“Rune stone?” Lila repeated, her brow furrowed in confusion. “What’s that?”

  I glanced at her, unsurprised by the question.

  “It’s exactly what it sounds like,” I said. “A stone inscribed with rune markings. But it’s more than just pretty symbols etched into rock. A runecrafter can carve those markings using special tools and magical essence.”

  Lila blinked. “Okay… but what do they do?”

  “Runes,” I continued, turning toward the table and pulling the pouch from my belt, “act as magical containers. Think of them like vessels. You take a specific material—something with a unique essence or effect—and then a runecrafter infuses that material’s power into the rune’s pattern. Once it’s properly inscribed and activated, the rune becomes a kind of enchantment.”

  I placed the pouch down and slowly opened it, revealing the gathered beholder eyes. Her gaze dropped to them immediately.

  “With the right rune, you can transfer that power to a piece of equipment—armor, weapons, even accessories,” I said. “And depending on the material and the rune’s pattern, the results can be… well, let’s just say game-changing.”

  Her eyes widened slightly as she stared at the strange organic shapes in the pouch. “So you're saying… we’re gonna infuse something with the power of those?”

  I nodded once, lifting the large central eye. “Exactly. And with these eyes…” I turned it slowly in my hand, watching how the dim, lifeless iris still managed to catch the light. “This isn’t just an upgrade. Well… you’ll see.”

  “Let’s not waste any time,” I said, rolling my shoulders and adjusting the strap on my pouch. “It’s still bright out, so we’ll make sure everything gets sorted before we rest and head back into the dungeon.”

  First on the list? Supplies—and I wanted to see just how much my slimes had managed to scavenge while I was gone. A full week’s worth of work. Quietly, I walked over to the wooden floorboard near my bed. With a quick pull, I lifted it up, revealing the dug-out hollow underneath.

  And just like I had asked… they had followed my instructions perfectly.

  Inside the pit was a stockpile of Scarleaf herbs, packed in neat piles, their earthy scent wafting upward in waves. There had to be hundreds of them. I had told the slimes not to gather berries since they spoiled quickly—seemed they followed that too.

  There didn’t appear to be anything else of note, though. No gear, no unexpected finds. I guess I had been a bit too hopeful for another lucky find like the old crossbow from last time.

  Still… this haul would significantly boost my credit standing.

  “Let’s go, Lila,” I said, brushing my hands off. She perked up and followed me to the far corner of the shack, where I pulled out an old, crumpled potato sack. Without hesitation, I dropped the large beholder eye inside, tying the top tight. No way I was walking into a crowded city carrying that thing out in the open—not unless I wanted to get jumped.

  The two of us set off immediately, heading down the worn path toward Arn’s city gates.

  After paying the standard entrance fee for the day, I didn’t bother browsing or wandering—I made a straight path to the western district, where the city’s primary crafting facilities were located.

  Arn’s layout was easy enough to remember: the city center held the free market and the main portal access; the north was home to the Adventurers’ Hall and the numerous guilds residence; the west—where we were now—was the domain of artisans and tradesmen. Blacksmiths, jewelers, alchemists, rune crafters—they were all nestled here in tight alleyways and clustered buildings that reeked of iron, smoke, and other residue. The slums and entry checkpoint were further back to the southwest, and to the east lay the noble quarter—where the upper-class and officials resided, far from the grime and sweat of crafters.

  My eyes scanned the signs ahead until they landed on the one I was looking for—etched into polished stone, adorned with faintly glowing runes:

  “Vareth’s Runes – Master Inscriptionist”

  I tightened my grip on the sack and stepped through the door.

  If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

  The moment I stepped through the door, I was greeted by a soft chime, one that didn’t come from a bell but from an enchantment layered over the doorway. The inside of the shop was dimly lit, the air warm with a faint trace of incense.

  Shelves lined the curved walls, each one packed with rune stones of various sizes, shapes, and glowing inscriptions. Strange artifacts hung from the ceiling by thin chains, slowly rotating in place.

  In the center of it all stood a large counter made of reinforced glass. Behind it, stood the shop’s owner.

  She looked up the moment we entered.

  The woman who greeted us was... striking.

  Tall and poised, she wore midnight-blue robes that accentuated her figure—fitted just enough to hint at the grace beneath. Slits along the sides revealed the subtle contours of toned legs, wrapped in sleek, form-fitting stockings.

  Her skin was pale, almost porcelain. Long raven-black hair cascaded down her back, with a few loose strands tucked behind a delicate ear adorned by dangling crystal earrings. Her eyes, a sharp and vivid violet, watched us with curiosity—like a cat observing a new toy.

  Her lips curled into a knowing smile—painted with a soft wine-red gloss that matched the gemstone pendant resting just above the curve of her chest.

  “Well, well,” she murmured, her voice low and velvet-soft, laced with a hint of a sultry purr. “A lone adventurer… and carrying something quite interesting.”

  Her eyes dropped to the worn potato sack slung over my shoulder, and her smile widened ever so slightly.

  Is she able to see what’s inside?

  “Welcome to Vareth’s. I assume you’re here for more than conversation?”

  I adjusted the bag slightly, feeling the weight of the beholder’s eye shift inside. From within my coat, the faintest motion stirred—Lila staying perfectly quiet, tucked into the pouch like I asked.

  I met the woman’s gaze, keeping my tone calm.

  “You could say that. I’m looking to have something crafted, something… specific.”

  Her fingers slid slowly over the carved runestone before her, her gaze never leaving mine. “Then you’ve come to the right place.”

  “Let’s see what we’re working with,” she said, eyes gleaming as they lingered on the sack slung over my shoulder.

  I didn’t say a word. Stepping forward, I placed the worn bag on her counter with a dull thud and carefully unfolded the top. The interior light caught the glistening surface of the large beholder eye resting inside.

  She looked down—not with shock or hesitation, but with an intrigued smile that curved her lips like this was exactly what she’d been hoping for.

  “A beholder’s eye,” she murmured, voice low with appreciation. “Not something I see every day. Seems like you know what you’re doing, bringing it here instead of pawning it off at the market.”

  Her eyes flicked back up to mine. “You’ve got the other twelve, I assume?”

  I nodded silently and reached back into the same bag, retrieving the bundled set of the smaller eyes—each one carefully wrapped and placed beside the central orb.

  She picked one up with delicate fingers, turning it slowly, the surface of the eye glistening faintly in the ambient glow of the room. No hesitation. No disgust. Like someone well-practiced in handling grotesque materials.

  “Hmm. Good condition,” she said simply. “It’s going to cost you—one thousand credits for the full crafting.”

  She looked up again, violet eyes searching.

  “Can you pay it?”

  I reached into my pouch and pulled out the item I had reserved for just such a moment—a crystallized heart, about the size of my palm. It pulsed faintly with residual mana.

  I held it out. “Will this make up the cost?”

  Her eyes sparkled with recognition the moment she saw it. “A floor boss crystalized heart,” she said with a soft grin. “Not bad.”

  I nodded.

  She let out a small, approving hum. “You’re quite the resourceful adventurer. That will do nicely.” She gently placed the heart on a side tray lined with protective runes. “Give me about an hour. You can wait here or return later.”

  “Understood,” I said. But before she could turn away, I reached once more into my pouch and pulled out a small bundle of lesser, eyebat eyes—gathered during my farming runs on the fourth floor.

  “Also… I’d like to sell these,” I said, placing them carefully on the counter. “Interested?”

  She glanced at them, then gave a subtle nod. “Good quality. How about this—I deduct their value from the rune’s total cost. When the crafting’s done, I’ll provide you the finished rune and the remaining credit balance.”

  “Sounds good,” I replied.

  She smiled again, this time a little sharper. “Then you’ve got yourself a deal.”

  With everything settled, she wasted no time.

  Turning away from the counter, she moved with practiced grace, robe flowing behind her as she carried the materials into the workshop nestled behind a curtain. The moment she stepped through, I heard the hum of tools and the clink of stone against metal.

  She was already at work.

  But as for me… I had other plans.

  An hour was more than enough time.

  I stepped outside into the warm light of the crafting district, the faint smell of iron and molten metal wafting through the air. The rhythmic pounding of hammers echoed faintly in the distance.

  I muttered to myself under my breath, adjusting the pouch.

  “Time to go see the old man blacksmith… and get that item off my list.”