Bronze Tier

As Zarin approached the village, carrying proof of Grosh’s work, he felt a wave of confidence. ‘Good thing I grabbed more than just that shirt,’ he thought. Inside his Storage Ring, he had stored a selection of Grosh’s clothing—items that would showcase the troll’s skill and hopefully convince the villagers that Grosh wasn’t a threat. The ring, a reward from a past quest, was turning out to be more useful, holding enough to match a medium-sized backpack while staying at the light weight of its ring form.

The village square was buzzing with nervous tension. Villagers had gathered, their faces filled with suspicion and doubt. The village leader, a middle-aged man with deep worry lines etched into his face, stepped forward cautiously.

“Did you take care of it?” he asked, his voice a mix of hope and fear. “Is the troll gone?”

Zarin shook his head. “The troll’s not dangerous. His name is Grosh, and he’s been hunting animals to make clothes, not to harm anyone.”

A ripple of disbelief spread through the crowd. Some murmured, while others openly laughed at the absurdity.

“A troll making clothes?” an older man scoffed. “You really expect us to believe that?”

Zarin had expected this. ‘They won’t believe it until they see it for themselves,’ he thought. Keeping a calm face, he pulled out of Spatial Ring several of Grosh’s creations: a shirt, a pair of pants, and a beautifully crafted little dress.

“This is one of Grosh’s dresses,” Zarin announced, holding it up for the villagers to see. “It’s durable, and it has magical properties.”

The crowd edged closer, curiosity overtaking their doubts. Spotting a small girl standing nearby with wide eyes, Zarin knelt down and smiled.

“Would you like to try this on over your clothes?” he asked gently.

Her mother, still wary, hesitated before giving a nod. “Go ahead, dear.”

The little girl eagerly ran over, and Zarin carefully slipped the dress over her clothes. To everyone’s amazement, the fabric adjusted itself, shrinking to fit her perfectly, as if made just for her.

Gasps rippled through the crowd. “It fits perfectly!” someone whispered.

Beaming with delight, the girl twirled in her new dress, showing it off to her friends. She was full of energy, skipping around until she inevitably tripped over a stone and fell.

A collective gasp rang out, but the girl quickly bounced back up, giggling. They all saw the dress moving and softened her fall, preventing any injury.

“The dress protected her!” the mother said, her voice full of awe.

Zarin grinned. Grosh’s craftsmanship had exceeded even his expectations. “Grosh’s clothes are more than just well-made. They protect the wearer and repair themselves if damaged. He’s not trying to fool anyone—he’s a true craftsman.”

The village leader stepped closer, eyeing the dress with suspicion. “And you’re telling me a troll—a creature known for violence—made this?”

Zarin nodded. “That’s exactly what I’m saying. Grosh isn’t like other trolls. He’s been living in the forest, focusing on his craft. He has no interest in harming anyone. He just wants to sell his clothes and live in peace.”

The villagers’ skepticism waned, though some remained cautious. The village leader seemed to weigh Zarin’s words carefully. “So what are we supposed to do now?” he asked, arms crossed. “Just trust that he won’t hurt anyone?”

Zarin took a deep breath. ‘Time to tread carefully,’ he thought. “Here’s my suggestion,” he said with confidence. “I’ll return to the Guild and request they send someone to monitor Grosh. We can ensure he’s not a threat and help facilitate trade between him and the village. That way, you can buy his clothes if interested, and everyone stays safe.”

The village leader raised an eyebrow. “And you think the Guild will go along with that?”

Zarin nodded. “The Guild has handled situations like this before. They’ll manage it, and if Grosh proves trustworthy, you’ll benefit from his unique clothing. I understand your concerns, but you’ll have peace of mind this way.”

The village leader thought it over for a moment before nodding. “Fine. We’ll trust your word for now. But if anything goes wrong, we’ll expect the Guild to handle it immediately.”

Zarin smiled, relieved. “They will. I’ll make sure of it.”

As the tension in the air slowly dissipated, the crowd began to relax. Many villagers still glanced curiously at the girl in her protective dress. Still, their fears seemed to ease with Zarin’s promise of Guild oversight.

Zarin turned to leave, feeling a sense of accomplishment. ‘Looks like I pulled this off,’ he thought.

---

After leaving the village, Zarin returned to Grosh’s cave. The demonstration had gone even better than expected. While the villagers still harbored doubts, he convinced them to give Grosh a chance. Now, he just needed to ensure the troll understood what was happening.

When Zarin arrived, Grosh was busy folding animal hides, humming a low, rumbling tune. The troll looked up when Zarin approached. His face excitedly lit up.

“Hoo-man back!” Grosh exclaimed, setting aside his work. “What news? Hoo-mans like Grosh’s clothes?”

Zarin nodded. “They did. They were impressed, but I’ve asked the Guild to send someone to speak with you and monitor things. It’s the first step in doing business with the village. You just need to stay here until they arrive.”

Grosh’s eyes widened with joy, his massive hands rubbing together eagerly. “Grosh happy! Grosh stay here. Hoo-mans buy Grosh clothes soon?”

Zarin chuckled. “If everything goes well, yes. But for now, stay here in the cave, okay? Another person from the Guild or I will get here with the arrangements.”

Grosh nodded eagerly. “Grosh wait. Grosh be good.”

“Good,” Zarin said, feeling a sense of relief.

With that, Zarin returned to Brellin, excitement bubbling up inside him. ‘Now to impress the Guild,’ he thought. He hadn’t technically slain the troll, but handling the situation to benefit the village and the Guild felt like a victory. If everything went according to plan, Grosh’s unique skills could help boost the local economy, and the Guild could earn extra income through trade.

‘And maybe this will finally catch Aera’s attention,’ Zarin thought with a smirk as he made his way back to the Guild.