《Second Reality: Against Fate Itself》 Chapter 1: First Entering the Virtual World It is around 10:00 pm and the weather is warm. Within the small isolated Sharingla''s Motel, Manhattan, stood Room 667. The lights lit up in a dim brightness, one of them already burned out. Despite this, Blue can still see the black box in front of him. The box is rather big, large as the size of a head, and has golden texts in digital styled fonts on its top cover. Virtual Game Helmet: Golden Edition. He thought he read it wrong so he have to adjust his glasses to see the words right. Then he wastes his time pinching himself, or bang his head on the wall just to get himself awake. But the box is still there, perfectly laid on the matress and untouched. VMMORPGs are the biggest hits in the gaming franchise, and they cost a lot of money. Even a single Virtual Reality set ( or VR set for short) like this one costs at least $10, 000, surpassing the price of popular gaming consoles like Nitendo and PlayStation. But this game helmet is a Golden Edition. What''s more, it is a better version of normal VR sets with a price of more than $100, 000! It''s a disgusting $1 billion dollars! Even a professional player like him won''t be able to afford such a price. He looked down to the letter he is holding. He received the box this evening from a mail man along with this envelope. To his suprise, the sender is his former club member Chang Bai. On the letter, he reads, "Master, I bought this VR set just for you, in case you''re bored. I bet 100 bucks that you''ll definitely gonna love Gloria Online! You can thank me later the next time we meet. "PS: This Golden Edition is also usable for disabled people so enjoy to your heart''s content!" And that was just it. There is no explanation on how he got it. He just simply "bought" it, making Blue somewhat doubtful. That fat bastard, is he trying to frame him for stealing? He never knew much about Chang Bai. They just met by chance in Honor Online while they were noobs. But Blue is more than just a noob. He is a genius prodigy with a gifted talent in Chang Bai''s eyes. When he saw him perform while battling a dungeon boss together, those movements and that skill casting speed were godlike! This is a man worthy to be followed, he thought. Chang Bai not only became his "big fan", he became his loyal follower afterwards. Blue didn''t think much about it at first. He just found Chang Bai really annoying, both in game and real life. The fat guy always followed him around wherever he goes, he even pops out of nowhere in either the Chat System, or whenever Blue fought a boss he would come out on the wrong time. He even snuck into his bathroom window while he was taking a shower. How he knew where he lived? Blue doesn''t have the answer. It just drived him crazy. But he did took note of his persistence. Chang Bai is an optimistic person, who works harder as him. He is also a fast learner and has quickly adapted the gaming environment after Blue irritatingly taught him with a few pointers. It was then that Blue finally acknowledged him as a worthy player, and a trusting ally. Come to think of it, with that attitude, Chang Bai should at least have a job with a decent salary. Moreover, he may have spent most of it along with his life earnings to buy this game helmet. And it was a Golden Edition for disabled people. To spend an amount of $1 billion to buy this for him... Blue can''t describe how he felt right now. No one has ever treated him this way before. Even if someone admired him before, they weren''t too stupid to spend all of their money to buy a luxurious thing for him. This is simply too alien, yet his heart is deeply touched. Is this what people call gratefulness? Gratitude? Either way, Blue knows that he owes something to Chang Bai. He isn''t stingy with money, and the fact that this follower of his has gone through stakes to buy this set for him, he won''t hesitate to repay him even if it''s just a $1, 000, 000, 000. If Lady luck is on his side, then perhaps he''ll try to win a lottery some time.The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. Chang Bai also made a point, but only a partial of it. Ever since that freak accident, he couldn''t feel his hands anymore after he woke up. Even if he can still lift a finger, the damage he received is too severed, enough to prevent him from touching his keyboard and mouse. Since Chang Bai gave him this opportunity, his desire to play again has grown deeper. He puts away the letter, and started opening the box. The contents inside are only a black game console, a CD of Gloria Online and a headgear that looks like a motorcycle helmet. There is also a booklet in there. He took out the set, and immediately reads the booklet. This is just a normal routine whenever he tries out a new game console to play a game. Although he have been a famous figure in the E-Sports world, he used to play other game consoles besides PC. He would try to understand the lore of the new game first, then see how the console works. He would also skip the tutorial guides because he dislikes doing it step by step. That''s just old school! But since this console can be played by disabled players, he wants to learn how he can use these useless hands in this game. After reading for at least 15 minutes, he puts down the booklet. A look of surprise plastered on his face. He couldn''t find any tutorial guides, speculating that he will have to take them if he plays the game. According to the booklet, the game''s theme takes place in Middle Earth but the survivors of the Shadow War entered into a new era which is called Gloria. Like the game Honor, things such as Health points and Mana bars still exists in this virtual realm. He couldn''t get the details about choosing classes and races though, nor did he find anything relevant to whether there is a main story quest. And there is this thing that keeps bothering him... the contents said that the game is developed with 100% realism. So whatever he will feel inside the game, they will be 100% real. Does this mean he can feel pain in the game? That is likely possible, but the question is how real exactly? Twenty years ago, the company Netmarble made their first Virtual Reality games with 3D graphics. Although they were just minigames, people have been throwing their money into the stockpile to buy the company''s VR sets, and the pile continued to grow until it overflooded their house yard. Netmarble grew unimaginably bigger and wider as the White House. The fact that this game is said to be 100% real is a taboo. But Netmarble have became one of the largest companies in the gaming industry, with an even richer amount of money in their bank. Gloria Online is also created by this very company. How much money did they spend to make this work? How far did their efforts reach? This line of thinking makes Blue piqued his curiosity. "Then it''s a worth to try!" --- After an hour, it is already 11:00 pm Blue have prepared his gear. Turning the console on, he wears the black helmet before lying himself down on the bed. "Log in Gloria Online." He activated the command. A monotonic voice rang through his ears. [Progressing... Logging into Gloria Online...] [You have now logged into Gloria Online. Please give your character a name.] "Perseus." [Confirming... Confirming name completed.] Within five seconds, he feels a slight shock through his head. It is a little painful but it felt like a needle had numb his brain. [System Announcement: Based on system check, your heartbeat is 100% stabled as a normal person''s standard!] [System Announcement: Based on system check, your body temperature is 70% lower than a normal person''s standard!] [System Announcement: Based on system check, your blood concentration level is normally stabled!] [System Announcement: Based on system check, your brain activity is 120% above a normal person''s standard!] [System Announcement: Based on system check, your sexual activity is stabled as a normal person''s standard!] --- Hearing these notifications, Blue frowned. Is this a counterfeit? Then a system interface popped into his view. On it shows a picture of a person''s body, his body. It looks more detailed, and he can see those big and small bones with veins all over them, even his inner organs are there. Here, his body glows in light green, except for certain parts. His hands are glowing in dim red. [System Announcement: An illness is found.] [Automatically analyzing illness... Analysis confirmed. Your nerves are severely damaged. Would you like to commence Phantom?] Phantom? Can this command really support a disabled person? Even someone who is severely injured? Blue thought back to Chang Bei''s letter and remembered that this equipment can be used by disabled people as well. Then, "Yes." [Commenced Phantom...] Before he knew it, he feels shocked again. But this time, it is even more painful. "Ah!" The intense pain slowly pierces through his head as if something drilled its way to his brain. Then it travels to all of the nerves in his body, then into his bones and his organs, his heart is affected as well. He feels like being drugged with toxic. "Fu***!" In about three minutes, the shock travels to his hands. Then the pain gradually subsides in seconds, leaving Blue gasping. *Ding!* [Commencing completed. You are now linked to Phantom.] "That fu***ing hurts!" He never read anything from the booklet about Phantom, nor how painful it is. Those Netmarble people should''ve at least put up a warning, unless one of their ill customers die from a heart attack before they even play the game! That sensational pain has truly convinced him that this game may really be under 100% realism. Before he can even take a break, the screen in front of him flashes in pure white instantly. "Fu***!" The next second, he feels his conscience leaving his body as if he is drifted into a new world. Then his vision is becoming to clear. What he first glimpsed are numerous meteors, raining down behind a castle wall. "Fu***!" Chapter 2: Sigurds Badge of Courage The sky is pitch black as the night. Dark clouds hovers over Gondraw Capital, whereas lighting strikes and a rain of small meteors crashes down onto its walls and over it. Shouts of angry men can be heard. Their swords clash against the weapons of their invaders. Sauron''s Dark Army, the enemy of every race has come to crush the people''s last hopes. The Gondraw Base Camp is located at the eastern city gates. The men there, humans, elves, orcs, dwarves, and goblins alike, are preparing their gear before joining their brothers outside of the city to face the Dark Army. The wind howls, flapping the half-burnt tattered flags of the Alliance, and it carries all the ashes and blood of dead corpses directly into Blue''s nose. Even the air is filled with stench. His eyes, expressing fear, but composes a glance on the stone brick walls that crumbles helplessly against the enemies'' attacks. Then his gaze travels everywhere. The base camp is filled with soldiers, some healthy while most are injured gravely. A few wounded soldiers, patched with old torn cloths around their bleeding gashes, are brought back safely from the outside walls by the rescue team, taking them to the infirmary where they needed to be tended immediately. The healthy ones, already in their armor and armed with weapons, a big squad of various races marches together. Side by side, they move pass Blue, leaving the city gates for the battle at the other side. --- Name: Alliance Human Knight Level: 1 HP: 100/100 MP: 50/50 --- Name: Alliance Orc Berserker Level: 1 HP: 100/100 MP: 50/50 --- Name: Alliance Elf Archer Level: 1 HP: 100/100 MP: 50/50 --- Name: Alliance Dwarf Warrior Level: 1 HP: 100/100 MP: 50/50 --- Name: Alliance Goblin Bommer HP: 100/100 MP:50/50 --- If it hadn''t been the system interfaces popping out in his view while he stared, he could''ve mistook those people for players. Even those non-humans appear exactly what he saw from fantasy movies. They look so life-like as if they are actual actors in disguise wearing makeups! He couldn''t differentiate anything between this game and reality. "Rookie!" A stern voice shouted from his back. Blue turns around, and sees a tall man in dark blue armor. He has a scar across his right eye, and another one from the left side of his chin. His face looks sharp, and strikes a firm aura like a proud lion looking down to its adversary. There is a golden round badge hanging on his upper right chest. "Commander Sigurd!" Blue replied with a military salute. He didn''t know why but he had to do it after he saw the man''s expectant gaze. He used to attend military programs back then, but he was merely a high schooler around that time. The training the programs provided was a necessity for his life. And how did he know his name? Well, the game interface told him so. --- Name: Elite Commander Sigurd Level: 100 HP: ???/??? MP: ???/??? --- A Rank Legend NPC in the 100th level. This guy before him is definitely not someone to be trifled with. First entering the game, and Blue already met a giant powerhouse this early! "Your race?" Sigurd asked. "Human, Sir!" Blue replied, he didn''t put down his salutation. *Ding!* A second later, a ding is heard followed by a voice ringing in his head. [You have chosen Human as your Race.] "Class?" "Warrior, Sir!" *Ding!* [You have chosen Warrior as your Class.] So this is how you choose, Blue thought. He only needed to clarify a specific name from each category. Although he didn''t think much about it, he is alright with these choices. Back when he used to play Honor, his character was also chose warrior. "Really..." The expression on Sigurd''s face looks somewhat satisfied, his eyes inspecting him from head to toe. Each of his response held calmness and he had a steadfast attitude. Even the salute looks proper and stiff. However... "You can stop with the acknowledgements." Blue respectfully obeys. Sigurd places his hand into his bag, and takes out a parchment made of goat skin. It appears to be recently fresh because there are no dark wrinkles on it. He skims through it, reading out loud, "Player Name: Perseus Level: 1 Race: Human Class: Warrior, but only temporary..." Blue didn''t think that parchment contained his player information. Just after he heard the last sentence, did he frown only in the inside. Why temporary? "I was reported that one of the new recruits has an illness of some sorts. They even said he is useless in a fight, especially in a war. It''s you, isn''t it?" As if there is telepathy, Sigurd gives him the obvious answer. The realization had yet to befall on him once again. His hands. The system didn''t take care of them? Blue grits his teeth, his fists clench weakly.This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon. Sigurd''s face is nonchalantly blank, and continues, "Holding a sword is easy as pie. But with those hands of yours, it''s just a walk in the park." "We''re in a war, and you''re still a rookie-- no, you''re way worse than a rookie. Do you know that you can kill yourself with a sword, just by simply making a mistake? Would you make an excuse for that? No! Excuses are just for amateurs, and amateurs are the first to die in a battle! Whether you deny it or not, you''re also an amateur. Even when there''s no war, you can only be a burden to the army! Joining the squad with useless hands, I can imagine you die out there shamefully!" Sigurd speaks coldly as if he is throwing sharp knives. "If you want to save yourself from embarrassment, then you can leave this base and join with the fugitives. After this war, I''m sure there''s a place for you to go, better than this hell." Blue didn''t seem to catch him voicing out of pity. But he didn''t care. Neither he wants to be pitied. Every word he heard, carries salt that adds to the wound. Even the last statement has vinegar in it. What is there to go? None! He has nowhere to go. There is no place for him in his own reality. "Commander, you don''t know what living hell looks like," Blue says lowly. How ignorant, Sigurd thought, frowning. "Then indulge me, what is hell to you?" What''s hell to me? Blue thought it over as sudden flashbacks from his childhood and his life came to mind. "Hell is not death itself. Death is a place where your life has reached the end. If you think that''s not it, but the bloody gores of battle then let me tell you this, that''s not hell. The real hell is when you''re weighing down by fate!" What is hell exactly? Is war hell? Then what about living? His whole life was fu*** hell, ever since he was born into that shi**** world! He is an orphan. An abandoned child that could do nothing but cry. His parents left him at the streets since he was a baby! No one picked him up. Not an adult took him under their wings. The orphanage he lived in was too cruel, even the other children around him didn''t dare to approach, nor befriend him. Instead he would often get bullied. The caretakers did nothing about it. He could only help himself by replying on himself. So he worked harder than anyone in order to survive and leave that building. Growing up to his teens, he was able to graduate in highschool. But he came as a lone wolf amongst his peers. Like in his orphanage, none of them paid attention to him. One time, some gang tried to bully him until a second later, he taught them a cruel lesson that engraved deeply into their souls. So whenever they saw him, they would simply turn and run. Everyone heard of the incident, and it forced them to stay away from him instead, as if he was a monster in their eyes. Although he is smarter than anyone, and despite his hard work, nothing good was given to him. He have been isolated throughout his whole life, and couldn''t handle the pressure of everything around him. Until one day, he found the world of games. PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo-- minigames, mobile games, rpgs-- everything Blue saw was beautiful. When he tried playing a few games, he wasn''t only fascinated by the designs, or those crazy landscapes, or those animatic characters wielding stunning skills, everything he did in the gameplay he can do anything as he wishes. That was when he finally found freedom, an escape route from this reality. Before college, Blue has already entered the gaming career. Not only did he become a gaming fanatic, he became a king out of all players in each game. He broke millions of game records, making the highest peaks where none could possibly reach. It was the same with him playing Honor Online. He is a player that none of the people from Honor Online would expect to appear. He is akin to a frightening beast, shamelessly clever as a trickster, and moreover, he was a war god! Not even a huge army was able to compress this figure with their numbers, because Blue isn''t afraid of such thing. He believed in quality and so with it, he can wipe them out with the tips of his blades in ease, without moving from his spot. But then, the accident happened. He can vividly remember that truck running straight for him, toppling over him as everything went south. His achievements, fame and title have gone to the drain. The worst part, however, is when he was told that he could no longer play again. He lost his prized hand speed. He can''t even press the damn keyboards like he used to, nor he can hold the mouse again where his index finger would often click. It is the same with him trying to hold the joysticks, but his efforts are utterly useless. Reality have came for him. "Then what can you do about this fate you speak of?" Sigurd is surprised at his resolve, nevertheless he stays doubtful and asks. "There is this beauty I want to go to. A place where I can find peace but it''s farther away from my reach. Fate has its way to prevent us from getting there, so is this war. But since we are fighting for it, not only we are fighting our greatest enemy, we are also fighting this fate as well. Then I too fight because I don''t accept fate!" Blue gives him a calm smile. Fire burning in his eyes, he speaks with not his mind, but his heart. "Although I am weak and battered. Although my hands are crushed, I will still stubbornly hold my head high and proud! For these hands can still be used, then I shall use them until my very last breath!" "If I live, then I shall live on to find my peace. If I die, then so be it. I don''t believe I died shamefully just because I was pierced by my two swords! This is better than just doing nothing, I will gladly die with honor!" He can''t care less about being kicked out by his club mates, nor how his fame diminished, what he truly cared is being able to play again. The tragic predictament left him devastated, and he longed to go back to the world he calls a sanctuary. Just when Blue is about to fall into the bottomless pit of despair, his so-called friend gave him the chance to play again. So what if this game is too real? Fu*** 100% realism! Fu*** that Rated R+! This is still a game! As long as he can still play one game, then he will play to his heart''s content. He will never go back down from such an opportunity, just because of seeing a real-life corpse! He will neither care less about getting killed by monsters, or by himself. He can just go all over again, as long as he can still play! Sigurd is silent, his face remains the same. But in the inside, his speech left a big impact on him. This rookie doesn''t care he would die by his own hand; he would gladly die honorably for the one thing he truly fights for! What a passionate man, Sigurd feels moved by his revelation. "Commander Sigurd!" An NPC came into their view and salutes to the Legend powerhouse. It was an Elite Human Scout. Although his level is much higher than Blue''s, he is less than ten levels from Sigurd''s. "Report!" Sigurd orders. "Dark Necromancer Niadamar has made his move, Sir! What shall we do?" The Scout responded, his grim expression is telling them that the topic is serious. "So he finally showed up, eh." Sigurd laughed nonchalantly, his face becomes cold. "Go get our men and tell them this; we''re going to end that shi***less necromancer''s life once and for all. His necromancy must be stopped! Understood?" "Yes, Sir!" With another salute, the scout left to gather his brothers. Sigurd turns back to Blue. He unpins the golden badge from his armor, handing it to him. "Here." Blue dazes there for a moment but quickly recovered. Calmly taking the badge, he examines it with a glance. On the golden badge, there is an image of a Griffin carrying a sword in its mouth. A system interface appeared beside it. --- Quest Item: [Sigurd''s Badge of Honor] (Silver): ??? [Note: This badge was bestowed to Elite Commander Sigurd by King Talion as a gift for succeeding to Knighthood.] --- Blue is surprised when he saw it. Although the stats are unknown, this item is a Silver ranked item. Chapter 3: A Prologue Quest From the booklet he read, the equipment in Gloria is ranked for its quality. From lowest to highest; there are Uncommon, Common, Bronze, Silver, Gold, Dark Gold, Ancient, and lastly Archaic. This badge is an example of a high quality equipment. However, Blue noticed this badge is marked as a quest item. "Go look for Blacksmith Hermit. Ask him to make the finest sword for you. With this badge he''ll know that you''re my squire." Sigurd commanded. *Ding!* [System Announcement: Because of your bold interaction with Elite Commander Sigurd, you are acknowledged by the NPC, and received the title "Squire" and earned +10 Fame points.] Another system announcement pops into his view. System Announcement: You received the Prologue Quest [Ready For Battle! Part 1] (Quest Level: S) Quest Description: Look for Blacksmith Hermit and receive his finest works. Sigurd''s Badge of Honor (1/1) Rewards: ??? (Random Sword) [Note: With Sigurd''s Badge of Honor, Blacksmith Hermit will be able to recognize your "Squire" title.] It''s a Prologue Quest! And a Level S Quest too. "When you''re done, meet me at the city gates. You''re better than those other recruits." With that, Sigurd left, not in the slightest rush, leaving Blue who is watching him disappear into the sea of soldiers. System Announcement: You received the Prologue Quest [Ready For Battle! Part 2] (Quest Level: S) Quest Description: After requiring the weapon, meet with Elite Commander Sigurd at Gondraw City Gates. Weapon Required (0/1) Sigurd''s Badge of Honor (1/1) Rewards: ??? (Random Skillbook) Almost many games have main storylines, especially RPGs. Sometimes, there are other games where you need to find a main story quest but the rarity is just as scarce as hen''s teeth.[1] It is the same with Prologue Quests, only it isn''t that difficult to find. They are just hard to gain, because they are also considered Hidden Quests. In the beginning of the game, the Prologue Quest you take are only around levels -F to D. The Prologue Quests above Level D can only be triggered, depending how you performed the lowest versions. Sometimes, you have to gain them through means of interactions with the NPC. Once you got the quest with either Level A, or S, or SS, or SSS, not only they represent its difficulty they can bring bigger rewards, even better than gold coins. You can also receive a main story quest after completing all the courses of the Prologue Quest. In other words, high quality Prologue Quests are better to start with despite its level of difficulty. It is no wonder why Blue spawned in this city in its tragic state instead of a beginner village. Anyway, these quests are just simple. Too simple. Although both are ranked in Level S, the rewards are random. The chances of getting priceless treasures are slim. Blue will be fine with any weapon from the first quest. But for the skill book... he''ll need to pray harder to luck out[2]. With no time to waste, he looked for Blacksmith Hermit. Finding that dwarf wasn''t that hard. The base camp is just about one-eight of an acre, so it is basically smaller than an actual plot of land. The downside is that the place is crowded, but not too much. Other than the guards, doctors and the wounded, and a few spawned players, everyone else have already went to the outside walls. Slipping through the crowd like a slithering snake, Blue sees a cloud of smoke rising up from what seems to be an iron chimney, connecting to a large igloo made of stone. Then, a small group of people came out from the igloo. Random names pop out above their heads, allowing Blue to identify them as players. Maybe they took the same quest as him, he thought. But what level? He didn''t want to dwell into others business. He did, however, notice their unpleasant expressions.Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation. "What a narcissist! I''ve never met such an NPC!" "And he said he was the greatest blacksmith alive. He was just bull***ing!" "To think he gave us useless shi***!" "A beginner sword with ATK 0-1? Fu*** my a***! Who would need such a weapon with that less damage?!" They walk passed Blue as if they didn''t see him. Even if they did, they would think he is just another unlucky guy meeting a huge disappointment. After overhearing their talk, he frowned. A beginner sword with ATK 0-1? And Blacksmith Hermit made that? It is true that Black Smith Hermit, is indeed the greatest blacksmith alive in the Middle-Earth Era. Although the booklet doesn''t have a complete coverage of the game''s lore, Blue did read about this guy. Hermit was born from the surviving dwarf family lineage, the Oakenshields. When some of the royal family escaped from their home after it was taken by a greedy dragon, they resided in a small village and there, they have found peace after all the running and near moments of death. Living in that quiet life style, the dwarves have a change of heart. Nothing is said about Hermit''s biography except his achievements. He works dutifully towards King Talion and makes the finest weapons as preparations to fight against the Dark Army. But now that time has finally come to this day, yet Hermit is giving out useless weapons like he is selling old chinese jars. Blue could hear random NPCs nearby, rambling and sighing at their misfortune. There''s got to be an explanation for this, he thought. Although this is just a game, Blue is starting to believe that it somehow works by comparison to actual reality. Be it appearance and actions, the NPCs in Gloria all act and talk like regular people. Take it with Sigurd for example, when he interacted with him, not only did he feel the sense that he was talking to a real figure, the NPC also understood him and may have emotions. It will be the same with Hermit''s case. As for low quality weapons, blacksmiths can encounter many setbacks in their works and Hermit is not an exception, despite his overall greatness. They need to look over what they did wrong. Thinking it over, he came with only one conclusion. There may be a hidden quest. There is no doubt it. He''ll just have to find out by meeting him. Without hesitation, Blue enters the igloo. Red flames spark in an iron fireplace. A few sets of weapons and armor were set aside in shelves, while some hang on the inner walls. A short, muscular, red bearded man with a blue apron, is hammering a weapon glowing in white light. --- Blacksmith Hermit Rank: Grand Blacksmith Master Level: 100 HP: ??? MP: ??? --- He is on par with Sigurd in levels. Usually, blacksmith NPCs would just have only their name and rank of their life job. But the system interface also included his HP and MP which both amounts are unknown. Well, Hermit came from the Oakenshields whom were considered traditional warriors, so it is reasonable for him to be a combat NPC. Hermit pauses in his work when he heard soft footsteps. He continues hammering the white glowing sword, he didn''t bother looking at Blue''s direction. "Another recruit has come to finally meet me'' old self. I am Blacksmith Hermit, the greatest blacksmith and Grand Master alive in Middle Earth. Fancy meeting ya weak scum," he said begrudgingly. The people who met him would have think of him as very rude and narcissistic. But to Blue, he knew he is just being sarcastic. Probably from all the stress he is getting from the soldiers'' complaints, especially the invasion of the Dark Army. After hammering a few times, Hermit puts his hammer aside on a table. He arches his back before sitting on a chair. His bearded face looking somewhat tired, as he let''s out a heavy sigh. He forgot that Blue was still standing there like a firm statue. Blue didn''t complain though. He just kept quiet. Although he is considered an anti-socialist, he can still speak like a normal person. Know when to start and when to stop talking, this is Blue''s principal and it helped him in a lot of serious talks. Seeing the dwarf finally relaxed a little, he starts to speak, "Was the attack too sudden, Respected Grand Master?" "You don''t need to sweet-talk me with that voice. But you''re right on one thing lad. While I was half done with making weapons, the invasion came in like Thorgrin''s lightning! It was indeed too sudden!" Hermit shaking his head solemnly, sighing. "As the war started, I keep smithing weapon after weapon as fast as I could, but I have actually ran out of the best quality ores! So I was left making low quality weapons with useless scraps!" So that''s the reason. He is running out of materials. "Shouldn''t the miners bring you more iron ores as usual?" "I wish it was usual as they can be. Sadly, they do not. When the Dark Army made their sneak attack, as if it was the right time, the whole mine collapsed! Because of that, the miners weren''t able to get those valuable iron ores. What a waste!" Hermit finally turned to him, his lips forms a bitter smile. "I bet you lads haven''t heard of these news, am I wrong?" "No, I haven''t heard of anything regarding to the mines. But this is indeed a terrible problem. Without those iron ores, you won''t able to make good weapons as you originally do." Blue said, shaking his head. His speculations are confirmed. There is indeed a hidden quest. But the real problem is how to trigger it. He can''t simply claim that he''ll look into the matter of the mines'' collapse. The alliance may have already check it over, plus, the city is already in war and there is no time to investigate. While he was pondering, Hermit stares at him with an attentive manner. Then he mouths with a weird look on his face. "You''re Sigurd''s squire?" --- 1. (as) scarce as hen''s teeth - Incredibly scarce or rare; extremely difficult or impossible to find. 2. to luck out - to be very lucky.