Gabriel followed [Manius] into his workshop, while he passed the guards he threw an [INSPECT] at them.

[IMPERIUM STONE GUARD – LVL 81 - (Indifferent)]

The guard felt eyes upon him and looked towards the sauntering Gabriel narrowing his eyes. Majority higher LVL characters in D.O. can tell when someone uses INSPECT upon them. Although not illegal, it is still counted as having bad manners.

Gabriel knew this, he just didn’t care at that moment. Once Gabriel entered the workshop, he was led to a long work table.

“Just wait here for a moment [Osiris] I will get you some tools and some things to practice on” [Manius] said while pointing at a stool next to the workbench.

While [Manius] was scurrying around getting supplies. Gabriel took the chance to have a look at the items around the table. He knew about most of them, but this was a very scarce Profession even in his past. He didn’t know much more about it besides that the advantages a Runesmith gave to a Guilds weapons and armour where almost immeasurable.

There was all sorts of weapons and armour on the workbench ranging from Great axes and daggers to Helmets and capes. The majority of them seemed to have different patterns engraved into them. There was a breastplate to Gab’s right with a large image of sun in the middle, there seemed to be a flowing red liquid in the grooves of sun, pulsating with power. Gabriel used [INSPECT]

[Steel Breastplate - (Uncommon) (Runed)- Req. LVL 10]

Armor value: 35-50

Special effects: (Shine Rune) - Cost 15 Mana – Causes a bright piercing light to emit out of the breastplate in a forward's facing direction. Causing [Blind] status for anyone in front of the breastplate. Range: 10 Feet. Duration: 5 seconds. Cooldown: 10minutes.

Gabriel’s eyes started to ‘shine’ at the thought of using this rune during a battle with a nocturnal beast. 5 Seconds might not seem like much but during a battle especially at the higher levels this would be disastrous when used as a trump card. Gabriel had many plans that revolved around this very Rune. He was almost vibrating thinking about all the stuff he could pull off now he obtained this profession. Not including the money saved.

[Manius] shortly returned and noticed Gabriel looking at the breastplate.

“Don't worry about that boring thing, it is for a group of mercenaries who hunt vampires and the like” [Manius] explained.

As a Master [Runesmith] he was sick of basic b**** Runes such as [Bright], feeling ill with the thought that he had to do 10 more of these breastplates. Until his eyes landed on Gabriel’s shining eyes look at them. He had almost forgot he has an apprentice now, no more Basic b**** Runes for him. [Manius] started thinking about spending more time on some research so he could get to [Grandmaster] but he never had time....until now.

With a creepy grin, [Manius] instructed Gabriel.

“Well considering I am a generous [Master] and you are our family’s benefactor. I will let you practice with the basic [Shine] rune first on these iron plates here, when I think it is adequate. I will let you finish the order for the 9x Steel Breastplates I have. Sound Good? Great!”

[Manius] slapped a bunch of book sized iron sheets in front of Gabriel and took off like a bat out of hell to a study room in the back.

Gabriel watched him go, perplexed about the fact he had scurried off without actually teaching him sh*t. ‘What a crappy Master’. Gabriel thought to himself before noticing in the pile of Iron sheets was a thin book. The title read ‘Novice - Basic Runes and engraving techniques.

[Would you like the absorb knowledge – Basic Runes and engraving techniques?]

The book turned into motes of light and enter Gabriel's head. Now when he looked at the steel sheets, there was an option tab in his vision that had the 5 basic runes he knew. Clicking on the [Shine] tab an outline of a sun was shown overlaid on top of the sheets with a progress bar next to it. After equipping his Basic Rune engraving kit, that consisted of a small hammer, chisel, brush, mortar & pestle and what looked like a large metal horse-syringe. All items were covered in little runes and made of Mithril. Just the basic kit would be worth thousands of gold at Auction.

The hammer and chisel were for making engravings on the armor or weapon. You had to put just the right amount of force into every strike, as too much could make the sharp chisel pierce through the material and to little wouldn’t leave a mark at all.

Luckily with the system helping you it would give you a score after every stroke between 1-10. So, you knew if you were putting in the right amount. The brush was for cleaning of the metal shavings. Mortar & pestle was for crushing up regents but that wasn’t necessary as Gabriel didn’t know any advanced Runes that required it yet. The large syringe was the most important part, as it literally took the mana from the player and injected it into the engravings. Something only [Runesmith]’s could do though.

This was one of the main reasons Gabriel chose [Roma] as his starter city. This was the only way he knew to get the [Runesmith] profession.

Gabriel started working on the sheets straight away. It was fairly easy right now, as the system helped him by showing him a trace to use. Gabriel tried a couple of sheets before he got a feel of it. He then switched of the system assisted and did it himself. One thing Gabriel definitely had was precise control over the amount of force he could apply.

Learning a craft was quite easy in D.O but perfecting it took real skill and effort. For instance, if you wanted to craft an Iron short sword, you first need the Blacksmith profession and a blueprint for Iron sword. Once obtained, the system would show you exactly how to make it but the profession EXP for this was halved. Not including you could never make anything that was above (Uncommon) or experiment and make something new.

A lot of people had crafting profession in D.O but only 5% Mastered the craft even less became Grandmasters. In about half a year, most guilds would start nurturing what people referred to as lifestyle players, who didn’t go out to fight but stayed in the cities and Guild buildings crafting. It became just like any old 9-5 job and if you were good enough or created something new, you could make it big by selling the item or blueprint.

Gabriel in his past worked as a blacksmith for a while but soon grew bored of it after Reaching [Journeyman] level and focused solely on fighting.

“Well look at you go boy! You’re a natural!” [Manius] shouted.

[Manius] appeared behind Gabriel, startling the ever-loving sh*t out of Gabriel, who was so focused on evenly distributing the mana into a [Shine] Rune. In his surprise he put too much mana in causing an overload, the steel sheet turned a deep red and exploded right in Gabriel’s face.

{-10}

[You have been ‘Blinded’ for 5 seconds]

After his vision returned Gabriel stared daggers at a sheepish looking [Manius].

“Cough... Well, that happens sometimes. At least it wasn’t a high-level [Rune] or else it could have blown your head off...hahah” [Manius] explained with a unsettling laugh.

[Manius] chuckled awkwardly and quickly dropped a crate of Steel breastplates before running off to his study again while yelling back.

“Well, you work on those and once you finish, I might have a little something for you. If you need me, I will be in my office”

[Profession Quest received! - Picking up a Master’s slack]

Task 1. Engrave [Shine] rune on Steel Breastplate –0/9

Rewards:

100 EXP for every Completed Steel Breastplate New Basic Rune - ???? 10x Gold

Gabriel quickly got to work, he estimated that if he took no breaks, it would take him 15 mins per breastplate.

As Gabriel got to work on the breastplates. A meeting was happening outside of D.O. at the top of the Braxen Tower.

Leonard Braxen had his chair facing the open window of his office. His eyes carried a distant look. With a strong jawline and impressive physique for his age, he cut quite the imposing figure. In a 3-piece black suit a golden crest adorned his breast pocket, with a Hammer and lightning bolt in a X position.

At the sound of his office door opening, he had turned his chair to face the group entering. His three children entered and took their seats. On his right was the oldest, Jack Braxen. A renowned skirt-chaser and trouble maker, if his dad wasn’t the CEO of ‘Braxen Co', he would long been thrown in the slammer. Now 20 years old, he had light brown hair and an ever-present arrogant scowl on his face. He usually hid it when he was around his Father but Leonard noticed the slight smirk of his lips.

In the Middle was Nick Braxen who, along with his twin sister Natalie Braxen, was 18 years old. The complete opposite of Jack, Nick was the spitting image of his father and a model son. He worked hard in his studies and always finished at the top of his grades. He has recently just entered the family business and while in charge of the Film Department he increased revenue by 50% in a short 6 months. He was a perfect successor for Leonard. Too bad he wasn’t born first.

Nick’s twin sister was a mix of both. In a long one-piece yellow dress with a white belt, adding her long black hair and fair skin, Natalie looked like a beautiful summer flower. She was intelligent, almost to a scary level. She however had a very vindictive side and would feel slighted by the smallest things. Leonard long knew about her sadistic side and had been covering up her several ‘accidents’ for years.

Ever since she was 12 years old and a school friend borrowed her new phone without asking. For her revenge she had modified her phone and then the next day at school gave it her friend and said it was a present. When her friend went to use it putting the phone against her ear, the battery exploded and scarred half of the girls face for the rest of her life.

Leonard sighed inside, thinking about how his oldest and youngest turned out this way, ‘their mother spoiled them too much that’s certain and I was always too busy working to give much of my attention’. Due to the guilt of being an absentee father he overlooked most of their short comings but that didn’t help correct anything.

“Daddy why did you call us here? I have a gala to attend to tonight and I don’t have much time to get ready” Natalie whined.

“Yeah father, you interrupted me in the middle of ‘something’ very important” Jack complained while still tucking in his shirt.

Jack and Natalie started complaining while Nick just sat in his seat in an upright position, looking at his Father.

SMACK! Jack and Natalie jumped. Leonard removed his palm from his desk and gave both children a sharp glare, shutting them up quick.

“Now for the reason I called you in here. I have recently found out that the World Central Bank will be endorsing Deliverance Online. Making this not just another simple game but something that will shift the economy of the world on its axis” Leonard explained in his rumbling voice.

“I planned to set up a workshop and started a Guild. I have hired all manner of staff already, military advisors, professional gamers, economists. You name it we got it. I have called you three here because I know you all play D.O. already. I have decided to join as well. I will be Guild Master and you three will be my Vice-Guild Masters.” Leonard finished.

The three children were all excited. They all joined D.O for different reasons. For Jack it was to brag as he was planning to use his wealth to just by all of the best gear. Natalie joined because in D.O it was 100% realism, she could satisfy all her sick desires without any punishment. Nick joined because he had been paying attention and expected something like this to happen.

Leonard saw that he had all of their attention and nodded.

“Now I have also decided that whoever will bring the most contributions to the guild in the next two years, will officially become my successor and therefore successor of Braxen Co.” Leonard declared without any fanfare.

All three looked surprised after this announcement. While taking turns looking at each other. Leonard could tell by their looks that they were already scheming against each other but he let it be, as he wanted the best to arrive on top.

“The first mission I have for you three is to find and get in contact with a new player by the name of [Osiris]. He has been making waves recently. Try to get him to join our guild and if he refuses, I will let you decide what to do” Leonard commanded.

All three got out of their seats and were ready to race out the door. Not wanting to waste any more time. Nick suddenly remembered an important question and turned back to ask his father.

“Dad what's the name of our Guild?”

“Overlords” Leonard replied with a sharp glint in his eye.

As the children finally left, Leonard made his way over to his own capsule placed in his office and got in.