Chapter 6: Temper the Heart

Harus.

I appeared in the alleyway where I disappeared from earlier however, there was no sign of the old man anywhere.

“Damned old bastard...handing me a curse and a super hard quest, then he just disappears...” I muttered as I sighed helplessly.

Recalling the quest window that day, my face twitched in irritation.

You have been forced to accept the SS rank quest: [Roluth’s Revenge I: Searching the Dark Forces]!

Once known and feared as the Dragon of Wrath, Roluth has been greatly weakened by a dark force who had also killed his master, the Legendary Adventurer, Gildas World! Find the dark forces responsible for Roluth’s weakening.

Reward: Level +5, ???

Where the hell am I supposed to look for the dark forces!?

Damn, whatever. It’s not like there’s a penalty or time limit anyway. Worst case, this quest gets stuck with me for life. No big deal.

I mean, if the final reward from this quest is something that I need, I didn’t need to care about it at all.

…

…

…

The [Dragon’s Wrath]!

Thinking about it now, that skill came from that old man, who was once the Dragon of Wrath right? Then this revenge quest is so that his soul would be in peace or something right?

Then...could the skill, [Dragon’s Wrath], also disappear after I completed this chain quest!?

I stared hard on the ??? reward on the quest window.

It seems...I really do need to complete this quest! Fuck!

Alright, dark forces...dark forces...tch, I can’t know anything just by standing still like this.

To get information, I need to talk to the NPCs, err, or rather, the people of this world.

Let’s go ask around.

“So this is Harus? Hey, how come you went back here and not in Zoulang?”

“Why would I go there?” I frowned upon suddenly hearing El’s voice.

“The cave! The [Water of Origin]! The [Star Converging Formation]! These things would improve your cultivation by leaps and bounds!”

“Oh...I forgot.”

“...” I can feel El’s glare inside me...

“Well, cultivating all day is really boring...fine, later. Just let me take care of a few things here okay? I can do like, Harus adventuring in the morning and cultivating at night. That should be fine right?”

“You-!...Hmph! This is for your own good but you refuse to take it! Fine! Hmph, if one day, that pool and formation disappear, then let’s see how you’ll cry to me later for help!”

“Yes yes, my lady queen.”

Good grief, who can do something like cultivating 24/7? I mean, yeah, it can make me stronger but...forget it, it’s really boring if I do that all day long…

In the beginning, I bought [World Gate Online] because I wanted to adventure and have fun but now…

Looking at my own body, I felt complicated.

I shook my head and thought of forgetting this complex stuff. For now, let’s try to remove the [Dragon’s Wrath] skill.

I asked around regarding the Dragon of Wrath, Roluth, or the Legendary Adventurer Gildas World but...I couldn’t get any answers at all. Heck, I couldn’t even start a conversation.

“Hm? You look familiar...nah, I doubt anyone so poor could be popular. Get lost kid.”

“Sorry, I don’t have money.”

“I feel like you’re pretty popular but...nah, probably just looked like you. I need to get going.”

I only receive such answers.

Well, I did switch back to my [Beginner’s Clothes] so that I wouldn’t be suspicious but...it seems my poor appearance and my high fame is making the people conflicted in talking to me...as a result, they’d rather not deal with me at all…

Sigh, forget it. Let’s wear the clothes I got in Zoulang for now...at least it doesn’t look modern enough and it’s fine in a fantasy setting right?

“Mister, do you need something? Do you have any quest?”

“Handsome guy, you wouldn’t happen to have a quest for me right?”

“Brother, no, senior. You look so dashing and ancient. Really powerful. If you have any troubles, please just tell me! I, [CallMeMaybe], will definitely fulfill your quest!”

...Now the players, rather, earthlings, started to swarm around me thinking I’m some kind of NPC!

Well, my attire is certainly not a player’s standard. Actually, it’s impossible to find ancient chinese clothes like these here.

I know that because I haven’t seen anyone wearing such clothes.

So, the moment I appeared wearing an ancient chinese clothing like in the wuxia/xianxia films, all the players’ first thought was that I’m an NPC…

Sigh, these guys...they’re not even aware that this is a completely different world and not a virtual world and would think of people as NPCs...

They even have ridiculous names...I can definitely imagine the Harus residents laughing secretly...

But I doubt these guys knows the answers to my problems so I just shooed them away and talked to the NPCs...the residents again.

I called out to a townsman with a rather decent attire. He looked to be around my age actually.

“Oh, you look familiar. Hmm...nah, you must be new here huh? Well, you certainly look young and dashing. What’s the matter?”

“...I was wondering if you know of Roluth. He’s the-”

“Dragon of Wrath. Yes...yes, I know him. What about him?”

Finally! Some answers!

“Right, I was wondering what you can tell me about him.” Seeing as he might know something, I cut straight to the point.

The townsman looked conflicted and looked around suspiciously before whispering to me.

“Listen, brother. I know you’re not a bad person. But these questions...you ought to keep them to yourself and...try not to speak of it out loud if possible.”

...I just had to speak too soon…

“But...fine. How about Gildas then? The lege-”

“Don’t!” The townsman hurriedly closed my mouth with his hands with a shout.

Surprised, I didn’t dodge and stood there stiffly. Still confused about what was going on.

The townsman looked left and right, seemingly worried if there were other people who had overheard.

After a while, he sighed and looked back to me.

“Brother, like I said. Don’t speak of these names out loud. Especially-...especially you-know-who.”

...What the? Is he Lord Voldemort or something!?

“Sigh, I really want to help you brother, but I still have responsibilities and I can’t be involved with whatever it is you are caught up with. At least, not yet...”

“...I see...then, can you perhaps point me to someone who can? Sir, this is of grave importance...” It’s a pity that he won’t answer me but I didn’t want to give up.

The townsman hesitated for a moment, before sighing again.

“...Look for old Todd. He’s a blacksmith who owns the Todds Smithy on the east side of the city, near the borders. If it’s him, maybe he’ll help you.”

“Why?”

“You’ll understand when you see him.”

I nodded and thanked him.

“Thank you for your help sir.”

“It’s nothing. I wasn’t much help...Brother...these are dark waters you’re swimming. If possible, don’t dive into it...if you dive long enough, you’ll only suffocate yourself. It’s best you turn around as early as possible. Also...”

The townsman looked cautiously around again.

“Be careful in what you say. You never know when the dark forces are listening...they’re always around.”

Dark forces!

I didn’t think it would be mentioned here!

Hearing this, I had wanted to ask more but...judging from how grave his tone was, and the fact that he didn’t even want to mention Gildas’ name, there must be some kind of hidden rule about it.

A hidden rule made by these dark forces.

He had already helped me too much and he had also risked himself too much just by advising me. It’s better if I don’t ask any more questions that would further implicate him.

“...Right, my name is Lucas by the way. Lucas Lauwers.”

“Lanslet. Lanslet Drachedge. Haha, It’s good you’re not like those other otherworlders with ridiculous names.”

“Haha, yes, that is true. Sir Lanslet-”

“Brother Lucas, no need for the sirs. Just Lanslet or Lans is fine.”

“Lans then. Thank you for your help. Perhaps next time, we can meet properly.”

“That we must. Be careful.”

“Always.”

Like that, we parted ways.

This time, I had asked his name not just in a whim. I had this...weird feeling that we would become very good friends in the future.

But still...Lanslet Drachedge huh?

Drachedge...Drachedge…

Wait, isn’t this city named Drachedge?

...Eh? Then is he…

I hurriedly looked back but I can no longer see him anywhere.

...Nah, probably a coincidence. I mean, why would someone from the royal family go here alone and unprotected right? He also didn’t have an arrogant air which those from a royal family usually have.

Yep, probably a coincidence…

…

I called over another townsman and asked who Lanslet Drachedge was.

The answer?

I just met the Crown Prince!!!

+ + +

“Prince Lanslet! My prince, you shouldn’t run off like that! We need to be around you when you go out the castle. Please don’t make it hard for us to do our job.”

A knight dressed in fiery red armor ran towards Lans along with a couple of other knights wearing a grey armor with the city’s insignia on their chests.

“Fawkes, it’s fine. Relax a bit.”

“My prince, the dark forces are always around. You must not be harmed!”

“Yeah but is it safer in the castle then? Fawkes, you’re not an idiot. You’ve seen father...what he has done...”

Lans’ face became grim as he looked at the castle on top of the hill at the distance. His home.

“...Even so, he is the King.”

“Can a fallen King still be considered a worthy King? Fawkes do you really want to continue serving that...thing?” Lans said with an obvious disgust in his voice.

“...He is simply ill...”

“I hope so...I just hope...it’s not too late for someone to find the cure...”

As he said this, he looked back to where he had met that young man with a strange white hair and attire.

The man from another world.

“I wonder...if he’s the man in the prophecy?”

+ + +

It took time, but I finally reached the smithy where old Todd is but…

What was in front of me was a small and broken house with a furnace on the side.

...Whatever, let’s see if he’s inside.

“Hello? Is mister Todd here?”

“Who’s asking?”

An old voice sounded from behind the door.

“Mister Todd. My name is Lucas. I wanted to ask a few things.”

“I ain’t no mister.”

Ain’t no...uhh, that’s double negation so...he’s a mister??? Who speaks like that anyway?

“Grampa Todd, I need to ask about...the legendary adventurer...”

*BAM*

The door slammed open and I saw an old man with a muscular figure. He looked like an old war veteran. Or at least, he had that kind of feel about him

It’s just that...his right arm is missing…

Was this what Lans meant when he said I would understand when I see him? Perhaps his arm was cut off by these dark forces...

Old Todd looked left and right. Seeing no one else was here, he looked at me sternly.

“Where did you-”

His voice trailed off when his gaze fell on my left hand...the corrupted hand from the [Dragon’s Wrath].

It seems...he knows about the curse…

I didn’t cover it up with my illusion because I had wanted to see the people's reaction towards it but so far, very few would react to it. And they were all simply curious about it from the way their eyebrows rose.

“I need your help.” I said with a pleading expression.

“Get in here.”

Old Todd didn’t bother with anything and simply pulled me inside forcibly.

“Sit.”

His forcing tone made me subconsciously take a sit on a nearby chair.

“...You met Roluth?”

“! Yes! Yes, that’s right! Do you know where he is!?”

“Dead. He died after he found you.”

Old Todd sighed and slumped down on a couch.

“How...how did you know?”

“He told me about you...he said that he’ll find someone to pass on his revenge...his wrath if you will...someone who’ll defeat the dark forces. He didn’t have much time left you know. So after he passed on the burden to you, he would’ve used all of his energy and naturally, he’ll die.”

“That’s…Then why me!?”

“No idea. He must’ve seen something in you.”

What kind of answer is this!?

So he was about to die, so he thought to pass on his burden to someone else!? Someone who helped him!?

If I knew this would happen, I wouldn’t have tried to help him that time!

I...what the hell am I thinking…

“But he did mention a prophecy. I think that a guy with white hair and red eyes was in it...he didn’t really tell much of it. But supposedly, this guy would change the world. For better, or worse.”

...WHAT!?

This...this…

I can’t believe this!!!

Uuuuu...I can’t believe my inner chuuni-ness led myself to this situation!

Ughh, why did I have to make my character white hair and red eyes!? Why!?

Ahahahaha...so this is it huh? This is why I had negative LUK right from the get go!? It was all because of this!?

This...this……………..I don’t even know what to say anymore!

“Please tell me you know a way to get rid of the curse...”

“Curse? You mean the [Dragon’s Wrath]? Well...I guess you could call it a curse if you want. But it’s not.”

“Oh please don’t say it’s a gift. It’s killing me! It’s turning me into someone I’m not!”

“That’s where you’re wrong. It’s turning you into someone you are. It’s simply showing you who you are deep down.”

“That’s not-”

Suddenly, an image flashed into my mind...a white mask…

It only lasted a fraction of a second but afterwards, I forgot about it immediately...but there is this feeling of remembering a bit...which I can’t quite understand…

“Lucas, forget it. Don’t listen to him. Let’s just find other leads.” El said worriedly which made me feel warm. My mind calmed down and reassured her that I’m still fine.

I can figure out whether what he said about the [Dragon’s Wrath] is true or not in the future. For now, I want to know what these dark forces are.

“Tell me about the dark forces.”

“...No.”

“What!? Why!?”

“Hmph! From your reaction earlier. It would seem your heart isn’t ready yet. These aren’t some fairy tale which something you can know just because you want to. After you know about this...it means you truly accept to take on Roluth’s task. There’s no turning back from this. Ask again when you’re a man.”

“Wha-...”

Unbelievable…

“Hmph! Lucas, let’s get out of here! We don’t need this old man!”

“No, El. I don’t know if there would be anyone else that can help. If the prince pointed me here, then there’s a proper reason. He’s my only hope!”

“Nnnnngggg. Fine! Do what you want! This queen won’t care about you anymore!”

Sigh...looks like I have to buy her something later…

“Tell me what I must do to make you help me!”

“...”

Old Todd didn’t say anything and just looked at me.

“Please!”

“...Forge a weapon and armor.”

“...Huh?”

“To temper your heart, you must learn how to temper a sword or an armor.”

...I don’t really get it but...he’s asking me to make some swords and armor right?

This...so it’s basically a quest?

You have received a C rank quest: [Temper the Heart]!

In order to learn the story behind the dark forces, Old Todd wanted your heart to be ready and prepared. To temper the heart, one must learn how to temper a weapon or an armor.

Reward: Story of the Dark Forces

...Me and my big mouth...though technically, I didn’t say it out loud so my big brain then?

Uhh, let’s stop with the jokes.

“Alright! Please teach me how to forge!”

“I take it you also inherited Gildas’ class so you wouldn’t need the [Blacksmith] class for me to teach you a skill in smithing.”

...He even knows this…

After teaching me the skill [Smith] and how to forge a simple sword, he let me use his workshop freely.

I grabbed an iron ore and immediately used the skill [Smith]. To which, like in [Concoct], a window appeared in front of me with a list.

Well, there’s only one choice there anyways. [Iron Ingot].

The crude ore in my hand instantly turned into an iron bar. Looking at its details, it’s labeled as [Iron Ingot (Medium)]. Well, it’s a good start.

The medium should be it’s grade or purity I suppose.

I used [Smith] again and another list came up. This time, I chose [Iron Sword].

Instantly, the iron bar turned into a simple sword.

Well, that seems easy.

“...This world is simply too absurd...”

I ignored El and turned to old Todd who was watching me.

“There, forged a weapon. Now can you please tell me the story?”

“No.”

“What!? Why!? I forged a weapon just like you said!”

“That’s right. I told you to forge a weapon. Did you?”

“I did didn’t I?”

“...This is why you’re still not ready. Go home kid. Just forget everything about Gildas or the dark forces.”

Old Todd sighed and turned around.

“What...hey! Where are you going!? I’m not done with you yet!”

When I tried to chase after him, he humphed and waved his hand.

Suddenly, it was as if the earth was moving and actually pushed me away farther from his house.

“What the...”

I can’t believe this...so that’s it? I’m supposed to just let this go!? Just like this!?

I looked back at my left hand that’s still jet black and clenched it.

I can’t possibly turn back now. I’m not staying like this forever. I need to get rid of this curse!

So I charged right back to old Todd’s house and shouted.

“Old man! I-...” I stopped…

Because when I opened the door...there was no one there...no, there wasn’t anything in here!

The table, the chairs...everything. It’s gone!

“Wha-!?”

I searched every room but not a single sign of life was found.

“El, I didn’t hallucinate everything here did I?”

“Hey, if you’re hallucinating, then so am I. It must be some kind of illusion. I don’t really know how this world works.”

“So do I...but can an illusion give out skills? And quests?”

I looked at my quest and skills windows and the quest and skill I received was still there...so where’s old Todd?

I stood there in silence...not knowing what to do.

Then I turned towards the furnace outside and thought.

What did he mean when he told me to temper my heart by forging a weapon or armor?

My gaze fell on the hammer on the table and the ores on the shelves.

...Huh? How come these things are still here while the rest of the furnitures inside the house is gone?

...Wait...was he asking me to forge a weapon like, literally? Without the system? Like, real forging???

Ugh, I can’t believe this. Right, this should be possible. Why did I rely on the system from the start!? I’m so stupid!

Alright, let’s do this!

…

…

…

Uhh...how do you turn an iron ore into an iron ingot???

I stared at the iron ore in my hand, then the furnace, then back to the iron ore…

Am I supposed to just toss it there?

...Anyway, the point here should be the tempering process so I can skip this process...right?

I turned it into an iron ingot using the system and got a High grade one by luck.

Afterwards, I held it with a long tong like thing equipment...and thrusted it into the burning furnace to heat it so it would be soft enough for me to hammer.

When I saw the iron turn red, I pulled it out, place it on top of the anvil and smashed down the hammer.

*BAM* *Crack*

...It cracked...it wasn’t supposed to crack right?

“Idiot, don’t use too much force!”

“I didn’t! Maybe it’s not heated enough...”

“It’s red isn’t it!?”

Uuuu...let’s start again.

This time, I tried to heat it much longer.

“Ah! Idiot! It’s dripping already!”

“Wawawa, hot hot hot!”

...the heat actually reached the tong I’m using...why is this tong made of heat conductive steel!?

I looked around...oh, there were gloves there…

Fuck it, again!

After heating the iron ingot enough, I struck down the hammer with intense concentration.

*BAM* *BAM*

The hammer bounced off and hit my face!

“AAAAHHHH!!!”

“Ahahahahahahahaha!”

I looked around again...there’s a face protector there…

...Damn it.

Again!

Again!

Again!

Like that, I started my attempt in smithing manually. Eventually, I got the hang of it and soon enough, I manage to shape one into a sword blade.

Then, next step is grinding...grinding...oh, this rolling thing should be that thing used to sharpen swords like the ones I see in movies right?

There’s a pedal by the seat next to it...sigh, later, I’ll go buy some modern forging equipments…

Like riding a bicycle, I began pedalling as the stone wheel began to turn towards me downwards.

Alright, gently grind the sides of the blade with a tilt…

Sparks flew downwards but I didn’t mind it since it wouldn’t hurt.

I quietly grinded the iron blade nice and steady…

*Snap*

...Uhh...why did the blade snap!?

Damn it, I made it too thin!

Again!

It took me another dozen times to finally get the hang of it.

All that’s left is to attach the handle.

Right...how do I make the handle???

It can’t be iron as well right?

Or well, I guess it could…

“Sigh, fine, I’ll teach you.”

“Old Todd! You’re back!”

I was surprised when someone suddenly spoke behind me and when I turned, it turned out to be old Todd!

“Where the hell have you been!?”

“Around. Anyway, stop shouting and just listen to me.”

“Okay...”

I quieted down and he started teaching me how to forge properly.

I spent the day listening to him and forging different things.

From swords, to daggers, to axes, to shields, to armors. He taught me different techniques in smithing.

+ + +

Meanwhile, in Earth. The [Rimmer Corp.] has just finished the party for the chairman’s eldest daughter’s birthday.

“Stephie, you’re already 21 years old. When are you going to have a boyfriend? If you want, mother can arrange for you to meet-...”

A beautiful middle aged woman asked Stephanie worriedly only to be stopped by her with a laugh. She was none other than Arlo’s wife, Lora Rimmer.

“Haha, mom, no need for that. If I find someone, I’ll tell you okay?”

“Stephie’s right dear. Besides, it’s still too early for her to hang out with guys!” Arlo nodded.

“Geez, you’re so overprotective. This is why she hasn’t met anyone yet!” Lora chided her husband.

“Isn’t that fine? Haha, come come, let’s head home.”

“Daddy, are we also going to have a big party like this in my birthday?” Alice Rimmer, Stephanie’s younger sister and Arlo’s second daughter, asked her father excitedly.

Seeing this cute little girl’s eyes sparkle, what can he possible do other than agree?

“Haha, of course. We can even make it bigger!”

“Yay!”

The four laughed and soon, they made preparations to go back home.

“Ah, wait a bit. I think I forgot my cellphone in the restroom. Let me just check real quick.”

Stephanie said as she job back to the restroom. The three didn’t see any problems with it and simply continued chatting while they wait.

Unknowingly, 5 minutes had already passed.

“Where is that girl? What’s taking her so long?” Lora was the first to notice and asked.

Arlo frowned and suddenly had a bad feeling.

Without saying anything, he immediately rushed towards the restroom and pushed the door open in a hurry, not minding that he intruded in a girl’s restroom.

As expected, there was no one inside.

Recalling his bad premonition, he immediately called for every personnel and had them search the building.

“FIND MY DAUGHTER!!!”

Status

Name

Lucas

Level

8

Race

Human - Dragon

Gender

Male

Class

Wanderer

4

Stamina

1230

Mana

1240

Qi

1568940

Spirit

240

Cultivation

Low Martial King

STR

90

INT

88

SPD

89

DEX

87

VIT

86

LUK

79

Water

48

Light

48

Space

3

Fame

23000

Rage

0

Sealed

Elena Shenxue

Skills

Concoct

1.04%

Dragon’s Wrath

5.02%

Elemental Manipulation

Passive

Star Convergence

Passive

Spirit Formation

0.02%

Implosion Palm

0.01%

World Eyes

Passive

Smith

5.64%