Astralyth Online

Chapter 10 – Weapon Choice

Madelyn stared at her stats, the glitching class information standing out like a beacon of confusion. What does this even mean? she thought, anxiety tightening her chest. Why is my class unreadable? She bit her lip, trying to quell the rising unease. Her fox ears flattened slightly against her head, betraying her worry. Staring at the distorted text wasn’t going to solve anything, she reminded herself.

"Okay," she whispered under her breath, barely audible. Her gaze drifted away from the screen, fingers fidgeting nervously, tail swayed slowly behind her. What should I do next? She needed to focus on something more productive—anything to distract her from the unsettling mystery.

Then she remembered the quest she’d received upon entering the game. Right... I had a quest, didn’t I? With a hesitant thought, she opened her quest menu.

Welcome, Adventurer!

Congratulations on your arrival in the world of Astralyth! To begin your journey, visit the following key locations to familiarize yourself with the village and gather essential supplies for your adventure.

Objectives:

• Visit the Inn: Speak to the innkeeper for a place to rest and gain information about the local area. [1/1]
• Visit the Blacksmith: Check in with the blacksmith for your first set of armor and weapons. [0/1]
• Visit the Leatherworker: Get fitted with light armor suitable for travel. [0/1]
• Visit the Apothecary: Purchase basic health potions and other useful items. [0/1]
• Visit the General Store: Stock up on provisions and essentials for your journey. [0/1]
• Visit the Adventurers Guild: Introduce yourself to the guild master and receive your first official guild quest. [0/1]

Madelyn exhaled softly, eyes scanning the objectives. "Alright," she murmured, almost to herself. Her ears perked up slightly at the thought of having a plan. She still had so many questions, but for now, she needed to keep moving. The blacksmith seemed like a safe place to begin.

She knew that figuring out what had happened would take time. She couldn't just dive into the unknown without some preparation. First things first, she told herself. I need to at least get a weapon before I start exploring or investigating anything.

Summoning the map with a thought, the familiar layout of the village unfolded before her. The inn, now marked as a completed objective, stood out among the other destinations—like the blacksmith—that blinked gently, guiding her next steps.

Her eyes lingered on the blacksmith's icon. It wasn't far, just a short walk through the village. Better get myself some armor and a weapon, she thought, feeling a flutter of nerves. Her tail flicked anxiously. The idea of arming herself made everything feel more real, and a bit daunting. She couldn't just wander around unprepared, especially when everything felt so strange.

Taking a steadying breath, Madelyn started walking, weaving through the bustling streets. The chatter of NPCs and the clatter of daily life surrounded her, making her feel both comforted and a bit overwhelmed. Her ears twitched at the myriad of sounds. It was time to equip herself properly—after all, being prepared was the only way she could hope to face whatever came next.

The walk to the blacksmith allowed her to gather her thoughts. As she approached the shop, the scent of burning coal and metal filled the air, the sharp tang reaching her before she even saw the forge. The rhythmic clang of hammer on steel grew louder, each strike echoing in her sensitive ears. Standing at the entrance, she felt a knot form in her stomach, her ears slightly flattening again.

Madelyn hesitated, peering into the wide, open space of the forge. The blacksmith's shop was alive with activity—sparks flying as metal was hammered, and weapons lining the walls. The heat was intense, and she felt a flush rise to her cheeks. Her tail curled around one of her legs instinctively. Maybe I should come back later, she thought fleetingly, but shook the idea away. No, I need to do this.

Her gaze darted around, trying to spot someone who could help her. Several NPCs moved about, engrossed in their tasks. She swallowed hard, her mouth suddenly dry. Who am I supposed to talk to? Do I just... interrupt someone?

Gathering her courage, she stepped inside, her footsteps light. She approached cautiously, hands clasped in front of her. Spotting a burly man near the forge—his arms muscular and covered in soot—she guessed he might be the one in charge.

"Um... e-excuse me?" Madelyn called out softly, her voice barely carrying over the din of the forge. Her ears tilted back nervously.

The man didn't seem to hear her, continuing his work undisturbed. She felt her cheeks warm, uncertainty gripping her. Her tail swished behind her in a slow, anxious motion. Maybe I should just wait... or find someone else.

Mustering a bit more volume, she tried again. "Excuse me?" she said, a little louder, though her voice still trembled.

This time, the blacksmith paused, looking up from his work. His eyes met hers, and a friendly smile crept onto his face. "Well, hello there, miss," he said in a deep, gruff voice, wiping his hands on a rag. His imposing stature made her feel even smaller.

Madelyn shifted her weight, her gaze dropping momentarily. Her ears lowered shyly. "I... I was told to come here for armor and a weapon," she said, fingers twisting together nervously.

He nodded, his expression warm. "Ah, a new adventurer, eh? You've come to the right place." He gestured toward a display of weapons and armor. "Feel free to take a look. Let me know if you need any help."

"Thank you," she replied softly, giving a slight nod. Her tail flicked lightly.

Madelyn moved toward the weapon rack, her eyes wandering over the array of options. Each weapon seemed to hold a story, but none of them felt like hers. Her ears swiveled as she focused on the weapons, but her tail betrayed her indecision, swaying uncertainly.

• Greatswords: Massive, heavy blades that looked capable of cleaving through armor. Impressive, but far too large for her.
• Daggers: Sleek and sharp, ideal for quick strikes. Manageable, yet they didn't feel quite right.
• Staffs: Ornate with shimmering crystals, perfect for spellcasters. Beautiful, but she wasn't sure about magic.
• Shortswords: Lightweight and versatile, a balance of mobility and power.
• Bows: Finely crafted with intricate carvings. Appealing, but archery seemed daunting.
• Maces: Heavy and blunt, capable of crushing blows. Effective, but not her style.
• Spears: Long and sturdy, offering reach without bulk. Practical, yet still not quite fitting.

She sighed quietly, a hint of frustration creeping in. Her ears drooped slightly. What if I can't find anything that suits me? The thought made her stomach twist, and her tail wrapped around her leg again.

Gathering her courage once more, she approached the blacksmith again. "Um... do you have any other types of weapons?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

He raised an eyebrow, then chuckled softly. "Looking for something else, are we? Well, I've got a few more items in the back. Care to take a look?"

She nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips. Her ears perked up slightly. "Yes, please."

He led her to a quieter corner of the shop, where a few unusual weapons were displayed. A massive hammer caught her eye first, but it seemed even more unwieldy than the greatsword. A whip lay coiled elegantly, but she wasn't sure she could handle it. Then, something simple drew her attention—a plain ring resting on a small cushion.

Curiosity piqued, Madelyn picked up the ring delicately. "This is... a weapon?" she asked, glancing up at the blacksmith. Her ears tilted in curiosity.

He grinned, clearly pleased. "Indeed it is. Not just any ring, mind you. It's a transforming weapon. With a simple command, it can become whatever weapon you need—a sword, a bow, a staff."

Her eyes widened slightly, ears perking up. "That's... incredible."

He nodded. "It offers versatility, though it comes at the cost of mastery. You'll have many options but won't excel in any single one like a specialist would, so not many choose it."

Madelyn considered this, turning the ring over in her fingers. The idea of flexibility appealed to her. She wasn't sure what kind of fighter she was—or even if she was one at all. This could give her a chance to figure it out.

"I think... I'd like this one," she said softly, almost hesitating. Her tail swayed gently behind her.

The blacksmith's eyes twinkled. "A fine choice," he said approvingly.

She felt a small surge of happiness, a shy smile forming on her lips. Her ears perked up fully, and her tail swished lightly. "Thank you."

He chuckled gently when he noticed her ears perk up and her tail swish. "You're quite welcome. It's nice to see someone appreciate that ring."

Madelyn felt her cheeks warm again, her ears tilting shyly. "I hope I can make good use of it," she murmured.

"I'm sure you will," he replied kindly. "Now, with that weapon, you'll probably want some lighter armor. We don't carry that here, but the leatherworker can set you up."

As if on cue, a notification appeared before her eyes: Second Objective Complete: Visit the Blacksmith.

She blinked, momentarily caught off guard, then smiled softly. Another step completed. Her tail gave a small, happy flick. "Thank you for all your help," she said, giving a slight bow.

"Anytime, miss. Best of luck on your journey," the blacksmith said with a friendly nod.

Madelyn slipped the ring onto her finger, feeling its weight—or lack thereof. It was simple, unassuming, but for her it held so much potential. With a quiet resolve, and her ears tilted forward in determination, she turned to leave, ready to continue her quest, even if a bit uncertain of what lay ahead.