Morning light washed over the forest trail as Arthur jogged smoothly toward the frontier outpost.
With his level sitting at 15 and [Body Reinforcement] humming quietly beneath his skin, the two-mile run felt effortless. Every breath of crisp autumn air invigorated his lungs, his footing light and responsive against the rocky ground.
As he ran, Arthur called up his system display to check his baseline metrics.
StatusNameArthurClassMagic Swordsman Class (Passives: Dual Channeling, Mana-Muscle Conversion)Level15 (EXP: 450/1,000)Title{wandering Transmigator}HP1,250/1,250MP600/600AttributeBaseStrength62(+4)Agility55(+4)Vitality55(+2)Intelligence43(+2)Mana AffinityFire / Physical AugmentationUnique Skill[Ancestral Synergy: Lv 1] (Angel's Blessing)Skills[Fire Magic: Lv 2], [Body Reinforcement: Lv 1], [Mana Barrier: Lv 1], [Flame Blade: Lv 1], [Haste: Lv 1], [Iron Recovery: Lv 1]Unallocated points: 0
Level 15 places me right in the middle of E-Rank, Arthur analyzed as the town walls came into view. To qualify for the D-Rank trial, I need to push past Level 20. But since the experience requirement scales significantly higher with each level, minor gathering jobs won't cut it anymore. I need high-density monster contracts.
Pushing through the double doors of the Adventurers' Guild hall, Arthur found the morning crowd already gathering around the quest boards.
Elena looked up from behind the long wooden counter, her cheerful smile warming as Arthur approached.
"A bit of both," Arthur replied with a smile. "I'm stopping by the forge shortly to pick up my new blade, but first, I want to see what E-Rank contracts are available for high-density monster culls."
Elena nodded approvingly, pulling a fresh stack of stamped parchments from the board file. "Now that you hold an official E-Rank plate, you have access to regional pest-control and territorial clearance jobs..."
She handed the parchment across the counter.
[E-Rank Expedition Contract: Sunken Ravine Nest Extermination]
Target: Horned Vipers & Mud-Stalkers (E-Rank Monsters)
Location: The Sunken Ravine (Four miles southeast)
Objective: Clear the ravine roads to allow safe passage for timber transports.
Bounty: 60 Silver Coins + Monster Materials Harvest Rights
"The Sunken Ravine has been overrun by horned vipers and heavy mud-stalkers," Elena explained. "Because of the muddy terrain and venomous targets, it usually requires a party of three. But given your magical barrier and fire affinity, you're more than qualified." This chapter was copied from novelping(.)com without permission.
"I'll take it," Arthur said, sliding the parchment into his jacket. "Sixty silver coins and plenty of targets to test my new [Haste] spell."
"Be careful out there," Elena cautioned warmly. "The mud-stalkers have thick hides, and the vipers strike fast."
Arthur left the guild and headed directly to the commercial quarter to pick up his newly forged longsword.
Inside the blacksmith’s workshop, the smith handed over a magnificent double-edged steel blade. The pommel and crossguard were inlaid with refined iron fittings from the mine, and the blade gleamed with a faint, blue-tinted sheen.
"Folded four times," the smith said proudly. "Channel your mana through the hilt—it'll hold high-density flames without degrading the steel."
Arthur gripped the leather-wrapped hilt, channeling a brief pulse of mana. The blade responded instantly, humming with smooth magical resonance.
"Perfect," Arthur said, paying the remaining fee and strapping the sheath to his belt.
With his old iron sword replaced by a high-grade steel longsword, Arthur set off past the town gates toward the Sunken Ravine, his eyes fixed on reaching Level 16.