The m sun shone brightly over the bustling town, casting its warm rays over the streets filled with merts, shoppers, and adventurers. The Rising Heroes, Li, Adrian, and Sera, set out on their ask: finding a new sword for Li. Her sword had been broken during their st mission, and they all knew she needed a rept before their adventure.
"I 't go into anht with this broken thing," Li muttered, gng down at the snapped hilt hanging from her belt. "We o find a rept today." Adrian nodded with determination. "Don't worry. There are plenty of shops here. We'll find something." Sera, quiet as always, followed behind them, clutg her alchemy pouch tightly. Though she didn't speak much, her eyes showed her resolve to help however she could.
---
Their first stop was a small shop tucked away in a quiet alley. The wooden sign above the door creaked in the breeze, and the faint smell of oil aal wafted out as they stepped ihe walls were lined with ons of all kinds: swords, daggers, axes, and more. An older shopkeeper greeted them warmly, his wrinkled face lighting up as they entered. "Looking for something specific?" he asked, rubbing his hands together. "A sword," Li replied, sing the racks. "Something sturdy and reliable." She picked up a long bde from the dispy and gave it a few test swings. Her brow furrowed as she felt the weight of the on. "The bance is off," she said, shaking her head. Adrian took the sword aed it himself. "She's right. It's too heavy on one side." The shopkeeper's smile faltered, but he nodded. "Fair enough. Feel free to look around some more." Sera, standing quietly he door, hesitated before saying, "Maybe we should keep looking… just to see what else is out there."
The group agreed ahe shop, stepping bato the bright sunlight. Though they hadn't found what they were looking for, their spirits remained high. Their stop was a grand store in the heart of town. Its rge windows dispyed rows of gleaming swords and shields that sparkled in the sunlight. The inside was even more impressive, with polished ons dispyed on ornate racks under bright nterns. "This pce is amazing," Li said, her eyes wide as she picked up a beautifully crafted sword. She tested its weight and bance, and for the first time, she smiled. "This one feels perfect." Adrian stepped forward to inquire about the price. The shopkeeper, a tall man with a proud demeanor, named a figure that made everyone's jaw drop. "That's… way out of our budget," Adrian muttered, trying to hide his disappoi. "A bit of an uatement," Sera whispered, her eyes wide with disbelief. Relutly, Li pced the sword ba the rack. "Let's go," she said, her voice tinged with frustration.
As they stepped outside, the excitement from earlier began to fade. "We'll find something," Adrian assured her, though his own fidence was starting to waver. The third shop they visited was smaller and more modest, located oskirts of town. The ons on dispy were of det quality, and the prices seemed more reasonable. However, the shopkeeper—a thin man with a sly grin—gave everyone an uneasy feeling. "I don't trust him," Sera whispered, clutg her alchemy pouch tightly. Adrian nodded. "her do I. Let's go." And so, the day dragged on. They visited shop after shop, but each time, something was wroher the swords were too expensive, poorly made, or the shopkeepers seemed untrustworthy. By midday, the group was exhausted and disheartened.
---
They sat down on a wooden ben the town square, surrounded by the chatter of merts and the ctter of carts. Adrian leaned bad sighed. "Maybe we should try again tomorrow." Li stared down at the broken hilt of her sword, her shoulders slumping. "I just wao be ready for the mission," she said softly. The group fell into a heavy sileheir earlier excitement now repced with frustration and doubt.
Suddenly, a cheerful voice broke through the noise of the market. "Need a sword, eh?" They looked up to see a young dwarf approag them. He was short and lean, with wild, untamed hair and a soot-stained apron tied around his waist. A rge hammer hung from his shoulder, and his bright eyes sparkled with energy. "You lot look like adventurers," he said with a wide grin. "I bet I help you find the perfect sword!" Li raised an eyebrow. "And who are you?" The duffed up his chest proudly. "The name's Doran Ironhelm! Warriorsmith extraordinaire!" He held out his hand, still grinning. Adrian crossed his arms, eyeing the dwarf suspiciously. "And what's yle?" "Angle?" Doraed, looking offended. "Lad, I don't have an angle. I'm just a smith who loves a challenge. You need a sword, and I've got the skills to make it happen!" Li frowned. "And how much will this 'perfect sword' cost us?" "Nothing!" Doran said, his grin widening. "I'll give you the sword for free!" "Free?" Adrian said, narrowing his eyes. "That sounds too good to be true." "Rex, d! I'm no scammer," Doran said with a ugh. "I just want to prove my skills. If you like the sword, you e bae for all your future on needs. Deal?"
Li crossed her arms, clearly skeptical. "And what's in it for you? What if I don't like it?" Drinned again, his fidenwavering. "Then you walk away, ns attached. But trust me, ss, you'll love it." The group exged hesitant gnces. Finally, Li extended her hand. "Alright. You've got a deal." Doran shook her hand firmly, his eyes glinting with mischief. "One more thing, though. I've got a dition of my own." Li raised an eyebrow. "What kind of dition?" "You let me join your team," Doran said, his grin unwavering. "I'm a smith, aye, but I'm ner to adventure. You lot look like you could use someone handy with a hammer and a bde."
Adrian frowned. "We don't even know you." "You will," Doran replied with a chuckle. "Give me a ce, and I'll prove I'm worth it." Li hesitated, gng at her panions. Sera looked unsure, but Adrian shrugged. "We do need a sword, and he seems… enthusiastic." After a moment's thought, Li nodded. "Fine, you're in." "Done!" Doran excimed, shaking her hand again. "You won't regret this. Mark my words!"
As the deal was sealed, the group couldn't help but feel a mix of tension and hope. Though unsure of what y ahead, they khis was the start of something new.
