“There they tremble. There they scatter. There they cower! And in this time of danger, a hero emerges!

Brutalities of the world conquered! Cruelty stamped out under his mighty feet! One shivers in excitement at the sight!”

‘Thank you, mister!’

“Don’t worry about it.”

“After vanquishing villains, the valiant hero indifferently waves his hand, indicating to the grateful victim that it is of no consequence.

He then slightly adjusts his mediocre clothing and walks away in a controlled pace.”

“Excuse you, mediocre clothing? Say that again!

I dare you! Look me in the deepest depths of my soul and tell me I’m not wearing clothes fitting for a Caesar!

Out of your mind. Mediocre.

Hah!”

‘Are you okay?’

“Midst his ravings, our hero was interrupted, pulled away from his seemingly deep yet shallow thoughts.”

“Hm!? Ah. I’m fine, I’m fine.”

“As it would be our hero saved a few adolescents from the ferocity of a few local animals, perhaps they strafed too far into its territory.”

“Just a couple of fur-balls. No need for the whole ceremony.

Actually, what were those things? Little fat round balls with teeth.

They even rolled away in the end.”

“The appearance of the animals in question aside they were not animals at all. Mere physical illusions conjured by a rather low-level defense formation.”

“What?”

“After aiding the youths in their mischief our hero walked away with swagger, proud of his malevolent actions! Is this the time where our hero reveals his true nature!?”

“Those little shits.”

“Even as our hero turns his head, he is met with nothing but an empty alleyway, not an unruly youth or fur-ball in sight!”

“I feel used.

Oh, well. We were all young ones. I remember a few years ago, I was also quite the reckless teenager.”

“Yes only a thousand or so years ago, before our hero experience the harsh nature of old age.”

“Mhm. Right. Old age is a bit much but, yes.

Ai! To be young again!”

‘…’

‘…’

“As our hero has carelessly walks back into foot traffic, people watch on in wonder, in awe!

It can be considered his fortune that the sun has yet to rise above the towering city walls. His unstable nature is not exposed to, too many.”

“Alright, best get this thing over with. Finish the crafting quest and then start leveling again.

I haven’t been able to test my new spells or combat tactics in a real fight! “

“As the morning sun peaks over the sturdy city walls, our hero walks into another eccentric shop without care, while still keeping a conversation for two going.”

“Furniture?

What?”

“Our hero is no longer in awe of the deceptively large interior of these small buildings, yet is left baffled by the sheer quantity of wooden furniture.”

“This seems a bit off. There can’t be a profession dedicated to furniture, right?

Hello! Anyone here?”

“Not a sign of life can be heard or seen. Our hero eventually finds a door. His aged old nemesis.”

“Locked.”

“With an exaggerated sigh, our hero continues walking, eyeing a grand staircase.”

“Strange. Didn’t see this staircase earlier.”

“As we climb higher, the carvings on the staircase become more exquisite. Depicting a story of a novice woodworker to a grand master.

The sight may humble a few. But we, the more adept, can’t help but deride such thoughts.”

“Woah.”

“Shocked, bewildered and overwhelmed. Our hero stands speechless, the awe inspiring quantity of half made products are scattered in unorganized piles.”

“This is insane, though. Must be thousands of items just lying around. Who as time for this!?”

“Enthralled, our doesn’t notice an whittling shadow, sitting in an unremarkable corner of this large warehouse of wood carvings.”

“Where? Hello! Is someone there?”

‘Is someone there?’

“A weak voice, resembling a dissipating echo. So weak even our hero can’t help but to strain his ears, like a dog.”

“Hey! I can’t hear you! Where are you!”

‘Come closer, darling. I can’t quite see you from here.’

“Like the withered hand of death, this apparitions voice drains the strength of even the most formidable of beasts.”

“Found you. You have no presence at all. If it wasn’t for the sound of things falling onto the ground, I wouldn’t have found you.”

“Before is a creature, withered to a point of being unrecognizable. Its white eyes capable of robbing the souls on infants.”

“Calm down, Narry.”

‘My! What a homely young woman.’

“What? Me? No, no.”

‘Tell me, dear. What can this old soul do for you?’

“Audibly sighing with what can only be helplessness, our hero forgoes the idea of arguing with this living fossil.”

“I want to learn your craft.”

‘I see, I see. I’m afraid your dainty hands won’t be able to take it.’

“With great resignation the old creatures hand are lifted up, one still holding a knife while the smaller wooden object lays on his lap.”

“Dear Craig! Jesus’s brother. Your hands man.”

“Our hero’s shock can be understood; the man’s hands appear to more callus than anything else.”

“Old man. I think the only resolution is amputation. “

“With a serious look our hero nods to himself, firmly sentencing the withered old man to a life deprived of hands.”

‘Nonsense, dear. These old mitts still got fighting spirit in them!’

“For a moment, the old woodworker’s eyes shine with brilliance, revealing an unrivaled force of life and determination.”

“Well, each to his own. I’ve received your quest.”

|Optional: Follow the Wither-wood Birki’s instructions|

“As in new, as in old. From life, to death. Depend on my roots, climb my trunk, caress my leaves.”

Learn the basics of woodworking

Reward: Rights to learn Woodworking

‘You impatient lass, robbing me of teachings.’

“Despite his words, the elderly Wither-wood tosses as plank of wood, similar to a book, appearing less elegant yet is far more complex.”

‘We must all read to learn, but the hands understand the wood better.’

“With a suspicious look, our hero examines this plain looking plank of wood.”

“What is this?”

“As his fingers run over the exquisitely detailed carvings, a fire is lit. Using only his hands to read, a look of concentration has emerged.”

“Very cool.”

“After a moment's time, our hero sits down in contemplation before summoning materials from his inventory.”

“So it’s similar actually more similar to engraving than it is to forging or crafting bows.”

“Enlightened, our hero starts to slowly chip away at his piece of wood.”

‘Good, girl. Very steady hands.’

“Before long a recognizable form emerges from the wood. Clearly a wand of some sort. A tool used to increase one precision when casting spells.”

‘That’s good, gently now.’

“Our hero slightly shivers, the wrinkly old tree has managed to influence our hero’s concentration.”

‘Almost there.’

“Eyes bloodshot, our hero shakes uncontrollably. As he finishes his last motion, he drops the sharp knife had angrily turns his head in the grandmaster woodworker’s direction.”

“What on god’s greens earth is wrong with you, old man!?

Gently? Almost there!? Old pervert, you’re lucky I don’t neuter you!”

“One might even agree with our hero’s burst of anger, if we didn't know the characteristics of the wither-wood race. A truly carefree people, the embodiment of reclusive monks.”

“Oh? Ah, but still.

Okay, my bad old man. You have my gratitude.”

‘Such temper. No wonder a dainty girl like yourself has sought out the calming art of woodworking.’

“Narrowing his eyes, our hero stares at the old man before sighing in lamentation.”

“Best I finish this thing and get out of here.”

“Glancing once more at the old men, Ji notices that he is polishing a piece of wood with his bare hands.”

“No wonder you have such callus hands. The world is truly strange.”

“Unable to mimic the unique style of Birki, wither-wood, our hero starts sanding down his plain looking stick with zealous concentration.”

|Ji’s wood|

Adds additional ten to magical damage.

Adds additional five to ambient mana gathering.

Increases magical damage by twenty percent.

Increases cast speed by five percent.

“A plain wooden wand. Capable of increasing ones magical prowess.”

“It’s beautiful!”

“After an emotionally hugging his wand, gently stroking his wand and finally putting his wood away, our hero gently bows before leaving.”

“I’ve got two crafting profession points to spend now. I can learn two professions. I still have to think this over a bit.”

“Surprisingly, a few hours have flown by whilst our hero was absorbed in his work. It was quite the sight, watching him slowly and meticulously whittling away.”

“Damn. No wonder I’m so hungry.

We’ll go eat than meet up with Tio.”

|Ji Aleksy. Elementalist. Mana fiend: Level Two-hundred-thirty-six|

|Quest log|

|Optional: The reformed city|

“The ancient city of Heo has been reformed, but by who and how?”

Travel to the free city Heo and find out how the city was rebuilt.

Location: Portal room.

Difficulty: Medium

Reward: Tier appropriate item.

|Optional: Back to the grind|

“The prophet said to the wanderer ‘Swim against the water or be swallowed by the tide.’ The wanderer took this advice and escaped drowning.”

Travel to the appropriate wildlands and cull the malignant fiends scouring the land.

Location: Portal room.

Difficulty: Medium.

Reward: Tier appropriate weapon.

“I’m thinking that back to the grind quest will give me a weapon, making the reformed city quest a lot easier.

Plus, back to the grind seems straightforward enough.”

“Even as our awe inspiring lunatic waddles his way toward the center of the city, nearing Tio’s location, multiple people throw him different gazes.”

“Ye, what’s that about? It’s probably my sweet threads.

I’m a trendsetter.”

“Yes. Rarely do the mentally unstable realize they are on the cliffs edge.”

“What kind of food should I bring? Should I grab something on the way or just make do with what I have on me?

I probably have a few weeks’ worth on me already.”

“One can’t help but look on in awe. A huge gather of people, men and women of different races.

Our hero has arrived at Tio’s place of work.”

“What the shit is this? I’mma call Tio. I’m not waiting in this line.

Hey, Tio?”

‘Hey Ji! You done with your quest?’

“Ye. I’m standing outside the quest hub. A lot of people out here.”

‘Want me to let you inside?’

“Please. I’m not going to lie, the smell out here is pretty bad.”

‘Smell?’

“A lot of hairy creatures in a crowded area.”

“Many of the people waiting have been here for hours, going so far as to resorting to defecating on the street.”

“Eww. Disgusting. Animals.”

‘I’ll meet at the other entrance.’

“Thanks, Tio!”

“After finally getting inside the quest hub, Ji and Tio sat down and enjoyed delicacies. It wasn´t until a panicked assistant with a teary eyes came to get Tio that they separated again.”

“This stuff really was delicious.

But wow. A lot of portals seem active now.”

“The most obvious effects our hero’s appearance has had on this world could be seen in these portals awakening.”

“This all happened because of me?”

“However, despite such marvels, it is what has been awoken that causes one to shake and tremble, for what has woken will shatter the minds of men.”

“Shush. I’ve got enough to worry about. Even if my illness appears to have gotten a bit better, the pain is still there.

I mean, it’s only a question of when the pain starts increasing and my body starts deteriorating faster than it regenerates.”

“As the they say. Fate is in your hands. What you do with it is up to you to decide.”