10 - Let's make our Home!

It was early morning when Stella woke up to the unending chatter of the "Players" around her. Some stared at her full set of gear with envy, while others were captivated by her heavenly beauty.

She was a princess of Arz, one of the many nations in her world. But one night, while talking with her maid, a cloudy mist suddenly engulfed her, transporting her to a heavenly realm. There, she was instructed to choose a game as part of a tutorial.

Being a noble—and coming from a world where video games had not yet been developed—she knew nothing about them. Unsure what to select, she randomly clicked and swiped, accepting the outcome without even knowing what it would be.

Now, alone in the World of Eldrion, she struggled to understand her surroundings. She learned the basics of crafting from a blacksmith (a different version of the one who had greeted Dexter, though this one was also named Gridlock).

After forging a crude sword and shield, she left immediately, following the newbie guide's instructions. However, two bandits she had asked for directions robbed her, forcing her to flee toward the village and preventing her from returning to the blacksmith who had helped her.

Stella was having a hard time—she wasn't used to being a laborer, but she still tried to adapt. Once, someone offered her help, and she happily accepted, unaware that they had different plans for her. Later, she attempted to hunt materials alone, but the foxes proved too brutal… and far too cute for her to bring herself to kill them.

Then, she met Dexter. He slaughtered the "innocent-looking" fox without hesitation and even helped her with her equipment. But there was a catch: he turned her into his pack mule, completely disregarding her heavenly beauty—and worse, he kept calling her "Baby Girl" at random.

And the most humiliating part? He fought almost naked, wearing nothing but a loincloth to cover himself. This made Stella Arzois, a princess, deeply embarrassed whenever someone glanced their way.

"Where is that DND? He still hasn't come to fetch me?"

Grrrrowl—

"I'm hungry…"

…

Dexter spent the morning learning Gridlock's unusual crafting style.

Gridlock showed him how to make a knife, a mace, a bow, a staff, and even different kinds of armor—plate, leather, and cloth.

Dexter was puzzled. How can Gridlock do this without a proper facility? In standard game mechanics, only specific facilities could craft specific equipment—there was no such thing as a jack-of-all-trades workshop. Yet Gridlock, the Deity of All Equipment, defied all the logic he knew.

With just a needle and thread, a carving knife, a hammer and anvil, or any makeshift structure, Gridlock could produce whatever gear he desired.

"Master… can you refine iron into iron bars without a facility?" Dexter asked curiously.

"Do you think I'm some omnipotent god or something? Who the hell can refine metal without the proper setup? That's why I ask for refined materials, not raw…"

"Crafting equipment is different from refining materials. You can craft anything you want using just your imagination—but of course, you still need basic tools. How can you join clothes without thread? By hammering them? Of course not! Use some common sense, you idiot... Just listening to your stupid questions makes my blood boil."

Dexter listened intently. He had basic knowledge of crafting—after all, he'd been a factory worker. He understood how things were made, but applying that knowledge within the game's mechanics still confused him at times.

'At least now I know Earth's basic rules apply here in Eldrion Online. When I think about it, the original game mechanics were unnatural—they defied common sense. But now that this world is real, logic should matter.'

Gridlock finished his work, having crafted every piece of equipment at Masterpiece grade. He smirked at Dexter, who was already familiar with such high-tier gear.

"I'll teach you how to properly wield your equipment... if you show me something worthy of my skills."

[!!!]

[Newbie Guide (Unique): Learn from The Forgotten #3 [_]]

[Craft Tier II Beginner Dagger (Masterpiece): 0/1]

[Craft Tier II Beginner Sword (Masterpiece): 0/1]

[Craft Tier II Beginner Shield (Masterpiece): 0/1]

[Craft Tier II Beginner Bow (Masterpiece): 0/1]

[Craft Tier II Beginner Mace (Masterpiece): 0/1]

[Craft Tier II Beginner Staff (Masterpiece): 0/1]

[Craft Tier II Beginner Torch (Masterpiece): 0/1]

[Craft Tier II Beginner Scroll (Masterpiece): 0/1]

[Craft Tier II Beginner—…]

'What a long list! When will it ever end?'

'Damn, I need to gather and grind for refined materials. What I have will never be enough for these thousands of wasted items...'

"Master... do you know how to salvage equipment?" Dexter asked curiously.

"Isn't that basic for any crafter? If you can make something, you should be able to take it apart just as easily..."

'Easier said than done.'

"Can you teach me that too? Like you said, I need to be efficient. I want to recycle wasted materials so I can live up to your expectations!" Dexter said, grinning widely.

"Sure..." Gridlock smiled. "After you cook our lunch."

…

Dexter left the hut for the small village to buy lunch ingredients. As usual, he casually killed the two bandits and looted their items before the portal swallowed him away. Emerging in the marketplace, he promptly sold his ill-gotten gains—every extra coin would be needed for his plans after leaving the tutorial island.

While walking casually, he nearly collided with Stella, who stood before him with pouty lips.

"What?" Dexter asked.

"You're only coming now? I haven't even eaten breakfast yet!" Stella snapped.

Dexter scratched his head, looking at her with contempt, utterly unfazed by her beauty.

"That's why I gave you the staff. You should've hunted something for breakfast or gathered materials to sell. Crazy AI... wasn't that programmed into you?"

"What's an 'AI'? I'm not an AI! I'm a princess! I'm Stella!"

"Sure, sure... Come on, let me feed you."

They proceeded to a small shop lined with hanging meats. Sitting on stools, Dexter ordered food—for Stella only.

After receiving her carrot soup with small chunks of meat, Stella wolfed it down like a starved beast while Dexter simply watched, smiling.

'I never knew a "princess" would eat like this... Is this some kind of AI bug?'

"Hey Princess... do you have a 'Party' option?" Dexter asked.

"What's that?" Stella mumbled through a mouthful of meat.

'Definitely an AI...'

"I'll send you an invitation. Try to accept it if you can. If not, don't worry about it."

[Party invitation sent to Stella Arzois]

[Party invitation Accepted]

[Party List: FlyHighLikeAButterFly, Stella Arzois.]

Dexter's eye twitched when he saw the "princess" had accepted his invitation.

'An AI that can join a party... Very unique. At least now I know I can form my own guild later. Should I invite Gridlock too?'

"After you're done eating... follow me. We'll make our home," Dexter said casually.

Stella choked violently on her soup mid-swallow, the sudden declaration catching her completely off guard. A strangled cough forced droplets of broth to spray from her nose as she clutched her throat, eyes watering. She frantically wiped her face with her sleeve, the unprincessly display burning her cheeks with humiliation. That such undignified behavior was provoked by a man who looked like a street beggar made the moment even more galling.

Yet as she composed herself, heat rose to her face for a different reason—the memory of their first encounter flashing through her mind.

'This pervert isn't DND. What kind of ridiculous name is 'FlyHighLikeAButterfly' anyway...'

Her eyes flickered to Dexter's current attire, and she noted with reluctant approval:

'At least he's wearing proper clothes now...'