Unlike Grid's legendary class, I'm not getting any hints, Alan thought.
He recalled scenes from the manhwa—how Grid would get red markers guiding him to perfect spots while chopping wood or mining. He even remembered using appraisal like Grid used on his axe and pickaxe to help detect those spots.
But nothing like that happened for him.
…How do I even mine now? Alan muttered.
Unlike chopping firewood, he didn't know the proper technique for mining.
Alan looked around and observed some of the other miners carefully.
Soon, he noticed that they were striking specific spots on the wall that looked slightly different from the surrounding rock.
He scanned the area and finally found a similar spot. Mimicking the miners, he swung his pickaxe.
Kaaang! Kaaang!
[Iron Ore has been acquired.]
The iron ore chunk fragmented after only four strikes.
Okay… so this is how you do it, Alan thought, nodding as his real life trait activated, correcting his form.
After a few minor failures, he quickly improved, striking one piece after another and gathering more and more iron ore with ease.
"Ah… no way! How can he do it so easily…?" one miner muttered in disbelief.
"Hey, it's just a coincidence," another said, shrugging.
Kaaang! Kaaang!
[Iron Ore has been acquired.]
"Wow…" a miner whispered.
"What's with that guy? Why is he so good when he looks so incompetent?" another asked.
"Maybe he's just naturally talented," someone else speculated.
The miners were amazed at his efficiency. None of them realized Alan was working effortlessly thanks to his enhanced stats and titles.
Some of them even felt a spark of motivation: If such a young lad can do it with that much focus, surely I can too.
But unlike them, Alan's stats were unusually high. With the advantages granted by his titles, he could easily match a level 200 player in terms of raw stats alone.
That was also the reason early players were so powerful. Nearly all of them possessed First achievements, which granted massive bonuses during the early stages of the game.
Back at Satisfy Headquarters
Lim Cheolho stared at the screen showing Alan's actions.
"A player who is both talented… and lucky," he murmured.
He couldn't help but sigh as he watched Alan acquire the Mining skill after merely observing others do it.
"If only a player like him remained as Warrior," Lim Cheolho muttered.
If that were the case, Alan would likely already be the number one ranked player.
At present, however, that position belonged to another player—Zibal.
Zibal followed the standard growth path: hunting monsters efficiently, grinding levels relentlessly, and steadily climbing the rankings.
But if the two were to meet right now…
"Morpheus," Lim Cheolho said, "what are the chances if Player Alan and Player Zibal were to fight?"
[ I am unable to calculate it accurately due to insufficient combat data on Player Alan. ]
[ However, based on statistics alone, Player Alan has a 70% chance of victory against the current Rank 1 player, Zibal. ]
Lim Cheolho nodded slowly as he continued watching the screen.
"…Interesting."
Back at the Smithy
Alan returned to the smithy and handed over 500 pieces of iron ore to Loyd.
Loyd nodded in satisfaction, clearly impressed.
At the same time, a familiar notification appeared.
Alan had accumulated enough experience.
He leveled up.
He was now—
Level 3.
"Alright. You've passed both tests. I'll accept you into the smithy," Loyd said as he handed Alan a pair of gloves.
[ You have become an Apprentice at Loyd's Smithy. ]
"Now then," Loyd continued, folding his arms, "tell me what you want to learn first."
"All first-time apprentices receive one free production method," he added. "Choose wisely."
Alan didn't hesitate.
"Can you give me the blueprint for a standard longsword?" he asked.
Loyd studied him for a moment, then nodded.
"Here you go."
He handed Alan a thin metal plate etched with symbols.
[ Production Method: Longsword ]
Rating: Normal ~ Legendary
Description:
A longsword production method.
Its greatest advantage is that it can be made using any material and the final product depend on the material used.
User Restriction: ??? (Based on the finished product)
"This is a simple longsword production method," Loyd explained. "What it becomes depends entirely on you—your materials, your technique, and your mastery of craftsmanship."
Alan nodded, his eyes fixed on the method.
It was perfect.
With his current ores, his titles, Albantino's Hammer, and the effects of the Pseudo Craftsman class, a longsword was the ideal starting point.
It was a flexible weapon with an upper limit reaching Legendary—exactly what he needed.
"Now go and heat up the furnace," Loyd ordered.
Alan nodded and quickly went to work. He placed the firewood inside the furnace and worked the bellows, feeding air into the flames. Soon, the fire roared to life, heat surging outward.
"Good," Loyd said. "I'll show you once. Watch carefully. After this, I won't demonstrate again. From then on, you'll learn by observing, practicing, and working."
With that, Loyd began forging a longsword.
He first took iron ore and placed it into the blazing furnace. After it melted into a glowing mass, he retrieved it with tongs and placed it onto the anvil.
Clang!
Clang!
Clang!
Loyd struck the heated metal rhythmically with his hammer, each blow precise and controlled. The shape of a blade slowly emerged as sparks scattered through the air.
Alan watched intently, engraving every movement into his mind.
This wasn't basic smithing.
It was Advanced Blacksmith Craftsmanship.
Loyd was a level 3 Advanced Blacksmith—an extremely high-level existence, especially considering that the game had only just launched.
That said, it was also somewhat normal.
Raising levels in production-type skills required an enormous amount of time and effort. Unlike combat classes, progress wasn't measured in battles or levels gained, but in countless hours of repetition, failures, and refinement.
Reaching level 3 alone was proof of Loyd's lifelong dedication.
Advancing to level 4 wouldn't be something that could be done in a year or two.
It could take decades of in-game time.
After three hours, Loyd finally completed his work and placed a Rare-ranked longsword to the side.
"Now, it's your turn," he said. "Your first task as an apprentice is refining iron ore into steel blocks."
A new quest appeared before Alan, which he accepted without hesitation.
He immediately began refining the iron ore.
The first attempt failed.
So did the second.
And the third.
But on the fourth try, the process succeeded.
Loyd, who had been watching silently, froze.
"…He succeeded on his fourth attempt?"
Most apprentices required at least thirty attempts before refining steel successfully for the first time.
Yet Alan had done it in four.
Seeing this, Loyd quietly turned and walked away, leaving Alan to continue working.
As he did, a single thought lingered in his mind—
Did I just accept a monster into my smithy?