Elf Kingdom:Game of the World Tree Chapter 161 – Chapter 161: Chapter 156: Players Who Hit a Wall

Chapter 161: Chapter 156: Players Who Hit a Wall
 

Elf Blacksmith Carlos Flame had been doing quite well recently.

Ever since the “task system” came about, he realized he no longer worried about having apprentices to assist with forging.

Of course, the premise was to keep one's mouth shut and not easily reveal certain secrets.

Especially when it came to rumors about treasures or ruins.

If these Chosen Ones heard such things, they would absolutely run faster than rabbits…

*They seemed to have an unparalleled interest in tales of treasures and ruins, fantasizing about digging for treasures and getting rich every day.*

*The moment they talked with you, they'd inquire about these…*

However, although some would leave, more people continued to show interest in forging.

Almost every day, new Chosen Ones would come to Carlos's forge, asking him to teach them the art of forging.

These Chosen Ones were very hard-working, enthusiastic, and many even didn't ask for any reward!

As long as Carlos agreed to teach them the art of forging, they were willing to help him with anything.

Whether it was in work or in life…

There was even a female Chosen One who, in order to stay and learn, took it upon herself to handle Carlos's meals, preparing a variety of fruit feasts every day, spoiling Carlos's palate.

This made Carlos exceedingly satisfied, and he increasingly felt that the Mother Goddess was truly great!

“Mother Nature above!”

*Where did She summon these warriors from?*

*They're truly a group of passionate and selfless learners…*

*Though, they're sometimes a bit strange.*

Of course, the Chosen Ones didn't always please Carlos.

*They also had some flaws that Carlos disliked.*

Sometimes they even made Carlos feel very angry.

The thing Carlos was most dissatisfied with was their impulsiveness and tendency to give up easily.

Besides… they could be too heartless at times.

Almost every Chosen One who came to learn would ask to first learn how to make equipment.

But… forging was a technical skill, and trying to learn equipment making without a solid foundation was like building castles in the air.

*How could one possibly master equipment forging without several years of practice?*

Because of this, Carlos had to scold them.

Upon learning that mastering equipment making could take several years, almost every Chosen One who heard this chose to give up and instead requested to be taught how to repair equipment conveniently…

Equipment repair was somewhat easier to learn.

But as an experienced forging master, Carlos still hoped everyone would start from basics, take it step by step, and eventually grow into outstanding Elf Blacksmiths!

But… even with Carlos's earnest advice, these Chosen Ones were still not giving up.

After knowing that repairing equipment was relatively easier, the majority didn't want to learn anything else but how to simply repair equipment…

This even made Carlos somewhat annoyed.

*Seriously… there's so much more forging skills can accomplish. With patience and ten years of dedicated learning, they could forge powerful magic items themselves, so why are these guys so fixated on repairing equipment?*

*Is it just because it's quicker to learn?*

*But… what future is there in only knowing how to repair equipment?*

Of course, in the end, he couldn't resist their persistent pleas, and with a softened heart, he agreed.

Fortunately, two or three did listen to him and were willing to calm down and start learning from the ground up.

And when Carlos began teaching, he was amazed to find that these Chosen Ones were highly talented, mastering many concepts quickly!

Especially in the art of forging, many techniques that typically required long practice to form muscle memory were easily grasped by the Chosen Ones after a few tries.

This was actually the players' bodily talents at work.

Although Eve couldn't change their intelligence, their physical potential was enhanced, allowing them to learn skills much faster than the natives.

After all… the talent that rivaled the Primordial Elves was no joke.

However, what followed deeply disappointed and disheartened Carlos.

Every time a Chosen One learned the ability to repair equipment, by the next day, they wouldn't return.

Basically, they'd learn one skill and leave right away.

The polite ones would at least say thank you before departing.

The less courteous ones would leave without a word, happily.

Once they left, they almost never came back…

*This made Carlos feel as though he were merely a tool for teaching forging skills, used and tossed aside.*

*This left the Old Elf feeling a bit wronged…*

*Why did they never return?*

*After all… it should count for something, being a teacher-student relationship.*

*Am I that unlikeable?*

*At least… could they bid a proper goodbye before leaving?*

Consequently, he didn't favor these Chosen Ones as much.

Of course, not all Chosen Ones were like this.

Those willing to stay long-term mostly respected him.

Even though Carlos was aging, his senses were still sharp, and many truly respected him from the heart.

Especially a female Chosen One named Meng Zhihan, who earnestly followed him, really treating him as a teacher.

So… for those Chosen Ones, he opened his heart, sharing his knowledge freely, genuinely treating them as disciples.

*Oh well, each has their own ambitions.*

*Those who leave without a word can leave…*

*Since they don't like me, I don't like them either!*

*You treat me as a tool, then I'll treat you as a tool!*

Carlos shook his head.

With this mindset, he opened his door.

As soon as he stepped outside, Carlos was stunned.

He found a large group of Chosen Ones gathered in front of his house!

From his memory, most of them had learned skills from him.

But many of them were the ones who left without a word after learning how to repair equipment, those who left a negative impression on him.

*What's going on?*

*Why have they all come back?*

Carlos was completely puzzled.

When the Chosen Ones saw Carlos come out, their eyes lit up.

In an instant, their faces were filled with flattering smiles, greeting Carlos while offering fruits and gifts:

“Ahahaha, good morning, Carlos Teacher!”

“Grandpa Carlos, I've come to see you! Here's a gift for you!”

“Grandpa Carlos, thank you for teaching me skills. I left too hastily last time, didn't say goodbye, so I came to visit you today!”

“Grandpa Carlos, you look great recently!”

Carlos: …

*Staring at those enthusiastic smiling faces, he was a bit dazed.*

“Hmph, after they've left, what are they coming back for?”

He huffed, puffing his beard in annoyance.

However, his expression softened considerably.

Seeing Carlos's softened expression, all the players were overjoyed.

They gathered around the Old Elf, paving the way for him while flattering:

“You can't say that, the skills you taught us, we're truly grateful for them!”

“Yes! Yes! I really appreciate you!”

“A day as a teacher means a lifetime as a father, of course, we must come back often to see you!”

“Yes! Yes! Grandpa Carlos, please don't be mad at us!”

Listening to their words, something in Carlos's heart softened.

He looked at the players complicatedly, sighed, waved his hand, and said:

“Alright, alright. I understand… you're all busy and have your affairs; I'm not angry.”

“Go on, tend to your business, your intentions are noted, but I need to get back to work.”

After he said this, he called over the two Chosen Ones who had been earnestly learning from him and continued to his forge.

But the cluster of players did not leave.

They seemed to be in a daze for a while and then continued flattering:

“Grandpa Carlos, do you need help?”

“Grandpa Carlos, let me carry things for you!”

“Grandpa Carlos, you really aren't mad at us?”

Carlos: …

*What was wrong with these Chosen Ones again?*

*Didn't he say he forgave them?*

*Why… couldn't they stop?*

Suddenly, something clicked in Carlos's mind, and he had a realization.

He rolled his eyes and said:

“You guys… didn't pick up some new task, did you?”

Players: …

They were first stunned, then their faces filled with forced smiles:

“Ahem… no, no, we genuinely came back to see you.”

“Yes indeed! We genuinely want your approval!”

“Yes indeed! We want to have a friendship that transcends age!”

Carlos: …

“Ha ha.”

He chuckled coldly, squeezed through the crowd, and walked away.

Leaving behind a group of players looking around at each other.

“Did it… fail?”

“Wasn't it said that Carlos really liked this fruit? I even picked a lot specially…”

“Apologizing did raise the favor somewhat, but then it dropped again…”

“How tragic! Had I known, I wouldn't have left so hastily that time!”

“Who knew completing a task and leaving without notice would drop NPC favor!”

“Isn't this favorability system too strict?”

The players groaned collectively.

Hearing the players' complaints, Meng Zhihan, who had been following Carlos and learning, stopped.

She glanced at the Old Elf who was gradually walking away, hesitated for a moment, then approached the players and sighed:

“The way you guys are doing this… it's impossible to recover the favor like that.”

The players paused, stunned:

“Why won't it work?”

“I watched Brother Mu's video, and it said that catering to NPCs' preferences should boost their favor!”

“Yes! I remember Carlos really liked this kind of fruit.”

Listening to the players, Meng Zhihan shook her head:

“You saw the video, but you forgot the most important part.”

“What's that?”

The players were puzzled.

“Immersion and… sincerity.”

Meng Zhihan pointed to her heart.

“You should watch Brother Mu's video carefully again and study the real reason why he could increase NPC favor!”

After saying this, she turned and left, catching up with the Old Elf.

Leaving behind a group of players staring at each other.

…

Similar events were happening all over Feilengcui.

There were players who found the trick and successfully increased NPC favorability.

But even when it increased, it was just a slight uptick…

In matters of emotion, barring exceptional situations, was it ever easy to improve?

More players found that their last-minute efforts were actually useless.

They realized that NPC favorability wasn't nearly as easy to raise as they imagined…

And at this point, they truly recognized how amazing Li Mu was, achieving a comprehensive reputation score of 100!

High above.

Watching the players face setbacks, Eve nodded in satisfaction:

“It's about time they faced this challenge.”

“Only by truly making players understand the importance of equal and sincere communication with Elves can some of their bad habits be curbed, leading to more effective collaboration with local Elves…”

“If this issue can be resolved, the upcoming farming and power expansion will become much easier!”

*Don't expect too much from the players' overall integrity.*

*To curb their bad habits, to make them interact with NPCs as Eve imagined, in the beginning, rewards and punishments are the only way…*

However…

*In time, things would be different.*

Eve believed that once players accepted the new favorability settings, their relationships with NPCs and their attitudes towards the game—

*Would undergo unprecedented changes!*

Source: Webnovel.com, updated on N𝘰vgo.co

Chapter end