You Want to Give Me a Sword?

"I meant no offense, but most Sellsword Knights truly had a poor reputation." Aeon shook his head. He consistently used the term Sellsword Knight rather than the contemptuous Hedge Knight. "You're still so young. I'm sure you'll have plenty of opportunities."

"No." Ian was somewhat puzzled as to why this old Smith was passing up perfectly good business to counsel him instead, but he had no desire to get tangled up with the man, so he cut him off directly.

"I've already decided. I'm going to The Wall to join the Night's Watch. That's the only place where I can earn honor. Becoming a black brother is where I belong."

"A destined home." The old Smith seemed to have recalled something, and tears welled at the corners of his eyes. He did not try to dissuade Ian any further, merely saying, "Good lad, may the Seven bless you."

"May the Seven bless us all," Ian replied.

Old Aedon picked up Ian's armor again. "This suit of armor could sell for 450 Silver Stags."

"And this sword—this sword could sell for 180 Silver Stags, but..." The old Smith picked up Ian's Hand-and-a-half Sword and inspected its wear. "In truth, I wouldn't advise you to sell the sword as well. Though the Night's Watch provides all the equipment, your own weapon will always feel more natural in your hand. What do you think?"

I think you're sticking your nose where it damn well doesn't belong!

"I think you misunderstand," Ian swiftly came up with a new excuse. "I'm not selling my gear because the Night's Watch will provide equipment and I want to take advantage of them. It's mainly because once I join the Night's Watch, I won't be able to stay and care for my parents anymore. I want to leave them as much money as possible, so I can leave with peace of mind."

"Your parents aren't nobles?"

"Obviously not, aren't they?"

"I meant no offense." The old Smith shook his head. "Since this is money you intend to leave your parents to support them, I won't profit from you either. I can offer you 550 Silver Stags for the armor, and 200 Silver Stags for the sword."

"Thank you, sir." Ian could not help feeling pleased. He had not expected a casually invented excuse to earn him an extra half Gold Dragon.

"And..." The old Smith paused, seemingly hesitant for a moment, but quickly made up his mind. "Since you're short of money, I have a job for you."

The old Smith's words surprised Ian. He could not imagine what a Smith from Harrenhal could need help with from a strange Sellsword Knight like him.

Of course, whatever the job was, he had little interest in it.

Still, having just taken advantage of the man for over a hundred Silver Stags, rejecting him outright would seem too blunt. So Ian tactfully reminded him, "I'm no longer a Sellsword Knight."

"Of course, I know, of course." The old Smith nodded hurriedly. Because of Ian's refusal, he believed Ian's story about joining the Night's Watch a little more. "I'm not hiring you to fight for me. Since you're going to The Wall to join the Night's Watch, why not do me a favor and deliver something for me?"

What? You want to give me something? Ian's eyes immediately lit up.

He was currently busy heading to Salt Town to lie in wait for someone, so he had no interest in all sorts of tasks.

But delivering something was different. Once it went into his pocket, it was his.

"Tell me more," Ian replied with interest.

"After you reach The Wall, I hope you can go to Shadow Tower and find a ranger named Dovell. Then help me deliver a Crested Sword to him."

So you want to give me a Crested Sword? You really are a good man. Ian hurriedly nodded.

"So, you agree?"

"Of course. It's on the way, so I have no problem with it."

The old Smith nodded and turned to duck through a door behind him.

"Ding! Optional quest updated." Annie's voice rang out in Ian's mind. He hurriedly closed his eyes and entered the system interface.

Triggered quest discovered: Shadow Lion

Quest description: The old Smith has a Crested Sword and wishes for you to bring it to the Shadow Tower ranger Dovell.

Quest reward: Unknown

Additional reward: Unknown

Accept (costs 1 point) Reject

Seeing the quest, Ian almost instinctively wanted to tap Accept.

After all, if a player used their one starting point to buy a money pouch from the Points Store, they could only get 300 Silver Stags. A Crested Sword was worth at least three Gold Dragons, so exchanging one point for a Crested Sword at the start was clearly worthwhile.

But just as he was about to tap it, a bold idea suddenly occurred to him.

What would happen if he selected Reject for the quest?

According to the organizers, this was a real world. That meant this old Smith was a living person, and whether or not he entrusted the task to Ian should not be affected by the system at all.

If the old Smith suddenly turned hostile because Ian rejected the quest in the system, then he was not a living person at all, but an NPC with AI!

With that thought, Ian moved his gaze away from Accept and tapped Reject instead.

Before long, the old Smith emerged carrying a Crested Sword.

"This sword was forged from fine steel, and its craftsmanship is impeccable." As Aedon introduced it, he handed the sword to Ian. "It was once the sidearm of a friend from my youth. Never mind him." The old Smith shook his head as he spoke.

He really didn't turn hostile! Ian was delighted. This might not count as exploiting a bug, but he had saved himself one point regardless.

Ian accepted the sword from the old Smith. His first impression was that it was heavy. It was the same length as his own sword, but somewhat heavier.

He drew it from its leather scabbard. The blade was slightly dull in color, and its edge was covered in many tiny chips as well, though they were much smaller than those on his own Hand-and-a-half Sword. He lightly touched the edge with a finger and could clearly feel its sharpness.

"Remember, give this sword to Dovell, the ranger at Shadow Tower," the old Smith instructed. "Like you, he has blond hair and is around thirty-five years old." He paused, then gave an awkward laugh. "Considering he has spent more than ten years on The Wall, he may look rather old for his age."

"Either way, you must place this sword in his hands personally. If he happens to be out on a mission when you reach Shadow Tower, take the sword back and wait for another chance. Do not casually hand it over to another member of the Night's Watch," the old Smith emphasized.

"May I ask why?" A trace of wariness rose in Ian's heart. "Is there something you need me to tell him that others cannot hear?"

The old Smith clearly had not expected Ian to ask that. He gave Ian a surprised look, then shook his head. "No, there's no need. Once he sees this sword, he'll naturally understand everything."