Chapter 8: Unlocking a Path
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[System] Affinity with <Blacksmith (Rank A)> Foreln has increased to a certain level.
[System] You have completed the quest: Meet someone from Miscellaneous Department.
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[Quest] Meet someone from Miscellaneous Department
Inside the Blacksmith Guild on the Begie Village. <Blacksmith (Rank B)> Bine Herea, recommend you to meet a high-level Blacksmith in the Misc. Department.
Reward: Quest progression (+)
Failure: -
(Limit time : 3 days)
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-Result-
Clearance : +++
Reward: Quest progression (+).
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"Now, let's talk about you. What's your decision?"
Foreln has heard about Arie being confused about choosing a path and asked questions about his choice.
"I.."
"I'm pretty sure you like efficiency, same as me too, same as Jur. You want to be adventurer and blacksmith at the same time but you found that ineffective."
"Yes, I already have the experience that multitasking takes a lot of time. It's better to focus on one thing."
"You deny the truth." Foreln shook his head.
Arie just quietly heard it.
"You want all the processes to run as efficiently as possible. If you can, You want to devour all the information and experience it firsthand. It's a new world to explore after all."
"!?" Arie was just shocked after hearing that "How-"
"You know, Jur has told me about your personality, and just for your information, I have a good sense of drawing conclusions."
'Arceede' just listened to it attentively.
"Well, before I entered Greylhad, I really wanted to enjoy the world casually."
"I know, some 'visitors' say that Greylhad has a different length of time compared to their native world." He continued.
'I see.. there are also NPCs 'visitors'. So it's not just the players who become 'visitors'. This information might be used to confirm the recent video released.' He thought.
"How about this Ar?" Foreln asked him.
'huh?'
"Hm.. but first. Come with me to my personal place."
[System] A NPC, <Blacksmith (Rank A)> Foreln has invited you to enter a Virtual Private Space. Confirm?
'Oh! Sure.' He nodded.
Then, his vision gradually changed to pitch black. The moment he regained his vision, he was in a new place.
The room was 45 cubic meters. On the sides, there were patterns similar to those in character creation. Equilateral squares measured 3 meters on each side filled each wall.
The room is filled with technologies. This was truly the workplace of a craftsman.
This was a room with lots of craftsman tools, mainly blacksmiths. Forge bigger than any you can found in the guild, anvil, and others were immediately visible when they were entering the room.
Some rooms looked like a warehouse. The room was closed by a door.
"Welcome to my workspace. I'll get straight to the point. Since you have agreed to enter here, I hope you agree to my request. "
Arie nodded.
"Okay then, still I want to confirm."
*ding
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[Quest] Foreln's confirmation.
<Blacksmith (Rank A)> Foreln has taken you to his Virtual Private Space. Before proceeding with his request, he wants confirmation. Answer his survey.
Reward: Quest progression (+)
Failure: Affinity decrease, expelled from Foreln's VPS.
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"Okay sure."
"Have you taken any path before?"
"No."
"Are you interested in the path of adventurers?"
"Hm," Arie responds with a nod.
"Are you interested in the path of crafter?"
"Yes."
"Are you a visitor?"
"Yes."
"Okay, the confirmation's done. I will proceed with the last question."
Notification pop up said that Arie has complete the quest.
"What is your opinion about defying the Gods?"
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[Quest] Foreln's last test.
<Blacksmith (Rank A)> Foreln has taken you to his Virtual Private Space. After you got his approval, he asks you the last question.
Reward: ???
Failure: Affinity decrease, expelled from Foreln's VPS.
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"Hm.. defying the Gods? Do you mean System, Adventure, Civilian, and the like?"
"It's up to you to interpret it."
'This is.. a do or die question. I'll just answer with my honest opinion then. 'With a sigh, he made up his mind
"As you said, I'm looking for the most efficient. I want the experience and the process. I don't know if I'm the same as you, I like challenges. But, I'll try my best to avoid troubles."
"I think I get your answer, but please continue," Foreln responds with a smile.
"I prefer collaborating over the competition. I won't deny the possibility of me having a conflict. But it will be absolutely a last resort."
"Okay, I accept your answer. You have to satisfy my requirement. I'm pretty sure System will tell you the rest."
?
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[System] Congratulations! You have completed a high-level quest. Obtained fame and contribution points.
[System] Your reputation in Blacksmith Guild has increased to a certain level.
[System] Your contribution level in Blacksmith Guild has increased to level 1.
[System] Your affinity with <Blacksmith (Rank A)> Foreln has increased to a certain level.
[System] You have completed the quest: Foreln's last test.
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[Quest] Foreln's last test.
<Blacksmith (Rank A)> Foreln has taken you to his Virtual Private Space. After you got his approval, he asks you the last question.
Reward: Unlock a path and obtain it.
Failure: Affinity decrease, expelled from Foreln's VPS.
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-Result-
Clearance : +++
Rewards: Unlock a path and obtain it.
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A series of notification pop up.
"Unlock.. a path? Are you introducing me to a path outside the system?"
Foreln answered after he shook his head.
"Yes and no, it is an artificial path we've made by collaborating with the other Gods."
"Artificial path? Are you making an Artificial God too?"
"You really have a good understanding of the topic. Yes, we are."
"Hm.. So, what should I do now?"
"Haha, I knew you will avoid the topic."
"Of course." Arie shrugged.
"Okay, I'll introduce you to the artificial path. Follow me."
He walked into one room. The room was about 1 small bedroom. After he unlocked the door and they entered, the door began to close and the room began to move up.
Foreln explained that anything under the personal space was freely adjusted by the owner.
This room for example was a virtual room above that was made floating by it with the entrance fixed below.
He said that the God who mastered the virtual space made it happen.
The room changed to about 10 m length and wide with 3 meter height. It flew above 4 meters from the floor.
It's another white room.
He explained the white room briefly. It was a room that able to create a free-restricted simulation and virtual stuff.
"Here, we will begin the trial of the path. Briefly, the adventurer path, Fervor, Impetus, and Mana. Also, some of the civilian paths namely Maker and Crafter have a long history.
"The path with their respective Gods create a way for people to advance further with their chosen way of life.
"My group named Creators. It works under Maker and Crafter but is ruled by mere mortals.
"Our collaboration and breakthrough come to fruition with this artificial path. Path of Core."
Arie then interrupted the speech.
"So, the Artificial God you create are Creators."
Foreln who halted for a while, continue with a smile.
"Yes, I'm sure you got the hang of it. I'll continue with the explanation. Path of Core is an artificial path made by the collaboration of mortals and Gods.
"The path took the two main paths, mainly Maker and Adventurer to create an intersection.
"With you 'visitor' accepting the path. We will be officially available to the world."
Foreln waved his hand and created different things in the white room.
"This is the main requirement of the path. Blueprint, cores, and materials."
The blueprint was a scroll with blue color, it looked like fabric but also slightly translucent. It had some design written there.
Cores he said have different shapes. A sphere, tube, box, and card. They were about the size of a hand grip
The materials are represented by a bunch of steel alloys, crystals, animal carcasses, and the sort.
"As I said, Core is a path that intersected the adventurer and also the civilian, mainly under the rules of Maker.
"After you've obtained the path of the core, you will be assigned with 3 different classes. 1 of the adventurer, named Inventor. 2 of the civilian, under Crafter. Transmuter and Transfuser. The 2 won't be an official title till we officially announced and open the Path of Core to the public."
Foreln paused for a while, showed a projection. Those were the 4 branches of each known adventurer class.
"Did you know about this?"
Arie started to read the information briefly and responded with a nod.
He sure it was given in the character information. The classes trial he skipped.
'I can ask the other or search it in the forum.'
"Each of them has 50% bonus stats for their dedicated weapon and armor.
"Inventor has the same thing with them. The other classes dedicated weapons are Melee type weapon for the Warrior. Hunt type weapon for Ranger and Catalyst for Mystic. While the Inventor's weapon is basically these."
Foreln pointed out the blueprint, cores, and materials.
"The only bonus stats for Inventor only applied if you create your own. This is for you to read."
He showed another projection and it solidified to a glass-like sheet.
Arie read the information on it throughout.
The box was called Core (Automaton): A core created by Inventor. Using transmutation and transfusion techniques listed by the blueprints to make a mechanical beast from the listed materials.
The others were: the tube called Core (Weapon) that can change to any sort of weapon.
The sphere called Core (Converge) that could be assimilated with the surrounding and beast soul to became a beast with a body they absorbed each time they summoned.
And the card called Core (Soulshifter) that will be integrated with the user's body and a beast soul to created a manifestation of a new form.
He gestured Foreln with a nod after completely read it.
"Now, before you accept the class. You will first complete the trials of the path. I will open the trial gate."
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[System] You have obtained a new quest!
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[Quest] Path of Core Trials.
Class authorized mentor, <Creators Executive> Foreln has opened the trials gate to the Path of Core. Complete the trials to obtain the Path of Core and become the first Inventor.
Reward: Adventure Class: Inventor.
Failure: Affinity decrease; Expelled from Foreln's VPS; Fame decrease; Prohibited to take another Core trial test.
(Time limit: None)
(Failure condition: Give up the trials)
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"Your title changed huh?" Arie asks Foreln. He knows that the NPC knows the quest pop up from the past conversation.
"Yeah, I need to use the title to gain the authority. The Rank A Blacksmith title has the same grade as that title so I can freely change it."
"You can't change the title to the lower grade once you obtain the higher one, right?"
"Yep, it is."
'It's the same as the previous game. Bothersome.' He thought. He recalled how he can't change the Unique (Legendary) title: Shadow Paladin for the rest of the game.
"I know what you thought. But there are a lot of ways to avoid being appraised."
"Ah! There is an appraisal skill then?"
"You can obtain an appraisal stone killing a goblin or other humanoid monsters. For skill, most merchants have it. I am not quite informed about that."
"Okay get it. That's good I decided to become the adventurer after all."
"Haha okay, let's enter the gate."
Arie entered the gate with him. Inside the gate was a limitless space with a monotonous green colored scenery. The floors were white like the ones in the white room.
In front of him was a black sphere bigger than the two of them, floating. It had a navy blue aura radiating from it.
"Your trial was to transform your energy and assimilate it with the core energy given to you.
"And then learn and increase the Transmute's and Transfuse's skill to level 1.
"Now use your energy and touch the sphere."
He circulated energy flow on his body and focused it on the palm of his right hand.
'Whoa! Luckily it's the same concept from the previous game. If it is somehow changed I don't know if he will spare me.'
Then, he moved closer and extended his hand to the sphere. His hand felt like being sucked. After his hand touched the surface. His consciousness went dark.
He's awoken in a dark place and could only see his body. He tried to channel his energy throughout the body.
Later on, a storm appears gradually and covered his body. His consciousness gradually turned back to the trial room.
"Now, use your energy to change the structure of the sphere. Use your imagination, the sphere's picture changed and become the new form you want. It's called transmutation.
"After that, assimilate the energy inside to fuse with the sphere itself. It's like controlling the energy or separate material and fuse them. It's called a transfusion."
Arie tried the first subject. Transmutation.
He channeled his energy to the sphere and made it change a bit by bit.
[System] Transmutation skill gained!
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<Skill> Transmutation (Level 0)
Using certain specific energy to interact with things found in the world. It changes the structure and even creates a new form.
Requirement: Core (energy)
Authorization level : 0
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The sphere changed gradually, it created a gap and revealed what's inside. The energy stored inside exploded. Emitted the gradation of navy blue and black energy.
!?
Arie surprised by the explosion.
Transparent energy then blocked and tamed it. The energy came back to its place.
"Don't worry, The Core, through this trial rooms will help you deal with several problems like taming the energy flowing out. But still, the first explosive impact will take some of your HP if you are not careful."
Arie then checked his profile stats. His HP has reduced by about 10%. But the main problem was his EP. His energy point bar has reduced to about 40%. He has spent 60% of the energy just to change the sphere a little.
He turned his head to Foreln. Look confused.
"You can rest to restore your energy. The Core uses a similar way of other adventurer paths to restore the energy."
Arie then stopped to rest.
"Fervor has cooldown time before fully restores their energy. Impetus has regenerative point. Mana channels surrounding energy to refill theirs. All of them also able to restore it instantly by drinking an energy potion.
"Core on the other hand, able to use any of the methods although with less effectiveness but can not gain any effect from drinking energy potions."
Not even a minute of channeling his energy. His EP has fully restored.
He continued his works, but he used his energy to fuse the two. The blue-dark energy and the sphere. The energy spread to the sphere's surface.
[System] Transfusion skill gained!
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<Skill> Transfusion (Level 0)
Using certain specific energy to interact with two different materials and combine them.
Requirement: Core (energy)
Authorization level : 0
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He used the combination of both skills to created other gaps. The transfusion helped him to manage the explosion.
The process repeated. Rest to restore his energy, once it fully restored, he spent 90% of his energy on his works. And rest to recovered again.
He ignored all the notification.
Foreln has also not said anything. He ignored Arie and left the room to able to access his menu tabs.
After about 6 hours of his works, the sphere has changed. The sphere had gaps all over its sides. It revealed the blue energy within. The energy was calm and connected with a platform below it.
The platform is made from the sphere. It was connected with a wire. The wire made from the sphere flowed by the energy.
The energy circulated from inside the sphere to the platform below and going back inside created a loop.
Foreln has waited inside now and told him to check his system notification.
The notification was different from the usual. It had different colors and decorations, and not included in the other notification stack.
[System] Congratulations! You unlock a feature. Easter Egg #3: Core and Inventor. Reveal your name to the world? (Your name will be included in the Global Notification)
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Filea
Filea Yeah! Finally!
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Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone