Chapter 18: System Upgrade (Thanks for the tips and monthly votes for the extra update)

The guild members present were already accustomed to the behavior of Krag the Grim, and the other onlookers had also heard of the eccentric temper of this oldest and most stubborn Rune Master.

Ignoring his departure, the Dwarfs began to celebrate the addition of a powerful new Rune Master. Thorgrim Grudgebearer jumped onto the high platform and snatched the rune-microphone from the hands of the Iron Chisel Master.

"I, Thorgrim, Clan Chief of the Drazkrad Clan, and also the father of Master Sinuoli!" The High King's face was full of a rare smile:

"I announce that every tavern under our clan's jurisdiction will provide free ale to everyone tonight! Let us celebrate for my son together!" His generosity pushed the cheers to a new climax.

At this moment, Sinuoli's attention was deeply drawn by the voice prompt in his mind: "Detected that the host has completed a profession level promotion and passed the novice period. The system is about to begin upgrading, and welfare functions are disabled. New functions will be unlocked after the upgrade is complete, so please look forward to it!"

He was passively ushered by the surrounding Dwarfs all the way to the largest tavern in the city, and subsequently, he lost consciousness in an ocean of free ale.

When Sinuoli woke up feeling a splitting headache from a hangover, it was already noon the next day. Touching the emblem engraved with a rune on his chest, Sinuoli couldn't help but laugh out loud!

He had taken an important step after his transmigration; starting from today, he would be qualified to build his own force and compete with the many powerful factions across the entire continent and even the Warp.

Hearing his laughter, Balin walked in carrying a cup of water. "Drink some water, cousin—uh, no, honorable Master Sinuoli!" Balin was also smiling very happily; as a Personal Advisor, his status had risen along with Sinuoli's.

"By the Ancestor Gods! You have no idea how scared I was when I woke up that day and found you gone, and the door had turned into powder! If anything had really happened to you, I would have had to become a Slayer!"

For Dwarfs who value honor, when they believe they have suffered great shame, or have broken a promise, or have encountered tragedy or failure, they will choose to take the Slayer Oath.

These Dwarfs will shave off the excess hair on their bodies and heads, leaving only a tuft of hair, and dye their hair and beards orange, then cover their dishonored bodies with blue tattoos.

Thereafter, they leave their homes and pursue a glorious death—especially favoring independent challenges against giant beasts or armies. For a personal attendant like Balin, failing to protect his master was clearly something worth doing this for.

As a young Dwarf, Balin did not like to immerse himself in memories like the Longbeard elders, and soon his wandering mind changed the subject.

"Cousin, I hear people outside calling you the Chosen of the Goddess," hearing this title full of "chuunibyou" flavor, Sinuoli spat out a mouthful of water, but Balin continued on his own,

"You must have really seen the Ancestor Goddess, right? What does she look like? Among the records of the three main gods' appearances in books, hers is the most variable. Is she beautiful? Is she as beautiful as the pearl of our Karaz-a-Karak, your second sister, Princess Nina?"

Just as Sinuoli was struggling to deal with the infatuated Balin while suffering from a hangover, a knock on the door sounded. "Is Master Sinuoli up?" Balin still remembered his duties and ran to open the door.

Three Dwarfs walked in with white beards longer than their abdomens and were sufficiently burly. From their highly recognizable equipment—a two-handed pole Warhammer forged from meteorite iron and glowing with runic luster—Sinuoli judged that they were Hammer Warriors, another elite unit of the Dwarf clans.

They are generally the personal guard of a Dwarf lord, and the members are all the most loyal and powerful warriors personally selected by the lord, with each member having proven themselves in countless battles.

Hammer Warriors possess a high status within Dwarf holds. When a lord goes on an expedition, they surround the lord and swing heavy hammers capable of shattering enemy shields and armor to carve a bloody path for the lord; when there are no protection missions, they guard key parts of the fortress such as the throne room, main gate, or treasury.

The leading Dwarf performed a salute and spoke: "Good afternoon, Master Sinuoli! May the Ancestor Goddess bless you! My name is Gelunsen, and I am a Captain of the Eternal Hammer."

"Eternal Hammer!" Hearing this name, both Sinuoli and Balin were shocked. In Dwarf society, normal units are referred to directly by their unit type; only elite units with long histories and numerous battle achievements possess their own unique names, such as the Dragon Rock Pass Warrior (Dwarf Warrior) and the Steadfast Veteran Guard (Iron-drake Handgunner), etc.

The Eternal Hammer is the name of the High King's personal guard. The establishment of this unit has existed since the day Karaz-a-Karak was built, which is also the origin of their name.

The membership of the Eternal Hammer is maintained at around one hundred people year-round; although they are few in number, their strength is exceptionally powerful.

Becoming a member of the Eternal Hammer and fighting by the side of the High King is the highest honor for every Dwarf warrior.

Only when a Dwarf's strength is outstanding within his clan is he qualified to come to Karaz-a-Karak and, after passing through layers of selection, gain the opportunity to join the Eternal Hammer. Their equipment is also better than that of normal Hammer Guard units.

In Dwarf history, countless bone-deep Grudges have been settled after the Eternal Hammer charged into the battlefield with the High King; at the same time, there have been many occasions where, thanks to this unit's desperate rearguard action, the Dwarf army was able to retreat unscathed from a tragic defeat.

With respect for this iron army, Sinuoli stood up, placed his hand on his chest, and returned the salute. "Honorable Longbeard, what instruction do you have for coming here?"

"His Majesty the High King summons you, Master Sinuoli!" Hearing this, Sinuoli nodded. After a simple wash, he followed the three Hammer Warriors out the door.

Although he was still going to see the High King, the route this time was different from three days ago; the four of them no longer headed toward the upper levels of the fortress but circled halfway along the mountainside.

Walking out of the corridor, what appeared before Sinuoli's eyes was a gate sandwiched between two towers. Relying on his memory, he knew this was the residential area of the Drazkrad Clan; the stone Plate Armor emblem on the archway proved his memory was correct.

Passing through the residential area of the outer clans, greeting his kin one by one as he walked, Sinuoli felt the warmth of the clan. Soon, he arrived in front of the clan's council hall; this hall was vaguely more magnificent than the hall of the Rune Smith Guild.

At the entrance stood a statue of a Dwarf wearing stone Plate Armor with a Battle Axe planted on the ground, presumably the ancestor who first established the clan. Entering the hall, Sinuoli saw Thorgrim discussing something with several Longbeard elders on the central high platform. Seeing Sinuoli from afar, they waved their hands one after another.

"My good son, you have finally grown up! We were just guessing when you would wake up! It seems your tolerance for alcohol has improved!" Thorgrim spoke with a beaming face.

Accepting feedback from readers, I have decided to "upgrade" the system. Everyone can give suggestions, and I will reply if I see them.

Thanks to book friend ArtoriasW for the tip; there will be an extra update tomorrow. The editor gave a recommendation slot, so I'm asking for votes and bookmarks.