Just past midnight in the Outer Reaches…
Lux went to talk to the Kobolds, who were currently digging a series of underground networks just below his Guild Headquarters.
When the Half-Elf got over a thousand Draconium Ores from the mountain range that belonged to him, he knew instantly that he would find other resources within his territory.
Since the Kobolds were part of his guild and they were the perfect race for the job, they had permission to do what they've always wanted while collecting treasures at the same time.
"Guildmaster, you were right," Cadmus' second in command, Walter, said with a smile. "We discovered a few things that will definitely make you happy."
Seeing how happy the Kobold was, Lux's interest was piqued. He then followed Walter to the Central Cavern that they had designated as the treasury, where they would place the things they had found underground.
As soon as Lux entered the cavern, he saw countless Draconium Ores gathered together which made him gulp subconsciously. However, aside from the precious metal, the Kobolds also found other rare metals, which they had placed to the side of the small hill of Draconium Ore.
"What metal is this?" Lux asked as he picked up the pitch-black metal that was similar to an obsidian gemstone.
"Actually, we were also surprised to see this metal here in the mountains," Walter replied with a complicated look on his face.
"The name of this metal is Aenarium. It is a mutated form of Tungsten. Although Tungsten is a very strong metal, no sane blacksmith will use it to create weapons and armors because it is also very brittle. It shatters upon impact, so it is not advisable to use it as it is."
Lux tilted his head in confusion. "Wait. You just said that Tungsten is a strong metal, but it shatters upon impact? How can a metal be strong and be brittle at the same time?"
Walter looked at Lux as if he was looking at an idiot. For Kobolds, it was perfectly normal for them to understand what metal was strong and what was not.
But after realizing that their Guildmaster really didn't know anything about metals, the Kobold decided to give the Half-Elf a crash course on how Tungsten was strong and brittle at the same time.
After the Kobold's explanation, the Half-Elf still didn't understand about half what the Kobold was saying, but it was enough to tell him that Tungsten wouldn't be of much use to their guild for the time being.
"Guildmaster, I think you have a big misunderstanding here," Walter commented when he saw the disappointed look on the Half-Elf's face. "I said that Tungsten alone is not a strong metal, but that metal has mutated into Aenarium. This metal can only be formed when Tungsten is exposed to Dragon's Blood for a very long period of time—I am talking about decades long
"Simply put, all of the Tungsten's weaknesses are erased the moment it becomes Aenarium. Although this metal is not as strong as Adamantite, it is strong enough to be forged into armor for our Guild Members. But there is one problem."
Lux crossed his arms over his chest as he waited for Walter to finish his words. He was very curious about what the problem was, and if it could be fixed, then they would definitely be able to create a strong set of armor for his current Guild Members.
"Aenarium has a similarity with Draconium Ores," Walter stated. "They cannot be forged under regular flames. Only Transcendent Flames can mold them."
Lux sighed after Walter finished his explanation.
Transcendent Flames were the flames that Blacksmiths and Jewelsmiths sought after because it was one of the requirements that allowed them to forge Legendary Equipment and above.
The reason why his Master, Randolph, could only create Mythical Ranked Equipment, was not only due to his lack of skill, but also because he didn't possess a Transcendent Flame.
Blacksmiths and Jewelsmiths gained a lot of experience through forging things using rare metals that couldn't be molded using ordinary flames. They needed something stronger that would allow them to combine the strongest and rarest of metals.
Even Adamantite Equipment could only be forged by possessors of Transcendent Flames.
While a Blacksmith without a Transcendent Flame could reach the Grandmaster Rank, they would not become Transcendent Blacksmiths without the flame that everyone in their profession wanted so badly.
"Do you know where I can find a Transcendent Flame?" Lux inquired. He hoped that the Kobold would be able to tell him what he could go in order to get these flames that his Master needed.
Walter shook his head. "I'm sorry, but I do not know where these flames are located. All I know is that these flames typically materialize in places that are dense in magical or spiritual energy. According to the books I read in the past, there is a Transcendent Miasma Flame that was born when an entire Kingdom was covered in Miasma.
"As to whether this information is based on actual facts or merely hearsay, I cannot say for certain. You can even think of finding one as a fortuitous encounter, which is a miracle in itself."
Lux scratched his head as he looked at the pile of Draconium Ore, as well as Aenarium in front of him. Without a Transcendent Flame, they were just precious metals that they could sell for a high price, but couldn't be used for their own purposes.
Just as the Half-Elf was feeling down due to his inability to use the resources in front of him, a familiar voice spoke inside his mind.
'If it is a Transcendent Flame, I might be able to know where to find one.'
The Dragon Token, which was glowing faintly, floated beside the Half-Elf as Keoza's voice spoke inside his head.
'Hundreds of years ago, when I was still roaming the World, I happened to come across a small Transcendent Spark," Keoza stated. "These small sparks are the makings of a Transcendent Flame that is about to be born. Back then, I knew that it would take at least a decade more before the flame came into being.
"It has been nearly a hundred years since then. I don't know if the spark has grown or disappeared completely as time has gone on. It is also highly possible that someone has found it and used its powers for themself."
The Half-Elf felt hopeful because this was the only lead he currently had. As long as he was able to secure the Transcendent Flame for Randolph, he would definitely make a breakthrough in his profession, which would allow him to reach greater heights.
"Where can I find the spark that you speak of?" Lux asked as he held the Dragon Token firmly in his hands.
"It is in a place called Dinas Affaraon," Keoza replied. "It is a sacred place to the Druids of Affaraon and is often called the City of Higher Powers. If my memory serves me right… it is in the Northern Regions of the Wanid Kingdom, which is jointly ruled by the Mountain Folk and the Forest Keepers.
"This Kingdom is located on the Western Borders of the Kingdom of Gweliven. If you're lucky, that spark has already turned into a Transcendent Flame and is still out there somewhere. If you're unlucky… well, at least you tried."
The Dragon Token then lost its radiance and returned to its dormant state. Keoza had already done what he could, and the rest was up to Lux to figure out.
'I guess that settles it,' Lux thought. 'Within two months, I need to find the Transcendent Flames before I return to the Domain of the Fallen.'
Lux wanted to make full preparations before facing the Gate of Famine. He didn't know what kind of dangers he would face inside it, so he wanted to equip his subordinates to the teeth, and allow them to perform better the next time he entered the Sacred Dungeon.
He could only summon Keoza one last time and, if possible, he didn't want to use his ultimate Trump Card. This was why getting the Transcendent Flame was a must if Lux wanted to make his Undead Army a true force to be reckoned with.
Just like Nero, the Half-Elf had a feeling that he hadn't seen the last of the silver-haired man that had corrupted the brown-haired teenager and used him as a pawn to tilt the war to favor the Ammarian Kingdom.
With such an unknown variable, which may or may not appear at any given time during the Dungeon Exploration, Lux knew that he needed all the help he could get in order to come out victorious.
