Spirit Taming

Chapter 284: Runes In Rings

"That's a black iron shield! That's something that not even we could buy. It's from the southern black iron mine dungeon. They only sell a set amount to us. Only people with experience forging can use it!" The black iron that anyone had seen was nothing close to what came from the south.

The southern cities were few because of the heat and desert environments. But they had a few mountains that broke up the rough terrain. On one of those such mountains, there was the black iron mine. The pore might have been found in other places but the best of the best was found in that single mine dungeon.

What was even more shocking was that it was a heavily guarded secret. Many people had tried to get permission to go there. To learn to forge it, and mine it. But no one had managed to get the privilege from another city. Even the citizens that lived in the south had a very slim chance.

The very reason was the quality. The black iron ore found there would be able to create black iron weapons that could hold up against high temperatures once it was processed and forged properly.

The other benefits were basic. It was tougher and could block other metallic weapons or hits from beasts more easily. It did not shatter like some tougher materials. And even more importantly, it was something that could be considered to last for generations. Some of the oldest black iron weapons had already been passed down for three or four generations in families.

This was all in a limited area though. If Clark looked beyond the cities and the world he had grown up in, he was sure that there were better things. He had heard that there were rarer ores that came from across mountains or even across the oceans. It was a wonder that he had not been able to research or heard many stories about such things. The world was truly larger than he could imagine.

"Can I really use this?" Brad had no idea what to do with a black iron shield. It was a little larger than his torso but daily well shaped. The kite shape would make it perfect for anchoring in the ground if need be. There were also very smith edges that could be used for deflecting blades. Overall, it would open up a larger array of shield techniques for him to learn.

This wasn't only a defensive weapon, it was a ticket to broaden his battle potential.

"Yes. you need a real shield and this was in one of those rings for sale. I grabbed five because they had materials we could use, supplies, and other things. This one in particular looked very clean and taken care of. I assumed that the person who used to have it was once rich or had a decent backing. Therefore, I took the gamble."

Brad held the shield as if he was holding a child in his arms. It was valuable and even though it was clearly strong, he treated it as if it would melt away in a single drop of rain. A delicate thing that ended care and respect. "Why do I need anything else?" Brad wondered if he should even search out a short sword. It would be ridiculous to pair anything else with this.

"Oh, well, if that's what you think then you shouldn't have the matching sword that goes with it." Clark tossed the wrapped black steel sword at Brad whose jaw was ready to drop to the ground.

"So it was a shield and sword user. That's not a short sword but I bet it's better." Maria was over her own stunned emotions. Now she was interested in what else Clark had seen from the appearance of the rings. She too had started to analyze the ring to catch even a hint of dust or age that might show what could be inside them. She wanted to have the same level of skills as Clark.

If only she knew he had a hidden trump card in the system.

"If that merchant knew what you got he would die of a heart attack. These are too good!" Brad was too happy. Now he just had to hunt out applicable sword and shield techniques to learn.

"You're right. It just goes to show how honest the military tamers are. They don't steal these things and do whatever they want. And that merchant might be trying to rob us of money but he still doesn't go snooping." Maria was proud that a few good people were left here and there. But most of all, she was just glad to see that they had gained something that would make them all stronger.

She had begun to believe that Brad would be a larger part of their growth than she expected.

"This ring is full of materials. There are some random pieces of iron ore, some basic supplies, some brown crest mushrooms…really nothing that valuable but good to have." Clark showed the random materials to them while also ensuring that they would be able to sue them for beast growth. He knew that Ella would appreciate them most of all.

"This ring has more supplies but it has some wind elemental crystals. I think the tamer that used to have this ring must have had a wind type beast because these would be perfect for it. And the last ring I got was because I really wasn't sure what this all was."

Clark revealed the bent pieces of gold that made him question why someone would bend and break their money. But he also had small pieces of oddly shaped silver and copper. The little pieces of partially carved bronze also made him wonder. None of it made sense until he found a small leather roll with tools in it.

'Rune carving set- common

This is the most common apprentice rune carving set. Most people that start to learn how to carve runes will have a basic kit gifted to them by a master. The tools can carve many metals using the energy of the user's tamed beasts.

The runes carved with this will only be weak due to the materials the tools are made from, and the lower energies that can be transferred through them. However, this material is valuable because it is conducive to many different energies. This tool set will still be sold for a price of ten or fifteen gold coins.'

The information the system gave him was a little different. It related to price and money more so which meant that this was a common item with more value than Clark had imagined. Just the fact that all the bent and partially carved metals in the ring were used meant that the one who used these tools was very dedicated.

The reason Clark questioned this further was that the master had let their apprentice in to a dangerous situation. A place that they could not escape. It meant that there might be something more valuable in the dungeon that the apprentice was searching for.

'Quest: Hidden Carving

The host has inferred correctly and found that the apprentice that lost his life was searching for something. Travel to the fourth floor and discover the site of the deceased apprentice. Learn from what they discovered and return with the prize they desired to take with them out of the dungeon ruins.

Requirement: gain the knowledge the apprentice meant to find and the items the apprentice meant to find

Reward: one Gocha ticket for the artisan specific techniques.'

Clark was questioning this specific reward. He thought that it would be just to learn the knowledge of rune crafting using his beast's energies. Yet, he had the chance to learn a random artisan technique? It was odd but a great chance to expand his knowledge. The system already rewarded him greatly in other situations. Now he could gain something that would make him stronger overall.

If Clark tried to think of all the potential artisan techniques he could learn he would find himself lost. The artisant techniques wouldn't just be limited to crafting. Even the art of making bread or growing plants could be considered artisan if done in certain ways. That meant that the knowledge of techniques that Clark could learn were very broad or very specific.

Guessing they would melt his brain.

"Well, we should find wherever this guy died if we can. I bet there are different trails when it comes to finding it. If this guy was carving runes with these tools…well, we might find something good. Why else would a rune carving apprentice be down in a dungeon?" Maria and Brad saw the glint of curiosity in Clark's eyes.

"That's fine by me. Just let me practice with my new shield and sword." Brad would go wherever Clark asked. He was more than indebted to Calrk at this point.

"I like a mystery. We should update Reese a little though. He should be coming with us." Maria reminded Clark they would be in groups of four and that he should have a say. Clark just nodded since he was sure that they would be finding something great.