Qi Xu waited for a while but noticed... no movement at all. The little wooden cabin remained utterly silent.
Having nearly completed today's journey, Qi Xu wasn’t in a hurry. So she stood quietly by the door, neither speaking nor wandering around. A strong intuition told her that something supernatural was watching her.
And indeed, a little goblin was currently tiptoeing by the windowsill, peeking outside...
This human! Why hasn’t she left yet? Her dress... so pretty! The hem must be gradient rainbow diamonds—very stylish. Clearly a player with taste.
The goblin grew increasingly restless seeing Qi Xu stand there so calmly.
If the visiting player had been rude, the goblin would’ve felt justified in scowling without a second thought.
But this was the worst scenario—someone polite and patient.
After clinging to the window for half an hour, the goblin finally gave in. It straightened itself, pretending to have just woken up, pushed the door open, stretched lazily, and then feigned surprise at the sight of Qi Xu.
"Human?"
Qi Xu, eyes sparkling with enthusiasm, replied, "You must be the goblin! The great Weapons Master! Meeting you today, I see you’re just as refined as everyone says!"
The goblin...
...stood barely half as tall as a toddler, wrapped in a leather apron smeared with rust and fluorescent paint. Its round, furry ears were adorned with two gear-shaped hairpins, and a tiny wrench-shaped earring dangled from its left ear, jingling softly as it shook its head.
The goblin snorted disdainfully. "Oh? ‘Everyone says’? Who exactly? Flattery right off the bat—typical humans, sweet-talking to your face while scheming behind your back. Your sycophantic words mean nothing to me."
Qi Xu grinned inwardly. Then why did your favorability just rise?
"Taotao mentioned you. We’re good friends. I bought your Pink Chainsaw before, but it got destroyed in battle. So Taotao recommended I come to you for a custom-made weapon."
The goblin seemed lost in thought before finally recalling. "Ah, that failed product I sold to the monster shop?"
Qi Xu smiled. How rude.
So she said, "Wow, even your ‘casual creations’ are that powerful?"
Under Qi Xu’s admiring gaze, the goblin puffed up proudly. "Well, I do have some talent in weapon crafting."
Qi Xu quickly presented a food box prepared by Master Chef and a jewelry box from Taotao.
"Finally meeting my idol—please accept these gifts!"
The goblin’s furry little nose twitched. Mmm, smells delicious.
Still...
"Don’t think this’ll convince me to forge a weapon for you."
Qi Xu nodded agreeably. "Of course, this is just a fan’s heartfelt gesture."
[Goblin Weapons Master’s favorability toward you increased by 5 points. Current favorability: 10.]
When they first met, the goblin’s favorability had been -10. Reaching 10 was already impressive.
"Fine, I’ll take these. Come inside and show me that Pink Chainsaw. If it’s fixable, I’ll patch it up for you."
Qi Xu’s eyes lit up. An unexpected bonus!
Good thing she hadn’t dismantled the chainsaw at the crafting table last time.
Inside the cabin, the space was far larger than it appeared. Dozens of chandeliers—assembled from gears and glass scraps—hung from the ceiling. The walls were lined with an array of weapons: a radiant battle-axe, a nine-section whip wreathed in black mist, a sword as thin as a cicada’s wing—each one exuding an aura of formidable power.
No wonder the goblin called the Pink Chainsaw a "failure." Compared to these masterpieces, the level-1 chainsaw did seem rather crude.
The distant workbench was cluttered with materials, and the floor beneath it had been worn smooth from constant use—proof of the goblin’s relentless work ethic.
Qi Xu curiously surveyed the room before turning back to find the goblin already devouring the food. A plate of sweet-and-sour pork was nearly empty, and caramelized apples were next in line...
The little goblin’s eyes sparkled, its earlier aloofness replaced by an almost endearing enthusiasm.
Qi Xu had packed the food box to the brim, but the goblin polished off every last bite without pause.
Such a tiny creature, such a huge appetite, Qi Xu mused.
After savoring the meal, the goblin licked its lips and beamed. "Delicious!"
"Right? Let’s add each other as friends. Next time I make something tasty, I’ll send you some. You’ve got a sweet tooth, huh? Me too! Here, try this milk tea—it’s on the house."
This time, the goblin accepted the drink without hesitation, slurping it up instantly before melting into an expression of pure bliss...
Qi Xu remained patient, not rushing to bring up the weapon. She sensed the goblin was still guarded about the topic.
She sipped her own milk tea—also brewed by Master Chef. Everyone loved it; even the goblin, who usually scoffed at the artificial sweetness of loot-box sugars, couldn’t resist.
"Yours is strawberry. I’ve got matcha too—want another cup?"
"No. Show me that Pink Chainsaw now."
The goblin figured it couldn’t let this human leave empty-handed, not after such a feast. Besides... she wasn’t so bad. So polite!
Qi Xu pulled the chainsaw’s "remains" from her backpack.
The goblin’s eyes gleamed. "You leveled it up to 9! No wonder you’re attached to it."
"Only because you laid such a solid foundation."
"Let me see your referral letter."
The goblin, now ready to work, suddenly remembered protocol and added a formal touch.
Qi Xu handed over the letter with both hands. Who said goblins were ill-tempered? This one’s downright considerate.
The goblin meticulously reviewed the letter from start to finish.
"Alright. I’ll repair your Pink Chainsaw first—as thanks for the gifts. Then I’ll craft you a new weapon. There’s a table and chair over there. Go brainstorm: weapon type, style, effects—make your requests. But final creative authority is mine. What I make is what you get!"
..........
