Lord of the Time: I Can Reincarnate Infinitely-Chapter 514 - : First Quest

Caleb leaned heavily on his makeshift counter, a playful twinkle in his eye as he addressed the bustling crowd before him. "Folks, you’ll have to give this old man a break! My bones aren’t what they used to be," he declared, his voice crackling with feigned frailty. "But don’t you worry, I can still handle a thousand weapons a day with these withered hands."

He chuckled quietly to himself, marveling at the efficiency of his fusion power, which allowed him to produce or repair weapons at a staggering rate. It was his little secret, a magic trick hidden in plain sight, making his stall a gold mine of opportunity.

As he scanned the eager faces lined up in front of him, each person vibrating with anticipation, Caleb couldn’t help but feel a rush of satisfaction. The pile of silver coins on his work station glittered under the morning sun, a stark contrast to his initial worries about paying the guild fee. Now, it seemed he wouldn’t have to worry about money for years to come.

The clients, keen to get on the old blacksmith’s good side, started lavishing him with praise. One burly adventurer with a broadsword slung over his back stepped forward, his voice booming over the crowd, "Master George, your hands must be blessed by the gods themselves!"

Another, a nimble woman with twin daggers at her hips, chimed in, "Not just blessed, enchanted! It’s like the spirits of all great warriors guide your every move."

Each subsequent compliment grew more grandiose as they sought to outdo each other. An elderly mage in the back of the line raised his staff and proclaimed, "Why, I’d wager his anvil is the very same one used by the legendary craftsmen of old!"

Caleb soaked in the adulation with a modest nod and a knowing smile, perfectly playing the part of the humble, aged artisan.

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Caleb pushed open the heavy wooden door of the Adventurers’ Guild, the bell above chiming merrily as he entered. The interior was bustling with activity as adventurers exchanged tales of their exploits or clustered around the job postings. Caleb navigated through the crowd with ease, a sense of purpose in his step as he approached the main counter to settle his dues.

The staff member on duty, a young man with keen eyes and a quick smile, looked up as Caleb approached. "Ah, Master George," he greeted with a hint of respect. "We’ve been hearing quite the tales about your skills with the forge. I must admit, I thought you were just another retiree trying to pass the time when you first walked in."

Caleb chuckled softly, placing the five silver coins on the counter. "Just keeping busy," he responded humbly, his eyes twinkling behind his spectacles.

The staff member shook his head in disbelief. "Keeping busy, he says! Master George, your work has been nothing short of miraculous. The adventurers here haven’t stopped talking about the quality of your repairs and enhancements. It’s rare to see someone turn bronze-tier equipment into silver-tier so consistently."

Caleb waved off the compliment with a dismissive hand. "I do what I can with what I’m given," he stated simply, though his chest swelled with pride at the recognition.

The staff member leaned closer, lowering his voice as if sharing a secret. "You know, most of our local blacksmiths hold their noses so high they could drown in rain. They’re all clustered in the central square, flaunting their two-star rankings. But you, you’re different. You work with the people, for the people. Makes a big difference."

Caleb nodded, appreciating the young man’s insight. "Everyone needs a sharp blade and sturdy armor. If I can provide that without the airs and graces, then I’m doing something right."

The staff member laughed, sliding the silver coins into the guild’s coffers. "Well, if you ever decide to set up a permanent shop, you’d give those central square smiths a run for their money. We could use a two-star blacksmith like you around here more often."

"Well, young man, nice talking to you." Caleb patted the staff member on the shoulder. "I’ll take a look at the quests first and see if this old bones of mine is still what it used to be."

The staff watched as the old man walked towards the quest board. ’This old man has an excellent blacksmith skill yet he still dares to take risks to go to the Extreme Wilderness... Is his strength as impressive as his crafting skills?’

Caleb meandered towards the bustling quest board in the corner of the Adventurers’ Guild, a hub of activity where adventurers of all ranks gathered to stake their claims on missions that could make or break their careers. His eyes scanned the crowd, noting the eager expressions and hurried discussions as various individuals debated the merits and perils of the quests posted on the board.

As he drew closer, the chatter became a cacophony of voices, each adventurer voicing their opinions on the difficulty and rewards of the quests. Some pulled papers swiftly from the board, their decisions made with a mix of excitement and trepidation, while others lingered, uncertain and weighing their options aloud.

"F-rank quests are practically errands," one burly adventurer scoffed to his companion, pointing dismissively at the lower section of the board. Discover stories at novelbuddy

"True, but they’re safe. You won’t get much glory, but you won’t end up as monster food either," his friend replied, his tone cautious.

Caleb’s gaze moved over the quests, absorbing the snippets of conversation around him. He learned quickly; the ranks ranged from F, the simplest tasks like gathering herbs or delivering messages, up to S, which involved slaying formidable beasts or venturing into treacherous territories.

His eyes settled on a C-ranked quest. It was a perfect balance, not too mundane yet not exceedingly perilous. The quest involved tracking down a group of goblins that had been harassing a nearby village. It promised a decent reward and enough challenge to test his capabilities in this new world.

Reaching out, Caleb’s fingers grasped the paper firmly and he tugged it from its place. The surrounding adventurers’ voices fell into a hush as they turned to look at the newcomer who dared to claim a C-rank quest on his first attempt.

Holding the quest slip in hand, Caleb examined it closely, the details of the mission printed in bold, clear letters. As he read, his lips curled into a slight smile, not just from anticipation of the adventure, but also from the satisfaction of taking his first real step into the life of an adventurer.