HAVE YOU HEARD?

The morning sun filtered through the dormitory windows, casting a soft glow on Ravan's sleeping form.

He stirred, feeling a chill run through his body. With a slight groan, he sat up, rubbing his eyes.

His throat felt scratchy, and his nose was slightly congested.

"Great, just what I needed," Ravan muttered to himself, realizing he had caught a cold.

He hadn't bothered to cover himself properly last night, and now he was paying the price.

After getting dressed, Ravan stepped outside his dormitory room and made his way to the board where requests and tasks were posted.

He scanned the board, hoping to find something to occupy his day, but there was nothing listed.

Even if there had been, he had no idea how to forge items yet.

Sighing, he decided to explore the department instead.

As he walked through the halls, he noticed how grand and well-maintained everything was.

The walls were adorned with various weapons and tools, each meticulously crafted.

The air smelled of metal and wood, a testament to the constant work being done.

People greeted him as he passed, but Ravan, out of habit, ignored every attempt at conversation.

He wasn't used to socializing, especially not after everything he had been through.

Finally, he found his way to the cafeteria.

It was bustling with people, all engaged in animated discussions.

Ravan grabbed a tray, picked up some bread and coffee, and found a corner to sit in.

'A coffee is all I need, I've been feeling restless,'he thought.

As he ate, he couldn't help but overhear a group of workers nearby talking excitedly.

"Did you hear about the Room that appeared just down the street?" one of them said.

"Yeah, it's the talk of the department," another replied.

"They say it's filled with all kinds of monsters. We need some high-ranked warriors to clear it."

"Too bad we don't have many high-ranked ones here," a third worker chimed in.

"The only high-ranked person I know is Adam, and he's a retired B-Rank Tower Walker."

Ravan's ears perked up at the mention of Adam.

He had come to learn about the different ranks bit by bit.

The least rank was F-Rank, considered a failed product, but even they had mana and could use magic.

Ravan knew he was weaker than an F-Rank because he couldn't even do that.

'I'm just...well average...'he mumbled to himself.

He took a sip of his coffee, grimacing at the bitterness.

It wasn't as sweet as Loren used to make it. Loren's coffee was always perfect, a blend of flavors that chased away the morning fog.

Ravan paused, thinking.

"Could I be missing Loren?...nah, there's no way," he thought, shaking his head.

He continued to listen to the conversations around him.

Some of the Room Walkers were discussing strategies for clearing the Room, sharing tips and experiences. It was fascinating to hear how some of them, despite not being as strong as Tower Walkers, were still able to overcome formidable challenges.

'So there are Room walkers here too not just Blacksmiths...interesting,'Ravan thought as he continued to listen in.

"They say some Room Walkers are even stronger than certain Tower Walkers," one worker said.

"Yeah, I've heard that too," another agreed

"It's all about how you use your abilities and knowledge. Strength alone doesn't determine your rank."

Ravan finished his bread and took another sip of his coffee.

The conversation around him was enlightening.

He realized there was so much he didn't know about the world of Walkers, both Tower and Room.

He might not have mana or magic, but knowledge and strategy were powerful tools in their own right.

As he sat there, he resolved to learn as much as he could. He would prove his worth, not just as a blacksmith but as someone who could contribute in his own way.

The road ahead was long and filled with challenges, but Ravan was determined to face them head-on.

For now, he would start by learning everything he could about forging.

The rest would come in time.

He finished his coffee, feeling a spark of determination igniting within him. The path to his future might be uncertain, but he was ready to walk it, step by step.