I muttered to myself while counting the coins in my hands under the dim glow of a street lamp. The bright metal pieces left a cool sensation in my palm. With the reward from the Alpha Wolf hunt, I had a total of 522 Tower Coins. It was time to make some money, but if I wanted to clear this floor quickly, gathering 100,000 Tower Coins through fighting alone was impossible for someone like me. To earn that much, I either had to find a large group and participate in high-level quests or... do what I do best—craft.
I had to make good use of the materials I received from the quest and the last of my remaining money. However, I had a major problem: I lacked blacksmithing tools and the necessary materials for production. Without them, crafting weapons or armor was out of the question. The first thing I needed to do was find a suitable forge. So, I had to start searching.
As I walked through the narrow streets of the town, my eyes constantly scanned the signs. The town center was the heart of trade and production. Workshops, shops, and street vendors lined both sides of the road. Even from a distance, I could feel the heat of the forges, and the rhythmic clang of hammers echoed in the air. My first stop was a forge belonging to a large guild. I went inside to ask about prices, only to be completely shocked—the monthly rental fee was 5,000 Tower Coins.
Suppressing the urge to curse out loud, I took a deep breath and decided to check other places.
I spent most of the day exploring every corner of the town. From small forges to independent craftsmen, even seemingly abandoned workshops—I looked everywhere. But they all had one thing in common: they were ridiculously expensive.
Even the cheapest places had rent starting at 2,000 Tower Coins per month. Even if I could afford that, I wouldn’t have enough left for materials. And the expenses didn’t stop there. Basic necessities like food, water, and shelter had to be considered. The meat and hides I had received as a reward would keep me going for a while, but that was hardly a long-term solution.
The sun had begun to sink below the horizon, and the air had grown cooler. Exhausted, I sat on the edge of a stone fountain. While the people passing by—guild members and merchants—were busy with their own affairs, I was lost in thought, trying to figure a way out of this situation.
Leaning against the cold stone, I took a deep breath. My eyes fixated on the last rays of sunlight reflecting off the water’s clear surface. I had walked nonstop for hours, searched every part of the town, yet I had found no solution.
522 Tower Coins… What could I possibly do with such a small amount?
I closed my eyes and tried to make calculations. To rent a forge and work regularly, I needed at least 2,000 Tower Coins. And that was without even considering material costs. If I rented a place, I’d starve.
As I was lost in thought, the voices of a group of men sitting nearby reached my ears. I slightly turned my head and started listening.
"Have you heard the rumors about Setrpl Forest?"
One of them spoke while the others absentmindedly nodded.
"Apparently, no one takes the quests there. The monsters barely give any experience points, and the quest rewards are terrible."
"Hah, of course. The creatures there are only Level 1. Any rookie with basic skills can hunt Level 4 or 5 monsters, so no one bothers going there."
Their conversation caught my attention. Setrpl Forest? I had never heard of it before, but it was clear that no one cared about it. As their mocking laughter filled the air, I drifted into my own thoughts.
If no one was going there… And if the monsters were this weak…
Suddenly, an idea sparked in my mind.
Wouldn’t that place be perfect for someone like me?
People thought the forest was worthless because low-level monsters provided no real benefits. But my goal wasn’t to fight. If no one was going there… maybe… I could go.
And perhaps…
I could set up my own blacksmithing workshop there!
The moment this idea took root in my mind, a surge of excitement ran through me. I could feel the adrenaline coursing through my veins. If this town wasn’t suitable for me, why not find my own place?
I stood up. The men were still chatting amongst themselves, but I no longer paid them any attention. I had to find out where Setrpl Forest was.
Heading toward the town’s exit, I scanned the map at the roadside and located the forest. It was to the east of town, just off the main road. Not too far… I could reach it within a few hours.
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Without wasting any time, I set off.
By the time I left the town, the sky had turned into a blend of orange and purple. The air had grown cooler, and the wind gently rustled the edges of my robe.
As I neared the forest, I noticed something unusual—there was almost no one around. Normally, these paths would be bustling with hunters, merchants, or adventurers, but now they were empty. No one really cared about this place.
As the trees grew denser, I slowed my pace. I had entered Setrpl Forest.
Looking around, I saw exactly what I expected—no threats in sight.
When a creature passed by me, I reflexively reached for my knife, but what I saw was just a small, rabbit-like creature. Its brown fur and round shape made it indistinguishable from a normal rabbit. In fact, it was even calmer than a regular rabbit — it didn’t even acknowledge my presence.
As I walked a little further, I spotted a fox-like creature. But even it didn’t look aggressive. No danger... nothing at all...
I kept walking for a while longer. The forest stretched out endlessly. This place could be perfect for me. If I settled deep enough into the forest, no one would bother me.
But I needed to find the right spot.
I walked through the forest for hours, losing track of time, until I finally saw something that made me rub my eyes in disbelief.
Through the trees, I spotted a wide cave entrance. A small stream flowed nearby, its water clear and pristine. The clearing in front of the cave was spacious and seemed suitable for setting up camp. There was plenty of wood, fresh water, and a natural shelter...
It was absolutely perfect.
My excitement surged.
This is it. I’ll build my forge right here.
I carefully inspected the area. The cave was spacious and shielded from the wind. The stream guaranteed a steady water supply, and the abundant wood would make it easy to build a furnace. And most importantly... no one was here to disturb me.
Now, there was only one thing left to do: turn this place into a real forge.
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. This is where it begins.
But I couldn’t settle in just yet. The cave was ideal, and the resources were plentiful, but my belongings were still back in town.
I had to go back right away.
I carefully made my way out of the forest, taking slow, deliberate steps. It was eerily quiet. I didn’t encounter a single large monster or adventurer. Just a few hours' walk remained.
By the time I reached the town, the sky had gone dark. I entered the inn, climbed to my room, and started packing everything I owned. I didn’t have much, but every item was valuable.
- Luminous Blade and Poisoned Dagger
- Mana-Charged Amulet
- My tower coins and a few miscellaneous trinkets
- Leather bags and empty vials
- A few simple tools I’d made (a sharpening stone, rope, flint, etc.)
- The Alpha Wolf's hide and teeth
After gathering everything, I returned to the innkeeper and checked out. I wasn’t coming back.
I set out toward the forest again, the night air cool against my skin. My steps felt lighter, because for the first time, I truly knew what I had to do.
I was going to build a life inside that forest.
When I finally arrived at the cave, everything was just as I had left it. For now, there were no threats.
The first thing I did was carefully organize my belongings inside the cave. The inner section was relatively dry and protected from the wind. I placed my bags in a suitable corner and took out the essentials: my weapons, some food and water, my amulet, and a few small tools.
But before fully settling in, I needed to scout the area thoroughly.
I needed to make a map.
If this cave was going to be my workshop, I had to know the surroundings inside and out — potential enemy routes, resources, safe zones, and dangerous spots.
I decided to examine a 100-meter radius around the cave.
I started by heading right from the cave entrance:
- Various types of trees grew nearby, some of them incredibly sturdy — they could come in handy later.
- Red-tinted veins of metal protruded from some rocks. Even from a distance, I could tell they contained ore. If it turned out to be iron, that would be one more reason to stay here.
- The stream flowed east to west, disappearing into the forest. It looked like a long-term water source.
Then, I explored the left side of the cave:
- Small animals roamed freely — rabbit-like creatures and foxes.
- No large predators or aggressive monsters had appeared yet.
Finally, I checked the back of the cave:
- Dense tree coverage limited visibility, making it a natural barrier.
- Soft soil with no large footprints, meaning bigger creatures probably didn’t pass through often.
I jotted down all my observations in a small notebook. Now, I could start making this place truly secure and prepare for what lay ahead.
If I wanted to settle here, I had to meet my basic needs first. I couldn’t craft anything on an empty stomach.
Luckily, the stream was a massive advantage. Flowing water was much safer than stagnant pools or rainwater. I approached the stream and dipped my hand in. The water was cold and crystal clear. I drank a few handfuls to quench my thirst.
Just as I was examining the water, I noticed something moving.
Fish.
I really was lucky. If fish were abundant, that meant a steady food supply. But catching them with my hands was impossible. I needed a spear.
I began searching for a suitable tree branch — something sturdy but not too heavy. A G?rün?tezi tree would’ve been perfect, but I had to make do with what I had.
Eventually, I found a branch about 1.5 meters long. I stripped the bark with my knife and carefully sharpened the tip. A sharp point would make it easier to pierce the fish.
But simple sharpening wasn’t enough. To make the spearhead tougher, I needed to harden it in fire.
I returned to the cave and built a small fire. I held the spear tip over the flames, slowly rotating it to harden the wood. This made it more brittle but significantly sharper.
My first spear was ready. Now it was time to fish.
I crouched by the stream and focused on the water. The fish swam in small groups, their movements gentle and predictable. I waited, studying their rhythm. I had to strike fast, or they’d scatter.
Gripping the spear tightly, I took a deep breath... and thrust it into the water in a single swift motion!
Water splashed everywhere, but when I lifted the spear, an average-sized fish was impaled on the tip.
I smiled.
This was just the beginning.