Ryu's currently directed all of his concentration toward the iron in the furnace. He wants to understand the exact timing to takes out the metal from the burner.

"Say, I will give this one out to you, what type of weapon do you want?"

"Eh? Are you sure about that, sir?"

Ryu's focus instantly gets shattered when he hears this incredible offer. So, double-checking if what he heard is correct or not, Ryu's quickly directed his gaze toward the bald man while blinked a few times.

"Yeah, also, Dartz is enough, I'm not used to that kind of behavior."

"Okay, I will appreciate it if you can forge it into a dagger."

Dartz's makes a surprised face hearing the requests.

"Oh, I thought for sure you are gonna make a request to make it as a sword, didn't expect to be that type of weapon."

"Haha, I've already decided what style I gonna go with."

Ryu's delighted with this sudden development, how can he not? He got to wield a dagger made by the blacksmith leader itself, and it's for free!

After a while, the metal finally gets reheated. Dartz quickly grabs his tongs and starts to hammering the iron in the anvil again. A swing by swing keeps being performed by Dartz, the metal slowly but surely taking the shape of a dagger. Later, he grabs the weapon before nodding his head proudly.

"Hoho, the shape is nice, right?"

"Yes, it's wonderful."

Although Ryu currently understands nothing about weapon forging, he still got a hunch that it's a perfect shape for a dagger. Getting the response he wants, Dartz gives out a grin before continuing the teaching.

"Now, we need to harden the metal first before sharpening it."

"You can harden the weapon by heating it in the furnace."

"When it's hot enough, quickly take them out and drown them in the oil."

"This makes the particle inside the metal to sticks together, thus making its durability to rise to another level."

Following that, Dartz perfectly demonstrates his explanation for Ryu.

"It's time for sharpening. We can grind the dagger at the rolling stone over there. Pay close attention to how much you tilt the weapon, if it's bad, it will be a blunt weapon, which obviously will make it useless in this case."

"I see."

Hearing a crucial thing, Ryu calmly noting it inside his brain while Dartz advanced his teaching.

"After this process is done, the final step is assembling it. The standard material for a handle is wood, is that okay for you?"

"You were making a weapon for me is already an excellent gift, how can I ask for more." Ryu gives out a faint laugh while answering the question.

"Hoho, I like you more, boy."

After the assembling has done, finally, the short dagger is finished. Ryu is so happy that his weapon finally completed, it's the same with Dartz, He's proud of his own work. Actually, He can declare easily that this weapon can be one of his masterpieces.

Actually, If he knows that the weapon that He'll make right now will become one of his greatest works, He will be a little reluctant to give the dagger to Ryu as a gift for him. But a promise is still a promise.

"Here, It's finally done. I can say it with my pride on the line. This dagger can be one of my best creations, So please treasure it well, Ryu."

Seeing the expression that Dartz make, Ryu knows that he's not joking about the matter.

"Thanks for this dagger, Mr. Dartz. I'll surely repay you with something else later."

"Again with that, formality."

"Oh, sorry, I say it unconsciously."

"Well, I don't mind it that much, but remember to use that thing to its fullest." Shrugging off his shoulder, Dartz points toward his creation that's currently in the boy's hand. In response, Ryu began to swings the brand new dagger enthusiastically.

"Of course, I will use it until it is shattered."

"Haha, I really like your guts, well, why don't you try forging on your own?"

Ryu gives out a sorry expression after hearing the offers.

"I want to, But I'm kind of hurried with my schedule right now, so pardon for my rudeness Dartz."

"I see, that's too bad. Well, have a safe trip, kid."

"Yes, I bid my farewell."

After seeing Ryu off, one of the association members can be seen approaching Dartz.

"Why are you giving your masterpiece for free like that, Dartz?"

"Well, I like his nerve, and... I have this kind of feeling, that boy... he'll surely become a legend in the future. I should be in a good shoe with that kind of person, giving one of my masterpieces is a small price."

"You're really a futuristic person. I learned a lot from you."

***

In Morizaki's residence, a silhouette can be seen moving around the tree while keeps slashing it with a short weapon. Of course, it's Ryu.

Arriving at his place, he immediately tests out the dagger while at the same time, training his proficiency with it. The blade that Dartz makes really an amazing one as it can leave quite a deep mark in the tree.

"Hmm, I'm starting to get the feel of the dagger."

"The grip is really nice, and the sharpness also out of the question."

"Can't believe I can get this thing for free."

Done with his training, Ryu enters back to his place and promptly directs his sight into the wall clock that's placed above the room's window.

"It's still 12 P.M, I still have an hour before going to bed."

"Let's use the time to prepare for tomorrow's dungeon exploration."

Ryu's planning to stay in the Dungeon for a week. For an overnight stay in a Dungeon, someone needs to take a lot of preparation. If someone underestimates the Dungeon environment, it can end badly for them, if they relax their guard, a monster can suddenly attack them without any warning.

But for a person who specializes in Agility stats like Ryu, carrying big luggage is the worse thing they could do. That's why they tend to only bring a small number of necessities with them.

"Hmm, for a meal, I just bring salt with me. The Dungeon monster meat should be enough."

"When it comes to thirst, I should only bring a few bottles with me."

"After all, I can find the savepoint of the Dungeon, and I can refill my bottle in there."

A savepoint of the Dungeon, it appears on every floor, but its location is hidden. On the inside, there's a pond with clean water and a place for sleep and resting.

Of course, not all person can find this location, it's location also changed every time someone finds and use them. Making it hard to pinpoint them, so a hunter usually prefers to forms a party to take a turn for a lookout while the rest of them is resting.

"And for a weapon, I'll use the dagger that Dartz just gave me."

"For the armor..."

Looking at what he currently wears, Ryu nods his head.

"I guess I can take this school training suit, its quality is not so bad after all, its also light wear type, which suits my style perfectly."

"I've also already bought the healing potion with me."

"That should be enough, I guess."

After some more time, the prep for him to go the Dungeon was finally completed, he places the item on his hip pouches, two smalls, and one of the standard size.

Ryu then starts to take off his clothes and lays down on the bed upside down.

"Now, what's left is waiting for tomorrow while I sleep."

***

The morning has come, Ryu is woken up by the usual bird chirps and, suddenly, he starts to wear his armor, bringing the three hip pouches with him, and place his dagger at his wrist. Right now, his appearance really resembles the Hunter. Giving a smile out of his face, he opens up the door of his room.

"Finally, it's here."

"Let's hit this thing hard!"

Ryu walks out of his residence and commences to go into his destination. After a while, He finally sees the Forest Dungeon. Its location is near the Hunter association in a hunter district.

"Hmm, I need to get my Hunter license first."

To get into a Dungeon, Ryu needs to have permission from the Hunter Association, there's also someone who guards the entrance of a Dungeon from the Hunter Association. Only after they see the Hunter Association license, that they will allow someone to go inside the place.

That's why Ryu quickly halted his steps and directly charge into the Hunter Association Building. It's a two-story building with a structure resembles a tavern, it's made from a wood log being stacked up.

Upon arriving, Ryu is instantly greeted by the lively atmosphere.

People who're looking for party members;

A party who is looking at the board for a quest;

A party who's having a blast, and so on.

"So this is the scene of Forest City Hunter Association."

Because he's a lazy and weak person in the past, He never got the changes to visit the Forest City Hunter Association at all, so this is a brand new experience for him.

"I see, it's not that different from the rest of the association."

Lost in the atmosphere, Ryu suddenly opened up his eyes wide.

"Wait, there's no time for dilly-dallying, I should spend my time wisely."

Ryu quickly runs into one of the available receptionist.

"I like to register as a new Hunter."

Hearing this, the receptionist takes out an orb, it's color is red, the function of this sphere is to see more detailed information about the individual who touches it. It's not only showing a level but the stats of the person too.

"Okay, please place your hand in this orb."

"All right!"

When he touches it, the orb color changed to become transparent and emits a faint light. It's followed by a hologram of Ryu stats that appears above the orb in a box shape.

Name: Takazaki Ryu Class: Novice Free Stats: 0 Res: 5 Level: 5 Total Level: 5 STR: 10 VIT: 5 AGI: 35 PER: 5 INT: 10 MANA: 5

Looking at these stats, the receptionist appears to be troubled.

"I'm sorry boy, with this kind of stats, I'm afraid that I can't give you the card."

Ryu, titled his head hearing the receptionist statement.

"Why not?"

The receptionist then further explaining the things.

"The minimum requirements to get a card is to become a tier 1 first. A Dungeon is a dangerous place, you can lose your life easily, so you must get into the 1st tier first. You can come again when you have a better tier, we will welcome you happily by then."

Seems to be not convinced with the receptionist reason, Ryu rubs his chin.

"But I heard the weakest monster of the base floor dungeon is level 3, isn't my level more than enough for the requirement then?"

"Remember, it's the weakest monster, there's also the stronger one."

"Is there any alternate way for me to get that card? I really need it right now."

The receptionist clearly gets a little bit annoyed with the boy because of the continued persistence.

"You can try to challenge our training instructor if you can gain their acknowledgment you will be given the card."

"Where could I find them?"

"Please follow me."