladan is waiting for you. Please, follow me, — said the girl to the kings, showing with the hand to the entrance to the castle.
Noticing and hearing the girl who came out of the castle, the kings were about to follow to the castle, but as soon as they began to go together with their soldiers, the girl stopped them and said:
— I'm afraid you'll have to leave your soldiers here. But you can take your generals with you.
Hearing this, each king turned to his guard and nodded his head, in sign of agreement with these requirements. And after that they followed to the castle after the young girl, together with their generals.
After some time, walking through the castle, the kings together with the accompanying girl reach the negotiation room, and stopping near the door, the girl turned to the kings and said:
— One moment, — said the girl to the kings, and entered the room.
Entering the negotiation room, the girl sees standing near the window king of humans Eladan, who was looking at the carriages near the castle.
King Eladan was of medium build, he had dark-brown short hair and beard, looking about 45-48 years old. He was dressed in his royal mantle with rings on hands, and he also like other kings, had a crown on his head.
And besides the king, in the negotiation room there was also his general, who stood next to him. A young guy of medium build, in white armor covering his whole body including arms and legs, with small golden patterns all over the armor, and in a long red cloak. With white hair and blue eyes. And as a weapon he used a sword, which was in a sheath on the belt on the left side of the waist
— Your majesty, the kings have arrived.
Reported the girl to king Eladan, after which the king turns hearing this, and says:
— Excellent. Let them come in.
The girl nodded her head, and opened the doors to the negotiation room, after which the kings began to enter inside together with their generals.
— Gentlemen, glad to see you. Please, sit down, — said king Eladan, showed with his hand to the chairs standing behind the round negotiation table.
After the kings sat at the negotiation table and took their places, next to their generals who stood next to them, the king of drakenians says looking at the king of humans:
— I hope this is something important, Eladan.
— I'm sure there is a good reason, why we gathered here, — answered the king of linoravians, to the king of drakenians.
— Yes, there is a reason, — said king Eladan, also sitting at the negotiation table.
Sitting at the negotiation table, the king of dwarves notices that at the council of kings the king of elves is absent at his place, and asks king Eladan:
— And where is this pointy-eared coward, Elberon?
— He declined the invitation to the council of kings, and he won't be.
— Ha, yeah, that's in the style of this bastard. Otherwise he might soil his clothes, — said the king of dwarves, smirking with a slight grin on his face.
— Deirdokh, enough. We didn't gather here for this. What happened 300 years ago, is far in the past, and it can't be changed.
— 314! 314 years ago, — said the king of dwarves, slightly raising his tone.
— Yes. 314 years ago. But for all of us here present, this is too long a term. And already the majority of the modern generation doesn't know what happened then. This is already history.
— Gentlemen, please, let's calm down a little, — said the king of linoravians, trying to calm the king of dwarves.
— You maybe forgot, and I remember everything! How these creatures elves destroyed the 100-level city column. The great column! We all prospered, and lived in peace, but these bastards decided to destroy all this, by order of Elberon, — said the king of dwarves, with irritation in his voice and on his face.
— Deirdokh, there is no evidence that the elves did it.
— Yeah?! And why then did he survive during the destruction of the city? — said the king of dwarves, with raised tone.
— As far as I remember, the kings of drakenians and spyhans, also survived after that catastrophe.
— Yeah, but after that the drakenians became a nomadic people for a time, and the spyhans then subsequently also lost their territories. I don't think they would destroy the city column, for this. And besides, they are already dead, while this bastard is alive! Sitting probably now in his castle, and rejoicing that everything got away with it. Because of this freak my father died, I'll never forgive him this!
— Be that as it may, I gathered you here not to discuss the past.
— And for what reason then the gathering?
— War, friends, — said the king of humans, with a small anxiety in his voice.
— What?! War? — said the king of linoravians, with slight shock on his face.
— What war? — said the king of dwarves, raising an eyebrow with slight surprise on his face.
— And that's not all...
Said king Eladan sighing, before adding:
— Black magic has returned. We have confirmation from scouts, that someone used it.
— What?! Can't be! — said the king of linoravians, with even greater shock on his face.
— Can't be! Black magic is forbidden! Who dared?! — said the king of dwarves, indignantly raising his tone.
— According to our information, this is some former court mage in one of our cities. Who began to use black magic, with the help of which he captured a whole city and holds it now in his power. And that's why I called you. I need your help, all of you. To deal with this mage, and his army.
— Hm, this is really disturbing news, — said the king of dwarves, with a thoughtful face, stroking his beard.
Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.
While the king of linoravians also sat with a thoughtful face like the king of dwarves, after hearing from the king of humans, the king of drakenians looking at king Eladan says:
— And how does this concern us? These are human territories, and we have no relation to them.
— What didn't you hear?! He uses black magic! If we don't stop him now, who knows what he will be capable of in the future. And if we lose, then he will go to your territories too.
— And what can't you cope with your army? What don't you believe in your people? — said the king of dwarves.
— I believe in my people, and in my army. But understand, this is not just some bandits, or monsters, this is much more serious. And although he now has only one city at his disposal, I'm afraid that soon he will be able to capture much more territories. And to fight with him will become much harder, considering also that he uses black magic. Who knows what treacheries she is capable of.
— This is a human who captured your city, so you deal with him yourselves. This doesn't concern us, even if he uses black magic. If you can't cope with him, and he comes to our territories, we'll cope with him, — said the king of drakenians, with indifference in his voice to the situation.
Hearing this, king Eladan was slightly surprised and shocked, and turning his head to the king of dwarves, said:
— Deirdokh?
— Hmm... Sorry Eladan. We dwarves love a good fight, but Draregon is right, this is not our business. For now this doesn't look like a good fight, even if this bastard uses black magic. I'm sure, you with your troops will cope with him. But if suddenly you will be losing very badly, then I give my word, dwarves will help you in the war.
— Understood...
Said king Eladan with small disappointment and sadness in his voice, and turning his head to the king of linoravians, said:
— Allias?
— Sorry my friend, — said the king of linoravians, with sadness on his face. — But I'm forced to agree, this is not our business. Undoubtedly, this is a disturbing event, that black magic has returned, but I can't expose my people to danger and involve them in a war, which doesn't even concern us. I'm sure, you'll cope with your own forces, he has only one city under control, and you have a whole army. I'll pray for you.
Said the king of linoravians, after which the kings stood up from the table and began to leave the negotiation room together with their generals, but the king of linoravians before leaving, finally said to king Eladan:
— Hold on. I believe, you'll cope with this. We all hope for you. May Anela light your path, — said the king of linoravians, folding his hands together and making a small bow, after which turned around, and headed to the exit from the room together with his general.
After the kings left the negotiation room and the guard closed the doors of the room behind them, king Eladan sat on the chair a little in a depressed state, closing half of his face with his right hand, being in thoughts after the passed council of kings.
— Looks like we'll have to cope with this alone, — said the standing nearby on the right shoulder from the king, general.
— Yeah... — answered king Eladan, rubbing his face with his right hand.
— Your majesty, are you all right? — asked the girl, standing nearby on the left shoulder from the king.
— Yeah, yeah. All good Yuki. Just need to think what to do next... — said king Eladan, with small fatigue and sadness in his voice.
*Events move back to the tavern majestic sun.*
Approaching the notice board, main character stood and looked for the sheet with the job, about which the owner of the tavern told him, among other sheets on the notice board.
?So, what here. This is not it, this too?.
After some time, main character finds the needed sheet with the job, and taking it from the notice board, begins to read it.
?An assistant is required in the forge. Your duties will include, cleaning the forge, delivery of necessary materials to me, sale of various products when I'm not there. Armor, weapons, and so on. Sometimes possible help in making something. Come, I'll be glad to everyone. No restrictions by race, or anything else. The only requirements, strong build and endurance. And preferably from 28 years. Payment 800 solars per month. You can find my forge in the red lanterns quarter. This is not far from the main square, just go along the central street, and on the left side of the street you'll see it. White building, with the sign Unquenchable coals above the entrance. If suddenly you don't find, ask passers-by, they will tell you, where it is. Balmir?.
?Fuck, what a job... And looks like I don't fit any criterion. Well okay, attempt is not torture, I'll try, maybe they'll take. Anyway better than adventuring tasks... Maybe at least I'll be able to buy myself some armor, or a dagger. Okay, need to go there later, now need to go to that magic shop, about which the owner of the tavern said?.
Thought main character, and putting the sheet with the job in the left pocket of the windbreaker, turned around and headed to the exit from the tavern. Exiting the tavern, he remembers what the owner of the tavern told him:
?So, what did he say there... Exit the tavern, cross to the opposite street, and go left to the end of the street?.
Thought main character crossing to the opposite side of the street, and after some time, going along the opposite side of the street along the buildings, and reaching the very end of the street, main character stops at the fork, and thinks:
?At the fork turn right, and somewhere along this street on the right should be this shop. Beige color, with large glasses?.
Thought main character, and turning right headed along another street. After some time, going along the street and examining each building on the right side of the street, main character finds a building fitting the needed description, and thinks looking at the sign above the entrance:
?"Omniflacon" maybe this is it? Seems similar?.
Thought main character, and entering the small shop, the shelves of which were strewn with various potions, herbs, magic scrolls, various books and alchemical ingredients, sees that inside the shop there was no one except a young girl. With long hair to the shoulders, shorter than main character, and dressed in a short shirt to the elbow, short skirt, black stockings, and boots on feet, who stood behind the counter in the shop and sorted potions on the shelf behind her, not noticing the presence of main character in the shop.
Approaching the counter in the shop, main character says to the girl:
— Um, excuse me, is this here a magic shop?
Hearing this, the girl sharply turned around, and seeing main character a little blushed, and with small shyness and embarrassment in her voice, answered:
— Um, y-yeah, — answered the girl, with a small smile on her face.
— Excellent. I have a small request, could you tell me information about this potion? — asked main character, taking out from the left pocket of his pants the vial with potion, which the vagrant gave him on the first day as he got into the new world, and handed it to the girl opposite.
— Yeah, of course! — said the girl, taking the vial with potion in hands.
Taking the vial with potion in hands, the girl began to twist it and closely examine, and after she examined it, she said:
— Hmm, I'm not exactly sure, but this looks like a potion which monster hunters use. They are quite rare, even I don't know how to make them, although I understand alchemy well. As far as I know, these potions give sharpened senses for a certain amount of time, vision, smell, hearing, well and all the rest. As soon as the effect ends, your senses return to normal. But I'm not sure.
— And how long does this potion last?
— No idea, maybe half an hour or an hour. But I think not more. Although maybe there are some improved versions, which last longer, I don't know.
— Looks like the only way to find out, is to drink it, and check after how long the effect will pass. Hah, — said the girl, slightly smirking with a smile on her face, and put the vial with potion on the counter in front of her.
— Yeah... Understood. Well, thanks for the help, — said main character, taking the vial with potion from the counter in his left hand.
— Always welcome! Come any time, if suddenly something is needed. I'll be g-glad, — said the girl, with embarrassment in her voice.
— Aha, — answered main character with indifference in his voice, and turning around, headed to the exit from the alchemical shop.
Exiting the shop to the street, main character raises the vial with potion in his left hand in front of him, and thinks looking at it:
?Well, time to check what kind of thing you are. Although in the near future I obviously won't hunt monsters, and drinking this potion now, I'll lose the advantage in my first battle with a monster. But okay, I'll think of something there, I don't think there will be very difficult monsters. But, and if there are, in any case, brain is stronger than any potion?.
Thought main character, and opening the vial with potion began to drink it. And after a moment, drinking all the potion from the vial, he thinks:
?Hm, I thought it would be sweet. But no effect is felt. Maybe it will act later? Okay, dealt with this, now need to go find out about the job. I hope I didn't drink some poison and won't die on the way...?
Thought main character, and headed to the nearest from the shop trash bin. And approaching it, throwing into the bin the empty vial from the potion, takes out from the left pocket of the windbreaker the sheet with the job and reads it:
?So, and where do I go this time? "You can find my forge in the red lanterns quarter. This is not far from the main square, just go along the central street, and on the left side of the street you'll see it. White building, with the sign Unquenchable coals above the entrance" So, main square, well this I remember, where it is. Go from it along the central street, and somewhere on the left side should be a white building, with the sign above the entrance "unquenchable coals". Well, okay, need to move out?.
Thought main character, putting the sheet back in the left pocket of the windbreaker, and taking out from the right pocket one of the 3 apples, began to eat it, heading towards the main square of the city.
After some time, going through the streets of the city and reaching the main square, main character forgets where to go next. And he again takes out the sheet with the job from the left pocket of the windbreaker, and checks where to go next.
?So, I'm at the main square. Need to go along the central street, and on the left side somewhere will be this building. Oh gods, how tired I am of walking on these tips?.
Thought main character, looking around, and seeing ahead, behind the statue of the woman in a revealing dress, a suitable street under the needed description. And heading in that direction, main character thinks:
?Need to finally buy myself a map, otherwise I walk like an idiot without it?.
After some time, going along the central street and passing by an alley, main character hears with his right ear some voices and moans from the alley. Turning his head, to look what is happening, main character sees how in the alley, a drakenian together with a human man, beat a lying on the ground another human man, for an unknown reason. But nearby from passers-by or guards, there was no one. Not attaching any importance to this and not stopping, main character continued to go further, thinking:
?Unlucky for this guy. If now in my place was some hero fool, he would immediately run to save him. "Oh no, crime. I must stop this!", "I can't watch how the weak are offended.", "Don't be afraid, I'll save you!", hah?.
After some time, going along the central street, main character notices on the left side of the street a white building, with a sign above the entrance, and thinks:
?Maybe this is it??
Thought main character, deciding to cross to the opposite side of the street. Crossing the street and approaching the building, main character examines the sign and thinks:
?"Unquenchable coals" finally found. I hope not in vain dragged here, and won't have to search for another job half a day?.
Thought main character, and opening the door, enters inside the shop. Entering inside he sees various stands with various armors and helmets, racks with various weapons, and shields on the walls. But inside there is no one.
— Hey, anyone here?
Said main character entering inside, and after a moment to him comes out a dwarf, of medium build, with long gray hair, beard, and thick eyebrows. In a shirt over which was worn a leather apron, in gloves on hands, and boots on feet, and says:
— Yeah. What? Again a broken sword?
Said the blacksmith coming out of his workshop to main character, thinking that this was another adventurer, but noticing main character and his clothes, understanding that this is a new customer, and that he didn't come here before, the blacksmith says:
— Oh, new customer. Welcome guy, to my forge, unquenchable coals. I'm Balmir. What do you desire? — said the blacksmith, with a slight smile on his face.
— Hello, I came to you regarding the job, — said main character, taking out the sheet with the job from the left pocket of the windbreaker, and handing it to the blacksmith.
Balmir takes his own sheet with the job which he left on the notice board in the tavern majestic sun, in hands, and while he looked at the sheet and read it, main character says:
— I don't know, if I'll suit you, but now I need a job. And if you take me, I would be very grateful to you.
Tearing away from the sheet with the job, Balmir looks at main character and says:
— How old are you, guy?
— 21.
— How much?! 21? — asked Balmir, with surprise on his face.
— Um, yeah. And what?
— Guy, you still have your whole life ahead! Are you sure, that you want to do this? Usually everyone at your age goes to adventurers or something like that, and you want to stick here in the forge, with me?
— Um... Well yeah. Well if you take me of course. I have no time to search for another job.
— And what, are you in a hurry somewhere?
— Let's just say, I have plans.
— Hm, interesting, — said Balmir, stroking his beard with slightly thoughtful face, looking at main character.
— And in your plans, does it include using some weapon?
— Um... Well yeah. Sword. But to get it I need money. And that's why I'm looking for a job, well and not to die of hunger of course, hah.
— Hm, understood. Allow me to ask you a question, what do you need a sword for?
— Um, strange question, well okay. I need a sword, to take orders on monsters, and for protection.
— Simple question, simple answer, I like it. Forgive me old man, that I'm tormenting you with various riddles, hah. Just young adventurers don't even know this, whom I don't ask the same question. They answer something like, "to bring justice", "to bring good to the world", "for justice", and they themselves don't even know what they need a weapon for. And you, you on the contrary, know what you want, and what you need a weapon for. I like this. Sorry if I'm tiring you with talks, just few come to me to talk, especially young. Usually they come to me only to fix something, or make something, and on this all talks end.
— Understood. Well so what? Are you taking me?
— Weeell, you're not of strong build that's for sure. And about your endurance I also know nothing... Did you read the duties? What you need to do.
— Yeah.
— And you're exactly sure, that you want to work here?
— Yeah.
?Although already, better to go to another place?.
— Well, then congratulations guy, you're hired! — said the blacksmith, with a smile on his face.
— Thanks.
— What's your name by the way?
— Gurren.
— Nice to meet you Gurren, — said the blacksmith, extending his hand to main character, for a handshake.
Main character shakes the blacksmith's hand in response, to which Balmir says to him:
— Clothes on you though some unusual... You're not local?
— Ah, this. No, I arrived from afar.
— Really? It would be interesting to listen sometime, — said the blacksmith, with a smile on his face.
— Well, maybe later sometime I'll tell...
— Do you have housing?
— No. I have a couple of coins, but not enough for a room today. Will have to go do some adventuring tasks, to earn money.
— No need for that. I have on the second floor a free room, you can live there.
— Really? — asked main character, with slight surprise on his face.
— Of course! My assistant won't live on the street. You can move in even today, — answered the blacksmith, with a smile on his face.
— Wow, thanks, — said main character, with a slight smile on his face.
?Looks like there are some pluses from this job after all?.
— You can go settle there for now, as you go up, it will be on the right side in the corridor, this is yours. And after, I'll tell you what you need to do, and from tomorrow we'll start work.
— Understood, thanks again.
— Ah, nothing, trifles.
Said Balmir, after which main character headed towards the stairs to the second floor of the forge. Going up to the second floor and approaching the room about which the blacksmith told him, main character opens the door and enters inside, closing the door behind him. Inside he sees that the room was almost similar to the one, which was in Otto's flophouse. In the room there was also located a bed, there was a table with a chair, trash bucket, mirror, large chest, small window, and fireplace.
?Wow, and here not bad. Even better, than in the flophouse?.
Thought main character, and headed towards the table in the room. Approaching the table and laying out on it the remaining apples from the right pocket of the windbreaker, main character unzips his windbreaker and taking it off, hangs on the chair. After that lies on the bed putting two hands under his head, and looking at the ceiling, thinks:
?Phew, lucky that I managed to get this job, otherwise now I would have to drag half a day more, in search of another. True this dwarf tired me... And I have to work with him, fuck knows how many months... Okay, I'll endure, seems pays normal money. I'll save enough money for armor and sword, and dump from here. Now when I fulfilled all my affairs, only left to save money for good equipment, and finally I'll be able to take orders on monsters. True this of course not soon yet... but at least now, there is seems more or less normal job, and no need to run anymore do fetch quests. And need also to visit sometime Yefomit, when I'll have equipment. True how now to do this, during the war? Hmm, okay, later I'll figure out?.
