Vol.1 Ch.7 Maestro of Battles

After some hours, the punitive force reached the Lair of Litvart. Noting Weed's poor equipment, Midvale instructed him to wait at the back. Soon, Kobolds started charging out of the lair armed with bronze swords and wooden shields. They were quickly dispatched, and Buren and Becker picked up the spoils. They fought more kobolds, and Weed sniped the near-dead ones. Since these were level 20 ones, more than twice Weed's level, he levelled up extremely quickly.

At the end of the day, Weed helped Buren and Becker prepare lunch. Since he was preparing it for over 30 people, his cooking skill increased as fast as his level rose. As a side effect, his handicraft skill also rose. As a result, Midvale requested that he cook the meals everyday from now on. He also announced that he could help repair armour and weapons. He immediately got more requests, and his repair skill rose as well. After applying herbs to wounds, Weed also learnt the bandage skill.

As they went further into the Lair of Litvart, Weed's rapport with the soldiers grew. By the end of the week, Weed was now level 26, and his cooking, repairing and bandaging skills were beginner level 4. They now headed into the third level of the dungeon and faced goblins. At first the soldiers were paralyzed at the fighting spirit given off by the high-level goblins. But Weed charged at them armed only with an iron sword and this inspired the troops to fight. They easily dispatched the first wave of goblins. Midvale was impressed and offered Weed the job of a denarion, which Weed turned down. He also gave Weed temporary command of the punitive force.

With Weed in charge, the strategy of the punitive force was different. Weed would lead the goblins into a trap, giving the troops an advantageous position and demoralizing the goblins at the same time. After they cleared the third floor, Weed reached level 37 and his men 34. This allowed them to abandon the old strategy and charge straight into the goblins on the fourth floor. They cleared out the fourth and fifth floor quickly.

By the time the quest ended, Weed had reached level 62 and relinquished command of the monsters back to Midvale. He also turned down the job request for a centurion. The soldiers left him once the quest was over.