After reporting their mission, Aria, Orin, Selena, Eryk, Leon, Ronan, Kael, Darius, Garrick, and Sylphie returned to their dormitory. Just before parting ways, Ronan placed a firm hand on Kael's shoulder.
"Don't take any missions until Garrick fully recovers," Ronan said, his voice steady yet laced with concern.
Kael nodded, glancing at Garrick, who gave a tired but appreciative smile. "That's a good idea. In the meantime, we can focus on learning new skills."
After a few days.
"Kael, Sylphie, Darius, Aria, Selena, Eryk and Leon have already gone on their mission," he thought bitterly. "A Master Tier mission… and here I am, still stuck at Adept Tier. The gap is just too wide. I need to find a way to close it."
With renewed determination, Ronan entered the Hunter's Boutique, a well-known shop that catered to adventurers and mages alike. The scent of leather, herbs, and metal filled the air as he scanned the shelves lined with monster cores, potions, and weapons.
"I need a suitable monster core… or at least a Flame Core," he thought as he browsed through the items. But after checking every shelf, he sighed in disappointment. "Nothing fits my needs. It's not that there aren't options, but none of them are what I'm looking for."
Instead, he focused on stocking up on essentials. He grabbed a few recovery potions, mana restoration potions, and a couple of mid-grade swords before heading to the counter. The shopkeeper, a burly man with greying hair, gave him a knowing look as he rang up the purchases.
Leaving the shop, Ronan made his way to the Iron Ember Forge. The clang of hammers against metal echoed in the air as he stepped inside. The forge was a place of heat and industry, where skilled blacksmiths worked tirelessly on weapons and armour. An older man with a thick beard and muscular arms greeted him with a nod.
"Good morning, Ronan. What brings you here today?"
"I want to commission a shield," Ronan said, his tone firm. "I have the materials for it. Can we inspect them?"
The blacksmith's eyes gleamed with interest. "Of course. Come with me."
He led Ronan to the material inspection room, a well-lit space filled with tools and measuring instruments. With a flick of his wrist, Ronan pulled out a massive, headless Tide Serpent's body from his spatial storage. The sheer size of it made the blacksmith take a step back, his eyes widening.
"You hunted this?" the old man asked, his voice laced with admiration.
Ronan shook his head. "Not alone. I had help. But I want a high-grade shield made from its scales—one that can withstand both physical and magical attacks. Can you do it? I need it within two weeks."
The blacksmith ran a calloused hand over the serpent's thick scales, inspecting the quality. "It's doable," he finally said. "But crafting something of this calibre takes time. And the cost—"
"Take the rest of the serpent's body as payment," Ronan interjected. "I thought about making armour too, but there's not enough material. This should cover the shield's cost."
The old man's eyebrows shot up. "You sure? This is valuable material."
"I'm sure. Just make me the best shield possible."
The blacksmith let out a hearty chuckle and extended his hand. "You've got yourself a deal, lad. Come back in two weeks."
They shook hands, sealing the agreement, and Ronan left the forge feeling a little lighter. But his mind still raced with thoughts of his weakness.
"I need more power," he muttered under his breath. "And I need it fast."
Then, an idea struck him.
"If I remember correctly, the Serenwyn Guild has a Dimensional Rift… a safe one," he thought. "The only problem is the cost—you have to pay to enter and give up forty per cent of whatever you bring out. But it's worth a shot. Hopefully, they allow solo."
With renewed determination, Ronan turned his steps toward the Serenwyn Guild.
The journey wasn't long, but each step felt heavier with anticipation. Soon, he stood before the grand entrance of the Serenwyn Guild, a massive stone structure adorned with banners bearing the guild's emblem—a silver phoenix rising from golden flames. Towering spires reached toward the sky, and the heavy wooden doors bore intricate carvings depicting legendary battles fought by the guild's strongest warriors. Guards stood at either side of the entrance, clad in polished armour, their sharp eyes scanning every visitor.
Mages and warriors bustled in and out, their conversations filled with discussions of recent missions, bounties, and magical discoveries. The air buzzed with energy, the atmosphere a blend of camaraderie and competition.
Taking a deep breath, Ronan pushed open the heavy doors and stepped inside. The grand hall was just as impressive as the exterior—massive chandeliers hung from the ceiling, illuminating the space with a warm glow. A long counter stretched across the far side of the room, where guild staff processed requests and assigned missions. Bulletin boards lined the walls, pinned with notices for upcoming expeditions, wanted posters, and ranking lists.
Ronan's eyes swept across the room, searching for someone who could provide him with the information he needed.
"Let's see if they'll let me in," he murmured, striding forward with purpose.
Ronan approached the guild receptionist and inquired about the fees for entering the Dimensional Rift. When he heard the price, he stepped aside, his brows furrowing.
"That's ridiculously expensive," he thought. "Even if I give up all my money, I can only afford five days inside. Five days wouldn't be enough to explore anything worthwhile."
He let out a sigh and made his way to the quest board, scanning through the missions posted. Most of them were mundane, offering little reward for the effort. Just as he was about to give up, his gaze landed on one particular notice.
Monster Report: Luminis Drake
Monster Rank: Monster Rank: 3-4
Adventure Rank: Recommended Mastar Tier
Location: Eldermere Highlands
Description: A rare draconic beast covered in radiant silver scales, highly sought after by blacksmiths for crafting weapons and armour suited for Light-element users. Its body emits a faint glow in the dark, and it is known for its swift movements and strong resistance to magic. Hunters beware, as the Luminis Drake is highly aggressive when threatened.
Ronan smirked slightly. If I can take down one of these, I might be able to sell its scales for a decent amount. With determination, he left the guild hall and set off toward the monster's last known location.