Leaving the Adventurers' Guild hall, Arthur made his way down the wide cobblestone avenue toward the frontier settlement's commercial quarter. The afternoon air was filled with the metallic ring of smithies and the sharp scent of roasted spices.
With his heavy pouch containing one hundred and five silver coins, Arthur felt a solid wave of accomplishment. A modest family could live comfortably on five silver a month, meaning his single afternoon of hunting had secured over two years of living expenses.
His first stop was the blacksmith's workshop on the edge of the market district. The heat from the forge radiated out into the street. Behind the anvil stood a thick-armed smith wiping soot from his brow.
Arthur stepped inside, unslinging his leather pack. "Are you taking custom orders?"
"Depends on what you're paying with," the smith grunted, turning around.
Arthur set three large chunks of high-grade raw iron ore from the mine onto the wooden workbench, followed by a tidy stack of twenty silver coins.
"I need a custom-forged, double-edged steel longsword—balanced for high speed and physical enhancement magic," Arthur said smoothly. "And I'd like the remaining iron refined into reinforceable fittings." Visit novelping(.)com for the full chapter.
The smith’s eyes widened as he picked up a chunk of raw ore, examining its high purity before counting the silver. His gruff demeanor melted instantly. "Consider it done, lad. Top-grade steel, folded four times, tuned for mana flow. Come back in three days and it'll be ready."
Before leaving the market, Arthur stopped at a high-end textile and general goods stall. He spent another ten silver purchasing a spool of high-grade, enchanted silver thread for Martha’s tailoring work, a fine leather belt pouch for Robin, and a generous crate of fresh fruit, sweet honey, and tender cuts of prime meat.
By the time the stars began to pinprick the darkening evening sky, Arthur was trekking down the quiet forest path toward the cabin. His physical stats made carrying the heavy load effortless, his footfalls silent against the pine needles.
The familiar warm glow of oil lamps illuminated the cabin windows as he stepped into the clearing.
The front door opened before he reached the porch. Robin peered out, holding an oil lamp high. "Arthur! You're back!"
Arthur stepped into the warm living room, setting the heavy crate onto the wooden table with a quiet thud. Martha emerged from the kitchen area, her white hair tied loosely back and her bright blue eyes instantly sweeping over him to check for injuries.
"You were gone all day," Martha said softly, relief relaxing her shoulders. "Elena's contracts keeping you busy?"
Arthur smiled, pulling his updated guild identification plate from his vest and setting it on the table alongside his heavy coin pouch. The silver-embossed E glinted under the lamplight. The source of this chapter is g.com.
"Officially E-Rank," Arthur announced. He opened the pouch, letting seventy-five bright silver coins spill onto the wood. "And we won't have to worry about provisions or coin for a long time."
Robin gasped, leaning over the table to stare at the pile of silver. "Woah... look at all that silver!"
Martha’s lips parted slightly in genuine surprise. She looked up from the gleaming coins to Arthur, a soft, tender look filling her eyes. "Arthur... this is incredible."
"We're just getting started," Arthur said, reaching into his pack to hand Robin his new leather belt pouch and placing the spool of silver thread into Martha’s hands. "A little something from the market."
Martha held the thread, her fingers brushing Arthur's as a subtle, warm spark of magic passed between them. "Thank you, Arthur," she murmured, her voice laced with deep affection.
That night, surrounded by warm food and financial security, the cabin felt less like a temporary shelter and more like the true foundation of their future estate.