Did I Really Make This?
Some might think that crafting a quest item is no big deal. But this feat went beyond simply achieving what was thought impossible. If you could craft a quest item yourself, didn't that mean you could complete the quest without going through the entire process? Sure, for simple quests, it might be better to handle them personally to level up along the way. But what if you could produce the final reward for a massively complex, drawn-out quest?
Wouldn't that let you skip all the intermediate steps? In fact, plenty of players had bought quest completion items from the auction house for notoriously difficult quests and cleared them in an instant.
'They called it a waste of money... but if I were the one selling, it'd be a different story.'
And one more thing. The Goblin Champion's greatsword wasn't just Unique grade—it was something human craftsmanship couldn't replicate. Goblins were known for their dexterity, but gear dubbed "goblin-made" incorporated special shamanic rituals in the forging process, making it impossible for humans to imitate.
Yet he'd done it without a shaman's help, using such basic materials? Items that only other races could make—he could make them too? He didn't know if it applied to everything or just some, but the very possibility was a shocking revelation.
Item creation restrictions lifted.
"Ah!"
That's when one line from his class info popped into Vulcan's mind. He'd assumed it just meant he could learn blacksmithing, architecture, alchemy, and enchantment. But maybe it had a deeper meaning?
—Not bad for a first attempt. With higher-level skills and materials, it could've been something worthy of a new legend. What a shame.
Tud's absurd words pierced Vulcan's ears as he eyed the Goblin Champion's greatsword with that intricate gaze. He knew exactly what "new legend" meant.
"You can make Epic-grade stuff too?"
—If your skills mature and you get proper tools, maybe. Though goblin gear's so crude, it wouldn't last long anyway.
"Then... do you know more goblin crafting methods? What about other races'?"
—Of course. My final research started with collecting every race's methods.
"But those are secrets..."
—Who do you think I am?
"Ah..."
Right. Tud was a dragon. He'd momentarily forgotten amid the cute form, but dragons were the ultimate beings—even monsters bowed and trembled before them. Quests mentioning real dragons described them casually manipulating monsters for fun, like demon kings toying with prey. They were practically gods.
—Hmph. One word from me, and they'd grovel and hand over their research. I know ancient texts and lost methods too.
"Then me too?"
Vulcan's eyes sparkled again. If he could do it, then he—who'd inherit everything—could too, right?
—Hmm. Depends on you. Right now, you couldn't handle 1%, no, 0.01% of it.
"How do I do it?"
—Grow first, in every way. Tools aside, that scrawny body can't even handle basic metals. No heat resistance, no stamina for long sessions.
High-grade gear aside, his current stats were sorely lacking. Vulcan nodded in agreement. Crafting just this one sword had drained his stamina. Hammering molten ore required real power to shape it properly.
"So I need to level up after all."
—Yeah. Not easy for frail humans. Tch. Should've just trained a hatchling.
"Hey! No need for sour grapes! Just watch—leveling's my specialty."
—True enough.
That was why he'd chosen a host with deft hands from the start. Physical training was one thing, but growing body and soul meant endless hammering to build up. Now Vulcan got it—why him specifically. Production classes struggled with levels, so he needed someone with crafting experience to feed massive skill XP. Picking fighters would've left crafting skills underdeveloped.
—But you might not need that. We'll see how far you go.
He was different. Battle-hardened experience, senses, grit, and tenacity no one could match. Back in the day—distant now—he'd topped the rankings for the first year of Gloria Saga, conquering faster than anyone.
With his stats and gear? He could level fast without grinding crafting XP.
—But remember: even legendary skills need effort to master. Don't neglect foundations for quick growth.
"No doubt! Heh heh heh!!"
Etching Tud's warning in his heart, Vulcan quickly cleaned up. He wanted to forge a few more swords, but stamina was gone. Better to level first—stronger hits, easier shaping, endless crafting sessions.
Tud's words tacitly greenlit hunting, so he packed portable tools fast, before second thoughts. Back to the village for proper hunting setup.
"Let's see. Food and herbs? Do I even need 'em?"
Gear was full-set. Stamina topped off. Heavy items except gathering tools were in storage. Just rations, potions, repair kit? Repair kit bought. Potions via herbs? Questionable need.
No threats near the starter village could dent him. Hold off. Low-grade life herbs were inefficient anyway—low heal for price. Better mid-game cost-effective ones.
'Can always forage if needed.'
He had Herb Gathering and Dragon Eye. Field-pick as needed. So, just food.
"100 chocolates."
At the general store, Vulcan bought 100 chocolates. Low satiety but high calories, light weight—his go-to. Mouth got sweet, but who cared? No cavities in-game. Better value options existed, but none beat it for weight/volume.
—What's that?
Tud, lounging on his head, reacted. Chocolates weren't native—added after gourmet users protested bland black bread.
"It's chocolate. Wanna try? If you can eat."
Obvious bait, but no real expectation. Soul form, no body—eating? Nah.
—Of course. But can it match my palate? I've savored every delicacy...
As Tud waxed poetic, Vulcan snapped off a piece and popped it in. Tud froze mid-flap, plummeting.
"Whoa! You okay?!"
Thud.
Poison to dragons? Ignoring stares, Vulcan knelt. Then—
—This taste!!
Tud sprang up, twisting in ecstasy.
—Divine!! Such food exists! Exquisite! Delicious!
The self-proclaimed epicure was hooked on bittersweet chocolate. Familiar sight—no dragon ascending, though.
'He's a dragon, so... same diff?'
—More! More!!
Eyes closed in bliss, Tud dove at Vulcan's hand. Devoured the whole bar, then more, before satisfied atop his head.
—Ahem. Got carried away. Food like this? Times have changed.
"Glad you like it. Want cake, bread, drinks later?"
—More from this? Hmph! If you insist, I won't refuse. Where to buy?
"Outside village, some spots. Quality varies."
—Got it. Stock up on this too. Vital for stamina-intensive work... ahem!
Lame excuse, but cheap. Vulcan bought extra, final preps: village NPCs for quests. Specs allowed pure hunting, but quests meant bonus XP/rewards. Fame for later ease—bunch 'em up.
"I sense something special about you! You're no ordinary man—destined for greatness!"
"...Pardon?"
NPCs reacted oddly. First quests sans Tud's, yet huge affinity—different quests than remembered.