Primordial Expanse: I have the Strongest Talent!

Alex and Mira continued down the busy streets of Tenebrus, the black leopard's corpse already moved from being dragged along the streets into Mira's spatial storage.

As they weaved through the throngs of people, Alex glanced again at the insignia in his hand — Rothwind Smithy.

The name sounded unfamiliar, which wasn't anything to note about at all since the two of them were still complete newcomers to this place.

But the fact that it was used as payment for such a difficult mission only piqued his curiosity further.

"So, where to now?" Mira asked, noticing the shift in Alex's focus.

Alex turned the small piece of metal over in his hand before slipping it into his pocket.

"We should go and find this 'Rothwind Smithy'. Something about it just seems to have piqued my interest. Who knows, we might just find something to actually surprise us while we're there."

Mira raised an eyebrow.

"A blacksmith shop? Kind of an odd reward, don't you think?"

"Maybe. That's part of the reason I want to go and find it anyhow. But since they gave it to us instead of the usual beast cores, it's worth checking out." Alex replied.

They stopped at a market stall where an old man was selling dried herbs.

"Hey," Alex called out to him, holding up the insignia. "You know where I can find this place? Rothwind Smithy?"

The old man squinted at the insignia before nodding slowly.

"Aye, I know it. You won't find it anywhere near here, though.

It's on the outskirts, right near the city wall, next to an old watchtower. Not many folks go that way — it's kind of out of the way for most."

Alex exchanged a look with Mira.

"Thanks," he said, tossing the old man a beast core for the information.

The old man just gave them an incredulous look as they walked away, off in the direction of the city outskirts.

'A Mutant class beast core…'

What was a piece of junk to Alex turned out to be an absolute treasure to the old man though, but the old man made sure to keep quiet about it, since who knew what kind of stuff people were willing to do to get their hands on a beast core like that…

***

The duo made their way through the streets of the city, which only grew quieter as they ventured farther from the centre.

The grand buildings and vibrant market stalls gave way for smaller homes and dilapidated structures, and soon they reached the outer district, where the looming city walls stood as a silent sentinel against whatever threats lay beyond.

The area near the wall was sparse, with only a few rundown buildings scattered around.

It was nothing like the vibrant aura the city gates gave off, this part of the city seemed almost forgotten, as if time had left it behind.

The occasional stray cat darted between the shadows, and the asphalt/cocrete roads were replaced by cracked cobblestone.

"Charming place for a smithy," Mira remarked dryly.

Alex chuckled.

"It just makes me even more interested."

Finally, they spotted a small, unassuming building nestled against the towering city wall.

A weathered sign hung above the door, barely visible in the fading light of the afternoon.

It read: Rothwind Smithy.

"Looks like we found it." Alex said, stepping toward the door.

The exterior of the shop was rough, much like the rest of this neighbourhood, with soot stains covering the stone walls a thick layer of dust coating the window.

It looked like the kind of place people would pass without a second glance.

"Not exactly what I was expecting," Mira commented, eyeing the shabby exterior.

Contrary to Alex, she still wasn't fully convinced there was something special about this place.

Alex pushed open the door, and they stepped inside.

The first thing that hit them was the heat — a blast of warmth that immediately told them the place was definitely still in business.

The second thing they noticed were the rows upon rows of different armour pieces, each covered in a layer of dust like they hadn't been touched for a long, long time.

Alex took a few steps inside, the heat from the forge wrapped around him like a thick blanket, almost producing a suffocating atmosphere.

But for someone like him who was so in tune with the fire element, not to mention having an S+ rank Fire elemental talent himself, it was nothing.

The air smelled of metal and ash, with faint hints of leather and oil from the neglected armour pieces.

Mira wrinkled her nose at the stuffy atmosphere, clearly not amused by all the different types of smells that were assaulting her nostrils.

"Is this place even still open?" Mira muttered, her eyes scanning the dusty display.

Alex shrugged, stepping further in.

"Seems like it. Heat's still on, at least."

He raised his voice.

"Hello? Anyone home?"

For a moment, there was nothing but the low crackle of embers from somewhere in the back.

Then, just as Alex was about to call out again, a door swung open with a sharp creek, and a short, stout man waddled out from the back room, wiping his hands on a soot-covered apron.

Chapter Experience:

His face was a mix of wrinkles and permanent scowl lines, his grey beard flecked with ash.

His thick, muscular arms seemed mismatched with his short stature, but they carried the strength of someone who had spent a lifetime working the forge.

"What d'ya want?"

The man grunted, his voice gravelly and full of irritation, as if their mere presence was a bother.

He looked at Alex and Mira, his gaze sharp, but a hint of surprise.

"We're looking for Rothwind," Alex replied, holding up the insignia.

"We got this from a mission reward at the adventurer association. It led us here."

The short man glanced at the insignia without much interest, then huffed.

"I'm Rothwind, and you got some nerve waltzing in here unannounced, waving that thing around." He pointed at the insignia like it was a nuisance.

"You expectin' a parade or somethin'?"

Mira raised an eyebrow. "Not exactly the welcome we were expecting."

"Welcome, eh?"

Rothwind scowled.

"This ain't some fancy noble's shop where I kiss yer feet. This is a smithy, and a damn fine one at that."