I awake after a long while. It’s difficult to tell how much time has passed with no access to sunlight. Normally, I would have no problem continuing to sleep, but this newfound energy has me restless. I’m eager to see what equipment has been made for me. I must be patient, but I cannot sit still. I stand up and remove my dagger from its sheath. I grab the unlit torch from the wall, grasping it in the middle, similar to the handle of a shield. I vigorously swing the dagger in a fluid, systematic motion while occasionally including a shield strike. I hadn’t known such motions before. Perhaps with the access to a class, the movements just become second nature. I want to explore this more.

I continue to swing and strike at the air. I quickly turn and swipe towards the wall, slashing a deep carve into the stone. I quickly jump in shock. There’s no way I’ve suddenly obtained this much power! “The backslash, huh?” I jump again as I turn to see the leader standing in the entryway. I quickly step in front of the cut in the wall, attempting to block it from view. The leader chuckles. “Be at ease. I’m not upset.” The leader steps closer to the carving as I step aside. The leader runs his fingers through the cut, knocking small stones and dust from it. “The backslash is what that Hero used before you stepped in. It’s a sword user ability. Quite dangerous, indeed.”

The leader then rubs his hand across the cut on his chest. “I wonder… if in another reality, I may have been victorious over the Hero… would I, too, have become one?” The leader stands silent for a moment. He then regains his composure and places his hand on my back as he guides me to walk forward. “Come. Let us see how our Minotaur companion is doing with that equipment.” As we make our way through the dungeon, I find myself wondering as well. What if the leader had truly slain the Hero? Would he have gained a class instead? Would he have gained a different class since he doesn’t specialize in bladed weapons? I’m interested to know.

As we enter the forging room, we’re greeted to the sound of metal bring cooled. The smell of hot metal and bovine fills the air as steam rises from the quenching bucket. The Minotaur raises what looks like a savagely crafted golden blade. The Minotaur turns back and snorts. “You’ve returned just in time. I’ve just completed the final piece.” I approach with anticipation of what the Minotaur has come up with! The Minotaur turns to me, holding the blade in his hand. A blade made of steel and dragon scales. Smooth on the front and back, but jagged across the edge. Clearly made for ripping flesh as it cuts. The handle looks to be wrapped in a dense leather, tinted blood red. I can only assume this was made of the skin of the fallen.

I reach cautiously towards the sword. I can’t imagine I’m capable of wielding such a spectacular weapon. As I grab the handle, I raise it with ease. As if it was destined to be in my hand. As I’m holding the blade, a new light image appears over it. It appears to be a chart showing information about the weapon. Level 1+ one-handed sword called A Dragon Sword. It provides boosts to my strength and my intelligence. I’m not quite sure how that is, but I suppose it’s a factor of magic that enhances the body and mind. I’m more curious about the level on the sword. I turn to the leader and point to the level. The leader looks closely at it.

“Hmm… interesting. As far as I know, most equipment that Heroes use has a requirement based on this leveling system that determines their power. This might be something we’ll need to test before we can determine what it actually means.” The Minotaur points at the name. “What is this name? A true masterwork weapon deserves a true name.” I look at the sword for a moment. It wasn’t my design, my craft, nor my brethren used to forge this sword. I hand it back to the Minotaur. He grunts at me. “You… would allow me to name your weapon?” I shake my head, then point to him. The Minotaur lays his hands flat, accepting the blade. “Yes. I suppose it was I who made this weapon. It is my responsibility to give it a title.”

The Minotaur looks at the weapon for a while. He then grips the handle and the blade tightly. His blood runs down the blade, vanishing before it reaches the hilt, as though the weapon is siphoning it. The Minotaur raises the blade with one hand and shouts out “Vanquish all that seek to hunt monsters! Awaken! Vengeance!” as the Minotaur’s voice echoes down the halls, the sword glows brightly. The light swirls around it before sucking back into the blade. The Minotaur drops to his knees, breathing as though he’s exhausted all of his energy. The Minotaur manages to work his way back to his feet. He holds the sword back out towards me, panting heavily.

“H-here! Take t-this weapon!” I grasp the sword by the handle while cradling the blade. Immediately upon taking the sword, my body feels a rush of energy coursing through it! Such intensity! I’ve never felt a feeling like this before! I hold the sword up, revealing its information. The blade now has a name. “Vengeance” as the Minotaur has named it. The wording amongst the statistics have changed from a white lettering to a golden shine as glorious as the scales it was made from. The name of the weapon has changed to Vengeance. The strength and intelligence have increased drastically from the previous look! Along with a new… feature? It says “This sword deals X2 damage against those who have slain monsters.” If this can be believed, then this is the most perfect weapon for me!

The Minotaur leans against a workbench. He’s clearly struggling to maintain consciousness. “I must… empower the shield, as well…” The leader quickly rushes over to the shield, lifting it before the Minotaur can grab it. “Now, now! We can’t let our fine blacksmith end his own life in such a way!” The leader holds the shield by the handle, raising it up as if he’s blocking. “Such a beautiful piece of craftsmanship! I’ve seen no human-made tool match this image!” The leader brings it closer to me. Seeing the shield up-close, it is quite beautiful. The body of it is still the shape of the golden scale, but it is refined, and coated with sharpened Minotaur horn tips protruding across the front.

The leader raises and lowers the shield. “Hmm… it appears that the statistics will not appear for me.” The leader hands me the shield. I take the sword into one hand while grabbing the shield with the other. I hold up the shield, revealing its details. It’s called a Dragon Shield. It also gives some amount of strength and intelligence, but it also gives some stamina. It also has a feature that says “Attacks made by this shield deal increased damage as bleed.” I assume that means it will cause wounds upon contact with an enemy. That would most definitely help when in combat!

The leader takes the shield from me. He seems more excited about this than I am. “The statistics on this is quite impressive, but it could be so much more! Allow me to assist with that!” The leader holds the shield close to his body, causing the horns to penetrate his torso. His flowing blood is absorbed into the shield. “Bless this shield with a divine retribution!” A light begins shining around the shield, pulling into it. “Awaken! Justice!” As the leader finishes his chant, the shield completes its siphoning of the light. The leader falls backwards to the ground. I quickly catch the shield from his hands to prevent further injury to his chest.

My energy levels feel like they explode as the power from the shield flow into me! This sensation is similar to the weapon, but somehow different! I raise the shield to check its details. It also has a golden glow on its writing now. “Justice” is the name of this shield now. The statistics have greatly increased, and the feature of it has altered. It now says “Attacks made by this shield deal increased damage as holy. X2 if the target is a monster.” Holy damage?! That’s what the leader uses?! No wonder he became our leader... and also lost to a Hero… Even so, that will be very helpful since not all monsters have free will or common sense. Some are too savage for even us.

I look around the room in hopes for something I could practice striking. I gaze upon a set of armor. It shares the same golden appearance as my shield and sword. I approach the armor for a closer inspection. The scale seems to only cover the chest, back, and shoulders on the torso. There seems to be leather that extends to the elbow on the sleeves, and narrowly reaching the waist below the chest. The leg armor applies the same concept with the scaling protecting the pelvis and leather covering most of the shin space. It appears more likely built to allow easier movement rather than practical defense. However, it’s practical use will probably come with any statistics they may come with.

I turn to the leader and the Minotaur. The leader has sustained a lot of damage lately, and appears to have fallen asleep. The Minotaur seems as though he’s regaining his composure. He slowly approaches me. “That armor is also meant for you. I had made sure to utilize all three scales, so that the leader’s pain had not been wasted.” The Minotaur walks past me to a tool bench. There appears to be a sheath for the sword, and a belt. “These, too, are yours. While these can’t be improved, the armor can. Alas, I do not have the power to provide any more names for equipment.”

I approach the Minotaur and set my shield down on the floor. I pick up the sheath and place the sword inside. I pat the Minotaur on the back. I’m not quite sure how else to thank him. The Minotaur snorts. “Do not be discouraged! I may not have the power to give, but we have many who had survived the Hero’s attack! You shall have your armor in full!” I grab my equipment as the Minotaur lifts the rack holding the armor, carrying it into the hallway. He then makes a bovine call, beckoning the others to join him. From other corridors of the dungeon, you can hear more bovine calls echoing all around us.

After a short while, Minotaur, harpies, reptilians, and other creatures that reside in this dungeon all gather in this hall. So many more than I had expected survived the Hero attack. This is spectacular! The Minotaur sets the armor in the middle of the room. “This skeleton requires our assistance! He is the one who has avenged our fallen kin! He has become a Hero of monsters! Now, he requires you to offer your power to allow him his best opportunity to fight against any other invaders who may attack! Provide a blood offering, and chant the name of “Unity” to empower this equipment!”

The monsters all begin drawing their weapons, or utilizing their claws, to make small cuts into their hands. Each of them then steps forward, touching the armor, and feeding their blood to it. As each of them touch the armor, they say an individual chant. “For my child who was taken.” “For my father who was slain.” “For my friends who were taken.” “For the rivals I can no longer make amends with.” Each had their own reason for their assistance. After all had touched the armor, they stand back, holding their hands, wings, or any similar appendage towards the armor.

The Minotaur then steps forward and shouts. “Now! Command it to awaken, then call its name!” As if they were a choir of sirens, the monsters unite their voices in a roaring burst! “Awaken! Unity!” The armor glows brightly like the previous pieces, but this one feels much more intense! Beads of light swirl around the armor, each pulling into the armor sporadically. After the light has fully been absorbed, everyone continues to watch the armor, as if something else will take place. The Minotaur pushes me forward towards the armor. “Go now! See how the armor has been altered!”

I look around at the monsters watching. They have so much hope in me. The pressure feels intense, but… I’ve never been relied on. I touch the shoulder of the armor, revealing its details. It is now called “Dragon’s Heartcase of Unity” with substantially higher strength than the sword and shield. It also provides a new power increase called agility. I suppose that will increase my movement? I’m not sure. This chest piece doesn’t appear to have a feature like the other pieces of equipment. However, it provides some new ability. It says it is one of two of the “Unity” set. It appears that wearing both pieces grants “An occasional boost in a random stat while attacking, being attacked, or casting a spell.” I’m not entirely sure what that means, but it sounds powerful. Once again, it says it’s level 1+.

I take off my leather headgear and put on the armor. My body feels incredibly light. I would never have imagined being capable of wearing a suit of armor! I put on the belt and strap my sheathed sword to it. I notice there’s a hook on the back of the belt to hand my shield on. I hang my shield on the hook and look around at the monsters that are observing. They seem to be expecting something of me, so I raise my arms, giving a spin so everyone can see the armor in use. After a moment of silence, I begin to feel embarrassed. The Minotaur steps forward, shouting out to the group. “For the first time, monster will have a Hero!”

All the monsters begin shouting and cheering. They’re suddenly excited and cheering for me. I begin feeling even more embarrassed, but for a different reason. I unsheathe my sword and raise it up, striking a pose. The monsters cheer even louder. If this is my new life, I will continue on as a proud defender of monster kind!