~~~(POV: Justin Xander)~~~
~~~(Location: Fulwhitter's Blacksmith, Geonia City, Aeternitatem Genesis)~~~
~~~(Day, Date, Time: Saturday, April 13th, 6:54 PM PST)~~~
~~~(Current Age: 19 Years)~~~
My eyes glide up and down the surface of the new weapon I've created. Never in my career of playing VRMMORPGs have I crafted something so beautiful... I know if Blake and Lil's were here, they'd be swinging at the air.
I've been truly blessed thanks to the Mythical class I've got. Even though I haven't gotten a chance to test my damage output yet, I can see now my class shines here.
As a blacksmith.
---[Congratulations! You've crafted an Ancient grade weapon!]---
[You're the first player to craft an Ancient grade weapon!]
[The power of Primeval Divinity surges within you!]
[+100 to Primeval Divinity Stat]
[+15,000 EXP to Zophiels Smithing Technique (Mythical)] [7,500 EXP has been multiplied by 2x due to (Zophiels Last Descendant.)]
[Zophiels Smithing Technique (Mythical) has reached level 2!]
[+3% odds added to the base of 6% to create Epic grade equipment and higher!]
[+75,000 EXP to Player Level for crafting an Ancient grade weapon!] [37,500 EXP has been multiplied by 2x due to (Zophiels Last Descendant.)]
[+50,000 EXP to Player Level for being the first player to craft an Ancient grade weapon!] [25,000 EXP has been multiplied by 2x due to (Zophiels Last Descendant.)]
[You've Leveled up 25x times!]
[You have 182 unspent Stat Points!]
I'm bombarded with system messages. Almost too many to keep up with. But instead, I gently place the blade on the table, reviewing the messages. Immediately jumping out to me is how high my player level has risen.
The requirements so far have still been 5,000 EXP per player level since level 15. I'm now level 42, and that hasn't changed.
I'll be spending those 182 stat points later. I had 7 unspent stat points before this sudden dump. It's looking pretty, that's for sure. Aside from that, two other things stand out to me.
I've now gained my second level in (Zophiels Smithing Technique.) Adding a flat 3% to the base 6% of crafting Epic grade equipment. Meaning I now have a 9% chance every time I make something for it to be Epic grade or higher.
This is only possible due to the buff I got earlier. The buff I received randomly from the system isn't connected to these odds. And from the looks of it, that buff is gone now.
The second thing I notice is the new effects of (Zophiels Last Descendant.) That flat 2x buff to all EXP gains is incredible. That's probably the most busted skill effect I've seen before. It's doubled my growth.
Without it, I would've gained 12 and a half player levels and not upgraded my (Zophiels Smithing Technique.) My attention turns back to the sword I've now crafted, and before I can see anything about its information, I'm given a system message.
---[You must name your new sword!]---
I've named weapons of mine in the past, but not something like this. I'm assuming you can't change the name just like your in-game player ID later on.
Taking a better look at it, it's a long blade that has Damascus-type folds within it.
It's a double-edged longsword. The handle guards point outward with two sharp tips, and the pommel is an intricate spiral. The handle itself is made of fine leather woven together with silk.
I think I've got a perfect name.
My fingers run across the digital keyboard as I enter the name, and now I'm given access to my sword's information.
The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
An audible gulp sinks down my throat.
---[Monument of Sin]---
[Grade: Ancient]
[Damage: 225,000 Per Attack. (Effects from Skills and Titles are unapplied here.)]
[Your preferred Sell Price: Unassigned. (Must unbind weapon first.)]
[Player Level Req: Creator of the Item. (You.)]
[Crafter: Zaediel]
[Owner: Zaediel]
[Info: A weapon of unbelievable power and ferocity. The first weapon ever crafted by Zaediel and created through the guidance and power of his Primeval Angel blood. A masterpiece that can't be replicated.]
[Zophiels Smithing Technique Bonus Info: (Monument of Sin) is a work of art that goes beyond mortal abilities. While forged with commonly found materials, Zaediel's power as Zophiels Descendant and a Primeval Angel has made this weapon possible.]
[Effects: +300 Stat Points to STR, END, AGI] [+150 Stat Points to INT] [+200% damage dealt to enemies with all attacking (Physical Skills.) (Stacks with Zophiels Eternal Edge)] [+50% chance to Critical Hit against enemies regardless of level difference] [+1% chance to Instant Kill enemies within 25 Player Levels]
[Materials: Damascus Forged Steel, Leather, Silk]
[EoC bonus Info: This is a weapon that, if discovered, will draw the attention and desires of those who covet power. The owner will be hunted.]
[Bound Weapon: PVP and PVE drop immunity. (This can be unbound if the creator wishes.)]
It's amazing that I've created such a weapon based on Common grade blueprints. This confirms another question I had. Suppose a blacksmith is skilled, or lucky enough. Surpassing the blueprint's designs and limits is entirely possible.
This means when I craft (Metallic Mana Strings) based on the blueprints, it's possible to make them a higher grade than the already promised Epic grade.
What's more, it seems that when you craft a weapon and use it. There are no player level requirements for the creator. That's a nice quality-of-life feature. I wonder what the level requirement would be for someone else to use it.
Not that it matters since this weapon is bound to me. It's not going anywhere.
As I lift and equip the weapon, the system attaches it to my hip in a flash of light. It took several hours, but now I've crafted my first weapon, learned how smithing works, and I've replaced the shitty weapon I was using with this.
I slowly turn around with a bright smile, and I'm met with a scene out of an old comic or manga from back in the day.
There, standing in the dim light of a lantern, is Darren.
His face is as white as a sheet of paper, and his eyes are white from the sheer ludicrousness of this situation. Right next to him is his nephew, Zackery. In the exact same boat as his uncle.
[+15,000 Rep with Darren & Zackery Fulwhitter.]
[+15,000 Rep with the Fulwhitter Family.]
[You're now Friends with Darren, Zackery, and the Fulwhitter family.]
I watch as the reputation tracker for these two increases. And a separate one for their family. That's interesting. Since I don't know the members of the rest of the family, I can't see their names.
Funny how I'm (Friends) level reputation with people I've only met today and never met before.
In my silent thought and contemplation. Darren walks to me like a zombie would. Lifeless and with little energy. Once he reaches me, the taller man places his hand on my shoulder. I'm no shorty; it's just this guy is 6'7 or something.
He's got four inches on me.
"Zaediel..."
His voice is shaky, and his body is trembling.
"What the hell was that..."
It's not like I'm going to share anything about my class or what I'm capable of. But it's not like I can sell a cheap lie after creating an Ancient grade item.
Then again, maybe I can.
"Well, it was luck. How else can a normal person make something like this."
I gently tap the pommel of my sheathed sword. Darren gains color back in his face and takes his hand off my shoulder. He pinches the bridge of his nose and releases a sigh. There is a moment of thought on his face, but after a second, he seems to decide.
He steps back from me and places his hands on his hips.
"Listen, kid. You've obviously got some serious power for a blacksmith skill. I won't pry about what it is. It's none of my business, frankly. However, if you decide you want some work. Come back here tomorrow."
Then, a sour look appears on his face. However, there is no malicious or malintent behind the look he gives me. It's more at himself than anyone.
"Now get the hell out of my shop. I've gotta craft something to get out of this shitty mood."
All I can do is release a small chuckle as I'm pushed out of the smithing area of the shop. I make my way to the front door and leave. While Darren's offer is a good one, I'll be testing out my new sword tomorrow.
In the meantime, let's see what's changed. Now it's the perfect time to allocate the new stat points I've gained. I've got a total of 182. Dividing that between my two lowest stats, CHA and LUK, it's 91 points a piece.
That's just enough to put both stats at 101. Sadly, my PER is still at 25. But that's the next stat I'll raise.
Now, I will check out my new stats with everything equipped and spent.
---[Player Information]---
[Zaediel] [Lvl. 42] [Player Lvl EXP: 1450/5000]
[HP: 340,000/340,000] [STM: 340,000/340,000] [MP: 175,000/175,000]
[HP = STR x 1000] [STM = END x 1000] [MP = INT x 1000]
[Class: Zophiel's Descendant (Mythical)] [Nobility: N/A]
[Tier: 0]
[Stat Points: 0]
---[Stats]---
[STR: 340] [PER: 25] [END: 340] [CHA: 101] [INT: 175] [AGI: 325] [LUK: 101]
---[Hidden Stats]---
[Primeval Divinity: 200] [More Yet to be discovered]
---[Physical Skills]---
[Chain Ability (Rare)] [Zophiels Eternal Edge (Mythical) (1/10) (0/10,000)] [Zophiels Smithing Technique (Mythical) (2/10) (5,000/20,000)] [Eyes of Creation (Mythical) (N/A) (N/A)]
---[Magic Skills]---
[Forever Death (Mythical) (1/10) (0/10,000)]
---[Passive Skills]---
[Primeval Angelic Regeneration (Mythical)] [Zophiels Last Descendant (Mythical)]
It's safe to say I'm one of the strongest players in the world right now. However, players are grinding and getting better. Sure, it's the second day, and I'm already at level 42. But my incredible growth is probably gonna slow down.
And everyone is grinding. By the start of next week, people will probably be nearing the mid-30s of player levels.
I've gotta stay ahead.
But until then, I'm heading to an Inn to get some sleep.