Myran

Edgar approached the familiar figure and saw blacksmith Myran slumping in his chair. It seemed that the blacksmith had more of a story than it appeared. Curious, but not trying to throw away the blacksmith's good intentions from earlier, Edgar slowly moved into the seat in front of him. Either Myran didn't notice him, or he pretended to ignore him, they stayed silent for most of the night. Edgar didn't intrude and minded his own business. As the night got later, most of the inn's patrons started to leave. Eventually, it was just Myran and Edgar in the inn. As it quieted down, the waitresses started to clean up the other tables. However, as if it was a regular occurrence, they didn't disturb Myran and Edgar. Instead, they continued their chores, ignoring the pair in the corner.

It was at this moment that Myran got up and gave Edgar a look as if to follow him. Myran left more than enough copper and silver coins and swiftly moved outside. The full moon was shining brightly, and Myran looked up at it longingly. Throughout this whole encounter, Edgar's mind was full of questions.

Most of them, however, about the detail the game was currently showing him. The man beside him did not feel like some NPC. In fact, this whole night he was trying to find faults in the villager's attitudes and actions. But, he could find none. He couldn't even begin to fathom the complexity of the game. Slowly, his mindset began to alter. He felt that it was wrong to see this clearly suffering older man beside him as lines of code. Perhaps it was because he had shared similar pain. But he could tell his pain was genuine. These were not predetermined scripts meant to fool a player.

As Edgar's amazement continued, Myran walked back to his shop and Edgar followed quietly. As they arrived, Myran stopped in front of his shop, sighed, and turned to Edgar.

"Do you know why it looks like this?"

Edgar didn't answer, waiting for Myran to continue.

"A long time ago, this is where I was born. Hillside Village back then was no more than a few dozens of people. We were all family. The mountain kept us safe, and it provided a source of income for us. We would mine its minerals and process them into useful tools for the Empire. We were a family of miners and blacksmiths," Myran continued as he grabbed a chair and motioned for Edgar to sit with him.

Edgar was currently enthralled in the blacksmith's story, realising his opportunity to know more about the history of Hillside Village and the Dragis Empire. Edgar did not know much about the Empire, only knowing what was publicly known. They were the strongest power in their continent, and all other kingdoms served the Dragis. Although other continents were known to exist, communication with them was severely limited. The seas were far too dangerous to establish continuous trade and communication. Hence, the Dragis were overlords in the Draegos Continent. They have ruled for thousands of years with an iron fist over their subjects.

"For as long as I can remember, I have always wielded a hammer. I can't even remember why I hold a hammer anymore. But the fact was that I was always better than my peers. I was good. Then, during one of the Empire's yearly tax collections, I was taken away by them. They recognised my talent and took it away from where it belonged. While I was at the capital, I was trained by the best blacksmiths the Empire had to offer. There were no breaks or family visits. In fact, I had no idea whether my family was alive or dead. It stayed that way for forty years. I was the Empire's slave. I would produce whatever they wanted me to produce. Until ten years ago. They threw me away as soon as I started making imperfect items. At the snap of a finger, I was taken away by them and just as quickly discarded. And when I came back, Hillside Village had grown. The Empire had seen its value as a mining town and corrupted it. None of my family remains. Whether they're alive or dead, I do not know," Myran sighed deeply as he got to the end of his story. His voice shaking and his eyes reddening. Edgar looked at him with sympathy, realising the man's pain.

"Hence, the state of the shop in front of you. I have not sold any new works in a decade. My savings are running thin and I cannot produce anything of value"

Edgar realised that the man in front of him was suffering from a similar pain as him. They were both forgotten by the world. Blacksmith Myran had long lost the will to truly live, while Edgar had just found his. Myran only kept smithing because it was the only thing he knew. He thought he could find a will to live if he could break past his slump.

Myran hadn't been able to craft items he was truly satisfied within a decade. He only sought perfection, but he hasn't been able to reach it in a decade. What used to come easy to him now eluded him.

Edgar and Myran sat in that silence for a long time. The silence communicating much more than words could.

[Unlocked the Relationship Tab]

[Relationship with Blacksmith Myran: Neutral -> Friendly]

[Achievement Unlocked]

[First person to unlock the Relationship Tab]

[Charisma +1]

As soon as the notifications appeared in front of him, Myran stood up and said, "Be sure to come early tomorrow. I will need the firewood ready by sunrise."

He left Edgar in the shop alone and went to the back of the shop, presumably to sleep. Edgar stood up excitedly and logged out of the game. He felt accomplished even though he hadn't done much in the game. The whole experience to him was otherwordly. He got up from his bed and realised that it was getting late. If he wanted to start the quest at the right time, then he'd have to log back on in a couple of hours.

Feeling how rested he was, he searched on the internet if he could play the game as a substitute for sleep. Having experienced the effects of the helmet, many gamers were asking this question also. It was a trending topic. The Atlas Company sent out a press notice that indeed, while they were playing the game, their body was in a state similar to sleep. Gamers went into a frenzy knowing that they'd beaten their ultimate enemy, sleep. With this information, Edgar would only have to worry about his food and water intake while playing the game. He was planning on spending most of his time in the game, seeing as his progression was better than most people. He's already gotten multiple achievements, and the sense of satisfaction from each one was still burning. He was eager for more.

With this newfound motivation and sense of progress, Edgar planned to go night hunting as he logged back into the game.