“So…” Elincia began as she and Broken strolled through the streets of Deadbay City. “Broken, tell me, what’s the minimum rank of the jeweler you need to craft that necklace?”
“Ah, the necklace…” Broken replied slowly, realizing she was asking about the Unseen Universe Necklace he’d been gathering materials for. “It requires at least an Expert rank jeweler.”
“And what about the level?”
“Level 1 should be fine since there’s no level requirement, just the rank. But finding someone with an Expert rank is already hard enough, right?”
“Then I think you’ll be pleased with the jeweler I found for you,” Elincia replied with a hint of excitement. “She’s a genius-a high-ranking expert who’s kept her skills under wraps. I get the feeling she’s only interested in real challenges and doesn’t care much about fame.”
Elincia paused, glancing at him. “Honestly, you and she share a lot of similarities. She’s relentless, always pushing herself to reach her best. She’s a player jeweler with an Expert Rank -Level 3.”
“Expert Rank, Level 3? No way!” Broken replied, surprised. “I thought Lanceshot was the highest-ranking player crafter out there!”
“See? Impressive, right?” Elincia grinned as she opened the door to the tavern.
Inside, Broken immediately noticed a familiar face-Tora, the popular Immortal Legacy streamer who’d recently covered the monster defense in Deadbay City. Seated next to him was a young woman with an Asian appearance and dark hair.
“Hello… Broken…” Tora greeted, stepping over with a cheerful smile. He took Broken’s hand in an enthusiastic shake. “Wow, the Hero of Deadbay in person-this is unreal!”
“Hello to you too, nice to finally meet you,” Broken replied with a polite nod.
They all sat at a nearby table, and Tora gestured to the young woman beside him. “This is Toya, my sister.”
Toya had short, shoulder-length black hair and an expression that was sharper and more serious than her brother’s.
“Hi, Broken. Hi, Elincia,” Toya greeted them with a small smile that softened her otherwise focused expression. “I’m excited to hear more about the proposal you mentioned.”
“Of course. Let’s go over everything here,” Elincia replied. “I’ve filled Broken in, so if you’re on board with the agreement, we’ll leave the rest to you.”
Broken nodded, turning to Toya. “I’ve been searching for an Expert Rank jeweler to craft a specific part of a Blueprint I have. So, I’d like to request your help with this.”
Toya smiled, and replied. “Crafting something for someone as powerful and renowned as you would be an exciting project. Plus, this is my first time seeing a Blueprint requiring
collaboration between two production classes-and at Expert Rank, no less. I think it’s going to be a fun challenge.”
Broken continued, “Could you tell me how much your services will cost? And is it possible to begin sometime soon?”
Toya nodded. “I’m very interested in taking on this commission. As for the payment, I’m sure you’re familiar with the cost range for production class work at this level. However,” she glanced at her brother, “Tora here has a proposal he’d like to discuss with you.”
Broken and Elincia turned to Tora, only for him to look back at Toya instead.
“Toya, listen,” Tora began gently. “You don’t need to worry about me, okay? Just take this opportunity and use it for yourself. You need the funds to support all that research you’ve been planning, right? Focus on your work and don’t concern yourself with me.”
Toya took a slow, measured breath. “Tora, listen. I know how to earn the money I need. Meanwhile, this is your best chance your only real shot.”
Broken, intrigued by the back-and-forth, tried to piece together what was happening between the siblings. They reminded him a bit of himself and Lily. After hearing them go in circles a few more times, he decided to interject.
“Tora, please, just tell me what you need. Money isn’t an issue for me; I’ll cover the cost as long as I get the help I need. If you’d rather be paid some other way, I’m open to suggestions.”
Toya glanced at her brother, then spoke up with determination. “My brother wants to join you on the expedition,” she said.
“Toya…” Tora began, but Toya continued, undeterred.
“He wishes to be part of the mission against the monsters-the one Princess Alora spoke about. If you grant him permission to join you and allow him to broadcast the expedition on his channel, I’ll complete your commission to the best of my ability and won’t ask for any payment at all.” fɾēewebnσveℓ.com
Toya looked at Broken intently. “Please forgive me for being so forward, Broken, but I hope you’ll consider this proposal.”
Broken turned to Elincia and whispered, “Seeing them reminds me of the closeness between you and your brother.”
“Shut up, Broken.”
Broken chuckled, then looked back at Tora and Toya.
He thought to himself that if Freya were here, she’d probably demand a hefty fee for allowing Tora to broadcast the expedition. However, he had grown to like the sibling pair-they clearly cared deeply for each other. And Toya’s hard work and achievements in reaching Expert rank while staying under the radar impressed him. He was even curious if they knew things that might be valuable to him down the line.
He nodded. “Tora, you can come along with us, but you have to understand that this expedition might be extremely dangerous. I can’t guarantee your safety, especially since we may be up against some formidable opponents.
“I’m sure there’ll be plenty of high-level monster attacks. If anything happens to you, it’s on you. You’re free to record as you like, but I’ll still pay the commission I requested from Toya. Consider it a goodwill gesture for this new partnership.”
He added, “However, I may ask you not to record certain things, should the need arise.”
“No, don’t do it. I’ll do it for free-please,” Toya insisted firmly. “I don’t agree to any payment for this.”
“She’s very stubborn, Broken,” Tora explained with a slight grin.
Elincia, seated nearby, let out a small laugh. “She’s just like you, Broken-very stubborn.”
“Shut up, Elincia,” Broken replied with a sigh.
“All right, then,” Broken thought there was no point in arguing further. He’d already decided he would reward the girl in his own way. “In that case, I’m in on the deal,” he said, extending his hand toward Toya.
Toya’s grin widened, and she shook his hand with a firm grip. “Thank you, Broken. I hope your success keeps growing—and maybe I’ll get more commissions from you in the future.”
“Thank you for your kindness, Broken,” Tora added.
Broken left the tavern with Elincia by his side. “So, what’s next on the agenda, Broken?”
“I want to talk with Orion. He’s incredibly talented and has huge potential. I want to make sure he’s fully under my control,” he replied resolutely.
“Phew… You really do have a way with people,” Elincia teased with a smirk. “You even
manage to win over all these powerful allies and some beautiful hearts along the way. And
yet, you keep saying you’re not good with people.”
“I’m just not a fan of socializing or making small talk,” he said. “But that’s how it has to be.”
Elincia chuckled. “You just need to start giving yourself a little more credit.”