Infinite Realm

"I don't think we've met properly before so let me introduce myself first. Hi, I'm Handel Gretkart." The young NPC before Sato stretched out a hand.

Unlike the players in the top 5, the NPCs hadn't hidden their identities so it was easy for them to be recognized, so long as one had basic information about them. Even if one didn't, simply by watching the performances and bearings of the two NPCs it wouldn't be any issue recognizing the descendant of a Master blacksmith. There was also the fact that the nearby NPCs in the stands often pointed at them while cheering out their names, so identifying the top characters among the contestants was anything but difficult.

"Nice to meet you." Sato clasped his hands without any intention of revealing his identity.

Similar to the players, the NPCs couldn't see through the black cloak so unless a player took the initiative to reveal their identity, even NPC forces would be left in the cloud about their identity.

Seeing Sato not introducing himself as he did, Handel had a weird look on his face and was a bit displeased but he quickly recovered.

"You look like you're a professional at this and had a good teacher, unlike the rest. Care to let me know who he is? Maybe he knows my grandfather." (AN: A previous mistake was made before. Handel is the grandson of a Master Blacksmith and not the son)

While Sato was skeptical about Handel's intentions, he was still willing to give conversing with him a shot. Rather than go about making enemies, it was much better to grow a network of connections even with the NPCs.

"I don't have any. Everything I know was self-taught."

Sato wasn't boasting when he said this. Everything he knew was self-taught, to an extent. Apart from the basic free class taught by Miss Trevale which Sato took with the others, he learnt most of the knowledge he knew from the Caventry's library as well as the Blacksmith guild in Riverdale. After fumbling around all in his own and doing a few experiments, the current achievement Sato had made could largely be attributed to himself.

"I see."

Handel once again thought that Sato wasn't interested in having a proper conversation and had decided to boast of absurd achievements. Nonetheless, he didn't lash out at him as he was here to collect intel.

The presence of the [Chosen Ones] wasn't a piece of unknown information to him. In truth, almost all the NPC citizens were aware of them. Just like other species and races, the [Chosen Ones] was taken as a race different from the indigenous ones in IR, but because of their precise similarities to humans, the feeling of difference wasn't much so they weren't treated like anything special. Even in the eyes of Handel, he felt like every player was just the same as them, except for the fact that their potential was greater and the same was so for their growth speed. However, it was due to these very two characteristics that he despised players; seeing them as nothing more than a cheat code that didn't know the meaning of hard work.

"Well then, I just wanted to get to know you and wish you good luck on the next challenge. I heard it's the last so our positions would finally be decided then. I will take my leave now."

While it was true that Handel didn't know Sato's identity, Sato guessed that he must have his suspicions about him being the current number one. This was very obvious from Handel's lines, "...our positions would finally be decided then". It felt as if Handel had an inkling suspicion that he was the Cloudsmith and had tried to trigger a reaction from him with this line. 

The words may seem ordinary but in reality, they were triggering and quite offensive. It was just the same as the idiom "don't count your chickens before they hatch" which was usually used by those on the losing spot to warn their opponent ahead of them in a contest.

'Such a prideful fellow but it's understandable. His grandfather is a Master blacksmith and not a low ranked one from what I know.' Sato thought.

While he had previously decided not to antagonize anyone, it didn't mean that Sato was willing to be friends with everyone. If an NPC was being rude to him, Sato would equally replicate the same energy. It was obvious that Handel didn't come to find him to truly make friends but to dig out his identity. Since the other party had hidden objectives, Sato wasn't inclined to bother with him or give him want he wanted.

Just as he had done with Sato, Handel had gone to meet with the other two players, Floating Mirage and Green Thorns, and just as was with Sato, the duo wasn't inclined to reveal their identities. 

'What the hell is up with these fellas?' Handel wondered as he left for the stands. 

Normally, one would be interested in knowing more about the opponent but these 3 he had met didn't let him try to probe for that. They all acted either nonchalantly from the beginning or didn't pay him much attention.

'Don't worry. After the final contest, I will retake my position as first place. Let's see whether you guys would still be so nonchalant about me.' Handel thought.

"Our guild-borns are doing better than expected." Kylian suddenly said.

"Yes." Chesces nodded.

"Apart from those monsters in the top 5, the rest are doing well at the other levels."

While it was true that Sato, Green Thorns, and Floating Mirage had stolen the show for the players by holding 3 spots in the top 5 positions, the various guilds had their eyes on something else which was the performance of their players. Taking one of the top 5 spots was an absurd goal that could only be made by those 3 where mas the top 10 was also quite difficult. Only Blue Flame alongside one guild-born from Emperor's Might was able to do so. 

The next milestone was the top 15 spots which had 3 players added to the mix. Two of them were also from Emperor's Might while the last one was from Battle Wolves. This achievement made many raise their eyebrows in surprise, wondering what kind of training scheme Emperor's Might had prepared for their blacksmiths, or how they had found so many golden geese without seemingly much effort.

The next milestone was the top 100 as the points difference between the contestants here wasn't so much. Therefore, compared to the top 15 spots, this was more competitive and had a better concentration of other guild-borns. Emperor's Might had only one other player here while the other guilds had a seemingly equal allocation of players. 

Apart from Battle Wolves, which managed to have about 4 players in this rankings, the rest only had about 2 or 3 each.

"At least we've stolen the show. Not only are our blacksmiths a level above the rest but we've also managed to know the full extent of her abilities when compared to the rest." Chesces smiled as he glanced at a hooded figure in front.

This was a strange action because when one normally looked at that same hooded figure, their eyes would be filled with respect and curiosity as this figure was one of the three players in the top 5 rankings, suspected to either be the Cloudsmith, Green Thorns, or Floating Mirage. However, as one of the core members of Emperor's Might branch here, Chesces knew well enough who that was.

"We have to thank Yukino for this. By just simply going out to take a stroll, who knew that she would come back with such a talented individual like that." Kylian sighed as he praised Yukino who wasn't sitting far from them.

"True. After this tournament, she would finally be able to request more support from the guild and her skills would improve even further. It will only be a matter of time before she reaches the Cloudsmith level or surpasses him." Chesces said as his eye shifted to another individual. Surprisingly, this was Sato.

Unlike the rest of the players who were all in the dark in this, Emperor's Might could identify who was who. The first cloaked player Chesces had laid his eyes on was Green Thorns, a player recruited by the Snow Goddess Yukino in the town stage of the game. 

Being a super guild, Emperor's Might already had information in the League of Hammers, including their leader, so recognising him wasn't much of an issue even with the black cloak. The smell of soot and burnt mana particles was special and only appeared on those who locked themselves in forging rooms for over 2 weeks.

Having recognised 2 out of 3 of the top 5 participants, it was easy for them to presume the last man to be the Cloudsmith; but as for the answer to the question of his real identity, there was no answer, yet.

'Eventually, you will have to reveal your identity sooner or later.'

Since it was inappropriate for now, no one had tried recruiting anyone from the top 5 until the contest was over. In truth, the NPCs prevented this from happening lest the contestants are affected. Therefore, players could only randomly guess who was who among the 3 players, otherwise, Sato and the others would have been flocked by guild representatives by now.

However, the 'protection' wouldn't last forever and if the Cloudsmith was hoping to increase his popularity even more, he would make an announcement at the end of the contest.

'I wonder what it would be..' Chesces shook his head as he placed his attention on the other players.