Chapter 47 - Merlin (1/2)
Satisfied with his plundering at the goblin camp, Shadow got out of the camp and immediately began to channel his hearthstone to return to the blackrock village. As he reached the village, he realized that the players of the Sirius Imperials have already reached level 3. Players sporting level 3 equipment were already visible moving around at the village.
”I guess the leveling speed of the Sirius Imperials members improved with the guide,” thought Balthazar. ”I might have to contact someone Blue Dart about the remainder of my payment.” He called Blue Dart.
”Hey. How is the progress of the Corrupted Forest dungeon?” he asked as Blue Dart took the call.
”Well. It isn't bad. We have already managed to get through the elite instance of the dungeon. But the hell mode, it is still not possible. Even Raging Blade and his team failed.”
”It isn't that easy to go through the hell mode dungeon, even with the guide. You need improve on your equipment and have all in level 3 before you go on trying to take the hell mode instance.”
”Yes, we gleaned that much from our attempt. But I wonder how you found out about the details of the hell mode if you didn't try it out yourself.”
”I also failed to kill Vultarc, else I would have had the first clear for that too. The sad part is that we only get to attempt the hell mode once a day. Else, I wouldn't have sent you the guide for it.”
”So, what is the call about?”
”I just wanted to ask if the guide had been useful and up to your satisfaction.”
”So, it is about the money that we owe you. Well, I guess your guide is quite worth the price you mentioned. You want me to send you the money now?”
”I don't mind. But it isn't the only thing I called you about. You might need a lot of black iron equipment, right?”
”Hmm.”
”I can provide you. But only for vita-nova money. Else I can't get them to you. How about we talk a couple of hours later? Give you some time to prepare enough money,” said Shadow sending him a picture of the black-iron cape he got from Lydia.
”Do a number of such equipment interest you?”
”How many can you deliver?”
”That depends on how lucky I can get? But each one costs at least 80 coppers. You can consider that a discounted price since we are acquaintances.”
”That is a discounted price?!” asked Blue Dart shocked. ”Are you kidding? That is not cheap and definitely not a discounted price.”
”Tell me how many members who are not in your guild are willing to sell you black iron equipment? Not at discount, but just sell you black iron equipment at all,” asked Shadow back to Blue Dart.
”I get your point. I just want to buy them using the credits instead of the vita-nova coins.”
”I can only get the supplies I need using vita-nova coins. I can't do it with credits.”
”I can get you your supplies and provide additional credits for your services.”
”Not these kinds of supplies. Maybe the only ones you can provide are a few wolf furs, that is if my team isn't able to get enough by hunting the mountain wolves.”
”No harm in telling me what supplies you need.”
”Can't. I don't want to let out my trade secrets.”
”Materials are trade secrets?”
”Yes. If those materials can procure you black iron equipment.”
”Fine, I will ask the teams to hold onto their purchases for the time being. I hope you can provide me with good equipment.”
”You won't be disappointed,” said Shadow ending the call.
”You interested in trying out the hell mode of the corrupted forest?” he asked. ”Now that we are in level 3, we can at least get some good equipment out of it if not clear it.”
”You are kidding right? It is hell mode. I don't think any of us ready for that.”
”I don't plan on finishing it. Just getting better equipment so that we can make a better attempt at the temple quest.”
”OK. I am speaking frankly now. The girls aren't really into finishing the quest right now. We need a bit of a time out after the goblin attacks so that we can enjoy the game a bit. We will stick with the wolves for some time.”
”Fine. Did you contact anyone regarding about joining our group or do you have anyone in mind?”
”I have only played the V.R. game, War god's tempest before vita-nova. Don't have any of the friends I made there in the blackrock village.”
”Well, in that case, I would need to search for someone myself.”
”Wait! I know of someone, but he is a bit reckless and narcissistic. A bit of a wacko.”
”Then, why are you suggesting him?”
”Well, he is my elder cousin.”
”Oh. I understand. Is he any good or just reckless and narcissistic?”
”Well, he introduced me to the games, and he is actually good at them. He always plays warlock. So, if he agrees we will get someone who actually quite good at crowd control.”
”OK then. Introduce me to him.”
”I will contact him to meet you. Actually, you might end up liking him. He also tends to go out solo, quite often.”
”I meant now. Give me his ID.”
”It is Merlin Grimlock. He is at the Corrupted dungeon searching for teammates.”
”Wait did you say Merlin Grimlock? A bit too much into magicians, isn't he?”
”Don't make fun of him. Don't say anything bad about mages in front of him. He is a fan of almost all magical fantasies as you can guess by his name, Merlin one of the oldest mages of the ancient and Grimlock of the new Grimlock adventures.”
”Got it, I will keep it in mind. Is he actually good?”
”Well, if you played War god's tempest, he was one of the founding members of the guild Magus Shrine. He was known as Mad Merlin.”
”Wait a second, your brother is the Mad Merlin? He is considered a genius. But wouldn't he be a part of Magus Shrine's efforts in vita-nova?”
”Yeah. He had some kind of falling out with guild leader, Magus Extreme an year ago. Even if he didn't, he wouldn't be a part of the usual guild activities. Not really leadership material.”
”He was always great at the competitions. Don't lie.”
”He can deal with small teams easy. Not good at handling guilds. Even teams, he expects high quality gameplay from everyone in his team. A bit of perfectionist.”
”Anyway, I am going to him immediately. Inform him of my arrival.”
”Already did and sent him your ID. He is expecting you,” said Quiet Fire cutting the call. ”You just know about his fame. Wait till you meet him in person,” thought Quiet Fire as she resumed farming the wolves.
The prospect of gaining a powerful ally especially one who had been very famous in his previous life was very enticing to him. He had also heard of Mad Merlin in his previous life. Obviously, the name Merlin Grimlock didn't stick in vita-nova and he was still called Mad Merlin. He was one of the only three warlocks who managed to get into demi-god tier in the seven years of the game.
As he reached the dungeon entrance, there were a lot of groups attempting the dungeon. Especially members of the Sirius Imperials were all attempting elite dungeons. It was a good thing for Balthazar that only the first exploration and opening of the treasure chests provide black iron equipment, the others only get white trash equipment to maintain the balance of the game, else he wouldn't be able to make any sales.
Shadow soon found Merlin. He definitely stood out and alone among the groups. He was definitely a mage as he was holding a wand and cape but had also equipped steel and leather armor pieces instead of the usual cloth armor.
People were avoiding him and even laughing at him. Balthazar understood why as he moved closer to the guy. He was shouting for a party to attempt the hell mode. As Shadow moved closer to him, he identified Shadow and came towards him.
”Hi Shadow, I am Merlin,” he said introducing himself. ”Heard you are interested in running through the Hell mode. I am up for it if you are in.”
”Odd sense of fashion you got there,” said Shadow pointing at his gear.
”Well, you probably already know that there are no requirements of weapon and armor on classes, right? So, put a lot of white trash armor which I could equip.”