Kuro pivoted on his heel and headed back toward the reception desk. Lovia was currently obscured behind a towering stack of parchment, sorting through requests with mechanical efficiency. She glanced up as he approached, one eyebrow arching high.

  ?"You're still here? Do you need any other help?" she asked, her tone brisk.

  ?"Yeah... I actually found something when I was lost in the Tall Forest. I was using it to defend myself," Kuro said. He reached into his belongings and carefully placed the object onto the polished wooden counter: a jagged, iridescent horn fragment with a crude wooden handle jammed into its base.

  ?Lovia’s eyes flicked to the object dismissively, then stopped. The casual question died on her lips, replaced by a sharp intake of breath.

  ?"Wait... that’s not what I think it is..." She leaned over the counter, her nose inches from the artifact, her eyes tracing the smooth, spiraling grain of the material. A heavy silence settled between them before she looked up, her expression a mixture of awe and absolute disbelief. "Really? No way!"

  ?She whispered, as if speaking too loud might make it disappear. "I can’t believe my eyes. I actually get to witness the horn of a Mosrel... Holy hell! Even though it’s only a fourth of the whole, it’s magnificent. And you say you just... found it?"

  ?She let out a low, appreciative whistle. "How lucky are you? Riadle told a Mosrel found dead by the Ravmor side, but he said the horn was already shattered and the pieces were gone. The Dragonbloods even scoured the forest looking for fragments, yet here you are. My god... this could fetch you a fortune, you know. You’re one lucky guy, cute stuff."

  ?She straightened up, her business persona returning slightly. "So, you want to sell it to the Guild, right? The Guild Master himself would be happy to buy—"

  ?Suddenly, her gaze snagged on the base of the artifact. Her eyes widened.

  ?"Wait. What is that?" She pointed a trembling finger at the wood. "Is that... a stick? Like a handle?" Her voice rose an octave, bordering on outrage. "Are you actually using a precious Mosrel horn... as a makeshift club? How could you?!"

  ?Kuro stammered, feeling heat rise in his cheeks. "Shit. Um... well, it looked cool, you see? And like I said, I didn't have a weapon to defend myself in the wilderness. I made it out of... necessity," he lied, scrambling for a justification that didn't sound insane.

  ?Lovia stared at him for a long moment. Slowly, the indignation faded into weary sympathy. "I understand completely, but still... oh, forget it. You lost your memory, so you probably don't know the cultural value of the horn. What matters is that you're alive and it helped you survive." She sighed, rubbing her temples. "Well, let's get the paperwork. You want to sell it, correct?"

  ?"No," Kuro said, shaking his head firmly. "I thought, since I’m an adventurer now, why not make the horn into a proper weapon? A sword, perhaps."

  ?Lovia blinked. "Are you serious? Wait, can you even do that? It’s incredibly thick and the shape is all wrong for a blade. You’ll hurt yourself. I told you to stay safe, and you’re just beginning your recovery quest! I’m pretty sure a horn fragment can’t be forged into a sword."

  ?"Well, why don't we try?" Kuro challenged, meeting her gaze steadily. "Being E-Rank and all, don't you think I'd be safer with a weapon made from a Mosrel horn?"

  ?Lovia hesitated, tapping a manicured nail against her temple. She was in deep thought. Finally, she groaned. "Fine. We have a town blacksmith affiliated with the guild, but I honestly don't know if he's capable of forging materials of this tier." She gestured at the horn. "Wait here a bit. Let me ask the Guild Master."

  ?She vanished into the back office. Moments later, she returned, her steps quick and purposeful.

  ?"Cute stuff, he wants to talk to you."

  ?Kuro stood motionless, the playful nickname barely registering. His mind raced, trying to gauge the temperature of the coming encounter. Would the Guild Master ask standard questions about a rare drop, or was a full-throttle inquisition coming? It seemed Guild Masters wielded significant authority in this town; a wrong word could be dangerous.

  ?"Don't worry," Fenric murmured, his voice low enough that only Kuro could hear. "He’s a chill guy."

  The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

  ?Unsure but left with no choice, Kuro headed straight for the double doors.

  ?He entered a room that immediately spoke of its occupant's history. The right wall was a shrine to violence—exotic monster trophies, unique and preserved parts mounted with reverence. To the left was a surprisingly domestic corner: a small kitchenette with a gleaming, complex brewing machine that smelled of rich coffee. The wall beside the main door was a breathtaking display of weaponry, each piece grander than the last.

  ?In the center, behind a heavy mahogany desk, sat a man who appeared to be in his forties. He was tall, with a powerfully muscular build, a buzz-cut, and a thick, commanding beard. He reminded Kuro sharply of his old military senior officer—one look confirmed a palpable, innate authority.

  ?"You called... sir?" Kuro asked.

  ?"Yes. Come closer." The man’s voice was a deep baritone that resonated in the chest. "And no need to be formal. Kuro, right?"

  ?"Yes."

  ?"I am Rhanes Nordell. A pleasure." Rhanes reached a hand across the desk. Kuro took it, feeling the unyielding, callus-hardened grip of a man who worked with his hands.

  ?"So," Rhanes began, leaning back and tenting his fingers. "How exactly did you find the horn? If you don't mind, I’d like the whole story."

  ?Kuro realized instantly that an outright lie would shatter against this man’s presence. He decided to weave the truth with necessary fabrications.

  ?"When I first opened my eyes, I was deep in the Tall Forest," Kuro began, keeping his voice flat and steady. "I had nothing but my name and scattered snippets of memory. I’m on a quest to find out who I am. As I was trying to survive, I stumbled upon a grotesque scene: a Ravmor bear dragging a dead Mosrel by the neck."

  ?He paused, letting the image sink in. "The bear's gaze fell on me, and I was sure I was dead. Then, a trio of Dragonbloods arrived. I don't think they even saw me, but their arrival gave me just enough chaos to run." Kuro’s eyes settled on the horn lying on the desk. "I found the horn lying in the snow as I fled. Guess I was lucky. I rigged it up to defend myself—that’s the 'handiwork' you’re looking at now."

  ?"Hmm... odd," Rhanes murmured, looking genuinely puzzled.

  ?"What? You don't believe me?" Kuro challenged.

  ?"Oh no, it’s not that." Rhanes waved a hand dismissively. "Ella already reported the Mosrel’s unfortunate death—sorry, you don't know her. It's just that high beasts never attack each other without cause. They avoid one another to maintain life on their own turf. That’s why it’s odd. I think something stirred them up enough to fight—something that made them feel threatened, or a presence that drove them to a rash decision." He shook his head slowly. "Anyway, that mystery is for another day."

  ?Rhanes fixed his powerful gaze on Kuro. "As for your request... you’re wondering whether the horn can be forged into a proper weapon."

  ?Kuro stood absolutely still, his heart hammering against his ribs.

  ?Rhanes smiled, a genuine, wide expression that transformed his face. "The answer is yes. Yes, I can."

  ?A faint glow of excitement lit Kuro’s eyes. "Wait, what do you mean by 'I can'?"

  ?"Meaning I will personally forge it for you," Rhanes stated, his tone ringing with purpose. "Free of cost. As a matter of fact, it has been a lifelong dream of mine to craft a weapon from a Mosrel's horn."

  ?He stood up and began to pace the office, energy radiating from him. "You see, when I first had this idea, people looked at me funny. The Mosrel is mostly harvested for medicine. While we use horn parts, bone, and scales to make weapons, it’s usually only as components, not the primary structure. I studied the methods, perfected my forging techniques, and readied myself... only to end up disappointed. The material is too rare. The dream never came true until today. Many thanks, my friend."

  ?As the Guild Master expressed his passion, Kuro stood with a blank look, processing the unexpected twist.

  ?"But can you handle the horn?" Kuro asked. "It’s not a day-to-day weapon. It will defy standard swordsmanship. It contains the essence of the beast—only the top percent can bring out its true colors."

  ?Rhanes stopped pacing. "I thought you never got the chance to work on it. How do you know?"

  ?Rhanes stared blankly, clearly not expecting the counter-question. "Uhm... Intuition?" He blinked rapidly. "Ah, anyway! I just know, and I have the experience to boot. Do you believe me?" He shot Kuro a fierce look, intense enough to drive away any doubts.

  ?"Yes, I believe you," Kuro answered without a second thought. "And don't worry about whether I can handle it or not. If I can't wield the horn, I will just sell it for a good amount," he rubbed his thumb and fingers together in the universal sign for money, "and buy a new weapon I can handle."

  ?There was a pause, and then Rhanes threw his head back. "You’re one odd bastard," he laughed. "Don't worry. Something tells me you can handle it."

  ?Rhanes walked back to his desk, a knowing glint in his eye. "I quit my blacksmithing days long ago. But for one last time, I am going to pick up my hammer. Not just for you, but to fulfill my own ambition."

  ?"I'm kind of intrigued about the result, not gonna lie," Kuro admitted.

  ?"Oh, you will be very pleased, I assure you." Rhanes sat down. "And you’re starting as an E-Rank, right?"

  ?"Yes." A pebble.

  ?Rhanes shook his head. "No, you’re not. You will be starting as a D-Rank."

  ?"Wait, really? But I didn't do... anything," Kuro protested. "Except find the horn."

  ?"And that is a big thing. You see, Mosrels are exceedingly rare. The fact that you witnessed a clash of apex predators—and survived—speaks for itself. You may be special, for all we know, but that remains to be seen." Rhanes gave him a final, appraising look. "Farewell, friend."

  ?He dismissed Kuro, instructing him to return the following morning to collect his newly forged weapon.

  ?As the door clicked shut, Rhanes stood in the silence of his office, his eyes fixed on the spiraling iridescent horn on his desk. His mind drifted back to Ella's report.

  ?"Someone odd, huh?" he murmured to the empty room. "I wonder."