Free Web NovelChapter 97: Bonus! (2)
Shinon lay in his bed, his eyes fixed on the glowing screen before him. The soft light illuminated the room, casting a faint blue hue across his features. His gaze was locked on his status page, where his name and details were displayed in crisp digital letters.
[Name: Shinon Flintlock
Race: Human
Class: Shadowsmith
Talent: Mastersmith (lvl 2)
Level: 29]
As he scanned the page, his eyes lingered on the line that held his level. Level 29. It seemed like an eternity since he had progressed, his journey towards level 100 feeling stagnant and unyielding. freewēbnoveℓ.com
He had faced countless challenges, overcome dangerous adversaries, and honed his skills, yet the next step to advance remained unreachable.
A sigh escaped Shinon’s lips as he recalled the words of the enigmatic Widow, the Bandit King, who had teased him with promises of answers once he reached level 100.
In the parallel earth, a glimmer of hope ignited within Shinon’s heart as he pondered the words of the Widow. For the first time since his arrival, her enigmatic words held the promise that he might find a way back to his own world, his beloved earth.
In his previous life, his skill and craftsmanship had been rewarded with tangible experience, his levels increasing with each creation he crafted. But things were not unfolding as he had anticipated in this unfamiliar world.
"What am I doing wrong?" Shinon muttered to himself, his voice filled with frustration.
He ran a hand through his hair, the strands slightly dishevelled from hours of contemplation. His eyes, a captivating shade of amber, flickered with a blend of curiosity and mild exasperation.
He reached out and picked up his Mastersmith hammer, the weight of it familiar and comforting in his grasp.
It had been his companion for countless hours, the tool that had shaped his craft and brought his creations to life. He stared at its sturdy head, his mind racing with thoughts and possibilities.
"I used to gain experience for each creation," Shinon mused aloud, his voice tinged with nostalgia. "But here, it seems I’m missing something crucial."
With a sigh, Shinon stood up and pushed himself away from the bed. He needed to find a way to break free from the stagnation that held him captive.
He needed to rediscover his past potential in the new world, as he couldn’t win every fight as long as he was dependent on his Shadow abilities.
His footsteps echoed softly as he paced back and forth, the weight of his thoughts pressing upon him. He considered his options, the possibilities that lay before him.
One thing became clear – he needed to find a way to gain more experience points, increase his levels and enhance his abilities.
Shinon understood that the most efficient path to acquiring the necessary EXP was completing quests and hunting zombies. However, the limitations of daily quests and their unpredictable rewards made them an unreliable source for levelling up.
The prospect of hunting zombies, while enticing, was met with frustration. The Phoenixes prioritised Shinon’s skills as a blacksmith over his combat abilities.
Rarely granted permission to venture beyond the safety of the settlement, he found himself confined to the boundaries set by those in charge.
Regrettably, Shinon understood that Rico’s frail state made it impossible for him to venture outside the protective walls of the settlement without Shinon’s aid.
Their bond ran deep, and Rico and Kira shared Shinon’s stubborn determination, making it unlikely they would willingly leave him behind.
However, Shinon took comfort because he had garnered considerable support among the settlement’s inhabitants. His reputation for crafting affordable yet top-quality equipment and his valiant efforts in rescuing Selena had earned him the trust and admiration of many.
Indeed, with the backing of the settlement’s residents, the Phoenixes would not be able to turn a blind eye to his desires and aspirations if he were to somehow force them. Until then, Shinon needed to keep his head low and focus on his work.
As Shinon pondered his next move, a new daily quest materialised in front of him, signalling the beginning of a new day.
With a hint of curiosity, Shinon examined the quest’s details, only to find himself disappointed. It was a mundane and straightforward task, lacking real excitement or challenge. However, what caught his attention was the absence of a specified reward for its completion.
"Create 10 unique farming gear," Shinon whispered under his breath. "Rewards will be determined by the quality and amount of work put into making the gear, as mentioned earlier. This should be easy enough."
~~~
In a dimly lit room, Widow stood before a holographic projection of the red-haired Trader, her leader and confidante. The holographic image shimmered to life, revealing the Trader’s sharp features and piercing gaze.
"Report, Widow," the Trader commanded, her voice laced with authority.
"Still as strict as ever, huh?" Widow smiled before continuing the conversation. "I found your shadowmancer, and it didn’t seem like he was injured or that someone was forcing him."
"Is that so..." The Trader’s lips curled into a rare smile. "Well done, Widow. I was taken aback when I learned he returned to the Phoenixes, but I guess I was worried for no reason." freeweɓnovēl.coɱ
"From what I saw, it doesn’t seem like he gets along with the Phoenixes either." Widow shrugged. "Though, I left a seed of doubt in his head before parting ways with him."
"Excellent, Widow. Your loyalty and cunning never cease to impress me. Continue to guide Shinon and nurture his trust in us. We must let him know we are not the bad guys here."
"Of course," Widow replied.
The Trader leaned forward, her holographic image flickering with intensity. "But remember, Widow, keep our true intentions hidden. Let him think he’s joining us willingly. We mustn’t reveal our real plans until the time is right."
Widow nodded, her expression turning serious. "I understand, Boss. I’ll play my part and ensure Shinon remains unaware of our grand scheme. He will be a powerful ally and a key asset in our conquest, and in return, he’ll return to his world safely."
