*Ting Ting Ting*

The sound of hammer strikes rings in the back of the Prancing Mare Inn. It is the brink of dawn, but already the fires have been lit. Insulated walls prevent most of the sound from escaping the courtyard, and the rest is dealt with by a silencing enchantment laid by the owner herself. Those outside of this area cannot tell what goes on beyond the walls, but smoke is visible rising from within.

Within the forge is a dark red chunk of bronze metal crafted from an alloy of copper and tin. It is not yet time to remove it from the heat, but the workstation has been prepared and awaits the metal. A pair of tongs sits next to the furnace ready to be used once the metal turns that brilliant red hue.

A step away lies a 200 pound anvil made of hardened steel. It sits upon a sturdy tree stump and reaches a height of just touching the knuckles of an average sized male. To prevent loss of heat this anvil is conveniently placed near to the forge and is a necessity of the blacksmithing craft.

I stand watching the metal heat up as it slowly turns from a dark red into a bright colour ready for smithing. The first object to be made of bronze is a dagger. I have made tens of daggers previously, but this is my first time working with a different metal. To get the feel of the metal it is necessary to experiment and test how the metal draws and folds.

Warming up with a copper dagger was the right choice. Prior to heating up the bronze, I had hammered out a copper dagger to reawaken the motions set within my muscle memory.

The bronze has now turned a healthy hue, and I removed it from the forge using the tongs. I set it upon the anvil and begin drawing out the metal. Folding is unnecessary, but for the sake of experience, I fold the metal once.

Working with bronze is a lot different than working with copper. Copper is a softer and more malleable metal, whereas bronze takes a lot more power to work with. There is an option of creating moulds and forming a blade that way, but this method would be less effective for smaller creations.

Melting the metal in a crucible would require expensive alloys to attain a high strength, but forging creates this through a thermal cycle and deformation. In terms of impact and sheer strength, forging a weapon is superior and results in a tight grain structure that handles impact better than casting.

It takes twice as long as copper, but I finally am left with my first bronze item. The finished product was system assisted, and so it has a generic design. The weight is slightly less than the copper dagger, and it cuts through the air with minimal resistance. The amount of experience I gained from it matches that of 4 copper daggers, but its stats are a clear upgrade at nearly 1.5x that of a copper dagger.

Bronze Dagger

Strength 20 >>>>>>> Pierce 12.5 Attack Speed 1.5 Slash 7.5 Durability 200 Crush 0

I am excited to continue working with Bronze, but I cannot forget my agreement with Subestimar. It is not necessary to continue supplying them, but it helps having connections. Plus, a hefty sum of Tor can be acquired easily while I spend my valuable time doing meaningful tasks.

After making a couple more Bronze daggers for those, I spend the remainder of the morning crafting copper weapons like an assembly line. With the advent of level 2 blacksmithing, I am able to increase my production by 10%. It may not seem like much, but over time I could tell the difference.

It is a blessing that EndGame Online does not penalize a player for crafting the same items repeatedly. The experience gained from the nth item is equal to the first.

After finishing 3 broadswords, 6 battle-axes, and 14 short swords the sound of footsteps can be heard on the gravel path to the forge. The steps were equal and non pressured, as if the person were taking there time. When I turn my head, a golden haired beauty with unblemished skin meets my gaze. It is Lady Alenia.

Her eyes emit a nostalgic feeling with a hint of sorrow, rather than displaying her usual bewitching gaze. Her expression is fixed as she observes the surrounding area seemingly lost in thought. As she draws nearer, her gaze settles in my direction and the melancholy in her eyes fades as if it were never there.

“I see you have gotten settled. I hope the equipment is to your satisfaction.” She takes a seat on top of a simple wooden bench.

“Yes, it is better than I could have hoped for. Thank you very much for allowing me to use all of this.” Working with proper equipment is a major step up from what I was previously using.

“Mmm. Wonderful.” She takes another look around, “This equipment has sat unused for many years. It was about time for the fires to once more be lit. It was my father’s, and his father’s before him. When I was only a little girl, I would sit here and watch my father work the forge. My mother would be running the inn, and as a girl I was required to help her. But, I would always sneak away to watch him work.”

“I didn’t expect you to be the mischievous type.”

“I still am.” Her stare penetrates me, “Anyways. My father never taught me the trade, and it was eventually lost. I could tell my father wanted a son to make him proud, but sadly I was an only child.”

“Your father must have meant a lot to you. It must have been hard to try to live up to his hidden expectations.”

“Mhmm. He wouldn’t let it overtly show, and always put up a front with me. However, my mother taught me early on how to read people. Do you know why I allowed you to use this forge?”

“Because of Gem?”

“Mhmm. That girl is special. Her psychological barriers are strong and her facade is nearly seamless. It’s not easy to pick up on, but it’s there. I have seen the two of you interact and noticed her behaviour is slightly different around you.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“You will have to find the answer to that on your own.”

I simply stare at her without speaking.

“I have guided you in the right direction, now don’t let her down.”

Lady Alenia stands up and glides away after taking a last look at the forge. I am left ruminating about what she just said. Other than the initial wariness, Gem has always been very outgoing and friendly. She gets along well with others and I haven’t noticed anything resembling a facade.

If she is right then wouldn’t the Gem I know be false. I wonder what could have possibly happened to make her wear a fake smile. I must respect her privacy, so I cannot directly ask her. I will just have to be more vigilant in the future, and if she opens up then I will deal with it as it comes.

Player: Cheetos has sent you a message. Player: Darkbond has sent you a message.

Two messages pop up while I am pondering what Lady Alenia mentioned. I’ll listen to the message by Cheetos first.

“Hey man. Word is spreading around town that the first dungeon has been found. Some of the big guild leaders are calling for a meeting later today. Guilds with 100+ players and those at level 9 and above have been invited. Are you in?”

The first dungeon. Finally some progress is being made towards clearing this death game. This meeting should be a preliminary one to survey the dungeon, but all the major figures will be there. This will be a good opportunity to get a glimpse at the top players in the game as well as get a feel for their personalities.

It has already been two weeks since we were trapped in this game and I cannot help but think about it every day. I am sure there are many others similar to myself, and if at all possible I want to be fighting on the frontline. On the other side, life here is not terrible. I have made new friends and done things I’ve only read about. Compared to going to university, this life is a dream; however, this is not for everyone.

When I walked along the city streets over the last few days, I could still see beggars and those without hope. Their expressions are that of defeat before even attempting to free themselves. Due to the popularity and publicity EndGame Online received prior to launch, it is safe to assume many non gamers are amongst the players. These users would not have the necessary knowledge to survive in an RPG without assistance.

I’ll listen to Darkbond’s message now.

“Hello Quinn. I don’t know if you’ve heard or not, but the first dungeon has been found. The location will be disclosed tonight within a meeting held by the top guilds along with a plan of attack. It will be held at the amphitheater on the southern side of the city at 5pm. Make sure to be there.”

Good thing I received two messages. Both of them included something the other had omitted.

After the messages have finished playing, my surroundings have become quiet once more. The only sound comes from the forge burning away, keeping the coals at a steady temperature ready for use. I still have four hours before the meeting, so I plan to make the most of it. I quickly send off replies to both of them and set my mind back on the task at hand.

The copper weapons can wait. I need to start production on bronze equipment for myself. First up is a bronze short sword. The monsters within the dungeon will have higher stats compared to those found on the outside; therefore, it is necessary to increase my damage output.

Next is a few bronze knives and nails to be used as thrown weapons. I haven’t used thrown weapons yet, but I have a feeling they will be useful in the dungeon. If I could later apply a poison on them, my burst damage output from sneak attacks would increase exponentially.

The leather armour Gem provided conveniently has a spot for 10 thrown weapons around the waist, so I fill them with 5 knives and 5 nails. I can barely feel the weight of them when equipped.

After the weapons are finished, it is time to get started on the armour. I don’t have the confidence in being able to make a full bronze platebody, but a cuirass will be sufficient for my use without negatively impacting my dexterity. I craft it with placing it on top of the leather breastplate in mind.

Already two hours has gone by, and it will take me at least 45 minutes to get to the meeting point. There are still a few pieces I want to make, so I had better hurry up. Processing bronze equipment takes twice as long as its copper equivalent, but gives four times as much experience.

In the time remaining, I make a pair of bronze armguards and greaves to protect my forearms and shins respectively. They fit snugly over their leather equivalent, but will provide much better protection against attacks.

Looking at the clock, there is still an hour before the scheduled meeting time. It’s enough time to leisurely walk to the destination and still arrive early. Therefore, I pack up the equipment and close the grate on the forge.

The inn’s restaurant is surprisingly empty as I walk through it. The NPC employees are sitting at the bar conversing amongst themselves, but there are no patrons. Previously, there has never been a moment during business hours where the inn was empty, so this situation is strange.

When I pass through the gate onto the cobblestone street, I can only see smaller groups of players here and there. These groups are all headed in the same direction. South. There are a few solitary players headed in other directions, but those are in the minority.

As I get closer to my destination, the crowds thicken. Many players are talking amongst themselves in whispers. Only by straining my ears can I hear distinct conversations.

“What do you think they are going to talk about?”

“I don’t know, but since the dungeon has been found, something should happen right?”

“Only level 9 players and above are allowed in, the rest of us have to wait outside. This is discrimination!”

“Ahh shut up, you were too lazy and spent your free time drinking.”

“So? I’m a player stuck in here too!”

*Oww*

Someone smacks him on the head with an open palm.

I carry on outside of hearing range. There were bound to be players who couldn’t understand the reasoning for a level requirement. First of all, if it were lowered then the amphitheater would become to crowded. Second, this will be a discussion, and if there were too many opinions it would become counterproductive. And third, a dungeon in an unknown entity and there is no telling what danger lies within. If low level players were to press their luck the casualty rate would increase. If you die, what is the point?

Closer to the destination the player density in so thick I have to push my way through. Luckily some players could see my bronze armour and would make way. After all, at this stage anyone with bronze armour would have to be high level or have good connections. Of course, there is the possibility of a freelance blacksmith, such as myself, making their own armour and wearing it, but those are in the minority.

I can finally see the building. It is set on an edge of a city square and rises above the nearby buildings. It’s architecture reminds me of Roman construction, and is made of stone and marble. The area beneath the entrance has been cleared of players 10 meters from the building. This is maintained by a wall of players wearing similar red clothed attire.

Their faces are obscured by hoods and they have cloaks hanging from their shoulders. The general colour scheme is red and black, but the occasional member has golden trim. This is especially evident on the players patrolling behind the lines. The security is impeccable and serves to keep the masses at bay. The Sacred Order are the only ones capable of pulling this off.

In the centre of this formation, there is an opening that comes out and forms a path with guards on each side. I assume this is for those with the criteria to get into the meeting, so I push my way towards them.

I am stopped by a man who looks like an officer. He is wearing full bronze plate armour, minus the helm, over top of a red dyed leather. He has a cape hanging off his shoulders with massive spiked bronze pauldrons. On his hips are a bronze sword and dagger with matching dragonhead hilts. The sheath’s are made of the red leather with golden trim.

His arms are folded in front of his chest in an intimidating manner and his eyes dart through the crowd. On his face rests a smug grin as he looks down on those he sees. He notices me when I am close by and I can feel his stare on me.

He must have noticed my bronze armour outfitted for mobility as well as my level. He gives me a nod and lets me through the line of guards without saying a word.

Finally free from the crowd, I can increase my movement speed as I head towards the amphitheater. Once inside the gateway I am directed via signs to seating areas for guilds, level 9 players, and level 10 players. As I am part of the latter, I make my way down to the seating area to take my place amongst the users and wait for the meeting to begin.