After finishing his lunch, Damian excused himself, leaving his aunt and uncle at the table. The news of the world falling apart weighed heavily on his mind, and the sense of urgency to prepare for the unknown was overwhelming. He needed supplies—and answers.

  Before heading into town, Damian took some time to examine the stag. Its hide was thick and durable, unlike anything he’d ever skinned before. He couldn’t let it go to waste. Carefully, he skinned the beast, the process both methodical and oddly calming. The idea struck him that the leather might be treated and used for something valuable later.

  As he worked, his thoughts wandered back to the system. The mechanics were becoming clearer there were three ways to obtain skills.

  1. System-given skills, which had been unlocked as rewards for leveling up.

  2. Self-created skills, like the Identify skill he’d crafted through experimentation.

  3. Skill stones, the newest and perhaps most exciting discovery.

  The system resembled a game in many ways, but it was far more dangerous.

  The sign for Rodger’s Hunting and Leatherworkscame into view as Damian parked his truck. The place hadn’t changed a bit since the last time he was here—a rustic shop filled with memories of summers spent with his uncle learning to hunt and shoot.

  As Damian pushed open the door, the familiar jingle of the bell brought back a flood of nostalgia.

  “Huh, it’s been a while,” he muttered.

  “Is that you, Damian?” a booming voice called out.

  Damian looked up to see Rodger himself, the shop owner, walking out from the backroom. His face lit up with a wide grin. “Boy, where’ve you been? You don’t visit anymore! I heard you’re the one who took down that big stag. Is it true?”

  Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

  Damian chuckled, scratching the back of his neck. “Yeah, that was me. It wasn’t too big of a problem.”

  Rodger laughed heartily, clapping him on theshoulder. “At a boy! Bet your Uncle Ben’s real proud of you. So, what brings you in today?”

  Damian held up the rolled hide of the stag. “I was wondering if you could treat this leather for me. I skinned the stag and figured it might be useful for something later. I know you’re busy with everything going on, but I’d really appreciate it.”

  Rodger inspected the hide, nodding appreciatively. “This is a fine piece of work. Don’t you worry, I’ll take care of it. This’ll be a fun project.”

  Damian hesitated, then asked, “By the way, do you still have your old furnace?”

  Rodger raised an eyebrow. “Sure, I do. Don’t use it much these days, but it’s still in good shape. Why?”

  “Any chance you could teach me how to make a sword?”

  Rodger blinked, surprised. “A sword? What do you need a sword for? You’re a bowman, aren’t you? Never seen you use a blade in your life.”

  Damian scratched his head sheepishly. “Well, with everything going on, I figured it wouldn’t hurt to learn. You know, just in case.”

  Rodger studied him for a moment before breaking into a grin. “Alright, why not? Always happy to pass on a skill.”

  Damian spent the rest of the day learning the basics of blacksmithing. It wasn’t his first time using a furnace—he’d helped make horseshoes years ago—but crafting a weapon was a whole new challenge.

  His first attempts were rough. The metal warped, cracked, or came out uneven. Rodger’s patience never wavered, though, guiding Damian through every misstep.

  Finally, after hours of effort and countless failures, Damian struck the final blow on his blade. A familiar chime echoed in his mind.

  Congratulations! You have learned the Blacksmithing Skill.

  Beginner Blacksmithing Skill Unlocked.

  Congratulations! You have crafted an Iron Sword.

  Item Details:

  ? Iron Sword

  ? Rank: Normal

  ? Attack: 15

  Damian held the blade in his hands, marveling at the sharp, gleaming edge. It wasn’t perfect, but it was solid—a real weapon.

  “Not bad for your first sword,” Rodger said, clapping him on the back. “You’ve got the knack for it.”

  “Thanks, Rodger. Couldn’t have done it without you,” Damian replied.

  Before leaving, Damian paid Rodger for the materials and lessons, as well as commissioning a shield and purchasing a sword sheath. He didn’t know what the coming days would bring, but he was determined to be ready for anything.

  As he drove back to the farm, Damian reflected on what he’d learned. The system’s mechanics were becoming clearer, and his understanding of how to grow stronger was deepening.

  With enough practice and effort, he could create skills. The possibilities were endless.

  But for now, Damian’s focus was on preparation. The world was changing faster than he could keep up, and he needed every advantage he could get.