Chapter 299: Barbo Smith

"Do you know how many Diamond Rank Hunters in the Kingdom?"

Ned shook his head. He wasn't curious enough to find out how many there were of this so-called Diamond Rank Hunter. But one thing he knew was that these Hunters were strong enough that nations would pay a hefty sum of their resources to hire them.

And Ned got one them, in his pod, locked, waiting to be judged. Ned raised an eyebrow just from thinking of Ser Edwin.

"I do not know too. It's not that I am arrogant, but the Kingdom was keeping their number in secret. But... recently, there have been rumors in the Kingdom that one of them went missing. And even the King's advisor went looking for him."

How is that a rumor, if you knew that much? Ned thought.

"Okay... I know you like being quiet. But, at least, answer me this. How in the Maker have you persuaded a Diamond Rank Hunter to recommend you. Bunny's ears! This Token is a Personal Token. And nobles will do everything to let their children be admitted by any Diamond Rank Hunter."

"Well... about that. I'd rather not share any information regarding that Token."

"I understand. But, Ned—I'm not doubting you or anything like that—but, I need to know this is the real deal."

Twali raised an eyebrow as he raised the Token aligned to Ned. Of course, it was real. But Ned understood Twali, he was making sure, and there's no point in hiding the Token to anyone, since, sooner, he would admit it at the Hunter's Exam.

Ned reached for the Token Twali was holding, and with a puff of his mana, the Token exudes light that was enough to brighten the tips of Ned's fingers.

Twali almost stood on his seat but restrained on doing so with a gulp of whatever liquid he was having.

"You know that Lord Sven is looking for someone or anyone willing to join his House, right?"

Of course, Ned does, Lord Sven was a man that Ned doesn't want to be indebted with. He's got the eagerness of a merchant, so much, that he was about to lower the price just so his product is sold.

"Originally, he was only looking for Diamond Rank Hunter to join his House. Lord Sven got to the point that he was willing to pay them with mana stones. To Master's surprise, Diamond Rank Hunters were only paid with Mana Stones. Now... I got this feeling that your mana stones came from this Hunter."

With a flick of his wrist, Ned withdrew Ser Edwin's Token back to his inventory.

"That I cannot deny."

"House Stormcrag doesn't have a single Diamond Rank Hunter." Twali shook his head and followed it up with a whisper, "Poor Lady Sasani."

He then informed Ned about his recommendation.

If Twali's information was correct, then Ned might end up participating in a fight that might be too much for him.

Some participants failed numerous times and end up retaking again and again. One could say that they were the veterans of the Exam.

Then some participants just finished the academy and went to join the Exam. Unlike other participants that will start with Wood Rank, these graduates will have the rank of Silver the moment they passed the Exam.

And Ned was unsure of the teachings of the academies. But one thing is certain, he needs to put a lot of fight to make it to the Hunter's Exam.

What he's concerned about the most, were the participants that were recommended by these Diamond Rank Hunters.

"Thank you for the gold." Ned merges his remaining gold with the new one that he got from Twali which amounting to 1, 599 gold coins. For Twali, gold doesn't possess value, and thanks to this frugality that Ned was able to lessen the problem he was facing.

"Where to next?" Twali stood and patted Ned by the shoulder. "If you need anything. House Stormcrag is here to help."

Twali was a loyal servant to the House Stormcrag and he would do anything to strengthen their force. It won't hurt him if Ned was indebted to him.

"I think you've done more than enough." And Ned wasn't someone to be lured by this. He'd rather shed blood to pay his debts than to be someone else's slave once more.

"No. We barely reached the point that we consider our Houses allies."

"About that. Tell Lord Sven I'll be meeting him some other day about the..." Ned raised his right hand and showed Twali his wrist.

Although unseen, Twali knew that Ned was talking about the ancient Mark he has on his wrist.

"'I'll make sure your message will be heard."

And there's that other matter. If Ned was done all with his list, Lord Sven is waiting for him back at the Bogaressi. He could still be useful if all went down the drain.

After talking with Twali, Ned left for the market. Now he needed to sit in a carriage for another half an hour.

Upon reaching the market Ventura, from the entrance, Ned was entranced by how the people walked under the heat of the high noon sun. There, he was caught by different noises coming from the vendors and customers in the stalls on both sides of the building.

Ned was looking for a specific blacksmith.

At the far end of the market Ventura was a shop in a green tarp stashed with shiny weapons ranging from bows, and blades, and swords. It was a shop unlike any other else. It was empty of buyers, none even dared to check.

"Why do I have the feeling that this shop is about to close anytime soon?"

Ned stepped inside the shop only to be welcomed by blacksmith Barbo in a frowning face.

"Don't bother, kid. This was common during this time."

Looking at Ned, blacksmith Barbo even frowned deeper.

There's only one reason why Ned was welcomed by Barbo's glaring eyes.

"Where's Boom? My short-sword?"

"It was the best I used so far." Aside from the broken Butterfly, Barbo's short-sword served to need well in terms of durability.

"So you want me to be happy? Kid. That's a Grade E magic item specifically made to withstand tough fights. For Grade E it was the best I made."

"Well. You said it your self, Barbo-sir. Boom was a Grade E sword."

"You!" Barbo's thick brows went even deeper over his eyes. "What kind of iron-melting battle have you encountered for my sword to broke?"

"Well. There was this—"

"Don't mind it, Kid. Did it serve you well?"

"Better. It saved my life."

Without Barbo's short-sword, Ned should have died in the hands of Gogmurch. In the process of freeing himself from Gogmurch's grip, Ned had to use his mana to activate Boom's imbued skill, which was an explosion upon contact of the tip. And it left Gogmurch with a single arm.

"Well. Can't argue anymore. So, what do you want? As you can see, I'm quite a busy man."

"Ain't that obvious?"

With nothing but the sound of metals clanking along with the passing of the wind, Barbo's shop was nothing but a mere lone survivor amidst the hundreds of other shops inside the market Ventura.

Inside, Barbo's shop was lit with a light coming from the furnace behind him. Barbo's muscles were as big as the anvil that stood between him and Ned, while his hammer was set against the wall. There were, however, items hanging against the wall, on Ned's left, that were so intricate in design that at first look they were made by some lunatic who loved to play like a blacksmith.

A shield with a slit in the middle, enough for blades to pass through and stab anyone against it. Beside this shield, was a greatsword with dual edges, adorned with a beast tooth, and was as big as Barbo himself, it was designed with its surface as though made from a reptile's skin. Below this unusual creation was a dual-edged ax with chains wrapped around its handle. There was a hammer on the cabinet, so short and shiny as though it was about to summon thunder. On the far end of the room was a shiny blade, and Ned could see his figure as though it was a mirror. What caught Ned's attention about this blade was that it looked exactly like a samurai.

"These creations." Ned pointed at the weapons that were left hanging, if not cast aside the room, before him. "You made all these?"

"Pff!" Barbo stood, and as soon as he does, Ned realized how puny he was with the man before him standing six nearly seven feet. He looked like a barbarian with the leather straps wrapping his chest and biceps over a leather apron. "Who else could there be?"

Now, Ned knew why his shop was cast aside. His creations were too unusual that at first glance they seemed to be unusable. But if one would give chance to inspect the items, they were far from being a waste. The short hammer for example could be used in narrow spaces and was lighter than the usual hammers. None bothered trying the samurai at first glance with its body so thin. But if one would try, they were perfectly balanced in terms of weight and length.

"Your creations were one of the best I've seen so far."

Although feeling grumpy with lines deep over his forehead. Barbo was able to throw a smile upon hearing Ned's words.

"You kid. What exactly do you want? You returning here means you want something specific. Well, since you're here, I'll give you a discount you can't back away."

But of all the unusual creations Barbo on display, there was one that caught Ned's attention the most. Beside the samurai, under the cabinet, was an item Ned sought after the moment he laid his eyes on.

"That one. Where and how do you make it work?"

The one Ned was pointing to was a revolver type of gun that turned brown from the dust that accumulates. With the size difference, the revolver was almost looking like the one he got back at the Hive.