The sun hung high in the sky as Damien stepped out of the Mercenary Guild, the faint hum of chatter and bustling activity filling the streets of Westmont. It was becoming more lively with the smooth progress of the town’s reconstruction.
He stretched his arms, exhaling deeply, and began his trek toward the marketplace.
Today marked the beginning of his personal mission to increase his demon kill count and unlock the next mythical beast his system had promised him.
But first, he needed to gear up.
His current weapon was ruined and had been digested by Luton. It had seen better days.
Damien knew he needed something sturdier, something that could withstand the rigors of facing demons and other formidable opponents.
“A Double Refined Weapon,” Damien muttered to himself as he walked.
He understood the concept well. Weapons were refined to match the strength of their user’s rank, and he was now a Platinum Ranked Mercenary.
While an unrefined or Single Refined weapon could suffice for lower-ranked fighters, his rank demanded more.
Double Refined Weapons were made to endure the strength and magic essence of those at the Platinum level, making them ideal for his needs.
Damien strode through the market district, his eyes scanning the various stalls and shops that lined the cobblestone streets.
The town of Westmont, though small, was known for its skilled blacksmiths and weapon merchants catering to the local Dunters and Mercenaries.
Damien entered a modest yet well-stocked weapon shop tucked into a corner of the market. The sign above the entrance read Ironborn Armaments, its bold letters standing out against the aged wooden frame.
Inside, the clinking of metal rang out as a young blacksmith worked diligently on a blade.
The walls were lined with swords, spears, and axes, each gleaming under the soft glow of enchanted lanterns.
“Looking for something in particular?” a gruff voice called out.
Damien turned to see a burly man with a thick beard approaching him from behind the counter. His broad shoulders and calloused hands were evidence of a lifetime spent working with metal.
“I need a Double Refined Sword,” Damien said without hesitation.
The blacksmith raised an eyebrow. “Platinum Rank, huh? We don’t get too many of you around here.”
Damien shrugged. “I’m just passing through. Think you can help me?”
The blacksmith nodded, gesturing for Damien to follow him. He led him to a display case at the back of the shop, where several finely crafted weapons were arranged.
“These are what you’re looking for,” the blacksmith said, opening the case. “Double Refined. Sturdy, sharp, and enchanted to resist wear and tear. Pick one that suits you.”
Damien’s eyes roamed over the selection. There were blades of varying lengths and designs, but none in particular caught his attention.
Still, he had to choose and he did just that. It was a sleek longsword with a silver blade etched with faint runes that glowed softly. The hilt was wrapped in dark leather, providing a firm grip.
“This one,” Damien said, pointing to the sword.
The blacksmith nodded approvingly. “Good choice. That blade’s been infused with a minor fire enchantment. Won’t set the world on fire, but it’ll add a bit of a bite to your strikes.”
Damien tested the sword’s weight, giving it a few experimental swings. It felt perfect in his hand, light enough for quick movements but heavy enough to deliver powerful blows.
“I’ll take it,” Damien said, handing over a pouch of coins.
With the sword secured, Damien continued his shopping spree, gathering supplies for his journey.
He purchased sturdy leather boots, a few enchanted throwing knives, and a durable cloak to protect against the elements.
As he approached his next stop, a familiar voice called out from behind him.
“Damien! Shopping without me? That’s a first.”
He turned to see Arielle standing there, her arms crossed and a teasing smile on her face.
“Arielle,” Damien said, his tone flat but with a hint of amusement. “What are you doing here?”
“I could ask you the same thing,” she shot back, stepping closer. “You’ve been cooped up for days, and now I find you roaming the market like it’s a festival.”
Damien chuckled. “Just getting ready for a little demon hunting so I need a lot of healing potions.”
Arielle raised an eyebrow. “And you didn’t think to tell me?”
“I didn’t think you’d be interested,” he replied. “It’s a personal mission.”
“Why do you need so many healing potions though?” Arielle asked, turning her head slightly to look at him.
Damien shrugged. “You never know what might happen. I’m not expecting trouble, but I’d rather be overprepared than caught off guard. Plus, I might come across someone who needs them more than I do.”
Arielle gave him an appraising look before nodding. “Fair enough. Let’s get what you need, then.”
As they approached a stall selling potions, Damien extended his hand, summoning Luton. The Stellar Slime appeared in a flash of light, bouncing enthusiastically before launching itself toward Arielle.
“Whoa!” Arielle laughed as Luton landed on her chest, wiggling happily. She patted the slime, a fond smile on her face. “Hey, Luton. Been a while. How’ve you been?”
To her surprise, the slime wiggled in response, its gelatinous form shimmering faintly.
Damien chuckled. “Don’t get too used to it. Luton’s just excited to be out in the open.”
“Still, it’s nice to know it has a soft spot for me,” Arielle replied, grinning as she continued to pat the slime.
They stopped at the potion stall, where an elderly alchemist stood behind rows of neatly arranged bottles, each glowing faintly with vibrant colors.
“Ah, welcome!” the alchemist greeted them warmly. “What can I do for you?”
“We need healing potions,” Arielle said, gesturing toward the rows of bottles. “Something strong but compact enough for travel.”
The alchemist nodded, pulling out a selection of small vials filled with shimmering red liquid. “These should do the trick. They’re concentrated, so a little goes a long way. Perfect for adventurers like yourselves.”
“How many do you want?” Arielle asked, turning to Damien.
“A dozen or two should be enough,” Damien replied.
The alchemist raised an eyebrow. “That’s quite a lot. You planning on heading somewhere dangerous?”
“Let’s just say I like to be prepared,” Damien said, his tone nonchalant.
The alchemist chuckled, gathering the vials and placing them in a sturdy leather pouch. “That’ll be six Grade Seven essence cores or fifty gold coins.”
Damien reached into his pocket, pulling out six small, glowing orbs. Essence cores.
He handed them to the alchemist, who inspected them carefully before nodding in satisfaction.
“Pleasure doing business with you,” the alchemist said, handing over the pouch of potions.
As they left the stall and made their way back toward the Mercenary Guild building, Arielle glanced at Damien.
“So,” she began, her tone light, “I’ve been thinking. How about I tag along on your little hunting trip?”
Damien raised an eyebrow. “Tag along? Arielle, this isn’t a stroll through the woods. It’s dangerous out there.”
“I know,” she said, crossing her arms. “But I want to see how you handle yourself out in the field. Besides, it’s not like I can’t hold my own.”
Damien sighed. “It’s not about that. It’s a tough journey, and I don’t want to be responsible if something goes wrong.”
“Responsible?” Arielle smirked. “Last I checked, I’m a fully capable Mercenary, not some rookie you need to babysit.”
He stopped walking, turning to face her. “Are you sure about this? We’re not just dealing with bandits or low-level mana beasts. There’s a good chance we’ll run into demons.”
Arielle’s expression hardened. “I’m sure. I’ve fought demons before, Damien. Hundreds of them so I’m not scared. I’m up for it.”
They stared at each other for a moment before Damien sighed in defeat. “Fine. But you’d better be ready for what’s coming. We leave at midnight, when the demons are most active.”
Arielle grinned triumphantly. “You won’t regret this.”
“We’ll see,” Damien muttered, resuming his walk.
Back at the Mercenary Guild building, Damien began his final preparations for the journey. He checked his gear, sharpening his new Double Refined Sword and organizing the supplies he’d gathered earlier.
Luton remained present bouncing nearby, absorbing items into its storage space as Damien handed them over.
Arielle busied herself with her own preparations, ensuring her armor was secure and her weapons were in top condition.
She couldn’t help but feel a mix of excitement and anticipation. This would be her first time accompanying Damien on a serious mission, and she was eager to prove herself.
As the hours passed and the sun dipped below the horizon, the town grew quiet. The streets were bathed in the soft glow of lanterns, and the occasional sound of footsteps echoed through the night.
By the time midnight approached, Damien and Arielle were ready.
The two of them stood at the edge of town, the open road stretching out before them. Damien adjusted the strap of his bag, his expression calm but focused.
“You’ve got everything you need?” he asked, glancing at Arielle.
She nodded. “Ready as I’ll ever be.”
“Good,” Damien said, turning to summon Aquila.
“Summon Aquila.” He commanded mentally. The Griffin appeared in a burst of light, its majestic form towering over them.
Arielle stared at the creature in awe, despite having seen it before. “I’ll never get used to how amazing that thing looks.”
Damien smirked. “Hop on. It’ll save us some time.”
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Author’s Note:
Apologies dear readers!! I just discovered I uploaded a wrong chapter and this is the corrected version. I really am sorry. Please, accept my apologies dear readers.
Thank you!
And love you all!!