Birth Of The Crafts-God

Even as the Dawn-Spring Arrow Company was facing a crisis, the public was still hyped over the raffle draw. The Dawn-Spring Arrow Company was one thing and its shares in the Seven Stars Spring Dealership only amounted to twenty percent, so there was no reason to be worried.

As promised, the raffle draw was organised by 12 pm.

Five hundred thousand tickets, which equates to fifty thousand people, had participated in this draw. The revenue generated from the sales of tickets alone was a lump sum of two hundred and fifty thousand (250,000) federal coins. If this were pure profit, it would be a lot even for a corporation. Even after considering the losses and value of the rewards, the Seven Stars Spring Dealership still made one hundred and ten thousand, two hundred (110,200) federal coins in profit after taxes had been deducted.

The Dawn-Spring Arrow Company's investment into the dealership was only a sum of seventy thousand federal coins. The dealership had almost made double of that in only three days.

"Capitalism is... fun."

Staring at the line of figures in the company's financial statement, Lucas couldn't help but lick his lips a bit.

Because Veromos wasn't sold, the system couldn't charge him it's ridiculous tax. Owning 80% of the company, that meant that 88,160 FeC was his. Considering the system's 60% tax rate, to make this much, Lucas would have to sell at least four vestiges on par with Veromos.

'Should I organise more lotteries like this?' Lucas couldn't help but conceive this idea.

However, he immediately tossed it away. While money was valuable, it wasn't Lucas' priority in life. He was satisfied as long as he could afford the materials and metals he needed to forge. The purchasing power of a single federal coin was impressive, so the matter of housing and feeding wasn't a challenge for a vestige-smith, much less one of Lucas' calibre.

Also, Lucas had this feeling that the system wouldn't let him go on with such a scheme.

'I've been at level four for a while now. I need to push for level 5 within three months.' Lucas narrowed his eyes.

It has been almost ten months since Lucas arrived in this world. The calendar was the same as Earth, except that every month had a uniform number of days which was thirty. It was currently the eleventh month of the year.

Ten months of difficulties, trials and tribulations, with Lucas having to fit in; it definitely wasn't easy. Although it was a tough road, Lucas had gained a lot from it for instance, the knowledge of stellar circuits, Magi runes and many more.

Despite coming this far, if there was one thing Lucas was dissatisfied with, it was his lack of ability to utilise to stellar energy.

According to the system, there were two solutions for Lucas. The first was to purchase the Red Dragon Heaven Pill from the system shop which would help mould his body into the perfect form capable of controlling and storing mystical energy. The advantages from this was obvious as with a perfect body, he would gain immunity to all and every diseases and poison. Lucas would also be able to sense and wield elusive mystical energies like soul or death energy with ease.

However, the Red Dragon Heaven Pill didn't come cheap. It cost five hundred system coins, and so far, Lucas had slightly less than fifty coins. At this rate, it would take him 7-8 more years before he could afford the Red Dragon Heaven Pill.

The second and most viable option was for Lucas to get the system to level 5. He was currently at level 4, and although there was no experience bar to track progress, based on his experience with the system, Lucas needed to complete just one more mission to get to level 5.

Upon reaching level 5, Lucas would receive the final ingredient and the preparation method for a mystical miracle drug that would help develop his body.

According to the system, while the Red Dragon Heaven Pill would forge the most perfect body, the mystical miracle drug had more effects than just redeveloping his body. Regardless, it didn't matter whether Lucas wanted it or not as he didn't have a choice.

'Just one mission. Why the hell is it so difficult to get one?'

The last mission Lucas received was over a month ago, and that was to retrieve the Aión Source. Since then, the system has awfully been silent in this regard.

"Hey system, are you purposely dealing with me or something?"

"Unfortunately, the system does not possess the ability to do so." The mechanical voice resounded in his head.

Lucas' lips twitched at the response, but he didn't let the system's words get to him.

"If the host is desperate to level the system up quickly, please proceed on the path to becoming a Crafts-God and avoid meaningless distractions. Doing so would make more missions available for the host."

"I've been working, haven't I? Or are you saying I'm doing it the wrong way?" Lucas questioned with a bit of frustration in his voice.

However, the system went silent.

Although he loved vestige-smithing, he felt painted that the system considered his progress and growth as nothing.

This made Lucas pause what he was doing and contemplate on the system's words.

Since his escape from Baylands City, Lucas didn't operate the shop as much as before. Instead, he spent most of his time studying new techniques, which was very helpful to his growth rate. Compared to before, Lucas could now utilise two new inscription techniques and was versed in the hover vehicle industry. One could say that he had grown considerably.

Despite that, it seems that the system classified this as distractions to his growth.

'Then what am I supposed to focus on?' Lucas, for the first time ever in this world, was confused.

Was he actually moving on the right path?

If he wasn't, then what is the 'right path'?

What does it mean it walk the path of a 'Crafts-God'?

Recalling the hints from the system in the past, a Crafts-God seemed to be an entity that had reached the maximum possible level in the art of craftsmanship.

Craftsmanship entailed not just forging and vestige-smithing, but product creation.

When Lucas has asked the system whether he would be the one making the miracle drug, the system had hinted to him that alchemy was a required skill of the Crafts-God. From this, one could see a clue of what the ultimate form of true craftsmanship was.

'A creator.' Lucas thought.

However, that level was too far from him, at least for now. Lucas first had to master vestige-smithing before diving into another form of crafting.

Originally, Lucas thought that the path to mastering vestige-smithing was by refining his skills and absorbing new knowledge, but it seems like the system was dissatisfied with his process, or the pace at which he moved.

"I think I understand."

As if he had just received a revelation, Lucas sighed and glanced ahead absentmindedly. He finally understood what the system meant.

He might not be skilled at business management or even philosophy, but Lucas was able to see the meaning of the system's words.

Currently, Lucas had already exceeded the level of Baylands City-state's vestige-smithing. Baylands City-state's maximum production capability was Grade 4, and Lucas had long since achieved that. As for Grade 5 vestiges, only Tier 1 Grandmasters could make those and they were all concentrated in Belfargos territory. Hence, as it stood now, there was no vestige-smith better than him in the entire city-state; there was nothing for Lucas to learn here.

In fact, this didn't just begin now. Lucas' last mission was in Belfargos territory. Even when he levelled the system up to level 3 in Baylands city-state, it was only because of a hidden mission that was more of an achievement [1]. His last real mission in the city-state was to create a Grade 4 armour with a special material which led to Lucas travelling to Baylands city-state's grey zone, Alleva district. After that, the system never have Lucas any other mission except after he arrived at Belfargos territory.

In other words, if Lucas remained in Baylands city-state, he would be unable to progress unless he could complete some hidden missions. But that was like leaving his fate to luck, which wasn't wise.

"But I can't just leave yet, not until I'm done."

A dangerous light flashed in Lucas' eyes as he said those words.

Born and bred in a magical world that prioritised the law of the jungle, Lucas wasn't one to take a hit and forget about it. He might be able to take it lying down, but as soon as he was able to retaliate, Lucas would stand up and strike his opponent. That was the case now.

Back then, the city's upper forces didn't just force him away disgracefully, but they also nearly harmed Melissa who was like a little sister or even a daughter to him. If it wasn't for Russell and his daughter, Laura, Melissa would have been in prison back then.

Now that Lucas had the power to hit them all where it hurts, he definitely wouldn't hold back or forgive and forget.