From Player To Npc

Fortunately for Shingi, his MANA SENSE was detecting an aura that only the Blessed Ones had, that allowed him to not stumble upon them. Unfortunately, this wasn't the case for NPCs, and unless they had a mana pool or wore some enchanted equipment, he couldn't detect them with that Skill.

But his ECHOLOCATION and his other senses covered that disadvantage, but he still moved slower than normal and more carefully. But still, one wouldn't notice unless paid too much attention to him.

Shingi headed to the door of the forge room, and he noticed in front of it to be someone with Enchanted equipment, but definitely not a King's Guard. It should be the same person as last time, only this time he had better equipment to make sure no disruption happened.

Shingi could tell that those items were the works of Volig, even if he couldn't see them, but he had examined them many times, and even without using his eyes, he could tell. This was the authentic experience a craftsman had to have to be one of true skill, and even if he didn't have a craft relate profession, his mindset and proficiency on those subjects were up there.

The guard noticed Shingi and made way for him to pass, and even opened the door for him, which Shingi was thankful for as it would be awkward having a problem opening a door because of his current situation.

Getting in the room, he detected Volig since he had his innate Earth Mana Pool as a Half Stone Giant, working hard as ever. But, as always, Volig didn't seem to have noticed Shingi entering since he was too focused on the tasks at hand.

"Who are you? Why were you left in?" [???]

It was a female's voice that Shingi didn't recognize, and she seemed to be close to the forge next to Volig. Shingi couldn't detect her with his MANA SENSE, meaning she wasn't a Blessed One or had any mana of her own.

"Hmm… why did you stop hammering Ketnas?…. oh, Shingi. You are back?" [Volig]

It seemed that the Volig had a new assistant, which was something that Shingi hadn't heard about. He had told Karemon and Garry to find one, but Volig didn't want to work with just anyone.

There were a few auditions that none actually worked with Volig, and he just let them show him what they could do.

What surprised him was the Ketnas was a Dwarvish name, and he heard a bit of accent in her voice that one would have. But Volig never worked or agreed to work with a Dwarf because of his history of being exiled by his clan. He didn't hate all Dwarves, but he never trusted them with his work.

"It is good seeing you once more, my friend. With you here, we can end everything in no time and catch up. Ready for showing the newbie how things are done?" [Volig]

Shingi could tell that there was more to the story of how Ketnas came to become a helper here, and Volig's last sentence added to it.

Shingi would be glad to help around in any other situation, as it would put out some of his stress too, but he would be more of a burden now.

"I would be glad to, but can't help you currently, my friend." [Shingi]

He removed his glasses, and he had heard gasps from both individuals in the room other than him. He didn't know how bad it looked, but he was certain that his almost empty eyeholes weren't a pretty sight.

He wanted to fix himself as soon as possible, but to tell the truth, he wasn't completely confident that he could do it even with Spirit Magic. He hadn't had time to test the limit of its healing effects, and he wasn't certain if it could be used to regrow parts of him like that.

As for normal healing magic, but it needed multiple people to work together and many precious materials to be used. Even with Master Jax's help, he didn't know if he could make it, as Master Jax couldn't just use all his resources for one man without drawing the attention of others.

Shingi put his glasses back, and he told Volig to continue his work and help with simple things. Or at least simple for Shingi.

He kept using one of his MANA HANDS to use the Mana Blower while using others to keep different materials and using his Light Mana to purify them. All he didn't help with was actually helping to shape the materials, but he saved them lots of time even with his help to prepare them. Of course, one couldn't purify the materials and use them later, as some of the Light Element was still in it and helped in its final shaping, but it didn't stay there forever.

He could sense these actions impressed the helper, as he could feel her eyes on him multiple times. But he didn't mind or said anything as far as she didn't mess with their work.

She actually seemed to know what she was doing but her movement to a degree, but she was still far from reaching Volig's level. Shingi could tell that she probably was a Base Rank SMITH, but if she continued working with Volig, she had a significant chance to reach Master Rank.

As for her becoming a CRAFTSMAN, that was another story. Shingi was certain that she wasn't a CRAFTSMAN already, as she didn't seem to be that experienced yet. However, he recognized that many of her techniques were like Volig's, meaning that she was more under his tutorage than anyone else. That or she understood how skills worked quickly by just watching others using them. Either way, it seemed like Volig had truly approved of her, and Shingi couldn't wait to hear the reason.

They had quite a few orders to finish, either some of the special ones or just making some stock for some that they were getting low with.

When they were finished, it was a few hours before dinnertime, and after they got everything to where they needed to be, they went out of the shop. Then, they headed for the nearest tavern to have some drinks, as nobody was in the mood of cooking.

Greg also joined them as he was happy seeing Shingi once more, but not so happy after Shingi showed him his current situation.

Shingi was currently wearing a mask that almost covered his entire face, except his mouth and chin, and had similar dark lenses on the opening for the eyes. It normally would be weird for one to wear a mask like that, but many Players used to wear something like that, and Shingi's rest of attirement looked more of a Player than of an NPC.

Getting to the tavern, Volig paid for a private room for them to have their food and drinks and so the four of them could have their privacy and discuss things better.

"So, do you mind introducing your new apprentice, Volig?" [Shingi]

At that moment, Shingi could hear the heartbeat of Volig changing as he seemed to be embarrassed about the reason things were like that.

"I am his daughter." [Ketnas]

Shingi never expected this answer. Of course, Volig was never married, but it wasn't like he never was in a romantic relationship with others, but it rarely lasted for long.

As for having children, he never had heard him mentioning one staying pregnant, at least as far as he knew.

But then a realization came into his mind. She knew Volig was Varric since he couldn't have a daughter that old at his current form.

"It is true what she says. I have made certain to find out the truth, and she is who she says she is." [Volig]

Shingi didn't know what exactly he had done to find out the truth, but he trusted Volig.

"How did you get here? And how do you know who he was?" [Shingi]

Shing heard her leaving something on the table, which didn't seem to be too heavy, and he felt could sense some mana getting out of runes carved on it.

"My mother gave this to me a little before she died. She said it would lead to my father. I didn't expect to lead me to a Half-Giant, and I thought this thing was broken. Fortunately, dad could tell how it worked and explained to me that he was the one I looked for." [Ketnas]

Shingi had heard of items like that, but for them to work, they needed something that belonged to the one they tried to locate, and he had to have a special connection with that item.

Volig didn't have the skill to appraise runes, but he had knowledge over many of them and could examine them like he had the skill.

"It is good meeting you then, Ketnas. I know your father isn't like how you pictured him, but he will teach you many things. Welcome to the team." [Shingi]

They had some more small talk, and then Shingi started telling his story and his adventures on the Tower.

He didn't go over everything in detail and didn't tell about anything about the Spirit Element, as he thought it would be better few people know about it yet.

He mentioned Syra, though, and what had happened to Annoue. He also mentioned what he learned about Mikhail's plans and him considering Enerias World an enemy.

He finished his story with the maze and how he woke up to Zhen's dungeon.

They had a lot of drinks before he could finish telling everything.