Bang!
As the final wolf shattered into fragments and disappeared, the [Hunt Wolves] quest on Lillian's task list was finally completed. He checked his EXP bar—it had filled less than one-fifth.
"So leveling really slows down after level 6."
In the original story, the fastest group of beta testers only reached an average level of 10–15 by the time they defeated the first-floor boss a month after launch. That alone showed just how brutal the EXP requirements were.
The plains near the Town of Beginnings were now packed with players. Many had accepted reality and begun grinding monsters. Meanwhile, the beta testers were nowhere to be seen—Lillian guessed that, like Kirito, they had rushed off to other villages on this floor early on to monopolize better leveling spots.
At the very start, Lillian could have contacted Kirito. Everyone had been gathered in the plaza, and as long as you knew someone's name, you could send an [Instant Message], even without being friends.
Given Kirito's personality, he probably wouldn't have refused if someone asked to party up and level together. But Lillian felt awkward. Two years later would've been fine—but right now, Kirito was just a fourteen-year-old kid. Lillian's body was seventeen, and his mental age—counting his time on Earth and the AOT world—was pushing thirty.
They wouldn't have much in common. No matter how mature Kirito sometimes seemed, traces of teenage chunni still leaked out. Better to let him be a cool solo player and not interfere.
With that thought, Lillian returned to the Town of Beginnings and turned in the quest at the gate guard.
[EXP: 400]
[Col: 500]
Since it was a repeatable quest, it only rewarded experience and money—no equipment. Adding this to his previous earnings, Lillian now had about 1,600 Col.
Dinner plus lodging would cost around 500, leaving about 1,100 to spend. And he planned to spend it.
Saving money didn't make sense unless you planned to avoid danger altogether. Converting money into real combat power was far more practical.
Of course, players could save up. You could buy land, purchase a house, live in it—or open a shop as a merchant. There were countless playstyles. Not everyone had to be a frontline fighter. "Crafters" were vital to the game—without their products, frontline players wouldn't last long either.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Passing by a blacksmith's shop, Lillian stopped when he heard the sound of hammering from inside.
After a brief pause, he stepped in.
Inside the room, beside a massive smelting furnace, stood a man wearing a black sleeveless shirt. He looked to be in his thirties and was hammering away at a weapon blank with a short hammer. He was clearly an NPC—at this stage, it was impossible for players to become blacksmiths.
"Hey kid, looking to buy something?" the blacksmith uncle called out, pointing at two weapon racks standing against the wall. "Everything there is my handiwork! Fair prices, honest business!"
"Alright, I'll take a look."
Lillian walked over to the racks. Each slot held a different weapon. He casually picked up a one-handed sword and checked its stats—its attack was only a bit more than ten points higher than the beginner sword he'd confiscated earlier. Not bad.
But for just that small increase in attack power, the price was a jaw-dropping 2,000 Col.
He checked the others. They were all similar—slightly stronger than beginner weapons, but priced far beyond what most new players could afford. Lillian could grind for a few hours and buy one, but other players wouldn't have his efficiency. For them, it would probably take a whole day of farming, which simply wasn't worth it. Low-level equipment became obsolete quickly anyway.
Aside from these, there was nothing better for sale. Which made sense—this was only the first floor. No one would sell top-tier gear here.
"So? See anything you like?" the blacksmith asked as he walked over.
Lillian shook his head, then suddenly asked, "Boss, do you buy weapons?"
"You selling?" The blacksmith nodded immediately. "Sure, let me take a look."
"They're nothing special."
Lillian took out the beginner weapons he'd seized from the blond gang. The blacksmith examined them and said, "All basic weapons. I'll buy them for 300 Col each—that's about all they're worth."
Three hundred?
Lillian was actually quite pleased with the price. Without hesitation, he sold all five weapons. He didn't need them anyway, and 1,500 Col was far more useful. That put his total funds at 3,100 Col.
Not exactly rich—but among current players, he'd definitely be considered well-off.
"No wonder so many players turn into bandits," Lillian muttered. "The money really does come fast."
Of course, he had no intention of doing that himself. He still had a baseline of morals and principles.
"Here you go!" The blacksmith tossed him a money pouch.
Lillian caught it, and a currency notification popped up.
[Col: 1500]
Perfect.
He put the money away with satisfaction and was just about to leave when the blacksmith called out again.
"Hey, kid—wait a second."
"Is there something else, sir?"
"Seeing how you managed to get this many weapons—even if they're basic—I'd say you've got some real ability." A hint of hesitation crossed the blacksmith's rugged face. "I've got a favor to ask. The reward won't disappoint you."
A quest?
Lillian's heart immediately leapt with excitement. That was exactly what he needed. Grinding monsters alone was far too inefficient—and quests often came with special rewards.
He'd assumed all beginner-town quests had already been snapped up by beta testers. The fact that this one was still available meant either they'd overlooked it, or it was newly added after launch and hadn't existed during beta.
"Not a problem," Lillian agreed instantly. Difficulty didn't matter—accepting the quest came first.
"Ha! You've got guts!" The blacksmith laughed heartily, then quickly turned serious. "But let me warn you—this won't be an easy job. You'd better find companions you trust."
As he finished speaking, the quest notification finally appeared.
[Quest: Mining Iron Ore]
[Objective: Use a pickaxe to mine 20 pieces of iron ore and deliver them to Blacksmith Kudd]
[Location: Dungeon, Floor 1]
[Time Limit: 3 days]
[Reward: Unknown]
The dungeon.
Lillian's expression sharpened. He hadn't expected the quest to take place there. No wonder the blacksmith had warned him—it really wasn't simple.
"Well, kid? Still time to back out."
"No," Lillian replied firmly. "I'll take it. Don't worry—I'll bring back all the iron ore you need."
"Hahaha! Good! I'll be waiting!" The blacksmith pulled an iron pickaxe from behind the furnace and handed it to him. "Use this. And remember—I only need it for these three days. After that, I won't."
"Understood."
Lillian took the pickaxe and left the forge. When he checked his quest list, the countdown timer had already begun.
"I was planning to head into the dungeon anyway," he murmured, "but I need to prepare thoroughly."
He glanced at the 3,100 Col in his inventory. That was more than enough to buy supplies. Without hesitation, he headed straight for the potion shop.