After leaving Olga in the dungeon, Leon returned to the village and headed straight for the Chief's house.
As he approached, he saw a large crowd gathered, murmuring and whispering intensely.
'Looks like they took his death really seriously', Leon thought, stepping closer. Among the crowd, he noticed a man in royal attire standing next to the Chief's corpse.
The man had a long moustache, shoulder-length black hair, sharp black eyes, and a medium build. His expression was one of clear irritation. Two royal knights flanked him, and behind them stood a bodyguard dressed entirely in black.
Leon moved in a little closer and spotted one of the village guards speaking to the nobleman, while his partner stood among the crowd.
"Who is he?" Leon asked the fat guard as he approached him slowly.
"Hmm...? Oh, Leon. That's Viscount Jeffrey Jhons. Our, and the two neighboring Villages, fall under his jurisdiction," the guard explained.
He lowered his voice and continued, "We've got strong reason to believe the Chief was murdered by his own wife. Just a few minutes ago, we saw Madam Olga leaving the village. She looked scared and she was acting really weird. That's what my partner is telling the Viscount right now."
"Oh... I always thought she was pretty innocent," Leon said, maintaining a neutral expression.
"Yeah, me too... but the Chief never treated her right, so... Maybe she wanted revenge." The guard shrugged.
'Well... Plan executed successfully,' Leon thought, a smirk curling across his lips.
Suddenly, Viscount Jeffrey raised his voice to address the crowd.
"Calm down-everyone, calm down. Baron Kael will serve as your new Village Chief, effective tomorrow. He'll take up residence in this mansion and manage all the taxes of this village", the Viscount announced.
"I'll personally see to it that Olga is hunted down and brought to justice. Now go home. Rest easy-justice will be served."
The villagers began dispersing slowly, heading back to their homes after listening to Jeffery's speech.
Leon did the same, walking away quietly with a satisfied smile on his face.
'Tonight was easy... I had the dungeon's support, and these killers weren't exactly impressive. But if I'm put against a real threat again... I don't think I have the right weapon or skillset to survive.
But tonight I figured out something, I know what weapon I want to master. I just need to get that damn dwarf to make it for me.' Leon's expression was serious as he walked through the quiet village.
After five minutes, he finally reached his house.
The gate was still open.
Elaine was sitting on the step, dozing off.
A small smile touched Leon's lips as he approached her. He slowly knelt down beside her and pressed his lips to hers.
*Chuuuu*
Elaine stirred at the sensation. Her eyes opened slowly, her hand instinctively reaching up to touch Leon's face.
Leon pulled back after the kiss.
"Leo... you're alive," she whispered, smiling through the tears welling in her eyes.
"Yeah... I'm not dying before I turn you into my proper slut", Leon said with a smirk.
"You horny idiot", Elaine muttered, before leaning in and kissing him deeply again.
*Chuuuuuu*
Their lips locked, tongues entwining as the kiss turned wet and intense. They stayed like that for a good thirty seconds-
Until a loud thud echoed from inside the house.
*Thud*
Leon's eyes snapped open.
Standing behind Elaine was Selene. A bowl of milk had fallen to the floor, its contents slowly spreading across the wooden planks.
Selene's eyes were wide. Her mouth hung open in disbelief.
"What the fuck are you two doing!?" she blurted.
"T-This isn't what it looks like! Selene, I-I can explain!" Elaine stammered, jumping to her feet, panic all over her face.
"Come on... It's not like I haven't fucked you too," Leon said with a grin, locking eyes with Selene.
"WHAT!?" Elaine shouted, whipping around to face him, her eyes full of shock.
"Wait... 'too'?! What the hell is going on in this house!?" Selene demanded, even more stunned.
Leon raised his hands. "Okay... let's close the gate and talk this out like educated-no, civilized-no... fuck it, let's just talk it out."
He stepped inside and shut the door.
*Thud*
****
30 minutes of awkward explanations later....
Leon, Selene, and Elaine were seated around the dining table.
"Oh my god... So all those moans I kept hearing in the kitchen-and that night in the bedroom-you were making all those sounds while he was licking and fucking your pussy ?" Selene asked, wide-eyed as she stared at Elaine.
"Yep," Leon replied casually, wearing a shameless grin. Elaine, on the other hand, buried her face in her hands, blushing hard..
"Oh god... You guys are disgusting. Doing it right next to your daughter with your own step-son, really? That's just.... disgusting", Selene said, shaking her head in disbelief.
"I know, I'm sorry, Selene," Elaine muttered. "I've never claimed to be a great mother, but let's not act like you're innocent either. You let him fuck you while I was asleep right beside you. And don't even get me started on how you were rubbing your tits all over his back while 'washing' him. I always wondered why it took you two so long to wash your bodies."
"She's not wrong_", Leon added, smirking.
Selene turned red. "W-Well... that's not the whole story! He threatened to impregnate me-while he was stuffing his dick into my womb!"
She exclaimed, flashing the glowing birth control seal on her lower belly.
"Yeah, he placed one on me as well... I went crazy when the seal took effect." Elaine admitted, lifting her top to reveal her own glowing seal.
Leon leaned forward with a wicked grin. "Well, now that we've got everything out in the open... how about you two slip into something more comfortable or nothing at all-and we head to the bedroom ? I promise it'll be a night to remember."
Selene and Elaine exchanged glances-both embarrassed.
"I-I don't think, I can do this." Selene spoke.
"Yeah... Me too." Elaine replied.
"What !?" Leon asked with a shocked expression.
"I-I mean, You can continue to fuck us... But, how about we not do it together until we are comfortable." Selene spoke.
"Yeah, like you can Fuck me first and then fuck Selene after that." Elaine spoke with a smile.
"Oh... Why you ? He can fuck me first and then fuck you, Mom." Selene spoke with a serious expression.
"Well... I am perfectly fine with that". Leon replied with a smile.
-x-X-x-
The room was drowned in darkness and silence....
*Schlp-Schlp-Schlp*
The only thing echoing through the dark was the obscene sound of Leon's hungry sucking.
"Just because her tits are leaking milk doesn't mean she gets to be fucked first," Elaine grumbled, sprawled out naked on the other mattress. Her legs were spread, her fingers around her pussy slowly.
Leon lay buried in Selene's lap, his mouth latched tight around her swollen, milky breast. His tongue swirled, lips tugged, as he sucked greedily from her engorged tit like a starved animal. Thick, warm milk coated his tongue and spilled down his throat.
Selene shivered, her fingers wrapped around his cock, pumping it slowly, deliberately. "Mmm... drink it all, pervert brother❤," she whispered with a wicked smile. "These slutty tits are overflowing for you....❤ and my pussy is also starting to get really wet for your huge cock❤."
Her voice dripped with heat, matching the steady strokes of her hand sliding up and down his thick shaft, every stroke making Leon feel better.
'Fuck... this is heaven. Warm milk pouring into my mouth... her hand milking my cock... and her pussy's right under me, so wet I can hear it begging to be spread open and filled'. Leon smirked internally, eyes half-lidded in bliss.
Without warning, he sank his teeth into her sensitive nipple.
*Bite*
"Aahhh~❤ F-Fuck, Leon!" Selene moaned, her body jerking as she gripped his cock tighter. "You just love biting my boobs, don't you?"
"Hey! I'm still lying here naked... If you guys can just get it over with, fast. It's cold." Elaine spoke, jealousy clearly visible in her tone.
"Calm down, Mom... we're having a good time here," Selene spoke with a teasing smile, her hand still working up and down on Leon's thick cock.
"Don't worry. Just keep rubbing that pussy and get it nice and wet, mom... I'll be in it real soon," Leon smirked.
"It's already soaked in pre-cum... and I can't even cum unless your cock's inside me," Elaine replied, her voice low and needy.
"Fine, fine... Get down on all fours, Selene," Leon ordered as he got up from her lap.
"Oh? Looks like it's my pussy's turn to get fucked," Selene grinned, immediately dropping to her hands and knees and shaking her ass in front of Leon, making her soft ass-cheeks jiggle.
Leon slid his cock between her ass cheeks, grinding it slowly, feeling the warmth of her skin.
"Your ass is so damn thick and fleshy... I need you to sit on my face one day," he muttered as he moved his cock down and started sliding it up and down her wet slit.
*Slide-Slide*
"Ahhh~❤ Ahnn- H-Hey! Don't tease me like that... just fuck my pussy already and I promise that I will wake you up tomorrow by sitting on your face", Selene moaned, pushing her ass back against him.
"You want it? Then ask me nicely," Leon said with a wicked smile.
"Fine! My dear Brother, please fuck my pussy and empty your balls inside me...❤ I can't even get pregnant, so just go crazy on my womb!❤" Selene begged, her voice desperate as she bounced her ass needily.
"Very good. Here's your reward, you slut, Leon spoke as he slammed his cock straight into her pussy in one deep thrust.
"Ahhhhhh~!❤" Selene moaned loud, her back arching as her tight cunt gripped his cock like it was made for him.
"Fucking hell... this tightness," Leon groaned, his eyes closing as he grabbed both of Selene's ass cheeks, squeezing them hard.
*Squeezeeee*
Without mercy, he began pounding her soaked pussy at full speed.
*Slap-Slap-Slap-Slap-Slap-Slap*
"Ahhh~❤ Ahnn- A-Anhh~❤ S-Slowerrr Ahhh❤ Y-You're slamming me so hard- Anhhh~❤ Ahnn~❤" Selene cried out, her words melting into moans as her body was rocked by Leon's relentless thrusts.
Leon didn't stop. He kept fucking her like an animal, the sound of wet flesh and smacks echoing through the room for a full thirty minutes....
Meanwhile, Elaine was on her knees on the next mattress, lying on her stomach with her ass high in the air, furiously fingering her soaked pussy. The sound of Selene's moans and the sharp slap of Leon's hips drove her mad with lust.
'When is he going to fuck me with that thick, huge cock? My pussy's dripping... I'm addicted to it now. Fuck... what have I become?' Elaine thought as she bit down on the sheets, her fingers working faster, her thighs trembling.
"Shit... I'm gonna cum", Leon spoke, his body leaning over Selene's, one hand gripping her throat while the other squeezed her tit hard. He drove his cock deeper, faster, harder, pistoning into her tight cunt with savage speed.
*Slap-Slap-Slap-Slap-Slap*
"A-Anhhh-Yesss~❤ G-Give me everything in your balls~❤ Ahhhhhh I'm cuuummiiinggg~❤" Selene screamed, her pussy squirting uncontrollably as her face twisted into a lewd ahegao expression.
Her eyes crossed, tongue rolled out and her back arched as her pussy trembled.
Leon buried his cock deep into her, groaning as he emptied his hot cum into her womb.
*Squirrrt-Squirrrrt*
"Haa... That was goo-" Leon barely got the words out before he was suddenly yanked to the side.
"My turn..." Elaine growled, her eyes wild with need as she grabbed his cum-covered cock and shoved it straight into her mouth, hungrily licking and sucking it clean like a starving slut.
*GWAK-GWAK-GWAK-GWAK*
After slurping his cock clean, Elaine spun around like the needy slut she was and dropped down on all fours, her fat ass jiggling as she started twerking on Leon's rock-hard shaft, grinding her wet folds along it.
"Come on, give it to mommy...❤ Please Leo, I'm begging you," she whined with flushed cheeks. "My pussy lips won't stay closed anymore... they need your thick cock to shut them up❤."
Leon chuckled darkly. "Oh fuck it... Take this, you cock-hungry slut," he growled, grabbing her hips and ramming his dick deep into her soaked pussy.
*Slap*
Her tight, mature cunt clenched around him like a vice, hungry for every inch. Leon wrapped his arms around her thick waist, groping her soft belly and squeezing her massive, bouncing tits from behind.
He buried his face against her back, breathing her in her scent, then started slamming into her like a horny rabbit, fucking her with fast, savage strokes that made her ass ripple with every thrust.
*Slap-Slap-Slap-Slap-Slap*
"You like that, mom? Getting stuffed like this?" he asked with a smile.
*Slap-Slap-Slap-Slap-Slap-Slap-Slap*
"ANHHHHH~❤ Yes~❤ Fuck me just like that Leo, mom is your slut~❤ Don't stop fucking her pussy!❤" she moaned loudly.
-x-X-x-
— Leon's House —
*Yaaawn*
Leon slowly blinked awake, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes. The room was still dark, and a cold breeze slipped in through the window, brushing against his skin.
He glanced to either side-Selene and Elaine, both completely naked, were curled up beside him, breathing softly in their sleep. A small smirk touched Leon's lips before he carefully slid off the mattress, put on his clothes, and quietly left the room.
*Swish*
A sharp gust of wind crept through a crack near the entrance, making the door creak ever so slightly.
"I've got enough money to rebuild this whole damn house..." Leon muttered as he stretched, "...but the moment I do, the new chief's gonna ask where the hell I got the money from and I don't have a proper buisness.
A big house draws too much attention... fucking annoying. I can either patch this dump up or build a place outside the village and I like the second option more."
With that thought, he grabbed a few candles and a matchbox, then stepped outside.
He started jogging slowly through the still-sleeping village.
'Hmm... adaptive body really is insane. Even when I'm not actively using it, my stamina holds up. I could run for hours like this. But if I try to go full speed... that's when I start to burn out. Maybe one day I'll be able to run at full tilt without even turning it on'. Leon thought with a neutral expression as he continued to run.
As Leon neared the village gates, he noticed the guards-passed out, asleep at their posts. Typical. He didn't bother waking them. But the moment he stepped beyond the village boundaries, he came to a stop.
A thick, heavy mist blanketed the world in white.
"Woah..." he muttered, unable to see anything more than a few feet ahead.
"Adaptive Body." Leon immediately activated the skill.
[Adjusting User's Eyes]
His pupils shifted into narrow slits-cat-like and glowing faintly in the mist. Suddenly, the haze around him seemed to vanish. His vision turned crystal sharp.
"It's like all the fog just disappeared..." Leon grinned as he started running once again.
****
About five hundred meters down the road, something came into Leon's view.
"What the hell is that?" He narrowed his enhanced vision and focused.
A carriage.
Not just any carriage-this one gleamed with expensive polish and golden trim. Two guards on horseback led the way, both decked out in bright silver armor. No doubt it was a Noble carriage.
"Where the fuck are they going this early? The damn sun's not even up." He asked with a very confused expression.
Leon kept his distance, still jogging, pacing himself. But even as he tried to keep out of sight, one of the mounted guards spotted him through the mist.
"Oi! Commoner!" the guard barked loudly, his voice easily cutting through the most.
The carriage and horses came to a halt.
Leon sighed, already annoyed, and turned around with a deadpan look on his face.
"Hup! Get over here, commoner!" the guard repeated, dismounting from his horse and gesturing Leon over like he is some kind of dog.
'How the hell did he see me through all this mist?' Leon thought but walked up, keeping his expression blank.
The guard's eyes widened the moment he got a good look at Leon's face.
"Woah-what the hell's wrong with your eyes?!"
*Blink-Blink*
Leon cocked his head slightly. "What? Something in my eyes?" he asked, casually deactivating the skill.
His pupils shifted back to normal as he blinked again, now looking completely human.
"What's wrong?" the other guard asked, glancing at his partner.
"Am I hallucinating or what?" the first one muttered, his eyes squinting as he looked at Leon's face again.
After giving him a second, longer look, the guard finally backed off with a frown.
"Kid, are you from Vernon Village?" his partner asked.
"Yeah..." Leon replied casually.
"Can you show us the way? I think we're a little-"
"Why are we stopping? Did we get lost again?"
A girl's annoyed voice rang from inside the carriage as the window slid open. Her head popped out.
She had short black hair, pale skin, and dark eyes. Not quite pretty, not quite ugly-just average with a noticeable air of superiority.
"Huh...? Who are you?" she asked, eyes narrowing as she scanned Leon up and down.
Leon didn't reply he just stared at her.
"I asked you a question," she repeated, now with irritation in her voice.
"My lady," the guard said quickly, "this commoner belongs to Vernon Village. We were just asking him for directions."
"Can't he talk? Or is his mouth sewn shut?" she snapped with a confused scowl.
'This bitch... what's her problem? Talking like she owns the damn world.' Leon thought, his expression tight as he activated his skill.
[Name: Julia Klen]
[Class: Mage]
[Race: Human]
[HP: 200/200]
[MP: 100/100]
[Description: Daughter of Kael Klen. A dumb and attitude-filled girl who thinks the world revolves around her.]
'Ah... one of those. The kind I like to call "Ultra Bitches.' Leon rolled his eyes and turned his attention back to the guard.
"Excuse me? Did you just roll your eyes at me?" Julia barked, glaring at him.
"These commoner dogs..." she muttered before slamming the window shut.
'If words came out of my mouth, these guards will kill me immediately.' Leon thought.
"If you keep going straight, you'll see the village. Two guards should be sleeping at the front gate," he said, pointing down the road.
"Haha..." The guard sitting on the horse let out a chuckle.
"Hey, kid... what were you even doing out here this early? This mist is thick as hell. I barely spotted you through it," the guard asked, still a bit surprised.
"Just running. Doing some morning exercises," Leon replied with a shrug.
"Huh... Aren't you a lively one. What's your class?" the other guard asked.
"Alchemist," Leon answered.
"Tch... what a shame. If you'd been a swordsman, we might've offered you a job under Sir Kael."
"It is really unfortunate," Leon replied with a fake smile, already turning away, "Now if you'll excuse me, I've to run a little more."
*Slide*
Julia looked out again and noticed Leon running away.
"What a handsome toy... He will be mine and only mine." She spoke with an evil smile as she looked at Leon.
-x-X-x-
Leon arrived in front of the Dungeon and descended down the stone stairs.
As he made his way down, he noticed a thin mist lingering inside-but it didn't go beyond the first floor.
'Teleport me to the last room...' Leon thought with a neutral expression.
In an instant, his figure vanished from the stairwell and reappeared in the deepest chamber of the Dungeon.
"I greet my Master," Elis said with a neutral expression, immediately bowing before him.
"Hello, Elis. Where's our guest?" Leon asked with a smile as he pulled out the candles he'd brought from home and began placing them around the throne in the center of the room.
"Our guest is sleeping in that corner, Master", Elis replied, pointing toward the southern edge of the chamber. "I created a raised platform for her to rest on."
Leon turned his head, spotting Olga curled up on a stone bed, sleeping soundly like a child.
Before he could say anything else, Elis spoke again.
"Master... we have visitors."
"Hmm?" Leon gave her a confused look. "What visitors?"
"Small monsters, Master. About twenty of them. They're on the first floor right now."
"Are they strong? Do you know what they are?" Leon asked, now serious.
"They're weak... but I can't identify their species without seeing them directly. However, they've made a request to meet you master, which is why they haven't advanced past the first floor." Elis spoke with a neutral expression as she looked at Leon.
'Monsters...?' Leon started thinking but he was interrupted by Elis.
"Should I crush them like I did with that human last time, master?" Elis added, her tone flat.
"Wait... they want to meet me?" Leon asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Yes, Master." Elis replied.
Leon paused for a second, then spoke with a neutral expression. "Alright, let's go see them."
"As you command master..." Elis replied.
"And just in case... Threads." He drew his knife, binding it with an invisible mana thread.
****
Moments later, both Leon and Elis teleported to the first floor.
What greeted them was... unexpected.
Small, green creatures crawled across the stone floor. Their gelatinous, transparent bodies shimmering under the sun rays coming down the stairs from the dungeon's entrance, each with a mana core floating in the center of their bodies.
"Wait... these are slimes, aren't they?" Leon muttered, tilting his head as he activated his skill.
[Name: Unknown]
[Class: Slime]
[Race: Monster]
[Level: 1]
[HP: 100/100]
[MP: 50/50]
[Description: A small monster species considered endangered due to their low levels and slow growth. Adventurers often kill them before they can mature or reproduce.]
'Wait... Slimes are endangered?' Leon thought, still staring at the status screen.
"Prrrrr... Prrrrr٢..."
Suddenly, one of the slimes crawled up to Leon's feet, letting out a soft, vibrating hum.
Then, as if on cue, the rest of them followed that slime and started making the same sound.
"Prrrrr..."
"Prrrrr..."
"Prrrrr..."
"Prrrrr..."
"What the fuck is wrong with them?" Leon muttered, raising an eyebrow as he watched the strange display.
"Master, they're greeting you in their own language", Elis said, standing beside him.
"You can understand them?" Leon asked with a confused expression.
"Yes, Master," Elis replied simply.
"Prrrrr... Prrr... Prrrr... Prrrr..."
"I am the leader of this group of slimes, Dungeon Master," Elis translated.
'They acknowledge me as the dungeon master, is it because of my (Dungeon Master) Title?' Leon thought.
"Ask him why they're here," Leon said, glancing at her.
Elis mimicked the soft sounds-"Prrr... Prrr... Prrr... Prrrr."
"Prrrrr.... Prrrr.... Prrrr.... Prrrr.... Prrrrrrr.... Prrrrrr...." The slime leader responded with a long series of hums and vibrations.
"Master," Elis began, "they say humans have hunted their kind to near extinction. They're here seeking shelter, hoping this dungeon can be their safe home."
"Prerre... Prrr... Prrrr.....
She paused. "They're afraid of you, since you're human, but they believe you're different because you are a dungeon master too. They say this place is their last hope in this whole forest."
Leon stared silently for a moment.
'Even if I killed them, the EXP would be trash... What should I do?' he thought, glancing over the slimes again.
"What can they do?" Leon asked as he looked at Elis. "Is there anything useful they can offer me or to the dungeon?"
Elis relayed the question in slime-language.
"Prrr... Prr... Prrrrr... Prrr..."
This time, the slime leader responded with an even longer stream of "Prrrrr's, pulsing rhythmically as the others hummed along like a chorus.
"They say," Elis began, "after being hunted by humans on the outsides, they fled deep into the forest. But the monsters there were even worse, they hunted them in large groups. So they wandered for a long time-so long, they've memorized every inch of this forest."
She looked at Leon.
"They know every herb, every rare plant, and their exact locations. If you let them stay, they'll share everything they know with you master." Elis replied.
'Information is more valuable than gold. According to my memories, no adventuring party has ever fully mapped the inner forest and no human has ever been to the deep forest. These guys might actually be a good thing to keep around.' Leon thought as a smile spread across his face.
"Alright. They can live on the second floo", Leon said. "But make it clear, if even one of them leads a human or monster to this dungeon, they will be kicked out immediately. No second chances."
Elis translated immediately. "Prrrr... Prrr... Prrrr..... Prrrrrrrrr... Prrrr..."
The slime leader bounced slightly before responding.
"Prrrr.... Prrrr... Prrr... Prrr... Prrr....
"Master, they say they swear to protect the secret of this dungeon with their lives," Elis relayed. "Also... since they eat dirt, they'll keep the floors clean from moss and grime."
Leon blinked. "Well, that's... helpful."
He stepped aside. "Okay. Go to the second floor."
"Prrr!" Elis chirped in slime-speak, and the slimes began joyfully bouncing toward the stairway.
"I'll head out now," Leon said. "I'll be back soon with some food for Olga and materials you need to build gates and traps for the dungeon."
"In the meantime, talk to them and start gathering some information."
"As you wish, Master," Elis said, bowing before vanishing into thin air.
****
As soon as Leon exited the Dungeon, he noticed that all the mist had cleared up, and now the sun was shining brightly in the sky. However, despite the clear skies, the winds blowing around were still really cold and freezing, biting into his skin with every step he took.
'It's cold... Adaptive Body'. Leon thought as he activated the skill.
[Adjusting Host's Body Temprature]
In just a moment, Leon felt no more cold.
His boots crunched softly against the frozen ground beneath.
As he continued walking, Leon noticed a party of adventurers moving towards the forest with slow, heavy steps, their faces painted with sadness.
Leon instinctively maintained his distance from them, not wanting to attract unnecessary attention, but his sharp ears still managed to catch fragments of their conversation as they passed by.
"This is not good, man... If this kept going, we will lose the war," one of them said, his voice filled with despair.
"Yeah, those Elves are bringing too many mages," another replied, his tone grim.
"I heard that there are some Elves hiding in the Royal Castle as spies, giving them information," a third adventurer muttered, glancing around nervously.
"Losing 300 men in a single day is too much. I don't want to get enslaved by some fucking Elves," another one spat bitterly.
Leon's expression turned thoughtful as he absorbed their words.
'Ah... I forgot that the Human Kingdom is in a war with the Elf Kingdom. But... Did they really lose 300 men to some Elves?
In the mangas that I read back on Earth, these creatures were always portrayed as the wisest and most peaceful beings', Leon thought to himself, his brows furrowing slightly.
Leon kept moving forward. As he reached the kingdom's outer gate and stepped inside, a heavy, suffocating silence enveloped him. He immediately noticed how different everything felt. The lively chatter and hustle that usually filled the streets were gone.
The market was silent, and every face he saw looked heavy with grief, sorrow casting a long shadow over the bustling kingdom he had seen yesterday. Even the vendors, who were normally shouting to attract customers, sat quietly behind their stalls, their heads bowed low.
Leon's steps carried him further into the middle of the city, curiosity gnawing at him. Then, he noticed a group of people gathered near the fountain in the southern market.
They were lighting candles and kneeling in silent prayer. Curious, Leon approached carefully, not wanting to disturb the people. As he neared the fountain, he peeked down at what they were doing and saw writings beneath the candles.
There were names, countless names scrawled around the base of the fountain-the names of the deceased in the ongoing war.
'K. Catherine, Kraus Kon, Remedy L. Kolank... ' Leon started reading the names, but he quickly realized there were far too many for him to read them all. They circled the entire fountain, written in shaky, sorrowful handwriting.
Leon slowly closed his eyes, standing silently for a moment, offering his respects to the fallen. Then, without a word, he continued walking forward...
Eventually, he arrived at Dekkn's Smithy and knocked on the door.
*Knock-Knock*
*Click*
The dwarf from last time peeked through the slightly opened door, his expression neutral.
"You? Again? What do you want?" he asked in his heavy voice.
"I want you to make me a weapon," Leon said with a smile.
"We already talked about this, kid. Did you bring a D-rank or higher dungeon core?" the dwarf asked, confused.
"No, but-"
"Then go to another blacksmith and-" the dwarf began speaking as he started closing the door.
Leon quickly stuck his foot in to stop it.
"What the hell are you doing, kid?" the dwarf growled, glaring.
"I have money," Leon said, revealing a pouch bulging with coins.
The dwarf scowled but opened the door fully. "Bollocks... Come in and shut the damn door."
"Hehe," Leon smiled, stepping inside and closing the door behind him.
"Look, kid... If you want a magic sword, there's stuff I'll need and-"
"I don't want a sword," Leon interrupted, grinning.
"Hm? Then what?" The Dwarf asked with a confused expression.
Leon reached into his pocket and pulled out a folded piece of paper. He unfolded it and handed it to the dwarf.
"I want you to make this."
The dwarf's curiosity was instantly piqued. He grabbed the paper and studied it closely.
"Hm... What kind of weapon is this? I've never seen anything like it," he muttered.
"Can you make it?" Leon asked.
The dwarf scratched his beard. "It'll be tough... but now that I know how hard it'll be, I want to craft it even more."
"So... you'll do it?" Leon asked with a smile.
"Yes. But not for the money", the dwarf said, his eyes gleaning with determination. "I'm doing this for the sake of my craft."
Leon smirked. "So... you're not taking any payment?"
"Ten silver," the dwarf grunted. "Five now, five when it's done."
'Why don't you just rip off my skin instead?' Leon thought, feeling the pain in his heart. 'I only got 30 silver coins from the Chief's House... But, I want him to craft this weapon because...
[Name: Gerald Lon Kiggester]
[Class: Blacksmith]
[Race: Dwarf]
[HP: 70,000/70,000]
[MP: 35,000/35,000]
[Title: (Legendary Blacksmith) (The Castaway) (Elder Craftsman) (Last Creator) (Cursed Weapon Crafter) (Crafting Specialist)]
[Description: Gerald was once a renowned blacksmith in the Dwarf Kingdom, but due to his forbidden cursed weapon crafting techniques, he was exiled and declared dead.
Now he lives anonymously in the Human Kingdom, crafting only enough to survive day by day.]
'At first, I almost left when he told me to go find another blacksmith... but thankfully, my instincts told me to use Inspect on him. And what I saw was amazing...
I've used Inspect on dozens of people, and I've never seen even a single title before. But him? He's carrying six-and they're all insane titles except the castaway one.
He's a fucking legendary blacksmith. If he crafts my weapon... the quality will be unmatched.
I don't fucking care about the money if he is making the weapon.' Leon thought, grinning.
****
After giving the weapon design to Gerald, Leon exited the shop with a smile on his face and started walking towards Merida's Shop.
But his steps halted in front of an alchemist's shop, where he saw two wagons filled with crates of healing and mana potions.
"We will take more of them once they come, so call your alchemists and get them to prepare more by this evening," two Royal Guards said as they came out of the shop with one more crate of healing potions, both wearing shiny silver armour.
Behind them followed a little old man, probably in his 80s, with a worried expression on his face. He was the owner of the shop.
"B-But... Sir, I don't think they will be able to make this amount in such a-"
"Look, old man, you took the contract... Now you will have to fulfill it. I don't know how you will do it... Because if the order is not filled by the evening, a lot of people are gonna die on the battlefield, and you will be held responsible for their deaths," the Royal Guard spoke with a serious expression, grabbing the old man's collar.
"B-But most of my alchemists are too tired from all the work I have been giving them for the last three days, Sir, and they have threatened to leave me if I give them any more work... Please try to understand my situation," the shop owner pleaded.
"Old man... You are going to-"
"How much do you want?" Suddenly, Leon asked from behind.
Both the guards immediately turned around and looked at Leon with confused expressions.
"What?"
"Commoner... Stay out of this. We are the Royal Guards, can't you see?" one of the guards said with a serious expression.
"I can see, and that's why I came to you guys. I know some alchemists who can get your work done really fast.
So, how much do you want?" Leon asked with a smile.
"Kid... We need 300 Minor Healing Potions and 300 Minor Mana Potions by the evening," the other guard said with a neutral expression.
"I can get it done in two hours," Leon replied with a neutral expression.
'I have Instant Craft skill, and I can craft any number of potions with it easily. This is a perfect opportunity to level it up and make some money while doing it', Leon thought.
"How can we trust you? What if you just took the money and ran away?" the guard asked, letting go of the old man's collar.
"Well... I don't need your money," Leon replied.
"What? So, will you invest your own money to make the potions?" the guard asked, confused.
"Yes... I will take the payment after I deliver the potions", Leon replied with a smile.
"Listen to me, kid... This is a big responsibility we are talking about here. If you fail to do what you are promising, I will make sure you get proper punishment because I am believing you and I don't even know you.
I don't care where you live or who you are... You deliver what you promised just now, and you will receive the money.
If you couldn't deliver what you promised, I will find you. You understand?" the guard asked.
"I understand... Now, let's talk about the price," Leon replied with a smile.
"What about the price? We will give you the market rate 5 coppers for a Healing Potion and 4 coppers for a Mana Potion," the guard replied.
"10 coppers for a Healing Potion and 8 coppers for a Mana Potion. That's my price," Leon replied.
"WHAT!?" both guards shouted at the same time.
"Oi, kid... Are you fucking with us?" one of the guards asked with an angry expression as he walked forward and grabbed Leon's collar.
"You chose the quantity and time for the potions. I choose the price, and it just went up to 12 coppers for a Healing Potion and 10 coppers for a Mana Potion", Leon spoke with a neutral expression, looking the guard dead in the eyes.
"What did you-"
"Oi, oi, oi... Leave his collar. Leave it..." his partner said hurriedly and slapped his hand away.
*Slap*
"Look, kid... I'm sorry for my partner's temper. He gets angry really fast", his partner spoke.
"Yeah, I can see that..." Leon replied as he adjusted his collar.
"Look, your prices are very high, and those soldiers who are dying on the battlefield need these potions, so please lower the prices..." he said with a polite expression.
"Guess who will be held accountable for their deaths? Me, who didn't make the potions, or you, who didn't deliver the potions?" Leon asked with a smile.
"Just beat the crap out of him and let's look for other shops," the guard shouted from behind.
"I will go back to the previous rates if he apologizes to me by bowing down", Leon said with a smile as he pointed at the guard.
"Oh hell no... I am not bowing down to this commoner or saying-" Before he could finish his sentence, he noticed that his partner was looking at him with a smile.
"Come with me," the guard said as he pulled him behind the wagons, and both of them started talking.
"I am not bowing to a commoner. I am a Royal Guard!"
"Yeah, but not for long... Once the general finds out that he is running low on healing potions, what will you do then?
Aren't you the one who opened his big mouth and promised him 700 healing and mana potions by the evening?
We both know there aren't any alchemist shops in this whole kingdom that can make that many potions till the evening.
That commoner is our last chance at becoming knights. So, either you save your fragile ego and walk away, or do as he says.
Because if you walk away, people will die in the war because of you and me," the guard said, pointing towards Leon.
''FUCK... Fine," the guard shouted as they both walked up to Leon, and he immediately went down on his knees.
"I-I am s-sorry... K-Kid, please give us the potions at 10 coppers and 8 coppers," the guard said heavily.
"Fine... Meet me back here in two hours," Leon replied with a smile.
****
Inside the Alchemist's Shop...
Leon stood near the counter while the old man picked up some crates of empty glass vials from under it.
"Kid... You don't know what you've done. Even if you had ten alchemists with you, the amount they've given you is too much to make in two hours.
I would've completed the order myself, but three of my alchemists are Velthorne Academy students, and they refused because their monthly duels are coming early this month... I think it's in two days," the old man said.
"I see", Leon replied.
'Hmm... I'll have to go to the Monthly Duels too, since it was clearly stated in the Non-Attending Students clause', Leon thought with a neutral expression.
*Thud*
"Here are your 600 empty vials, and those boxes over there are filled with Hermit and Limin Tree leaves.
All of this will cost you 14 silvers, with a 2 silver discount from my side, since I failed to complete the contract. I hope your alchemists can complete it in time, kid," the old man said.
"What about pure mana?" Leon asked with a confused expression.
"What about it?" the old man replied.
"Don't I have to buy that?" Leon asked.
"No one sells pure mana, kid. Alchemists can easily make it on their own. It's not that hard... Your alchemists should know about it," the old man said.
"I see... Here," Leon said, handing over the 14 silvers.
"So, how are you going to take all this? Do you have a slave or a wagon?" the old man asked.
"How much do you think this crate of empty vials weighs?" Leon asked with a confused expression.
"This? I don't know... 7-8 kilos", the old man replied.
"What about the boxes of leaves?" Leon asked.
"If you pick up both at the same time... I think the weight should be around 20 to 22 kilos. But why are you asking about their weight?" the old man asked, puzzled.
"Threads..." Leon muttered, immediately binding an invisible mana thread to a small wooden statue mounted on the wall behind the old man.
*Pull*
Leon pulled his hand back, and the statue immediately fell to the ground.
*Thud*
"What the-!? How did this fall down?" the old man asked, confused, as he bent down to pick it up.
He picked up the statue, and when he stood up again, he noticed the shop was empty. Leon was gone and so was all the stuff he had just bought.
"Where did that guy go?" the old man muttered, looking around with a puzzled expression.
****
After leaving the Alchemist's Shop, Leon stared at his inventory.
There were nine slots in total three filled with leaves and empty vials, one holding a matchbox, and one holding a sharp knife.
Four slots remained empty.
"Let's buy something to eat for Olga," Leon said as he stopped at a fruit shop and bought some fruits.
'Now, I need to learn how to make pure mana and to learn that, I'll need to go to the Helix Library again', Leon thought as he immediately started walking towards it.
After walking for about 10 minutes, Leon reached the Helix Library.
He entered inside and noticed it was much busier than usual.
Even the first floor was crowded with people.
"Sir Leon, you're back!" a familiar voice rang out.
Leon immediately turned to his right and saw Rita standing there with a smile, hugging the same book to her chest as last time.
"Ah... Rita. How are you?" Leon asked with a smile.
"I'm good! How about you?" Rita asked.
"Yeah, I'm still alive," Leon replied.
"Looking for dungeon-related books again?" Rita asked with a smile.
"No, no... I'm looking for alchemy books ones that can teach me how to make pure mana," Leon said.
"Oh... Are you an alchemist?" Rita asked with a smile, continuing to stare at his face.
"Yeah," Leon replied with a neutral expression.
'Is there something on my face? Or do I look funny?' Leon wondered, unable to understand why Rita was smiling while looking at him.
"That's good... Very good, Rita said, drifting into her own thoughts, her smile growing wider.
"So... Can you show me the way to...?" Leon asked, waving his hand in front of her face.
"O-Oh, yes! Please come with me, Rita said, snapping out of her thoughts and walking towards the right side of the first floor.
"So... Why is it so crowded today?" Leon asked, confused.
"All the magic academies except Velthorne Academy decided to move their final exams to next month, because of the unfortunate deaths of soldiers on the battlefield last night.
These students are getting ready for their exams so they can pass and serve the kingdom," Rita explained.
"Ah... I see," Leon replied with a neutral expression as they stopped in front of a bookshelf.
Rita looked through some books before pulling out a small one.
She opened it and flipped through its pages carefully before stopping at one page and pointing her finger at it.
"This is the one. Here you go, Mr. Leon this should help you," Rita said, handing him the book.
Leon looked at the page carefully and saw the heading:
[Making of Pure Mana]
"Well, enjoy your reading and if you need anything, just wave your hand and I will be here," Rita said, smiling as she left.
"Thanks," Leon replied as he started reading.
-–-
[ Pure Mana is often used in making potions and enchanting weapons. Although it is a powerful chemical, it can be easily made by anyone.
>In order to make pure mana, one must know how to feel and control their own mana.
>The most efficient way to gain control over your mana is to close your eyes and feel it around and inside your body.
>Once you feel the mana, start concentrating a large amount at your fingertip.
When concentrated, the mana will automatically turn into a shiny blue-colored liquid and drip from your finger.
>The stronger your concentration, the more pure mana you can generate.]
-–-