I Have a Task Log

In the blink of an eye, the day of departure arrived.

After washing up and eating breakfast, Colin skillfully donned his gear and finished packing his luggage.

He went to his washroom and stood before the mirror hanging over the sink.

A young man with medium-length black hair stood reflected in the mirror.

His features were a mix of Eastern and Western, and while not exceptionally handsome, he was considered above average among the humans of this world.

The man wore simple metal Shoulder Guards and Wrist Guards. A rather nice Dog-faced Helmet hung from a cord on his back, and he had on a pale gold Muscle Chest Armor with a pure black Cloak draped over his shoulders.

The ensemble looked a bit strange; at least, Colin had never seen anyone on the street dressed quite like that.

’At least it’s a big improvement over the Viking Helmet set.’

Colin studied the figure in the mirror.

Strangely, he looked much the same as he did before he’d crossed over. But since people with Eastern features were uncommon here, most assumed he came from Moran.

To make an analogy, the region around Moran was a bit like Italy.

Colin had read in a book that there was an inland sea there called the Fallen Dragon Sea, much like a continental sea such as the Mediterranean.

Most Moran People had black hair and a yellowish skin tone.

It was also worth noting that the Ancient Empire had originated in Moran, and the majority of its legal citizens were Moran People.

Later, however, the empire’s center of power gradually shifted to the North. Many scholars speculated this was because Ora Kaim’s Teleportation Magic had become so advanced that geography no longer mattered—though, of course, no one knew the real reason.

Colin raised a hand and gently tapped his side.

The potion pack crafted by the Dwarves was strapped there, hidden beneath his Chest Armor.

Then, with a mere thought, a flexible tube slowly rose from inside his Armor and extended to his lips.

This was a little trick Langgrin had taught him.

After using Empowerment Armor to bind the Magic to his body, Colin was able to exert some control over the potion pack’s tube.

This allowed him to control the tube and drink a Potion directly in the middle of a fight, unlike the Drow who had to pull the tube out by hand.

Once he was ready, Colin took a deep breath, shouldered his pack, and walked out the door.

He glanced over at Ale as she came out of her room, then nonchalantly started down the stairs.

The familiar sound of footsteps followed, and the Half-Elf, Magic Staff in hand, fell into step behind him.

Ever since that day, Colin had been worried about Ale’s condition. But since she hadn’t said anything, he couldn’t bring himself to pry. Even though they were teammates, he knew to be cautious when it came to personal matters.

The two of them went to Orelia’s room first and knocked on the door.

The Tiefling answered from within and quickly opened the door.

She was wearing the Drow’s Scale Armor and looked a bit tougher than before.

It was worth noting that female Drow were much more robust. After some drastic alterations by the Dwarves, the Scale Armor was now a passable fit on her.

"How does it feel? Getting used to it?" Colin asked.

Orelia smiled shyly. "I can move in it, but it’s not as comfortable as Leather Armor."

"As I recall, most Priests can fight in medium armor because it doesn’t interfere with your Casting. That’s a lot more convenient than it is for Mages," Colin said.

Orelia added, "Some Priests who follow the Deity of War can even wear Heavy Armor. They look just like veteran Paladins."

The group chatted as they walked, heading for Kase’s place to pick him up.

As soon as they reached the first floor, they saw the Half-Orc standing in his doorway, arms crossed, staring blankly at the sky.

The Big Axe on his back had undergone a major transformation.

The once-crude Axe Blade was now inlaid with numerous white fragments. They were arranged in a neat row, their sharp points forming a serrated edge.

Wisps of frigid air issued from the tips of the serrations, flowing slowly to the ground like some viscous fluid.

Those white fragments were the claws and teeth of White Frost.

The Dwarves had carved grooves into the Axe Blade, then riveted the treated materials in place. After a simple Enchantment and some adjustments, it had been transformed into a Magic Weapon.

[Frost Giant Battleaxe / Uncommon Magic Weapon]

[Damage: 3-21 + 1-4 (Cold)]

[Unbearably Heavy: Cannot be wielded by creatures with less than 20 Power. Wielder suffers a -4 penalty to hit if Power is less than 23.]

[Frostbite: Attacks deal an additional 1-4 Cold Damage. Any creature hit by the Axe has its movement Speed reduced. This effect lasts for six seconds after each hit.]

Combined with Kase’s Ancestral Guardian ability, any poor soul who faced this Half-Orc would be all but useless.

"Time to go. What are you spacing out for, Kase?"

"I was waiting for you guys," Kase said as he came over.

Colin glanced around the courtyard.

Several other teams were also gathered in the courtyard.

’These must be the other teams heading to Silver Star Court for reinforcements,’ Colin guessed. ’After all, everyone living in this apartment complex is a Field Staff member of White Blade rank or higher, so they’d all be qualified for this kind of mission.’

The group left the courtyard and headed for the Dwarven sewers to find Dorn.

The Dwarf was dressed professionally today, looking like a completely different person from his usual, punchable self.

Once their group was assembled, Colin and the others headed for Horn Castle.

From a distance, they could see many Adventurers standing in the main yard of Horn Castle.

Colin’s group quickly entered the yard and found a quiet corner to wait in.

Standing at the edge of his group, Colin sized up his surrounding colleagues. Nearly all of them wore several Magic Items. Most of it was Uncommon-level Magic Equipment, but he could occasionally spot a few fine, Rare-level pieces.

Colin subconsciously tugged at his black Cloak.

’At first, he’d been worried that owning a Rare-level piece of Magic Equipment would attract unwanted trouble.’

But now that he was certain no one else could see the equipment’s Magic Radiance, Colin felt a little disappointed.

He glanced at the Big Axe hanging on Kase’s back.

Several armored Adventurers nearby kept glancing at it, their expressions tinged with envy. Only a few Dwarves sneered at the Big Axe, likely grumbling that its handle was too long.

’So few people have a discerning eye,’ Colin sighed.

As time went on, more and more people filled the yard.

There were far more people here than had gathered in the apartment courtyard, so there must have been several other Gray Hand teams present as well.

When about sixty people had gathered in the yard, the great doors to Edwin’s office slowly swung open—