Chapter 205: The Man of Darkness (1)

Camilla's stat window was far better than Kai anticipated.

Her stats aren’t as high as mine, but they’re still better than the average player perhaps because she has a hidden class.

She likely also held numerous special titles related to crafting, so her stats alone easily reached a level equivalent to someone of 350 or higher.

However...

There was a saying that a true artisan didn’t blame their tools, but higher stats certainly enhanced an artisan’s abilities. Of course, high stats alone don’t guarantee good equipment.

Equipment crafting relies more on experience and skills than just high stats.

And Kai saw evidence of her experience in Camilla’s skill list and title list.

Beauty of Challenge - Equipment crafted by the Challenger Blacksmith has three additional options.

Infinite Challenge - If the Challenger Blacksmith fails in crafting, they can retry as many times as they wish.

“This is crazy...”

Just from these two job-exclusive skills, he could already feel the sheer potential of the Challenger Blacksmith!

And not just one or two extra options, but three?

The additional attributes referred to bonus options attached to equipment. For example, a Clown’s Shoes could come with Agility and Stamina stats along with a Confusion skill, but the Challenger Blacksmith could add three extra options on top of that.

Which means, even if the quality of the equipment isn’t perfect...

It could still surpass the performance of gear crafted by dwarves.

Kai was already slightly wavering by her stats, but his decision was made the moment he saw some of the titles she had revealed.

</p> <p>One Who Stands with the Dwarves.</p> <p>Recognized by the Dwarves.</p> <p>Apprentice of the Dwarves.</p> <p>.</p> <p>.</p> <p>.</p> <p>These titles mean that Camilla’s skills are better than any ordinary dwarf’s.</p> <p>Of course, there were probably some dwarf NPCs whose crafting skill levels reached Master level. But Kai kept it simple.</p> <p>I have plenty of materials, anyway.</p> <p>The Death Dragon Sineras was huge. Consequently, the amount of materials it yielded upon death was enormous. The scales alone, the primary material for crafting, numbered 350, while the bones totaled 500.</p> <p>It wouldn’t hurt to let Camilla take a test run with some of the materials.</p> <p>Of course, I’ll need to play hard to get a little.</p> <p>He didn’t want to make it seem like he was asking her for a favor. Besides, it was true—he didn’t urgently need new gear, as his current gear items were more than sufficient.</p> <p>“</p> <p>Hm</p> <p>. Not bad,” Kai said.</p> <p>As those nonchalant words left Kai’s mouth, Camilla just blinked. “Not bad...? That’s weird. Did my information not come through clearly?”</p> <p>“No, it came through exactly, and I reviewed it. Your stats are definitely decent.”</p> <p>“All you can say after seeing my stats is that it’s</p> <p>not bad?</p> <p>”</p> <p>Slightly shocked, Camilla looked into Kai’s eyes, trying to discern if he was serious. But his gaze was as clear as a calm lake and as relaxed as clouds hanging over a mountain.</p> <p>Well, I don’t have any reason to give her excessive praise.</p> <p>Because his own stats were far superior. In fact, he only thought it was fairly good after seeing her stat window.</p> <p>“Besides, I don’t even need new equipment right away.”</p> <p>“What...? You’re a close-combat class, aren’t you? I could make you a fantastic armor set to replace those priest robes...”</p> <p>“Can you make it Legendary?”</p> <p>“W-what?”</p> <p>“I’m asking if you can craft Legendary-grade gear.”</p> <p>“What’s with that out of the blue... Wait, no way.” Camilla stopped mid-sentence, her eyes sparkling as she looked at Kai’s priest robe, Nike. “</p> <p>Um</p> <p>, can I just have a little peek at its info...”</p> <p>"Absolutely not."</p> <p>At Kai's firm refusal, Camilla bit her lower lip with a disappointed expression. "B-but I’m confident I can make truly amazing equipment. Of course, a blacksmith master might produce higher-grade items, but with my current skill, I could make something comparable, or maybe even better with some luck."</p> <p>"</p> <p>Hmm</p> <p>. So, you really want to work on these materials,</p> <p>huh?</p> <p>"</p> <p>Kai casually took out some of Sineras's materials from his inventory, hinting at his intentions.</p> <p>Camilla nodded vigorously, eagerly agreeing. "Yes, yes! I’ll make them into the best equipment. Just leave it to me."</p> <p>"Well, if you want it that badly, it wouldn’t be too hard to let them to you. But what are you going to give me in return?"</p> <p>"</p> <p>Huh?</p> <p>Give you? I’m making you equipment, aren’t I?"</p> <p>"Strictly speaking, it’s equipment I don’t really need. Meanwhile, these dragon materials are the best items in the world, obtainable only by me. If I’m entrusting them to you without any benefit to myself, don’t you think you should give me something in return?"</p> <p>"N-now that you mention it, I guess that makes sense..." Convinced by his seemingly reasonable argument, Camilla hit her chest in frustration. "</p> <p>Argh!</p> <p>I hate this kind of frustration, so just tell me already. What do you want?"</p> <p>"When your crafting skill reaches Master level in the future, make equipment for me first, before anyone else."</p> <p>Camilla’s eyes, filled with a desire to start working on the dragon materials immediately, now showed a hint of conflict.</p> <p>Kai didn’t mind her hesitation in the slightest. In fact, her serious expression reassured him.</p> <p>Is she actually giving it some real thought?</p> <p>It had been a year since</p> <p>MID Online</p> <p>had launched. So far, not a single player reached the Master level in any skill, so its potential value was significant. Moreover, Camilla would stand out even among blacksmiths with her crafting skills, hidden class aside.</p> <p>If my prediction is correct, Camilla will be the first to reach Master level in crafting skills.</p> <p>If that came true, her value would skyrocket beyond imagination.</p> <p>Where would other players possibly find a Master-level blacksmith?</p> <p>The one absolute rule in any marketplace was the Invisible Hand theory Adam Smith proposed. Supply and demand dictated price—a straightforward principle.</p> <p>So, what would equipment crafted by a master blacksmith go for?</p> <p>Every strike of her hammer would be worth tens of millions, at least. Even now, the best Unique-grade items were being traded for millions.</p> <p>I wouldn’t lose anything by trusting Camilla now. But in the long run...</p> <p>It was a massive gain. Even in the short term, it was more of a gain than a loss, and looking toward the future, it was an incredible investment!</p> <p>"</p> <p>Hmm</p> <p>..." After contemplating for a while, Camilla finally asked with a conflicted expression, "How many materials will you provide?"</p> <p>"I’ll give you enough to make a full set."</p> <p>"Deal."</p> <p>It wouldn’t be much of a loss for her either.</p> <p>Among adventurers, she’ll be the first to craft equipment using Red Dragon materials.</p> <p>She would likely earn at least one special title from this, and if her skill proved impressive, she could even gain additional titles.</p> <p>Kai handed her a reasonable amount of scales, bones, and blood and said, "Do you know what equipment Blizzard’s wearing?"</p> <p>"Blizzard? Who’s that?"</p> <p>"</p> <p>Oh</p> <p>, the lizardman who travels with me."</p> <p>"</p> <p>Ohh!</p> <p>The one that briefly appeared in that Aoaa video? Yeah, I remember. Actually, wasn’t that what you used to wear?"</p> <p>“Yeah. It’s called the Armor of the Undead Set, and its primary material was bone. There’s also the set I wore during the battle with Aosa—Tyrant of the Sea.”</p> <p>The reason Kai mentioned this was simple. Each of those sets was crafted using bones and scales respectively.</p> <p>“I see.” Camilla instantly understood Kai’s point, and smiled. "So, you prefer designs that have that kind of sleek, flowing look?"</p> <p>“It’s better than something that looks unsophisticated.”</p> <p>“Got it. I’ve never worked with dragon materials before, so I can’t be sure what kind of options might come with them. But don’t worry, I’m a Challenger Blacksmith. As long as I have the mental stamina, I can reforge the equipment as many times as needed.”</p> <p>“Then I’ll leave it to you.” After a light handshake with her, Kai looked around. “By the way, where’s Sydney?”</p> <p>“You see that building over there? It’s the temple dedicated to Horn, the God of Earth. She’s probably in there.”</p> <p>“Thanks. I’ll be off, then.”</p> <p>“Hey, Kai!” As Kai turned his head, Camilla spoke with a mature expression, “Those bad guys... Please defeat them and rescue the dwarves. I know they’re NPCs, but they’re neighbors I’ve lived with for months. I’ll do my best on your equipment, so please... Please bring them back.”</p> <p>“I understand.”</p> <p>The sincerity in Camilla’s voice resonated deeply with Kai, so he didn’t let her continue with words that would only make her more emotional and embarrassed.</p> <p>"Just do your best on your own battlefield. Then I’ll bring the best outcome from mine."</p> <p>With a smile that seemed to brighten the surroundings, Kai gently patted her head.</p> <p>In response, Camilla made a startled face and shoved Kai’s chest. “</p> <p>Oh</p> <p>, s-sorry. Anyway, you should get going! Bye!”</p> <p>After being sent away by Camilla, Kai headed straight for the temple where Sydney was. As he walked through the hallway, he heard a voice coming from a candle-lit chapel.</p> <p>“Oh, god who watches over our people, please ensure that the future of our kin is not dark, and may the adults who were taken face no harm and return safely...”</p> <p>Waiting for her prayer to end, Kai looked up at the statue of Horn with its thick beard and said, “Sydney.”</p> <p>“Great wizard</p> <p>ahjussi</p> <p>, let’s go.”</p> <p>“What?”</p> <p>“You came to get me, didn’t you? To find the location of my people.”</p> <p>This kid was really sharp.</p> <p>Kai nodded with a grin, extending his hand. “The way might be tough. Given the circumstances, I won’t be able to match the pace of a young girl.”</p> <p>“I’ll receive that care from my parents when they return along with the others,” Sydney spoke firmly, placing her small, delicate hand in Kai’s.</p> <p>“Well then, sorry to drag you along at such a young age, but let’s get going.”</p> <p>With a smile, Kai used Shadow Shift to bring her back to the Holy Blood Order members.</p> <p>“So, where are the dwarves right now?”</p> <p>When he asked Sydney the Radar, she tightly closed her eyes and began to slowly say, “... I see a desert with strong northeastern winds, twin peaks in the distance...</p> <p>Oh!</p> <p>It’s a sinister place filled with a strong scent of death.”</p> <p>“They’re in the desert already? “Did they cut straight through Snowy Mountains to reach the Kingdom of Havier...?”</p> <p>As Kai was about to unfold a map, one of the Holy Blood Order members raised a hand and said, “</p> <p>Huh?</p> <p>Commander! I’m from the Kingdom of Havier, so I know the area a bit, and I recognize the place she described.”</p> <p>“Really? Where is it?”</p> <p>Kai asked excitedly, but the Holy Blood Order member swallowed nervously, a horrified expression on his face, and replied, “It’s one of the four great cursed lands of the continent called the Land of Death, the Tuhara Desert.”</p> <p>The moment they heard the name of the place, the expressions of Kai and all the Holy Blood Order members subtly shifted.</p>