Chapter 41 Chapter 41 - Barren Luster (1/2)

CHAPTER 41

BARREN LUSTER

Fires bellowed out like beasts while sounds of hammer clashing against metal and steel echoed out through the platform, creating a strange sort of rhythmic beat, one you could almost sing to. Unlike the other seven, though, who were hard at work, Lino was sitting leisurely with a pen and a paper, humming a low tune while drawing up his design. He could hardly be blamed for the fact that he hadn't thought of anything to craft before coming here, which is why he found himself a whole step behind. However, they had full six hours to craft something simple, which he found plenty doable even with extra work.

Glancing over to the others, he noticed that some were already drawing their casts, while some were still preparing materials. One of the girls was crafting battle-ax while the other was crafting a buckler; the guys were either crafting swords or shields. As armor is more complicated than weapons, Lino figured that no one would try to craft anything like it - and he was not an exception. He drew up three designs and eventually decided on a simple, short-sword. It lacked any particular decorations, and would no doubt look as ordinary as anything you'd see in an abandoned armory, but he didn't mind much the appearance of it.

Putting down the paper and the pen, he got onto his feet and stretched, yawning lazily. Audience was split between those who were cheering and paying attention and those who were dozing off to the beautiful wonderland of innocent sleep. He spotted Eggor in the distance who looked as disinterested as he could possibly be, and rather than focusing on Lino on the stage, his eyes were veering over the audience, clearly searching for clues. Lino sighed lightly, putting on the gloves and walking over the table with materials. He chose two simple, Level 15 ores, a small patch of wolf leather, and a couple of simple-looking herbs. He walked over to the furnace and, while blocking the view, used his Tri-Spirit Flame to slightly cheat. While the ores were melting, he walked over to the flat stone and began drawing out the mould and slowly shaping it up.

He completely shut off the cheering audience, the odd glances cast at him who was falling behind, and the scorn of those standing on the same platform, enjoying the same attention. He withdrew into his own world, where fabric of time and space ceased to exist, replaced by frigid tranquility. The sizzling sounds of melting ore, the cries of the flames, the thuds of cracking stone, the beating of his own heart, the droplets of sweat already curling up on his forehead. With his senses focused and sharpened, no detail escaped him, no matter how minute it may be. While finishing up his mould, he walked over and quickly collected the molten ore, dropping it whole into the mould and pressing until it fit perfectly into the edges. He then walked to the herbs and ground them with his bare fists, sprinkling them over the ore. While waiting for the latter to cool off, he picked up the patch of wolf leather and, using a short needle and his Qi, began drawing up a dual-array on its surface, a combination of xplosive Array> and <Sturdiness Array>. His plan for the sword was for it to be durable and lasting rather than impressive-looking and dazzling. And his plan for Qi was something else entirely.

Even he hadn't noticed just how much his perception of crafting had changed since he'd taken it up. While festering his dreams of becoming a blacksmith throughout his childhood, he always dreamt up golden swords, diamond-cast shields and dazzling armor pieces with glowing patterns. He dreamt up fascinating, exotic designs, a whole spectrum of colors, patterns, different protrusions... but he hardly ever thought of their usage. The whole conception of craft had flipped inside his head, as he mainly focused on functionality over design; rather, the latter was there to fulfill the former. Designs were tailored to suit the functionality rather than the other way around. He didn't know what it was like for others, but he didn't care much for it. He had his own principal ways and his own path to follow, one whose roots lay in why crafting was invented for in the first place: to ensure survival, in one shape or another.

As per usual, time ceased to matter for him while he crafted; hammering, shaping up the edges, drawing up conduits between the arrays, chiseling fine details, imparting his own insignia, by the time he had finished crafting the sword, he could hardly tell how much time had passed. Looking around, he saw that some were yet to finish, looking at him with somewhat panicked and odd gazes. He picked the sword up and inspected it, weighing it in his hand before checking out its stats.

[Stormy Queen - Rare]

Level: 30

Damage: 361-523

+10 Hand Speed

Special Effect: Impossible to destroy via ordinary means

Special Effect: Full swings gather more momentum, dealing extra 30% damage

Note: Deceptively ordinary looking sword, with explosive strength hidden behind its crude design.

Lino frowned for a moment as he inspected the stats, unsure of whether it was too good. Truth be told, he hardly knew the standards of the competition, and even Eggor told him to hold back somewhat. Looking back at his crafting, he limited himself to roughly 70% of his skill, even deciding to only use two quite common arrays that most of blacksmiths knew of. However, extra 'Hand Speed' and two Special Effects could perhaps be a bit of a shock to the rest. Eh, whatever, he thought, stroking his chin as he put down his sword. I can just say I had momentary bout of godly inspiration. They should buy that shit, right?

Hearing the footsteps echoing behind him, he turned around and saw familiar, starkly feminine face on a starkly masculine body. She had a rather proud expression, her lips curled up in a strange sneer which made her appear even more adorable, so much so that Lino barely held back from laughing out loud. Droplets of sweat glistened on her forehead while her eyes shone with brilliant light. Lino recognized those eyes; he'd have them each time he'd craft something he was proud of. A piece of pride brimming from your own creation. In her hand she held a round buckler, roughly a forearm's width, built purely of cast metal. Though Lino couldn't see its exact stats, because of his knowledge, he could venture a guess on the materials and techniques she used as well as rough stat estimation. Well, now I just feel bad... he sighed inwardly, remaining stoic on the outside.

”You done?” she asked.

”Yup. Nice buckler,” Lino said, smiling. ”You that desperate to lose the bet you'd come over the moment you finished it? It hasn't even cooled properly yet.”

”Hah, lose? I don't think so,” she shook her head lightly. ”I'm afraid you've overestimated yourself.”

”... hm, 's that so? Let me see the stats then.”

”Sure.” she handed over the buckler without hesitation causing Lino to nearly roll his eyes at her.

[Round Defender - Enchanted]

Level: 25

Defense: 209

+10 Maneuverability