Chapter 1: Dwarf's Gift
“I think I'd better go now.”
When Weed said he would leave Kuruso, the Dwarves were disappointed. They had become friendly through quests and sculptures.
“Do you really have to go?”
Herman asked with a sad voice, “Can't you just continue making sculptures here in Kuruso.”
Blacksmiths did not often leave after settling in Kuruso. It had all the facilities and materials for blacksmithing, so there was no need.
Weed shook his head.
“I am a Sculptor. It's difficult if a Sculptor does not travel the wide world and gather experience. Now that I've done what I wanted to do in Kuruso, I shall leave.”
He had acquired the secret skill of sculpting!
Although he was unable to find the wooden sculpture that the Sculpting Master had hidden somewhere, he had perceived the secret skill of sculpting on his own.
He had used over 300 Art stat to create the spirits, but at the end of his grinding he had recovered them all.
In the end, all he would leave behind were memories of gruesome grinding in the Dwarven City of Kuruso. Although of course, there were thrilling memories of when he restored Kendellev's water sculptures hidden deep within the lake.
Herman spoke bitterly.
“In the end, you appear to be leaving.”
“Yes. I'm sorry.”
“Then we will have a Dwarven farewell party.”
“There's no need to go that far.”
“It is a tradition here in Kuruso.”
Though it was a tradition, Weed was uncomfortable and tried to refuse. Herman saw right through Weed's thoughts and began to speak.
“It's an event where all the Dwarves who settled in Kuruso comes out to drink and have fun. Because Blacksmiths spend most of their time polish their skills, they don't come out often. However, all the Blacksmiths will attend the farewell party, and each one will give a present to the departing Dwarf.”
“It seems that we definitely have to have a farewell party.”
The word ‘present’ changed Weed's mind. It would be a joyful thing to leave with his belly amply stocked and his hands full of gifts.
Herman added, “Your Dwarven farewell party will probably be the last.”
“What? Why?”
“Because the sculptures you restored made the headlines, the number of Dwarves coming to Kuruso has really increased by a lot. Also, there aren't any Dwarves who are as friendly with both the combat-related and crafting-related Dwarves.”
The rivalry between the craftsmen meant they felt extreme jealousy towards craftsmen who were more outstanding than themselves. However, Sculptors are not craftsmen and therefore were not regarded as competition, so everyone was comfortable with them. This was also a big part of the reason why Weed was able to become friends with Kuruso's 5 Great Craftsmen, including Herman.
“Since this might be the last farewell party, we'll have to make it magnificent. I'll tell the Dwarves I know to be sure to bring out the goods they've been saving.”
“Thank you.”
“A Dwarf that's leaving for a journey will need many things, so take this opportunity to get them, hahaha.”
“Hahaha, I sure will.” Weed laughed happily.
“Unlike birthday presents that he had to give back sometime later, he could simply and happily receive the presents from the farewell party.”
He could just receive them and give heartfelt thanks for them.
Weed thought the Dwarves were an unexpectedly romantic race.
'I thought they'd just be a small and stubborn race, but they have a nice tradition.'
When Weed left for the lake to plan a new sculpture, Pin asked Herman.
“Grandpa.”
“Hmm?”
“There's one thing you didn't tell him about the farewell party.”
“What is it?”
“The drinking tab.”
Herman just grinned.
“Would he have said yes if he had known?”
“Still, that's…”
“If we're to throw an enjoyable farewell party, it's better that he doesn't know. Even if us Dwarves eat and drink, how much could it possibly amount to?”
Herman did not lie.
He just didn't say one thing.
That it's customary for the leaving Dwarf to pay the drinking tab for the farewell party.
“Congratulations.”
“Go to the wide continent and unfurl the Dwarf's dream to your heart's content. Cheers!”
“Cheers!”
“To you!”
Over 1,000 of Kuruso's Dwarves gathered in the plaza next to the lakefront and drank beer.
“Kyaa, so good.”
“This is the taste!”
On the lake, there were duck sculptures made of water making ripples on the surface as they leisurely moved about. From beneath the water enormous whale sculptures were splashing up and about, creating rainbows.
The fantasy-like scenery that Kendellev's sculptures showed, and the beer drunk in the Underground Kingdom!
The Dwarves were busy drinking beer from the barrel.
“If someone asks why Kuruso's the best place, you can't leave out the taste of the beer.”
“I dun think I can leave Kuruso just 'cus of the taste of this beer.”
Although their mood probably played a part too, Kuruso really did have incredible tasting beer.
Beer Artisan!
They were an existence in Kuruso that the Dwarves could only respect; they boasted that the beer made by Kuruso's Beer Artisans had the best taste.
Dwarves find joy in drinking beer and happily getting drunk. They have the racial characteristic of liking beer. Their concentration, as well as several stats and skills, increases when they drink beer. If they fully rest for a day after getting completely drunk, they are back to their best condition by the next day and are able to make goods.
Every time they slammed empty iron cups to the table and saw the positive changes that occurred, the Dwarves felt rewarded.
“Art Hand, get over here!”
“Here, you oughta drink a cup here too.”
Weed moved from place to place and was busy drinking the offered alcohol. Since he was to some extent the main character of the farewell party, he had to participate.
“The quest that time was truly incredible.”
“You created a strategy for Dwarves to fight in caves, didn't you.”
The Soldiers and Warriors praised Weed.
The way the drunken Dwarves said the same thing over and over again was the most awkward part of it all! Since Weed had to move from place to place, he heard similar words, but he endured it all.
“If it's for the sake of a free present, this level of boredom… I can endure it whenever.”
The Dwarves game him shortswords, leather rucksacks, and things like bait food as presents.
The bait food not only emitted an incredibly good smell, it also had the effect of putting monsters to sleep. It only applied to monsters of life, and it had the drawback that monsters with a lot of suspicion didn't often eat it. Monsters with big frames had to eat a huge amount of the bait for an effect to appear, and there were cases where monsters gathered because of the bait.
However, even taking into account the drawbacks, its considerable effects made it a type of dish that sold for high prices. Talented chefs had to make it with excellent ingredients, so the amount produced was low.
“It'd be good if this bait could save your life. The continent truly has many dangers so always be careful. And only go where there are a lot of Dwarves.”
“I'll use it well.”
“Ya Dwarf, Art Hand isn't even a beginner so there's no need to say something like that. Art Hand… go. This Kuruso has really become a nice place to live, thanks to you. There are the even sculptures of water…”
In the warm atmosphere, Weed received and stowed away gifts. But Dwarves who were giving him their well-wishes suddenly tilted their heads.