“We haven’t known each other for long, but we are in love.”
“I am really glad I met Pale.”
They said as they exchanged affectionate glances.
Understanding between lovers.
Suddenly Surka who was looking intently at Maylon’s face exclaimed:
“Oh! Your face looks really familiar, have I seen you before?”
“Come to think of it, I think I’ve seen you before too...”
“Yeah. I’ve seen you lots of times... although your face is subtly different.”
Irene and Romuna started staring at Maylon as well. They were sure, that they had met her for the first time in game. And yet, she still looked familiar.
Pale also started wondering.
“To be honest, I think I’ve saw you somewhere too.”
Maylon fought away her hesitation and decided to reveal herself to them.
“Do you watch any programs associated with Royal Road.”
“Eh? Oh! Come to think of it...”
“That’s right, I’m Shin Hye Min.”
After realizing that, Maylon’s companions couldn’t hide their astonishment.
“Sorry, I didn’t intend to hide it, but didn't want to bother you. Didn’t want to be subjected to prejudice...”
Maylon continued explaining, but no one was payed any attention.
“It’s amazing to meet the anchor of one of the most Royal Road’s popular shows.”
“Didn’t know program coordinators actually plays Royal Road.”
“But your face on the screen looks a little different.”
“I know. I didn’t recognize her at first too.”
“Stupid. They apply a lot of make-up on television.”
“Oh! I see. But you’re still pretty, Unni!”
“Th... thank you.”
A program host and an entertainer were slightly different. An announcer of a broadcasting station was a similar concept.
“Say, do you hear of any secret information, unknown to the general public through work?”
“Well, sometimes. I’m just a host, so I know a little more than everyone else.”
“Does your company give you any equipment?”
“Rarely. But that does happen sometimes.”
“Wow! I’m envious. So why do you like Pale.”
“I just realized the moment i met him, that he was my man.”
Then Romuna suddenly asked:
“But is it ok for a TV show host to play games like this?”
“Well, I do have to gather information...”
“Information... about the pyramid? We can ask Weed for an exclusive interview anytime if you want. Should we?”
“No, but thanks, I’ll have to refuse.”
Maylon smiled brightly.
“I didn't get close to Pale to gain something.”
“Maylon, you...”
Pale was touched by Maylon’s words and smiled.
“Don’t look at me like that. It’s natural. But talking about business, I’d like to ask Weed for an interview, but that might offend him.”
“...”
At that moment Pale and Surka realized how mistaken Maylon was.
‘That certainly won’t...’
‘She doesn’t know Weed at all.’
***
Lately a lot of guild representatives were coming to the construction site to meet Weed.
At first they were bragging about the advantages of being in a guild, while they actively tried to recruit him.
“Our guild is the biggest in Rosenheim. In this kingdom theres no one more influential or powerful than us. You won’t regret if you join us.”
“We will not only buy your sculptures at a reasonable price, but pay you a daily wage. And if you ever decide to go hunting, we’ll accept you into a party without delay and provide equipment.”
“Don’t you by any chance want to leave this cramped kingdom and move to the center of the continent? I know you already received many offers, but ours has the best conditions...”
All those representatives were looking at Weed with superiority. They promised various benefits, like power leveling to level 200. They automatically assumed that artisan professions were all low levelled.
But Weed wasn’t an ordinary artisan. His level was a lot higher than those of other players of crafting related professions. Also in all the offers he saw more restrictions, than advantages.
All the guilds wanted to have exclusive rights to his sculptures, and if they were providing equipment for hunting, they demanded them returned. Even if he was to agree and take rare and unique items to the hunt, he could end up with more trouble, than benefits. Weed had only hunted in most dangerous places. Every battle could lead to his death, and as a result to the loss of items, lent to him.
And Weed’s strategy in general was aimed at fast levelling and auctioning the expensive items. Guilds would be more of a hindrance in those matters.
“Sorry, but I can’t take your offer.” Weed had rejected every offer.
The better the benefits of the offer, implied to him that the restrictions were tighter.
Constantly making sculptures just to be let into some guild’s hunting parties...
Never! He’d become more famous and sell more works for greater money in the future.
After getting all their offers rejected, guilds resigned and gradually calmed down.
‘Anyway, he’s just a sculptor. Moreover you can’t increase the bonus by using other sculptures.’
‘One sculpture isn’t enough, is it?’
‘This is a big sculpture, and you can't claim it all for yourself. Other sculptures with bonus effects must be big as well and it wouldn’t be possible to carry them.’
‘Effects only last for a day. We can’t be returning every day to our guild to look at the statue.’
They decided to acknowledge Weed’s decision, as they started to understand sculpture profession a bit. Players like Weed must be constantly in motion, creating artwork in various corners of the continent. It wouldn’t be possible to stay in one place and just create items, like other craftsmen.
After finishing the Lion statue Weed switched back to working on the pyramid. A lot of things were already done, but it was still far from being complete.
The higher the pyramid became, the harder it was for players to deliver stone blocks to the top of it. They even had to make a huge ramp with dirt and sand, and a lot of players used it to slowly carry the huge stone blocks to the top of the pyramid.