The Path of the Sword and an Unlikely Friend

Jace took a deep breath, shaking off the sting of rejection from the guild. His dramatic display of despair had turned a few heads, but now, with his pride partially restored, he stood tall.

“No need to dwell on minor inconveniences. A true hero faces setbacks with a smile!” he declared to absolutely no one, his hands on his hips like a triumphant conqueror.

But even he couldn’t deny the nagging truth.

 "No adventurer approval, no solo quests, no. legendary deeds. What a hassle."

Still, all was not lost. His next step was clear , a weapon. A sword, to be precise. After all, what kind of legendary figure didn't have a sword?

"Yeah," Jace grinned to himself. "Just like Jane's legendary blade from the Empire of Velmoria. A magical sword, glowing with power, cutting down enemies like...."

"Ugh! Damn you, Jane! Why do you get the cool sword? I deserve one too!"

His exaggerated frustration soon turned into determined resolve as he made his way through the winding streets.

The Weapon Shop :

The shop stood modestly, its wooden exterior bearing the marks of age. The faded sign above the entrance read "Stonefang Armory" a name that spoke of sturdy craftsmanship, though the creaky door suggested the glory days had long passed. Inside, weapons of all kinds lined the walls. Swords, spears, shields, and armors sat in organized chaos, gleaming faintly in the dim light.

At the counter stood a greasy, middle-aged man with a permanent scowl and a calculating glint in his eyes. His grin widened as Jace approached , the type of smile that usually spelled bad news for anyone holding a wallet.

"Welcome, welcome!" The shopkeeper’s voice oozed with cheer. "Looking for something sharp and deadly, are we? I’ve got it all , heavy armors, enchanted blades, magical relics! Finest quality in all of the Velmoria!"

"Yeah, I’d love to buy a sword," Jace said, trying to sound composed, though his eyes sparkled with excitement.

"Oh, a sword, is it? I can tell!" The man rubbed his hands together, his grin widening. "A man of the blade! Someone with taste! Allow me to recommend this beauty , a Class-C Magic Sword! It enhances your magic power and amplifies every strike."

He dramatically presented a silver sword embedded with blue gemstones. The blade shimmered with an enchanting glow. Jace’s eyes widened.

"Whoa... it’s glowing. How much for it?"

"Ah, a mere 150 silver coins. A fine price for such craftsmanship!"

Jace's jaw nearly dropped. "One hundred and fifty?! That’s a bit… steep."

"Ah, not a problem, not a problem!" The shopkeeper waved dismissively. "Perhaps something more practical. Now this sword here , a Class-D but marvelous! It heals its wielder during battle. Attack and recover , what could be better?"

"That’s pretty cool," Jace admitted, "How much?"

"Only 120 silver coins."

Jace winced. "I… don’t have that much."

The shopkeeper’s expression soured, his forced smile fading. "Tch. Then how much do you have?"

"About 50 silver coins."

"Ah… wonderful," the man muttered dryly, rolling his eyes. "Another one of those."

"Excuse me?"

"Nothing, nothing! You’ll find the ‘budget’ section over there," he gestured to a dimly lit corner, barely containing his annoyance. "Pick whatever you like. Good luck, sir."

To be continued...

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***