"Oh my gosh! The Sapling of the World Tree!"
The Sapling of the World Tree was far more significant than the mere sprout. A sprout had to pass a critical turning point to become a sapling. Of course, most saplings would grow and lose the possibility of becoming a World Tree, but the sheer act of harvesting such potential was momentous.
"How did you do this?"
"It's a trade secret."
Terryl, the Half-Elf Chief, asked Lokan excitedly, but there was no way he was going to reveal his lucrative method.
'Who benefits from that?'
Telling him would only help future players on the same quest. Terryl insisted, but Lokan's mouth remained tightly shut. He would have shared it for a reasonable price, but he couldn't risk that yet.
'I have to worry about the aftermath,' he thought.
The reason he hadn't negotiated for a reward upfront was that the method's long-term effects were unconfirmed. If the World Tree Saplings grown this way had a hidden flaw, it would cause trouble later. Rather than prioritizing a momentary gain, he chose to cut his losses and walk away modestly.
"In any case… thank you very much. You've given us great hope."
[Unbelievable achievement! You were trusted by the Half-Elves.]
[You have acquired the title 'Half-Elf's Friend'.]
[You are the first to acquire this title.]
The notifications flashed: [First] [Half-Elf's Friend] [Unique]. The title declared: You are the first human being trusted by the Half-Elves beyond recognition. Recognizing you as a friend, they will do everything they can to help.
[Hold Effect]
– Increases all Elemental Defense by 10% with the effect of [Blessing of the Half Spirit].
– Increases base HP Regeneration and Mana Regeneration by 50% with the effect of [Blessing of the Half Spirit].
'Wow!'
Unlike the Dwarves, there were no special crafting privileges. However, the effect of gaining the trust of the Half-Elves and receiving their blessing was arguably more valuable because it offered a permanent synergy. Considering that Magic Defense was notoriously difficult to raise even at higher levels, its utility was extremely high. This would make fighting magic-type monsters significantly easier.
"Now it's the Gnomes' turn."
All that remained was the recognition of the Gnomes. The method to gain their approval was relatively simple.
"We don't really like friends who aren't sensitive! Now, take this."
[Repair the Dangerous Device of the Gnomes] [Quest]
Gnomes are attracted to those with dexterity and ingenious ideas. Please clean up the device they gave you and return it.
-Success conditions: Perfect grooming of the Gnome's dangerous device
-Failure Conditions: Destroyed dangerous devices of Gnomes or lack of maintenance
-Completion Reward: Gnomish Recognition
-Additional rewards according to the achievement rate
The task was to clean up a dangerous mechanical device they provided. The problem was that the durability of this machine was so low that it would break if one applied too much force. It was also covered in so much rust and grime that if you didn't clean it almost obsessively, you wouldn't be properly recognized.
'Is it a dangerous device?'
At this point, it seemed less like a quest for recognition and more like a ploy to screw over players. Lokan wasn't particularly dexterous, and his Strength level was too high, making it easy to break. However, he wasn't worried. Instead, he began to carefully fit the parts together.
[Old and shabby old musket] [Normal]
Old musket with old and rusty parts. It is doubtful it will work properly. If you want to use it properly, clean it hard, tighten it, and grease it.
-Attack power: 50
-Durability: 3 / 100
– 70% chance to explode when used
After assembling all the parts, a weak musket appeared. The 'dangerous device' was simply the parts for this musket. It was a typical Gnome-like item, a weapon made using mechanical devices.
"Yes, it must be an item."
And so, there was a way to finish this quest very simply.
"Please fix this."
Lokan headed straight to the Dwarf Blacksmith with the assembled musket and entrusted the repair. Although it was made by assembling mechanical parts, since it was classified as an 'equipment item', it could be repaired by a blacksmith. Furthermore, he was dealing with the most skilled blacksmith available—a Dwarf.
After paying for the labor, a musket with a shiny barrel appeared, as if brand new.
[Perfectly repaired old musket] [Normal]
An old musket that has been completely refurbished.
-Attack power: 50
-Durability: 100 / 100
It was such a perfect repair that the name of the item had changed. Lokan didn't stop there.
"Please strengthen it."
He attempted to strengthen it immediately.
[+1 You have acquired a perfectly repaired old musket.]
[+2 You have acquired a perfectly repaired old musket.]
[+3 You have acquired a perfectly repaired old musket.]
'I'm going to make it to +3, eh, why not!'
He rushed straight to +5. The musket was useless and its attack power insufficient for him even after upgrading, but he could afford the enhancement costs to receive a higher-grade reward. Fortunately, the lower the item grade, the higher the chance of success. After finishing the fifth round, Lokan disassembled the musket in the reverse order of reassembly.
"Here it is."
"Ugh, already?"
When they received the parts, the Gnomes first gave him suspicious glances. There was no way he could have properly cleaned the device in such a short time. They pulled out the pouch containing the parts, thinking they would shout at him for his rough work.
"Oh, what is this?"
Their astonishment was immediate and justified. While the parts didn't each have a +5 attached, when combined, the musket itself was +5. How could they believe that parts that looked like they had been soaked in the seabed for years were now so shiny that a fly would slide off them in just ten minutes?
"You…"
The Gnome looked at Lokan suspiciously, thinking he might have disassembled the original and replaced it with parts from another musket, but he soon had to concede. This particular old musket couldn't be found anywhere nearby. Moreover, as soon as he realized howLokan completed the test, he decided he had to keep quiet. He couldn't understand how it was done, but he had to admit the result.
[Unbelievable achievement! You were trusted by the Gnomes.]
[You have acquired the title 'Friend of the Gnomes'.]
[You are the first to acquire this title.]
[First] [Friend of Gnomes] [Unique]
You are the first human being trusted by the Gnomes beyond recognition. Recognizing you as a friend, they will do everything they can to help.
[Hold Effect]
– Available to acquire the secondary job 'Engineer'
– 50% discount on transportation fees operated by Gnomes
"Whoa."
This was incredible. The 50% discount on expensive trains, instruments, and airships operated by Gnomes was great, but the auxiliary job 'Engineer' was a true jackpot. What he had expected was at best an effect allowing him to 'trade Gnome mechanical engineering products', which often meant simple, low-level items.
'Engineer, what a cake this is!'
On the other hand, by acquiring the secondary job Engineer and learning the visionary skill 'Gnomish Engineering', he could create much higher-level mechanical devices and introduce unpredictable anomalies into battle. This was the path taken by the infamous 'Mad Scientist Krat', a user who had become famous for playing around with all sorts of bizarre inventions and demonstrating the massive power a secondary job could have.
[Recognized by all races of the Golden Lion camp except humans.]
[Now you are a proud member of the Crossroads.]
[Awesome achievement! You are the first visitor to become a member of the Crossroads.]
[The title 'Honorary Resident of Crossroads' has been acquired.]
[You are the first to acquire this title.]
[First] [Honorary Resident of Crossroads] [Rare]
You are the first human being recognized by the heart of the three races of the Golden Lion camp. You will be granted the status of an honorary resident of the Crossroads, allowing you to be treated on an equal footing with others.
[Hold Effect]
– You can be protected by the Crossroad Guards.
– You can build intimacy with all the beings of the Golden Lion camp.
When all the recognition quests were completed, this final, powerful title was added as a reward. This was the real starting point for Lokan.
"I want to learn mechanical engineering."
Lokan immediately asked the Gnomes to learn mechanical engineering. Crafting and production-related skills largely depended on skill proficiency, so it was best to start early, even if only for an hour a day.
[You have acquired the secondary job 'Engineer'.]
[You can learn Gnomish Engineering by acquiring a certain level of proficiency.]
"Buy goods."
As soon as Lokan filled the last remaining secondary job slot with Engineer, he bought a bunch of materials needed to raise his engineering proficiency. While a blacksmith mainly worked with metal ingots, Lokan acquired a generous amount of various components. From now on, he would work on proficiency whenever he had free time. Since he lacked dexterity, he had no choice but to overcome it with sheer time and capital.
Of course, there would be a loss as his skill level was low, but it didn't matter. He had plenty of money and would be earning money as if he was printing it every day through strengthening and crafting. In addition, he still had his monthly rent income from Trinsic, and he had a new task to complete here soon.
"I'll see you now."
After purchasing a large amount of copper ingots—the easiest to handle—at the Integrated Auction House, Lokan found the building where the Crossroads garrison was located. He was looking for Crossroad Guard Captain Malkin.
Malkin was the member of the investigative team that Steroian had asked him to deliver a letter to. Normally, Lokan should have met him immediately upon arriving at the Crossroads, but Malkin was known for his sassy and arrogant personality—he wouldn't even look at someone who hadn't completed the Half-Elf recognition quest.
But now things were different. Lokan was an Honorary Resident of Crossroads who deserved the protection of the garrison, so he could deliver the news without being restrained.
"Steroian sent this."
"Yes. Here is the letter."
[Crossroad Guard Captain Malkin] [Lv 200]
A Level 200 strongman with a muscular body, unlike a typical Half-Elf. But Lokan didn't hesitate at all. He knew the Captain was arrogant. As Lokan stood proudly with his shoulders straight, Malkin, who had finished reading the letter, looked at Lokan with shining eyes.
"Hey, you look pretty strong. Do you have any intention of joining our garrison?"
[Crossroad Guard Captain Malkin has offered you to join the Guard. Accept?]
Since Lokan was a member of Steroian's investigative team, Malkin assumed the verification was done.
At that, Lokan smirked. This was exactly what he was waiting for. Although it was called a garrison, this was a game, and as a user, he could play as usual as long as he performed a few duties.
"Great."
In this way, Lokan became a Crossroad Guard, a position that granted him undisputed authority over new users arriving at the hub.