It's About Time to Give It a Try
"Huh? Um, you think it's okay? I kinda get the feel for it now, but…."
After acquiring the Artisan's Spirit title, as Vulcan prepared to attempt crafting again, Tud spoke up first this time. He suggested they stop practicing here and try making something with Cloud Iron.
Instead, Vulcan hesitated a bit. Was it because he'd achieved some results, or had he gained some insights during the process of making those? He felt like he'd gotten the hang of swinging freely, found a comfortable stance, striking point, and center of gravity for properly channeling his power—but it still wasn't perfect.
– No need to waste the opportunity.
But Tud thought differently. This wasn't something he'd use for life anyway, so there was no reason to squander the precious Artisan's Aura effect. Surprisingly, the effect applied retroactively to everything he'd made before.
Upper-Grade Crafting Probability: 100%
He'd already made and smashed hundreds of practice hammers. Though it was a one-time use that depleted the full 100%, the next item he crafted was guaranteed to be at least Rare grade. Of course, it didn't have to hit 100% from then on—it was just a probability boost added to the base crafting chance.
"Let's do it."
Vulcan had no reason to be stubborn. He gripped the practice hammer that fit his hand best—born from making and discarding hundreds—and began melting the Cloud Iron.
If it guaranteed Epic or Legendary, he'd have made a weapon, but he lacked the skill to handle rare materials and the firepower to melt them properly, leaving no other choice. Plus, using such rare high-grade materials usually yielded Rare or better even without the effect.
'At high levels with high ranks, it'd just be useful for talismans or something, but right now? Different story.'
It might not seem that impressive, but in the low-level, low-rank phase where handling high-grade materials was tough, it was different. Sure, there was the issue of destroying Common or Uncommon items, but it was a chance to craft Rare or better without expensive rare metals. The scraps could be remelted and partially recycled anyway.
Whoosh!
Instead of cheap charcoal, he loaded the furnace with the priciest, hottest pitch coal available in Rezina Village and reignited the flames. He melted the Cloud Iron in one go, then sliced off the desired amount like taffy and placed it on the anvil.
"Hoo…."
No other materials or tricks needed. He hammered the pure Cloud Iron, focusing to maintain the right temperature drop, and carved a handle from expensive elfwood he'd bought in advance. He began crafting a tool just for himself.
You have completed Artisan's Origin (Epic).
You have successfully crafted Epic-grade equipment.
Fame has increased by 300.
All stats have increased by 5.
◈ The artisan's aspiration to create excellent items reached the stars.
◈ Attack Power: 87~102
◈ Durability: 500 / 500
◈ Artisan's Origin Effect: +20% item grade-up probability on crafted items
◈ Artisan's Sweat Effect: +20% item repair success rate
◈ Miracle Star Effect: 1% chance to additionally raise item grade
◈ Equip Restriction: Blacksmith-only
"Wha…?"
And out came something insane. An Epic-grade item. In terms of grade alone, it matched the Star's Miracle he'd used to smash demon realm snakes. And the options were even better.
The grade-up probability was 10% lower, but it added an item repair bonus, and Miracle Star raised the grade by one step separately from that—Rare to Unique, Unique to Epic, Epic to Legendary. A low 1% chance, but still.
"Is this for real?"
Whack!!
As Vulcan stared blankly at the item info, something blunt smacked the back of his head. Black liquid splattered from his reeling head.
"Argh! What the hell?!"
It was Tud, covered head to toe in chocolate.
– You were doubting if it was a dream, so I confirmed it. What's wrong?
"No, even so… grr! Fine. Can't even talk back."
Tud's brazen attitude left him dumbfounded, but Vulcan couldn't argue. After all, this was thanks to him. He rubbed his throbbing head with a grin, then flinched as Tud swung his tail again.
'Looks like he's pissed 'cause chocolate dripped off.'
Reasonable suspicion, but unavoidable. To prevent more tantrums, he pulled out all his inventory chocolate, choco bread, and chocolate cake, then admired his masterpiece.
"Ah, wish I had more Cloud Iron."
Regret started creeping in. Crafting wasn't just hammering. If the anvil was solid Cloud Iron, maybe he could've aimed for extra grade-up effects? But no choice. Alloys weakened it, and even cladding the top might cause functional issues. He even considered tongs from leftovers but dropped it—greed leads to mistakes.
"Tomorrow's gonna be fun."
He shaped the remaining Cloud Iron into ingots, stored them, and took a break. Body and mind exhausted. Plus, statues were complex and labor-intensive. Rest up, then dive into statue crafting proper.
– What shape for the statue? Trickier than you think.
"Oh, that? Got just the thing."
The lord said do as he pleased, but Vulcan cared about the look. Dragon Eye had shown him various statue recipes and processes—insanely complex even for his superhuman physical stats. Solo work seemed tough. So, a little cheat.
The next day, Vulcan roamed the village instead of the lord's castle. Stuffed his bag with chocolate and choco bread, then scoured the auction house for ingredients, herbs, tools, and materials—taking quite some time before returning to the castle forge.
"Alright, let's start."
– What's the plan? Weren't you making a statue?
He started by melting iron ore. For a statue, he piled up more than for regular gear. Basic smelting, but Tud eyed it suspiciously. Statues usually used bronze to resist rust. Sure, temple blessings and caretakers helped, but generally.
"Right. Statue crafting. Heh heh heh! But with a special method."
– You nuts? No mold, and iron instead of bronze?
Especially tough since neither his crafting nor construction skills had ranked up yet. Tud found it odd, but Vulcan said watch and see. Ignoring Tud's near-nagging, he bellowed the bellows and melted the ore.
Blue iron ore would've been nice, but mana-infused—not ideal for holy blessings. He cranked the heat until the ore flowed molten.
"Huh?"
Time to ladle it up generously, but Vulcan blanked. Plain iron ore, yet the molten metal sparkled oddly—familiarly.
"No way…."
– Idiot! Can't even follow basics!
Pang! Pang!!
Tud stomped his head in fury. As he said, basic neglect. Exhausted yesterday, he hadn't cleaned the furnace properly—Cloud Iron residue and slag remained, melting into the iron ore. Not high content from the volume, but traces mixed in.
'Hmm, not bad?'
Normally, discard and reclean. But not with precious Cloud Iron. No harm to his plans, materials compatible, no anti-holy issues. Might as well finish it.
"Let's… go for it."
Unintended, but better. Vulcan refocused, ladling molten metal. Then it got busy. The thing was huge—adult torso-sized. Ladle nonstop, hammer, fold, focus relentlessly.
'Now I get why Tud made Star's Miracle. Ngh.'
True Epic gear: his Artisan's Origin hammer shone, shaping perfectly per strike despite disproportionate smelting-to-attack ratio. Narrow strike area regrettable— a Star's Miracle-sized hammer would've covered wide areas fast, but physics unbeatable even by grade or legend skills. He hammered ceaselessly to complete it.
– Hammer? Another practice one for statue crafting?
What he made: a hammer. Star's Miracle-like, but not quite—more like something else.
"Gonna focus now."
The all-metal-handled giant hammer done, but Vulcan continued. Asked Tud not to interrupt, pulled engraving tools.
"Hoo…."
Creeeak! Clang! Clang!
Using engraving skill for first time direct, but he'd watched artisans as miner. Dragon Eye showed force strength, his 500+ dexterity aided skill correction. Helped etch his mental image decently, if not perfect.
– What's this? Bribe? Or fancy up the statue?
You have completed Roona's Hammer – Replica (Rare).
It was Roona's Hammer. Central emblem of Roona's fist and hammer crossed, hammer-inspired gear. "Replica," but sloppy, far inferior—embarrassing to call imitation.
Tud reacted indifferently. Told to make statue, but just mimicked god's weapon look? Saw it as petty trickery, undisguised disappointment.
"Nah. Planning to erect this."
Surprise: plant it in village center instead of statue.
– What? That….
Tud flustered at absurdity. What if someone steals it? Would it even count as statue?
Item grade has risen by one step.
You have completed Roona's Hammer – Replica (Unique).
You have successfully crafted Unique-grade equipment.
Fame has increased by 100.
All stats have increased by 3.
Then, interrupting: 1% Miracle Star triggered, grade up.
"Wha…? This isn't good…."
Confident Vulcan darkened. Unique weapon great, but this one? Problem. Roona's Hammer carried by unworthy: blasphemy. Other shape fine, but iconic symbol replica—can't use or sell. Risk temple hostility, pursuit.
"Damn."
He scowled knowingly, but done. Stick to plan: use for statue base.
– Still won't count as statue.
"Yeah. So, like this."
Resolved, Vulcan dumped more iron ore into furnace. Before melting, dug and packed mold. Statue pedestal. Couldn't forge entirely, so cast shape, then light forge/engrave finish.
Sizzle—
Finally, placed Roona's Hammer – Replica atop. Not just placed—superheated contact, welded like fusion. No longer weapon.
You have completed Roona's Justice (Unique).
You have successfully crafted a Unique-grade structure.
Fame has increased by 100.
All stats have increased by 3.
System confirmed. Lost Unique gear, but fame/stats up, lord's extra reward expected.
'Won't stiff me on Unique, right?'
Quest done, Vulcan messaged via soldier without waiting.
'Who'll come?'
Not combat Tiran for blessing—maybe another. Planned to snag temple rewards too, stored it, headed to village central square.
Soon, lord, knights, Roona priests arrived in droves.