"I get it now," Aiden said quietly. A normal forging blueprint was just a shortcut. But this Divine Beastclaw Gauntlet blueprint was something else entirely. It wasn't just a quick lesson. It was a full education. The difference between giving someone a fish and teaching them to fish. And that made its value sky-high. A blueprint that didn't rely on a medium meant one thing—it could mass-produce legendary gear. Aiden smirked faintly. "So the divine-class talent really is something else." He'd once thought this ability was the weakest among the Divine Beastmaster talents. Now he realized it could rival even Infinite Tamer. Though the materials it demanded would be absurd."Dahl." He looked at the man, who was practically vibrating with excitement. "You can learn this blueprint. But you'll sign a contract first." "Anything you want, sir," Dahl blurted out. "I'd sign my soul away if it means I can learn this craft!" He didn't even ask what kind of contract it was. For a blacksmith, learning something like this was the dream of a lifetime. "Good," Aiden said with a nod. Something this valuable wasn't something he'd hand out for free. Anyone could learn it, but not without paying the price. And with Dahl running the forge, there were too many details and profits at stake to leave anything uncertain. "Finish appraising those gold items as soon as possible," Aiden said, turning toward the door. "I'll be back tomorrow to talk about the rest." Dahl gave a weak nod, staring at the golden mountain of gear as if it were a mountain he'd never climb.Aiden walked out of the forge. Behind him, Dahl stood there in silence, shoulders heavy, his sighs echoing across the glowing room as he began the long, exhausting process of appraisal. Aiden stopped in front of a lavish mansion just a few blocks from the duke's estate. Eastguard was practically in ruins now, and most of Leafport's elite had already relocated to Westhand. This place was where Alan, the city's governor, was staying for the time being. "Well, look who decided to show up uninvited," Alan said, setting aside a stack of papers. "What can I do for you, Nighthale?" "I need a favor, Mr. Dankworth," Aiden said bluntly. "I'm looking for the lost race." "The lost race?" Alan's brow furrowed. "That's not an easy one. No one's seen them in over a hundred years. Finding them now would take a miracle." "I know," Aiden said evenly. "But I'm still going to try."Alan leaned back in his chair, thinking. "What do you want me to do?" "I need the word out," Aiden said. "Everywhere. Tell the townspeople, the refugees, the traders passing through—anyone who might know something. The more ears, the better." He paused before adding, "Anyone who brings real information gets an epic item and a million marks. Whoever actually finds them gets three epic items and five million." "If that's not enough, I'll raise the offer." Alan's expression shifted. "You're serious about this," he said, tapping his desk. "Alright. I'll have my guards handle the announcement. We'll post it across the city by tonight. You can trust me on that." He sighed softly. "But I'll be honest. The odds aren't in your favor." "I'm aware," Aiden said with a calm nod. That was exactly why his offer had to be massive. For regular players, one epic equipment was enough to send them into a frenzy. But NPCs were different. They understood what the lost race represented.To them, gold and weapons couldn't match its weight. "Then I won't keep you," Aiden said. He turned toward the door. There was no point staying longer once business was done. As soon as Alan began issuing orders, the word spread fast across Leafport. Notices went up on the city's quest boards, the ink still wet and glinting under torchlight. "Nighthale seeks the lost race." Within hours, the rumor was everywhere. Every merchant, guard, and scavenger in Leafport knew about it. It was something no other player could have done. In Doomsday, communication had strict limits. Players could only message individuals in their proximity, and only powerful NPCs had the authority to make public broadcasts. People like Sienna. People like Alan. Even then, large-scale announcements demanded an enormous price. But the effect was undeniable. After the eerie creature invasion, most players bailed out of the game by six in the morning. Nobody wanted to risk staying online. They didn't even bother using up their full playtime. But a few gutsy ones thought it through and decided to take their chances. They logged back in early, ready to get a head start and rush straight to Leafport. A handful of players who were already close to the city got there first.