HC: Handyman | Ch. 184 - Guide
Added 2025-04-22 10:08:08 +0000 UTCThe landscape kept passing Jack in a blur of black, broken by flashes of light from the posts lining the tracks as the train rolled on. Next to him, Holly was completely absorbed in Amari’s latest video — presumably the one showcasing how Jack had unlocked his hidden class.
The whole thing felt surreal. A stranger watching a video about him, while he sat right there. Holly, evidently, shared none of the awkwardness.
She’d said something like, “This is going to be hilarious. I’m going to watch a video featuring you, while sitting next to you,” before popping her headphones back in and pressing play.
Out of the corner of his eye, Jack caught a glimpse of a familiar face on her screen — Jenny, the potter NPC.
He didn’t know what to do except pretend it wasn’t happening. Trying to shake it off, Jack turned his attention to the digital document Professor Masse had shared.
Dear fellow guildsman,
Firstly, I commend you for taking up this honorable craft. Bone carving is more than just a way to make gear — it’s an expression of form and patience.
The Krakens have long held the lion’s share of this market, not just because of our naval reach, but because we treat the art with the respect it deserves.
Once you’ve leveled up the [Butcher] minor to level 10 (see Appendix A for suggested routes), you’re ready to carve bone. Here is a list of the basic tools needed to get started in bone carving.
• Drill – One reliable drill base is enough, but make sure it supports interchangeable bits. You’ll want at least three sizes:
– Wide-tip for hollowing or socketing,
– Medium for general work and starting relief grooves,
– Fine-point for precision detailing or piercing.
• Carving Knives – At least two. One broad-bladed for rough shaping, and one finer-tipped for detailing. Steel with interchangeable tips is ideal — good edge retention, easy maintenance, and cheaper in the long run.*
• Stabilizing Mat – A rubber-gripped mat works well if you’re carving outside the city, especially in short sessions between hunts. But nothing compares to the rooms at the Sculptor’s Association. Pay the fee, use the benches. To gain access — usually restricted to those with the [Sculptor] minor — you’ll need to complete an equivalency quest. See Appendix B.
• Sanding Stones – Don’t skimp here. Start with Grey Alginate for general smoothing, then move to Polished Seapearl or Whiteshard for finishing.
• Inking Powder (Optional) – Used to highlight grooves in relief work. It won’t alter functionality, but it will boost artistry. Options include ash, gunpowder, or crushed stone dye.
You can obtain a basic kit from the guild for only 50 guild points. If you prefer to purchase them with gold, check Appendix C, which has a reasonably priced list of basic supplies and what they cost.
As you progress, you’ll likely acquire more specialized tools. We’ll get there in time.
For now — welcome aboard.
– MichaelAngeloII, Krakens Craftsmen Division
Reading the professor’s in-game tag, Jack chuckled.
He really loves that Michael Angelo fellow, doesn’t he?
He scrolled through the guide slowly, still smiling. It was oddly comforting — the structure, the tone, the way each item had been described in patient, careful detail. Jack couldn’t help but be transported back to his school days, when his arts teacher would hand out supply lists at the start of each semester.
Then something caught his attention.
Krakens.
The name had popped up several times in the guide, but now it stuck with him. He had heard it before, but he couldn’t quite place it. Curious, Jack opened a browser and typed it in.
The results loaded instantly, filled with polished graphics and embedded video panels. A professional site topped the list — Krakens, complete with a sleek black banner and silver logo.
The website's design alone suggested it was a powerful guild.
Jack continued to review the various entries.
“Master of the Tides – Exclusive Interview with Kraken, Leader of the #1 Ranked Guild”
“Guild Spotlight: The Krakens’ Empire Expands – The Conquest of Mist Island”
“What is Kraken’s Hidden Class?”
Jack stared at the screen.
Kraken wasn’t just a player — he was the player. The leader of the most powerful guild in the game. The one rumored to hold a hidden class. And if Jack was reading this right... Professor Masse — or rather, MichaelAngelo2 — was a member of his inner circle.
Jack’s throat went dry. The professor was a master crafter in the game’s most exclusive guild, and the guide he had shared with Jack hadn’t been written for the public. It had been made for Kraken’s craftsmen.
And now it was in his hands.
His fingers trembled slightly as he scrolled back to the top of the document. Marie had said she’d help him — but this? This went above and beyond.
With this guide, Jack wasn’t just guessing his way through bone carving anymore. He had a real foothold now. Real direction.
The more he thought about it, the more the excitement built. He couldn’t wait to get back in the game.
He opened the auction site, typing in the first few items from the professor’s list. Most of them were surprisingly affordable. He would be able to buy everything he needed for under one gold!
“Hihihi.”
The soft giggle drew Jack’s attention back to Holly. He glanced over without turning his head fully — she was still watching the video, still laughing quietly to herself. Jack peeked at her screen again.
The footage had shifted.
Now it was showing him — in all his awkward glory — yanking pots out of the fire bare-handed, flinching as the heat scorched his skin.
He froze.
Amari added that clip?
Holly caught his look and tugged out one earbud, offering a sheepish shrug. “You just—” She tried to suppress another laugh, hand over her mouth. “You’re really funny.”
Jack let out a slow breath. He’d hoped Amari would show him in a decent light — maybe even highlight a few of his better moments. But judging by the giggles beside him, the video was leaning hard into the blooper reel. Cheeks warming, he looked away before Holly could say more.
Trying to refocus, he turned back to the guide for bone carvers. The next section dove into different types of bones, how to clean and prep them, and a few recommended techniques and XP-efficient quests.
No wonder the professor didn’t cover all of this during our session. It’s all here.
Jack skimmed through the entries, stopping when he reached the XP store section. Like the rest of the guide, it was neatly organized — with prices, skill trees, and clear progression paths.
First was a breakdown of XP costs for upgrading the [Bone Carving] skill. Just like with [Rope Weaving], investing XP unlocked new recipes. Some came automatically with each level-up. Others could be bought separately. Jack’s stomach tightened as he scanned the cost for some of the higher tiers.
Good thing I’ve got my vases and ocarina. Otherwise grinding this much XP would be a nightmare.
Next came a list of passive skills. Some increased the chance of getting better grades when working with small bones, while others favored large bones. A few passives enhanced jewelry stats, while others boosted the effectiveness of bone armor. And then there were the combat-focused ones — perks that activated when wearing bone-crafted gear.
Following that was a catalog of carving techniques. One let players add relief carvings. Another allowed for fusing or gluing bone fragments. As Jack scrolled through, he found himself transported back to Professor Masse’s workshop — to the lectures on carving history and traditional techniques.
All of these skills… they’re based on what people actually used to do.
The realization made him pause.
Every single thing the professor had shown him during their time together — every tidbit of history — had a purpose. Nothing had been random. Jack felt a shiver down his spine. Such a good teacher.
He moved on to recipes: helmets, pauldrons, spears, swords. Almost everything a blacksmith could craft had a bone-carved equivalent. Jack skipped past the weapons and focused on the gear and accessories. He bookmarked a few recipes that looked promising — items with solid stats, decent VP potential, or synergy with the passive skills he’d just read about.
Jack scrolled back through the guide, this time focusing on the section about bone types and carving techniques. His thumb hovered as he highlighted a few more entries. Once he was done browsing the XP store, he circled back and began reading more carefully.
Next to him, Holly let out a satisfied sigh. “Aaah. That was a good video.”
Jack forced a smile, cheeks still warm. “I’m... glad you liked it.”
“Can I ask you something?” she said, tilting her head.
He lowered his phone and glanced her way. “S-sure.”
“Were you trying to be funny? Like, on purpose — to get more views? Or was that actually you?”
Jack felt the heat spread to his ears. “That was me. I wasn’t acting. I was just… playing the game.”
She frowned, thoughtful. “Huh. Because since you sat down, all I’ve seen is this super focused guy going full researcher mode on bone carving.” She nodded toward his screen. “But in the video? You looked like a complete chaos gremlin. Impulsive, impatient — like someone who runs before reading the quest description.”
He winced. “Yeah. That tracks.” He paused, then muttered, “Amari didn’t leave anything out, huh?”
She gave a half-apologetic shrug. “I mean… it made for great content.”
Jack blew out a breath. “I should probably talk to him about his editing choices.”
Holly grinned. “So what was going through your head when you turned down all those professions without even trying them?”
Jack hesitated. Part of him wanted to change the subject. But something about the way she asked — not mocking, just curious — made it hard to shut her down.
“That day…” he began, then trailed off. He scratched the back of his neck. “I’d just gotten dumped. My parents chewed me out. I wasn’t in a great place.”
Her expression softened instantly.
“I was frustrated,” Jack continued. “And yeah, I can be impulsive. Impatient too,” he added, repeating the professor’s words from earlier. “I just… I wanted something different. Something that didn’t feel like more of the same.”
Holly leaned back slightly, studying him with interest. “Well, mission accomplished. You definitely got ‘different.’”
Jack gave a weak laugh. “Yeah.”
There was a pause — not awkward, just comfortable.
Holly shifted in her seat. “So… do you actually make a living from the game?”
Jack nodded. “Yeah. It’s my full-time job now.”
“Wow. What’s that like? You know — playing for a living?”
Jack smiled faintly. “It’s great. I’ve learned a lot and met some wonderful people. It’s actually more interesting than I ever expected.”
“Sounds perfect.”
He let out a quiet chuckle. “It has its downsides too. I’ve never worked as many hours in a day as I do now.”
Holly blinked. “Really?”
“Oh yeah. I’ve been working like… twenty hours a day.”
She whistled. “That’s a lot. To be honest, I wish I could play New Earth, too. I love the game, but I’m just too busy with classes and work.”
“You know you can play while you sleep, right?” Jack asked.
“I know,” she said with a shrug. “I even have a VRX helmet. But I use my sleep time to study.”
“Wow. You’re a hard worker.”
She sat up a little straighter, clearly pleased. “Yes, I am. Thanks for noticing.”
“I mean it,” Jack said. “I wish I’d been more like that. Especially back in college. I, uh… I dropped out.”
“Oh,” she said softly.
A brief silence followed — not heavy, just thoughtful.
Then Holly burst out, “But argh, I love this game so much. I really wish I could play.”
“Have you considered finding a gig inside the game?” Jack offered. “You could earn while you sleep, then use your day for classes and studying.”
She tilted her head, thinking it over. “It has crossed my mind. But it’s not like I can just quit a stable job for something that might not work out.”
A month ago, Jack would’ve told her to do it without a second thought. But now? After everything he’d been through?
He sighed. “Yeah. That’s reasonable.”
Holly nodded slowly. “Although… I do have a holiday coming up. Maybe I could use that time to test the waters. Just to get myself started.”
She trailed off, then glanced at him. “How long did it take you to start making money in the game?”
Jack shrugged. “A few weeks. But I was playing nonstop. And… I did stumble into a hidden class.”
“Right,” she said, smirking. “Well… maybe it’s worth a shot.”
Jack didn’t know what to say. Was she asking for his advice? His opinion? He just stayed quiet.
Next stop: Boston. Next stop: Boston.
Jack glanced at the overhead display. “Ah. We’re almost there.” He took a breath and looked over at her. “Well… it was nice meeting you, Holly.”
“Nice to meet you too, Jack.”
He hesitated. A fuzzy pressure built in his chest — part nerves, part guilt. There was something about this girl. He wanted to talk to her again. He thought about asking for her number… but should he? What about Lydia?
As he debated, Holly leaned forward slightly.
“Listen, Jack. If I ever do try playing the game… do you think I could have your number? Maybe ask you for a few pointers?”
Jack blinked. “Yes! Of course.”
They exchanged numbers quickly before the train began to slow.
As it came to a stop, they stood and exited through the same door.
“Well,” Holly said, tightening her scarf, “maybe I’ll see you again sometime.”
“Yeah. Of course,” Jack said. “Good luck with your studies. Let me know if you ever have questions.”
She gave him a playful salute. “Will do.”
They parted.
Jack stepped into the cold station air, phone in his pocket, head buzzing. He wasn’t sure what had just happened — or what it meant. But for the first time in a while, he felt… lighter.
Like something unexpected had just started.
