In the Tower of Trials, appearances were often traps. Ryn had once seen a six-year-old girl wipe out an entire guild because they failed to realize she was a Vampire Progenitor.

  So he did not dismiss the boy immediately. Instead, he narrowed his eyes and shifted his vision to perceive the flow of Arcanum.

  If the boy were an Elf, his mana signature would be vibrant with life. If he were a High Human or a Mage, the air around him would feel dense.

  Ryn saw nothing.

  There was just a faint flicker of stress and exhaustion.

  The boy was as mundane as a sack of flour.

  He was busy scratching a quill against a parchment.

  "If I pull the guards from the South Gate, the Supply Depot is vulnerable. But if I don't, the mines will fall. Urgh, what am I gonna do?"

  His voice cracked mid-sentence. It was the unmistakable squeak of puberty.

  'Nope,' Ryn concluded. 'Definitely just a human kid.'

  He cleared his throat and stepped into the light.

  "Excuse me."

  The boy jumped in his seat and nearly knocked over an inkwell. He looked up with eyes underlined by dark circles.

  "Ah! Who? How did you get in here?" the boy stammered. He tried to straighten his tunic to look more dignified. "I gave orders not to be disturbed by the Travelers."

  "The guards let me in," Ryn replied calmly. He walked forward and placed the envelope on the desk. "I was told I could find Village Head Idrich here. Master Boldar sent me."

  The boy froze at the mention of the name.

  He looked at the letter and recognized the blacksmith's seal. His expression shifted instantly from annoyance to desperate hope.

  "Master Boldar sent you?" Idrich asked, his voice dropping an octave as he tried to sound authoritative, though his hands trembled slightly as he reached for the letter. "He... he actually sent someone? This fast too?"

  Idrich broke the seal and scanned the contents. As he read, his shoulders slumped, the tension draining out of him.

  "Master Smith Boldar vouches for your skill and character," Idrich murmured. He looked up at Ryn. "He hasn't recommended a warrior to the Hall since my father left for the capital."

  Idrich stood up. He was short and barely taller than the desk itself, but he tried to project the dignity of his station.

  "I am Idrich," the boy said. "Acting Village Head of Naven. And if the Master Smith trusts you... Then perhaps we finally have a chance to retake the Northern Mines."

  Ryn raised an eyebrow. "The Mines? I heard rumors, but what exactly is happening up there?"

  Idrich's face darkened. He walked over to a large map pinned to the wall and pointed to a mountainous region north of the village.

  The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

  "Iron," Idrich said grimly. "Naven lives and dies by its iron ore. But a few weeks ago, the miners came running back in a panic. They said the mountain... 'woke up'."

  "A monster?"

  "A calamity," Idrich corrected him. "I sent my best guards to clear it out. Six veterans."

  The boy paused and clenched his fist.

  "They came back an hour later.... Stripped naked."

  Ryn blinked. "Excuse me?"

  "Their armor, their swords, their shields... Everything made from metal was ripped away from them," Idrich explained. "They said an invisible force dragged them into the darkness. They only survived because they unbuckled their gear and ran."

  "Oh, I see." Ryn nodded slowly, a glint of understanding sharpening his gaze.

  'Must be magnetism,' he realized instantly.

  If it were, it would indeed be a tricky situation.

  In this world, practically every combatant relied on metal. Be it the plate armor of a knight or the iron arrowheads of a ranger, let alone a swordsman's sole weapon. Against a foe that could turn their greatest assets into burdens, numbers meant nothing.

  A faint memory surfaced in his mind.

  'Floor 53.'

  He had encountered a similar monster during a hidden quest. It had forced him to abandon his high-level gear entirely. He had fought the beast wearing nothing but his beginner robes and mask, wielding a reinforced wooden sword.

  That battle had been recorded by a passing camera drone and became a famous clip among the Climbers. It was also the day when 'Zero' proved he didn't need stats or gear to dominate.

  He shook his head, dispelling the nostalgia. That was then, and this was now.

  "Since metal is a liability, you need someone who doesn't rely on it," Ryn said, bringing his focus back to the boy. "What exactly do you need me to do? I'm willing to help in any way I can."

  Idrich looked at him, searching for any sign of hesitation. Usually, a mercenary would demand upfront payment or haggle over the danger pay upon hearing such details. But Ryn remained calm, his posture relaxed yet confident.

  Whether it was the invisible effect of [ Universal Respect ] calming the boy's nerves or simply the weight of Master Boldar's recommendation, the young leader's shoulders relaxed.

  He didn't question Ryn's lack of heavy gear. In fact, he misinterpreted that Ryn's light leather armor was a strategic choice rather than a sign of poverty.

  "Thank you," Idrich breathed out, looking genuinely relieved. "I truly appreciate it. The mission is critical."

  He then pointed a finger at the center of the mountain on the map.

  "We need you to enter the Northern Mines and investigate the source of this anomaly. If it is a beast you can handle, slay it. However, if the threat is too great, do not throw your life away. Simply return with information on what we are facing."

  Ryn nodded. It was a standard scouting request with an optional kill condition.

  "I understand the danger," Ryn said. "But why the rush? Surely the mountain isn't going anywhere."

  Idrich winced. He slumped back into his oversized chair, looking smaller than ever.

  "The mountain will stay, but our time is running out. The Capital sent a missive yesterday. They are demanding the quarterly iron tribute three weeks early due to the ongoing border skirmishes with the Beast Kin. If we fail to deliver the quota within five days, the Kingdom will revoke my family's stewardship. They will send a new Governor to take over Naven."

  The boy gripped the armrests of his chair, his knuckles turning white.

  "I cannot let that happen. I promised my father I would protect this village while he is away at the Capital."

  Ryn looked at the desperate determination in the boy's eyes. It was a rather classic setup. A young ruler cornered by politics and monsters, betting everything on a single stranger.

  Fortunately for Idrich, he had bet on the right stranger.

  "Don't worry, Village Head," Ryn said confidently, his hand resting casually on the leather-wrapped hilt of his dagger. "I happen to be an expert at breaking hard things."

  ──────?????──────

  [ Unique Quest Initiated: The Heart of the Mountain ]

  [ Difficulty: S-Rank ]

  [ Objective: Investigate the Northern Mines. Eliminate the source of the anomaly if possible. Otherwise, retrieve intelligence on the entity. ]

  [ Failure Condition: Death or Failure to report within 3 Days. ]

  [ Reward: Village Head's Gratitude, Access to the Northern Mines, ??? ]

  ──────?????──────

  "Take this badge with you as well." Idrich handed him a heavy insignia bearing the village crest. "The guards at the perimeter have strict orders to turn everyone back. This will let you pass without trouble."

  Ryn took the cold metal badge and pocketed it.

  "Understood. Expect good news soon."

  With a final nod to the young ruler, Ryn turned and walked out of the office.

  'Hmm... I smell a Main Quest from this...'