.........."
Weed was very surprised that stories about him were this widespread. He knew that he was well-known as the adventurer Weed, but he hadn’t thought that he was this famous as the sculptor Weed.
"Makes sense though, since it would be artists that like this side of me."
Weed stood from his seat.
"Are you going now?"
"Yes."
"Then, we'll see you around. Perhaps once you level up some more, you can buy some paintings... or I might help you with a house..."
Gaston and Pavo waved good-bye.
***
Rhodium, the City of Artists.
There was poverty everywhere, but the city itself was beautiful and romantic.
It was filled with wondrous architecture that complemented the surroundings, with streets that were littered with detailed art, and even the little things spread here and there were stupendous.
The whole place was filled with fancy lights and colors.
Each road had young aspiring artists, either painting or sculpting. Others were playing instruments, often performing on the spot.
Crowds of travellers visited, and even more artists strove for their dreams in this city.
Indeed, it was built majestically. However, due to lack of funds the city wasn’t properly maintained and therefore easily deteriorated. Understandably, Rhodium was also known as the city without a lord -- since no one was interested in taking it over!
While the continent had plenty of lords engaging in brutal struggles over castles and territories, Rhodium seemed almost too peaceful.
The lifeblood of any city is, of course, money. Funding is needed to populate, irrigate, research, and trade.
However, weapons and armor didn’t sell very well in Rhodium.
The place was nearly deserted of adventurers, because the nearby hunting grounds were just mediocre.
No person in their right mind would want to own such an unprofitable city.
"Well, art won’t bring in any profits..."
Weed's convictions were strengthened in this moment.
Blacksmiths, weavers, and enchanters usually complained about how tough their classes were, but to Weed they sounded a hundred times easier than any artisan class.
Weed continued his slow tour of Rhodium.
"O, you are my sunlight, my blessing, my lover!
To be with you forever!"
He could hear some young bards singing at a nearby theatre.
There were many bards in Rhodium.
They could improve both the strength and morale of their parties while hunting, and could also earn extra cash by giving performances.
In short, just the fact that they didn’t have to beg was an advantage. This was a class that could earn its keep wherever it went!
Because of these traits, the Bard was the most respected class in Rhodium.
The second place would be Jewelers. Jewelers are able to manufacture various precious metals into beautiful accessories.
Sculptors could also refine gemstones once they reached a certain skill level, but they couldn't compare to the real specialists.
Jewelers could refine gold, silver, pearls, jade, emeralds, sapphires, and more to raise their worth.
The Jeweler class could be considered a more specialized type of sculptor.
"This is truly the City of Artists."
Weed appreciated many artworks as he walked around in Rhodium.
There were the production guilds and artistic guilds, who were very rare in other cities.
Of course, there were also a few basic combat guilds here and there.
In Rhodium, there were more than three hundred guilds! This was only possible, since there was of all kinds of combat, production and artistic guilds.
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that nearly all existing classes could be found here.
Weed stopped at a street lined with guilds.
"This would be a good time to look for more clues."
He had been told that there would be more hints about moonlight sculpting to be found in the artist guilds.
Thus, it was necessary to become friendly with the residents and guild masters.
Flattery and praise to steal a target's heart and relentless criticism to make him look like a lifelong friend!
This task wasn’t all that difficult for Weed who possessed these smooth-talking skills.
"There is something else I need to do first... It would be good to learn a few skills now that I’m here."
Before touring the artistic guilds, Weed entered the nearby warriors’ guild.
***
Even though Rhodium was an artistic city, it didn’t mean that there were no users with combat-related classes.
Bramas was a warrior who strangely enough had chosen to start in Rhodium.
Being someone who loved to travel, he was attracted to the history and culture of Rhodium.
At first, that choice had been fine, as there was plenty of prey in the surroundings!
While the artists were busy trying to raise their skill levels, Bramas easily found mobs to hunt right outside the walls.
Normally in starting cities, there would be an extreme lack of rabbits and foxes which created fierce competition among hunters.
However, since there was an abundant wildlife to hunt around Rhodium, Bramas had quickly leveled up.
He even developed a strong companionship with the few other combat classes, as they fought along each other.
"There are no warriors in Rhodium stronger than I!"
Bramas had started to take pride in being the best warrior in Rhodium. While he was practising a new skill in the warrior's guild, someone approached him.
"Oh! Are you a warrior visiting Rhodium?"
Warriors had great compatibility with each other. Since they could cover each other in tough battles, it was a good idea to have more than one in a party.
Weed, who had just entered the guild, shook his head.
"Sorry, but I am no warrior."
"Then, what are you in our guild for?"
"I'm here to learn a skill. If you have no business with me, please excuse me."
Weed walked past Bramas and entered the guild's training center.
"What is he trying to do here?"
Curious, Bramas followed him. Weed had stopped in front of the center's instructor.
Curtly, the instructor asked, "What business have brought you here?"
Simple and dutiful warriors generally tended to dislike artists.
The instructor treated Weed with disdain, because he saw that Weed possessed the "displeasing" temperament of an artist.
Weed silently unequipped his Yeti clothes and put them away. With the continent as hot as it was, he didn't require any leather clothing. He even unequipped the armor covering his torso.
"Please, strike me."
"What?"