Last Shot

Jake made a decision.

To be cautious, Jake still decided to ask for protection from the Artisan Guild. Sure, Jake was already at the pinnacle (peak) of power standing here. Should be invincible. But can't be too cautious right?

He's a certified artisan already. Why not use his privileges?

Jake stood there for a moment, thinking through his decision, making sure that he didn't miss out information.

Nick Rogers also stood there behind his desk, awaiting an answer.

If Jake failed to make that agility talisman, Nick Rogers would not have made this offer. This young guildmaster would have given up all of his hopes already.

However, like a miracle, Jake succeeded.

A miracle took place once. Maybe there would be another miracle.

Just one more success was needed. So close to saving Badger.

It's not like Nick Rogers had any other ways out now. The moment Nick entered his dear family members in the underground gathering cavern, Nick knew that he couldn't even back down anymore.

Jake was interested in monster cores? Fine. Give Jake all the yellow-tier cores he had. This was his last shot anyways.

Successfully make that cleanse talisman. Nick would gain a bright future. The guild would continue to be a top power in this city. He would be the next guildmaster uncontested.

Failure. The guild will fall apart. He would lose his temporary status. Then his family members will make him disappear one day.

Nick Rogers sighed a little. In the end, the fate of the guild laid in the hands of an outsider.

At the moment, even if Jake refused, it would be all too understandable.

In normal circumstances, who would ask an artisan to enter a realm? This demand would be way too outrageous to be even considered.

Yet, in Nick's mind, scene by scene, memories involving Badger flashed by. In the end, Nick still decided to make this outrageous offer.

Now, all he could do was to wait for Jake's decisions.

Thinking all the factors through, Jake slowly nodded a few times. "I'll take the deal."

"Thank you so much, master Collins." Nick Rogers sighed in relief. "You have all of my hopes."

Jake returned an affirmative nod.

"It's rather late today already. We all need some sleep and preparation time."

Jake took a look at the clock. It's 4:40 AM already.

"The earliest for this operation... would be the morning of the 24th."

"Would this work for you."

Jake nodded in reply. 'So tomorrow then.'

Made sense. True. It's urgent matters. But going into the realms without proper rest could result in disastrous results.

'I can also go over the blueprint during this time.'

"Sounds good."

"The Iron Sparrow Guild will never forget your help." Nick Rogers lightly bowed.

After going over some details about this task, Jake returned to his penthouse.

As a limo drove Jake back to the explorer district, the branch master had already returned to his office.

It's late. But this fragile young man did not feel a trace of sleepiness.

From experience, logically speaking, the chance for Jake to succeed again was very low.

Jump from aspiring artisan to Level 3 certified artisan in a couple of days? Since when was this possible?

Yet, Jake managed to jump from aspiring artisan to Level 2 certified artisan over night.

A miracle like this already happened. Why can't another miracle happen?

Going into the artisan database, the branch master pulled out Jake's background information.

4 years ago, at the age of 14, Jake applied to become a learning detector. (One rank lower than the aspiring artisans. Detectors who are learning, but have not successfully crafted a basic talisman yet.)

Then, 4 years of blank crafting records. Understandable though. Jake was still going through high school.

Trade requests. Reading through the record, this branch master's cheeks twitched a little. Learning Detector subsidy applications. Poverty subsidy applications. Social welfare programs applications...

With a poor background like this, Jake certainly couldn't have bought the blueprints early.

No. Even if Jake owned the blueprints beforehand, reaching Level 2 certified artisan in 4 years? He'd still be a genius among geniuses.

The branch master blinked a few times in thought. The first time Jake crafted something... he used a practice pen right?

Also, at the town of Bison, their crafting station was like a toaster.

Tssss...

If this was an anime, a light bulb would have popped up above the branch master's head.

He realized something. Using a cheap practice pen, working with a cheap crafting station, the crafting experience would be... tough, to say the least.

Learning in that environment was like training with weight on. Yet, working with trash equipment, Jake still managed to reach 100% success rate.

Now, working better pen, better crafting stations, it's like taking the training weights off.

Now, Jake's unmatched talent could truly shine!

In comparison, many detectors were born in rich families. They've got the best pens, the best crafting stations, the best mentors. Unlimited resources to practice with.

Yet, the majority of these guys were still struggling as aspiring artisans. No. In fact, most of these guys couldn't even become the lowest-tier aspiring artisans.

Natural born talent simply played too much of a role in this trade.

Now put Jake into the picture...

Tsss...

What terrifying talent.

Thinking of this, this branch master opened up his email. He had to notify the headquarters of this situation.