Chapter 4: Blades and Bargains

Sorin wiped sweat from his brow, his breath coming in ragged gasps as he tightened his grip on his sword. Across from him, Zarin’s axe buried itself into a borskin, finishing off one of the creatures they had lured away from a larger pack.

“Hey, Sorin!” Zarin called, pulling her axe free. “When are you going to get yourself a real sword instead of that dull piece of iron?”

Sorin frowned, feeling immediate offense. “What do you mean? I spent three silvers on this!” He lifted his short sword, defensive of his purchase. “The merchant told me it was a great beginner sword for a novice!”

“Ha! Three silvers?” Florin chuckled, drawing and loosing an arrow in one smooth motion. It pierced the borskin Zarin had wounded, dropping it instantly. “You got conned, my friend. That thing’s worth, maybe… three coppers.”

Ding!

Florin has slain Borskin (Level 2).
You have been awarded 19 experience points. 577 experience points until next level.

Sorin grimaced. “Ouch! Are you saying I got fleeced?”

Florin grinned. “Just a merchant knowing a mark when he sees one.”

Before Sorin could curse about his misfortune, Celis’s voice rang out.

“Less talking, more fighting!” she commanded, her hands glowing with icy energy. She chanted something in her musical, elven tongue, then unleashed a barrage of ice bolts at two charging borskins.

Sorin refocused, gripping his shitty sword and swinging—left, down, right. The blade connected, but the dull edge barely cut into the creatures’ thick hide. He barely had time to react before one of them grazed past him, a tusk clipping his leg.

Ding!

You have suffered a minor scrape. -2 Health.

Sorin stumbled, hitting the ground with a hard thud.

“Too close!” he hissed, scrambling up just as Florin fired another arrow, striking the borskin that had nearly gored him.

But instead of falling, the creature lowered its head and began pawing the ground, steam snorting from its nostrils.

Sorin’s heart pounded.

“Oh, shit—it’s about to charge!”

He ran.

Ducking behind a nearby tree just in time, the borskin slammed full-force into the bark with a sickening crack, momentarily stunning itself.

“Now!” Florin shouted, loosing another arrow into its flank.

Sorin didn’t hesitate. He ran forward, sword raised, and drove the blade down through the borskin’s skull.

Ding!

For slaying Borskin (Level 2), you have been awarded 19 experience points. 558 experience points to next level.

He barely had a moment to catch his breath before noticing another notification window flashing in his vision.

Celis has slain Borskin (Level 2). You have been awarded 19 experience points. 539 experience points to next level.

“Not in the middle of battle!” Sorin groaned, waving the prompts away. “That’s how you get killed!”

Zarin wiped her axe clean. “Well done, everyone.” She turned to Sorin, grinning. “You did good, but we need to get you a better weapon.”

Celis nodded encouragingly. “You’re getting the hang of it. Just remember, it’s all about teamwork.”

Florin smirked. “And maybe… not getting conned by every merchant you meet.”

Sorin sighed. “Yeah, lesson learned.”

As they regrouped and prepared to move deeper into the forest, Sorin felt a familiar unease creeping up his spine. He glanced around, scanning the treeline.

Something was watching them.

---

Back to Elan: Trading Up

The group decided to return to the city before pushing deeper into the forest. The goblins they had encountered confirmed a larger warband was lurking nearby, and Florin insisted Sorin get better equipment before they pressed on.

At the merchant stalls, Foorid greeted them with his usual grin.

“Ah, back so soon? How can I help you today?”

Zarin stepped forward, clapping Sorin on the shoulder. “We need to trade in this beginner’s sword for something more suitable. What do you have?”

Foorid nodded knowingly and started pulling wooden cases from beneath his counter, flipping them open to reveal a variety of blades.

Sorin, meanwhile, placed his old sword on the counter. “What will you give me for this?”

Foorid examined the blade. “For you? I’ll take it back for… one silver, one copper.”

Sorin’s eye twitched. “You mean after you overcharged me, you’re only giving me a fraction back?”

Foorid shrugged, unbothered. “A merchant has to make a living, my friend.”

Zarin chuckled. “It’s still better than nothing. Now, let’s get you a real weapon.”

Sorin eyed the options until one blade caught his attention. It was sleek, slightly curved, and glowed faintly with a reddish hue.

The moment he touched it, a prompt appeared.

You have found an unknown item.
Item Type: Main Hand. Scarcity: Unknown. Quality: Unknown. Additional Properties: Unknown.

Sorin frowned. “Unknown?”

Foorid grinned and placed a hand over Sorin’s. A brilliant white light pulsed from their hands, illuminating the blade.

And then, Sorin just knew.

You have found Sword of the Inferno.
Item Type: Main Hand. Scarcity: Rare. Quality: Above Average.
Damage: 8-12. +3 Flame Damage. +2 Agility. +2 Endurance.
30% chance to inflict burn (8 damage per second for 5 seconds).

Sorin’s jaw dropped.

“Holy shit.”

Foorid smiled wider. “An excellent blade, no?”

Sorin’s excitement faltered. “How much?”

“One gold, three silvers.”

Sorin winced. He didn’t have enough.

“He’ll take it,” Celis said, stepping forward with a small pouch of silver coins.

Sorin’s eyes widened. “Celis, I can’t—”

Zarin waved him off. “Relax. You’ve made us way more gold than we’ve lost, just by luring enemies to us.” She smirked. “It’s an investment.”

Sorin sighed, then grinned. “In that case… I won’t let you down.”

---

Armored for Battle

With his new sword secured, the next stop was Bronn’s armor shop.

Bronn, a hulking man with a thick beard, greeted them with a creepy enthusiasm upon seeing Zarin.

“Oh, Zarin, my favorite customer!” Bronn grinned, stepping way too close.

Zarin promptly kicked him in the chest, sending him sprawling. “Back up, you worm.”

Florin chuckled. “Never gets old.”

Once Sorin was measured (a process he’d rather not talk about), Bronn retrieved a full set of leather armor.

Leather Greaves, Boots, Pauldrons, Gloves, Backplate, Vambrace, and Helm.
Defense: +6. Agility: +2. Endurance: +2.

The price started high, but Zarin’s reputation quickly brought it down to a reasonable cost.

As Celis helped him strap the armor on, Sorin finally felt like a real adventurer.

Florin grinned. “You look almost competent now.”

Zarin laughed. “Let’s put that to the test, shall we?”

And with renewed confidence, they set out once more.