Adventurer of Many Professions

The Next Day

Morning light filtered through the windows of No. 26, Red Rose Street, casting a soft glow over the room. Arya stood in front of the mirror, twisting her body from side to side, testing the fit of the leather armor Raymond had modified for her.

Her emerald eyes widened in surprise. "Raymond, you're amazing! This fits perfectly!"

She had expected some level of discomfort; tight straps, stiff material, or awkward seams. But instead, the armor felt like a second skin. It hugged her body just right, offering both protection and flexibility. And more than that, she felt... energized.

Good equipment wasn't just about defense, it had the power to make someone feel stronger, more confident. And right now, Arya felt ready.

Unable to hold back her admiration, she grinned and teased, "I never thought you'd be this good at tailoring too! What's next, gourmet cooking?"

Raymond chuckled, crossing his arms with a satisfied smirk. "Well, I am a craftsman, you know. Forging, modifying, creating, it's all part of the skillset."@@novelbin@@

Despite his casual response, he couldn't hide his pride. For the first time, he truly understood why dwarven craftsmen took such joy in their work. Seeing someone light up after wearing armor you forged yourself, it was a different kind of accomplishment.

Raymond's gaze shifted to the longbow slung across Arya's back. "How does it feel using that?"

He had tested the bow himself and found it to be well-balanced, but Arya was the true archer here, her opinion mattered more.

Arya ran her fingers along the bowstring and gave a pleased nod. "Yeah, no complaints! It seems like being an archer allows me to master any bow pretty quickly." She paused, flexing her fingers. "The only thing is... this bow requires quite a bit of arm strength to fully draw."

Then, as if suddenly realizing something, she frowned, glancing down at her arms. "Speaking of arm strength… I think my arms have gotten thicker since my awakening."

Raymond blinked. He took a closer look.

She wasn't wrong, her arms were slightly more muscular than before, but nothing drastic. Compared to warriors, whose bodies went through noticeable transformations, an archer's physical changes were far more subtle.

Arya, however, wasn't convinced. She let out an exaggerated sigh. "Thank the gods I didn't awaken as a warrior… can you imagine? I'd be built like a brick wall!"

Raymond chuckled, shaking his head.

He could tell that today's excitement was making her more talkative than usual. This was her first real mission, after all, her first step into the world of adventurers. Nerves and excitement often went hand in hand.

While Arya marveled at her new armor, Raymond was making the final adjustments to his own gear.

Last night's hard work had paid off, he now wore a full set of refined silver light armor. Unlike traditional plate armor, his suit was designed for both mobility and defense. The armor was linked together by chainmail, offering the flexibility of leather with the durability of metal.

On his left arm, he had strapped an arm shield, a piece of equipment designed for both offense and defense. Unlike a traditional shield, this one was locked directly onto his arm, allowing him to use his left hand freely without needing to grip it.

At the front, sharp spikes extended just past his fingertips; a deadly addition that meant even in close combat, his left arm wasn't just for blocking; it was a weapon in itself.

For extra protection, he also wore a reinforced glove on his left hand, ensuring that even if he had to go hand-to-hand, he wouldn't be completely vulnerable.

Arya took one look at him and burst out laughing. "Raymond, if you put on a helmet with a visor, you'd be completely hidden inside your armor! You'd look like some kind of walking fortress!"

Raymond smirked, adjusting his gauntlets. "If helmets didn't mess with my vision and fighting instincts, I'd wear one in a heartbeat."

With their gear finally ready, the two stepped outside, ready to take on their first commission.

Raymond absentmindedly ran a hand over the back of his head. The human body had many weak points, but none as vulnerable as this. A well-placed strike here could mean instant defeat or worse.

Last night, he had forged a helmet, thinking it would provide extra protection. But the moment he put it on, something felt... off. His movements were slower, his reactions dulled.

Then, he realized the problem, his fighting instinct was tied to his entire head. With his vision slightly obstructed and his senses muted, he felt like he had lost a crucial part of his awareness. His ability to react, dodge, and anticipate attacks was significantly affected.

In the end, Raymond had no choice but to melt the helmet down and repurpose the materials into an arm shield. A much better trade-off, one that enhanced both his offense and defense without sacrificing mobility.

Arya's eyes widened in realization. "So that's why helmets aren't always a good idea for fighters."

She then gave him an amused look, crossing her arms. "But you know what? Now that you're wearing this light armor, you actually look better than before in leather armor!"

She wasn't just flattering him.

Before, Raymond had been slightly leaner, his body still adjusting to the changes brought by his profession awakening. But now, he had grown, not just taller, but stronger and more defined. His broader shoulders and balanced physique gave off a commanding presence, yet his movement remained swift and agile.

With the arm shield securely in place, he radiated an air of reliability and strength. Not a hulking brute, but a warrior built for precision and adaptability.

Raymond shook his head with a chuckle and lightly tapped Arya's shoulder with his long sword, Dark Moon. "Alright, alright. Enough compliments. If you're good to go, let's set off."

Arya's eyes lit up with excitement. "Finally! I've been waiting for this!"

She swung her quiver over her back, the fifteen long arrows inside clinking softly, the same ones Raymond had carefully refined the night before.

Raymond, meanwhile, adjusted the backpack strapped securely across his shoulders and held Dark Moon in his left hand.

With that, the two of them stepped out of the house and made their way toward Red Rose Street, where their adventure would truly begin.

---

As they approached the intersection, a cheerful voice rang out.

"Raymond! Arya! Over here!"

From a distance, Sylph stood waving enthusiastically.

Arya, practically buzzing with excitement, waved back before noticing Raymond's casual pace. Without a second thought, she grabbed his arm and pulled him along.

"Come on, slowpoke!"

The two quickly arrived where Sylph and Lorene were waiting.

"Sorry for making you wait," Arya said as she came to a stop.

Sylph waved it off with a grin. "Oh, don't worry, we just got here too."

Lorene nodded in agreement. "Yeah, you're right on time."

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Sylph's gaze then landed on Arya's leather armor, her eyebrows raising slightly. "Hey… this looks familiar."

Arya hesitated for a brief second before quickly correcting herself. "Ah—Raymond had it made for me. You know, hired a few 'craftsmen' for a cheaper deal."

Sylph smirked, but didn't question it further. "Makes sense."

Lorene, on the other hand, had her attention elsewhere.

Her eyes were locked onto Raymond, or more specifically, his armor and weaponry.

"Raymond, your new equipment looks incredible!" she said, admiration clear in her voice.

She wasn't the only one who noticed. Sylph followed her gaze, her expression shifting to one of surprise. Her eyes landed on the Dark Moon, still sheathed in its sleek black scabbard.

Even though Raymond had swapped out his previous black heavy sword for a swordsman's long sword, something about it caught their attention.

Sylph's eyes narrowed slightly. "Wait… Raymond, is that…?"

She didn't finish her sentence, but her meaning was clear.

Raymond's fingers tightened briefly around the hilt of Dark Moon. He scanned the surroundings. The street was less crowded now, and no one seemed to be paying them any attention.

That was good.

He gave a small nod, confirming what both women were thinking.

Lorene's eyes sparkled with excitement, while Sylph's lips curled into a knowing smile.

"Let's head to the Adventurer's Guild first," Raymond said, keeping his voice low. "I'll explain more once we're somewhere private."

Sylph, barely containing her curiosity, nodded eagerly. "Yes! Let's go right now!"

After all, it wasn't every day you saw a weapon crafted from black iron, a material known for its magic-conducting properties.

And just like that, the four of them set off, stepping toward the Adventurer's Guild, ready for the next chapter of their journey.