The Artificer is a special profession, and Xu Huo had looked into this line of work back in District 011.

Practitioners are a diverse bunch. There are those like the Paper Artisan, who, upon reaching a certain high level, can intuitively use their own characteristics to craft items without formal teaching. Then there are special players who have developed a talent in this area and, after growing their skills, specialize in it exclusively.

For individuals like the Paper Artisan, the Game Government not only refrains from interfering but actively seeks cooperation with them. That's why items he crafts can sometimes appear as rewards in certain game dungeons.

As for players whose characteristics involve crafting items, they are usually recruited by the Game Government. The government provides materials and technology, and after they learn, they receive substantial compensation, becoming grey players. This allows them to retain their player status without mandatory participation in dungeons while keeping their player panel.

There are also those who don't cooperate with the government, instead opening their own shops or engaging in trade with district marketplaces. This type is relatively rare. Those who can keep a shop running are mostly Artificers with extensive experience, because if it's just about simple buying and selling of items or potions, the exchanges and auction houses operating in every district are clearly more suitable.

The above can be considered those living relatively comfortably within this industry. There are also Artificers who can't produce proper items and can't obtain the professional certification issued by the game. Most of the time, they work for private employers or drift around in the black market. People in this category need good luck to achieve any stability.

The business of an Artificer isn't limited to just creating items either. Because crafting items requires a special type of ore, and this ore is basically monopolized by the Game Government. To put it bluntly, you need money to craft items. Otherwise, the failure rate of items alone could bankrupt an Artificer with modest assets. So, under normal circumstances, Artificers also double as repairmen.

For example, the "Umbrella of Justice." Before Xu Huo got his hands on it, the human skin covering it was the work of an Artificer. After the modifications, the item's effects also differed.

He didn't see any Artificer shops in District 011. Thinking about it simply, it's not surprising, as talent in this area is basically monopolized by the Game Government, so not seeing them is to be expected.

Listening to Sima Xiao Er's description, those toy shops appearing in bustling areas sounded a bit like Artificer shops.

"Are we really going?" Sima Xiao Er couldn't help asking even after getting in the car. "Should I call a few helpers? In case something happens, they could lend a hand."

Xu Huo tilted his chin toward the front. "Drive recklessly, and your loved ones will shed two streams of tears."

Sima Xiao Er nearly rolled his eyes. He fidgeted like his butt was on fire, persistently asking, "Brother Xu, do you think they're also from other game partitions like that previous group? But coming here to buy property and open shops... Are property prices in other game partitions really that high? So high that players are starting to speculate on real estate?"

Xu Huo glanced at him. After a moment, he said, "You could buy at the bottom now."

Sima Xiao Er gave a dry laugh. "Don't tease me, Brother Xu. The little money I have isn't even enough to buy potions, let alone have money for property. Places far from the Special Defense Department are cheaper, but the commute is too long. Driving to work every day takes forever."

Xu Huo genuinely laughed this time.

After driving for over an hour, a convoy of sports cars caught up from behind. The leader knew Sima Xiao Er, slowing down to greet him. "I was wondering who was crawling on the road like a turtle, turns out it's you. Tsk tsk tsk, you have the nerve to drive this piece of junk on the road?"

The sports car roared as it circled around to Xu Huo's side. The man continued, "We're old friends, after all. Seeing you regress like this, why not come work for me? I guarantee you'll earn more than at the Special Defense Department."

"Don't you dare be so arrogant! Believe it or not, I'll take people to inspect the First Association every single day!" Sima Xiao Er flipped him the bird.

The sports car guy laughed heartily. "Come on then, if you dare! I'm afraid you can't even order the Special Defense Department around. Besides, does your Special Defense Department have the guts to confront the First Association head-on?"

After saying that, he deliberately swerved his car in front to cut him off. Sima Xiao Er panicked and slammed on the brakes. Unexpectedly, with this stomp, the person in the passenger seat flew out!

Sima Xiao Er was dumbfounded. He twisted his head and, seeing the person now in the passenger seat of the sports car ahead, exclaimed, "Brother Xu!"

Already seated next to the sports car guy, Xu Huo reached over and patted his shoulder. "Drive carefully."

The sports car guy was also a player, but he simply hadn't seen how Xu Huo got into the car. His mouth opened and closed, the anger on his face slowly turning into stiffness and fear, until his shoulder was patted.

"Brother, it's all my foul mouth. I'll leave right now, absolutely won't block your way!" The sports car guy backed down very naturally.

"I also think Sima Xiao Er's car is too slow. Your car is quite nice," Xu Huo said, staring at him.

The sports car guy forced a smile. "Please, take it and drive it."

The car soon stopped. Sima Xiao Er smugly got into the sports car and tossed his own car keys to the sports car guy. "Drive my car back. I'll need it for work later."

The sports car guy dared to be angry but not speak. He even had to stop his companions in the following cars who wanted to help him, sending them off with a face full of smiles.

The convoy soon disappeared from the rearview mirror. Only then did Xu Huo say, "The First Association has no binding power over its member players?"

"The situation is different now. As long as players aren't killing or setting fires, things like driving without plates, speeding, drunk driving... they just turn a blind eye and let it go. There aren't many people on the roads anyway," Sima Xiao Er said, then added fiercely, "But those guys from the First Association are way too arrogant. Ever since getting government recognition, they pick fights with the Special Defense Department for no reason. Our people have been harassed multiple times by these guys while on duty, and we can't even fight back. It's infuriating."

"In my opinion, they never should have established that First Association in the first place. Those bastards are insufferably cocky!"

This situation was also within expectations. As player abilities grow, the rules that used to constrain ordinary people no longer apply to them.

"But Brother Xu, you're the real deal." Sima Xiao Er gave another thumbs-up. "That bastard didn't dare challenge you at all. He even gave up his car. Driving a sports car is just awesome. We'll get there soon."

However, he spoke too soon. When the two were eating lunch at a service area, the sports car guy caught up with another group of people.

The service area staff member, seeing the situation was bad, hid in the back. The sports car guy came in behind a player wearing a beanie, pointing at Xu Huo. "Brother Li, it's him."

The beanie-wearing player, hand resting on the gun at his waist, walked over. He sat down boldly opposite Xu Huo, grinning widely. "Buddy, you're pretty tough, huh? Don't you know Wang Meng is a player from the First Association?" 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

"You dare carry a gun!" Sima Xiao Er slammed the table, trying to stand up, but his body froze mid-motion, stuck in a strange posture.

Xu Huo beside him was completely unaffected. He raised a hand to stop the beanie player. "What's your name?"

The beanie player chuckled. "Bao Jiali. What, you're already thinking about the future when it's unclear if you'll even get past today?"

Xu Huo took out his phone and dialed a number right in front of him. "This is Xu Huo. I'm looking for Tan Yang."