A Bug In Fate

"How about we make a little bet?"

"What kind of bet?"

Alden asked, his interest piqued.

The old dwarf pointed toward a dusty corner of the workshop.

"See those swords over there?"

Alden followed his finger.

A small rack held several plain-looking swords. Unlike the polished weapons displayed for sale, these lacked any ornamentation.

"Aren’t those the one-gold swords?"

He glanced at Ron.

"The ones you made?"

Ron nodded.

"Yeah."

The old dwarf smiled.

"Good."

"We’re going to test you."

"...Test me?"

"How?"

Ron frowned.

"I don’t like where this is going."

The old dwarf ignored him.

"It’s simple."

"Go over there and pick one."

"Huh?"

"Just do as I said."

"...Alright."

Alden walked over to the rack.

There were around a dozen swords resting side by side.

He picked up the first one.

The moment his hand wrapped around the hilt, his grip adjusted instinctively.

He gave it a light swing.

"...Too heavy near the tip."

He placed it back.

The second one felt lighter.

"...The grip is a little loose."

Back it went.

The third sword wasn’t bad, but the handle didn’t sit comfortably in his palm.

One after another, Alden examined the blades.

Some were slightly too heavy.

Others felt awkward to swing.

A few simply didn’t suit him.

Finally, he picked up another plain sword.

He gave it a couple of practice swings.

Whoosh.

A faint nod escaped him.

It wasn’t exceptional.

The blade was average, and the craftsmanship still had room for improvement.

But compared to the others, its balance was noticeably better, and the grip felt more natural in his hand.

For a beginner’s weapon...

It was the best choice.

Alden turned around and walked back.

"I’ll take this one."

He held the sword out for the old dwarf to see.

"So..."

"What’s the bet?"

"The bet isn’t hard."

The old dwarf pointed his hammer toward the sword in Alden’s hand, a grin slowly spreading across his weathered face.

"You just have to use that sword as your weapon for the next two weeks without breaking it."

He let out a chuckle.

"So... what do you say?"

Before Alden could answer, Ron hurriedly stepped in.

"Don’t accept it. You’ll definitely regret it later."

His tired expression made it obvious that he had seen this sort of thing before. Even he looked surprised by the old man’s proposal.

Alden, however, remained calm.

"What do I get if I win?"

"Hoho..."

The old dwarf’s grin widened, clearly pleased by the question rather than surprised by it.

"I like your confidence."

He rested the hammer against his shoulder and studied Alden for a moment.

"You use a saber, right?"

"Yes."

"In that case, if you manage to win..."

The old dwarf paused deliberately.

"I’ll personally forge you a saber."

His eyes gleamed with confidence.

"And not just any saber."

"I’ll make it with my best effort."

He chuckled again.

"And you won’t have to pay a single coin."

Alden lowered his gaze to the sword in his hand before looking back at the old man.

"And if I lose?"

"If the sword breaks before the two weeks are over..."

The old dwarf shrugged casually.

"Then you lose."

He waved his hand dismissively.

"Don’t worry. You won’t have to give me anything."

"It’s just for my entertainment."

A mischievous smile spread across his face.

"And judging by the look of you..."

He looked Alden up and down.

"I don’t think you own anything I’d want anyway."

Ron glanced between the two men, unable to hide his disbelief.

Teacher is actually serious...

No one understood those swords better than he did. After all, he had forged every single one with his own hands.

They weren’t bad weapons by any means, but they certainly weren’t built to withstand two weeks of constant battles.

Even so...

A small part of him found himself looking forward to seeing how this strange bet would end.

Alden looked at the sword in his hand one last time before a smile slowly appeared on his face.

"Alright."

"I accept."

For a brief moment, silence filled the workshop.

Then the old dwarf threw his head back and laughed.

"Hahaha!"

"I like your spirit!"

Ron could only shake his head.

"This is really crazy."

Despite the sigh that escaped his lips, a faint grin had already formed on his face.

He couldn’t tell who was crazier—the old man for proposing such a bet, or Alden for accepting it without hesitation.

"Alright."

"I’ll be back in two weeks."

Alden rested the sword over his shoulder before turning toward the exit.

He had barely made it halfway out of the workshop—

"You still have to pay for that sword."

The old dwarf’s voice echoed from behind him.

Alden froze for a split second before clicking his tongue.

"...Right."

Without looking back, he pulled a single gold coin from his pouch and flicked it through the air.

Ron instinctively caught it.

"Thanks for your business!"

The apprentice called out cheerfully.

Alden simply waved a hand without turning around and continued walking away from the workshop.

What a crazy shop owner...

A helpless smile appeared on his face.

The old dwarf had challenged him to a bet moments after they met, and somehow he had accepted without much hesitation.

"...Guess I’m the crazy one too."

The thought barely crossed his mind before his expression suddenly changed.

"...Shit."

He had just remembered something.

The mission he accepted was marked as an Emergency Request.

He had already spent nearly ten minutes chatting in the blacksmith’s shop.

Although he didn’t exactly regret it—after all, a weapon was essential—he had still delayed his departure.

Alden tightened his grip around the sword’s hilt.

"I’d better get moving."

His pace quickened into a jog before gradually turning into a sprint.

The bustling streets slipped past him as he weaved through pedestrians with surprising ease.

Merchants shouted to attract customers, horse-drawn wagons rumbled along the stone roads, and children hurried out of his path as he passed.

Within minutes, the eastern district came into view.

The towering city walls stretched high into the sky, their massive stone blocks casting long shadows across the road leading to the gate.

Alden slowed slightly as the enormous eastern gate finally came into sight.

Several city guards were stationed there, carefully inspecting the people entering and leaving the city.

Some checked merchants’ wagons, while others questioned travelers before allowing them to pass.

After waiting for a brief opening, Alden walked over to one of the guards standing nearby.

"Excuse me, sir."

The guard turned his head toward him, his stern expression softening slightly.

"Hello. What can I do for you?"

"Um, I’m heading to the eastern farmlands to complete a mission for the Adventurers’ Guild."

As he spoke, Alden handed over the stamped request he had received from the guild.

The guard glanced over the parchment before giving a small nod.

"Oh, an emergency request."

He returned the paper to Alden and pointed beyond the city walls.

"Take that road."

A narrow dirt path stretched eastward, disappearing into the open plains beyond.

"It’ll lead you straight to the eastern farmlands."

The guard looked toward the horizon before adding,

"And you’d better hurry."

"They’re probably waiting for you."

"I understand."

Alden accepted the mission slip and gave the guard a grateful nod.

"Thank you."

Without wasting another second, he tightened his grip on the sword at his waist and broke into a run, following the road out through the eastern gate and toward his very first mission.

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