Chapter 55: Rise of the Engineer

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John: “So, how are the test subjects going?”

Viola: “They’re learning faster than expected! Seriously, their thought process is way more complex than our regular NPCs. Of course, I couldn’t have done it without Mikey’s help!”

Michael: “I only provided you with the necessary data. That’s all. But if you’re feeling generous, I wouldn’t mind a gift in my inbox.”

Viola: “Aww! I’ll see a way to compensate you. Don’t worry.”

Samuel: “All right. How’s the reconstruction of Londorus going?”

Hayden: “It’s going great! Again, thanks to Michael for sending the additional workforce. If my estimation is correct, the NPCs will finish work in the next 40 days. And don’t worry, Sam, their citizens are taking care of the expenses. Shoutout to Astrid Bradford who contributed to half of the funds.”

Samuel: “So the brat is growing up, huh?”

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Just look at us. Two rogue Users have destroyed half a city and we don’t ask ourselves why, Ricardo reflected, gritting his teeth. If they could only know what’s hiding under our noses… No, if my assumptions are correct, at least one of them already knows.

Ricardo glanced at the list of members present. Kentaro is extremely quiet today. He’s online though.

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Samuel: “Ricardo, wake up.”

Ricardo: “I wasn’t snoozing, you know.”

Samuel: “Yeah, right. Have you investigated that anomaly you were talking about?”

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Before replying, Ricardo stared at the chat window for arduous seconds. How much information can I reveal? Oh, I really hate this. I never thought the day I’d have to keep secrets from my colleagues would come.

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Ricardo: “I got worried about nothing. I discovered the existence of a level 5 User. Besides that, nothing worth reporting.”

John: “Say that again? Did you say five?”

Jane: “It’s true. I paid him a visit the other day. What a loser.”

Samuel: “What do you mean, Jane?”

Jane: “If by this time the creep hasn’t leveled up at all, that makes him a loser in my eyes, Sam. I’m sure he has been hiding all this time, cowering in fear or full of social anxiety. Why didn’t he turn into a Quitter like the others?”

Samuel: “Ricardo, explain this. How can you say that there is nothing wrong with him? John designed side quests so even the most stupid could level up.”

Ricardo: “The User has not been afflicted by any bug or glitch, so…”

Michael: “What’s their name?”

Jane: “Alan Warden.”

Michael: “Permission to open this User’s profile.”

John: “Allowed.”

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Dammit, Ricardo thought, forming a fist.

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Michael: “Let’s see. Alan Warden… He recently turned Level 6 a day ago. Wait, what?”

Samuel: “Jane, did you just assume that he has been doing nothing all this time? Did you even talk to him?”

Jane: “How else would you explain his level then?”

Michael: “I’m checking his Activity Log… It’s as if he has been outside the system until just recently because there is a blank 40-month gap here. If he had been sitting in the Renovatio Caves this whole time, that’d be registered here.”

John: “So, external interference then…”

Samuel: “Yeah, that’s what I thought too.”

Hayden: “Did you hear that stupid?”

Jane: “Are you talking to me?!”

Samuel: “Enough. Where is he now?”

Michael: “Unus Town. After traveling back and forth for the last week, he returned to Eurola’s Beginners Town.”

Xia: “Do you think something happened outside?”

Hayden: “If that’s the case, why is he chilling in Unus Town trying to catch up?”

Jane: “Don’t ever call me stupid again, did you hear me?!”

Hayden: “Or what, chibi?”

Samuel: “Enough, both of you! Jane, you’re supposed to be the Administrator of Conduct here. If you can’t keep your temper, how do you expect to keep doing your work?”

Jane: “Whatever. I know what you’re all thinking. Someone has to talk to the guy. I’ll go. He has already seen my face anyway, and it’s also my job.”

Hayden: “Are you sure you can handle it?”

Jane: “Shut up.”

** Jane Andersen has exited the chatroom. **

Hayden: “Ha! Look at her rushing to fix her mistake!”

Samuel: “What do you think, John?”

John: “Let’s wait for Jane’s report, okay?”

Samuel: “Fine. This week’s session has ended.”

Hayden: “Alright, see you later, guys!”

Xia: “Good night. Everyone.”

Kentaro: “Good night, Ricardo.”

Ricardo: “Good night to you too, Ken, my man.”

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Ricardo pursed his lips as he watched every one of them leave.

The Glitch Administrator exhaled after closing his system window. I hope that Alan keeps his promise and doesn’t say anything to Jane.

He opened his Friend List tab, from where his previous chat with Alan could be accessed. I would like to warn him, but I just realized that Michael could monitor my conversations with him… I’ll have to trust him for now. Good luck, Alan…

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“Hey, the deal was for you to learn Smithing, but why is she here?”

“I’m going to teach her all of this anyway, so it doesn’t really matter if she’s just watching, right?” Alan said to the town’s blacksmith while opening his User Interface. “Here is the rest of the 45,000 gold as promised. Could you ask your wife if it’s okay to start now, please?”

Jared turned to her, uneasy. “It’s pretty late, but I won’t mind as long as she’s okay with it.”

“I’ll do whatever you order, dear,” the NPC wife said in a soft tone of voice.

Of course, she’d answer that.

“Don’t say it like that, honey,” Jared whispered, before turning back to Alan. “Fine. It won’t take too long, anyway. This crafting profession is not like in our previous lives. Things are easier here, learning is… faster.”

“Thanks, Jared.”

Jared sighed, before glancing at Alan’s NPC. “What’s your name, sweetheart?”

“I’m Anastasia, nice to meet you, Mr. Jared.”

“I have a workshop in the back. Use it. And you’ll have to pay for any material you use to practice. Honey, take notice of that, please.”

We’re alike, and not at all at the same time.

“Thanks, Jared.”

The Weaponsmith frowned at him. “You already said that.”

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Just by knowing the basics, I realized I could theoretically recreate an already existing weapon or piece of gear. Although I will not be able to copy its unique effects or status, it is enough for now.

“Speaking of the devil,” Kristoff said at the sight of his new best client. “Were you able to replicate it?”

Alan smirked and placed a handgun over the counter. “See for yourself.”

“You’re freaking kidding me.” Kristoff squinted, examining the rough replica of a silver sharpshooter-class weapon he had sold to Alan a couple of days ago. Its Attack was only a fraction of the original and its rarity was a rank lower. “A Bronze Weapon… You have crafted something that is not normally available for someone like you. No offense. It’s the first time I’ve seen someone try something like this.”

“Maybe because no one else had the need to.”

“Yeah.” Kristoff nodded, returning the gun. “Levelers are constantly changing gear as soon as they find something better, so no one bothers crafting inferior stuff. I could get you more firearms if you want. Shotguns, sniper rifles.”

“Sure! In the meantime, do you have silver-tier Tank Gear?”

“I have some. A bunch actually.” After manipulating his User Interface, the displaying cases changed their contents to show full-body sets of armor. “People used to travel back and forth to this town during the first year, so they’d bring what they found in other cities. Lots and lots of unsold silver rank gear. Are you also going to replicate that?”

Alan strolled to the center of the room with an absent expression on his face. “Hmm? Oh, it’s not for me.” He then pointed with his chin at his companion, waiting at the entrance. “She’s level 25. Hey, I didn’t know that NPCs could level up. Awesome!”

“They need to sometimes defend themselves, you know.” Kristoff filtered the selection of displaying gear to only show Defensive oriented items. “Are you sure this is going to work?”

Alan smiled at him. “Don’t worry, I already know what to do. Let’s equip her.”

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