DADH Chapter 18

⌈Weekend update: 0/2⌋

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After ten minutes, the dwarf used his sturdy and powerful right arm to drag a bundle that was square and compact, piled up to a height of over three meters, over to Jing Nian and the Vulture King.

The heavy load pressed forcefully into the ground, leaving a deep groove. The thick tree branch that had been broken by the Vulture King was crushed under the weight, reduced to splinters.

The dwarf released the hemp rope in his hand and stood with his hands on his hips. “Oh, I almost forgot to introduce myself. I’m Ga’erfu, a dwarf…”

As he spoke, he turned his round-nosed, square-faced head towards Jing Nian, brushing aside the thick hair that covered his ears. This revealed his ears, which were much larger and taller than those of an average person. He moved his large ears with force, causing his facial expression to appear comically intriguing due to the effort it took to wiggle them.

Jing Nian was initially surprised by the dwarf’s ears.

Then he noticed the dwarf’s gesture of greeting. Jing Nian looked up, up again, and up once more. After fully taking in the sight of the dwarf’s entire load, his mouth beneath the cloak couldn’t close from sheer astonishment.

The Vulture King on the side also realized the situation. This little mountain was what it was supposed to carry! It quickly looked up at the load and then down at the groove pressed into the ground. Its eyes widened, and it took a step back with weak legs.

Noticing that Jing Nian had seen his large ears but didn’t mock him, Ga’erfu finally breathed a sigh of relief and covered his large ears again.

One of the reasons he chose to live alone in a dwarf cave was that his fellow clansmen always found amusement in his ears. Therefore, he felt more fondness for Jing Nian’s calm acceptance of his peculiar ears.

In reality, Jing Nian had never seen other dwarves in this world, so he had no awareness of what was different about Ga’erfu’s ears.

Ga’erfu cleared his throat, not quite comfortable with starting a conversation. His gaze wandered somewhat unnaturally as he spoke. “And what about you? How should I address you?”

After the dwarf spent these ten minutes tidying up his belongings while talking incessantly, Jing Nian had already grasped from Ga’erfu’s somewhat uneasy words and actions that the behaviors he had interpreted as “threats” earlier were a misunderstanding.

This was just a case of social anxiety, coupled with loquacity, in addition to the fact that he was an ordinary dwarf with boundless strength.

Of course, “ordinary” was Ga’erfu’s own words.

Looking at his level 80 indicator above his head, Jing Nian found it hard to believe that someone with such a level could be considered “ordinary.”

But since he had already agreed, he could only keep his word and give him a lift. However, upon seeing Ga’erfu’s load, Jing Nian couldn’t help but swallow nervously.

—Keeping one’s word was a good thing, but it might be a bit of a waste of time.

The sand vulture behind him caught Jing Nian’s gaze, its two slender claws frantically scratching the ground as it retreated repeatedly. With a look of terror in its dead fish eyes, it stared at Jingnian. It seemed to be thinking, “Shovel master, are you trying to kill me?”

“Jin Nian, as in ‘Jin’ for gold, and ‘Nian’ for years.” Jing Nian tugged at his cloak and pointed to himself with the round finger he was holding in cloth, speaking with the innocent and milky voice of a young dragon. He tried to sound as serious as possible.

Then, he turned around and pointed to the sand vulture behind him, introducing it, “Shadiao.”

After that, Jing Nian looked sincerely at Ga’erfu, trying to figure out how to gently let him know that the sand vulture might not be able to carry his load. But then he heard Ga’erfu say with excitement:

“Great! Jin Nian, Shadiao, if we exchange names, we can consider ourselves friends!” Ga’erfu clapped his hands, his wide and slightly clumsy face lighting up with an especially warm and expectant smile.

Jing Nian was momentarily stunned, then nodded lightly, only to see a notification box pop up in his game interface.

【Established a friendship with NPC [Dwarf Ga’erfu], Friendship Points +10】

Seeing the golden name displayed in the notification, Jing Nian was a bit surprised. After all, even that highly distinctive Uncle Pipilu had only had a green name before.

And in the game, a golden name usually indicated something more than just an ordinary NPC.

Even the group of dragons with levels generally exceeding 80 didn’t all have golden names.

Ga’erfu across from him didn’t notice Jing Nian’s momentary confusion. Instead, he was engulfed in the ecstatic feeling of having made a new friend. In reality, this was the first time he had ever sought help from a stranger. But he hadn’t expected that with just a gentle request, two kind-hearted “people” would readily agree to help him.

And not only did they agree to help, but they also promised to be friends with him. Ga’erfu’s face turned red, and he excitedly rubbed his hands together. “Well then, friend! Let’s go!”

After saying that, he slapped his forehead and suddenly remembered something. He reached into his pocket, pulled out a purple ring, turned around, chanted a spell, and all the piled-up belongings were neatly stored inside the ring.

After putting the ring back in his pocket, Ga’erfu turned around, grinned sheepishly at Jing Nian, and somewhat shyly introduced, “This is a spatial ring that I made myself, adding a bit of spatial element is quite simple.”

A storage ring, adding spatial elements, quite simple?

Jing Nian’s mouth under the cloak widened in an “o” shape, astonished. This was because, from his player’s perspective, the ring in Ga’erfu’s hand emitted a dazzling and impressive purple light.

This usually indicated that he hadn’t yet acquired an equipment item of this game’s weapon level, but purple was also a symbol of higher-tier items.

Noticing Jing Nian’s gaze, Ga’erfu reached into his pocket again, pulled out a ring that was a mix of purple and blue, and singled out the only golden ring among them. He sighed in relief, wiped it with his sleeve, then raised it up to examine it against the sunlight before handing it to Jing Nian.

Jing Nian, not understanding the significance, instinctively accepted it.

“This is the one I’m most satisfied with among the spatial rings I’ve made. I’m giving it to you. You’re my first friend!” As they grew more familiar, Ga’erfu’s expression seemed even more sincere and honest in Jing Nian’s eyes.

While Ga’erfu spoke, two dialogue boxes appeared in front of Jing Nian again.

【Received [Spatial Ring (Legendary)] gifted by [Dwarf Ga’erfu]!】

【Established a profound friendship with [Dwarf Ga’erfu], Friendship Points +20】

Jing Nian lowered his head. Legendary?!

Seeing the astonishment in Jing Nian’s eyes, Ga’erfu awkwardly touched his ear and asked, “Just a little thing I made in my spare time. You don’t like it?”

Ga’erfu furrowed his brows, not in dissatisfaction, but he looked up at the sky, frantically recalling his other “masterpieces,” trying to find a suitable gift for his new friend.

Jing Nian snapped out of his daze, looking at the golden spatial ring in his hand and feeling a bit startled. He gained a deeper understanding of the significance of the Lost Forest dungeon and its position. Was it really so easy for an NPC to give out a Legendary ring?

However, the Ga’erfu in front of him seemed unaware of just how valuable his “little thing” was. He had a worried expression, as if concerned that his “crude creation” wouldn’t be accepted by his new friend.

Jing Nian hurriedly waved his hand, saying, “It’s not that I don’t like it, I really like it!”

In the end, under Ga’erfu’s earnest gaze, Jing Nian accepted the spatial ring as his travel fare.

The place Ga’erfu was heading to was a city outside the Lost Forest.

The two of them sat together on the back of the sand vulture, listening to Ga’erfu sigh and complain about the hardships of moving as a poor person. In fact, before he found a place to settle down, Jing Nian tentatively suggested, “Perhaps you could try selling some of the little things you’ve made?”

After hearing this, Ga’erfu burst into hearty laughter. “You mean these things I make?”

When the dwarf laughed, a trace of genuine contentment leaked from the corners of his eyes. His laughter grew drier and drier, until he finally couldn’t continue, at which point he suppressed his amusement and looked at Jing Nian with a faintly grateful gaze. “This stuff of mine, it’s not worth anything.”

Jing Nian was puzzled. Could it be that only players could see the level of Ga’erfu’s ring?

Seeing his confusion, Ga’erfu gave him a knowing look and explained, “Have you never been to the city? Have you never seen the Forge Guild?”

Jing Nian shook his head.

“Only forged items that have been appraised can be sold on the market.” As he spoke, the dwarf took out the ring again, gently tossing it and catching it. Amid the clear sound of metallic impact, he continued, “The appraisals I’ve done on these are all basic.”

Jing Nian’s eyes widened slowly. How could that be possible?

“Haha.” Seeing Jing Nian’s expression, Ga’erfu wasn’t surprised at all. He cleared his throat and a hint of subtle pride appeared in his brows and eyes. “Because the materials for these rings are indeed all made from basic metals.”

Basic raw materials forging a Legendary ring?!

Jing Nian’s perception of Ga’erfu changed in an instant. Although he had already known that this dwarf was likely extraordinary, after hearing his words, he realized he had underestimated him.

Even the sand vulture flying couldn’t help but turn its head in astonishment to cast a glance at the dwarf.

Jing Nian, with only his eyes visible, couldn’t hide his admiration, which Ga’erfu caught onto with a slightly uplifted eyebrow, clearly pleased.

Even though his new friend seemed to be a novice who knew very little, Ga’erfu was delighted that someone was appreciating his skills for the first time. He couldn’t contain his excitement and began enthusiastically talking to Jing Nian about his unique forging techniques.

…

When the sand vulture slowly reached its destination, Ga’erfu was still talking nonstop.

“…But the required amount is three times, four times, five times the amount of regular basic materials. Selling them based on the appraisal level doesn’t cover the costs. However, in terms of usage, there’s no difference between intermediate and advanced materials! If you’re interested, you can give it a try!”

As soon as Ga’erfu’s words fell, Jing Nian immediately received a notification.

【Learned [Forging Technique (Legendary)] from [Dwarf Ga’erfu]!】

Jing Nian: !

Even after the sand vulture landed and Ga’erfu had spoken so animatedly, there was no response from him. He jumped down from the back of the sand vulture, still feeling like he hadn’t said enough. But when he looked at the town behind him, he closed his mouth in a timely manner. He had wanted to invite Jing Nian over for a cup of tea, but now he didn’t even have a home.

Regret flickered in Ga’erfu’s eyes as he waved goodbye to Jing Nian. “I’ll try your suggestion about ‘private’ sales and the ‘black market.'”

With that, he handed Jing Nian an old envelope.

Jing Nian was puzzled.

Ga’erfu awkwardly rubbed his hands. “Perhaps, if you’re willing to continue our friendship, you could write letters? After I find a new place to settle down, if you’re interested, you can come to my place for tea?”

【Received magical parchment from [Dwarf Ga’erfu].】

【Accept/Decline】

Jing Nian quickly clicked “Accept,” and the next moment, the slightly yellowed envelope in the dwarf’s hand fell into Jing Nian’s embrace.

Satisfied, Ga’erfu smiled, waved to Jing Nian, and walked toward the gates of Lan City.

–

Before the dwarf’s foot could step inside the city gates, the guards suddenly sounded the emergency defense horn within the city.

Lying in a deep slumber in Gentle Town, the lord of the city, An Lan, suddenly got hit in the rear by a fireball. The scalding sensation jolted him awake, and he jumped out of bed, rushing to put out the fire. However, he didn’t have time at all—the flames instantly burned two holes in his pants, revealing two fair and tender buttocks.

The beautiful woman who was awakened in bed saw nothing but a pair of buttocks and let out a scream of shock.

The lord of the city, An Lan, who was fanning himself with his raised buttocks to cool down, his once handsome and debonair face turned green in an instant. He covered his rear and gritted his teeth, “Get out!”

The delicate beauty on the bed saw him getting angry, covered her mouth, and dashed away, looking ashamed.

An Lan grabbed his nearby city lord’s robe and draped it over himself. Just as he was about to vent his anger at the instigator, he suddenly received numerous crazily flashing magical messages.

“Lord! The dragons are besieging the city!!!”

“Lord! The dragons are swarming out of their nests, coming with great momentum, and they’re rapidly approaching within eight hundred miles of the city!!!”

After just reading two of the messages, An Lan’s complexion changed drastically. He threw on his city lord’s robe and rushed out like his rear was on fire.

…

Eight hundred miles away.

The dragons were jostling behind the clouds, shoulder to shoulder, and they were currently voraciously eating lemons.

“What the heck! I’m so jealous of this dwarf. What virtue and ability does he possess to become the young lord’s friend?”

 

Author’s Note:

Nian Nian: Unknowingly becoming popular among various big shots…

PS: Everything that’s happening now will be written into the history of the Grand Continent after the game’s official launch.