Chapter 6

When the day was over Orion went back to the inn and slept. His dreams turned into nightmares about being strangled by Claire, breaking into a sweat without noticing. It was until the afternoon of the next day that he woke up. Orion did not know what to do, he thought with how yesterday went he was better but his trauma now ran deep.

Can’t think about that or else it will just become worse, got to focus on the quest for today Orion resolved

The bed next to his looked to be used but he had already fallen asleep by the time Brandon had come in. Orion was sure he could stay up long enough to talk to him that night so he quickly got dressed. Noticing how late it was already he spent his last dozen points between Agility and Endurance.

Once I have 100 of a main status a bonus should could come with it but from now on maybe saving the extra three soul points would be better

Orion did not know when an uncommon or above item would fall into his hands but since they would carry a core stat requirement he could not afford to luck and that what he invested in would be what was needed. With the new points invested he was able to get there faster and with more energy than he would have before.

It’s like I am going down to their level, holding myself back like this

Orion was smiling to himself when he greeted the shop owner, unable to hide his pleasure in the thought of himself better and needing to hold himself back to match others, match those who wronged him like the men from the village who left him on the road.

“You seem happy, did something once again good happen to you?” asking while carrying a bundle of his completed goods

“Just amusing myself I guess you could say, are those what you made from the wood I bought yesterday?”

He nodded and dumped the bundle into the back of the wagon, Orion looked to see since he did not know what was made he only brought the supplies. In front of him were several dozen stubs of wood exactly the same.

“Unless you know what they’re made I don’t expect you to guess, that’s the main part of a pickax and the blacksmith Rodo has made the tips. Here is a letter telling him if any work needs to be done with them after you should be the one to do it”

His good work was paying off with this “letter of advancement” that allowed him to be the only one to take a quest. In this case it gave him reassurance that no one could break his quest chain. A person other them him would not be able to advance to whatever laid at the end of this quest since they did not start at the beginning but it would stop him after only doing two quest.

“It may take some time for him to be done, do you have anything to read? I have some books that may give you some items while also being enjoyable”

Orion did not hold out it was skill book but something to pass the time so he agreed. The man went into the store and bought two items, both books one with just a picture and the other a picture firing some sort of spell of arrows.

“This one is called the Legendary Moonlight Sculptor, it has 46 books in total and 27 that are translated. This one is a series called The Gamer, a picture book series with 87 issues between bundled in 8 volumes covering its first season with this also the first volume”

The shopkeeper then went on about the details of the two series, how one made a great city from a nearly dead town and the other having a summoned “pet” that could control the earth itself. Orion had to wave him off, any interest he had would be ruined by finding out what’s going to happen. Although it did give ideas about abilities he wanted in the future

I need a pet but the way go about it escapes me maybe Keira would know even if she’s not a mage, the mana district should have books about the subject

The thought of being a lord of a great city he built from the ground up interested him more but Orion wanted to be realist when it came to what he could do. With the Letter of Advancement and the two books in a bag he put to his side of the wagon he started for the blacksmith Rodo shop. In under 10 minutes he was in front of the shop and was greeted by an unexpected sight

“Brandon you’re here, I thought you failed the quest”

Brandon stood next to Rodo in front of the shop since they had been waiting for the shipment but they also did not know who would be bringing it.

“I am just as surprised as you, the place I would have thought to see is in the field fighting the wolfs and yet here you are”

“And here I am”

Brandon quickly went up to Orion seemly eager to share some information

“Look I became a blacksmith” he whispered

Blacksmith (Active/Passive) basic 6/100 (Common)

You have begun the long path of metal working. The skills known is just the start and abilities limited but still gain a large increase to the power of your hammer and how long you can work for. Due to being of only common rarity you are unable to work on anything beyond the simplest of metals or enchanted goods and will have to wait until future ranks

+10 Strength +10 Endurance

He could tell how proud Brandon was and he had every right to be, for there level

Orion got out and opened the back of the wagon revealing the handles for the pickaxes. Rodo pointed to them and Brandon started to unload them so Orion went into his bag to pull out the letter deciding now would be the best time.

“A letter of Advancement not bad, its fine by me just wait around then until we are done”

Rodo started to head back his bench but Orion stopped him

“Would it be alright if you told me now where I will be taking the pickaxes?”

For Orion he felt better knowing things beforehand and making plans if able. Rodo agreed and pulled out a map of the city, dragging his finger showing where they were to where Orion was supposed to go.

“Wait that’s the mana district, what happened I thought it was just some house and don’t they have mages for this sort of thing?”

“A few days ago the Mage tower went up in flames and collapsed with an explosion, since this is generally a low level area and having valuable already destroyed people not generally associated with the district are being asked to help”

Now Orion had more questions but his urge was not great enough to go looking into people who could that to a tower.

“The mages were pretty lucky that I was around to do this order on such short notice if I do say so myself”

The reason you were free was because no one wants to deal with you and from that have little orders that use your time

Of course Orion did not repeat what he thought merely nodded and agreed how lucky the mages were. Brandon had finished unloading the wood and started working, Rodo soon joined him and Orion was left waiting. With no chest armor since it was crushed by Claire combat was not an option. With his free time he decided to read one of the books he was given earlier.

I would rather catch up to a series than wait for it to be translated

Sitting in the wagon open The Gamer and started reading. He found that he quite enjoyed the series. When zombies came up in the book he worried about when he would face them so Orion made sure to look over those parts carefully. At one point while watching the people a commander of the recruits came passed him. Based on the direction it was his guess the commander was checking up on the recruits in the field outside of town. His armor had a faint red glow to it, from what Orion learned that meant it had fire resistance and put him at rank W

At least level 60, talk about impressive

Orion looked back to see them working, the work nearly done he noticed a case sitting next to the wall. The case seemed as long as his arm, plain but of seemly high quality. Remembering he already had an item he did not know how to use he broke his eyes off the case, it was time to leave.

“They are ready to be used and you know where to go” Rodo stated

Brandon once again solely laboring, Orion would have helped but Rodo did not seem the type of man who would allow it so he made himself look busy looking in his bag. Now the most important part had come out and with it advancement to the end.

Wood to the Blacksmith

Tomorrow the work will be down and the shopkeeper has asked you to drop off the completed good to Rodo, the towns Blacksmith. It must be down by the end of that day

Difficulty: Z Progress: Completed

Level Up

The first part done and it was just getting better, he reminded himself to save the soul points for since there was no need at the moment for them to be invested

Transport pickaxes to Ruined Tower

Make your way to the site of where the tower once stood and have the pickaxes unloaded by the workers there, you may also help. (Hidden) ask around to find more information about what happened.

(Due to the unknown nature of what you may find the Difficulty has increased)

Difficulty: Y Progress: Accepted

The difficulty worried him, he had done a rank X mission but Claire had been there so it had been nearly a free ride of power.

Nearly…

Orion rubbed his neck again, the bandages replaced but still needed. As he neared the site the number of people increased and so did the sounds. The breaking of stone and the yelling of men grew until he arrived. Seeing what was left greatly surprised him, only the top of the tower seemed to be what it was before. The top stood on a mountain of ruble, dozens of workers were actively chipping away at the pile while the same number rested.

It must have looked nice in such a spot

The towers ruins made the center of the mana district with buildings in a circle around it, it amazed him to see the actual place where large groups of people who studied magic gathered. It was not just them, there were a number of actual mages lifting pieces of stone onto carts pulled by oxen. Some wore practical outfits like he did while others the more common pictured of magic users large robes that no doubt had similar enchants that boosted their stats

One of the mages came over to him, he had a dark blue robe that had gold stitching’s around the cuffs. He looked to be in his thirties with black hair and an overall disarming feel to him.

“My name is Quintin, I assume you are here do drop off pickaxes, we have been in need of them since we got have enough mages”

Quintin leaned on Orion’s side of the wagon as he spoke. He confirmed that he did have them and Quintin raised his hand. The three dozen pickaxes glowed blue and lifted into the air they traveled to a table twenty feet away. The men in the shade went over and picked them up to join the men already working. Orion assumed the quest would be completed but the quest scroll did not appear.

Maybe it will not complete it until I find out more about what caused this

“Would you happen to be Orion?”

Orion looked down to Quintin who looked at him questionably. Calm mind activated and his worry did not show

“Yes I am, how did you know my name” he asked without letting on to this fear

There could be a great many bad reasons when an unknown persons knowns your name even if it seemed unlikely. Orion agreed when it doubt assume it is bad

“Keira looks closely with us and talked about you and how you guarded her here, I feel like we are already friends”

Going to have to thank Keira for the huge help on the quest next time I see her

With this Orion had a good chance of information that could lead him in the hidden part of the quest.

“I do find it quite odd about what happened since all I know is that this mighty tower fell, have you heard anything yourself?”

It’s up to him now

Quintin seem excited about being asked the question and motioned for Orion to move over so he could sit next to him, sitting together Quintin leaned in close so no one else would overhear

“Since your Keira’s friend-“

Excuse

“I will tell you what I saw and heard, somebody robbed the tower and a powerful mage died trying to stop whatever it was”

Orion found it unlikely a person could both steal from the mages and defeat a mage and still leave alive

“How do you know a mage died?”

Quintin threw is hands to the ruins

“What do you think happens when a mage dies with all that power stored inside, all the mana has to go somewhere and it usually only happens when a mage is actively using a spell at the time of death”

It’s most likely the man is out of the city but I still need to be careful

Transport pickaxes to Ruined Tower

You have transported the pickaxes to the ruins and due to your great effort gained extra gold.(Hidden) you have found out someone broke in and in doing so killed a mage causing the tower to be destroyed. Most likely taking what he came for in the process.

(Due to the unknown nature of what you may find the Difficulty has increased)

Difficulty: Y Progress: Completed

With that he nearly gained a level again but was disappointed at the same time that the questline was over even with the extra experience and money earned. Quintin was called over by the other mages and left after Orion agreed to meet again.

Leaving he went back to the loggers and dropped off the wagon, walking back into the town. Orion regretted not asking about how to unlock his mana when he had the chance but planned on going the next day. With the day’s work done it was time to go to the tavern where he would meet Brandon.

Just as busy as I thought

The tavern was packed to the brim with military troops and tower workers. It came to him that if he was not left that first night he would be with them now. Orion did not think his current place was bad just different then what it should have been. Brandon was waving at him at the corner of the tavern with Rodo next to him. Walking over he noticed the homeless man he had given money to now with proper dressing and eating.

Good for him

In the end he spent the money on good things and that made Orion feel good about himself.

“Did you get the quest done?” Brandon inquired

“I did in fact and are now closing in on leveling again, and come weeks end a second quest should count how much I did to help putting me over”

Rodo nodded, showing how impressed he was or so Orion’s best guess it meant and Brandon talked about what had happened with his day. For a time they talked and even Rodo pointed out events that had happened to the town in the past.

“Why are you here, this is place for people who pay for food not eat it off the ground”

It was the commander who Orion had seen earlier talking to the man he gave money to. He did not respond back and the commander who seemed clearly drunk grew angry

“What is your name dirt eater?”

The man grew fearful and answered as the commander grabbed him

“Aur”

The Commander laughed and his recruits joined him, giving Orion and his group a disgusted feeling

After what I did to help him and this is what happens!

“What kind of name is that, how old are you to have such a name, your one of them aren’t you”

“I have had enough of this, this happening to another person I can’t go through it again”

Orion got up from the bench before Brandon could stop him and walked over to him. He pushed himself between Aur and the commander. Orion was sweating doing this

It would not be a stretch to say between his gear and level he has my total soul count in a single core category

“And who are you, why defend a worthless thing like that”

Orion knew he could answer a few different ways so he decided on the one that left the best feeling.

“Between the man who uses the only coin he’s given and makes himself better and a boy who pushes people around enough to be disappointing to even a younger I pick him”

Before the Commander could answer a huge explosion was heard and felt, it could the tavern to shake. A recruit came rushing in from the front door

“It’s the Edians, the came up the river and a high ranking archer is firing into the town”

The Commander gave one last dirty look to the both of them before ordering his troops outside to defend the town. Orion just stood there and Rodo and Brandon came

A single man is doing this what should I even do now