Elves of the Forgotten Forest

Last Savior was, without a doubt, the greatest game in existence.

Not just for total newbies dipping their toes into MMORPGs, but even hardened gamers who prided themselves on their experience had to nod in agreement at its overwhelming quality.

The world felt like a fantasy realm ripped straight from legend, earning endless praise from players everywhere.

But that didn't mean it was free from criticism.

Setting aside the heavy reliance on luck in its core systems, there were elements that clashed hard with the fantasy setting—stuff that just shouldn't fly.

About six months since RaSe IpVen launched.

In that span—not short, not long—no player had ever spotted an elf.

Even the top-level trailblazers were at the point of saying, "Guess this game just doesn't have elves," or "Time to let it go." And yet, elves were hiding in a lowbie zone at just level 25...

"Elves for real?"

—Nah, they exist. Problem is, they drop like a year from now in an update. At this point in time? Not in any future I know.

In short, Carpe was now pioneering a path no one else had ever trod.

"Where's the Forgotten Forest?"

"I know the way, my liege. But as I mentioned, a powerful barrier covers the entire forest. We must dispel it first."

"A barrier, huh..."

"When I visited 800 years ago, the king himself lifted it. As his successor, surely you can do the same, my liege?"

"Hmm. Feels like I could."

Separate from being the Magic King's heir, he had his Unlock skill.

Locked stuff? Unlocked. Hidden stuff? Revealed. A barrier? Piece of cake, right?

—Not a sure thing, though. You've only been unlocking chests so far. Never tried a barrier.

"I've got a hunch. Unlocking a barrier fits the name way better than popping boxes anyway."

Of course, Unlock was such a wild card, firing off on its own whims, that overconfidence was a no-go.

Still, some insurance against it flopping would be nice... Ah!

"Oh yeah, Drek said to come back stronger."

He recalled that quest prompt: Hit 25 and return.

"Let's check with Drek first, then play it by ear."

—Smart. Better safe.

* * *

Finding Drek was a breeze.

He was right there in Ruana, same spot they'd met before.

"Heh heh. Just as you said. According to the king's records, piercing the Forgotten Forest's barrier requires a special blade."

With a knowing, kindly smile, he pulled a book and a small pouch from his robes.

"This should aid the heir."

"I'd make it myself if I could, but it needs a special skill..."

"No worries. This is plenty. Thanks."

With blueprint and materials in hand, he was set.

Hammering? He could handle that himself.

"Then I await our next meeting."

"Yeah. Take care, Drek."

With farewells exchanged, Carpe headed back to Ruana.

"Alright, Room first."

Perfect timing.

He'd gathered all the upgrade mats anyway. Hop over, upgrade the Room, craft the item, kill all the birds with one stone.

—Decision made? Let's move. I've got stuff to do there too.

"You? What for?"

—Video editing. That solo raid earlier had some sick shots. Little tweaking and it'll be a banger.

"...Editor now, huh."

—Heh. Gets addictive. Turns out I've got this hidden artisan spirit.

"..."

Who else lived this hard even after dying?

Carpe reflected on his own slacker ways as he warped to the Room.

"Move."

Whoosh!

A weird sensation, like being sucked into a void.

When his senses cleared, he was in the Room's garden. Warm sunlight welcomed him, as always.

"Upgrade first, before the workshop."

Opening his status window to the Room tab, [Room] blinked insistently. Tapping it popped a new alert.

"Obviously."

No brainer. He nodded, and the ground rumbled.

Rrrumble.

"Wh-what?!"

—Yo, check that out!

Cheonma pointed behind the mansion where everyone stayed.

A mountain was rising. Not figuratively—straight up erupting from the earth.

—...Room upgrades reshape the damn landscape?

And it didn't stop there.

The mansion, packed with facilities, glowed bright and began expanding.

"Scale's insane."

What the hell were they adding to justify this mega-construction?

Vibrations continued, the progress bar filling steadily until it hit 99%.

Flash!

The light around the mansion faded, revealing its revamped exterior.

The rising mountain and quakes halted too.

"Workers?"

Made sense for new production sites with the upgrade, but workers?

RaSe answered not with a window, but reality.

Patpatpat.

Ten tamias scampered down from nearby trees, lining up in front of Carpe.

Squeak! Squeak! Squeak! Squeak!... Squeak!

From the leftmost, they saluted one by one, squeaking cutely.

Not quite as adorable as Hiang, though.

"Assign these to production sites for auto-production?"

—Super convenient? Thought it'd be full-on real farming, but just grab seeds and done.

Minimal effort, max gains.

A system straight out of modern dreams.

"Squeeee!"

Mukhyang, naturally, was over the moon about the new tamias workers.

Eyes gleaming, he charged them—but

Squeak-! Squeaksqueak--!! Squeak?!

The workers trembled, overwhelmed by the epic pet's aura. Mukhyang's ears drooped again in shock.

"It's fine. As your first knight, Hiang, they'll follow him soon enough."

While Tina comforted Mukhyang, Carpe assigned the tamias.

Or rather, only mine and orchard available, so five each.

—...So Room manager means worker overseer?

"Hah. Bro's moving up. Makes sense—a strategist needs troops."

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

—Whatever. Was just editing vids anyway.

Truth be told, Carpe sucked at management sims.

Worse—everything he touched tanked hard.

Way better to leave it to smart Cheonma.

The mansion interior hadn't changed much.

Or maybe it had, but...

"Over to you, Manager Cheonma. I trust the butler chief."

—Ugh... You're crafting now, right?

"Yup. Gotta breach that barrier. Oh, check if I can make the FB Radar too."

—Got it. I'll edit and scout stuff while you craft.

"My liege, Hiang and I will patrol outside. We'll eliminate any threats immediately."

"Squeak!"

"Cool, thanks."

Honestly, no dangers in this peaceful spot... but their enthusiasm? No need to rain on it.

And selfishly, he focused best alone for crafting.

"Alright then."

Entering the workshop, he scanned around.

Upgrade perk: Low-grade iron ingots now normal ones, magic ink refilled.

"Let's do this."

Iron ingot on anvil, registered 'Spell Breaker' blueprint to Magic Engineering skill.

Clang!

The satisfying ring of hammer on metal soon filled the workshop.

The 10-Star Player's Lucky Draw