The Against All Odds

CH 32 - Gift Box

Barla, an athletic and brown woman, who also works at the Mist Village Tavern, directs Leo and his friends to the home of her grandfather, Mr. Balfam. Barla knows that they will soon go on a dangerous mission to confront the Goblin Village, and she wants to make sure they get the necessary help.

The moment they arrived at Mr. Balfam's house, a lively and noisy atmosphere was immediately felt. The workers and some dwarves who looked very familiar to Mr. Balfam were busy working in his workshop, hitting the iron with gusto. They talk cheerfully.

Dwarves are human-like creatures, but are shorter and stout with typically thick hair and slightly brown, black, or gray curls. They have strong and muscular hands, suitable for physical work that requires strength and skill. Although their height was shorter than the average being in the Erder world, the dwarves were known to be the hardest working race in their field.

One of the distinctive features of the dwarf is the use of a helmet with lights on it. These helmets not only serve as head protection, but also as a very useful light source in their work in mines or in other dark conditions. The lamp above the helmet emits a distinctive yellow light and helps the dwarf to work more efficiently.

"Welcome, young people. I've heard about the mission you're about to face. Very dangerous, but I'm sure you can deal with it." Mr. Balfam welcomed their presence with open arms.

Leo nodded firmly. "Of course, Mr. Balfam. We've been training hard, less than a month."

Mr. Balfam nodded. "Good, good. Now, come on in, let's see what I can help."

Once they entered his house, the atmosphere changed drastically. They were in a workshop filled with strange items and the noise of workers who were busy working on various iron projects. The sound of a hammer being smashed into the iron, a creaking machine, and a crumbling hot metal liquid filled the room.

This workshop looks like a giant warehouse full of various tools, tools, and materials. Various swords and armor hung on the wall, shiny showing the hard work of the workers here. There is also a work desk filled with sketches, designs, hot iron prints, to a wooden barrel containing beer.

The workers working here consist of various levels, ranging from experienced blacksmiths to beginners who are learning. They look serious in their work.

Balfam introduced them to some of his friendly workers. This room was a place where all sorts of equipment such as weapons and armor were made and repaired.

They stood in the middle of a workshop filled with weapons and supplies hanging on the wall. Belladona was fascinated by these weapons. Matilda, with her innocent expression, just stared without the slightest interest.

"Why isn't all this used against the Mowldark, Mr Balfam?" alisha asked while pointing at some swords that looked very sharp.

Mr. Balfam smiled as he picked up a sword from the wall. "Ah, that's because these weapons were just finished in the last month after the Mowldark attack. We need time to repair our equipment and prepare new tools to deal with any emerging threats. These weapons are the work of all the workers here."

"They look amazing. You're preparing everything to protect the village, Mr. Balfam." Belladona continued to look at the weapons with great interest.

Mr. Balfam nodded. "We always try our best to protect the Village of Fog and its inhabitants. But still, hopefully none of this needs to be used anytime soon."

While they were still busy looking around, a few fat and muscular dwarves approached them while carrying a few boxes.

The dwarves placed four boxes on the table in the middle of the room.

Belladona with high enthusiasm immediately opened the box that read his name. When he saw the contents, his eyes sparkled and his face began to beaming. Inside the box was a Mana Necklace with sparkling blue diamonds.

"Woe.. For God's sake, look at this!" he cried with pleasure. "This Mana canyon will definitely be very useful in saving my manaku expenses. Thank you, Mr Balfam!"

Matilda also opened her box and was surprised to see a pair of shoes and gloves inside. "Is this for me?" tanyanya.

Mr. Balfam nodded. "Yes, Matilda. These shoes will make you more agile in battle, and they will help you better manage your punching strength."

"Thank you, Mr. Balfam." Matilda answered by bowing her body.

Mr. Balfam smiled at Leo and Alisha's slightly hesitant behavior to open their box that was larger than the others. He tried to hold back the laughter as the two instead engaged in a game of stone, scissors, paper to determine who would open the box first.

Leo and Alisha threw stones, scissors, paper seriously, as if this was an important match. They both did not want to open the box first, and their competition was so ridiculous that the witnessing dwarves could not help their smiles.

After a few rounds, Leo finally came out as the winner. He smiled triumphantly while facing Alisha. Alisha, the loser, could only shake her head with a laugh, Then opened the box.

"Huh, thisikan?"

Alisha was surprised to see the gift inside the box. Mr. Balfam explained, that at the time the Mowldark attacked, he found it lying on the ground. Out of curiosity, he tried to learn how this thing works.

Alisha looked at her gun which was now filled with bullets. He gently grasped the gun, looking at every detail. In the box there are also many magazines that have been neatly arranged, complete with bullets in it.

"Mr Balfam, did you make all these bullets and magazines?" alisha asked with admiration.

Lord Balfam only nodded with a hint of arrogance. "I am skilled in this field. Hope this helps you and your friends."

"Thank you very much, Mr. Balfam. You are a genius!" Alisha smiled with gratitude.

Meanwhile, Leo gazed with admiration at the thing inside his box, his eyes starting to glaze over. In his heart, he felt unable to believe what he was seeing right now. In a soft voice, he asked, "Where did you find this thing, Mr Balfam?"