Artificial Fantasy

Chapter 79: Tomes

"M-Magic Kid? You mean me, right?" I sheepishly ask, still shocked at the new face that had suddenly appear behind us.

"Yes. [Kazu], an [Insignis] player who seems to have a particular talent for discovering hidden features and mechanics of the game, even with a [Hidden Quest] that no one even discovered until recently. Yet from what I've heard, you also have a knack for mischief and accidents as well. Who knows what happens if you dare using your talents in a [Guild Building]?"

What? Normally, I would have been only embarrassed at the mention of us in any news. However, it's a whole other story with this guy. Just hearing of those incidents makes me a bit angry and offended. Azel seems to know him and he doesn't seem like a bullying type of player like the ones Wind fought back in <Initio>. Yet, it seems like he's ready to tear out everything I have with those words he spouted following his arrival.

"How would you know that? I've been training my [Magecrafting] from maintaining my staff, so I might improve on it." That might be enough to defend me, but he just scoffs at my claims.

"Repairing and crafting are two different skills. Even if you focus more on the former, you won't improve on the latter. That's the same with your [Mastery]."

My [Mastery]?! I normally would have felt a bit bad with this, but just hearing him spouting out those insults makes me kind of peeved. "E-Excuse me?! The game's barely been released for almost 3 months and not everything has been known yet when it comes to the game's features and lore!"

"Oh? Well, tell me this, Magic Kid. Did you discover anything new after your [Experienced Crafting] methods on [Magecrafting]? Other than your aforementioned [Hidden Quest] you took on."

With those words, I quickly choke. I want to snap back with my answer. But now that I think about it, I can't think up of one. Other than the ones he mentioned, I'm drawing a blank here.

"That should be enough as proof. I can see that from your lifeless eyes coming out from your [Death Penalty]."

And then, I glare at the strange man, ready to pull out my staff for a magic attack as payback. But then, Azel steps in between us and shouts, "That's enough, you two! Zale, Alton already told you not to make any trouble. That includes the guild members' friends from the outside!"

I sigh as I loosen up, knowing what will happen if they get caught in a crossfire figuratively and literally. It also won't be pretty if Wind finds out I snapped and let out a spell that could destroy half of the building.

"Sorry, I lost my cool for a moment. But I want to make sure your friend here won't make any more damages as the others warned me about. Not to mention he might disturb me from working on my experiment."

"Experiment?" I ask as I raise my eyebrow. "Are you going to craft something?"

"You can say that. But I can do more than just crafting. Rather, I'm improving a certain weapon you're familiar with."

A certain item? I want to ask him what, but he just passes by me and walked to a nearby station three blocks away from me. I know he has something more to show me after he tore down my skills as a crafter and magician, so Azel and I follow him as he brings out a somewhat familiar kit on his desk.

[Advanced Enchantment Kit]

[A toolkit that provides several stones, magical potions, and a magical circle board to any experienced magician.

Quality: 10]

Advanced?! Does that mean he's got more experience in [Magecrafting] more than I do? I wish I scoff it off. But then, he takes out several books that I have never seen before.