After paying off the merchant, Liam stepped into Duskwind Village's marketplace, his mind set on acquiring the best gear available.
The dirt paths bustled with merchants hawking wares, blacksmiths hammering away at fresh steel, and adventurers haggling over supplies. The scent of burning coal and molten metal lingered in the air, mixing with the aroma of leather and oil.
He strode toward a squat stone building with a massive iron anvil hanging above its entrance—the Ironhide Armory.
The moment Liam stepped inside, a wave of heat washed over him, accompanied by the rhythmic clang of hammer against metal. The shop was dimly lit, save for the glow of the forge in the back. Weapons lined the walls—swords, spears, maces, and axes—all meticulously arranged by size and material.
Display cases held enchanted daggers that shimmered with magical energy, and a rack of heavy armor stood like silent sentinels against the far wall.
A burly, bearded man with soot-streaked arms looked up from a red-hot blade he was shaping. "New adventurer, eh? Looking for steel to cut through your enemies?" His voice was gruff but not unkind.
Liam nodded. "I want to see the best weapons you have. Price is not an issue"
The blacksmith grinned. "Wealthy, eh? And any particular weapon type you are looking for?"
He led Liam to a weapon rack dedicated to two-handed axes. Each one bore a small metal plaque detailing its stats and special properties.
Iron Cleaver (Uncommon)
ATK: 65-85
Durability: 100
Description: A standard-issue iron axe, reliable but unremarkable.
Reaver's Bite (Uncommon)
ATK: 55-75
Durability: 120
Effect: +5% Critical Damage
Description: Crafted by a renowned orcish blacksmith, it strikes with savage force.
Cleaving Fury of Might
.....
Defective Stormcaller (Rare)
ATK: 40-50
Durability: 150
Effect: 10% chance to deal lightning damage on hit
Description: Forged from a metal that crackles with residual energy.
Can be repaired by an expert blacksmith with the right materials
Liam's eyes locked onto Stormcaller. "This one," he said, tapping the handle.
The blacksmith whistled. "A fine choice, this one was found in an old battleground. Even though it has lost most of its lustre, it still can kill a few wild animals."
"But even though this weapon is damaged, rare weapons don't come cheap. That'll be 5 gold coins."
Liam didn't even count his coins. With the earnings from the Venomfang Pearl and his quests, he had more than enough. Without hesitation, he placed the gold coins onto the counter.
Ding!
Defective Stormcaller acquired.
He lifted the axe, testing its weight. The haft was wrapped in toughened leather, the double-headed blade gleaming with a faint blue shimmer. The moment his fingers closed around the grip, a faint spark crackled along the edge.
The blacksmith nodded approvingly. "Swing true, lad. That axe will serve you well."
With his weapon secured, Liam turned his attention to armor. Across the room, mannequins displayed various sets, ranging from light leather to heavy plate. He needed something durable but flexible—defense without sacrificing mobility.
The options available:
Reinforced Leather Set (Common)
Armor: 50
Weight: Light
Set Bonus Effect: +5% Evasion
Iron Vanguard Set (Uncommon)
DEF: 20
Weight: Medium
Set Bonus Effect: +3% Physical Resistance
Wyrmhide Carapace (Rare)
DEF: 25
Weight: Medium
Set Bonus Effect: Poison Resistance +15%, +5% Health Regen
Liam's eyes narrowed on the Wyrmhide Carapace. While, the added poison resistance would be useful, considering the dangers lurking in the wilds, it was different than the stormcaller.
There was no repair potential, so it would probably have to be replaced soon!
In the end, he decided to go ahead with the Iron Vanguard set. It was just enough and the physical resistance was good early as magical and elemental mobs were still not prevalent
The blacksmith smirked. "A man who knows quality when he sees it. That'll be 2 gold coins for the entire set"
Liam paid without hesitation. As he donned the armor, he felt a subtle warmth spread through his limbs, a sign of the increased physical resistance.
Ding!
Iron Vanguard set equipped.
He flexed his arms, testing the flexibility. The leather, reinforced with hardened scales, provided solid protection without restricting movement. Satisfied, he turned to leave, but the blacksmith called out, "One more thing, lad."
Liam turned, and the blacksmith tossed him a small whetstone. "Keep your axe sharp. No charge."
Liam nodded. "Thanks."
Stepping out into the village, he exhaled. His preparations were nearly complete. Now, it was time to put his new equipment to the test.
Current Status:
[Player: Liam Carter]
Level: 13 (Soldier)
HP: 5500 (35 HP regen/s)
MP: 800 (4 MP regen/s)
Armor - 150+ 30
Weapon: Defective Stormcaller: Physical Attack - 100 Durability - 100/100
Lightning Damage - 20
Passively procs 3000 lightning damage every 20 s
Defective, can be repaired
Armor: Iron Vanguard: Set Bonuses +200Armor , 3% additional physical resistance
Total Armor = 150+200
Total Physical Resistance = 3.75% ( 3% set bonuses + 0.75% from armor)
Skills
Waveforce - Slams the weapon heavily, creating a wave of destruction - 20x total weapon attack
Cooldown - 10s ; Mana Cost 125 MP per cast
Overhead Strike - Strike a weak point of an enemy, dealing massive single target damage - 25x weapon damage. Also applies a 0.1 s mini stun
Cooldown - 20s ; Mana Cost 100 MP per cast
Shield Block - Passively blocks 100 physical damage every 10 s from any sources
Perk: Veteran's Knowhow [Epic]
Attributes
Physique - 55 (1 point = 100 HP, +0.75 HP regen/s)
Dexterity - 15 (1 point = 5% Attack Speed increase, 0.5% Movement Speed)
Willpower - 16 (1 point = 50 MP, 0.25 MP regen/s)
Endurance - 15 (1 point = 0.1% resistance to elements, 10 Armor))
Charm - 6 (No direct benefits, certain amount of charm might be required to proceed certain quests/negotiations)
Luck - 30 (Impacts item drops of all rarities)
Reputation:
Eldoria - +65 (Friendly)
With his new gear in place, Liam cracked his knuckles. It was time to hunt.
Reaching Duskwind forest again, Liam tightened his grip on Stormcaller, the weight of the axe reassuring in his hands. The Duskwind Forest stretched before him, its towering trees casting long shadows as the sun dipped lower in the sky.
While Liam could go back to the village to continue the main story quest, he had no intention of doing that.
Not when grinding to level 20 would unlock a hidden opportunity.
The village chief's secret quest was only offered to players who reached level 20 before completing the third main quest. It was a little-known trick, one which was heavily exploited once it became known, but no one knew this trick this early in the game.
This time, he wouldn't miss it.
Liam's first targets were the Razorclaw Apes, level 4 monsters that lurked in the denser parts of the forest. Their long arms and jagged claws made them dangerous in close combat, but their slow wind-up before attacks left them vulnerable.
He spotted one perched on a low branch, its beady eyes locked onto him.
[Razorclaw Ape - Level 12]
HP: 3500/5300
The ape screeched and lunged. Liam sidestepped, activating Overhead Strike
CRACK!
-3000!
The ape staggered, its health bar dropping sharply. It retaliated with a wild swipe, but Liam ducked under the blow and followed up with a basic slash.
-100!
-85!
Lightening Proc : -3000!
The ape collapsed, its body dissolving into loot.
Drop: ApeHidex1, 15 Silver Coins
Veteran's Knowhow Triggers (1.5x)!
Liam smirked. "Too easy."
He repeated the process, clearing out a pack of five apes in minutes. His EXP bar inched forward, and he reached level 14.
The Howling Shadows
Next, he sought out the Nightfang Wolves, stronger variants of the dire wolves he'd faced earlier. These beasts were faster, their bites inflicting a stacking bleed effect.
[Nightfang Wolves - Level 15-18]
HP: 4500/4500
Three wolves circled him, their growls low and menacing. Liam waited for the first to pounce, then spun, unleashing Waveforce.
BOOM!
-1200!-1200!-1200!
The shockwave sent the wolves flying. One managed to sink its fangs
-1000! (Bleed: -500 HP/sec for 5 sec)
Liam gritted his teeth and chugged a health potion and anti bleeding potion he had received earlier as a quest reward. The bleeding stopped, but the fight had cost him resources.
"Need to be more careful," he muttered.
Consumed mana potion!
Waveforce!
-1200!
-1200!
-1200!
Eventually, Liam killed the wolves, getting some potions and fur as drops
As dusk fell, Liam kept on clearing wild beasts and filling his exp bar. He was at level 9, his cheat proving to be a big difference maker in his progress.
But after noticing that there were no other beasts nearby, Liam ventured deeper into the forest, where the Bloodmane Lions prowled. These level 20beasts were the apex predators of the beginner zone, their attacks swift and brutal.
Soon, Liam came across 4 lions
Bloodmane Lion− Level 20
HP: 12000/12000
The lion's golden eyes gleamed as it crouched, muscles coiled. Liam raised Stormcaller, ready.
The lion sprang.
Liam rolled to the side, barely avoiding the claws. He countered with Overhead Strike, the axe biting deep into the lion's flank.
-500!
The level difference significantly reduced the damage Liam did to the Lions
The lion roared, swiping at him. Liam blocked with his forearm, the armor absorbing most of the damage.
-3500! (Blocked: -30% damage)
"Argh, that hurt", Liam exclaimed, clenching his teeth.
He retaliated with a flurry of basic attacks, whittling the beast down. When its health hit 20%, the lion enraged, its speed doubling.
Liam activated Dodge, narrowly avoiding a lethal pounce. As the lion landed, he brought Stormcaller down in a final, crushing blow.
-3000! (Lightning Proc!)
The fight went on for a bit, but how would a wild beast ever kill a veteran gamer? Eventually, the Lion gave out a wretched roar and passed away.
The lion collapsed, its body crackling with residual energy.
Drop: Bloodmane Pelt x1, Lion's Fang x2, 500 Silver Coins
Ding!
Level Up!
Level Up!
Level Up!
Player Liam - Level 20
HP: 11000 (70 HP regen/s)
MP: 1100 (6 MP regen/s)
A satisfied grin spread across his face. "Finally."
"Allocate 5 points to willpower, and all other stat points equally to all physique and luck"
That was a good farming session. Time to head back to the village and gather my spoils. Tomorrow, I can get my next hidden quest from the village chief.
I doubt if anyone is even at level 5! Haha, this perk is so awesome! Without it I would be barely at level 10 by now.
But just as he turned to head back to the village, a chill ran down his spine.
Something was watching him.
The forest had gone eerily silent. No birds, no rustling leaves—just an oppressive stillness. Liam's grip on Stormcaller tightened as he scanned the shadows.
Then, a flicker of movement—too fast to track.
His instincts screamed trouble.
This isn't a normal mob.
Looks like this hunt wasn't over yet.