MTLNOVEL Chapter 11: Preperation and Possibilities
Chapter 10: Preparation and Possibilities
The sun was bright over Veydris, casting long shadows along the bustling streets. Merchants called out their wares, adventurers strolled through the marketplace, and the scent of roasting meat and fresh bread filled the air.
Renji hadn't taken another quest yet.
Instead, he had another objective today—to prepare.
His last battles had taught him something important. Strength wasn't just about leveling up or gaining new skills. It was about resources.
Better weapons. Better supplies. Better strategy.
And if he wanted to keep climbing, he needed all of it.
Renji walked through the central market, taking in the sheer variety of goods on display. Stalls overflowed with fresh fruit, dried meats, and jars of spices, while smiths displayed rows of daggers, swords, and armor pieces on wooden racks.
He stopped by a food stall, where an elderly woman was selling bread and dried provisions.
"Adventurer, huh?" she said, eyeing his silver Guild tag. "You'll need food that lasts."
Renji nodded. "What do you have?"
She gestured to a few wrapped packages. "Dried meat, hard bread, and some preserved fruit. Not the tastiest, but it'll keep you going."
Renji pulled out a few silver coins. "I'll take a week's worth."
The old woman smiled, bundling the food into a cloth bag. Renji accepted it—then activated Item Box.
The bag vanished, sucked into the invisible storage space only he could access.
The woman blinked. "Huh. You got one of those fancy storage abilities?"
Renji smirked. "Something like that."
Next, Renji made his way to a blacksmith's forge near the edge of the district. The place was easy to find—the clang of hammer on steel rang through the air, the scent of burning coal thick in the wind.
A broad-shouldered man with a beard like a steel brush stood behind the counter, wiping sweat from his brow. His arms were thick with muscle, his hands scarred from years of work.
The blacksmith barely glanced up. "Adventurer?"
Renji nodded. "Looking for a new weapon."
The man gestured to the weapons lining the walls. "Got plenty of steel. What are you after?"
Renji stepped closer, inspecting the swords. His current weapon was decent, but it was standard Guild-issued steel—not built for extended use.
"Something lighter but still durable," Renji said. "I use speed over brute force."
The blacksmith rubbed his chin. "Then you'll want a forged alloy blade. Stronger than iron, but won't weigh you down."
He pulled a sleek-looking sword from the rack. The blade was thinner, with a slight curve, and the hilt was wrapped in black leather for better grip.
"Something like this," the smith said. "Good for quick strikes and counterattacks."
Renji tested the weight, swinging it a few times. It felt… good. Smooth. Natural.
"How much?" Renji asked.
The blacksmith crossed his arms. "Fifty silver."
Renji exhaled. Expensive. He had just earned fifteen silver from his last quest.
"I'll come back for it," he said, handing the sword back.
The blacksmith chuckled. "Don't take too long. Good weapons don't wait."
Renji left the forge, rolling his shoulders.
One more reason to start taking higher-paying quests.
As he made his way back toward the Guild, Renji found himself thinking.
His last few battles had been solo, relying purely on his own skills. And while he liked working alone, he couldn't deny—he had nearly died.
Going solo forever wasn't sustainable.
Maybe it was time to look into forming a party.
The Guild had a large tavern area, where adventurers met, drank, and recruited party members. Renji pushed open the door, stepping into the rowdy atmosphere of clashing mugs and loud laughter.
He scanned the room, eyes landing on a large bulletin board near the back.
A sign hung above it.
[Party Recruitment Board]
Renji walked up, reading some of the posted notes.
[Recruiting: Defensive Fighter & Scout]
- Party Name: Iron Fangs
- Rank: D-Rank
- Looking For: Swordfighter with endurance OR stealth-focused scout.
[Seeking Mage or Support Role]
- Party Name: The Ember Pact
- Rank: C-Rank
- Looking For: A magic-user or support-type fighter for dungeon expeditions.
[New Party Forming: All Roles Welcome]
- Party Name: None yet
- Rank: F-Rank (Newbies)
- Looking For: Anyone willing to form a new adventuring team.
Renji's eyes lingered on the Iron Fangs post.
They were D-Rank, meaning they took on tougher quests. He also fit what they were looking for—he wasn't a tank, but his agility and Phantom Step made him a solid scout.
But…
Renji frowned. Did he really want to work with others?
He had survived this long by relying on himself.
And yet…
That moment in the fight with the Ashfang Ravager, when he realized he couldn't just dodge forever—that had been a wake-up call.
Even stronger monsters were out there.
Fighting alone was fine, but at some point, he'd hit a wall.
For now, he wouldn't make a decision.
But he'd keep his options open.
By the time Renji left the Guild, the sun was setting over Veydris, bathing the city in warm orange light.
His Item Box now held a full supply of rations, spare daggers, and medicine. His next goal was saving up for a new weapon.
And as for a party… he still wasn't sure.
But one thing was certain.
He wasn't planning on slowing down.
As he walked through the streets, he let out a slow breath.
Tomorrow, he'd decide his next move.
And whatever came next—
He was ready.