Rey stumbled into Iwata Village, his iron chest plate cracked and streaked with blood. Each step felt heavier than the last, but he forced himself forward, refusing to collapse before reaching safety.
Several adventurers nearby turned at the sight of him, their eyes widening.
"Oi, he's bleeding badly!" one shouted.
A mage in a light blue robe rushed over, his staff glowing faintly. "Hold still!" The staff lit up, runes flaring across the wood, and a gentle warmth spread through Rey's battered body. The bleeding slowed, the searing pain in his chest dulled, and his breathing evened out.
Rey's vision, once blurry and dim, slowly cleared. He blinked, focusing on the mage's concerned face.
"…Thanks," Rey rasped.
The mage gave a faint smile and shook his head. "No problem. You were on the edge there. Be careful next time."
Rey nodded, straightening his posture with a grunt. His body still ached, but the healing magic gave him enough strength to keep moving. He needed to report this.
With steady steps, Rey entered the Adventurer Guild.
The wooden doors creaked open, and the warm buzz of voices filled his ears. Adventurers clustered in groups, drinking, laughing, or poring over quest papers. Behind the counter, the receptionist lifted her head and greeted him with a professional smile.
"Welcome back. Did you finish the goblin extermination quest?"
Rey approached the counter, his armor still scratched and bloodstained. He placed something heavy on the desk with a solid thunk.
Not a goblin ear. Not a dagger.
A massive, broken horn, black as night.
The receptionist blinked, her smile faltering. "…This isn't goblin proof. What is this?"
Rey exhaled, running a hand through his sweat-dampened hair.
"Kinda," he admitted. "When I got there, something else had already beaten the goblins. I followed the trail… blood everywhere, weapons, body parts. It led me to a cave. Inside, I found a throne made of skulls—completely drenched in blood. No goblins, just the stench of death. When I came back out…"
His gaze darkened. "…That thing was waiting for me. A bear."
The receptionist frowned, brows furrowing. She placed her hand over the horn, channeling appraisal magic. Her eyes glowed white. Then—
She froze.
Her pupils shrank, sweat dripping down her cheek. Her lips trembled before she suddenly raised her voice.
"You… you're telling me you defeated this monster!?"
The guild hall went silent. Every adventurer turned toward Rey.
"What's going on?"
"Wait, did she say defeated?"
The receptionist's voice cracked as she practically shouted, "Y-You beat a Runebear!?"
The whispers exploded.
"A Runebear!? That's a B-rank monster!"
"No way. He is a rookie who just scraped into iron gear!"
"I heard even C-rank parties avoid those things… how the hell did he—"
Rey scratched the back of his head awkwardly, ignoring the stares.
The receptionist's eyes darted to his cracked chestplate, where claw marks had nearly pierced through. Her lips pressed tight. "…Judging from the damage, you're not lying."
She hesitated, then asked carefully, "What color was it? The fur?"
"Black," Rey answered simply.
Her face paled. Around the hall, gasps echoed.
"Black!? That's not just any Runebear, that's one of the evolved types!"
"They're supposed to rival a phyton in raw strength…"
"And he—he beat it alone!?"
The receptionist gripped the counter to steady herself. "You're saying you single-handedly defeated a Black Runebear. A fresh evolution… with twenty-five thousand strength."
Rey gave a small shrug. "Barely. But yes."
The guild hall broke into heated murmurs, disbelief spreading like wildfire.
"Impossible…"
"He doesn't even look older than eighteen."
"Was it luck? Or… no, maybe some rare skill…"
Rey glanced around, sighing. He didn't like the attention, but it was too late. He turned back to the receptionist. "So, what do I do with the horn? Can I sell it here, or should I take it to the Trading Guild?"
The receptionist blinked, composing herself. "You… you could sell it, but… it's rare material. If you'd like, it could be forged into a weapon."
"I'll keep it, then." Rey picked the horn back up. "I want to make it into my new weapon."
"That's… a wise choice," the receptionist admitted, regaining some composure. She smiled faintly, though her eyes still flicked to the adventurers whispering behind him. "As for your goblin quest, please wait a moment. I'll consult the Guild Master."
Rey nodded.
As she left, the whispers grew louder.
"How the hell could a rookie handle that thing?"
"Did you see his armor? He barely survived. But still… to actually kill it…"
"Maybe he has some kind of secret ability."
"Or maybe he's lying. But then again… the receptionist appraised it herself."
Rey ignored them, leaning on the counter with his eyes half-closed. His chest still throbbed where the claws had torn him, but he forced his breathing steady.
Minutes later, the receptionist returned, carrying two small pouches. Her expression was lighter now, though her eyes still carried respect.
"Good news," she said. "The Guild Master approved. Here are your rewards. Twenty silver coins for the goblin quest…" She placed the first pouch down. "…and ten gold coins for defeating the Runebear."
Gasps erupted around the hall again.
"Ten gold!? For a single hunt!?"
"He's set for weeks…"
Rey took the pouches quietly, weighing them in his hand before slipping them into his bag.
"…Thanks. I guess."
The receptionist gave a faint laugh. "No, Rey. Thank you. You saved Iwata from a monster that could have destroyed the entire village. Don't underestimate what you've done."
Rey didn't respond. He just nodded once and walked toward the door, ignoring the whispers, the stares, and the mix of awe and envy that followed him.
Outside, the cool air hit his face. His body ached, but his mind was sharp.
He now had the horn of a Black Runebear.
And he knew—this was only the beginning.
With the horn tucked beneath his arm, Rey exited the guild. The whispers followed him out the door, dozens of eyes lingering on his back.
"…Unbelievable."
"He's either crazy or a genius…"
"That kid… who is he really?"
Rey paid them no mind. His steps carried him straight to the blacksmith's shop.
The moment he pushed the door open, a small bell rang. The heat of a forge and the smell of burning coal wrapped around him. Behind the counter stood a muscular man with a brown beard, bald head gleaming with sweat, and a heavy black apron tied across his broad chest.
The blacksmith looked up, setting down a hammer. "What can I do for you today, young man?"
Rey placed the Runebear horn onto the counter. "I want this made into a weapon."
The blacksmith's eyes widened as he lifted it. Turning it in his thick hands, he muttered, "This… This is Runebear horn, isn't it?"
Rey nodded. "Good eye."
The man grinned faintly. "Any proper blacksmith can recognize a monster material like this. Horns like these… they're rare, durable, and filled with mana. They forge into weapons worthy of a veteran adventurer."
Rey crossed his arms. "Can you make it into a sword?"
The blacksmith nodded. "Of course. Sword, dagger, spear, mace, axe—you name it. But since you asked, I'll forge it into a blade. Come back in two days, and it'll be ready."
Rey tilted his head. "And the cost?"
The man examined the horn again. "Considering the size and condition… two gold coins."
Without hesitation, Rey set the coins on the counter. "Deal."
The blacksmith's grin widened as he pocketed them. "Good. Then leave it to me. You'll have a weapon that'll make others envious."
Rey gave a small nod. "I'll return in two days."
He turned and left, the bell chiming softly behind him as the door swung shut.
For a moment, the blacksmith stared down at the Runebear horn, the firelight reflecting off its surface. He shook his head in disbelief.
"…A kid like that… fighting a beast like this. The guild's going to be talking about him for weeks."