The guild outpost was unusually lively that morning, though Yoshiya and Omina barely noticed. They were still riding the afterglow of victory from the kobold camp, their arms laden with loot and minds buzzing with the possibilities of what they could craft.
"Two stars? Please," Omina said, glancing at the defeated kobold scales hanging from Yoshiya's arms. "We're practically legends."
Yoshiya groaned, careful not to drop the great sword that leaned precariously against his shoulder. "Legends who can barely walk without collapsing under their own loot."
At the guild counter, they reported the kobold subjugation. Every detail was laid bare—the brute's massive sword, the horde of smaller kobolds, and their strategy to overcome the camp. The clerks exchanged impressed glances, jotting down notes as the adventurers described how they had pressed the frontal attack and emerged victorious.
"You two did well," the guildmaster said, handing over 8 silver coins. "For a two-person team, this was no small feat. Keep it up."
Omina tucked the coins into her pouch while Yoshiya tried to adjust the pile of loot on his back. "Next time," he muttered, "we need backpacks."
They didn't linger, moving next to Mira's alchemist shop to deliver the herbs Omina had gathered. Mira's eyes widened as she examined the carefully picked plants.
"You've done this with precision," she said, brushing her hands over the leaves. "Excellent quality. I'll pay 3 silver coins for these—consider it a reward for careful collection."
Omina smiled, proud of the praise, while Yoshiya balanced the remaining loot that included scales, leather, ores, and a handful of kobold weapons.
---
By afternoon, they reached Brenn's forge in Orleaf. The blacksmith wiped sweat from his brow as the two adventurers laid their spoils on the workbench.
"So," Omina began, eyeing the kobold scales with gleaming interest, "can any of this be turned into armor?"
Brenn raised an eyebrow. "Yes, but crafting armor from kobold scales requires patience, precision, and proper tools." He gestured toward a row of anvils and hammers. "You'll need to rent equipment if you want to try, and I can give a brief lesson for the right price."
Yoshiya, undeterred by the weight of responsibility, agreed. He rented tools for 2 silver coins and paid 1 silver for Brenn's guidance. Soon, he was at the forge, carefully cutting and shaping the kobold scales, layering them one by one like intricate armor tiles.
Omina watched from the side, twirling the Red-Gray Sword in her hands and occasionally offering commentary. "Make sure the layers overlap perfectly," she called. "Otherwise, the first kobold that sneezes on you will puncture it."
---
While Yoshiya hammered and shaped, Omina asked about the weapons they had taken. Brenn examined the rusted daggers and the brute's great sword.
"These can be useful," he said, lifting the great sword with one hand, "but you'll need advanced smithing techniques like Transmutation Reforging to make them truly effective. For now, I suggest selling them here—I'll take them at 50% commission."
Omina nodded thoughtfully. "Better safe than mangled," she said, glancing at the massive blade.
Brenn then inspected the Kobold Fang Necklace. "It has a small stamina regeneration boost," he explained. "Perfect for a fighter. Though, admittedly… the design is a bit… aggressive."
Omina grimaced. "Aggressive is one way to put it. Let's keep it for now, but I won't be wearing it in public."
---
By evening, Yoshiya stepped back from the forge, wiping sweat from his brow. In front of him sat a red-and-blue light armor set, the kobold scales overlapping with fur trimming at the edges. It wasn't perfect, but Brenn had nodded approvingly.
"Not bad for a beginner," the blacksmith said. "Slight boosts to attack damage and stamina regeneration—just enough for a fighter-class adventurer."
Omina eagerly slipped into the armor, testing the fit. It hugged her frame snugly without restricting movement. She spun in a circle, blades flashing in the firelight.
Yoshiya shook his head, struggling not to laugh. "You look like a kobold pretending to be a hero."
She struck a mock heroic pose. "And you," she said, pointing at him, "look like a tired blacksmith who should be grateful his masterpiece even exists."
He blinked at her. "Masterpiece? It's literally made from the things that tried to bite us yesterday."
"Exactly," she said, grinning. "Now I bite back."
The two of them laughed, the forge glowing warmly around them. With the armor finished and their loot organized, Yoshiya and Omina felt a little more prepared for the challenges ahead. And, for the first time in days, the weight on Yoshiya's shoulders seemed lighter—not from strength, but from the shared humor and triumph of a job well done.