Why the hell does he always pick on me. What did I do to him? He seems to feel superior ever since he found out how strong he was.

In the marketplace the roads were bustling with activity. The people manning the stalls were yelling out to gather the attention of anyone in their radius. Since I was only given a big backpack to carry all of the heroes stuff, they never gave me any weapons to defend myself with. First, I had to stop at the smithery to look at the armors and weapons they had.

As I entered the smithery, the smell of burning coal filled my nose. Bam! I turned to the right to see a boy hammering away at a piece of metal. It looked like he was forging a sword. A guy, at least four times his size, was standing next to him yelling, “Hit it harder!” He must be the master of the smithery. On my left there was a collection of armor and swords. There was a large assortment of colors and materials, they looked extremely pricey. There was a small section of armors and weapons on the side that were of lesser quality. I went over to check it out. I stared at the items, not knowing what to get.

“Hahaha, hey boy. Do you see anything you like? The stats on those may be low, but that’s only because this part of the collection is made by my apprentice,” I turned around, the master of the smithery was grinning.

“Huh… stats? What do you mean?” I looked back at the equipment. It just looks like equipment. There doesn't seem to be anything different about it.

The grin disappeared from the master’s face, “What? You don’t know how to identify things?”

“I came over here because I thought it was cheaper,” I responded.

“Come here boy, I will teach you how to identify things,” he came closer, “Let me see your hand… Just place it on whatever it is you want to identify and try surging magic to your fingertips.”

“My magic is quite low though,” I probably won’t be able to do it…

“Even a newborn should be able to do it,” he laughed,“Now close your eyes.”

Well ok? I felt the leather chest piece and closed my eyes, magic requires great concentration and training unless you were gifted. Even with a magic power of four it takes me time to materialize the ball of light.

“Alright, now imagine that piece of leather armor in your head.” His voice drifted through my ears, the area around my hand began to tingle. A perfect vision of the armor materialized in my head. As I looked more closely at it, information appeared in my mind.

Equipment informationNameCrude Leather VestRankApprenticeRequirementsLevel 3+

Strength 15Price5 Silver, 50 CopperPassive BuffProvides 3 endurance while equipped.

“Oh! I see it now,” I wonder why no one ever taught me this at the castle.

Ding!

Skill Learned!NameIdentifySkill TypePerceptionLevel: 1EXP: 5%Description: Ever had an item, and you don’t know what it is? Well, worry no more! The more things you identify, the stronger your skill is!

So you can learn skills?

I looked at the master of the smithery, “Wow, I didn't know you could even do this.”

“Ah, boy where are you from?” He was scratching his head.

“I’m not from here, I come from some place very far away”, Well it is far away…

It looked as if something clicked in his head, “Ah that’s why. There is a land without magic but it is very far away, you must be from there!” I have no idea what he is talking about, I'll just agree.

“Yes… haha you got it.” Hopefully he doesn't ever realize that i’m the “worthless hero”

I guess i’ll buy some stuff.

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After spending quite a deal of time in the Smithery, I looked in my bag at the contents. I spent most of the silver on armor, I only have 3 Silver coins now. I bought the vest, and some leg guards as well as a leather helmet. If I don't have offensive power, I’ll make it up with defensive power!

I headed back to my room to get some sleep, I have to get ready in the morning and go meet up with the others.

------------------

uh… This armor is incredibly itchy. Why do we even have to get up so early?

Standing near the gate when I arrived was Fang and his squad, as well as the rest of the heroes. Fang stared at me with cold eyes, “Why were you so late?”

“What do you mean? I was told to come here just as the sun was rising?”, I looked at Fang. He just turned around, and didn’t bother answering my question.

“Useless hero, “ he muttered, “Alright since everyone is here, let’s go to the dungeon.

We walked for an hour, as time passed the forest seemed to come alive. The deeper we went into the forest, more trees covered overhead. Plant life began to take over the surroundings, vines dripped from the branches and the floor was covered in roots.

“We are close to the entrance, be ready to enter. Remember, when we enter the guards and I will only stop what we deem endangering. You should all be able to handle the rest.” Fang said. We walked into a small opening, standing in the middle was a small hill. All kinds of different colored flowers blanketed the lush grass around the hill. The sun above fought its way through the branches and bathed the ground with sunlight. It was a breathtaking sight.

“Wow, It’s so pretty!” Elizabeth said as she kneeled down to feel the grass, “The grass is so soft as well!”

“This doesn't look like it would be that dangerous at all.” Nick said as he looked towards Fang.

“Don’t let your guard down,” Fang said, “Let’s enter.”

We approached the hill and I noticed an arch, it looked ancient. Vines and leaves covered it, and cracks were noticeable. There was a flight of stone stairs leading down, torches lined the side. The air pressure rose as we descended. The feeling of the world was left behind. A room at the end of the stairs opened up, it was large with bones littering the floor, they were of human origin. There was a sign hanging on the wall, “Danger ahead!”

“Well, let’s start the adventure!” James said, he was grinning. Probably happy that he could try out his power, which he had been training at the castle.

A chill shook my spine as the wind coming from the entrance staircase washed over my back. There was no running away, I shook my head. Nothing will happen to me, I was told I was going to be protected. So I shouldn't worry.

ID CARDName:DanteRace:HumanHealth:120/120MP:40/40Alignment:NeutralEXP:22%Class:HeroLevel:4StatsStrength34Intelligence20Endurance17(+8 [25])Magic5Agility19Luck1Active SkillsBall of Light - (5 MP) : a ball of light is casted upon the area where the user resides lighting up the area around him.

Identify - (5 MP): Ever had an item, and you don’t know what it is? Well, worry no more! The more things you identify, the stronger your skill is!Passive SkillsA Hero’s blessing: Since you are a hero, you have a 25% experience boost.

Matching Armor Bonus: 1+ Endurance for wearing 4 pieces of apprentice armor.EquipmentApprentice Leather Helmet:

1 Endurance

Apprentice Leather Vest:

3 Endurance

Apprentice Leather Leggings:

2 Endurance

Apprentice Leather Boots:

1 Endurance

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Thanks to 'Son of Kasei' for being editor again!