The virtual world of Satisfy was screaming.
Across every gaming forum, from the neon-lit arcades of Seoul to the high-tech bunkers of Silicon Valley, a single question echoed: Who is the Anonymous Craftsman?
The appearance of the Mythical Jaffa-Silver Arrows hadn't just broken the auction house; it had shattered the established hierarchy of the blacksmithing world.
In a high-end forge in the Saharan Empire, Panmir, the current number one ranked blacksmith, let his hammer fall silent.
He stared at the screenshots of the Unique-rated arrows with a mixture of awe and biting jealousy.
"A craftsman... with great potential but lacking experience?" Panmir whispered, his voice trembling. "I've spent thousands of hours at this anvil. I've barely touched the threshold of Rare-rated gear. Who is this ghost who produces Unique-grade weaponry in a starter village?"
Ttang! Ttang!
He began to strike the iron with a renewed, desperate fury. He wasn't just forging a sword; he was chasing a shadow.
While the world burned with curiosity, the cause of the chaos was currently focused on a more humble pursuit: a plate of steaming soybean paste stew.
Kim Arthur sat at a roadside stall in the real world, the morning sun warming his neck. Most high-level players who spent 20 hours a day in a capsule looked like pale, skeletal wraiths. But Arthur was different. Despite his grueling schedule, his body was lean and athletic.
He didn't just rely on his blessing of a {Healthy Body}. He knew that a sharp mind required a tempered vessel. Every morning, without fail, he spent two hours jogging and performing calisthenics before his first meal.
"A frail body makes a frail spirit," Arthur muttered, blowing on his stew. "If I'm going to conquer the Satisfy and stand beside Yura, I can't look like a shut-in."
He finished his breakfast, greeted the stall owner with a polite nod, and headed back to his apartment. After a quick shower, he slid into the sleek, high-end Diamond capsule that served as his gateway to another life.
"Login."
The air in Bairan was crisp, smelling of distant rain and woodsmoke. Arthur's first stop the Auction House. He needed to withdraw the fruits of his labor.
As he approached the terminal, he felt a surge of anticipation. He had listed 100 Epic arrows at a base of 15 silver and 10 Unique arrows at 5 gold.
"Withdrawal," Arthur commanded.
The system chimed, and a heavy pouch of gold materialized in his hand. But as he checked the balance, his eyes narrowed.
[Total Sales: 210 Gold]
[Actual Received: 173 Gold]
Arthur's jaw tightened. He did the math in his head instantly.
* Epic Sale (100 Gold): 15% commission (15 Gold) deducted.
* Unique Sale (110 Gold): 20% commission (22 Gold) deducted.
"Thirty-seven gold..." Arthur hissed, the phantom pain of the loss stinging more than any monster's claw. "The S.A. Group and Grid's loan shark 'Mother's Heart is happy' are no different. They're leeches."
In the original novel, Grid had been exploited by debt; here, Arthur was being exploited by success. The higher the grade of the item, the more the system sucked from the creator.
If he produced a Legendary item through the auction house, he might lose 25% or more to "service fees."
"I need a base," Arthur decided, his gaze turning toward the village gates. "I need to get to Khan's Smithy in Winston. If I have my own storefront and direct contracts with the customers, I can bypass these bloodsuckers entirely."
Arthur had a plan. He wouldn't flood the market with Legendary items yet. He needed to farm at least 5,000 points in each attribute through item production all stat bonus before he let the world see his true peak. But staying in Bairan was no longer an option.
There was another, more... personal reason Arthur wanted to leave.
Smith, the village blacksmith, had become increasingly "friendly" after Arthur produced the Unique arrows. The way the old man looked at him—with misty eyes and a tendency to linger too long when patting Arthur's shoulder—made Arthur's skin crawl.
"I respect his craftsmanship, but I don't respect his gaze," Arthur shuddered. "If I stay here one more night, he might come and try to 'appraise' me in my sleep."
Arthur headed toward the carriage station. Bairan was a village for Level 50 players; he was already pushing Level 172. It was time to move to a region that matched his power.
He approached a coachman, his high reputation in Bairan preceding him.
"How much is to Winston," Arthur said.
The coachman, a weathered NPC who usually charged 8 gold for the long, dangerous trek, looked at Arthur's face. His Dignity stat's effect flairing along with his reputation.
"I'll give ye a discount, traveler. 7 gold and 90 silver."
Arthur paid the fee, feeling a small sense of victory. Unlike the original Grid, who had to walk or pay full price, Arthur's strategic use of reputation was already paying dividends.
As the carriage began to rumble along the dirt road, Arthur settled into the straw-padded seat. He had purchased two rare books on metallurgy and ancient history for 1 gold before leaving, intending to spend the journey increasing his intelligence stat.
The carriage jolted over a pothole, but Arthur barely noticed. He opened his character window, admiring the permanent stat bonuses he had gained from his "Masterpiece" production.
"Grid's legend started with a struggle," Arthur mused, watching the Bairan skyline disappear. "Mine starts with a conquest. I didn't just match his achievement; I surpassed it by three months and made a fortune in the process."
He thought of Jishuka, who was likely currently tearing Bairan apart looking for him. He thought of the Tzedakah Guild, who would soon be desperate enough to follow the "scent" of his arrows all the way to Winston.
The blacksmithing was a means to an end—a way to fund his journey and gear himself in a way no other player could dream of. But his true goal remained the same: to be the strongest combatant in the world.
The coachman whistled a tune, and the horses trotted at a steady pace. Arthur opened his first book, the text shimmering in the afternoon light.
"Wait for me, Khan," Arthur whispered. "The two of us are going to turn Winston into the center of the world. And Grid... don't worry. I'll make sure you still get your chance to shine. You're just going to be working for me."
The journey to Winston had begun. The phantom of Bairan was gone, and the future King of the Forge was on the move.
Arthur is on his way to Winston to meet Khan and establish his base. Meanwhile, the news of the 'Unique Arrow' is spreading to the higher echelons of the high ranking guilds.