“After I decided to take revenge on the humans, I worked tirelessly in the Medullar Forge seeking to make something perfect and powerful. Unfortunately, I could not finish, as I died of exhaustion before that. During my time, I created countless weapons, but none came close to the level of the masterpieces my father forged.” explained Therkara, a little downcast.

Although Kaizen was stunned by the revelation of the true nature of the blacksmith lady, he was reassured by the system message. If the ability to see ghosts was a passive Psych Class ability, Kaizen would surely use this to his advantage to progress further in Rise Online.

“Therkara, to me, it’s okay you be a ghost, apparition, haunting, or anything like that. I could get to know and learn a lot about you in this last hour we spent together, and you trusted me from the beginning without hesitation. I want to continue helping you.” Kaizen said with poise to convey confidence.

The brown-haired woman’s eyes widened in surprise, and she smiled contently.

“I knew there was something different about you from the first time I saw you, but I was afraid and afraid to approach. Besides, I lied when I told you that people passing through the forest were running from me. In fact, no matter how much I shouted or jumped in front of people, they just ignored me and walked straight past, as if I didn’t exist, as if they couldn’t see me.”

The smith woman had tried countless times to get the attention of other users who crossed or visited the Misty Woods, and in all these attempts, the results were always the same. This explained to Kaizen the recoiling behavior she had when Kaizen extended his hand to greet her right away upon meeting her. She knew she couldn’t touch him and was also afraid to expose that she was a spirit.

“However, as I wandered through the forest, I spotted you, Kaizen. With your bow, you were sneaking out to attack the monsters in the sky. And I don’t know what’s different about you, but there is a kind of aura on you, and this aura almost told me that you were reliable to approach. In the end, my instincts were right; you were the only one who could see me among everyone I tried to talk to.” Therkara continued.

A bead of sweat and nervousness came down from the right corner of Kaizen’s forehead. ‘If she knew that I just beat my entire gang to avoid the risk of losing more levels, she would surely change her mind about me.’

With a faint smile, but also an affectionate one for being praised by Therkara, Kaizen said to her:

“I am not worthy of such words, but I am grateful to hear it all. Besides, I am still curious about one thing: do you still want revenge against humans after all this time? Although I agree that the nobles were assholes to your people, I am still a human.”

“No, I don’t seek revenge. Thinking more clearly now, I realize how foolish I was when I thought of something like that, and my father would be ashamed… What I want now, and what made me return to the world of the living after so long, is to accomplish my arduous journey to build a weapon that surpasses anything a member of the Ironstone Family has ever forged. I know this may seem like a selfish request after lying to you, but can you help me?” asked Therkara and clenched his fists eagerly, looking at Kaizen.

[The mission ‘The Lost Links’ has been updated].

[Quest Name: The Lost Links.

Therkara, the last blacksmith of the legendary Ironstone family of dwarves, has revealed the truth about herself to you, and with this revelation, she has asked for your help so that she can finally fulfill her goal.

Possible rewards upon completing this Quest:

– +1000 XP.

– Class Points (3x).

– +100 Silver Coins.

– Mysterious Reward (1x).

– Path to the Class Mission.

Do you want to accept? YES/NO.]

The newbie smiled, wryly, as he read the game box because he had already been through so much to get to that point in the mission that he obviously didn’t feel the slightest urge to reject the lady’s request.

“I don’t even have to think straight to decide. If you don’t want to create a war against anyone, I will help you in any way I can.” Kaizen announced, which made Therkara’s smile expand from ear to ear.

[You have agreed to continue the mission ‘The Lost Links’].

The blacksmith lady jumped toward Kaizen to hug him tightly like she used to do with her friends in the past.𝑶𝓋𝗅𝒩xt.𝗇𝓔t

“Hey, hey! Wait a sec…” He tried to stop her, stretching his hands forward to block her.

When Therkara passed through him, he experienced a bitter shiver, capable of chilling every strand of his black hair. Instantly, he began to shiver as if he had been without a jacket on the street during winter. Kaizen stared at Therkara with narrowed eyes as he rubbed his arms seeking to warm himself, careful to try to deflect if she tried to hug him again.

“Sorry, sorry!” She bowed twice to him, feeling quite guilty.

“Forget about it… let’s get going. Everything we need could be in the Medullar Forge even after all this time, right?”

Therkara put her hand on her chin, thought for a moment, and nodded. Even though it had been many years, the materials and tools created in that village should be able to last for eons.

“By the way, if you can’t even touch me, how did you do to touch the Fire Stone from that arrow we made? How does that work exactly?” asked Kaizen as they returned to the village stone path.

“Oh, that? Since when I woke up, I discovered that I could hold small things like twigs and stones. It’s not exactly like holding, and I don’t feel the objects in my hand by touching them. Anyway, it’s complicated… Thanks to that, I don’t have the strength to hold a strong hammer to shape steel, but I am strong enough to hold a pencil and parchment to draw the diagram of my masterpiece.

“Diagram, what is that? Or rather, I’ve been wondering now, how will you be able to create a weapon without being able to hold a hammer?”

Smiling lightly, the woman-smith inquired:

“That’s what you’re still here. If we combine your muscles and strength with my knowledge, Kaizen, we might actually be able to create a weapon that will go down in history. So, do you agree to be my first apprentice?”

*Ping*

[The last Ironstone master blacksmith invited you to become a Blacksmith Apprentice.]

[The benefits of a Blacksmith Apprentice include:

– Better relationships with NPC’s blacksmiths.

– Discounts on buying weapons and discounts on buying metals in stores in the cities.

– Job offers and work demands.

– Possible quests related to this profession].

[Attention! In Rise Online, users can learn only three professions per avatar].

[At the moment, the KAIZEN avatar has ZERO professions.]

[Do you want to accept Therkara Ironstone’s invitation to become a Blacksmith Apprentice? YES/NO.]

The many screens of the Rise Online interface reflected in the dilated pupils of Kaizen, who now had a wide smile of excitement stamped on his face. For him, the blacksmithing profession was undoubtedly the best for trying to earn some money since he could sell the weapons he made to other players, so it was impossible for him to be happier.

​ Kaizen looked at Therkara with determination and clapped his right hand to his chest. “It will be an honor to learn from you.” At the same time, he bowed his head to his master.

…

Edited by: DrHitsuji

If you want to see original illustrations of Rise Online characters, consider helping me on pa treon: Pa treon.com/NandoFalske

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