Starter Gear Hero: The Rusted Sword That Cut Down a Dragon

When Dane Whitlock places his hand on the appraisal crystal, he doesn't receive fire magic, sword mastery, or a noble hero's blessing. He receives Starter Gear. A rusted sword. A cracked wooden shield. Worn boots. A skill so pathetic the guild laughs before his first request is even assigned. For a new F-rank adventurer in the royal capital, that should be the end of the story. Dane is expected to chase lost donkeys, survive on copper coins, and disappear quietly when real monsters appear.
But his first harmless job turns into a fight for two children's lives-and the useless sword in his hand does something no starter weapon should ever do. It refuses to break. As Dane takes on low-rank requests no one respects, his "worthless" equipment begins to awaken. Each battle reveals another hidden trait. Each small rescue points toward a secret buried beneath the guild's polished halls. And the people who mock beginner gear may know far more about its true power than they are willing to admit.
With corrupt officials burying danger reports, noble adventurers stealing glory, and monsters appearing where they should not exist, Dane has only the gear everyone else threw away. But a first step can become a legend. And when a dragon's shadow falls over the capital, the rusted sword at his side may be the only blade that can answer. A fast-paced progression fantasy adventure for readers who love underdog heroes, skill systems, leveling, hidden legendary weapons, guild politics, monster battles, and weak-to-strong fantasy with dragon-slaying stakes.