Chapter 37
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 37
Chapter Title: S-Grade Equipment (2)
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"In the end, I got the S-grade equipment. That's my victory, right?"
The ten A-grade items I had prepared for this synthesis were sacrifices from the start. I was fully prepared to lose them.
So the only real loss for me was the Gale Halberd.
Getting an S-grade item for just that kind of loss? No question—I've won big.
"Whoa... Eye of the Storm?"
S-grade gear even has better naming sense.
And then there are the newly unlocked features: [Divine Artifacts] and [Accessory Crafting].
I figured there'd be some kind of reward for crafting the first S-grade, but two new ones? Nice.
For now, I'll set those aside and check out the Eye of the Storm first.
"Whoa..."
Insane options.
I haven't checked Yena's status window yet, so I can't say for sure, but the moment she equips this, she'll have the world's top stats, no doubt.
For a Wind Mage, this is endgame gear.
No—even at A-grade with these options, it'd be top-tier.
But it's S-grade...
"This has to go to Yena."
The situation couldn't be better.
Handing over gear like this isn't just about money anymore.
She's my future guildmate, and from the past and into the future, the most trustworthy person in this world. Giving it to her is the obvious best choice.
'Hmm...'
I want to tell her right now, but I'll see her in person in just a few days anyway.
I want to see the look of shock on her face with my own eyes.
Sure, the urge to brag is huge, but with a mountain of other things to do, I can hold out.
"Hmm..."
As expected of S-grade equipment.
Even Equipment Appraisal can't fully reveal two things.
The first is one of the main effects.
The third option is just marked as ???.
No hints on this one, no way to guess, so skip.
[When the user receives the Blacksmith's recognition, they become the equipment's true owner.]
But this line—I can kind of guess what it means and how to trigger it.
'In the end, this'll only be clear after I hand the gear to Yena.'
Exactly what changes happen? I'll find out two days from now, when she finishes training.
[Becomes the equipment's true owner.]
I don't know precisely what that entails, but I'm certain it'll make her specs even more broken than they already are.
"Whoa, it gets even better...?"
S-grade really is on another level.
It's not just A-grade vs. S-grade like C to B to A.
S isn't simply the next after A—it's a whole different tier.
Rarity, destructive power—everything's leagues beyond A-grade.
I'd love to check other S-grade gear to see if they're all like this, but unfortunately, this is the only one in existence.
Sure, the World Hunter Association has two under strict guard, but those might as well not exist.
"Ahahaha... hahahahaha..."
So this is how it ends up.
"Sorry, past me!"
I think I'm going to break my promise to myself.
Knowing the greatness of S-grade gear and settling for A-grade...
That's not what a blacksmith does.
Of course, that doesn't mean I'll dump every A-grade I make straight into synthesis.
Quite the opposite.
From now on, I'll divide them carefully: for personal use, sales, synthesis. Live systematically.
First, no need to change the plan to sell all remaining B-grades, so sales are on hold.
Guild founding and operations need solid funds, especially my style of guild management.
Next up: personal use.
For my own safety—gear I'll actually equip.
"Hmm..."
For now, stick with B-grade and swap to better A-grades as they come. That works.
Investing in myself is less efficient than investing in people who protect me, so no obsession here.
Last: synthesis.
Just balance the ratios right, and sales/personal use run smooth.
I got lucky this time, but I know not to go all-in recklessly.
"Phew..."
And the reason I need to be extra cautious with synthesis...
[Discovered equipment synthesis formula for the first time! [Divine Artifact] unlocked.]
I couldn't just gloss over this message.
What's a Divine Artifact? Super curious, but this time, focus on the front: "for the first time."
[~ unlocked.]
These two-sentence notices usually just need the back half.
I know what "first" thing I did.
But not this time.
"What's an equipment synthesis formula?"
They unlocked something new for something I did without even knowing.
『Runestone (A)』 + 『Gale Halberd (A)』 = 『Eye of the Storm (S)』
Time to decode this formula.
I close my eyes gently—not too tight, not too loose.
I press the fingers that birthed an S-grade miracle to my temple.
Pump power into my brain!!!
"Ugh...!!!"
First, the main gear: Runestone, a magic-use item.
Material gear: Wind-attribute equipment.
Result: Eye of the Storm, Wind Mage exclusive.
"Ahh... that's it..."
Figuring out how to recreate a miracle is too easy for a top-tier blacksmith like me.
...
But why the Runestone, of all things?
Wind attribute makes sense, but what's the Halberd got to do with it?
"..."
The moment I pinpoint the cause, the miracle becomes mere result.
For now, just bask in the joy of the miracle visiting me.
"Phew... gotta try more to know for sure."
Learning about synthesis formulas from making the Eye of the Storm is a huge win.
I don't have 100% grasp on how they work, but I get the vibe.
"Fuck, hold on..."
『Runestone (A)』 + 『Gale Halberd (A)』 = 『Eye of the Storm (S)』
This formula is fact—I lived it.
So what the hell were those ten other A-grades I threw into the Runestone?
"Agh... phew..."
Dizziness hits, strength drains from my body.
But I anticipated the risk—under the covers in bed, so no secondary accident.
"Ah... no... it just means the 5% didn't fail..."
The Forge skill wouldn't lie about info.
...
Thinking back, doubt creeps in, but if I can't trust the stated odds, what's left?
"Phew... yeah."
5% is the success chance without a formula—good for mental health, and logical.
Mental damage taken, but synthesis formulas are confirmed viable.
Use this intel next time.
To synthesize again, need more A-grades, so now it's grind time.
"Time to explore the new features?"
Another reward from succeeding with 『Eye of the Storm (S)』.
Let's check [Divine Artifacts] and [Accessory Crafting].
As always when checking new features, first: where are they located?
[Accessory Crafting] was obvious—found it instantly.
Enter [Equipment Crafting]:
[Weapons] ☑
[Armor] ☑
[Accessories] ☐
Unlike when Armor Crafting unlocked, I activated Accessories right away.
"Heh heh heh..."
Imagining my future guild members, all gathered, every finger sporting S-grade rings.
"Sss..."
I wipe the drool I didn't notice and resume exploring.
To dream of that future, gotta stay up and grind responsibly!
Now, find [Divine Artifacts].
"Hmm... as expected..."
Nowhere.
The notice said [Divine Artifact] unlocked, not "feature unlocked," so I half-expected this.
But one more way: tutorial.
"Whoa! Rusty Iron Ring!"
That damn rusty iron series.
Still, filling the iron series codex is kinda exciting.
Now for the Divine Artifact tutorial.
"..."
[Tutorial]
"No, it's gone?"
Just the tutorials I've already done.
The unlock notice vanished too—no trace of [Divine Artifact] anywhere.
"...Did I imagine it?"
Maybe all that synthesis fried my brain...
"Fuck..."
No way.
"Divine Artifact! Where's my Divine Artifact!!!"