Chapter 48

“Ugh. I understand.”

Fergus nodded at Carpé’s suggestion, even though he thought it was meaningless.

He felt like he wanted to grasp even a thread, and since it had been a long time since he had any customers, he had plenty of time.

“Please follow me this way.”

Unlike the somewhat narrow counter, the inside of the shop was much wider than expected. During the move, a workshop for forging was visible, but it seemed to have been inactive for a long time as there was no heat to be felt.

“You seem to make things as well.”

“It’s a bit embarrassing. I learned the family’s special forging technique, which requires a family heirloom, but I can’t make proper items, so I’ve been neglecting it.”

He added that he used to hammer to maintain his sense even a few years ago, but now he felt doubtful and didn’t do it anymore.

“Here we are.”

Fergus said this and forcefully pulled down the handle attached to the wall.

Then, with a clunking sound, a hidden door on the floor opened, revealing a staircase leading to the basement.

“Please wait a moment. I’ll go get a lantern.”

Fergus left for a moment, and Carpé glanced at the staircase.

The thick layer of dust indicated that it had been neglected for a long time.

-He must have stopped coming here because it pained him every time he saw it. But how must he feel now that someone keeps asking to see it?

“...It can be opened. It can be opened.”

He felt a bit uncomfortable.

What if it doesn’t work? After all, he had boasted so confidently.

“I’m sorry to have kept you waiting. I’ll lead the way.”

Fergus, holding a lantern, led the way down the basement stairs, and Carpé cautiously followed.

The underground space wasn’t very deep. The stairs ended quickly, and soon a huge iron door appeared in front of them.

“Inside this is the box containing the family heirloom.”

Fergus said this and pushed the iron door, which opened easily, apparently without any lock.

Creak.

“This must be it.”

As Fergus said, a large box was placed there, and it was clear at a glance that it was no ordinary item.

It was adorned with gold and various jewels, and the craftsmanship was evident in the patterns and engravings.

And the keyhole in the center of the large box.

Fergus looked at the keyhole for a moment and then wiped the dust off the box with a cloth he had brought.

“It’s been a while since I’ve been here. Is there anything else you need?”

“No, I’m fine. I just need to use a skill, so I don’t need any special preparations.”

“Is that so? That’s amazing. Other locksmiths need catalysts and such.”

‘Eh... that’s what they need?’

-Of course. Just because it’s a lock-picking skill doesn’t mean you can open everything with a snap. You need magical materials like a ‘Mimic Core.’ Lock-picking is really absurd.

“Is something wrong? You suddenly stopped talking...”

“Ah, no. I was just thinking for a moment.”

Phew.

Carpé took a deep breath and examined the box.

Ding.

[Fergus Family Heirloom Box]

[Grade: Legendary]

[This is a box containing the treasures of the Fergus family, a lineage of ancient craftsmen. Although it is a Legendary box, it cannot be opened with a Legendary key. It can only be opened with a special key from the Fergus family.]

‘It’s a Legendary-grade box.’

Good. I think I can open it.

Since he had already opened a Legendary box in the Squirrel Dungeon, he was confident that the lock-picking skill would work. His heart felt much lighter.

“...Huh?”

Then, a thought suddenly occurred to him.

The lock-picking skill’s box-opening effect could only be used once a day without consuming MP.

Only once for the first box discovered that day. It was an effect that couldn’t be saved for later; it would activate automatically.

The problem arose here.

‘I opened a box today, didn’t I?’

He had already used the lock-picking skill in the sea cave dungeon he explored with Hanjo!

The treasure box that greeted them upon entering the dungeon. It was only a Rare-grade box, but...

-Well, is this how things turn out? The MP consumption varies by box grade?

‘Wait a moment.’

It seemed to have cost a lot.

The flustered Carpé checked the lock-picking skill’s information in the skill window.

Ding.

<Lock-picking (解禁)> - 10-star skill

- Skill Level: 20

.

.

.

* The MP consumption for each active function varies by the target’s grade.

Common: 5 Magic: 10 Rare: 20

Hero: 120 Unique: 250

Legendary: 500

‘Five hundred...?’

A cold sweat trickled down his face at the high number. How much MP did he have now...

Carpé swallowed and checked his status window.

Ding.

[Name: Carpé]

[Level: 20]

[HP: 1280/1280]

[MP: 490/490]

“Phew. Thank goodness.”

He breathed a sigh of relief.

He was 10 short, but this could easily be covered by the bonus stats he had saved.

“Your complexion has turned pale. Is there a problem?”

“Ah, I was a bit short on MP, but it’s fine. It’s manageable.”

“How much were you short?”

“About 10 or so.”

“That’s not much. Please wait a moment. I’ll be right back.”

Fergus said this and went back upstairs.

After a short while, he returned with a bracelet in his hand.

“I’ll lend you this for a moment.”

Ding.

[NPC Fergus is trying to lend you an item.]

[Rental Time: 30 minutes]

[After the rental time has passed, the item will automatically return to its original owner. Rental items cannot be enhanced, processed, or traded.]

[Do you want to rent it?]

‘There’s even a rental system?’

-It’s possible between players too. However, you have to pay a higher fee depending on the item’s grade.

‘You really have everything, don’t you?’

Carpé nodded, and the system notification appeared again.

[You have rented the Advanced Vitality Bracelet.]

[Advanced Vitality Bracelet]

[Grade: Hero]

[Wearing Restriction: Players who have completed their class change]

- HP + 100

- MP + 20

[A magic bracelet that activates the user’s metabolism.]

- Additional Option: 10% increase in HP/MP recovery speed

It was a decent bracelet that provided a fixed boost to HP and MP.

Carpé thanked Fergus and put on the bracelet.

“Then, let’s begin.”

Carpé took a deep breath and placed his hand on the box.

And.

“Lock-picking.”

[Lock-picking has been activated.]

Click. Click. Click.

The locks, which were interlocked, began to unlock sequentially. The lock-picking skill had worked properly.

“This, this can’t be!”

Fergus was astonished.

He watched the box open with wide eyes, as if he couldn’t believe it.

Click. Click. Click.

After about 30 seconds, all the locks were unlocked, and the box’s entrance opened.

“Ugh... sniff... sniff. Sniff!”

Fergus knelt on the spot and burst into tears.

It was the moment when the family’s chains, which had oppressed him for so long, were finally broken.

* * *

“Thank you so much! Benefactor! By the way, I haven’t even learned your name yet.”

“My name is Carpé.”

“Thank you. Really, thank you, Mr. Carpé. I will record your name in the family’s history and honor you as a lifelong benefactor.”

Ding.

[You have completed the hidden quest: Fergus Family’s Wish.]

[Amazing achievement! Your feat will be recorded in your account information.]

[All quests given to other players have been canceled.]

“Since Mr. Carpé has kept the promise, it’s my turn to keep mine. I will do my best to repay you, in the name of my family.”

Fergus said this and led Carpé to the forge, fiddling with some equipment.

Whoosh!

Then, heat began to rise from the magical furnace. The forge, which had been dormant for a long time, was starting to operate again.

“You must have come to the smithy to have something enhanced, right?”

“Yes, that was the plan.”

“Do you have any specific item in mind for enhancement?”

“Well, I’m using this weapon...”

Carpé said this and took out the ‘Green Skin Slayer’ from his inventory, handing it to Fergus.

Fergus examined the sword for a moment and then spoke.

“Hmm. It’s a decent sword, but it has clear limitations. Even if we proceed with the enhancement, it won’t be very efficient. If you don’t mind, I can make you a weapon...”

“Of course, I don’t mind! Please do!”

“Haha. Thank you for allowing me. Now, please place your palm here.”

Fergus pointed to a large wooden board.

On the wooden board was a layer of grayish-white paste.

“Am I supposed to make a handprint?”

“Yes. A craftsman can see a person through the information in their palm.”

The size of the hand, the shape of the muscles, and even the fine lines on the palm contained information.

To make a weapon for one person, the information from the hand was essential.

“I understand.”

For some reason, the more serious process made Carpé’s heart beat a bit faster.

“Take off your gloves first...”

“Do you usually fight with gloves on?”

“Yes, why?”

“Then you should make the handprint with your gloves on. Just as you fight.”

“Ah, I see.”

Carpé nodded and pressed his hand, still wearing Enigma, into the paste.

“Would you like a sword? If you have a specific weapon in mind, I can make that for you.”

“Hmm...”

Carpé didn’t particularly favor any weapon. He had used all kinds of weapons while rolling in the arena.

From common weapons like swords and spears to more niche ones like staffs and sickles. He was confident that he could handle any weapon with a certain level of proficiency.

But the weapon he was most confident with was...

“I’d like a gauntlet, please.”

There was no weapon easier to use than a gauntlet. It was also stylish!

“Haha. I understand. Can I examine your hand for a moment, separate from the handprint?”

“Yes, here it is.”

Fergus examined his hand carefully and soon exclaimed in admiration.

“What a fine pair of gloves. I’m not an expert in this field, but they are undoubtedly the work of a great craftsman.”

Fergus, as the greatest genius in the family’s history, recognized the true value of Enigma at a glance.

“You’re a mage... and you’ve learned crafting skills, too.”

“Can you tell that much from my hands?”

“A person’s hands contain more information than you might think. Now, it’s done.”

After thoroughly examining the hand, Fergus took his place in front of the anvil and picked up the family heirloom hammer.

“Feel free to watch. Since you have crafting skills, you might find something useful.”

After saying this, Fergus placed the iron ingot on the anvil and began hammering.

Clang! Clang! The sound of hammering on the iron was pleasant to hear.

-Hey.

‘Yes?’

-Think about it. Your hand is just an avatar based on your real body. You haven’t held a weapon in real life, and just because you practice in Lase, it doesn’t mean your muscles will develop. Why is this process necessary?

‘...Bro, how can you be so devoid of romance every time?’

When a long-dormant craftsman puts his heart into it, you should at least cheer him on!

-But I’m curious!

‘Stop complaining and watch quietly.’

-...

Clang! Clang!

“...”

Even a layman could tell that Fergus was a master craftsman by his graceful movements.

It felt as if he was being drawn into the rhythm of the hammering. This was not a user-friendly ‘rhythm game’ system but the real hammering of a master craftsman.

Ding.

[You have witnessed the unparalleled craftsmanship of a master craftsman.]

[Your Dexterity stat has permanently increased by 3.]

-What? Hey, I just saw the notification...

But the flustered Chima’s words were cut off.

Carpé’s eyes were completely focused on the hammering, not even glancing at the notification.

After some time.

“Phew. Phew.”

Fergus took a deep breath. The gauntlet was now complete on the anvil.

“Thank you very much for your hard work.”

“Haha. It feels good to hammer again after so long. But we’re not done yet.”

“Huh? It looks finished...”

“The crafting is done, but our family is not just a forge; we are also enhancers.”

Fergus said this and began hammering again, sprinkling a special solution from the family’s box onto the gauntlet.

[+1 Enhanced]

[+2 Enhanced]

[+3 ...]

Once again, a storm of divine hammering ensued.

“It’s complete.”

Fergus handed the gauntlet with a smile.

Ding.

[+12 Demon Fist - Carpé]

[Grade: Legendary]

[Wearing Restriction: Player Carpé]

[Physical Attack Power: 180~350 + 400]

[Magic Attack Power: 200~320 + 400]

- Strength + 10

- Magic Power + 10

[A unique gauntlet made by the great craftsman of the Fergus family for his benefactor. It is a masterpiece crafted with 9-star creation and enhancement skills.]

- Additional Option 1: 10% of Magic Attack Power is added to Physical Attacks.

- Additional Option 2: 10% of Physical Attack Power is added to Magic Attacks.

- Additional Option 3: One of the user’s magic skills can be embedded in the gauntlet. It has a low chance of automatically activating during ‘Physical’ attacks (magic activated by this ability ignores 50% of the target’s magic and attribute defenses).

- Additional Option 4: Grows in power proportional to the user’s level.

* +12 Enhancement Bonus: Cannot be destroyed.

“...Wow.”

-...No, what a crazy game! Again, it’s over the line!

“This is a magnificent weapon befitting a noble’s dignity.”

The reward for the hidden quest was much sweeter than he had imagined.

A 10-star player, strengthened by a lottery.