Newcomer Lyon

"I'm planning to smelt some iron over the next few days, George. Can you help me for two days? After that, when you're reinforcing the walls, I'll help you in return."

Penny suddenly spoke, her voice hoarse. She looked like a dark, thin old woman, older than Phila.

For the past twenty-plus days, she had been going out early and returning late to mine Iron Ore, while also carrying ore back. A hundred catties a day, trekking over ten miles of mountain road. It was hard to imagine this was Penny, who just last month had been full of life and vibrant health, the Little Steel Cannon.

But she must have gotten the Two-star Craftsman card by now.

"Sure!"

Li Wei nodded. Penny was a craftsman worth trading with. His Hunting Bow was about to break, and he needed Penny to make him a new one, or perhaps a recurve bow, which would be even better.

Such cooperation was necessary.

After that, no one said anything else. They ate dinner in silence and went to bed early. Li Wei and Lyon routinely patrolled the camp with their Wooden Spears. Next, he needed to whittle arrow shafts and practice archery.

Normally, Lyon would have already returned to his room to rest. He hadn't had an easy time these past few days either. Phila treated him like a beast of burden. Any small virtues and modesty he once had were long gone. He'd cram into his room, bite his teeth, fart in his sleep, and sleep like a log.

But today, Lyon sat by the Bonfire, watching Li Wei whittle arrow shafts. After a long while, he finally spoke, "George, Penny has been too tired these past few days. I heard she's going to expand the house next. I plan to start helping you tomorrow, just like you. Of course, after the house expansion, I can help you reinforce the walls too."

Huh?

That was well put.

No, Lyon had finally found a blind spot. He must have understood by now that they were all players with their own professions. But since they hadn't encountered a Plot Kill, nor participated in the monthly family Main Quest, and hadn't even earned any Family Contribution Points, they must be confused about the core of this game.

But he seemed like a smart guy. This much time observing was enough for him to gather and analyze many results.

Was he going to probe further now?

"Okay, sure. Honestly, I feel bad for Penny too. She's our dear sister. Months ago, after her fiancé Sam was eaten by wolves, she couldn't get over the grief. So she had to bury it all inside. In just a few months, she's been worn down like this."

"Lyon, I'm glad you noticed this. You don't need to help me reinforce the walls; just help her."

Li Wei said earnestly.

He was stating facts. As for what Penny thought, it was none of his business.

Everyone should just hustle.

Besides, he also wanted to test Lyon's first profession.

Don't underestimate any newcomer.

That was hard-earned experience.

The next morning, after breakfast, when Lyon announced he was going to help Penny with the forging and house expansion, a flash of anger crossed Phila's face, so clear in the sunlight.

However, she didn't say anything, and couldn't say anything. Her monthly family Main Quest was basically complete with Lyon's help. From any angle, she had no grounds to keep Lyon. And her daughter Penny was almost worked to death, even though theoretically Penny's gains were also huge.

Li Wei, Penny, and Mixi remained silent, choosing to default. Lyon's choice right now was subtle. From a story perspective, it made sense, but from a player's perspective, one had to suspect that Lyon's first profession might be a craftsman?

In any case, they would observe slowly.

"Clang, clang, clang!"

In the sunlight, Li Wei swung his hammer, smashing Iron Ore into small pieces. After a hundred or so hammers, he handed the hammer to Lyon. This was a physically demanding job; it wouldn't break without effort.

This process was a step in refining molten iron.

It was similar to burning charcoal in the early stages. Fortunately, they still had plenty of Charcoal left from before, so they didn't need to go through that hassle again.

Penny was setting up the furnace. She needed to layer the crushed Iron Ore with Charcoal. This was a technical job and required the bonus from the Two-star Craftsman card.

Li Wei wasn't in a related profession, so he couldn't learn anything, nor did he intend to steal knowledge. He already had two professions. Mastering what he knew was the right way forward.

Of course, he occasionally observed Lyon, watching his hammering technique, force, and breathing rhythm. Comparing it to himself, he could roughly deduce Lyon's specific stats.

Overall, Lyon's Strength should be about the same as his, around 10 points. After all, he didn't have a "cancerous" start. However, his technique and power application were a couple of levels inferior. The coordination and balance skills Li Wei had accumulated through his hard work over the past few months were something Lyon, as a newcomer, couldn't compare to.

But it was clear he was trying hard to learn.

Also, his Stamina was clearly insufficient.

Li Wei could swing the heavy hammer over a hundred times in one go. Lyon, after continuously swinging for just over thirty times, was already sweating profusely, his hands trembling, and he could barely stand.

Furthermore, Li Wei could recover after a short rest and continue swinging for another hundred-plus hammers, while Lyon hadn't even recovered yet.

At first, he tried to keep up with Li Wei's rhythm, but after a few rounds, he could only lie on the ground, panting for air. Sweat beaded on his forehead; he was so weak.

So, the Stamina attribute was very important.

However, smashing Iron Ore was indeed grueling. Before noon, Li Wei was also so tired he felt like he was about to vomit white foam, his limbs cramping. He collapsed on the ground, not wanting to move at all.

As for Lyon, he had surrendered three hours ago. He wasn't even as good as Penny.

Because Penny had taken over the hammer by then and started smashing without a word. They had to light the fire today, so they had to smash enough Iron Ore to fill a furnace.

Relying on Penny alone was clearly impossible.

After lunch and another two hours of rest, Li Wei had recovered about seventy to eighty percent. He picked up the hammer and continued smashing Iron Ore. Beside him was Lyon, who looked like he had lost his will to live. After resting for four to five hours, the guy finally forced himself to come over and continue swinging the hammer.

But his presence or absence didn't matter much anymore. The required Iron Ore was almost gathered.

As evening approached, Penny sealed the furnace and lit the fire, starting to use the simple bellows she made to blow air. The subsequent process was basically irrelevant to Li Wei. He didn't even want to interfere with what they would do with this batch of molten iron, because it was obvious Penny was planning something big.

At this point, Phila and Mixi came over to help. They all had their own needs, and even Lyon had a need.

"For this batch of molten iron, prioritize the production of iron nails and saws. These are essential for expanding the house. If there are any leftover iron ingots, we'll forge them based on the situation."

Penny announced expressionlessly. Twenty-two days of the month had already passed, and she didn't have much time left. She had delayed too long trying to get the Two-star Craftsman card.

However, as long as she completed the monthly Main Quest, there was a high chance she would remain the Head of the Family next month, because her Family Contribution Points had an overwhelming advantage.

She far surpassed Phila, who was second.