Less than ten minutes later.
The wooden door of the inn creaked open, and a bright yellow figure rushed in with a gust of wind.
Argo's face still showed lingering shock.
She ran to the bar in a few quick strides, her gaze sweeping across the empty hall before finally settling on the black-clad figure sitting by the window, calmly wiping the blade of his sword.
Chen Mo.
He didn't even turn around, as if he already knew she would return.
Argo quickly walked over and slapped an oil-paper package exuding an enticing aroma and an old book onto the table.
"Here!"
Her voice carried a tremor she hadn't even noticed.
"The Lost Recipe, A-grade ingredient 'Windbreath Beast Tenderloin,' and this rare-grade cooking skill book—everything's here!"
Chen Mo's motion of wiping his longsword didn't pause in the slightest; he merely let out a faint "Mm."
This overly calm reaction, however, made the turbulent waves in Argo's heart surge even more fiercely.
She couldn't help but lower her voice, as if confirming a terrifying truth.
"The hidden quest in the furthest corner of the bulletin board on the west side of the city, which requires talking to three different NPCs to trigger..."
"Chen Mo, how exactly did you know?"
This was already beyond the scope of what a Closed Beta Tester could explain.
The second floor had only been open for less than half a day; everyone else was running around like headless chickens, yet this man, as if flipping through his own map book, precisely pointed out a secret that even she, a top Information Broker, had never heard of.
Chen Mo finally stopped his movements.
He looked up, his dark eyes meeting Argo's.
"You only need to know that if you follow me, you won't lose out."
He slowly sheathed the Blade of Perseverance and stood up.
"You keep the ingredients and the skill book."
"In exchange, I want you to help me spread a message."
Argo immediately switched to merchant mode, her eyes lighting up: "What message?"
"Tell everyone that deep within the second floor's labyrinth area, in the 'Wind's Canyon,' there are large numbers of elite monsters, 'Cliff Gargoyles,' level 15 and above. It's extremely dangerous, so all players are advised to form teams to go, and the team must include a dedicated shield warrior."
Argo was stunned.
She keenly caught the keywords.
"Elite monsters? Wind's Canyon?"
These place names and monster information were completely unknown territory to current players.
"You're... providing information for free?"
Argo was puzzled; this wasn't Chen Mo's style. He was more like a ruthless merchant who would sell information for an exorbitant price.
The corner of Chen Mo's mouth curved into an arc that no one could understand.
"No, I'm just clearing the area."
With that, he dropped eight Korr on the table, considering it payment for the drinks, then turned and walked out of the inn.
"Clear... clearing the area?"
Argo chewed on those two words, and a chilling thought surfaced in her mind.
He deliberately leaked information about an extremely dangerous area to make ordinary players fearful and unwilling to approach.
Or, to make those arrogant teams crash headfirst into the gargoyles' sharp claws.
Either way, the result was the same.
That area called "Wind's Canyon" would, in a short time, become a hunting ground belonging only to him!
"Wait!"
Argo chased after him.
"You're going there? Alone?"
Chen Mo's steps didn't falter; he only left behind a plain yet domineering statement.
"Some things need to be done."
"Don't forget our agreement."
Watching the black figure merge into the street without hesitation, heading towards the unknown wilderness outside the town, Argo felt a chill rise from her spine.
At this moment, on the street, players who had just teleported from the first floor were still excited about the new environment.
They gathered in small groups, discussing where to pick up quests, where to upgrade equipment, filled with blind optimism for the future.
No one knew.
While they were still stumbling in the beginner village, the man they reverently called "Shadow" had already begun to conquer the most dangerous area of the entire second floor.
The wind of Urbus seemed to grow colder because of it.
On the other side, at the blacksmith shop north of the city.
Kirito held the cold metal badge, hesitating at the door for a long time before finally pushing it open and stepping inside.
"Hello, I'm looking for Mr. Horun."
A dwarf blacksmith with a full beard and a physique as burly as a bear looked up, glanced at him, and said in a booming voice.
"That's me. What do you need?"
Kirito took a deep breath and handed over the badge.
The moment the dwarf blacksmith saw the complex patterns on the badge, a sharp glint suddenly shot out from his murky eyes!
Horun's hand trembled.
The seemingly ordinary metal badge shimmered in his rough palm.
The complex patterns seemed to flow with life before him, each line telling a long-forgotten story.
"This is..." Horun's voice turned hoarse, "Master's badge."
Kirito was stunned.
Master?
"Do you know the person who gave me this?" Kirito asked tentatively.
Horun didn't answer but carefully placed the badge on the workbench, then turned and walked to the deepest corner of the blacksmith shop. There was a shelf covered with heavy canvas, which looked like it had accumulated a lot of dust.
"It's been thirty years," Horun lifted the canvas, revealing various carefully preserved tools and materials underneath. "I've been waiting for the owner of this badge to return."
Kirito followed behind, a strange sense of tension rising in his heart.
"But the person who gave me the badge looked very young..."
"It's not him." Horun shook his head, a hint of bitterness in his voice. "The person who can obtain this badge is either a successor personally recognized by Master, or..."
He paused.
"Or someone who defeated Master."
A chill ran down Kirito's spine.
With Chen Mo's strength, defeating an NPC blacksmith didn't seem difficult, but why would he do such a thing?
"Master, he..."
"Is no longer with us." Horun's voice was calm, but Kirito could hear the suppressed emotion within it. "He died deep in the labyrinth area, searching for the legendary Star Core."
Horun took down a longsword that wasn't fully formed yet from the shelf. The blade had a deep blue luster, and the overall design was simple and fluid, without excessive decoration, but every detail revealed exquisite craftsmanship.
"This is Master's last work before he died, 'Meteor,'" Horun placed the sword blank on the workbench. "He said this sword was prepared for a special swordsman. A swordsman who pursues extreme speed without losing power."
Kirito's breathing quickened.
This description seemed tailor-made for him.
"But the sword isn't finished yet," Horun continued. "It lacks the most crucial step—Awakening."
"Awakening?"
"Every truly good sword needs to resonate with its owner to unleash its true power." Horun picked up the guardian sword in Kirito's hand and examined it carefully. "This sword is good, but it's not your sword."
Kirito nodded.
He could feel that, although the guardian sword's stats were strong, it always felt awkward to use, like wearing ill-fitting clothes.
"Give me your sword." Horun held out his hand.
Kirito hesitated. This sword was given to him by Chen Mo after all; even if it wasn't suitable, it was still a precious gift.
"Don't worry, I won't destroy it." Horun seemed to see his concern. "I will use its essence to complete the final step of Meteor."
Kirito took a deep breath and handed over the guardian sword.
Horun took the sword and walked to the furnace. The roaring flames cast dancing shadows on his face, making him look solemn and sacred.
"Watch closely, kid." Horun's voice became serious. "This is the highest forging technique Master passed down to me—Fusion Reforging."
He placed the guardian sword into the furnace.
The blade began to glow red under the high temperature, then gradually softened. Horun picked up the Meteor sword blank and carefully began to fuse the materials of the two swords.
Blue light surged from the sword blank, intertwining with the golden glow emanating from the guardian sword, illuminating the entire blacksmith shop with this strange light.
Kirito watched in awe.
This was no longer ordinary forging; it was more like some kind of magical ritual.
"Kirito." Horun suddenly spoke, without turning his head. "Put your hand on the hilt."
"What?"
"Now, while the fusion isn't complete yet." Horun's voice was urgent. "Let the sword feel your presence, so it can truly belong to you."
Kirito stepped forward and carefully placed his hand on the still glowing hilt.
Instantly, a strong, electric-like sensation surged from the blade, rushing up his arm to his brain.
At this moment, Kirito seemed to see a scene.
A figure wielded a sword under the starry sky, the sword light like a meteor streaking across the night, beautiful and deadly. The figure's swordsmanship was elegant and swift, each strike carrying unparalleled speed and precision.
"This is..."
"Master's sword dao memories." Horun's voice came. "They belong to you now."
The light gradually receded, and a brand new longsword appeared on the workbench.
The blade was a deep blue-black, with star-like silver patterns at the edge. The entire sword looked light and sharp, exuding an indescribable elegant aura.
"Meteor"
Quality: Purple
Attack: 120-135
Special Effect: Speed +15, Combo Judgment +20%
The moment Kirito picked up the sword, he felt an unprecedented sense of fit.
This sword was like an extension of his body, so light he barely felt its weight, yet it carried a deadly sharpness when swung.
"Thank you, Master Horun." Kirito said sincerely.
Horun waved his hand.
"Don't thank me; this was Master's wish all along." He looked at Kirito. "However, I have a request."
"What request?"
"If one day you meet the person who gave you the badge, please ask him for me..." Horun's voice trembled slightly. "Has Master's final wish been fulfilled?"
Kirito nodded, agreeing.
Although he didn't know what this wish was, he could feel that it was very important to Horun.
Walking out of the blacksmith shop, Kirito looked at "Meteor" in his hand, a warm current flowing through his heart.
Chen Mo had not only given him a good sword but had also opened up a whole new world for him.
He pulled out his communication interface, wanting to contact Chen Mo to thank him, but found that the other party's status showed "Exploring Labyrinth Area."
Kirito put away his communication and looked towards the direction outside the city.
He knew that Chen Mo must be undertaking some dangerous challenge now.
And he, too, should begin his own training.