From Player To Npc

Shingi mentioned he would also need one Base Grade Crystal for their Guild, and actually, Cheap Devil was the one to give it to him. He even had it on him.

Everyone were impressed that he gave it like that as they knew how hard it was to produce one,

Shingi didn't ask how he came to have them as he didn't have many members to sacrifice, and it didn't seem to be a corrupted one.

The only other way he could think, other than hiring people as sacrifices, was for Cheap Devil to sacrifice himself multiple times. Since he had reached the cap level, his sacrifice would be more beneficial, but his loss would also be greater. If he had done that, he would have lost too many levels that would be challenging to get them back, but it would be just a matter of time for someone like him.

Shingi thanked him and even told him that he could have a special order made from him by Volig, free of charge, at least for the services. If any rare materials would be needed, they had to be provided or cover part of the cost—still just the service alone for something that maybe even Cheap Devil couldn't afford.

This was different from the slots they offered each month. Still, they offered to improve on their already existing products to fit the customer while making something completely original from scratch to fit the user and only that user.

Everyone were super jealous after hearing that and sad they didn't get the chance to offer a Crystal first. But they couldn't know that Shingi would make that offer to Cheap Devil even before he gave him the crystal. He was still a man at the top of the Blessed Ones, and he could learn a lot from him.

Shingi wasn't arrogant enough to assume he could do everything himself or everything he knew was perfect.

Cheap Devil had a Warrior-Based class, but he used tools allowing to use Skills and Spells in great expertise. Of course, no matter how powerful a tool is, it won't reach its full potential if its user wasn't experienced in what it did. But Cheap Devil seemed to be a Jack of All Trades, and even when one had considered having understood the way he fought, he had already changed it ten times.

Most Guilds were actually studying videos of his battles and showing them at their recruits to grow. But there were a few things that they couldn't decode just by a video, and of course, Cheap Devil wasn't letting them with any details.

Shingi knew that this gift alone wouldn't be enough to persuade him to train him, but it was a start.

Actually, the two of them left together to that Cheap Devil would meet Volig and make his order personally.

As they got outside, they met White Biscuit and the other guard.

"Mister Biscuit. I think your Vice Guild Leader is looking for you. Thank you for offering your services as a guard." [Shingi]

"It was my pleasure, sir." [White Biscuit]

After giving a little bow, White Biscuit left to find Quick Thunder.

Shingi allowed an almost silent chuckle to leave his mouth, which didn't get unnoticed by Cheap Devil.

"You have a history with that boy?" [Cheap Devil]

It did not surprise Shingi of him noticing something like that, as he knew his senses would be many times sharper than his.

"You could say so. Although it is history and history belongs to the past. We can learn from it, but we should leave it there." [Shingi]

"Interesting approach. Is this something that master of yours taught you?" [Cheap Devil]

"In a way." [Shingi]

They reached and entered the shop, which wasn't that far, and progressed to the forge room. The guard seemed to be cautious about the unknown person, but Shingi told him that it was ok for him to enter.

Entering the room, they found Volig and his helper on a break, as it seemed like it wasn't a busy day today.

"Mister Shingi, you are back. I see we have an unknown visitor. Is there something we can help you with?" [Ketnas]

"Yes, I am here to ask…" [Shingi]

"I am not making anything for him." [Volig]

Shingi was surprised, as he didn't get the chance to explain, but it wouldn't be hard for one to understand the reason Cheap Devil was here.

"He is too careless with his equipment and will just break it again. I am working for someone like that." [Volig]

It seemed that Volig had taken an order from Cheap Devil in the past, but most likely when he was still a Dwarf. Cheap Devil didn't tent to be in just one Kingdom but kept moving around not having a permanent base. So it made sense that he had persuaded Varic to work for him and possibly had costed a fortune and took a lot of persuasion.

"Excuse me, but have we met? I don't remember ever working with a Half-Giant, and you seemed to act as you have. Is there something that I am should know, maybe?" [Cheap Devil]

Shingi was afraid that a moment like that might arrive at some point, but he wasn't certain what to say other than the truth.

But he didn't get the chance to say anything as Volig spoke for him.

"Listen to me, boy. I don't care who you are, but here we are, making weapons and armors for the ones who are appreciating them. I don't care how strong you are or even if you are the God of War himself, but if you don't belong to the above-mentioned category of people, then you aren't welcomed here. You don't get to demand any answers." [Volig]

Shingi didn't know what to say, as he knew that Volig wouldn't hear even his opinion in this situation. If a man had pissed him off like that, there was no way to change his opinion.

"It is ok, Grandmaster Volig. I will leave your place." [Cheap Devil]

There was no anger in his voice, which was unexpected, as he turned and left the room.

Shingi sighed and went after him.

"Wait. I can still get your order and try…"[Shingi]

"There is no way or reason to try to persuade him. This was a reward you wanted to give me, and I didn't demand it. I still don't. I understand and respect Grandmaster Volig as he is correct. Most likely, what he would make for me, I would destroy it. There was actually this one time that…" [Cheap Devil]

Shingi could feel that he actually connected the dots. He had realized who Volig really is.

"How interesting. No wonder he appeared out of nowhere. That Master of yours is truly behind it, isn't he? I heard rumors of the two being connected, but not how. Did he use a potion? Or found someone to cast the spell to change him?" [Cheap Devil]

Shingi explained to him how Varic came to be Volig, how he got the potion, and how Ameanum was connected to Varic.

"So that's how she got free. I was curious about that and worried that she was running around somewhere, but if she is really back to hell, then we should be safe for now. Hopefully, she doesn't return anytime soon." [Cheap Devil]

Shingi didn't mention that he had let Soren do a ritual that could make Lucy an Angel once again, as it had nothing to do with the current situation.

"I understand that you respect Volig and his decision, but still, could you just tell me what you would order?" [Shingi]

Cheap Devil left a few chuckles as he gave his response.

"I heard about those mana gems daggers you produce for some of your special clients. I wanted a Longsword, but to use all the Elements. Or at least a quick way to change between them." [Cheap Devil]

This was a challenging order and could be impossible for Shingi and Volig in the past, but not now. He knew what he asked, as he had used it to make his special staff. It would need some changes as it would include different rune designs, and the update of the had to be made by a different trigger than the user shaping it.

It will have to work like Ardent's Scythe, but nobody had come close even to make a working prototype or a replica for it.

But there was always a first for everything, and even if Shingi didn't need to do it, he wanted to try so.

He promised nothing to Cheap Devil, as he wasn't certain what the chance of success was, but promised that if he had a working one, he would be the first to have it fully test it.

So Shingi went back to the forge room and explained to Volig what Cheap Devil would have ordered and that they wouldn't do it for him, but it would be a helpful thing to have.

And he told the truth as he had told Cheap Devil that he would let him fully test it, not keep it.

So after telling Volig what he should prepare, Shingi left to go back to the Guild.

It was time to talk with White Biscuit.