8 Actually... In fact. I can

Taking out two billiard-ball sized orbs out of a briefcase, the artisan began his work.

The dark-green orb giving off a metallic luster was a refined monster core.

The creamy-white orb with a jade-like texture was the refined casing material. By the looks of it, this seemed like a high grade tusk material.

Fluidly placing the monster core onto a 'burner', the artisan tapped his marker onto that green core.

The room fell silent. This was the show all the explorers came to watch.

The explorers couldn't see or sense anything. However, as a detector, Jake could see a small pillar of mana energy beaming up that burner, enveloping that monster ore.

With a masterful flick of wrist, the artisan started his work.

The green monster core started to melt. A stream of green material followed the artisan's marker into the air.

One stroke after another, the artisan started writing out a runic character.

Except the process seemed excruciatingly slow. The artisan was clearly trying and focusing on this work. But his hand was just not that steady.

As a result, he had to slowly and carefully inch the marker around.

Seeing this, Jake lightly shook his head. 'Already left a potential breakpoint. This could cause the entire piece to fail.'

As expected, five minutes later, the artisan stopped writing. Observing his own work, the artisan furrowed his brows.

'Caused by minor disturbance from the atmosphere. Just need a gentle push on the three junction points to fix the problem. Rookie level trouble.' Jake unconsciously shook his head again. 'No good at all.'

The artisan looked up for a moment, thinking of a potential solution.

Most of the explorers just watched with blank yet hopeful gazes. Having these guys as background, Jake's expression was the odd one out.

"What do you know." The artisan shot an impatient glare at Jake.

Without waiting for a response, the artisan went back to observing his work.

After a minute, he just turned off the station. The green material collapsed onto the counter.

In the next instant, the entire core dried up into green dust, disappearing in air.

A core that's worth over one grand was wasted just like that.

'Giving up just like that?' Jake took a sip of his coffee.

The explorers around were used to scenes like this. No boos, no sighs. They all just respectfully remained silent.

The guildmaster didn't appear to care either.

Another run.

Five minutes later.

The artisan ran into a problem again. Got no idea what to do next. Stuck again.

Raising his head, Jake's subtly shaking head came into view. To the artisan, this was definitely a scornful expression mocking his failure.

He was already feeling agitated and frustrated over his failures. Now, Jake's response was like the gasoline poured into fire.

The artisan glared at Jake.

Jake shrugged. "Yes. Are there any solutions on my face? You've already ran into a dead-end."

"That's it!" The artisan threw his marker onto the counter. "What do you know! Are you looking down on me?"

Without giving Jake a chance to speak, the artisan continued. "Do you know how distracting you are?"

"If you can make a talisman, you do it."

"If not, I'll need you to get out."

The artisan turned off the station.

The explorers here all turned their gazes to Jake. This seemed like the perfect opportunity to sell a favor to master Harold. Some explorers were already closing in.

Jake took out his practice marker and waved it around. "Actually, I am capable of making a talisman."

The explorers froze in their place. They didn't know much about the artisan trade. So they couldn't tell if Jake was actually holding an artisan marker or not.

"What. With your 49 dollars practice marker?" The successful-looking artisan chuckled in mockery.

With these mocking words, laughter broke out in the room.

"Go back to school kid!"

"The kid wants to have a try too!"

"Even a kid knows that guildmaster is..."

Ignoring the crowd, Jake turned to Nick Rogers.

During this time, Nick Rogers quickly took a look at Jake as well.

This guildmaster looked even more displeased.

Without further thought, Nick Rogers shook his head.

He was seeking an artisan, not a high school kid asking for free practice material.

"If you think this is a game, you are very wrong."

"The honor of iron tier guilds cannot be lightly touched."

"We are not your parents or your teachers. There will be serious consequences."

"Kid. Do you understand what you are doing."

"If you are seeking free practice material, you've picked the wrong target."

Hearing the warning from this guildmaster, chatter exploded in the crowd.

'Great.' Jake rolled his eyes in his mind.

Clearly, this guildmaster overheard the conversations from those explorers.

'He probably thinks that I'm a fraud...'

'So looks are the most important in the end...'

'How troublesome... This really isn't going to be easy...'

Jake highly doubted that he could convince this guildmaster with plain words. So he didn't bother.

"Your call." Jake shrugged.

"Mr. Rogers." The artisan lightly rubbed his watch and chuckled. "He's just a high school kid, how capable do you expect him to be?"

Nick Rogers turned to Jake, expecting a better answer.

Jake took a glance at the artisan. Even as a mild-tempered person, he felt a little agitated.

Even though Jake wanted this starting fund, he wasn't going to beg for it.

Even if he didn't get it, the situation would still be acceptable. Though... Things might become more troublesome...

"It's just a basic talisman, how difficult do you expect it to be?" Jake asked back.

"Pfftt... Tttt..." The artisan couldn't help himself. In the end, the serious-looking artisan broke out in laughter.

"Looks like you really are oblivious to the trade. As a senior artisan, let me tell you this. Any experienced artisan wouldn't say something big like that."

Hearing this, the crowd started pointing at Jake in mockery.

"How confident are you in success then?" Nick Rogers asked.

"100%." Jake casually replied.

Everyone looked at Jake in disbelief. After all... his age. His outfit. His marker... None of these things supported Jake's 'big claims.'

To the explorers here, the situation was like this:

A high school teenager walks up to you:

"Hey. I'm an Arabic prince. I have got a big business deal for you. Interested?"

Most people would find this situation to be rather... questionable.

"100 percent?! My mentor wouldn't even dare to claim that!"

"You want a try? Go ahead. Please." Master Harold dramatically bowed and gestured for Jake to take his place.

However, there was mockery in his gaze.

The higher this Artisan raised Jake up, the harder Jake would fall.

Clearly, this artisan was using Jake to send a message. He, master Harold, was not replaceable!

This artisan couldn't wait to see Jake fail in front of this audience.

If Jake messed up, the Iron Sparrow Guild would certainly take action.

After all, this kid's actions was an open taunt to the Iron Sparrow Guild. So now what. Anyone can try to push this guild around now?

Out of self-defense, the Iron Sparrow Guild had to make an example out of this kid.

In the end, detectors and artisans were two different classes.

Artisans were naturally protected by the artisan guild and revered by all explorers.

Detectors... Yep.

Master Harold didn't feel a tint of pity though. The kid asked for it.

Jake was not stupid. He knew this very well too. In other words, the moment the artisan called out on him, only one path was left for him.

'Nobody believes in me. Very well.'

'I'll just prove myself!'

After receiving a menacing (threatening) nod from Nick Rogers, Jake stepped behind the crafting station.