Chương 29: The Old Forger

After completing a series of menial delivery quests, August felt the rewards were starting to look meager compared to the effort he was putting in.

He knew that higher-paying quests with worthy rewards existed, but most of them required a team to tackle. Unfortunately, none of his newfound friends were online, and he was left to search solo.

Forming a temporary team wasn't convenient either, as players usually avoided teaming up with a level 20 unless they were in the same range.

Determined to find something more substantial, August scoured the streets of Tagharuim Kingdom, looking for any hint or rumor about solo quests. After almost an hour of fruitless searching, he overheard a group of players chatting excitedly nearby.

"...yeah, a new hidden passageway was found in the mining tunnels," one of them voice brimmed with excitement.

"An NPC forger is there," another player added. "People say he might give out some kind of unique quest, but no one's been able to make him talk yet."

August's ears perked up. 'A hidden passageway? An NPC with potentially high rewards? This could be it.'

The players continued, "Apparently, there's a specific action that triggers dialogue with the NPC, but no one's figured it out yet. He just sits there, ignoring everyone who tries to talk to him."

With his curiosity piqued, August decided to head to the mining tunnels and try his luck.

If it meant a chance at a quest with decent rewards, he was willing to experiment with any action that might prompt the NPC to respond.

...

The mining tunnels which were usually not so crowded happened to be bustling today.

Players gathered at the entrance to a hidden passage that led to a dimly lit forge where the elusive NPC was said to dwell.

It was an old man with a long white beard and a muscular build. He sat hammering away at a piece of metal. His face was covered in soot, and his clothes were worn but sturdy, typical of a seasoned blacksmith.

Above his head hovered the name, Sir Dumblore, indicating he was no ordinary NPC.

Players stood around, trying different actions in a desperate attempt to get him to respond. One player waved his arms animatedly, trying to catch the NPC's attention.

Another player dropped valuable items on the ground in front of him as an offering, hoping it might trigger a response. A third player tried something more aggressive, swinging his sword as if to provoke him.

Sir Dumblore didn't flinch. His steely gaze was fixed on the task at hand, hammering and crafting as though the players didn't exist. But when one player got too close and attempted to strike him, the NPC turned and gave a withering glare that sent the player stumbling back, intimidated by the NPC's sheer presence.

August observed the chaos for a moment, amused by the variety of tactics players were trying. But he quickly realized that no one was making progress, and even after testing a few actions himself, he was left as clueless as the rest.

For over an hour, August tried everything he could think of. He waved, he called out, and he even attempted to mimic some of the forging movements he had seen other players do. Nothing worked. Gradually, players began to give up, grumbling as they left the passageway one by one.

In time, only a few players remained, each equally frustrated. August sighed, feeling a wave of disappointment settle over him. "What am I missing?" he wondered while glancing at Sir Dumblore, who continued his work in silence.

Frustrated and feeling a little defeated, August decided to relax for a bit.

He walked over and sat down beside Sir Dumblore with a sigh but soon his gaze was drawn to the old forger's hands as they skillfully hammered the metal.

August didn't say a word; he simply watched.

As time passed, he noticed small details in the way Sir Dumblore worked. The man's movements were deliberate, especially with how he carved magic symbols into certain tools.

August realized that Dumblore wasn't just hammering away at random—there was a rhythm, a deep focus that bordered on meditation. The NPC was entirely absorbed in his craft, almost as if it were a ritual.

With nothing else to try, August continued to watch the blacksmith's work. Over the next hour, he found himself strangely fascinated.

The repetitive clang of metal became almost hypnotic, drawing him deeper into a quiet understanding of the forging process.

Slowly, he started to feel as if he was learning, simply by watching. He noticed the way Sir Dumblore would examine the metal, pausing occasionally as if considering each step with care.

It was as if Dumblore respected the material he was working with, treating each piece as something precious.

After a few more minutes, a notification popped up in his line of sight, making his eyes widen.

<[ Congratulations! You Have Paid Heed To Sir Dumblore's Work ]>

<[You May Now Interact With Sir Dumblore]>

August blinked while feeling a rush of excitement. "So that was it... just sitting and watching?" He suppressed a grin, realizing that sometimes, it was about more than flashy actions or aggressive gestures.

It was about respect and understanding—a nuance not every player would notice in a game like Enders Light.

He took a deep breath and clicked on the dialogue option, feeling a thrill as Sir Dumblore finally looked up from his work, his eyes sharp and piercing.

"Well, lad," Dumblore spoke with a gruff but warm voice. "Took ya long enough. Not many have the patience to simply watch and learn these days."

August nodded, still taken aback by the NPC's sudden acknowledgment. "I… didn't know this would happen. I just thought—well, maybe I could learn something by watching."

The old forger chuckled. "Aye, that's the spirit. Craftin' is more than hammerin' and heatin'. It's understandin' the material, respectin' it." He paused, assessing August with a keen eye. "Yer not like most of the ones who come here, wantin' quick riches and glory. I can tell ye have potential."

August remained silent, allowing Dumblore to continue.

"I've got a task, if ye be up for it," Dumblore's tone grew more serious. "Something that requires a careful hand and a quick wit."

[ Quest Available: Sir Dumblore's Request ]

[ Quest Difficulty: C-Rank]

[Quest Description: Assist Sir Dumblore in retrieving rare materials from a dangerous location to craft a unique weapon. Reward: Gold, EXP, and a custom weapon tailored to your class.]

August's heart raced as he read the details. A C-Rank quest, one that would likely yield far better rewards than anything he'd taken on before—and a custom weapon suited to his class? This was exactly the kind of opportunity he had been hoping for.

"I'm in," he replied without hesitation.

Dumblore gave a slight nod of approval as his eyes gleamed with a hint of satisfaction. "Good lad. Here's what ye need to do…"