After the world snapped back into place from its sudden deformation, Mell found herself falling from the air.
After skillfully landing on her feet, she began expertly pushing her way through the crowd. In the periphery of her vision was a translucent chat box.
Constellation Phaethon: FINALLY
Constellation A Fractured Big Boulder: What happened to Evan?
Constellation Free Tiara: These Admins suck
Constellation Phaethon: Yeah this new Admin gave up on this World too. And he just got here lmao
"Welcome, welcome! Quiet now everyone! I have so much to tell you!" Administrator Ko De Oako began his introduction high in the sky.
"Role!" Mell called out, ignoring Administrator Ko De Oako's introduction. It was scripted anyway.
{Your Role is: Alchemist
As an Alchemist you have been gifted the necessary knowledge to assist those in need! To make better use of your role, an Alchemist's Cauldron and gathered materials are required. Perhaps those of a different occupation could help...
Gained Skill: (Temporary) [Eye of Bleeding] - No wound can hide from your eyes. With just a glance you can view an individual's HP and Health Status.
(Temporary) [Beginner's Book of Basic Alchemy] - You have gained the knowledge of a Beginner Alchemist}
Mell clicked her tongue in irritation. "Shit, seriously?"
The Constellations spammed the chat with laughter.
Constellation A Fractured Big Boulder: LOL what are you gonna do now? You can't camp in the sky like last playthrough!
Mell scoffed. "Watch me."
Once she had successfully broken free from the crowd she boldly ran into the dark, following the dim light of braziers that faintly spotted the broken cobblestone path. Along the way, softly hidden in the dark were decaying houses made of stone and broken brick. The windows were bare, not a curtain nor a shutter. And why would there be? In the brief glimpses she had seen, not a soul could be found within.
At the end of the path, she stumbled upon a Dwarf skillfully digging near a fragmented cobblestone staircase. The speed in which he swung his pickaxe was incredible--incredibly inhuman, that is. Chunks of stone disappeared in the blink of an eye, revealing soft soil underneath. Even then, when such material was exposed, he didn't stop, nor shift his attention away from such material. In fact, he chipped away at it quite happily.
"You!" She shouted.
The Dwarf quickly lifted his head eying her curiously, no doubt trying to make her out through the dark.
"Materials! Now! All of it!" She ordered.
The Dwarf slowly widened their eyes in pleasant surprise. "You're an Alchemist?" He shoved a hand into a dirty pocket, taking out a ball of material and throwing it in her direction. "Here! This is all I've managed to gather so far! It should be enough to make a few [Bottle of Thunder]!"
She transferred all of the materials the Dwarf handed her into her inventory and then quickly ran up the large staircase, jumping over the chips in-between the steps.
At the top of the staircase was a run-down stone building. Bleeding through a boarded up window was a warm, flickering orange light that cast shadows in the dark.
She slammed her way inside, almost breaking the fragile wood door against the stone wall. "You!" She marched her way towards a Dwarf that was hammering away at an anvil, a scorching hot forge blazing right behind him. "Make me some glass!"
She tossed him a handful of sand before he could respond.
The Dwarf happily grabbed the Sand, unfazed by her rude arrival.
He chuckled. "You! I like you! A smart Gal who knows what she wants!" After completing that sentence he tossed her a set of glass bottles. Three in total. "Quick, find me some more sand!" And with that, he returned to hammering on the anvil.
After receiving the glass from the Blacksmith, she steadily made her way outside. She walked across the street--into the pitch dark. Little could be seen, the light from the moon barely providing enough to see outlines ahead. Despite this, she walked forth, knowing where to go.
Constellation Free Tiara: Its so dark I can't see shit.
Constellation Phaethon: Yo, Mell, can you light a fire or something? This is boring.
She ignored them, stopping once she arrived in front a shoddily-set cloth tent; its cloth of patchwork design. She pushed the flap door up and made her way inside.
Inside was completely pitch black--there was no way to see anything, not even her own hands.
She rummaged around in her inventory and took out her phone, turning on the flashlight.
Constellation Free Tiara: Why didn't you use that earlier?!
Constellation A Fractured Big Boulder: I know right?!
"Shut up, I need to save the batteries. You guys know this." She clicked her tongue in frustration.
Caught in the center of the clear bright light was an unlit cauldron filled with a strange, thick fluid.
She made her way forth, crouching down beside the iron cauldron, taking out a lighter from her inventory.
Constellation Free Tiara: Man, I missed the time when everyone was new to this. They were so creative back then...
Constellation Phaethon: Yeah, everything's so easy if you're in the know...
Constellation A Fractured Big Boulder: Wanna go watch somebody else?
Ignoring their taunts, she lit the fire, fanning it to strengthen the flame.
Once the fire was adequately set, she turned off the flashlight of her phone.
"Craft!" She called out.
A standard crafting menu appeared in front of her.
There were only three things she could make: [Bottle of Thunder], [Basic Splash Healing], and [Basic Mana Recovery].
[Bottle of Thunder] required a mix of Cobble, Gravel, Glass, and a bit of Mana. It acted as a basic grenade and did a bit of respectable damage.
[Basic Splash Healing] required a mix of Enchanted Dirt and Mana. It healed a decent amount--the only requirement being that the bottle it was made in breaks.
And [Basic Mana Recovery] required Wood, Dirt, and a bit of Mana. It recovers the same amount of Mana it takes to craft with an additional fraction steadily recovering over 3 minutes.
Admittedly, there was more she could make--but that required a bit of cooperation between the different Roles.
She quickly made two bottles of [Basic Mana Recovery] and one [Bottle of Thunder] and ran outside, ignoring the shouts of confusion that originated from the courtyard.
She ran through the dark and followed a different spottily-lit path, this time aiming for the keep found in the center of the fortress.
Along the way she passed a few Dwarves that, depending on their Role, would freely hand her materials or supplies they had gathered. She readily accepted all of the items--even those she herself didn't need.
Constellation Free Tiara: I hate how they treat you like a celebrity...
Constellation Phaethon: I wish people were that glad to see me...
Constellation A Fractured Big Boulder: Why are you guys rhyming with each other? This isn't fair!
"Maybe because I'm better than all of thee?" Mell cheekily replied.
Constellation A Fractured Big Boulder: Stop... Just stop... You made it worse...
It took a few seconds but Mell arrived at a massive staircase that lead to the grand entrance of the keep. Unlike the previous staircases she had seen, this one was completely intact. Large, brilliant braziers hung from chains that dangled from iron posts. Each gust of wind caused it to slightly sway, causing the shadows to shift rhythmically.
At the top of the well-kept staircase were a massive set of enforced double doors; right beside it, adorning the door frame, were brilliant golden flags displaying the image of a burning flame. Oil lamps kept the entrance sufficiently lit.
Mell ran up the stairs, keeping a steady pace for what came next.
Like clockwork, the enforced double doors burst open, a infuriated Dwarf stepping through.
"I told you, I can't!" The Dwarf shouted into the Keep. "We have no way to set the obsidian! I am not going to be the one to damage the [Eye of Dawn], you can, if you want! It's all yours!"
The Dwarf, covered in polished iron armor and a black eyepatch covering his left eye, angrily stomped down the steps as a voice rushed forth from the keep.
"I can't do this without you!" A Dwarf, covered in golden robes chased after him, hitching up the end of her robes as she glided down the steps. "We must do this together! Without the obsidian, the Artifact may very well be exposed!"
"Good!" The angry Dwarf huffed. "At least then we can blame it on the damn Ogres being too strong!"
"And declare ourselves incompetent?!" The golden-robed Dwarf scoffed. "And you call yourself the 'Captain of the Forge'!"
"What did you say?!" The angry Dwarf snapped back, a hand gripping the pommel of his sword.
The golden-robed dwarf defiantly glared back, streams of water beginning to lace her fingers.
"Ladies, ladies," Mell sarcastically interjected, causing both Dwarves to eye her wearily, "I can see you're both out of Mana, and I have just the remedy for that." She summoned a bottle of [Basic Mana Recovery] and sloshed it loosely in the air.
"Who are you?" The eye-patch Dwarf growled, obviously offended by her comment.
"That may just be enough!" A brilliant smile crossed the golden-robed Dwarf's face, brightening her tired complexion.
"An Alchemist!" Mell answered vaguely.
Eye-patch Dwarf snickered. "And what do you want in exchange for your services?"
Mell grinned, her eyes narrowing slightly. "A Builder."
"Shouldn't you Humans have a Builder amongst you?" He asked, incredulous.
"A competent one." Mell clarified.
"That, we can do!" The golden-robed Dwarf stepped forth. "Of course, we must set the obsidian before our Builder can lend their aid."
"Of course, that's why I'm here." Mell tossed her the bottle. "Lead the way."