Chapter 191 The Top Ten Blacksmiths of Eldoria
Thornheart was startled when he heard about fifty sets of sturdy stones.
His entire guild had scoured Willowbrook Town and only managed to scrape together five sets. And here was Eric, casually mentioning fifty.
If they could turn those fifty sets into Whetstones of Precision, even with a low blacksmithing success rate, they could easily equip every elite player in Willowbrook Town, propelling them to level 10 and into Silvervale City.
"Kai Blackthorn, you're not pulling my leg, are you? You really have that many?" Thornheart was still struggling to process this. It wasn't that he doubted Eric, but the sheer quantity was mind-boggling. Even the top guilds in a small town wouldn't be able to amass such a stockpile. Six or seven sets would be considered a major accomplishment.
"Of course. Would I joke about something like this?" Eric chuckled, shaking his head.
His decision to supply Thornheart with such a large quantity of sturdy stones wasn't solely about profit. It was a strategic move, a way to accelerate Thornheart's rise within Silvervale City. After all, Assassin's Alliance's main force was concentrated in Silvervale City and its surrounding areas. A stronger Assassin's Alliance in Silvervale City benefited Eric in multiple ways. It strengthened their bond, and it meant Thornheart would be in a prime position to keep those pesky second-rate guilds in check, either by crushing them outright or keeping them perpetually occupied. This would buy Eric valuable time and breathing room.
He had initially considered selling a portion to Isabella as well, but her team had already blazed through to level 10 in a single day. Her elite members were already knee-deep in quests within Silvervale City, rendering his assistance unnecessary.
Besides, Isabella had the deluxe version of his city guide, giving her a significant advantage over other guilds. She was already on her way to becoming a dominant force.
As the saying went, "It's good to have friends in high places." With Isabella and Thornheart as his allies, he could focus on his own development without constantly looking over his shoulder. Those second-rate guilds wouldn't dare to touch him.
"Kai Blackthorn, I don't know how to thank you. Anything you need, anything at all, just name it," Thornheart said, his voice thick with emotion. He considered Eric a true brother.
Gathering 4 gold and 50 silver coins in-game wasn't a simple task. It would require pooling resources from other towns and diverting funds from their gold farming operations.
But the value of those fifty sets of sturdy stones was undeniable. It was an investment that would guarantee Assassin's Alliance's dominance in Willowbrook Town, securing their place as the first to conquer Silvervale City. Thornheart's own position would skyrocket, potentially even earning him a coveted elder position. And it was all thanks to Eric. He felt a pang of guilt, wishing he could do more to repay this debt. He vowed to stand by Eric's side once they reached Silvervale City. Anyone who dared to cross Eric would have to answer to him.
"When can you send someone to Willowbrook Town to make the exchange?" Eric asked.
"I've got someone on standby. Just tell me when and where," Thornheart replied.
"Actually, there is one more thing. Do you happen to know the whereabouts of ZephyrStrider's elite team from Martial Alliance?" Eric figured since he was heading to Willowbrook Town anyway, he might as well settle the score with ZephyrStrider.
"Last I heard, they were at the Ruins of the White Sands. Are you planning on paying them a visit? I can round up some people to back you up. They've got a sizable force, wouldn't want you walking into an ambush," Thornheart said, surprised by Eric's sudden change of topic. He hadn't expected Eric to make a move so soon, especially not against ZephyrStrider's elite team, a formidable force composed of the best players from five different towns. They outnumbered even Thornheart's own elite team, making them a force to be reckoned with.
"Appreciate the offer, but I prefer to handle this myself. Let's meet at the Willowbrook Town bank warehouse in twenty minutes for the trade," Eric said, grateful for Thornheart's concern.
"Alright, I'll have someone pinpoint their exact location and send you the details. I'll also transfer the 4 gold and 50 silver coins to you right away," Thornheart said, understanding the pride of a master. He knew better than to pry or insist on accompanying Eric. He didn't want to overstep his bounds and risk jeopardizing their friendship. Besides, if he went after Martial Alliance without Eric's explicit consent, it could be misconstrued as interfering in Eric's personal affairs.
Twenty minutes later, Eric arrived at the bank warehouse in Willowbrook Town.
"Greetings, Eric. I'm Coco, from Assassin's Alliance. Thornheart sent me. I have the location of Martial Alliance's elite team."
A young woman with an aura of pure, radiant beauty approached him. Her eyes sparkled with a mix of awe and excitement as she looked at Eric. He was a legend in Willowbrook Town, his name on everyone's lips. Even their team leader, Thornheart, treated him with the utmost respect. And to top it off, he was friends with her idol, the Ice Goddess. As an ordinary life-skills player, she rarely had the opportunity to interact with such high-profile figures. She had been tasked with handling the trade today because all the other blacksmiths were swamped, and she was the newest member of the team. Never in her wildest dreams had she imagined meeting someone of Eric's stature.
Eric activated Insightful Gaze, his eyes widening slightly as he scanned her.
'Was that...Frost Coco, the legendary blacksmith of Eldoria?' he pondered.
Frost Coco, renowned as one of the top ten blacksmiths in all of Eldoria, was a prodigy on the verge of attaining grandmaster status. Her skills were matched only by her beauty, drawing comparisons to Selura of Silvervale City. Top guilds had lined up, offering her annual salaries that ran into the billions, but she had refused them all, choosing to remain loyal to her current guild, Sanctuary of Wishes, a relatively unknown entity. Rumor had it that she did so out of a sense of gratitude. In her early days, she had been plagued by clumsiness, her crafting success rate abysmally low. Guild after guild had turned her away. Sanctuary of Wishes had taken her in, nurtured her talent, and she had vowed to repay their kindness.
Sadly, even with a master blacksmith like Frost Coco in their ranks, Sanctuary of Wishes had eventually been dismantled by Devouring Serpents. Frost Coco had then joined Supremacy Alliance, a top-tier guild, seeking vengeance against those who had destroyed her guild.
'But what was she doing in Assassin's Alliance?'
Eric was baffled. Sanctuary of Wishes' main force wasn't based in Silvervale City. Their operations were centered in Eldoria City, the capital. Otherwise, they wouldn't have fallen victim to Devouring Serpents.
'Could it be that she wasn't given the recognition she deserved in Assassin's Alliance, so she moved to Eldoria City after leveling up, where she was discovered by Sanctuary of Wishes?' Eric pondered. If Assassin's Alliance knew they had unknowingly driven away a master blacksmith, they would be kicking themselves.
"Eric?" Frost Coco's voice snapped him out of his thoughts. She was looking at him curiously, a hint of nervousness in her eyes.
He realized he had been staring. It wasn't that he was overreacting. A top-tier blacksmith was an invaluable asset to any guild. But he couldn't very well poach her while she was still a member of Assassin's Alliance. He would have to bide his time, see if she left of her own accord.
"It's nothing. Here are the fifty sets of sturdy stones." He quickly initiated the trade, transferring the stones to Frost Coco.
Her eyes widened as she saw the sheer quantity of sturdy stones in the trade window. It was almost unbelievable. Even getting her hands on one or two stones was a challenge these days, and here was Eric, with fifty sets. No wonder Thornheart held him in such high regard. He was in a league of his own.
With the trade complete, Eric turned and left Willowbrook Town, heading towards the Ruins of the White Sands. He resisted the urge to add Frost Coco as a friend. Doing so might have unintended consequences, altering the course of events and potentially causing her to remain in Assassin's Alliance. That would be disastrous for him in the long run. It was best to let fate run its course.
He had the location of Martial Alliance's elite team. It was time to teach ZephyrStrider a lesson he wouldn't soon forget.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
