The sight of the towering walls of Stonefalls was only overshadowed by the endless mountain chain stretching beyond it. The caravan of refugees was just a few kilometers away from the city, yet the high walls surrounding it were clearly visible from a distance. The landscape on both sides of the main road was barren, devoid of trees and covered in rocky terrain with only sparse patches of grass peeking through. However, the main road itself was of higher quality, paved with smaller, chiseled stones, providing a smoother and less bumpy ride for travelers.
As the refugees approached a line of carriages and other caravans waiting to enter the city, Bones hopped off and made his way to the front. There, he expressed his desire to part ways, citing his impending busy schedule and private matters to attend to. The merchant thanked him and handed him a small case containing vials of mana potion, along with a set of clothing he likely wouldn't need. Not wanting to be rude, Bones accepted both and departed.
Upon reaching the front of the main gates, Bones searched for the entrance adventurers typically used but found none. Reluctantly, he joined the queue and waited like everyone else. When his turn came, he stepped forward and presented his contractor ID to the guard. After inspecting it, the guard questioned why Bones hadn’t entered through the other gate on the eastern side of the wall, reserved for guild members of any kind. Bones shrugged in response, admitting his ignorance, and proceeded into the city.
The city had a main road leading straight from the gates to an intersection a hundred meters away, where a stationed guard inspected and directed traffic. Beyond him lay a park, where Bones could see children playing and people leisurely enjoying themselves on the grass. It was a stark contrast to the somber mood of the refugees arriving from the tragedy in Westbrook. Surrounding the park were buildings and small shops, mostly selling clothes and food. In the distance, towering skyscrapers caught Bones' attention, and intrigued by the sight, he headed in that direction.
Navigating the city's many sidewalks proved challenging for Bones, as they branched off in different directions. "Why did they have to complicate things so much?" he muttered to himself, missing a few turns along the way. However, he found it easier to orient himself when he had a clear line of sight to the tall buildings that stood prominently above the rest.
After twenty minutes of walking, Bones stood in front of one of the tall buildings, bustling with activity as people flowed in and out. The sign above the entrance read "Crafters Guild," and from where he stood, Bones could catch a glimpse of the forge, blacksmithing, and leatherworking stations inside. He was about to enter when someone bumped into him. Bones snapped his head toward the person, but the man quickly apologized and hurried away, blending into the crowd.
Stunned by the encounter, Bones grumbled to himself and resumed walking. However, he was soon interrupted again as another man bumped into him, yelling, "Watch it, punk!" before disappearing into the throng of people. Tempted to use Bone Spikes in frustration, Bones restrained himself. Noting that the last man had a short stature and a bushy black beard, Bones wondered if he might have been a dwarf. Nevertheless, he decided to leave the area, reasoning that there would be plenty of time for sightseeing later.
Disheartened by his failed attempt to enter the guild, Bones retreated to the inn he had noticed earlier. Upon entering, he was immediately engulfed by the clamor of noise and chatter. Though he received a few curious glances, most patrons were too preoccupied with their meals and drinks to pay him much heed. Making his way to the bar, Bones requested lodging and was directed to the end of the corridor on his right.
Following the instructions, Bones arrived at a reception desk manned by a small, petite woman. She greeted him warmly, her demeanor a welcoming contrast to the bustling atmosphere of the inn.
“'Ello luv, what can I do for ye?” the petite woman addressed Bones as he approached her desk. He paused for a moment, briefly considering if she might be another dwarf.
“'Ello? Hey?” Bones snapped out of his reverie and leaned forward slightly. “I'd like a room. How much is the night?”
“Ahem, it'll be 1 gold per night or 5 gold fer a whole week, breakfast included. Or ye could have a room with a private bath for 2 gold a night! Whatcha say?”
“A regular room for a week would be fine, thank you,” Bones replied.
“Ariight, upper or lower floor?” the woman inquired.
“Upper floor is fine,” Bones decided. He figured it might be less noisy and more private.
“Ariight, with a view or not?” the woman continued.
“…Does it cost more with a view?” Bones asked.
The woman shrugged. “No?”
“Then, with a view,” Bones decided.
“Ariight, breakfast is served between 7 and 9. Don't be late,” the woman added before finalizing the arrangements.
“Ariight, thank you,” Bones replied, taking the key to the room off the desk before ascending the stairs to his accommodations. The room was fairly simple, with a small living area serving as both a bedroom and lounge space. A neatly covered bed occupied the center of the room, flanked by a closet and a lounge chair with a small coffee table beside it. A compact kitchenette shared the same living space, while a small toilet was located in a separate enclosed area.
Inspecting the kitchenette, Bones noticed something he hadn't seen before: a stove powered by small red mana crystals. He wondered how it worked until he placed his hand on the panel, causing it to glow red and emit warmth.
"Amazing," Bones murmured to himself, realizing that the presence of such magical amenities likely explained the price of the room.
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With no balcony but a spacious window offering a view of the Crafters Guild below, Bones removed his chitin armor and shirt, neatly arranging them on the floor beside the bed. As the sun dipped toward the horizon, casting warm hues across the city, Bones settled into the lounge chair by the window. He retrieved a few vials of mana potion from his belongings and watched the lively crowd milling about in front of the guild, their movements illuminated by the soft glow of twilight.
As night fell and the city came alive with the glow of mana-powered lights, Bones mulled over his plans for the following day. Selling some mana stones to afford better gear was a priority, and he resolved to inquire about learning a new profession as well. It wouldn't hurt to diversify his skills and potentially earn some extra coin. Additionally, he reminded himself of the quests he needed to hand in at the Adventurer's Guild.
Gazing out of the window, Bones surveyed the bustling streets below, illuminated by the warm glow of the mana posts. His eyes drifted to the flat rooftops of the buildings, where he spotted the silhouette of a figure in the distance.
"A guard, perhaps?" he speculated, briefly considering the idea of traversing the rooftops. However, he decided against it, content to simply relax with a drink and observe the nocturnal activities of the city below.
At dawn, Bones donned his shirt and armor, pulling his hood down to fully cover his body, then made his way downstairs. It was too early for the barkeep to fully register his presence as he descended. Undeterred, Bones ventured out in search of the armor shop.
Exploring the area, he found numerous workshops teeming with activity and shops selling an array of work-related tools. However, none seemed to offer the kind of weapons and armor he sought. Finally, after asking for directions, he was pointed toward a smaller building located a street away.
The building in question turned out to be the administration office of the Adventurer's Guild, serving as a hub where adventurers could both complete existing quests and take on new ones for their journey. Across from the office stood two shops specializing in adventurers' equipment.
After completing his quests and collecting the rewards, Bones made his way into the armor shop, expecting to find a selection of enchanted gear. However, to his surprise, the shop primarily stocked steel-made, non-enchanted equipment. Inquiring further, Bones learned that the reason for this was the influence of the Crafters Guild.
From the merchant's perspective, there was little incentive to sell higher-quality items with the Crafters Guild nearby, capable of custom-tailoring equipment for adventurers. Consequently, shops in the vicinity primarily offered armor and weapons suited for guards, hunters, and ordinary citizens.
Exhaling pitifully, Bones retraced his steps back to the Crafters Guild. The early morning hour meant there were few people coming and going from the guild. The persistent clunking and grinding of machinery echoed through the air, a testament to the guild's around-the-clock operation in two twelve-hour shifts. Bones couldn't help but shudder at the thought of such a monotonous routine, working the same hours every day, five times a week.
As he passed through the entrance, Bones was greeted by the grotesque sight of machinery towering like small houses, with two to three people operating on each. He stood at the threshold, stunned, absorbing the overwhelming sight before him.
On the ground floor of the guild, Bones found himself amidst the production of various tools and machinery parts, many of which he didn't recognize. As he walked around, observing the activity, a person approached and greeted him.
“Greetings, sir. Can I help you with anything?” the individual inquired, dressed in what appeared to be work attire.
Returning the greeting, Bones looked the man up and down, noting his unconventional clothing. "Greetings. I would like to commission a job for an armorsmith," Bones stated, getting straight to the point.
"I'm sorry, sir," the person apologized, "the ground floor is designated for crafting industrial parts only. You can find the armorsmith station on the second floor, where a supervisor will assist you with any further input you might have. If there's nothing else, goodbye and have a nice day."
"Ah yes, thank you and goodbye," Bones replied absentmindedly as he watched the man depart. Suddenly realizing he forgot to inquire about accessing the second floor, Bones continued to wander around the ground floor, marveling at the production of parts while searching for stairs, to no avail.
"You'd think they would place them in an easy-to-spot place," he mused to himself, growing increasingly frustrated. Suddenly, his attention was drawn to a group of burly men walking over to a platform with walls on three sides. One of them pressed a button on a stand in the middle, and to Bones' amazement, the platform started to rise and disappeared through a hole beyond the ceiling.
Stupefied, Bones stood there staring at the empty space where the platform had been just moments ago. A minute later, he watched as the platform, now empty, returned to its original position. Driven by curiosity, he approached and stood on the platform, his gaze fixated on the button on the stand.
"I fought beasts and men, to hell with this mechanical contraption!" Bones exclaimed as he pressed the button, feeling his mana flow shifting as the platform began to lift. Half a minute later, Bones knelt as the platform came to a stop on the second floor. He unsteadily stepped off the platform and glanced back, observing it descend.
Hearing footsteps behind him, Bones turned and faced a man dressed in the same peculiar attire as the individual below. "A supervisor?" he inquired, seeking confirmation.
After greeting Bones, the man confirmed that he was indeed a supervisor. Following a similar conversation to the one on the ground floor, Bones learned that the guild no longer accepted custom orders. Instead, they focused on mass-producing weapons and armor using pre-existing molds. These items were then stored in separate boxes and transported to various locations via carriages.
Disappointed by the news, Bones was directed toward the mountain chain, where most crafters specializing in custom items for adventurers were stationed. Thanking the supervisor for the information, Bones hesitantly stepped back onto the platform, ready to descend.
Back outside, Bones didn't immediately head towards the mountain chain. Instead, he sat in a nearby coffee shop and ordered a cup of coffee. As he sipped the warm beverage, he took a moment to collect his thoughts. He hadn't expected to encounter such advanced manufacturing innovation. The intricacies of the machinery baffled him, and he struggled to comprehend their functions. It felt like just a month ago, he had a clear understanding of how blacksmiths forged weapons and armorsmiths crafted armor. Now, it seemed that machines handled most of the work, with workers merely operating them.
"Just what is all that machinery about?" Bones mused to himself, frustration evident in his voice. "I swear I will lose my shit if I see another…"
Just as Bones was lost in his thoughts, a peculiar contraption whizzed past him. Startled, he jerked upright, spilling his coffee onto his mask and his lap. The bizarre carriage seemed to move on its own, devoid of any visible driver or reins. It was smaller and sleeker than a typical carriage, with wheels made of an unfamiliar smooth material. Its design was unlike anything Bones had ever seen before. Letting out a frustrated grunt, Bones leaned back in his chair and with a swift motion, flipped the entire table over. "I hate it here!" he exclaimed, his irritation boiling over.