“Lululala~”

Shin Youngwoo was humming a song naturally as he got out of the capsule. Once he was out, he sat on the toilet seat.

“Lululululu~”

Then he headed to the kitchen and drank cold water.

“Lalalalala~”

He lay back on the couch and watched TV. The humming didn’t stop, and laughter even started to emerge. Shin Youngwoo was so happy! Thanks to the hidden quest, he obtained a combat buff skill and then cleared the quest safely, opening the path to a linked quest. He also gained a lot of levels in a short amount of time.

“I killed a few gangsters and got to level 21. Isn’t this a really big jackpot? Why is my luck so good these days?”

Hidden quests weren’t easily obtained. This was his first time getting one in his one year of playing Satisfy. Among the billions of people currently playing Satisfy, only a handful would’ve obtained a hidden quest. Many things had gone well since he became Pagma's Successor. It really was an incredible class.

“There was a reason for my misfortune. It was a divine revelation after years of enduring misfortune. Ahahahahat~!”

What type of quest would Blacksmith Khan give him? And what would the reward be? Maybe the enormous reward would be a unique item that he could use for a while...

If so—!

“I can become a billionaire! Kuahahaha!”

The performance of Dainsleif and Valhalla was almost the same as the unique rated ‘Failure’ that he had designed. However, since the usage conditions were very normal, it was possible for them to have an astronomical value when dealing with users.

‘They are items that remind me of why Failure is a failure.’

Albatino was a great blacksmith. He was probably the blacksmith who gave inspiration to Pagma...

“Such a great person wasn’t a legendary blacksmith, while I stumbled across the legendary blacksmith class during a quest... Well, this is the world.”

Shin Youngwoo once again felt gratitude toward the legendary class that he obtained.

“Hrmm.”

He gazed at his watch with a yawn and saw that it had been two hours since he left the capsule.

“Eight hours have passed in the world of Satisfy. Won’t Khan wake up soon?”

According to the doctor, Khan’s health was severe to excessive drinking and stress. Nevertheless, if he followed the quest story, Khan would overcome the alcoholism, and his health would be restored. So there was no need to worry about it.

Shin Youngwoo connected to Satisfy.

“Log in.”

His vision darkened before giving way to a warm light as he opened both eyes.

“...This is the clinic.”

The last place he logged out of was the clinic where Khan was hospitalized.

Grid immediately went to find the doctor called Simon. “What is the old man’s status?”

Simon smiled kindly. “I thought it was dangerous because of the sudden increase in blood pressure in his weakened state, but his condition is better than expected. He can soon be discharged from the hospital. God has blessed him...”

“I’m glad to hear that.”

“He will be healthier if he stays away from drinking in the future.”

Grid headed to Khan’s room with Simon.

After a while, Khan smiled when he saw Grid. “Ohh, welcome. I owe a lot to you.”

Grid responded with a smile, “Those in difficult circumstances should help each other. Now, you can leave the hospital. You just need to pay for the treatment fee.”

“......”

Why wasn’t Khan answering? Grid couldn’t help feeling uncomfortable.

Then Khan’s words were like a lightning bolt from the clear sky, “I’m sorry... I currently don’t...”

‘T-This...!’ It was like a lightning bolt struck Grid’s mind. “Don’t tell me... you won’t pay the bill?”

“It isn’t that I won’t pay, but I can’t. I don’t have the money.”

“Then what are you going to do? Does this clinic accept credit?” Grid stared at Simon.

Simon’s kind expression that had always been present was gone. Then he spoke with a very business-like expression, “Credit isn’t possible.”

“......” Grid wanted to leave this old man alone, but then he wouldn’t be able to get the quest. “Damm...it! My bad luck was waiting! Luck is truly the worst!”

He had to pay one gold for Khan’s treatment cost. Grid was afraid to calculate how much he had spent today.

As soon as Khan arrived at his smithy, he turned toward Grid and bowed 90 degrees, expressing his sincere gratitude. “Thank you once again.”

Fortunately, Khan had a conscience. He thanked the person who paid one gold for his medical bill. “Thank you. Thank you very much. I was able to feel hope again because of you. I managed to keep the business that has been in my family for seven generations... which I almost lost due to my ignorance. I don’t know how to repay you...”

Khan started crying. Unlike young people, elderly people really had a lot of tears.

“Old Man...” Grid grabbed Khan’s rough hand.

It was a common action that the ‘main character’ of dramas would do. ‘Isn’t it natural to help a neighbor in trouble? This was nothing, Old Man. There is no need to feel sorry. I don’t need anything in return for my help.’ Such unrealistic words would be spoken.

However, Grid wasn’t a protagonist of a drama! He was a loser of a cruel and relentless modern society that functioned in ways that were similar to the natural laws of the Serengeti. Grid wanted a reward!

“If you really appreciate it, give me something. Come on.”

“Yes, that’s right. Of course, I have to pay you back. Your grace was too great; I don’t know what type of reward to give you.”

Grid just noticed something. Wasn’t this old man really simple? Did he not notice the words Grid used?

Regardless, Grid stayed focused. He couldn’t think about anything else.

“Old Man, you were almost robbed of this smithy by those gangsters. If you keep drinking, your health will worsen, and you will eventually die.”

“Um, that’s right.”

“When you collapsed from high blood pressure, you could’ve died. Didn’t you live because I took you to the clinic and paid for your treatment fee?”

“Yes.”

“Then aren’t I the savior of your life?”

“Yes.”

Grid said logically, “To the savior of your life, you should give me a precious treasure equivalent to your life!”

Khan stopped crying and looked very apologetic. “A precious treasure equivalent to my life... I don’t have such a thing. What should I do? Ugh...”

“Don’t look so sad. I am very nice, so I don’t want treasures that are equivalent to your life. Over there, there.” Grid pointed to the second floor with his finger. “If you give me Dainsleif and Valhalla, that is enough of a reward.”

Grid’s heart was beating excitedly. It was because he was filled with expectation at receiving the items as a gift. Nevertheless, this was Grid, and the world never went his way so easily.

“They are the heirlooms that have been passed down in my family for many generations. They are treasures that my life can’t be compared to. I will give my life to you, but I can’t give you those items.” It was a flat refusal from Khan.

If he wasn’t going to give them, why bother being so earnest?

As a frown appeared on Grid’s face, Khan coughed with shame and explained, “These are treasures that my ancestor, Albatino, dedicated his soul to. The treasures of his soul can’t be handled by his descendant. I am obliged to keep these heirlooms until the day I die. But there’s an exception.”

Khan was Albatino’s descendant? He couldn’t fake his blood. Did that mean he would display advanced blacksmith skills once his alcohol addiction was healed? And what was the exception?

“What is the exception?” Grid asked.

Khan’s gaze became serious. “There is something I want to ask you. How were you able to use the treasures? And how did you know their value at a glance?”

He explained, “Dainsleif and Valhalla are unlucky battle gear. Their performance transcends imagination, but due to the usage requirements, it has been hundreds of years since an owner showed up. No hero has been able to use them. It’s been like that for the past few centuries. Due to that, they have disappeared from historical records, and no one knows about their existence now.”

Khan and Grid went upstairs and then stood while facing Dainsleif and Valhalla.

Khan touched them and beckoned, “I am sad since I want the world to know the value of Dainsleif and Valhalla. So I placed them in this prominent place. But in order to fully understand such extremely good work, the person needs the same level of insight as the creator. Despite having displayed it for decades, no one has understood its value.”

Upon saying that, Khan turned to face Grid. “Then you showed up here.”

The long story began.

“There is a legend that is passed down in my family. Around 130 years ago, a man called Pagma came here. He found Dainsleif and Valhalla accumulated dust in a corner of the store. In one glance, he saw the value of Dainsleif and Valhalla...” As Khan spoke, his eyes lit up. “Pagma admired the work of Dainsleif and Valhalla. It is said that he showed off his swordsmanship while wearing Dainsleif, which has never been used by any hero. The beauty of it was unbelievable, and the swordsmanship seemed to pierce the sky, creating lightning.”

Grid was amazed. It was an absurdly exciting fairy tale!

Did Khan read the interest in Grid’s eyes?

At the next moment, Khan became more immersed in telling the story. “My ancestor, who witnessed the swordsmanship, fell to his knees in front of Pagma and begged, ‘Please take Dainsleif and Valhalla. That would be what my ancestor wanted.’”

“Ohh! It became more epic! So? Did Pagma agree?”

“No. If Pagma agreed, then Dainsleif and Valhalla wouldn’t be here right now. This was Pagma’s reply: ‘These works are filled with Albatino’s soul. I will refuse because they are so powerful. They shouldn’t be wasted on a small bowl like myself.’ Pagma was obstinate, and my ancestor finally had to give up.”

Grid didn’t really understand the man called Pagma. Why would he refuse something that was free? Grid would have accepted and sold them.

‘Ah, Pagma must’ve been a really rich person. So he wasn’t greedy.’

While Grid was thinking this, Khan continued telling the story.

“Before he left here, Pagma said, ‘There are currently no heroes who can handle this armor. However, when the time comes, many heroes will emerge, and all of them will be qualified to become masters of that armor.’”

“......”

Grid interpreted Pagma’s words and knew the many heroes he spoke of referred to the users. The growth of users was fast and infinite. There would soon be rankers who could use Dainsleif and Valhalla.

‘I don’t want the items to be taken by them.’

Grid asked Khan straight away, “So what is the reason for the lengthy explanation?”

Khan replied without hesitation, “I want to know your identity.”

“Do you think I am one of the heroes that Pagma talked about?”

“That's right. Didn’t I say there was an exception? If you can prove that you are one of the heroes Pagma talked about, I am willing to give you Dainsleif and Valhalla.” There were strong expectations in Khan’s eyes.

In the meantime, it wasn’t possible for Grid to know… that the link with an ancient quest was approaching.