Returning to Almira's Shop

"[Ice Prison]!"

As soon as the ice magic encased the Rock Devil, it immediately perished, dropping a hook and chain weapon along with the last [Melting Coal] I needed to complete Almira's quest.

"Alright. Good work, Lina. You can rest now. We've gathered all the materials we need. Let's head back to the Capital," I said to Lina before placing the weapon and the [Melting Coal] into my inventory.

"Congratulations, Master. Who would have thought that we would undergo such a hellish job?" Lina said as she picked up the items dropped by the other Rock Devils who didn't yield the [Melting Coal].

"Yeah, the drop rate of the [Melting Coal] is unbelievably low. If I had known, we could have purchased the Dropps Potion, which enhances the drop rate of anything for a fixed amount of time. Still, there's no need to dwell on it now since we already got what we came here for," I shrugged and chuckled.

We walked back to the Capital. On the way, Lina and I struck up a conversation while walking. It was strange, though, that I was having more fun talking with Lina, who was an NPC companion, than with the people I had teamed up with in the past. To me, the NPCs in this game feel more human than real players.

As Lina and I conversed, the grandeur of the Capital's gate stole upon us, a revelation that slipped by unnoticed. The voices of non-playable characters resounded through the vicinity, hawking wares and quests.

"Oh, have we already arrived? Our conversation is so captivating, I didn't even realize," I quipped to Lina. She let out a soft chuckle, mirroring my obliviousness to our arrival at the city gates.

We proceeded through the gates, greeted by a bustling thoroughfare teeming with NPCs. Our fellow players were conspicuously absent in this busy hub.

"Allow me to examine your inventory, Lina. If we aspire to journey further and grow stronger, we'll need funds. I entrust you with the task of selling your surplus weapons and materials at the shops. Don't fret; just make the sales, alright?"

"I understand, Master," she said, her patience unwavering as she awaited the conclusion of my current task. I carefully inspected the available weapons, discerning their stats. Those of exceptional quality found their place in my own inventory, while the rest remained stored in Lina's inventory for the selling process.

Amidst the assortment of materials scattered about, many bore the potential for future use in the game, pending the acquisition of requisite recipes and the corresponding EX jobs. Not all materials held equal value, so I decided to carry only the items with immediate utility, while the others remained safely stowed in the inventory. With my selections made, I handed the inventory back to Lina.

"Very well, Lina. Proceed to sell them and visit the Blacksmith shop later, alright?" I instructed her.

"As you command, Master." With a respectful bow, Lina promptly set off for the bustling market, vanishing into the midst of the crowd.

As Lina was out running an errand for me, I ventured to the Blacksmith shop alone. I couldn't help but feel a tinge of anxiety, knowing that Almira might be infuriated due to the extra time we took gathering the necessary materials. I could only hope that my tardiness wouldn't push her to the edge.

Upon pushing the door open, I found Almira leisurely sipping tea at her table. It took me a moment to gather my courage, as I was well aware of her fiery temper and her exacting nature. I hoped fervently that she wouldn't be upset with me.

"You certainly took your damn sweet time, kid," Almira said with a hint of impatience. Her voice was calm, but her piercing gaze made it clear that tardiness wasn't a trait she appreciated. "I've always been one for punctuality, and I hope you can learn to be punctual too. We'll let it slide this time, but remember, I don't have infinite patience. Next time, there won't be any mercy. Understood, boy?"

I shivered as her words sank in. Despite being a seasoned adventurer who had faced countless monsters, Almira's anger was a force to be reckoned with. Crossing her was a one-way ticket to a perilous end and I don't want to experience that ever again.

"I'm truly sorry! I promise it won't happen again," I professed, swiftly retrieving a handful of [Melting Coals] from my inventory.

"Mmm, you've performed admirably," Almira commended. "But now, where is your loyal companion? This reward is better suited for her, as she is a battle maid. You, on the other hand, being a man, would look rather peculiar in a maid outfit – it's a bit hard to imagine. I can provide the payment, but the outfit will have to wait until she arrives," Almira explained.

Upon finishing her sentence, Lina appeared promptly, her presence punctual as ever.

"Master, I'm back," she declared. "We managed to secure 121 copper and 20 silver from the items I sold." Her gaze then shifted towards Almira, who responded with a sly grin and a nod.

"This young lady arrives with admirable punctuality, unlike her master," Almira remarked, her voice laced with amusement. "I was just observing you, and you were already here, unlike your master, who seems to have a penchant for taking his sweet time." She clicked her tongue and shook her head slightly. Lina, completely unaware of the situation, looked on in puzzlement.

"Master, what's happening?" Lina's voice dripped with confusion as she questioned me.

I hesitated for a moment before urging, "Follow Almira for now. Claim the quest reward..."

Lina tilted her head in puzzlement before giving a nod of assent. Almira and Lina made their way toward the changing room, leaving me to explore the store. Even though I had frequented this shop in a previous timeline, I found myself rediscovering it once more. I perused the weapons displayed on the racks, each one more impressive than the last. The majority of these weapons were of the Very Rare Tier, with only a scant few falling into the Rare Tier category. I couldn't even spot any Normal Tiered weapons, which left me marveling at the high-tier selection.

As I continued to browse, my attention was suddenly drawn to a book on Almira's study table. I was certain it hadn't been there in my previous visits, so how had it appeared now? I reached out and ran my fingers over the book's cover, and to my astonishment, an interface materialized before my eyes, revealing the book's mysterious effects.

[Beginner Guide to Blacksmithing Vol. 1]

Type: ExJob Book

Usage: Unlock your inner blacksmith with this book! Once you read it, you'll unlock the EX Job "Blacksmith" and start cooking up some serious metal magic.

Info: This isn't your average bedtime story, folks. We've got a legendary blacksmith here, but don't worry, he's not going to haunt your dreams. He's long gone, but his legacy lives on in this book. His techniques may be as old as the hills, but they're easier to grasp than your grandma's secret pancake recipe. Practice what's in here, and you'll be a blacksmithing pro in no time!

Notes: Still curious if this book is interesting? Well, let's put it this way – it's so riveting, that even the anvils are giving it a standing ovation!