Michael acted as a guard for the remainder of the journey through the forest.
His father made sure to work him to the bone to get his money’s worth, but Michael couldn’t care less.
The coins were worth the effort.
He used the opportunity to train with his sword until they finally reached the remote village they had come to trade with.
This was the furthest village from Iron City, and it frequently needed weapons due to the active dungeon located nearby.
Dungeons were interdimensional spaces that housed otherworldly monsters.
They provided valuable materials such as monster hides and cores for crafting weapons and armor.
However, dungeons had to be cleared periodically.
If neglected for too long, a dungeon break would occur, releasing the trapped monsters into the outside world.
“Heron!
You’ve brought another batch of weapons, I see,” the village chief greeted the group warmly.
“Yes.
I brought the finest swords available,” Heron replied, leading the chief to inspect the goods.
The village chief examined the cargo carefully.
“Hmm?
It looks like you ran into some trouble.”
“Oh, yes.
We encountered bandits, but we managed to ward them off.
Now, take a look—which of these weapons catch your eye?” Heron asked.
The village chief’s son, an experienced weapon inspector, checked each blade.
“The count is short by one compared to our agreed amount,” the chief noted.
“Hmm?
Seth!
You damn rat.
Won’t you return the sword you borrowed?” Heron scolded, realizing the missing sword was with his son.
Michael handed it over wordlessly.
At that moment, he truly understood just how much his father despised him.
“I’m sorry for the inconvenience,” Heron apologized sheepishly.
“We had to borrow one during the bandit attack, but it’s still in perfect condition.”
The village chief passed the sword to his son for inspection.
“This one is different, Father.
It’s C-grade,” the son reported.
“Heron!
You sly old fox!
You actually got your hands on a C-grade sword?” the village chief exclaimed excitedly.
“Huh?
C-grade?
No, I didn’t—” Heron began, clearly confused.
He was only a third-rate merchant.
There was no way he could have acquired a C-grade weapon.
“You don’t need to be modest!” the village chief laughed.
“I’ll pay the fair price for it.
Come, you all must be tired.
Join us for supper.”
The group sat down together for a meal.
“Thanks again for that C-grade weapon,” the village chief said during dinner.
“With it, we’ll have a much better chance of solving our problem.”
“Of course.
I always save the best deals for you,” Heron replied with a hearty laugh.
In truth, he had no idea why the sword had been graded as C-rank.
But if the village chief wanted to pay a premium price, he wasn’t about to correct him.
“If I may ask, Village Chief,” Michael interjected, “what problem requires weapons better than usual?”
He had been racking his brain for ways to make more money since arriving.
The mention of a “problem” immediately caught his attention.
“The dungeon near us is on the verge of breaking,” the village chief explained.
“Baron, our only capable warrior, had a serious accident and hasn’t been able to clear it.
We may have to handle it ourselves by gathering the able-bodied men of the village.
With this C-grade sword, we might actually have a chance against the D-rank dungeon.”
“Oh, in that case, Village Chief, hire me to clear the dungeon for you,” Michael volunteered immediately, a spark of excitement in his eyes.
“I have what it takes.”
The village chief gave him the most skeptical look Michael had ever seen.
Everyone in the region knew about the merchant’s useless firstborn son.
Now that same son was offering to clear a dungeon?
Yet, for some strange reason, Michael’s words felt oddly convincing.
Unknown to everyone, including Michael , his A-rank Persuasion skill was working in the background.
“Hmm.
Are you sure?
This isn’t a field trip.
It’s a real D-rank dungeon,” the chief warned.
“Trust me, Village Chief.
I’ll get it done,” Michael assured him confidently.
“All I need is an upfront payment.”
Silence.
Everyone stared at him like he was an amateur conman.
Who asked for payment before the job?
“Why would I pay you upfront?” the village chief asked, one eyebrow raised.
“Because it might be my last request,” Michael replied smoothly.
“Plus, the coins will motivate me to succeed.”
“With due respect, Father, you can’t seriously be considering this,” the chief’s son protested.
“I hate to say it, but I think your son is right,” Heron added with a strained smile.
He had no intention of letting Michael ruin their business relationship with the village.
Michael shot his father a death glare.
An outsider not trusting him was one thing, but this old geezer who claimed to be his father?
Absolutely shameless.
“These are dire times,” the village chief said thoughtfully, half-swayed by Michael’s Persuasion skill.
“How about this?
I’ll pay half upfront — 5 bronze.
Is that acceptable?”
“Deal!” Michael agreed quickly.
“If possible, I’d like the payment now and to begin immediately.
The day isn’t over yet.”
“Very well.
John, give him the 5 bronze,” the village chief instructed.
Begrudgingly, John handed over the coins.
“Thank you, Village Chief.
I’ll be back,” Michael said, standing up.
“I’ll need someone to guide me and a porter to carry the carcasses.”
“I’ll guide you,” John offered, his eyes never leaving Michael.
He clearly didn’t trust him and planned to watch his every move.
“Son, I hope you return safely,” Heron said with a fake smile.
“And if you don’t… just know I’ll be sad.”
Michael returned the smile while cursing the old man internally.
“System.
Gacha draw,” Michael called out mentally as they left the village.
Four bronze coins vanished.
[Congratulations!
You have received a Divine Grade Reward: Void Slayer!]
Michael stopped walking for a second, stunned.
Divine grade?
Just how lucky was he?
“Michael?
Is something wrong?” John asked.
“Nah.
I just realized how easy this raid is going to be,” Michael replied with a wide grin, catching up to the group.