After a short stay in the dungeon, Bane made a swift return to the Guild Hall. "Hey, Bane! How are you?" Winter asked with a warm smile.
"I'm good," Bane answered. They chatted for a moment, and soon Winter took the guild sack and quickly sorted through the crystals. Bane noticed the usually uninterested group of other Guild clerks were holding pieces of paper as they stared at him.
They spoke in hushed whispers, just too quiet for his heightened senses to pick up.
"Just ignore them," Winter said with a sigh as she returned to the counter. "They're just looking at the Guild's weekly updates," Winter explained as she handed him a large sum of money. This was the first time in a while that he had turned in his energy crystals.
"Thirty-eight thousand Shill," Winter said, dropping many coins into his palm. He pocketed the coins and returned to chatting with Winter for a while.
"Do you think it would be a problem if word got out about my progress?" Bane asked, concerned about both his and Eir's safety. Such fast progress would surely bring unwanted attention.
Winter took a deep breath and pondered his question. "If you want my opinion, I believe it would be for the best. It may bring some scrutiny and bad actors, but high-ranking adventurers shouldn't care. So, while you will have more eyes on you, that brings more opportunities for you and the Eir Faction," Winter said, making a sound argument.
Winter continued, "However, if you would like me to leave out some information, then that could happen as well." Bane quickly shook his head.
"No, it will be alright. You're right. I'm just nervous about having my name put out there," Bane said with a smile as he scratched the back of his head.
"I understand. All will be okay. If someone gives you trouble, you could beat them up!" Winter said, pumping her fist and putting her hand on her mostly absent bicep.
Bane chuckled and nodded, "Yeah, we'll just have to see." After that, the two gave each other a short goodbye, and Bane started toward Old Grey's. The lively roads and walkways at the center of Gren had slowly dissipated over the past few days. Only a few remained at the start of the winter season.
Growing up in the Gren slums, Bane had lived through many harsh winters—the cold winds that drifted through the cracks of whatever place he found himself in, the snow that piled in through the broken windows and patchy roof. It had seasoned him to become used to the cold weather and snow.
"I just wish it were nice all the time," Bane muttered. While he was used to the cold, his favorite season, like many in Gren, was summer. However, he did admit that winter had its beauty. Many times, he'd stare off at the snow-capped mountains in the distance and wonder how small everything looked from up there.
Bane's thoughts were filled with randomness as the nice, paved streets transitioned to those of the dirt slums, and soon he was at his destination.
Ding.
Bane entered and was welcomed by the calming warmth of the weapons shop. Mr. Grey sat behind the counter reading. Seeing that Bane had entered, he set down his book.
"How is my favorite adventurer?" Mr. Grey said with a narrow smile.
"I'm good, Mr. Grey. How are you today?"
Mr. Grey let out a deep sigh. "…I am alright. I really don't like the cold that's coming in," he said, clearly annoyed. Mr. Grey gazed out the window at the drab expanse: overcast skies, leafless trees, and empty roads. With another sigh, he turned back to Bane.
"Enough about that. What are you here for?" Mr. Grey asked.
"I'm looking for a new weapon," Bane said, unsheathing what remained of his sword and setting it on the counter. A look of shock formed on Mr. Grey's face as he gazed down at his broken work.
"Wow, I haven't seen someone go through a sword like that in a while," Mr. Grey commented as he picked it up. Both of them knew why the sword did not last—it was Bane's technique. While he had improved tremendously since becoming an adventurer, he was still a novice when it came to sword technique.
He relied on his strength and speed to compete in the dungeon and let his technique suffer because of it.
"Well, go find yourself a weapon that calls to you. I'll be right back," Mr. Grey said as he walked into the back room, the destroyed sword in hand. Bane moved toward a rack of weapons and scanned around.
Bows, maces, chains, and tons of other weapons were on display. He picked up a few and acted as though he were in a combat situation, then shrugged and put each one down. Until his eyes landed on a sword like Luna's.
Gazing up at the beautifully crafted sword, from the handle to the tip, it was masterful. The blade shone a reflective deep red that Bane could not take his eyes off of. Bane knew it was a masterpiece and would cost a fortune. But he still retrieved it and started swinging it around.
'Light. Sturdy. Beautiful,' Bane thought as he acted out a few combat scenarios. The last thing he did was use his skill, Appraisal:
Name: Blood Moon Katana
Forger: Alfred Grey
Description: A masterfully crafted sword, whose blade shines a deep red like the blood of its victims. Incredibly sharp, durable, and befitting an adventurer. Created by hand and with care from only the finest materials in all of Gren. For best results, you must master the technique of the katana.
Bane read the description in awe at what he was holding—until the last part. To which he slightly frowned. 'Master the technique…' Bane frowned; he was nowhere near that.
"So, that is what you're drawn to," Mr. Grey said, causing Bane to jump. Bane quickly put back the katana. "It is only natural to be drawn toward such a masterpiece. However, you may not use that weapon just yet," Mr. Grey said, quickly shutting down any prospects of Bane using that blade.
"I see," Bane frowned.
"But…" Mr. Grey said, moving from behind the counter. "I have another proposal for you," Mr. Grey said, lifting a different, cheaper katana.
"Yes?"
"I know this katana isn't the one you want, but I implore you to take it," Mr. Grey said, holding it out to Bane. "If you take it, then I will personally train you. And until you can beat me one-on-one, you will use this katana. But once you beat me, you can take that masterpiece," Mr. Grey said, still holding it out to him.
Bane's mind raced, but he took the katana from Mr. Grey's hands and used Appraisal:
Name: Iron Katana
Forger: Alfred Grey
Description: A finely made blade that focuses on technique. With its light weight and small blade, lasting attacks depend on technique, posture, and form. With poor technique, the blade could shatter quickly.
It was intimidating staring at the blade. "So, if I accept this blade, you will train me, and once I become a master of the katana, then I can use that one," Bane said, pointing up to the Blood Moon Katana.
Mr. Grey nodded. "Yes, every day after your time in the dungeon, you can come here, and we will practice your technique and discipline with the sword." Offering such a service, Bane was eager to accept.
"Okay, I'll take it. What's your price?" Bane asked.
Mr. Grey chuckled at this question. "You should know me by now. I will make so much more than anything you could give me now. I also just want to educate the next generation. You are truly special, so taking a few hours out of my day to teach you is something I will accept." Bane nodded slowly.
'I want to be like Mr. Grey,' Bane thought. He was an admirable old man, willing to do so much for him. Bane knew very few people like that, and he was thankful for him.
"That sounds like a plan," Bane answered.
"Great. Then tomorrow, whenever you like, I expect to see you," Mr. Grey said. Bane slowly nodded. 'That should work.'
"Alright, anything else?" Bane shook his head, and after the two exchanged a short goodbye, Bane had one last thing to do before returning home.
"Welcome to Limpar," the mature woman greeted Bane as he walked into the Limpar Bathhouses. Once again, the freezing air was smitten as he walked inside and was greeted by the warm steam of the baths.
Bane quickly paid and took a long, relaxing soak in the tub. Just before that, he gazed in the mirror and saw his body was continually changing. He looked strong and sturdy. He was happy to see the transformation taking place.
Bane exited the bathhouse and gave a short goodbye to the beautiful woman at the front desk. And so, Bane started home happily.