35 A Gift

After a whole day of grieving, Misho and Maia fell asleep. It all felt surreal and relatable, yet so distant.

They also had emotions, similar to these NPCs. But they were capable of reviving. They would never truly understand death until they experience it in real life.

…

The village was rowdier the next morning. After a full day of grieving, everyone had wide smiles on their faces.

Misho and Maia entered the dining room and ate a grand meal of roasted birds with some fluffy bread. It was totally different compared to yesterday.

"This bread is nice," Misho muttered as he munched on it.

"The flour is very expensive. We don't have a mill here, so we bought that from the city," Kea replied.

"That's interesting."

After half an hour, the duo finished eating their breakfast.

"Uncle Gerald, and Auntie Kea, we are going out to see Uncle Horpa," Maia said.

"Sure, sure. Have fun outside. The other villagers wanted to see the two of you," Gerald replied.

He was easygoing and much more relaxed compared to yesterday.

And so, Misho and Maia left the house. They roamed around the village.

"H-Heroes!"

A tiny little girl shouted. Her eyes widened in amazement as she stared at them.

"Hello!"

Maia smiled widely and walked toward her. The little girl was plucking flowers and panicked when she saw her approach.

"What's your name?" Maia asked.

"U-Uhh… Moniela Kanto," the little girl answered nervously.

"You look cute!" Maia said and pinched her cheeks.

"Eghhh!"

Moniela complained but didn't push Maia away.

Eventually, Maia released the little girl.

"B-big Sister, take this!"

Moniela raised her hand and offered the bouquet of flowers she was plucking. They were a variety of white and colorful lilies.

"You're so adorable! Thank you," Maia said and took the flowers.

She smiled widely. It made her happy to be appreciated by a little girl.

"What about me?" Misho asked, feeling left out.

"Ugh!"

He suddenly received an elbow from Maia, who glared at him.

"I-I can pluck more flowers!" Moniela answered, still nervous.

"Don't worry about him, Moniela. See you next time," Maia said and pulled Misho away.

"Why did you elbow me?"

Misho looked at her with a wronged facial expression.

"You're making it hard for her. She's probably poor and could only give me the flowers in her hands," Maia replied.

"O-oh… I understand."

He didn't think much earlier, but it made sense now that he did.

Maia turned behind them and asked, "Moniela, wait! Do you know where Uncle Horpa is?"

"Uncle Horpa's house is the biggest one. Head right on that street," Moniela answered.

"Thank you!"

Maia pulled Misho away to meet Horpa. They followed Moniela's directions and saw a rather big house. There were stacks of logs in the courtyard.

"Wow."

This was the first time Maia and Misho saw a house this big. Even when Misho visited the village chief's, it wasn't that big.

"Uncle Horpa?" Maia called out.

Horpa was sitting on a dried tree stump and sharpening his axe.

"Hm? It's the two of you. What brings you two here?" Horpa asked with a smile.

He put down his axe and stood up. There were some shallow scratches on his body.

"Are you injured?" Maia asked worriedly.

"This is nothing. I simply wrestled a goblin," Horpa revealed.

"O-oh…" Misho smiled wryly.

He didn't need to be a genius to know the fate of that goblin.

"So, are the two of you here to help me chop down trees?" Horpa asked.

"Actually…"

Maia and Misho looked at each other.

"I understand. The two of you already got enough money to leave. No need to complete it," Horpa said ahead of them.

"Ah, thank you," Misho replied.

It saved them from the trouble of asking him to cancel it.

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Special Quest Canceled!

Issuer: [NPC] Horpa

Punishment: None

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"Young girl, I admire you. Wait here for a bit. I will get my gift," Horpa said and entered his log house.

Misho and Maia patiently waited for him while wondering what his gift was.

"Here."

Horpa held a precious axe with his two hands. One carried the head while the other carried the handle.

"That is..?"

Maia furrowed her eyebrows.

"This is my prized axe called [Horpa's Axe]. I had to ask a blacksmith from Sunrise City to make it for me," Horpa replied.

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Tier 1 Axe

Name: Horpa's Axe

Description: A sharp axe used for cutting down trees. Its magical properties make it lighter while dealing powerful damage.

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"No, no, no. We don't need that, Uncle Horpa," Maia refused.

She had no use for an axe. She would rather become a mage and throw her fireballs at her enemy.

"Take it. This village is my home. The fact that I met you two before meant that we are connected by fate," Horpa said and pushed the axe to Maia's face.

She was powerless and looked over at Misho.

Misho shook his head. He also had no plan to use a battle axe. He wanted more than anyone else to use a spell art.

"You two could use it or sell it when needed. I don't mind," Horpa said and kindly smiled.

His sincerity was too much. Maia was overwhelmed by it, so she unwillingly took the axe from him.

"How are we going to carry this?"

"Take this. It came with it when I received it from the blacksmith."

Horpa gave her a small suitcase with a handle.

Misho took it from Horpa and opened it. Maia placed the axe inside and closed it.

"May the two of you have a fun journey," Horpa said.

"We will see you next time, Uncle Horpa," Maia said, a little teary.

She realized that Horpa knew this would be their last meeting, so he decided to give them his prized axe.

"Take care, Uncle Horpa," Misho said.

The two of them waved their hands and left.

"Would you use that Misho?" Maia asked and pointed at the case he was carrying.