The Fourth Guardian (1)
I stood before the brightly glowing stone tablet.
Lv 37 confirmed.
The fourth guardian, Forge Master High Elf, awakens from a long slumber.
A Forge Master generally referred to an exceptional blacksmith.
But... what?
A High Elf?
A High Elf blacksmith?
As doubts swirled in my mind, a slender silhouette emerged from the golden light.
Thud!
"Greetings to you, Master. I am the Forge Master, Bellerin."
The being knelt gracefully on one knee before me.
Her face looked youthful, appearing around 15 to 17 years old—like a young girl.
Her clear eyes met mine briefly before she lowered her head slightly, long silver hair cascading over her shoulders.
Her delicate hands rested neatly on her knee, presenting a small but resolute figure of respect.
And then.
The most striking feature of the girl.
Her ears...
They were pointed.
An elf.
The symbol of the elves I'd only heard about in tales.
"Bellerin."
"Yes, Master."
At my words, Bellerin lifted her head slightly to look up at me.
A clear, soft voice escaped her lips, fitting her youthful face.
Her voice was as pure and transparent as a clear stream, laced with a cute, faintly trembling tone.
"That title 'Forge Master'—does that mean blacksmithing is your specialty?"
I was still skeptical.
A blacksmith with that fragile, cute face?
But her response was straightforward.
"Yes, it is."
Whoa.
This little elf right in front of me was really a blacksmith.
Huh...
I felt a disconnect from Bellerin's appearance.
How could such a delicate lady's body handle blacksmithing!
And it wasn't just her looks.
Elves are usually spirit mages or master archers, right?
Whatever.
I took a deep breath and extended my hand to her.
"Welcome from your slumber, Bellerin."
"I am deeply grateful, Master."
Bellerin took my hand and rose to her feet.
Then...
The first thought that hit me when I heard she was a blacksmith.
If Bellerin was an exceptional blacksmith, maybe she could repair Archeron's energy core?
Seeing Archeron barely running on temporary energy circuits powered by Seondo fruit always tugged at my heart.
Maybe this time we could break free from that limitation.
The question was.
Whether she had dwarf-level blacksmithing skills.
I'd have to take her outside and check.
"Let's head out. I'll introduce you to the rest of the family."
Just as I started leading her out.
A message appeared before my eyes.
Four guardians have been summoned.
Huh?
Rank? What's this?
***
At that moment.
The auction for the Baekyang Herbs and Lunadria posted by Madoje was racing toward its end.
Three hours left until bidding closed.
Current prices?
It was shattering all-time records.
At a glance, the prices seemed overheated.
But those bidding on Madoje's Lunadria and Baekyang Herbs didn't think they were expensive at all.
'Madoje's Baekyang Herbs and Lunadria massively boost mana on consumption and even raise levels. For those hitting walls, if their talent's sufficient, they can break through.'
Anyone who could pay those prices wasn't your average superhuman.
Top-tier supers or high-end clans had the funds.
Meaning?
They had superior intel.
They'd already grasped from Hong Seolhwa and Alexei that Madoje's spirit herbs and elixirs were no joke.
And then.
The subsequent Lunadria and Baekyang releases confirmed it.
Not just for breaking the Lv 80 wall.
But for Lv 50, 60, 70 hurdles too.
Mid-to-high supers realized these helped smash 10-level barriers.
So demand exploded, prices skyrocketed.
There was another reason too.
Dungeons had been off lately.
Irregular monsters spawning frequently inside, plus more irregular dungeons and portals.
Even regular monsters' average combat power was up, per analysis.
So everyone was pushing for power-ups.
Not just spirit herbs and elixirs.
Weapons, gear too.
Anything boosting combat value was surging.
And so.
Over the next three hours.
Lunadria and Baekyang prices ignited further, soaring higher.
***
I glanced up.
Checked the level and info floating above Bellerin's head.
Lv255
Bellerin
★★★☆☆
Lv 255.
Second 200+ guardian after Archeron.
And the highest level here now.
Can't judge by appearances in this place.
Who'd believe this frail little girl was over 200?
Blacksmith specialty or not, at 200+, her base combat power was unimaginable.
That rank is those stars?
Five stars under Bellerin's name.
Three filled, two empty.
What did it mean?
Bellerin was 3-star rank?
"Is there something you wish to say to me...?"
Ah!
I must've stared too hard.
"No. Let's head out first."
I shook my head at Bellerin's words and stepped outside.
Introduce her to the others, then figure this out.
"Popo!"
"Chu!"
As I emerged, three pairs of eyes turned to me at once.
"Say hi first. In order: Dania, Popo, Chuchu."
"Ah! Greetings, Master."
Bellerin spotted Dania and immediately dropped to one knee, just like with me.
Popo!
Dania flapped her wings excitedly, flew to Bellerin, and snuggled right into her arms.
"Ahh!"
Bellerin awkwardly held Dania, looking flustered.
A mix of bewilderment and honor.
Dania seemed to love Bellerin's embrace.
She rubbed her head against it, beaming happily.
"Ah, thank you, Master."
Not sure what for, but Bellerin carefully cradled Dania.
For a moment, I worried since Bellerin wasn't tall—Dania was bigger than her upper body.
What kind of rude thought is that for a Lv 255?
Insane strength at that level.
Judging by looks again!
Superhuman for just days, cognitive dissonance hits sometimes.
"Popo!"
"Chuchu!"
While I spaced out, Popo and Chuchu approached, looking up at Bellerin.
"It is a great honor to meet you all."
"Poo!"
"Chuchu!!"
As Bellerin greeted them while holding Dania, Popo hopped with its signature ∩_∩ smile.
A warm welcome.
Chuchu grinned ^_^ and waved both arms wide in greeting.
"Such a warm welcome... I don't know where to put myself."
It must've touched Bellerin deeply.
She gazed down at Dania, Popo, and Chuchu with a moved expression.
They'll fit right in.
Watching Bellerin, I figured she'd blend seamlessly.
But...
During their greetings.
I checked Popo and Chuchu.
Lv110
Popo
★★☆
Popo's info.
Of three stars, two filled.
Lv148
Chuchu
★★☆☆
Next, Chuchu.
Of four stars, two filled.
Don't tell me.
Do the total stars mean max potential or growth limit?
Filled ones show achieved portion?
That solidified checking Dania.
Lv119
Dania
★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
Dania.
Overwhelming number of stars.
Ten total.
One filled, but if that's potential, Dania's got insane upside.
Popo and Chuchu both have two filled stars, not tied purely to level.
Finally.
Archeron.
Lv251
Archeron
★★★★☆☆
Lower level than Bellerin.
But four filled stars.
Total six even.
Archeron had that much potential?
Whoa.
Started faulty(?), so I overlooked his true value.
Now ranks visible, he looks different.
If stars are potential, can Dania's power add more?
I'd gained potential via Dania's horn.
Don't know my star count.
If right, Dania could add stars.
Then.
Screech, squeak.
Archeron shuffled over slowly and greeted Bellerin.
"Ah! Greetings to you."
Bellerin returned the late greeting to Archeron.
Then her expression shifted oddly.
"Guardian, your condition doesn't look well."
"Ah!"
Bellerin's face turned troubled at Archeron's words.
I asked the fidgeting Bellerin.
"Bellerin, what's wrong?"
"Archeron Guardian's condition... doesn't seem normal. If it's alright, may I take a look?"
"Of course. I was gonna ask you anyway. Archeron's energy core is busted right now. Can you check it?"
"Yes!"
"Hand Dania to me."
Aigoo.
Dania, you rascal.
Really taken with Bellerin, huh?
Makes me a bit jealous.
She said my arms were the best just recently!
"Dania, Bellerin's gonna see if she can fix Archeron. Come here for a sec."
Still, my Dania listens well.
I picked up Dania, and only then did Bellerin examine Archeron.
"Hm, uh... er..."
She poked and prodded here and there.
Scrutinized the energy core area closely, face turning serious.
"Chu..."
"Pooo."
Not just me—Chuchu and Popo held their breath, eyes on Bellerin's lips.
They sensed this pivotal moment for Archeron's fate.
"This is..."
After deep deliberation.
Bellerin finally spoke.