Time has passed since Palkus became the blacksmith king, and many things have come and gone in this period that has surpassed a year.
The party has long gone back together and they've been doing missions every 1-2 weeks.
Palkus has become quite famous around the city and he even got some personal missions from time to time. Sometimes it's for alchemy, sometimes it's to take down a monster in a noble's territory, but it's mostly smithing missions.
After all, what other person will you ask for other than the blacksmith king if you could?
And so a year passed that way. The relationship between the young man and his girlfriend had gotten even more solid and Palkus even started spending more family time with them; he made it a habit to visit Emily's house every weekend.
Aside from that, one thing that was worthy of not was Azeroth's return. The demon had come 6 months ago at first after finishing his first mission, which was related to his family and successfully evolved; then he came back to inquire about his conditions to become an SS-rank and went away once more.
Now he's back, stronger than ever, and ready to take on more missions with the 'Thunder Strike' party.
"Ahh man, there are no good mission anymore." Tuskas slumped back on his chair while complaining. His sister, who was next to him, looked as bored as him while she rested her head on the table.
The party was once more in the guild. All 8 of them were sitting around the bar area and enjoying their lunch after their mission.
"This wormlord was causing terror in the forest and it didn't even last 10 minutes. Talk about boring." The one who was most annoyed about this fact was, of course, the battle-crazed loli dwarf, Adena.
Now that they were more experienced after more than a year of being adventurers, even EX-rank bosses were nothing but child-play.
Of course, for those missions, Palkus played the most important role, but at this point in time, they weren't like their old selves, who stood on the side waiting for him to finish off the nightwatcher.
"Ugh, when can we rank up already?" Lorea stood next to Allan while complaining.
"Don't worry guys, it shouldn't take too long." Allan tried to calm down the mood.
"Take too long for what?" Adena side glanced at him and asked.
"Uhh... for us to evolve and go to the prison realm?" He replied.
"I guess I did." Palkus smiled and gave up.
The party continued having fun together, and after eating their lunch, everybody went their separate ways.
Palkus went towards the alchemy guild. When he entered, he was greeted by the receptionists there, and he directly went looking for the elders.
His purpose here was to ask about the time the alchemist king will be here. He was almost done with his conditions, and all he had to do was take on the test to become the alchemist king, and he would be one step closer to reaching his goal.
"If it isn't Elder Palkus? Welcome back." Elder Red, who had surveilled the test Palkus passed back when he wanted to become an alchemist, was the one to greet him now.
"Elder Red. Hello, I hope you are doing well." Palkus was first surprised to see the elder and then greeted him.
"I'm doing well, I'm doing well. I see you're here for something today. Is it the alchemy king test? I'm afraid you'll have to wait some more." Elder Red informed.
"Is that so?" Palkus contemplated.
"Yes, the alchemy king is still busy with some matters, but he should be done in a year or two max." The elder explained.
"I see. Thank you, Elder Red." Palkus expressed his gratitude.
"No problem. I heard that you managed to become the blacksmith king, What a talent you are. I'm expecting a lot from you. When you inevitably go out to leave your mark in the history of our world and ascend to become a celestial, it will be my honor to tell the world how I was the one to guard your grand test." The alchemist spoke proudly and with joy visible in his eyes.
"I am most grateful, Elder Red. Thank you very much for the help the past year." Palkus nodded in gratitude. He didn't come many times to the alchemy guild the past year, but Elder Red was mostly there for him if he needed anything, if not, then Elder White, the ex-rank elder who first discovered him, would do so.
"I will take my leave then." Palkus, seeing as he had nothing else to do in the guild, took his leave.
Time for him to leave for the next continent was getting closer, and while it approached, he had to take care of something important.
Something related to his girlfriend, Emily.
-----End-----