Don't Get Your Hopes Up Too Much

"Don't expect too much. It was just a spot I used briefly when I was starting to practice."

"That's fine. Heh heh heh!"

With those words from Tud, their next destination was set. Vulcan didn't waste another second hopping onto a carriage bound straight for Schnell Village. Sure, he could dig around and find a few extra quests worth doing, but it didn't matter anymore. Vulcan, who squeezed every last penny out of everything, had already lost his mind to greed.

There have to be finished products there, right?

Tud's workshop, of all places? Even just that half-assed Miracle of the Stars he'd slapped together proved it—what else might be waiting? Whatever came out of there, he'd rake in a fortune. Buzzing with anticipation, he fidgeted impatiently through the trip between villages.

This time, no need to stay logged in, so he took a quick break before respawning in Schnell Village.

"Where is it? The workshop."

- Don't rush. It's well hidden where no one would look.

"Hm, I think this place's specialty was ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠salted caramel chocolate."

- What are you doing? Lead the way.

Tud reined in Vulcan, whose body was ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠practically vibrating with excitement, but it was hard to hide. Vulcan slyly coaxed the location out of Tud instead of getting it outright, and soon enough, he had the spot.

"......Where exactly?"

- Head northeast, and you'll find a dormant volcano. Next to it is a small hill with a burning tree. Go there, and...

"It's not one of those pits that sporadically spew flames, and you dive into the one without fire rising, right? No way."

- Huh? How'd you know? Fire mana pools there, perfect for a forge. Not bad for storing ores either.

"......Damn it."

But moments later, Vulcan's face twisted upon hearing Tud's directions. He already knew the place Tud was describing.

The info was just a bit different.

"That's a dungeon. The highest-level one around here."

- A dungeon now? Hm, nothing was there back then. Must've attracted trash mobs over time. Makes sense—fire mana flows subtly.

The spot Vulcan knew was none other than a dungeon. The graduation dungeon of Schnell region, home to its most powerful boss monster.

Over level 100, I think...

Recommended level: a whopping 100. Sure, you could enter below that, but parties of level 100+ users were the norm. The combat power gap ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠between 99 and 100 was insurmountable.

Hit 100, and you got bonus stat points plus class-specific massive buffs, plus powerful new skills.

If that was all, it'd be fine...

Of course, Vulcan defied normal standards. Item Master let him equip gear beyond his level, and crafting quests plus Rare+ items gave extra stats. His stats didn't feel lacking—especially Strength, boosted by Herculean Strength title, rivaling Strength-primary classes. Add Item Power, and most level 100 monsters were doable. Hell, he might toy with them.

Attribute damage is the issue...

The problem was the region's nature. Why he'd ranked Schnell low among the three options.

Hirros Volcano was the landmark, tourist spot, and headache. Most monsters had attribute attack power. Their fire-based attacks counted as magic damage, not physical, so physical defense meant squat. They did some physical hits, so armor mattered, but the real killer was terrain effects.

Dormant volcano or not, lava slumbered below, geothermal vents spewing in various forms. Just stepping into the field could trigger heatstroke or gear heating up for burn damage to the wearer.

This [Flame Zone] effect was hell for newbie users without magic defense or attribute resistance, explaining Schnell Village's unpopularity.

"Gonna cost a fortune."

The issue applied to Vulcan too. He'd scraped together gold for level 200s defense armor, but it didn't block attributes. Metal plate would heat up without special treatment, draining HP just from wearing it. Leather with fire resistance? Another buy? Attribute sets were rare, inefficient, and pricey—his gut already ached.

- Money an issue? Make it yourself.

"Huh? Got something good?"

Tud's words were salvation. Craft and save cash. Vulcan had Dragon Eye too, but recipes only triggered touching materials/gear—had to rely on Tud here.

- Of course. Worrying about this weak residual heat? Humans are so frail. Tsk!

He took the ribbing—it was worth it to save that gold. He'd endure hundreds more.

"......Huh? This works?"

Moments later, hearing Tud's solution, Vulcan blinked in confusion. He'd expected gear recipes, but Tud gave alchemy.

Super common herbs from Regon or Rezina—grind, add water, and boom: unheard-of effect. Chemical reaction spewed intense cold. Water iced over fast; Vulcan peered in wonder.

"A potion that just emits cold with no effect? Drink it?"

Gulp gulp—no hesitation.

Heat resistance potion? No fear of terrain.

- ......You rub it on.

"Gack?!"

Too late for Tud's instructions—Vulcan rolled on the ground forever before staggering up.

***

"Ugh... Still feels like my insides are flipping."

- Hmph. Told you not to chug without listening.

Barely escaped frostbite, Vulcan clutched his churning gut, limping along.

Chilling Potion worked—could hunt now, but village errands first.

"This... Roona's Divine Mark?"

Main scenario quest Rampage of Darkness: inform other three temples (minus Roona) of shadows rising. Partial clear.

Big cities had all temples, but starter villages had one or two based on traits/lord. Couldn't one-shot the quest. Visiting alone might not trigger; since hunting anyway, grab village quests en masse—temple first.

Visited Kabura Temple, god of fire.

"Indeed, I sense a holy aura about you. Quite special. Come in."

Luckily, no door-in-face. Blessed One and Legend Incarnate titles kicked in—even strangers saw him as holy/special. No rep grind needed for high priest.

"Hm, this true?"

"Yes."

Simple: hand over one of three letters from Roona Temple. Holy power infused—priests had to believe. Like spell or soul oath, staking power/existence.

His question wasn't doubt—just shock.

"Understood. We'll investigate. But can't offer answers or aid right now."

"Some worry?"

Lame response. Dark face. Vulcan's vet senses caught the nuance. Demon-related? Priests should mobilize—lukewarm meant bigger issues.

"Hm. No, nothing."

"If I can help, I will. Speak."

Quest trigger: poke till clue slips, then drill.

"Hm... You might manage, Vulcan. But too dangerous. Even immortals can't be thrown to death. If insistent, prove minimal strength."

'Hador?'

Thus, conditions. Proving strength to help? Laughable, but Vulcan accepted gladly. Giant Fire Salamander Hador was in his target dungeon.

Two birds, one stone.

Dungeon owner blocking Tud's workshop—had to kill anyway. Perfect.

Route lines up nicely.

Clean path: prep for Hador while doing village NPC quests, end with sweeping Tud's workshop.

Wanted to solo Hador now, but Chilling Potion alone couldn't handle its flames. Plan: hunt Hirros Volcano area for mats, finish attribute resistance setup.

Items/sets decided with Tud—Vulcan zipped through village grabbing quests.

Quick resupply done, fast-walked to quest-dense Hirros Volcano.

"Solo, right?"

"Yeah. Confirmed he's always alone. No guild mark."

"Gear looks top-tier. Decent grade? Seen similar somewhere..."

"So what? Idiot wearing metal plate in Flame Zone. Pay-to-win who blew cash without thinking. Heh! Easy dinner on us tonight."

Trailing Vulcan: smirking figures with ill intent.