"What's taking this old man so long?"
[Calm down, he is a master. The more time it takes, the better your sword becomes.]
"Its not like I am in a hurry-"
[Oh, by the way I forgot to mention something. You got the 2nd task for your "memory recollection".]
"You're telling me right now? You goddamn system."
***********
"Ha, finally your sword is ready...…I tried to create a good one but became my best masterpiece ever."
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, this is crazy. Can a weapon like this even exist."
[Name: Sword Of Bloodbath]
[Rank: Growth]
[Description: Made by the master blacksmith, Dwalin. This sword is created from many sacrifices of humans and tainted with black magic.
This sword grows stronger by meeting certain conditions.
Effects: 1). Growth (Stage 1)
You gain the skill - Vitality Absorption and Mana Absorption.
Vitality Absorption
You receive 3% of vitality per damage dealt.
Mana Absorption
You receive 3% of mana per damage dealt.
2). Growth (Stage 2)
???
3). Growth (Stage 3)
???
"Hey, old man. Why is the sword a growth type?"
"Ohohoh, you found out already. This sword grows stronger as you absorb the blood of monsters, making it stronger and more durable the more blood it consumes."
"Not bad. See ya later."
The kid leaves.
"I wonder what wonders this kid will create. His story will definitely go down in the pages of history. Ohohoho."
*****************
"Athena, let's come to the main topic."
[Ok]
"Don't you dare "ok" me. What's the clue about?"
[The clue is, you need to go to the center of the forest.]
"........That's it?"
[Yes]
"I just need to go to the center of the forest and stand there? Wait for someone? Do something? Or what?"
[.......]
"Why do I even ask you? I will ask the village chief instead."
At the Town Hall.
Knock, Knock.
"Come in."
The kid enters.
"Oh, who do we have here? If it isn't the Hero of Crowcrest village."
"Chief, you are embarrassing me."
"So, how can I help you?"
"I wanted to ask what's at the center of the forest?"
"At the center, hmm, I don't know much but according to the stories circulating around the world, one thing I know is, there is a lake in the center which is said to heal your wounds and remove curses or unlock your mana channels. And as time passed by it was called "Lake of Vitality". That's the one side of the story."
"Whats the other side?"
"Oh boy, it's not for kids like you to know about."
The kid knowing he cant extract any more info out of him, activated the one and only advantage a kid can only have - baby face, puppy eyes.
"Ok, ok, I will tell you about it. The lake becomes a curse if you not undergo a certain conditions, that is, you need to get the crystal from the four guardians on each side of the direction - North, West, South, East, and when you gather all and bath it in the lake and imbue your mana, a fairy would come and grant you your wish. Many people went to search for the lake. Either they came back cursed with paralysis and never came back at all, disappearing in the forest and became a mystery. Why do you ask?"
"Oh, nothing, I just wanted to ask."
The kid gets up and walks to leave and before closing the door -
"Chief, I am going on training for a few months. See ya."
"Wait dont tell me he is going to the center of the forest? Oh boy, kids these days are crazy."