Chapter 49
Chapter 49
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 49
Chapter Title: Brand (2)
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“Impressive. You’ve done a fantastic job.”
As expected, the dwarves’ reaction was pure ecstasy. They hadn’t even attempted it themselves due to the absence of their warriors, settling instead for barely scraping by with thief mining to meet the minimum quotas. They never imagined a human—let alone a lone one—would wipe out those bastards and rescue their kin they thought dead.
[Incredible achievement! You have earned the trust of the dwarves.]
[Acquired the title ‘Friend of the Dwarves.’]
[You are the first to acquire this title.]
[First][Friend of the Dwarves][Unique]
You are the first human to earn not just recognition, but true trust from the dwarves. Those who see you as a friend will aid you with everything in their power.
[Held Effects]
-Can commission [Crafting][Repair][Enhancement] from dwarves
-5% discount on commission fees when commissioning from dwarf blacksmiths
“Huh?”
Contrary to his expectations, all he got for earning the dwarves’ recognition was a single title. Rokan was momentarily flustered, having assumed they’d hand over a separate gift instead. But upon checking the title’s effects, his expression turned even more dazed.
“This already...”
The commission discount was minor. Sure, it’d make a decent gold difference down the line, but it meant little for now.
Crafting, though—that was a different story.
Dwarf-made gear wasn’t hyped for nothing. Even with identical materials and blueprints, a dwarf’s work had a higher chance of producing superior grades. That was why everyone wanted to cozy up to them.
Even fellow dwarf players had to grind hard for crafting commissions, didn’t they?
Rokan’s eyes gleamed slyly at snagging an opportunity he’d pegged for at least half a year out.
“Enhancements too, huh?”
And not just crafting—enhancements as well. In The Lord, there were two ways to enhance: via blacksmiths or enhancement scrolls.
Blacksmiths offered higher success rates based on skill, but commissions were pricey, and top smiths required affinity grinding. That’s why players usually opted for scrolls over dwarf enhancements.
But right now, those scrolls didn’t even exist.
“Third-city push might speed up a bit...”
Already, the sound of rolling gold echoed in Rokan’s mind. This was definite money. Big money.
“Way more profit than planned.”
Rokan revised his plans. Earning half-elf and gnome recognition mattered, but he had higher priorities now.
Namely, crafting and enhancing gear.
‘Dwarves can’t even get their hands on proper dwarf-made equipment themselves.’
Dwarves were a player race option, but even they struggled to obtain quality dwarf gear. They made do with failed products or rejects, or clung to the rare piece from job changes.
And those were low- or lowest-grade even among dwarf makes. If Rokan could steadily supply proper dwarf items, the profits would be massive.
‘What’s hot these days?’
One more thing: enhance and sell the most popular gear. With level 99s emerging, the race was fierce—stronger weapons would light a fire under anyone.
“Where’s that integrated auction house again?”
Rokan checked the integrated auction house first. Up to second cities, it was regional—only local listings. But third-city integrated ones were different.
From there, you could browse and buy from Trinsic and every other second city in one spot. Listings worked the same.
Register there, and your item appeared in every second-city regional auction house. No need to flit around.
“Gotta farm materials first, obviously.”
That let Rokan snag all the cheap materials needed for iron ore–level long swords without worry of shortages. Players could pick blacksmithing as a subjob, but its value wasn’t widely known yet.
“Plenty to spare. Makes sense—blacksmith skills won’t pop off for a while.”
Blacksmithing was one of The Lord’s three nightmare skills to level, ignored for ages.
You needed at least 50% proficiency to break even, 60–70% to turn a profit. It felt like a gold sink, so few dove deep early.
Thus, it stayed a self-repair tool for melee tank types using iron armor, with no one seriously investing for a good while.
Its worth shone much later, when a passionate grinder crafted a unique-grade weapon.
‘Guilds started dedicating and funding blacksmiths after that.’
Either way, blacksmith materials were easy to grab cheap. Even without mining as a subjob, mine-related mobs dropped them at low rates.
Shops paid peanuts for them, so players auctioned for pocket change—and Rokan swept them up.
It happened before anyone noticed. With over 300 gold capital, hoovering up copper-unit materials by the hundreds was no issue.
“I’d like to commission some crafting.”
“Alright, for you? Anything! What’ll it be?”
“A long sword, please.”
“Long sword, hmm. Easy enough. Just 1 gold 90 silver labor fee.”
Rokan picked long swords for one reason: most players used them. No standout features, but no weaknesses either—over 80% of melee users wielded blades, and long swords topped that.
“Then, fifty of them, please. By tomorrow?”
“Fifty? Er, got it. Leave the materials there.”
The dwarf commissioning dwarf startled at the quantity but took it in stride.
Forging fifty swords by hand would take days even for a team, but this was a game world.
System-wise, wait one day, and any number of products were ready.
“Oh, right—could you engrave text on the pommels?”
“No problem.”
“Then... only on upper-grade or higher: T.K.”
T.K. stood for The King. A nod to the king’s return, but Rokan aimed to brand it.
Supplying quality gear for profit was fine, but a brand added value beyond the items. That’s why only upper-grade and up got the mark.
Upper now, magic-grade later, rare even later.
‘Others won’t commission dwarves for ages.’
Selling NPC-crafted, branded items was like peddling Daedong River water, but if no one knew? Perfect.
‘Keep flailing in the meantime, heh!’
Plus, extra perks.
The [Crafted] tag would spark a blacksmith frenzy.
Crafting that quality needed 80%+ proficiency min, but the tag alone would fool folks into thinking player-made.
Guilds would pour into the gold pit.
The more they invested, the wider his lead grew. Materials would spike, sure, but Rokan planned a quick hit-and-run. Branded, plus “limited edition” premium—controlled quantities only.
“Oh, and I need some enhancements.”
One more thing. Rokan laid out prepared items: popular weapons, to enhance a set amount and sell.
“Place the items you want enhanced here.”
Following the dwarf’s lead, he set down one long sword. The dwarf grabbed his hammer.
Clang! Clang clang! Flash!
[Acquired +1 Long Sword of the Gorge (Magic).]
Success!
+1 success rate was 95%—failure would be weirder. Rokan kept a straight face, asking to continue.
[Acquired +2 Long Sword of the Gorge (Magic).]
[Acquired +3 Long Sword of the Gorge (Magic).]
“This one next, please.”
Enhancements capped at +3. Up to +5 had no destroy risk on fail, but +4 success plunged.
+5+ needed enhancement stones, and fails could shatter weapons. Safer play.
Not for personal use—sales—so no need to gamble.
Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!
Dozens of hammer strikes later, a pile of enhanced weapons remained. All popular pre-enhance for solid options; now complete, guilds would kill for them.
“Let’s test the waters.”
Back at the integrated auction house, Rokan listed one from inventory. Total cost: 3 gold including purchase and three enhancements. Starting bid: 6 gold. Buyout: 10 gold.
“Whoa.”
Snapped up. Not even a minute—someone buyout.
“90-level gear with 20–30% more attack power... Guess it’s obvious.”
It wasn’t top attack or options—just average 90s with decent stats. But +3 bumped attack 20–30%, changing everything. Raw damage alone made it top-tier.
Normally, they’d drool. But the level 99 job quest tempted them. Facing level 100 combo-skill mobs? Higher attack was rain in drought.
Origin? Later issue. Grab before rivals.
“How high’ll it go? Let’s see, heh!”
Triple price, instant. Grinning slyly, Rokan listed the next.