Ultimately, I decided to have a new kitchen knife crafted to resolve Lee Jun-ho’s predicament.
Of course, I didn’t mean I would forge it myself.
Thanks to the promotional effect of the 1,000,000 coins I had invested, proposals from numerous races were already pouring in. Among them, a few particularly caught my eye.
**[Sacrifice a branch of the World Tree to me. I shall grant you corresponding knowledge in return]** — by Lich
“Sacrifice?”
A smirk escaped my lips.
The next request was not much different.
**[It is a material of considerable value for research. Hand over a branch to me. If it aids my growth, I shall bestow my grace upon you]** — by Dragon Hatchling
“These guys are hilarious.”
I scoffed.
Besides the Lich and the Dragon Hatchling, the majority of the high-ranking races I was seeing for the first time demanded the World Tree branch with a similarly overbearing attitude.
‘How obnoxious. No matter how great they think they are, I’m the one holding the World Tree branch. They’ve completely misunderstood who holds the power here.’
I scrolled through the screen, skimming the requests. I felt an impulse to hit the reject button on every single one of them.
‘These guys have the wrong attitude from the start.’
Besides, I was already looking for something specific. Their demands didn’t interest me at all. However, I calmed my mind. The important thing right now was helping Lee Jun-ho.
Just then, I discovered the proposal I had been hoping for amidst the mountain of offers.
“I knew it. I knew there would be at least one.”
**[If you only give me the opportunity to handle a branch of the World Tree, I ask for no result in return. I will craft whatever item you desire using the finest techniques I possess]** — by the Steel Blacksmith
“This is even more radical than I expected.”
Compared to the arrogance of the others, this was likable from the get-go. Furthermore, since he offered to make whatever I wanted without asking for anything in return, I was more than happy to accept.
“I’ll go with this one.”
I cast aside all the overbearing proposals and decided to commission the Dwarf blacksmith for the task.
**[You have accepted the proposal of Garnet, the Steel Blacksmith]**
**[Your favorability with Dwarves has significantly increased due to your connection with the renowned Dwarf Steel Blacksmith]**
**[Favorability with the Dwarf race has increased by 3 levels]**
**[Rumors about the Rocket Store are spreading widely throughout the Dwarf Kingdom]**
“Huh?”
My favorability with the Halflings, whom I had traded with the most, was still only at Level 2. Even considering the previous request regarding the Golden Barley, did a single trade jump my favorability by 3 levels?
‘Was the value of the World Tree even greater than I thought?’
I felt a slight twinge of regret, wondering if I had undervalued it.
“Hmm… Hmmm…”
But it was too late to back out now. I had decided on the sponsorship, and considering the limited-time requests in the future, I firmly told myself it was a necessary investment. Otherwise, I felt like I would be sick with regret.
However, it wasn’t over yet.
**[Garnet, the Steel Blacksmith, has accepted the Rocket Store’s proposal]**
**[Achievement Unlocked! You have achieved ‘First Connection with a Great Figure’]**
**[Achievement Reward: You have obtained a new decoration, the Blacksmith’s Miniature Anvil (Rare)]**
“A Rare-grade decoration?”
I immediately checked the new decoration I had earned through the achievement. It was a black anvil the size of a palm, yet it exuded an inexplicably heavy aura of steel.
**[Blacksmith’s Miniature Anvil]**
Grade: Rare
Conditions: Automatically unlocked upon reaching Favorability Level 3 with Dwarves and your first interaction with a great figure of the Dwarf race.
**[Held Effects]**
Crafting Success Rate Correction: The success probability and quality of all crafting requests processed through the Rocket Store increase by 5%.
Durability Enhancement: The base durability of all equipment sold through the Rocket Store increases by 10%.
Advanced Requests: The probability of Rare-grade requests related to Dwarves appearing increases by 5%.
“This… This is totally broken, isn’t it?”
My jaw dropped.
The normal-grade Golden Slime decoration only had one held effect, but perhaps because this was Rare-grade, the anvil had three. This was a value that couldn’t even be measured in money. I felt like I had made the right choice by investing 1,000,000 coins to start a transaction with Garnet.
“I can even exchange simple messages.”
**[I heard you are interested in the opportunity to handle a branch of the World Tree. I am commissioning the production of a sturdy kitchen knife to be used for butchering an Ancient Mammoth]**
After sending the message, I waited a moment for a reply. A typical requester would have haggled over the rewards or conditions multiple times, but since Garnet was only interested in the branch itself, I expected the trade wouldn’t be as difficult as with the other races.
**[Understood]**
A short answer. Not quite the response I wanted.
**[How long will it take?]**
I needed to provide accurate information to Lee Jun-ho based on the production period. No matter how urgent it was, I couldn’t send a half-baked knife. A kitchen knife was like the soul of a chef, after all.
As soon as I sent the message, a reply arrived instantly. It was at a lightning speed that showed no hesitation.
**[I am about to start working on it right now!]**
“What?”
I doubted my eyes. What was this reaction speed? It was as if he had been waiting with bated breath for me to accept the proposal. Judging by the system message, the title ‘Steel’ didn’t seem to be a name given to just any Dwarf blacksmith.
“I’m actually a bit worried now.”
It was more unsettling than if he had told me not to rush him or that it would take time. It felt like I needed to send an additional message.
**[Is there anything else I can do to help? If you need anything, I’ll procure it for you]**
**[No need. From the moment I first saw the promotional message, I made all the arrangements so I could start crafting immediately. I didn’t expect a kitchen knife, but that is no problem. I will provide the finest result. Wait without pestering me]**
Only after seeing the system message did I understand the reason.
“I get it, but this is ridiculous in its own way. What was he going to do if I didn’t accept his proposal? Just twiddle his thumbs after preparing everything?”
Relieved, I finally sent a message to Lee Jun-ho. It would be a waste of money if he went and bought another kitchen knife for no reason.
**[Please wait just a little longer. I will send you the finest kitchen knife soon]**
After a moment, a reply came from Lee Jun-ho.
**[I am ashamed. For a chef to break his knife… But how did you know?]**
**[Ah, I should have mentioned this earlier. I can see you while the request is being carried out]**
Upon receiving that message, Lee Jun-ho looked around in all directions. He seemed to be looking for something like a surveillance camera, but those didn’t exist.
**[While I truly appreciate the sentiment, I think I’ll be fine]**
I was flustered by Lee Jun-ho’s sudden reaction.
**[Is there some kind of problem?]**
**[Ah, no. It’s just that the Mammoth meat is so tough that ordinary kitchen knives are useless. I’ve already broken several more. I was contemplating commissioning a large blacksmith guild, so I’m telling you this just in case. I appreciate it, but I must decline]**
He was clearly anxious that he might just break the knife again if it wasn’t something special.
**[It’s fine. If that’s the issue, don’t worry and leave it to me. The knife I’m preparing for you will be far more special than anything from a blacksmith guild. A Dwarf is making it, after all]**
I could see Lee Jun-ho’s eyes widen through the screen when he saw my message.
**[A Dwarf? Thank you! Then… I will trust you and wait]**
I smiled warmly at the sight of Lee Jun-ho, who had been slumping dejectedly, finding hope again after my message.
Meanwhile, while Garnet was making the knife, I needed to use the remaining branches for something else. I brought up the hologram screen again and looked for requests I could fulfill with the remaining branches.
When I refreshed the screen, countless proposals for the World Tree branch poured in again. Of course, many of them were still arrogant and overbearing, like the requests from the Lich and the Dragon Hatchling.
“Though it’s not like there are no clear and polite proposals.”
Compared to Garnet, whom I had already traded with, their proposals seemed far too meager compared to the value of the World Tree.
“Well, it’s not like a shut-in like me is short on time.”
After that, I spent a long time checking the proposals while holding a hamburger in one hand. It wasn’t a difficult task for a shut-in. It just took a bit of time. Thanks to that, two interesting proposals caught my eye.
**[I shall provide the Elven Art of Magic Gem Engraving in exchange for a branch of the World Tree]** — by Elf
**[If I can obtain a branch of the World Tree, which has the power to purify contaminated land, I will help you form connections with the young Phantasmal Beasts of our world]** — by Druid
Both were attractive proposals.
‘The Elven Art of Magic Gem Engraving. So magic gems had other uses.’
**[Magic Gem Engraving]**
Description: A technique for engraving magic gems to draw out the capabilities of equipment.
Effect: Grants effects such as mana infusion, durability increase, and specific stat enhancement to equipment.
Currently on Earth, magic gems had no use other than for making accessories. However, it seemed the Elves possessed magic that used them to strengthen equipment.
‘If we add the Elven Magic Gem Engraving to Paladin Leon’s scripture buff and Halfling O’Donnell’s cooking buff, exactly how much buffing power would that be?’
Every time I discovered buffs from these different races that possessed unique enhancement methods, a picture formed in my mind. If all these enhancements and buffs were stacked, what kind of explosive synergy would they create?
The top-tier expedition teams, including the already powerful Sim Jae-seong, would be able to conquer the highest floors much faster if they experienced this. It was a tempting proposal.
“But the Druid’s proposal isn’t bad either.”
The Druid’s proposal went beyond simply obtaining items; it offered to form connections with Phantasmal Beasts.
**[Connection with Phantasmal Beasts]**
Description: Mediates connections between hunters and young Phantasmal Beasts in the Druid’s world who are in need of masters.
Effect: Depending on the hunter’s affinity, they can take a Phantasmal Beast as a companion to grow together, utilizing the beast’s unique abilities (combat, scouting, support, etc.).
This felt similar to hiring a personal mercenary.
‘Of course, it probably won’t be as free as hiring Leon or Kargar, and hiring mercenaries for every floor would be a burden.’
Mercenaries didn’t have multiple bodies. According to the Druid’s explanation, not just anyone could form a connection. There was a first condition of having a new stat called Affinity, and a second condition of having to become close even after forming the connection.
“But with this service, since it’s about forming connections with young Phantasmal Beasts, it feels like the sooner I provide the service, the better.”
It could be a huge help, especially for healers or buffers who had a hard time climbing the Tower alone. They lacked combat capabilities but were vital beings responsible for the party’s stability. If they were given companions like Phantasmal Beasts, not only their safety but also the success rate of climbing the Tower would increase significantly.
I pondered for a moment. Just as I had chosen Garnet to provide the best kitchen knife for Lee Jun-ho…
“This time too, it seems better to bet on a greater possibility rather than immediate profit.”
The Druid’s proposal held the greatest potential. Ultimately, I put the Elven engraving on hold and accepted the Druid’s proposal.
**[You have accepted the proposal of Armad the Druid]**
**[Your favorability with Druids has significantly increased due to your connection with the renowned Druid Armad]**
**[Favorability with the Druid race has increased by 2 levels]**
**[Word of the Rocket Store is spreading among a small number of Druids]**
I smirked at the system message on the screen. As I thought, my choice wasn’t wrong. Just then, a new system message appeared in the Rocket Store’s warehouse.
**[Armad the Druid has sent a gift of friendship]**
**[Item: You have obtained a ‘Mysterious Phantasmal Beast Egg’]**
“What? He gave one to me too?”
My hands trembled as I looked at the mysterious egg resting in my palm. Following the World Tree and Aria, what was I supposed to do with this one?