Beowulf - Hero's Passage

[Beowulf]
A Swedish warrior with marvelous strength. He became a heroic figure after defeating the monster, Grendel, and its mother. He ended up at Volcano Valley following clues to defeat the dragon monster that was threatening his homeland.
A Hero's Passage Quest
The Grudge of Grendel Quest
Location: Near Moscow

Hail, traveler!
If you're not in a hurry, could I have a moment of your time?
As you can see, I'm injured. I've been out here, alone, for some time... I could use a friend.
Other passerbys were too frightened to come near me... Can't say I blame them.
But you... I think you aren't afraid of me, are you? Haha! Good, good!
In spite of my fearsome appearance, I am still a mortal man.
Even I can be hurt...
My injuries were so severe that I couldn't move for months. Even now it still hurts to move.
~
I'm getting better, but I'm not as fit as I used to be.
By any chance, do you have some [Elixir]?
A drink of that should make me feel much better...

Ha ha! You have some, huh?
Great! Thanks!
You helped a wounded hero. You are more than enough to be a friend of the hero [Beowulf]. Hahaha!

No more hesitation!

I hail from the faraway land of Sweden.
Just a few months ago, I was travelling the Swedish countryside, going on epic adventures...
Until without warning, an evil dragon emerged from nowhere and threatened my hometown.
When I was younger, I would have challenged him immediately, but now I find myself wanting to resolve this peacefully...
Hmm... it's not that I feel any particular fear of this dragon.
It's just... I want to avoid any unnecessary bloodshed. So, I followed it to its lair to learn how I could do that...
~
I've been away from home for quite some time.
He told me he would take his time, but I'm still worried.
You look like you can travel quickly... would you mind checking on my hometown of [Stockholm]?

Ah, it's a relief to hear that he hasn't struck yet.
But I can't let my guard down yet.
He hasn't acted yet, but it doesn't mean he won't.

No more hesitation!

Anyway, as I was tending to my wounds, those [White Bears] charge into my camp and stole my belongings...
Damn it! Were it not for my injuries, I'd have reduced those bears to rugs!
~
It's clear that you're just as strong as me. Would you go kill those [White Bears] for me?

I knew it!
Haha! Now I can breathe again.
Those lazy beasts will get into anything.
You've done me quite the favor. I appreciate it!

No more hesitation!

My exploits are known throughout the land. But I would have to say that my battle with Grendel is one of the most famous.
Now, that was a monster. Even now, just thinking about it chills my bones.
However, I could not yield to that beast. My honor would never allow it!
~
I tell you, there is nothing like hearing an epic retell one's own exploits.
Do you want to read this?
[The Story of Grendel]?

Well? There are many just like it, all about my adventures.
Hmm... It was no easy task, defeating that monster. I nearly died, myself.
But... I've not told anyone else this, but after that day I started to ponder many things.

No more hesitation!

The mother of Grendel was not easy to defeat...
Oh... she was a vicious woman.
Grendel's blood melted one of my great swords, but I had to waste another sword when I killed Grendel's mother.
And as she lay dying, she put a curse on me...
Other than the occasional chill, nothing bad has happened to me yet.
However, I can't underestimate a curse placed upon me by something like her.
~
Since I am here at [Lost Volcano Valley], there are some secret recipes I would like to try to rid myself of the curse.
If I'm lucky, I can be free from this annoying curse.
In the [Volcanic Wasteland], there are [Raptors], [Pterosaurs], and [Basilisks].
Can you bring [Volcanic Ash] from their bodies?

Thank you.
Let's see if this works.
Augh... that old witch!
However...
The wrenching cry of a mother who's lost her son...
I cannot forget it.
I've never hesitated to slay a monster that threatened humans... But since I killed that old witch, I've felt hesitant about killing the beasts.

No more hesitation!

I don't want any more bloodshed.
Isn't there a way to do this in peace?
That's what a real hero does. Resolve things in peace...
But I doubt such a resolution is possible here.
The [Lost Volcano Valley] is a treacherous place...
If you wish to help me, you must be prepared.
~
Ideally, you should improve your equipment through enchanting. Since we don't have the materials to enchant on hand, why don't we just [Enhance] it instead?
Try enhancing any equipment up to Grade +2.

That was quick... unexpected.
Let me tell you what to expect.

No more hesitation!

I mentioned that the valley is treacherous, yes?
I was forced to retreat by the monsters of the volcano interior, and as I ran those worthless [Volcano Goblins] tried to kill me.
If I wasn't injured, I would've killed all of them effortlessly, but I barely escaped from those goblins as well...
~
The more I think about, those bears and [Volcano Goblins] anger me.
Would you deliver to them my wrath?
You can find them in [Volcano Valley].

Thank you. I feel better now.

No more hesitation!

I actually have another reason to be here.
Flame Giants and Fire Dragons are supposed to be extinct, but they're swarming inside [Lost Volcano Valley].
I was shocked to find out that they were still alive.
I don't suppose I've mentioned that I'm a descendant of Fire Dragon kin?
Hmm... It seems I haven't.
The dragon's blood coursing through my veins has made me strong.
Most of my equipment is crafted using ancient Flame Giant secrets.
Their armor and weapons are masterworks...
I imagine you've figured out why I'm really here.
I wanted to confer with the Flame Giants and Fire Dragons, to see if they could help me resolve the situation in my homeland.
But, somehow they've gone insane, and I couldn't even deliver my message...
Even though I had no intention of hurting them, they attacked me as if I was there to kill them.
~
However, I did manage to obtain something that might help me.
It's this [Secret Map of Volcano Valley].
I think this map shows the location where a [Secret Scroll] is hidden in the [Volcanic Wasteland] or [Volcano Valley].
Since I am not completely well, would you go look for this scroll, my friend?

Excellent.
This [Secret Scroll] will prove useful.
I'll be able to increase my prowess in battle and improve my equipment with this. This is better than what I expected!
Ah, I don't sound like I'm after a peaceful resolution?
Oh... didn't I just tell you that I've changed my mind?
A peaceful resolution is out of the question at this point.
While I was dragging myself out of that valley half dead, I thought to myself, trying to talk peace when faced with those determined to kill you is nonsense!
I don't have the time or energy to show those evil bastards mercy!

No more hesitation!

My friend, if you are planning on staying here for a while, would you mind helping me?
I'm planning on making some arms with the knowledge in this scroll.
My body still feels weak, but this could be a good opportunity to focus on my craft.
But, I doubt I'll be able to gather the materials I need in my current state.
According to this scroll, the equipment here requires fire from the volcano spirits.
~
You will find [Flame Spirits] and [Skeleton Spirits] in [Volcano Valley].
They probably contain the [Fire of Volcano Spirits].
I think that's what this scroll is talking about. Can you bring some to me?

Oh, you brought it!
Hmm... this looks very mysterious...

No more hesitation!

Augh... Hot!
Ah, I should have known this is no ordinary fire.
It's too hot. I can't even go near it!
~
Ha! But I came prepared.
Even though those bears took everything I had, I still managed to save some [Super Coolants].
I will lay out the fire. Would you use the [Super Coolant]?

Ah... that's better.
I brought them just in case it was too hot here... This is Volcano Valley, right?
It seems I was right.

No more hesitation!

Now, I am going to work on some [Giants' Enhancing Tools].
By following the instructions in the scroll, I want to try to make some of the Flame Giants' special enhancing materials.
Since I don't have the skills, I don't think I can make the tools themselves, but I think I can create the materials.
But, I need your help.
~
There are many [Flame Giants] wandering around in the [Flame Giants' Village].
They always carry [Flame Giant's Charcoal] with them.
If I can get some of that charcoal, I can finish making these materials.

Thank you as always.
I suppose that to the friend of a hero, these tasks seem trifling.

No more hesitation!

Hmph... I want to take revenge on those giants who made me suffer like this by enhancing all of my weapons using this tool, but I should wait... right?
I should give you a chance, my friend.
~
The leader of the flame giants is the old giant called [Raheth].
I would like to set an example for those giants by killing their leader.
My friend, you can do it, right?
You will probably need [Raheth's Cave key].
[Raheth's Cave] is in the [Flame Giants' Village] somewhere.

Haha! That should teach them a lesson!

No more hesitation!

While you were gone, I was preparing to make some [Drangonkin Vials].
According to the secret scroll, those vials will enhance the physical strength of any dragonkin drastically.
Dragon's blood also runs in my blood, so it should also make me stronger.
~
There are a plenty of [Fire Dragons] in [Salamander Valley]
Can you bring me their [Fire Dragon Blood]?

Oh... that was quick!
Great!

No more hesitation!

We have the Fire Dragon Blood. I need but turn it into a medicine now.
In order to do that, I need a little bit of [Aroma Base].
Hmm... I suppose that the miscellaneous information that I obtained while I was hunting monsters around the world will come in handy.
If you want to become a hero like me, you should try to pay attention to every little detail you come across.
~
Hmm, anyway...
Can you go get some [Aroma Base]?
I know it is a rare item, but it should be no problem for someone like you to find it.

(Hint: [My Info] -> [Skills] -> Quest Crafting.)

Thank you, my friend.
I was lucky to run into you in a place like this.
Thanks to you, I can finish this [Dragonkin Vial].

No more hesitation!

Killing [Raheth] is not enough for me.
The giants are not the only ones who hurt me.
Fire Dragons... I want to set an example for those damn Fire Dragons, too!
~
The leader of the Fire Dragons is called [Salamander].
Would you go kill him too?
In order to find him, you need the [Salamander's Nest Key].
You can find the [Salamander's Nest] in [Salamander Valley] somewhere.

Much obliged, my friend!
Now my work here is done.

No more hesitation!

Hm... at first, I wanted more than anything to resolve things peacefully.
But under these dangerous circumstances, I can't help but think such a thought was a waste of time.
I am not going to waste any more time on this.
I won't hesitate when I faced with evil.
I will stand firm, even if those damn monsters are trying to trick me into showing them mercy.
~
These are my ponderings on the question of mercy.
Would you destroy them for me? I never want to see them again.

Alright! Now I'm a hero again!
I regret nothing!

No more hesitation!

You must have learned a lot from my story.
You are a friend to [Beowulf], so you must be a hero too, right?
Well, if you weren't before, you surely will be soon. Your heroic acts will far outnumber mine.
But I have one last piece of friendly advice to impart. Would you like to hear it?
~
This is a promise I made to myself.
Take a look.

Now it's time for me to return home.
Whatever his reasons, I cannot allow this evil dragon to destroy my homeland.
Thank you so much, my friend.
As a token of my appreciation, I will give you [The Grudge of Grendel].
I forged this axe from the blades I used to slay Grendel and his mother.
I've also added a drop of the secret medicine that I obtained here in the valley. This is the first weapon I used it on, in fact.
You, my friend, are the rightful owner of this weapon.
For now, farewell!
Thank you for everything.

No more hesitation!