Morbit and Max stood in awe, their eyes fixed on Lanceshot as he skillfully completed his craft.
“Unique grade!” Lanceshot declared, lifting his creation for all to see.
The crowd erupted in cheers, admiration radiating from their faces as they took in the masterpiece that had just been born.
“Everyone,” Morbit exclaimed excitedly. “Did you all see that? I’m sure you were expecting it, right? Lanceshot has truly succeeded in crafting a Unique-grade item that even the most expert of master craftsmen would be proud of!”
Max added reassuringly, “I’m certain the item Mr. Lanceshot created isn’t something to be taken lightly. Without a doubt, this is the finest work anyone in this competition could have achieved. Let’s give our best applause to Mr. Lanceshot!”
Morbit stepped up to Lanceshot, holding the microphone close. “Well, Mr. Lanceshot,” he said, “what do you have to say?”
Lanceshot smiled. “I can confidently declare that, with my Unique-grade Glove, I am the undisputed champion of this prestigious competition.”
The moment he spoke, thunderous applause erupted throughout the stadium, reverberating off the walls as everyone celebrated his success.
Several other blacksmiths gathered around Lanceshot, offering their congratulations, though their expressions showed a mixture of admiration and the sting of their own defeat.
“Damn, man, you’re so talented,” one of them said. “I really wanted to win this competition, but I guess it’s your moment to shine this time.”
Lanceshot smiled warmly. “Yeah, I know it’s been an uphill battle for all of us. But I can’t deny that my accomplishments have hopefully served as inspiration to many in Immortal Legacy.”
“Congratulations, man!” another blacksmith said, clapping Lanceshot on the back. “You’ve earned a major accolade!”
“What an amazing accomplishment,” added a third. “I’m sure you’ll reach even greater heights in the future. You’ve proven yourself time and time again, and I’m truly happy for you.”
“You deserve every bit of praise for this incredible achievement,” the last one chimed in. “Well done, my friend.”
Lanceshot nodded. “Thank you, everyone. Your words mean a lot to me. This victory isn’t just mine; it reflects the hard work and dedication we all put into this craft. Here’s to all our futures and what we’ll achieve next!”
Nevertheless, Lanceshot’s victory was not assured until the conclusion of the final round of the tournament. One contestant, Broken, had yet to finish his work. All eyes turned towards him, noticing his intense focus on the forging tool in front of him.
“That Broken guy again!” sighed one spectator. “Why does he always have to finish last? He’s not fast enough to be appreciated by anyone.”
“He’s too stupid, and he’s wasting everybody’s time. He won’t be able to win.”
“Forget about him,” said yet another. “He’s not going to do anything right. We should make a decision now and declare the rightful winner!”
“Unique-grade items aren’t something people can make easily, so Broken won’t be able to repeat his luck!”
“He’s a real letdown. Why should we even bother waiting for him? He should be ashamed of himself.”
“We should just move on; he won’t be able to win this competition either. He’s too slow. He’ll never produce something of quality or better than Lanceshot’s.”
The final day of the grand competition had finally arrived, and winners in the various categories—alchemist, tailor, and jeweler-had all been determined. Yet, none had succeeded in crafting a legendary-grade item, a feat necessary to secure the grand prize. Only one category remained, and within it, a single contestant was still working against the clock. On the main stage, two regal seats were arranged: one occupied by King Alorik and the other by Princess Alora. The royal pair watched patiently as the final seconds of the competition’s second round ticked away.
“That person…” King Alorik murmured, catching Princess Alora’s attention.
“Wasn’t he the one who crafted the Unique-grade hammer during the first round?” he queried, curiosity clear in his voice.
“Yes, Father,” she confirmed, her gaze following his to Broken at the forging tool.
King Alorik nodded, a small chuckle escaping his lips. “Then, I hope he can complete another great achievement today. That way, I can fulfill the task my grandfather gave me as well.”
A tense silence hung in the air following King Alorik’s words, “The era has completely changed…” he said.
“The arrival of the players has completely transformed this world,” King Alorik continued after a brief pause. “I must acknowledge that the late King Elandorr might have been right when he spoke about the possibility of something catastrophic occurring in the future that could end the lives of many Yunateans.”
King Alorik’s voice grew somber but then shifted to a firmer tone. “However, he also foretold the emergence of a force capable of preventing such a tragedy. And I can only hope that I will live to see the second great prediction of his come to fruition!”
Princess Alora had heard the incredible tales about King Elandorr, the God Slayer. His strength surpassed that of any human, and his bravery was renowned throughout the southern continent, causing fear among many races.
The late King Elandorr had achieved remarkable feats, leading the Dissidia Kingdom to become the most powerful on the continent. His ambition and determination drove him to strive for more than just personal glory.
Even though destiny had not yet granted him what he sought, he still aimed to accomplish a mission so grand that no mortal could bear-to put an end to the gods’ egotistical behavior that brought calamity to the inhabitants of Yunatea.
“Is this related to the great mission of the late King Elandorr, Father?” Princess Alora asked. The old king sighed in acknowledgment. “Indeed, the late King Elandorr’s great quest was one that he alone could bear as the Champion of Sloth. His blessing gave him the potential to become something greater than anyone could hope to achieve. He could have ascended to the level of a god had he completed the trials that confronted him. Unfortunately, he left us with a heavy debt that can never be repaid.
“Since his departure, no one has inherited the Blessing of Sloth, and this has caused us humans to become weakened. We have since been reduced to a race that is despised and ignored by the other great races.”
Princess Alora was silent for a moment, the pressure in her heart palpable. She knew that many people, especially the residents of the Dissidia Kingdom, were hoping for the Blessing of Sloth to be bestowed upon the heir of the kingdom. But she also knew that, as a half-elf, her chances of receiving it were slim.
The Blessing of Sloth had only ever been bestowed upon humans. With Princess Alora’s ascension to the throne, humans would once again be unable to compete with the other major
races of Yunatea.
“But, Father,” Alora began hesitantly, “was the late King Elandorr’s mission really to…” She trailed off, not daring to finish her sentence.
King Alorik slowly nodded. “This noble mission was only ever undertaken by one man, the late King Elandorr. For thousands of years, the Gods have brought destruction to the people of Yunatea, selfishly treating them as mere objects and causing countless deaths throughout the
world.”
“But, Father,” Alora said softly, “haven’t the Gods of Sins now given their blessings to the players?”
King Alorik’s expression grew thoughtful. “Some players claim to have met the Goddess Akidia in person. However, no one has confirmed that a new Champion of Sloth has been
chosen.”
He continued, “The Sin Blessings bestowed upon players are not nearly as powerful as the Blessings of the past. The sheer number of players receiving blessings has diluted their power. In contrast, in the past, only one person from each major race in Yunatea could receive
a Blessing.”
“Did the ring inherited by the late King Elandorr have anything to do with the Champion of Sloth and his great mission?” Alora asked with curiosity.
King Alorik shook his head slowly. “The late King Elandorr had attained a higher level of knowledge that may remain beyond our comprehension. We do not have enough information to fully understand the legacy he left behind. All we can do is ensure that we pass on the messages he left to those chosen to receive them.”
Alora solemnly nodded in agreement and then turned her gaze towards Broken, a glimmer of hope filling her heart. She smiled lightly and added, “I can’t wait to see the results of this
competition.”
“To slay the Gods,” King Alorik declared, “is a mission that could be nothing more than rhetoric or a genuine call to action. Ultimately, the fate of this mission will be decided by the one who succeeds King Elandorr.”
As the final minute of the final round of the competition approached, Lionell, the Knight
Grand Cross, kept a vigilant eye on Broken, ensuring that no disruptions would occur again.
A royal blacksmith stood nearby, prepared to assess the item that Broken was finalizing. “We’ve only got one minute left!” the royal blacksmith exclaimed. “The end time is almost
here!”