When players grow, NPCs also grow to keep up with them. This was a fundamental rule of Satisfy, a world that thrived on balance and evolution. And among the NPCs, few embodied this principle as fiercely as Kaela.
Kaela was a force of nature, her growth fueled by an insatiable drive to improve. Her Heart of Grinding skill was both a blessing and a curse—it granted her unparalleled stamina and focus, but it also made it impossible for her to stay idle. Even a few hours of inactivity left her restless, her hands itching for something to do. Whether it was hunting monsters, forging weapons, or delving into the depths of mines, Kaela was always on the move.
At the crack of dawn, Kaela would set out into the wilderness surrounding Bairan Village. Armed with her trusty pickaxe and weapons she had forged herself, she hunted monsters with a precision that bordered on artistry. Her skill ensured that every swing of her weapon, and every step she took, contributed to her growth. She didn't just hunt for loot or experience—she hunted for the thrill of improvement.
The monsters in the area had learned to fear her. Where others saw the danger, Kaela saw an opportunity. She would often return to the village with a cart full of monster parts, her expression one of grim satisfaction.
Kaela's talent was already monstrous, even by NPC standards. Her ability to learn and adapt was unparalleled, and her Heart of Grinding skill ensured that she never plateaued. Every day, she grew stronger, faster, and more skilled. Her growth was exponential, a testament to her unwavering dedication.
But even she had her own struggles.
___
As the sun set over Bairan Village, Kaela found herself sitting alone in her small workshop. The room was filled with the fruits of her labor—gleaming weapons, stacks of rare ores, and intricate tools she had crafted herself. Yet, despite her achievements, there was a void in her heart that no amount of grinding could fill.
"I miss him," Kaela murmured, resting her head on the table. Her voice was soft, almost a whisper, but the weight of her words was undeniable.
It had been five months since she arrived in Bairan Village. Five months of relentless grinding, of pushing herself to new heights. The construction of their house was almost finished. But it had also been five months since she last saw Gilgamesh and the absence gnawed at her.
She missed his laughter, his teasing remarks, and the way he always seemed to push her to be better. He was the one person who understood her drive and matched it with his own. Without him, even her greatest achievements felt incomplete.
"The construction is almost finished anyway," she said to herself, her voice firming with resolve. "Maybe it's time to go back."
The thought filled her with a mix of excitement and nervousness. She wondered how much Gilgamesh had improved in her absence. Had he grown as much as she had? Or had he been slacking off, content to rest on his laurels? A small smile tugged at her lips as she imagined his reaction to her return.
"Huhu~ I wonder how much he has improved," she mused, her tone playful. If there was one thing she knew about Gilgamesh, it was that he never backed down from a challenge. The thought of sparring with him again, of testing their skills against each other, sent a thrill through her.
***
Kaela pushed open the front door of their house in Patrian, her heart pounding with anticipation. The familiar creak of the hinges brought a wave of nostalgia, but the sight that greeted her was anything but familiar. The room was filled with battle gear—swords, shields, armor, and more—displayed proudly on the walls. Each piece gleamed under the soft light, their craftsmanship unmistakably exquisite.
Kaela's trained eyes immediately scanned the items, her mind analyzing every detail. The precision of the forging, the balance of the weapons, the intricate designs etched into the armor—it was all beyond what she had seen before. Even her own creations, which she had once been so proud of, paled in comparison. Her lips parted in awe, but before she could utter a word, a familiar voice interrupted her thought.
"So, what do you think?"
Kaela's head snapped toward the source of the voice. There, leaning casually against the doorway with his arms crossed, was Gilgamesh. His trademark smirk was plastered across his face, his eyes gleaming with mischief and pride.
There was an aura about him now, a presence that hard to describe .
"You..." Kaela trailed off, her voice a mix of surprise and admiration. She stepped further into the room, her eyes darting between the displayed gear and Gilgamesh. The man before her was the same, yet different, he commanded attention. It was as if he had transcended the limits of what she thought possible.
"Hehe~ Are you surprised?"
And then it hit her. The aura, the craftsmanship, the undeniable presence—it all made sense. Kaela's eyes widened as she realized the truth. "You became a legend," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
[Pagma's Successor class effect is activated. Blacksmith NPCs whose craftsmanship skill is at the advanced level will recognize you and worship you.]
"That is right. You see! I'm Pagma Successsor."
Kaela's breath caught in her throat. Pagma—the legendary blacksmith and great swordsman—was a name every blacksmith on the West Continent revered. His stories were the stuff of legend, his achievements the aspiration of anyone who dared to pick up a hammer. And now, standing before her, was his successor.
"Ohh...!!" Kaela let out an excited gasp, her eyes shining with a mix of awe and determination. She stepped closer to Gilgamesh, her hands trembling with anticipation. "Show me!" she demanded, her voice firm and insistent.
"Ehh-?" Gilgamesh blinked, caught off guard by her sudden intensity. 'Damn, does her switch flip off?'
"Show me your blacksmithing skill! I want to witness it up close," Kaela said, grabbing his hand and pulling him toward the forge. Her grip was surprisingly strong, her excitement overriding any sense of decorum.
Gilgamesh chuckled, allowing himself to be dragged along. "Alright, alright. Calm down. I'll show you, but you're going to have to let go of my hand first."
Kaela released him, her cheeks flushing slightly as she realized how forceful she had been. But her determination didn't waver. She crossed her arms and fixed him with a stern look. "Well? What are you waiting for? Get to it."
"Okay okay."
___
"So, what do you think?" Gilgamesh asked, his voice tinged with pride as he watched Kaela inspect the sword he had just forged. He leaned casually against the workbench, his arms crossed, but his eyes betrayed his eagerness for her approval.
Kaela stared at the weapon, her mind struggling to process what she had just witnessed. The sword was a masterpiece, its craftsmanship flawless and its design both beautiful and deadly. Its surface shimmered with a faint, ethereal glow, and the edge was so sharp it seemed to cut the air itself.
"Remarkable," she said finally, her voice filled with genuine admiration. "Impressive, I must say."
Gilgamesh's grin widened, but before he could bask in the glory of her praise, Kaela's expression shifted. Her eyes narrowed, and she fixed him with a piercing stare.
"Can you show the swordsmanship now?" she asked, her tone casual but her gaze intense.
Gilgamesh blinked, caught off guard. "My swordsmanship?"
"No," Kaela said, her voice firm. "Pagma's swordsmanship. Pagma was known to be a great swordsman, so you must have inherited his techniques, right?"
At her question, Gilgamesh's confident demeanor faltered. He scratched the back of his head, his cheeks flushing slightly. The truth was, he had been so focused on raising his stats through blacksmithing that he had barely touched a sword outside of testing his newly forged weapons. His forays into combat were few and far between, and the idea of mastering Pagma's legendary swordsmanship had taken a backseat to his obsession with crafting.
"Well, uh..." Gilgamesh stammered, avoiding her gaze. "I've been a little busy, you know? Blacksmithing takes a lot of time and—"
Kaela cut him off with a deadpan stare, her arms crossed and her foot tapping impatiently. "Let me guess. You've been holed up in this smithy, hammering away day and night, and the only time you've 'touched grass' is when you went out to test your new toys. Am I close?"
"Well... sort of?"
"..."
"..."
"..."
"Fine," he muttered, crossing his arms defensively. "I'll look into it."
As soon as the words left his mouth, a window notification appeared before his eyes, glowing with an otherworldly light.
(Author's Note: Before anyone criticizes me, just you know Gilgamesh is playing dumb and careful right now. He needs to stay vigilant not only from Satisfy developer and Morpheus, but also Rebecca.)
[The quest 'Pagma's Successor' has been created.]
[Pagma's Successor]
Difficulty: Class quest.
You have certainly been given Pagma's blacksmith skills, but do you know exactly who Pagma is? Can you proudly and confidently carry out his will? Who is Pagma? If he were simply a blacksmith with good skills, his legend wouldn't be scattered across the continent.
First, start with the clue of the swordsmanship that pierced the sky and follow Pagma's legend. If you can collect all of the legends, you will truly understand Pagma and be the successor to his will.
At that moment, a new legend will be born.
* There is no time limit for this class quest.
* If you accept the class quest of a legendary class, you can't change your class again.
* The legendary class quest has the power to transform Satisfy's world, according to the result.
Class Quest Clear Conditions: Complete all linked quests successfully.
Class Quest Clear Reward: Unknown.
* First Class Quest: [Pagma's Swordsmanship.]
"Good," Kaela said with a satisfied nod after hearing his answer.
"But before that, can we go to Bairan Village first? I want to know how the new house looks like."
Gilgamesh wants to know what Bairan looks like. He also wants to meet Smith, the first blacksmith NPC who teaches Grid about blacksmithing, including the production method for a jaffa arrow.
Bairan is also the place where a rare material, Blue Orichalcum can be found by defeating the Guardian of the Forest, it can be said to be the strongest mineral players can find.
"Sure, but pack your things first. We will go there by carriage tomorrow."
"Okey dokie~"