Part 6/9:
In late June, after reaching level 81 smithing, Blue made a controversial decision: she would no longer smith for the public, reserving her powerful new creations for her friends. She implemented an auction system for items, which turned her services from a free joy into a monopoly. Demand skyrocketed, and prices for her wares reached staggering heights.
Blue's reputation began to polarize the community further—some heralded her as a generous benefactor, while others viewed her as a significant barrier to entry. The perceived exclusivity of certain items only fueled player desire, and with that desire came resentment and frustration.