Valley

Andy flinched at the suggestion. He didn't think that this guy he just met would suggest such a thing. His problem would have a big undertaking and not for normal people.

"My.....problem...?"

"Yeah, We can help you."

Andy looked doubtful. From his perspective, Bang and Ligi looked like a pair of naive teens looking for an adventure. They didn't seem reliable enough to do it.

"Do you even know my problem?"

"No, but I'm sure we can solve it!"

Andy stared at them for what seems like a minute and he burst out in laughter.

"HAHAHAHAHAHA"

Wiping the tear in his eye, Andy once again looked at Bang and Ligi. When he saw that the two were serious, he finally stopped laughing.

"'Cough'.....what makes you think you can handle my problem?"

Bang then looked at Ligi and gestured for him to show the shield. Ligi obliged and the shield grew out of his skin. The brown bark protruded upwards making a diamond shape that protected from attacks done to it.

Andy was surprised at the sudden show of power. A shield! This was truly like a miracle for Andy. It maybe possible to complete that mission if that shield is used.

Bang saw that Andy was enticed at the shield and he continued to sell the prospect.

"And this shield will deflect damage onto the attacker."

Now Bang could see there were truly sparkles in Andy's eyes. Now Bang knew that this was hook, line, and sinker.

"Wowww.......which group are you from? I've never heard of a group having this kind of power, even on other towns."

Andy couldn't take his eyes off Ligi's shield so Bang just answered the question.

"We are not from around here. In fact, I'm from pretty far away."

"Hmmm okay...okay.....okay....."

Andy was deep into thought once again as he caressed his chin. Bang wondered if his face from before was normal but changed because of constant chin touching.

"Yeah....yeah....that could work. Okay! I accept. In exchange for the gun, you have to complete a mission."

"Okay, what's the mission?"

Andy inhaled for a second then finally spoke while he exhaled.

"You have to go to the Dreaded Valley."

As soon as Andy said that, a notification popped up in Bang's head.

+++++++++++++++

QUEST

-Main Quest

•Self defense

*Travel to the Dreaded Valley

•Fighter crew member

*Listen to gossip in the Suno town.

-Side Quest

+++++++++++++++

He finally progressed in the main quest. Although he didn't know where or what the Dreaded Valley will be, he knew it was dangerous just from the name. If the blacksmith who could hire help using his own armor couldn't complete whatever mission that is, then it is really hard.

"What are we gonna do once we get there?"

"It's simple. You just have to go there and observe your surroundings. You have to report to me the things you have seen there. Just that and you'll get a gun from me."

Just that. Bang wasn't naive that he thought it would be easy just like that. There were unknown peril every time he goes on a mission to complete his main quest. But he had to do it to get a gun that he could use in a fight.

"Okay sure. We accept."

"Great! You don't have to go right now though. It's nighttime and it would be far more dangerous to go there now."

Bang wasn't planning on going there tonight. That would be suicidal.

"Don't worry we won't go there now. We'll leave tomorrow morning."

"Great! Great! Make sure you sleep soundly so you could have the energy for the trip tomorrow."

"Hmmm...about that. We currently don't have any lodging for today. Scratch that, we don't have any single piece of money right now. Could we stay at your place?"

Andy was taken aback at the suggestion. They truly did seem like naive idiots taking on a fatal mission. They traveled without any money. They're truly helpless.

If Andy knew that Bang and Ligi traveled the forest without any food and water, he probably would rethink this whole situation.

"Fine. You can stay at my place for the moment. I guess it's the least I could do."

Andy turned around and went back into the door. Bang and Ligi were left hanging in the front of the blacksmith until they heard a shout.

"What are you doing? Come here!"

Bang and Ligi then hurried to the door fearing Andy would take back his hospitality. Once they were inside, the heat from the forge suddenly disappeared. It's as if there wasn't a fire hot enough to melt steel behind the wall. Bang didn't know if that was magic or just a material property.

The inside was properly lit with blobs of light that Bang had seen on some buildings outside. These blobs were bigger and more numerous than the others so Bang guessed that the blacksmith was well off.

There was a kitchen, a bed, and a living room all in one room. Bang guessed that the bathroom was at the other side of the door facing him. This room reminded him of his apartment back in Earth. It was compact, practical, and had no use for luxury.

In the kitchen was some meat that was cut in pieces and a pan with an unlit stove. Bang guessed that Andy was cooking when they interrupted him. When Bang was looking at the unprepared food, his stomach rumbled. This reminded him of steak back on Earth.

"Oh, do you guys want some food?"

Now that he was offered the food, it was foolish to reject it. He would never deny any blessing of food. Even back on Earth, if he was given food he would have ate it no questions asked.

"Yeah sure. I'm starving."

Andy then walked into the kitchen, which was only a few steps from where he was standing, and started preparing the food. He lit the stove by turning the dial.

'Huh? Do they have a gas stove in this world?'

Bang didn't smell the distinct gas smell that he expected. It was an odorless smell so Bang guessed that it was magic.

"Is that a magic stove?"

Bang couldn't suppress his curiosity and asked.

"Yeah. Have you never seen one before? Does your place use a different kind?"

"No, no, we use magic."

Well, technology on Earth could be considered magic in this world so Bang didn't lie.

He took some spices form his cupboard and put it on the meat. He then started cooking the meat. Bang and Ligi just sat there wordlessly. There were only four chairs in the table so it wasn't that awkward when they sat together.

Bang was still mad at Ligi so he wasn't talking. Ligi still felt guilty so he couldn't initiate a conversation. There was only the sizzling of meat that made a sound in the room.

After minutes of waiting, the steak was finally done. It was cut vertically, imitating tonkatsu back on Earth. They shared the meat, which was not that much because they shared it between them.

They all ate their pieces silently until Andy finished his.

"Ahh.......so, why did you travel here to Suno town?"

Andy said that while patting his belly. Bang felt that the meat wasn't plentiful but he guessed that it was enough for the skinny Andy.

"Well, you know, just traveling. I wanted to get something to protect myself so I came here."

"Ah, so you've heard of me."

"Yeah, you could say that."

Well, the system did tell him that, so no lie.

"Yeah, you've come to the right place. Those other places would probably scam you if they knew you're not from around here. Wait...you don't even have money. They wouldn't even acknowledge your presence."

Andy just went on to praise his work compared to other blacksmiths.

"Those blacksmiths only care about the money, not the craft. I only care about the craft, sadly only a few of us are left."

Bang decided to change the conversation since it seemed like he could go on and on about his work.

"So, why do you want us to go the the Dreaded Valley?"

Andy's talkative nature suddenly became silent. It seemed like Bang hit a sore spot there. Bang guessed there must have been some kind of trauma involving the Dreaded Valley.

Bang decided not to pursue the question as he was at the mercy of Andy having something to sleep at night. The room once again became silent. They noticed that the food in their plate was gone and they dispersed. Bang and Ligi helped Andy clean up after the meal.

Andy took something out from his closet and put it on the floor. It was a thick blanket that could be a makeshift bed.

"You guys can sleep here. Don't mind me, I'll sleep later than usual to work on something. Don't worry, you won't hear anything in here."

Andy then went outside and picked up his tools and started banging them on a metal. As soon as the door was closed, they couldn't hear the noise.

It was just Bang and Ligi there. The awkward silence still continued.

'Should I talk to him? My anger has gone down so I should talk to him right? Nah.. it won't matter in a fight.'

Bang's decision to not talk to Ligi ended up having a big effect on Ligi. Ligi's black veins now spread throughout his whole chest and spread through his shoulders. It was beating intensely but unnoticed by Ligi.

'Ha....ha.......ha.......more.....'