Chapter 110
Chapter 110
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 110
Chapter Title: Fine, Let's Give It a Shot
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Work Forge's reception room. Three cups of milk bubbling like lava sat on the table.
"Drink up."
The corners of Eenedor's mouth curved into a smile.
As I hesitated to bring the milk to my lips, he placed a standard-issue Abyss Core on the table.
"Do you know what this is?"
"An Abyss Core."
"More precisely, it's an Abyss Core made from the byproducts of the shards you helped create."
'So that's why he welcomed me.'
Shards had countless uses beyond physical enhancement through Abyss Cores.
But obtaining them required venturing into dungeons, which made supply inconsistent.
This was where the (former) Shard Converter, now the Alicia Machine, came in. It condensed shard energy to produce higher-grade shards.
The depleted shards became blank shards, the key ingredient for standard-issue Abyss Cores.
The Alicia Machine in one corner of the academy still worked fine, but its usage had inevitably dropped.
Students only ran it when they felt the crisis firsthand, and right now, there weren't many practical uses for higher-grade shards anyway.
But I was the exception, churning them out like clockwork.
Thanks to that, the exchange rate had improved from nearly 10:1 to 5:1.
So where did all those blank shards from the process go?
Ellie collected every last one, and Eenedor reaped the benefits.
Even without the Alicia Machine, I'd been supplying Ellie with shards regularly to accelerate technological progress.
Of course, since I mostly visited at night, I rarely saw the sleepy middle-aged blacksmith's face.
In short, I was the forge's key material supplier. No wonder this guy was fond of me.
"Keep the supplies coming. If you could spare some of the shards you give my son for me too, that'd be great."
"Will do."
Ellie clicked her tongue while wiping ash water in the corner of the forge.
"Thanks to you, we've made progress. Anything you need that I can help with, just say the word."
I cheered inwardly.
I'd come to buy a new sword to replace the Jester's Sword, and now the empire's top craftsman was offering to make one himself?
With some luck, I might even score a Level 5 weapon instead of just Level 4.
My greed surged.
"I actually need a sword. The one I'm using has reached the end of its lifespan."
"Swords are my specialty. You know that one the Empire's Finest Sword is carrying? I made it."
Eenedor nodded toward Adelin.
Meaning, show me the sword.
"You still treat people so casually, old man."
"Ha ha. When else would I get to handle the Empire's Finest Sword so freely?"
Adelin sighed and drew the sword from her waist, revealing about half the blade.
A gracefully tapered blade perfect for channeling light, with a hilt blending black obsidian tones.
It was her sword, [Sun Sword - Corona].
In the original story, it was sold only as ornamental gear for costumes, unwearable in battle.
I knew it existed, but I hadn't realized Eenedor made it.
Then Eenedor beckoned.
"Come here for a sec."
As I approached, he examined me from head to toe.
His rough, calloused hands paused at my upper body.
The spot where I'd been burned. The scar was gone, but up close, the skin tone was subtly different.
"Do you need a sword for fighting monsters?"
"I need a sword that can cut down anything standing in my way."
"...Let me see your sword."
"Here."
Eenedor stared at the Jester's Sword I handed him for a long while.
"This... dungeon-made? Fascinating. Never seen one like it. The blade's durability is abysmal, but the balance is eerily attuned to the user's movements."
He handed it back.
"A sword optimized for extreme speed."
As expected of the empire's top craftsman. He saw right through its core traits.
"So, you need one with the same performance?"
"I need one far stronger."
"It wouldn't suit your fighting style."
He'd even clocked that I used quick-draw techniques.
"I'll change my style."
"You'll regret it. Your body is already accustomed to speed swords. Switching to a different balance now is like relearning swordsmanship from scratch."
"Doesn't matter. I'm turn-based."
In truth, whether it was military iron swords, standard noble swords, or the Jester's Sword...
Their balance, materials, and durability all differed.
Yet in actual combat, they all felt the same.
Quick swords, speed swords, heavy swords—none would be a real issue for me.
Once battle started and turn-based mode kicked in, as long as I allocated fluid stats decently, it'd look like pure speed swordplay to onlookers.
I could probably switch to greatswords or dual blades, and proficiency would carry over similarly.
"A genius, huh..."
Eenedor asked no more.
"Fine. I like your guts. But there's a problem."
"A problem?"
"My heart's not in it."
"?"
What? Didn't he say he'd help with anything?
"Don't misunderstand. It's not personal bias. I just don't think I can make a sword suited to you."
"Is it a material issue? If it's materials..."
As I reached for the Abyss Fragment in my pocket, Eenedor stopped me.
"It's not 'that' kind of material problem. It's a people problem."
He seemed to sense the extraordinary item in my pocket without even looking.
Is this what they call a craftsman's intuition?
"A craftsman knows when to wield the hammer and when to hold back."
Eenedor stroked his beard.
"A skilled one can tell what weapon a person needs just by looking at their body and energy. Take that Empire's Finest Sword girl over there."
"Did you call me?"
"The moment I first saw her, the image of [Corona] was already complete in my mind. No hesitation, no doubts."
"...It wasn't for me."
"But you're different. No matter how I envision your sword, it hits a wall at a certain point—the image just won't form."
He looked genuinely puzzled.
"Forcing one out here would do more harm than good."
Before I could speak, Eenedor stood.
"I think your 'time' hasn't come yet."
He headed to the warehouse behind the forge and returned with a single sword.
"As long as you live as a swordsman, your bond with a sword is inevitable. It's just a matter of timing."
"That's..."
No ornate decorations, but at a glance, it was a sturdy straight sword with flawless craftsmanship and seams.
[Work's Straight Sword (IV)]
[Attack Power 35]
[A sword adequately crafted by Eenedor Work.]
"It's crude, but a hundred times better than that cracked scrap heap. Use it until your 'time' arrives."
I took the sword in a daze.
'No need to "hold out" or anything?'
Level 4 alone was a win.
Nearly three times the attack power of my old Jester's Sword.
No other stats or special abilities, but the raw damage made it a beast.
Above all, it fit perfectly in my hand.
A casual swing whipped up a heavy sword wind through the forge unlike before.
"Whoa."
Adelin let out an impressed exclamation.
"...Is it really okay for me to take something like this?"
"What are you saying? I'm the one sorry for handing you mere scraps."
Eenedor seemed sincerely apologetic.
Anyway, goal achieved in Grabner.
But separate from the joy of the new weapon, his words lingered.
I'd planned to learn about Halibal's ultimate weapon here.
Yet the empire's top craftsman had essentially declared he couldn't make my weapon.
Even with an Abyss Fragment as material.
My mind grew uneasy.
'My "time"?'
When would that be?
When Ellie inherited the title of empire's greatest craftsman?
But she'd inherit Eenedor's metallurgy too. If the master couldn't, why would the disciple?
Swordsmanship or dungeon clears, I could find answers somehow... but weapon forging?
"No need to overthink it. 'Time' doesn't come when you force it."
Seeing my troubled expression, Eenedor chuckled.
"As you swing your sword, the blade meant for your hand will naturally come to mind. Return then."
So, basically, level up more and come back?
'Hold on. "Force it"?'
My gaze drifted to the forge and the straight sword in my hand.
Looking back, why had I chosen a sword as my weapon?
Aren's influence played a part, but really, it was just the first weapon that fell into my hands.
In reality, I'd never properly swung one.
My ability to cut foes and win battles came purely from bloody effort in this world.
Plus turn-based corrections and luck, so I had no innate genius for swordsmanship.
Yet here I was, among the strong in this world.
No first-year could match me, and most second- and third-years wouldn't stand a chance.
How? Because I'd forced it, rolling my body to pull it forward.
Dungeon clear timings.
Alicia Machine production.
Bonds with others.
I'd never sat idly waiting for the right moment—I'd always forced the issue.
'Should I at least try?'
If no one could make my sword anyway, why wait?
Like always, I could just force this too.
I'd mastered swordsmanship; why assume forging was beyond me?
"Forge master. Mind if I ask something?"
"Ask away."
"How do I learn metallurgy?"
"...You..."
For the first time, irritation flickered in Eenedor's eyes.
"Genius with a sword doesn't excuse recklessness."
He pointed to the [Work's Straight Sword] in my hand.
"I spent my life with the hammer to make that one blade. And you, without ever touching one, dare claim you'll master a craftsman's art?"
He was saying swordsmanship and metallurgy were different realms.
Fair point. Being good with a sword didn't mean I'd excel at hammering or bellows.
"With that attitude, even if you married the Empire's Finest Sword and spent your life at her side, your 'time' would never come."
"Ah, old man?!"
It could happen.
Even I found it absurd.
Like someone who'd never used arts begging the Empire's Finest Sword to teach them.
And I'd already done that.
"As you say, I don't know when my time will come. But I can't just wait around."
Through the forge window, the faint outline of the ceiling loomed.
"Not when I don't know when that might collapse."
"Waiting is important too."
"I'll wait. I just plan to keep moving while I do."
I sheathed my new sword at my waist.
Unlike the slightly loose Jester's Sword, Work's Straight Sword fit my scabbard perfectly.
"To hasten the moment I get my true sword, if I must grab the hammer right now, I will. That's how I've lived all along."
That was when it happened.
A familiar message appeared before my eyes.
[Special shard mounting unlocks a new ability.]
'Huh? Why's this popping up now?'
It only showed when mounting a new special shard.
Did I slot one into the straight sword or something?
No.
[Special Shard: Adamant]
The special shard from the Undead Dungeon clear, [Adamant].
Like White Paper back then, its special ability had been sealed.
But its tanking stats were decent, so I'd kept it in my core.
Now, at this exact moment, the sealed ability unlocked.
[Special Ability: Forge Master]
[Forge Master - Consume specific materials to craft weapons.]
[Proficiency Level: 1]
Eenedor handed me a suitable hammer without a word.
"Go on, then. Try it. Feel in your bones how hard it is."
My first time ever holding a hammer, yet the grip felt oddly natural.
Fine, let's give it a shot.