1-Up Vendor

3:50 PM.

Holding a cup of fresh coffee, Jake returned to the public crafting station. In a moment, he might need that extra boost in focus.

Lightly chuckling at himself, Jake shook his head.

For some reason, he felt like he was heading into a final exam.

Even though Jake arrived 10 minutes early, there was already groups of explorers here.

In a moment, more and more people flooded in. Taking a look behind him... right now, there had to be 30 to 40 people.

'I'm here to earn some money. Why are these guys here? How bored do they have to be?'

Taking a deep breath, Jake refocused onto his own situation.

During these few hours, Jake came up with a crude plan.

First of all, Jake wanted to confirm the information. There's a successful-looking artisan right in front of him. Tsk. Noice. A perfect test subject.

After all, the current situation was not common in this trade. Since when did clients provide free materials?

The normal procedure was this:

1. The artisan purchases the crafting materials from the client, or from the Artisan Tower.

2. Craft the item.

3. Sell the item back to the client for a lucrative price.

'If I jumped out and asked for the opportunity... Would the guildmaster really trust me? If he did, what if he demanded the material fees first... I can't afford anything at the moment.'

'Not interested in making a fool out of myself in public. Not today.'

'Give the guildmaster a reminder first. A reminder that this artisan really was no good... Then, I would have a chance to introduce myself. At that point, what's more to lose for that guildmaster anyways...'

'Ideally...' Jake looked around.

In some sense, these explorers looked like fan-boys meeting their idol. Their gazes seemed rather hot... even greedy.

However... There's nothing wrong with this phenomenon though. Each talisman could mean an 1-UP for these adventurers.

Dying of dehydration in the magical realm? A single hydration talisman could save your life.

Dying from a critical wound? A healing talisman could get you fixed in seconds.

In some sense, artisans were like 1-Up vendors to explorers.

As a result, artisans enjoyed a respected stature in this realm exploration community. Who wouldn't want a few 1-Ups in their pockets?

'However... I'll enter the magical realms soon. After showing my crafting abilities, I might meet these guys in there... Things might get troublesome...'

Sensing the energy levels of these explorers, Jake lightly shook his head. All of them felt harmless.

'Most likely, I won't face any serious threats...'

'But still... Can't be too cautious right? The possibility of things getting bothersome still exists... Might become a drag for my time and energy.' Jake sighed in his mind.

'So ideally... Hopefully, I can set up a private crafting session with that guildmaster.'

Looking around, seeing the blazing gazes from the explorers, Jake nodded.

'Yep. I'm really not interested in a fan base like this...'

The chatting of these loud explorers slowly quieted down.

Making a living in this life-or-death trade, most of them had unrestrained personalities. In other words, these guys rarely cared about civil rules or manners.

Yet now, as the sound of footsteps neared, these guys naturally silenced themselves.

Out of habit, these explorers split up into two groups, opening up a path.

In the world of explorers, power reigned supreme!

In any situation, paying respect to the strong was expected.

Continuing to walk at the same pace, a group walked past these explorers, brushing through the explorers like air.

Leading the group of was a young man in his mid-20s.

Nick Rogers!

The current guildmaster of the Iron Sparrow Guild. One of the most powerful man in Shine city.

Wearing large sunglasses and a crisp business suit. Putting on a sulky (very displeased) expression. Even standing a few feet away, Jake could sense a depressive atmosphere surrounding this guy. He seemed rather powerless with life, a little exhausted.

This was not the glorious and powerful figure Jake had expected.

Carefully sensing this guildmaster's energy level, Jake lightly knitted his brow.

Threat Level based on instinct: Low

Threat level of an item in this guy's suit: Moderate

'Instincts can't be trusted after all.'

'A guildmaster of an iron tier guild should also be iron tier right? Iron tiers are low threat to me? Really?'

As the group passed by, Jake could see the guildmaster's followers.

Half a step behind the guildmaster was someone in his mid-50s. Half a head shorter than Nick Rogers. Wearing thick glasses and a black bow tie. Dressed like a waiter at a high-end restaurant. Putting on a polite smile. Yet it's impossible to ignore the sternness in this man's gaze.

Based on Jake's first impression, this guy felt like the living definition of house rules.

Then, there were three bodyguards. All of them in black suits, carrying a briefcase.

After some simple greetings with the artisan, Nick Rogers turned to the audience.

"Are there any other artisans here who would like to take this offer?"

Jake thought for a moment, and shook his head. From the conversations of these explorers, Jake gained one more critical information.

Every day, there's 3 portions of materials. 3 tries!

'Let this guy fail twice first... 4% success rate... good luck.'

Jake looked down at his practice pen. 'I may not have the fancy looks... but one try is all I need.'

Seeing the dead response, the guildmaster seemed even more depressed.

"Anyone else? Anyone else... Mr. Rogers." That artisan lightly chuckled in mockery. "Who else here is capable of crafting a talisman?"

"The branch master?" The artisan looked in one direction.

It's a fragile young man with a rather pale face. Quickly waving at the artisan, this branch master looked down at ground. Clearly denying the idea.

After everyone had turned their gazes elsewhere, this branch master took out a handkerchief. Wiping off the cold sweat on his forehead with shaky hands, the young man sighed.

"What a joke." The successful-looking artisan snorted. "Mr. Rogers, you should be grateful that there is a capable artisan here."

"You should be thankful that I'm willing to help. I could refuse your offer you know."

"In my last 25 tries, I managed to produce an inferior healing talisman. Is this success rate bad? No Mr. Rogers, this success rate is very good already."

'Which is a blatant lie...' Jake lightly knitted his brows.

Aspiring artisans were the lowest echelon in the hierarchy of artisans.

A 4% success rate placed this guy at the lowest level among aspiring artisans.

Yet, someone like this could act this carelessly in the face of a powerful man like Nick Rogers?

Looking around, the explorers didn't seem surprised at all. By the looks of it, they thought this was normal and acceptable?

'What a magical world...' Jake raised his brows.