Prologue

Ricewater Village. 

In the muddy fields of barren land, near some small huts, a figure was squatting in the ground with both his hands sweeping the brown wetland. 

The sunlight fell directly on his thin shirt drenched in sweat. Looking at his pitiful figure, the nearby villagers voiced their concerns but he merely replied with a smile telling them not to worry. 

"Urgh… it should be around here…. Found it!"

Holding a bronze coin in his dirty hands, he let out a smile in satisfaction. However, the smile didn't last long. Soon, it was replaced by a frown. 

"It looks just like an ordinary bronze coin…"

As he was carefully scrutinizing every single detail of the coin, a figure from behind slapped his back. 

"Because it is an ordinary bronze coin! Congratulations! You just wasted four hours of your day!"

"Shut up! I have seen Uncle Maclen from the nearest town coming into the village last night accidentally dropping a glowing red-colored coin. What benefit is there for me to lie to you?"

"Forget about it, Rewen. Master Kaf would get angry if he sees us slacking off this way. Even our monthly paycheck may also be in danger."

Rewen silently pondered about his friend Sam's words, then casually kept the coin in his pocket before going to the nearby well to clean his appearance. 

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Master Kaf was the only blacksmith in the village therefore, he was quite respected. Rewen heard from fellow villagers that Master Kaf was a renowned blacksmith in the city and he had only come to the village sixteen years ago. 

"Sixteen years ago, when I came here, although I was past my prime, my old bones still had the vitality of youth. Now, I have become nothing more than a naggy old man who is scared to die…" 

The old man, Master Kaf, sat solemnly on his bed staring at the two filial disciples he had nurtured in the past decade. 

Rewen felt a slight heartache looking at the man he treated both as a master as well as a father figure in his life. Rewen lived with his mother. He was not always without a father. He had lived the first five years of his life with his parents. In his sixth year, his mother was cornered by some wild creatures. Incidentally, his father was a hunter and was returning to his home when he saw ten-some wild creatures ready to devour his wife. In an attempt to save his mother, he died. 

The part which affected Rewen the most was that his mother went to the forest in search of sweet berries because he was throwing a tantrum that day. Whenever he thought of this incident, he just couldn't help but feel extremely guilty.

"Please instruct us!" Sam and Rewen shouted in unison. They both had a rare solemn look on their face because they knew that today was their last day as a blacksmith apprentice. 

Master Kaf smiled calmly. "My only instruction to both of you is to make the <Master Arts of Darin's Second Disciple> renowned in the neighboring city."

It was easier said than done. The nearest city, Darkhood, covers an area of more than fifty-thousand kilometers. Families of knights, merchants, and even some low-rank court officials live there. This alone shows the necessity for a huge market. Blacksmiths and pill-refining experts are as numerous as clouds. 

"We'll do our utmost!" Even so, both of them are very determined to make their master's dream come true.

Master Kaf nodded his head with a satisfied smile. 

"Well then, pack up. We'll start our journey in the afternoon."

"So soon?"

"I got the carriages ready. Let's not waste any time."

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After chatting with Sam for a few minutes, Rewen returned to his home. 

Upon returning, he found his mother in the kitchen. "Mother!"

"Oh, you returned. Did Master Kaf say something about going to the city?" 

"Yes, Mother. Master told us to get ready by the afternoon. Come, let's pack up!"

"What 'us'? I also have to go?"

Rewen annoyingly said. "Yes, you have to! How many times have we discussed this?"

"B-but…"

"Don't worry about shelter and food. Master has land and he would let us stay there…"

"What if some young arrogant scion takes fancy for my appearance!"

"Dear Mother, you are indeed very beautiful but you're only beautiful considering that you are middle-aged!" 

Rewen felt speechless regarding his mother's narcissism and confidence. 

"Such a tasteless man…" She shook her head and sighed. "Forget it. I'll go. Get three bowls from my room. Along the way, we might get hungry."

Rewen heaved a sigh of relief, then obediently went to get the bowls. 

Three hours later. 

Ricewater Village Graveyard. 

Rewen stood in front of his father's grave. Standing beside him, his mother's eyes already turned moist. His mood was a bit heavy. He remembered the days his father used to train his body and he complained a lot. 

"Mother, let's go… it's not like we are never coming back to this village. Every year, we'll visit father's grave to pay respects."

His mother hesitated a bit before nodding her head silently. 

A few minutes later, they reached Master Kaf's residence. 

Rewen lightly waved his hand looking at Master Kaf and his best friend Sam talking with the carriage driver. 

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It was midnight.

Having their dinner, the group was sleeping peacefully. The carriage was rather large so nobody had any difficulties sleeping. 

"Howwwwww!"

Rewen woke up hearing the sound of a wolf. He rubbed his eyes, then went near to the driver. "Was it the howl of a wolf?"

The driver replied in a carefree manner. "Indeed."

"T-then what are we gonna do?" His face turned white. Although Rewen was the son of a hunter, he never actually confronted a single beast in his life. 

"Nothing. Even if I drive faster, the outcome would not necessarily change. For now, we can only leave it to fate…" The driver said in a melancholic tone. 

Hearing that, Rewen instantly got furious. "Bullsh*t fate! Hurry up and drive faster! We'll pay you to double!"

"Pfft! It was just a joke, kid. There are borders around the route."

First, Rewen calmed his heartbeat. Then, he forced a smile. "Uncle, please don't make jokes like this."

He got up and went to the other side of the carriage to look at the stars. He thought about his past, then his present, and then his future. "With the business in the city, I should be able to live a carefree life…"

He was content. 

He never really wanted to become someone noteworthy. Although he does admire the heroes and generals from the legends, he never really aspired to be like them. After all, everyone worked hard and sacrificed some things to become who they are today. 

He just wanted a worry-free life. 

"Huh?"

All of a sudden, he fell on his back. The night sky which was originally full of stars suddenly got replaced with a dense dark sky. 

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