"The Forge of the Spirit"

Leo was bothered by that strange feeling of being watched, but he shrugged it off. He told himself it was just nerves, paranoia from the mission, from everything that had happened. He figured it was all in his head and kept his focus on what he needed to do that day. He thought it might be a side effect of almost dying the day before.

He went back to the Guild House to ask for some information about classes for fighting with two swords. He had an idea, a desperate hope, that maybe there was a way to compensate for his abysmal stats. He really needed a teacher since that was the style he wanted to learn.

After talking to the clerks for a long time, Leo went home feeling bummed. There was no one in Gothia who could teach him how to fight with two swords. It was an old-fashioned style, and everyone thought using two daggers was better. "Typical," he muttered under his breath.

The next day, Leo went back to the armorer to pick up his new armor.

Upon entering the shop, the silence was intermittently interrupted by the clang of a hammer on metal, and forging sparks lit up the walls in the dimly lit environment. The air smelled like smoke and hot metal.

Leo observed the armorer at work; he seemed to create melodies with each hammer blow.

"Incredible, isn't it?" a gruff voice startled Leo.

Leo turned around to see the master armorer standing beside him. Ashton, a giant of a man, stood there, his arms crossed, a hint of a smile on his usually stern face.

"Yeah, he is..." Leo replied, impressed. "The rhythm is surreal, almost hypnotic."

"Liam is a genius blacksmith, a special kid," Ashton said with a proud smile. "He's also really dedicated, and he's a Neumond."

Leo's eyes widened in surprise. "A Neumond?" he asked, his voice filled with a mixture of awe and curiosity.

"Yes," Ashton confirmed. "But he's not satisfied with just creation. Lately, he's been wanting to try destruction too. He wants to go on adventures," he said, shaking his head with a sigh.

Leo nodded. He remembered when he wanted to use his powers to help people in ways other than fighting. He saw that same desire in Liam but didn't understand why Liam wanted to risk his life on adventures. Support and crafting Neumonds were highly respected, although there were few of them.

Just then, Liam approached them with a big smile on his face, carrying the finished armor.

"Here's your armor, Mr....?" Liam faltered; he didn't know how to address Leonard.

"It's Leonard, but you can call me Leo," he said as he took the armor. It was heavier than he expected, but it felt solid and well-made.

Leo checked out the armor. It was really well made, with black metal details. He was impressed with the quality. At first, he was a bit unsure because it wasn't the master craftsman who made it, but Liam had done an awesome job. He ran his hand over the smooth leather, the intricate metalwork a testament to the young blacksmith's skill.

Leo went to a corner of the room and put on the new armor. It fit perfectly, molding to his body like a second skin, both protective and surprisingly comfortable.

"Thanks, Liam; it's excellent," Leo said as he came back to the counter, moving his arms, testing the flexibility of the armor.

"It's just my job," Liam said, but he couldn't quite hide the pride in his voice.

"You're very talented. Is that your Neumond ability?" Leo asked, unable to resist the question.

Ashton coughed loudly from across the shop. "It's considered a bit rude to pry into a Neumond's abilities, especially on first acquaintance, Mr. Leonard," he said, his voice firm.

"Sorry, sir," Leo said, abashed.

Liam laughed.

"No problem, don't worry about Ashton." Liam scratched his head and said, "It's not that I don't want to tell you, but my ability is kind of hard to explain."

Liam's ability was indeed complex. He possessed superhuman intuition, allowing him to see the exact critical point of the work he was doing, making the final result close to perfect. This wasn't limited to armor and weapons but applied to any manual labor.

Leo just shrugged, sensing Liam's disappointment. But Liam wasn't satisfied. He really wanted to be an Equalizer.

"Mr. Leonard, can you tell me what it's like to be an Equalizer?" Liam asked, his eyes wide with a mixture of hope and longing.

"It's not all glory, like it seems..." Leo said, his voice dropping, the memory of the Golden Green Plains still fresh in his mind. "A few days ago, I almost died on my first mission."

"Even so, it must be exciting!" Liam said. "Can I go on a mission with you?" he blurted out, then immediately flushed, realizing how presumptuous he sounded.

Leo hesitated. He didn't want to be responsible for a newbie when he was still a newbie himself. "Besides," he thought, "the mission to Besen is personal."

"Why haven't you gone on a mission before?" Leo asked, curious despite his reservations.

"My combat stats are very low. I've never had time for physical training. I train with my hammer and forge every day," he said sadly, his shoulders slumping.

Leo thought, "He has no idea how weak I actually am. If he knew my stats, he wouldn't be asking." A wry smile touched his lips. "Maybe I'm crazy for even considering this."

Trying to change the subject, Leo said, "First, tell me about the armor enhancements. I'll think about letting you come with me."

"Okay!" Liam said excitedly.

He went to the counter and picked up a large magnifying glass attached to a magic device that looked like a printer.

He asked Leo if he had a soul stone with him. Leo said he didn't; he had only been on one mission and hadn't had time to collect any spoils.

From the back of the shop, Ashton tossed a small soul stone with his thumb, and Liam caught it. "Yes! Thanks, master!" he said.

Liam put the stone in the machine and asked Leonard to take off his glove. He placed the glove under the magnifying glass, pulled a small lever, and some magic runes appeared on the device. Then, a small piece of paper came out after a few seconds.

"Here's the info on your armor," Liam said with a proud grin, already expecting that Leonard would be impressed and invite him on an adventure.

However, Leo was confused, his brow furrowed, and he gazed at the paper, trying to make sense of the unfamiliar terms and strange symbols. He could understand a few words, but everything else was gibberish.

"Fabric: Boar Hide (Leirion)

Quality: Excellent

Construction: S

Craftsmanship: 15% enhancement.

Note for comparison:

-Qualities > Common, Good, Excellent, Epic, Mythic.

-Construction > F, E, D, C, B, A, S, S+."

"It's about 14%, isn't it?" Ashton's gruff voice interrupted his thoughts. The master armorer stood in the doorway, a knowing smile playing on his lips.

"Yes... 15% craftsmanship... but what does it...?" Leo trailed off, feeling lost.

"Craftsmanship is the armorer's ability to make the armor more useful to the wearer," Ashton explained patiently. "Quality refers to the condition of the materials used, and construction is the skill applied in making the piece."

"I get it, but... is it good? Sorry, I'm just a newbie," Leo admitted, feeling a bit embarrassed by his ignorance.

"In all of Gothia... no, in the entire duchy of Gothia," Ashton declared, "there isn't a single craftsman capable of achieving 15% on a boar hide armor, no matter how good the material."

"Wow..." Leo was stunned by Liam's skill. He looked at the young blacksmith with newfound respect.

"Even I, with my 45 years of experience, could only get around 15% if I was feeling particularly inspired," Ashton said with a shrug. "So, keep this information to yourself, if you please."

"I understand, sir. I'll take it to my grave," Leo assured him, his voice filled with sincerity.

"We're only helping you because old Carl sent you," Ashton said, fixing Leonard with a stern gaze. "He's a good friend, a trustworthy man. Keep that in mind." There was a subtle warning in his voice, a reminder that their generosity came with expectations.

Looking back at the paper, Leonard realized he had discovered a hidden treasure, a place where true craftsmanship flourished.

"Mr. Leonard, excuse me," Liam said softly.

"Yes?" Leo looked up, meeting the blacksmith's hopeful gaze.

"This little knife... I'd like to give it to you as a gift," Liam said, holding out a small dagger.

"A gift? But why?" Leo knew the boy was trying to bribe him, hoping to tag along on an adventure.

"You're a newbie, and how I envy the Neumond Equalizers who have the guts to try," Liam said with a hopeful grin. "I'd like you to carry this little dagger with you, in my name."

"Stop trying to bribe me," Leo said, raising an eyebrow, but a small smile played on his lips.

"Dang it..." Liam laughed, realizing his attempt was a bit too obvious.

Leo smiled, finding himself warming to the young blacksmith's enthusiasm. Curiosity piqued, he took the dagger.

As he drew it from its simple leather sheath, his eyes widened in surprise. It was a masterpiece, far more than just a "little knife." It was a work of art worthy of a display case. Crafted from dark Frosteel and inlaid with black mithril, its blade seemed sharp enough to cut through time itself. Any rogue would be enchanted by the subtle S-curve and the silver star-shaped pommel.

With a genuine smile, Leo said, "I think I'll accept your bribe." Even Ashton from the back of the shop let out a chuckle.

A loud bell tolled through the air, its urgent clang shattering the moment of camaraderie. Liam's eyes lit up as he prepared to celebrate his first mission, but the sharp sound reverberated throughout the shop, causing a chill to run down their spines.

Leonard and Liam exchanged a nervous glance, their faces reflecting the sudden tension.

"An attack!" Leonard finally said the words, heavy with dread.

Leo handed the dagger back to Liam and turned to leave, his steps quickening with every clang of the bell. From the back of the shop, Ashton's voice boomed, calm but urgent, "South gate! Go, lad!"

Liam pursued Leonard as he dashed out of the shop. Leo anticipated that the south gate, which borders the slums, would sustain the most damage. He had lived in those slums for years, witnessing countless attacks that had claimed the lives of his neighbors. He had to get there to help, to protect those who couldn't protect themselves.

They ran as fast as they could down the streets, dodging panicked people and runaway carriages. The clanging alarm bell grew louder as they neared the gate. The howls and laughter of hyenas cut through the terrified screams and shouts of guards attempting to organize a defense.

There were gnolls, monstrous bipedal hyenas with red eyes as bright as burning coals. There were many of them, somewhere between 100 and 130 gnolls. It was the infamous battle stampede—the instinct born in Humbra centuries ago—to hunt and exterminate the humans who gathered. They were a tide of fur, teeth, and claws, a terrifying wave of destruction crashing against the city's defenses.

Leo saw a gnoll leap four yards and rip a woman's arm off. When one of the gate's guards attempted to assist her, he was immediately killed. The woman's screams were cut short, replaced by a sickening gurgle as the gnoll tore into her flesh.

Leo's blood raced at the sight of such carnage. His old traumas came back to haunt him, and he rushed into battle without hesitation. He felt a surge of adrenaline burning like fuel—to fight, to protect, to avenge.

He glanced back at Liam, who stood frozen in fear. "Don't just stand there!" Leo shouted. "Help the people!" He knew it was a dangerous request, but he couldn't do it alone.

Liam was stunned by the savagery and carnage. It was his first time seeing a battlefield between humans and Leirions up close. He couldn't imagine anything more terrifying.

The guards were still arriving at the battle slowly. Because it had been a long period without invasions of this magnitude, they had become somewhat negligent about the ferocity with which Humbra collected its taxes. It took two or three guards to take down a single gnoll.

Leonard couldn't hold back any longer. His hands tightened around the hilts of his swords. His eyes burned with a thirst for vengeance. The battlefield was a chaotic mess, and the morale of the remaining guards was crumbling. Those who were arriving were already shaken.

He spotted the first gnoll and charged, his twin swords flashing. The gnoll saw him coming and managed to parry the attack just in time. The clash of steel echoed across the battlefield, and the gnoll stumbled back, surprised by the speed and force of the blow.

Leo landed on the ground, spinning to reduce his momentum. The gnoll roared furiously, its fetid breath washing over Leo, making him gag, and the stench of rotten flesh emanating from its mouth towards Leo was disgusting. This time, the creature took the lead, its claws tearing through the air with impressive speed. Leonard dodged, sliding on his knees, narrowly avoiding the gnoll's claws. He could feel the wind from the gnoll's claws as they whooshed past his face, a hair's breadth from tearing into his flesh.

The guards on the battlefield saw someone fighting a gnoll alone and shouted, "NEUMOND!" Their morale surged. That was the impact Neumond had on society.

Leo felt their support and got back into his fighting stance, his swords held ready at his sides. He felt his focus sharpen, his desire for vengeance and survival burning within his soul.

He charged again, thrusting his swords towards the gnoll's vital organs, but the creature easily deflected the attack. The gnoll counterattacked with its sword, and Leo blocked the blow with both his swords crossed. He pushed the gnoll's sword upward, spun to the side, and aimed a swift cut at its neck.

The gnoll snarled and ducked, dodging Leo's attack. Then it slashed at Leo's torso with its claws. Blood sprayed. Leo cried out in pain and stumbled back, pain exploding in his chest. Instinctively, he twisted away, minimizing the depth of the wound.

The creature pressed its advantage, rushing towards him, trying to grab him. Leo dodged, rolling to the side. The monster was in a blood frenzy, its eyes fixated on his flesh.

Realizing how close he was to death, Leo focused his mind with a primal survival instinct.

His ELEV flickered, and in an instant, his cognition calculated every potential outcome of his next move. The gnoll charged, spun, and swung its sword horizontally. Leo met the attack head-on, sliding on his knees, his swords held parallel. He plunged both blades deep into the gnoll's gut.

A roar of pain echoed across the battlefield as the gnoll writhed in agony. Leonard pulled his swords free, and blood gushed from the creature's wounds. The gnoll fell to its knees, its eyes losing their frenzied glow.

With a clean strike, he decapitated the gnoll. Its head remained attached until its body hit the ground, then rolled away like a bloody furball.

A momentary silence fell over the battlefield. Leonard, panting and wounded, looked at the scene with a mix of relief and disgust. He had won his first battle against a gnoll, but at a high cost. His wound was serious. If it weren't for his new armor, the claws would have ripped through his chest, and he would be dead.

Leo looked across the battlefield. This was just the beginning. Humbra was unforgiving.