Kaito had finally completed his task, slaying all ten goblins in the forest. As he wiped the blood off his fists, a sense of satisfaction washed over him. The goblins were nothing, just small obstacles in a larger journey. But the real prize was the reward—the reason he was pushing himself so hard.
With the goblins defeated, Kaito made his way to the Adventurers' Guild to claim his reward.
He walked through the guild doors, the wooden planks creaking beneath his boots. The familiar atmosphere greeted him: adventurers huddled in groups, whispering about their quests, while the clanging of metal from the blacksmith's forge echoed from afar. The receptionist looked up and greeted him with a polite smile.
"Hey, here are the 10 red mana stones," Kaito said, placing the glowing crystals on the counter. His hands still felt the burn from his last battle, but he couldn't afford to relax just yet.
[Note: Red mana stones dropped from goblins and similar creatures, while wolves dropped blue mana crystals.]
The receptionist nodded as she counted the stones. "Well done. Here's your reward," she said, sliding a small pouch toward him. Kaito took it, his fingers tightening around the gold coins inside. He needed this more than just for the sake of adventure—it was a stepping stone for his ultimate goal.
"Thank you," he murmured, giving her a small nod before exiting the guild.
The cool morning breeze hit his face as he stepped outside, but his mind was already far from the streets. He had to find a blacksmith. The gauntlet he needed wasn't just any piece of equipment—it was the key to his future.
After a few minutes of walking, he spotted a small shop tucked between two larger buildings. The sign above the door read Grimnar's Forge. He hesitated for a moment before gently pushing the door open.
Inside, the air was thick with the smell of burning metal, and the rhythmic sound of hammer on anvil reverberated through the room. Behind the forge stood a muscular man, his broad back hunched as he worked tirelessly. A thick, braided beard framed his face—he was unmistakably a dwarf.
"Hey, uh…" Kaito began, unsure of how to approach him.
The dwarf looked up, his expression a mix of irritation and surprise. "What?!"
Kaito flinched but quickly composed himself, scanning the room. The forge was cluttered with weapons and tools—every inch of space was filled with the work of years of craftsmanship.
The Arcanis system chimed in, its familiar voice ringing in Kaito's mind.
[Name: Grimnar Oakbeard – Blacksmith, Dwarf]
Kaito relaxed slightly. This was the right person. "Are you Grimnar?" he asked.
Grimnar grunted, setting his hammer down. "Yeah, that's me. What do you want?"
"I need a gauntlet crafted," Kaito said, his tone steady. But internally, he was more anxious than he let on. The gauntlet wasn't just a tool for battle—it was his ticket to the power he needed.
Grimnar raised an eyebrow. "A gauntlet? Why would you need one of those?"
"I'm a fighter," Kaito explained, standing a little taller. "I rely on both strength and magic. A gauntlet will help me combine them more effectively. But there's more to it. I need it to protect the people I care about."
Grimnar's expression softened for a moment before he grunted again. "Alright, I can craft you a gauntlet, but it'll take rare materials—20 red mana stones, for one. And I'm out of titanium. Without that, I can't make the gauntlet."
Kaito's stomach tightened. The quest for titanium was going to be dangerous, far more so than he'd anticipated. But he couldn't afford to back down now. Not when the stakes were this high.
"Where can I find titanium?" Kaito asked, trying to keep his voice steady.
Grimnar eyed him carefully. "Titanium's only found deep in the mines. Dangerous down there. Only S-rank adventurers can survive the creatures that lurk in the depths. You sure you want to go?"
Kaito paused, his mind racing. The mines... that's where my true test lies. If I can't get that titanium, I won't just fail this quest—I'll fail everything I'm working toward.
His master's voice echoed in his mind.
"Master, where can I find titanium?"
The response was quick and clear. "Titanium is found deep within the mines. But it's not a place for the faint of heart. You'll face monsters unlike anything you've fought before. Only the strongest make it out."
Kaito closed his eyes, the weight of his mission pressing down on him. His master's words were both a warning and a challenge.
"I'm sure I can handle it," Kaito whispered to himself. He'd never let fear control him. He had a goal—one far bigger than just a gauntlet. He had to be stronger, for the ones he cared about and for the people he promised to protect.
"Yes," Kaito answered aloud, his voice now firm. "I'm sure. I'll get the titanium. I won't fail."
Grimnar eyed him carefully, clearly skeptical but not without respect. "You're sure? The mines are no joke. Only the strongest make it back."
"I'll get it," Kaito said, his voice unwavering. His body tensed with the realization that this quest wasn't just about strength—it was about survival, about proving to himself and the world that he had what it took.
Grimnar grunted again and handed Kaito a map. "Here. This is the route to the mines. Be careful down there. Don't come back empty-handed. Titanium's rare."
Kaito nodded, slipping the map into his pouch. "I'll be back with it," he promised. And he meant it.
As he left the forge, his thoughts were already on the journey ahead. The danger, the creatures, the unknowns—they all seemed so distant now. His goal was clear, and nothing would stop him from reaching it. His resolve had never been stronger.
This wasn't just a quest for a gauntlet. It was a quest to prove he was worthy of the future he envisioned—a future where he could protect those who needed him and rise to become someone truly powerful.
Titanium hunting begins.