Upon reaching the library, the familiar sight of its tall, wooden doors brought a twinge of nostalgia. Pushing them open, he was greeted by Victor, the ever-watchful vice head librarian. The old man gave him a knowing smile from behind his desk, his silver beard twitching slightly as he spoke."Right on time, Lad. Mesha's been waiting for you in her office."Kael nodded and made his way to the back, where Mesha's workspace resided. The Mystery Archive section loomed nearby, its shelves filled with strange, ancient texts that always made Kael feel both curious and uneasy.Mesha was seated at her cluttered desk, a soft smile spreading across her face as Kael entered. Her sharp, intelligent eyes sparkled behind her thin spectacles. "Ah, there you are. I was wondering when you'd show up.""I had chores," Kael replied, rubbing the back of his neck.Victor followed behind, carrying a small bundle under his arm. "Well, you're here now. That's what matters."Kael looked between the two librarians, confusion creeping across his face. "What's going on?"Mesha reached into her desk drawer and pulled out a book—a peculiar one that immediately drew Kael's attention. Its crimson and bck cover gleamed faintly in the light, and etched into its surface was the image of a dragon's skull, its eyes glowing an eerie red. A silver lock secured the book tightly shut.She held it out to him. "This is for you."Kael blinked, staring at the book in disbelief. "What… what do you mean? Why are you giving me this?"Victor smirked. "It's a birthday gift, kid. Don't look so shocked."Kael hesitantly took the book, its weight feeling heavier than it should. The texture of the cover was smooth yet cold, like polished stone. The crimson glow of the dragon skull's eyes seemed to pulse faintly, as though alive. "What kind of book is this?"Mesha leaned back in her chair, her expression turning thoughtful. "It's a special book—a drop from a dungeon boss. It's a secret which boss or which dungeon it came from, but it's no ordinary item."Kael frowned, his fingers brushing over the silver lock. "There's a lock on it. How am I supposed to open it?""Ah," Mesha said, pointing at the lock.

  "This book is bound to magia. To unlock its secrets, you'll need to pour a drop of your blood onto it and surround it with your magia."Kael's frown deepened. "Magia? You know I can't use that."Mesha's eyes softened, and she gave him an encouraging smile. "Not yet. But the day will come, Kael. When it does, this book will prove invaluable. Until then, keep it safe."Kael stared at the book, his mind swirling with questions and doubts. It felt surreal—like he was holding a piece of something far greater than himself. "I… I don't know what to say.""Say you'll take care of it," Victor interjected with a grin. "And don't lose it."Kael nodded, clutching the book tightly. "I will. Thank you. Both of you."As he turned to leave, Victor called out, tossing a small pouch toward him. "Hold on, you almost forgot what you actually came here for."Kael caught the pouch midair and felt the weight of coins inside.Mesha chuckled softly. "Use that wisely. Buy what you need for the dungeon."Kael smirked despite himself, tucking the pouch into his bag. "Thanks again. For everything."Once outside, Kael slowed his pace, curiosity getting the better of him. Pulling the pouch from his bag, he opened it—and immediately froze.Inside were ten gleaming gold coins.His eyes widened as the realization hit him. "Ten gold coins… Isn't this worth more than all the years I worked at the library combined?"He stared at the coins in disbelief, his heart racing. His mind quickly pieced it together. Those old folks really pamper me, huh?A mix of emotions surged through him—gratitude, disbelief, and a twinge of guilt. "With this, I can buy everything I need," he murmured.Kael walked through the bustling market district, the air filled with the shouts of merchants, the clinking of metal, and the enticing aromas of street food. The morning sun cast golden light on the myriad stalls, reflecting off polished armor and shimmering gemstones. But Kael wasn't interested in the fshy dispys of swords and spears—he was here for an axe.He knew exactly what he wanted. From years of chopping firewood as a child, he'd grown comfortable with the weight and bance of an axe. It was a weapon that suited him, familiar and reliable, unlike the ornate swords or complicated polearms others might favor.As he wandered past brightly lit weapon stalls, his eyes caught on a small forge at the edge of the market, its exterior pin and unassuming. The sign above the entrance was faded, and soot marked the walls. Yet something about the pce drew him in.Kael stepped inside, the smoky heat of the forge wrapping around him. The walls were lined with weapons, but his attention was immediately drawn to a rack of axes near the back. As he approached, he heard the sound of heavy footsteps.From the shadows emerged an old smith, his appearance as rugged as the forge itself. His broad shoulders strained against a soot-covered apron, and his thick arms bore countless burn scars, a testament to his years of experience. His gray hair was tied back, and his piercing blue eyes glinted with curiosity as he sized up Kael."Looking for something specific, boy?"

  The smith asked, his voice deep and gravelly.Kael nodded. "I need a one-handed axe."The smith raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "Not a sword, huh? You're one of the few. Good."Kael shrugged, a faint smile appearing. "I never trained with swords. An axe is the only weapon I know how to use. Been chopping firewood since I was a kid."The smith studied him for a moment, then gave a nod of approval. "You know what you want. Wait here."He disappeared into the back of the forge, leaving Kael to inspect the shop. The dispyed axes were decent but cked the craftsmanship he was hoping for. Just as he began to second-guess his choice to enter the forge, the smith returned, carrying five axes."Alright, kid," the smith said, setting them down on a sturdy wooden table. "These aren't for show. These are the real deal."Kael's eyes widened as he stepped closer. Each axe was unique, intricate designs etched into the metal and wood.The smith picked up the first axe, holding it up for Kael to see. "This here is a hunter's one-handed axe. Single-edged bde, fast as hell when you swing it. The heavy bde head lets gravity do most of the work, so you can build momentum for a strong strike."Kael nodded, running his fingers along the polished handle. It felt solid and well-banced.Next, the smith grabbed another axe. "This one's a double-edged, single-handle axe. Same weight as the first, but the bde is bigger. If you're looking to deal some serious damage, this is your go-to."Kael examined it closely, appreciating the craftsmanship.The smith then gestured to the st three axes. "Now, kid, tell me—can you throw an axe?"Kael scratched the back of his head, a bit embarrassed. "Uh, yeah, I can. Though... I miss my target sometimes."The smith let out a hearty ugh. "Doesn't matter. These st three are throwing axes—double-edged, short-handled, and perfectly banced. No matter how you throw 'em, the bde will always hit. The trick is nding the throw. The harder you chuck it, the more damage it'll do."Kael's eyes lit up as he examined the three throwing axes. The craftsmanship was impeccable.The smith crossed his arms, watching Kael's reaction. "Tell you what, kid. Since you're my first customer today and you seem serious about this, I'll give you a discount. All five axes for five gold coins." He held up his hand, spreading his fingers.Kael's jaw dropped. "Five gold coins? For all this?" He gnced at the axes again, then at the smith, surprised by the offer.The smith smirked. "These axes meet your needs, don't they? And I'm throwing in this belt." He grabbed a sturdy leather belt from a nearby rack. "The sides secure the one-handed axes, and the back has holders for the three throwing axes. Perfect for someone like you."Kael picked up one of the axes again, feeling its weight in his hands. They were exactly what he needed—better than anything he'd hoped to find. Without hesitation, he nodded eagerly. "Deal! Five gold coins it is."He handed over the coins, a wide grin on his face.The smith chuckled, handing him the belt. "Good choice, kid. These axes will serve you well. Don't go losing 'em in the dungeon now."Kael strapped on the belt, securing the axes in their respective slots. The weight felt comforting, almost natural. He thanked the smith, his excitement barely contained.As Kael was about to leave the forge, a thought struck him. He stopped in his tracks and turned back toward the old smith, who was wiping sweat from his brow near the forge."Wait,"