Cube Forge and the Raindrop Damascus

While getting a check-up from the doctor making his rounds, countless comment notifications blanketed my view. It was hard to even look at the doctor's face properly. Only after the medical staff had left could I finally shut off the alarms and open the gallery.

A decent pile of comments in just a short time. The Craftsman Gallery folks were mostly treating me like some troll. I had a ton of questions, but first I had to clear up the troll accusations. Felt like I was suffocating.

I snapped a photo of the dagger against the hospital room background. Even captured the equipment window showing the options clearly and posted it to the gallery.

About 10 seconds after posting, not a single comment. Then, the moment those 10 seconds passed, dozens started flooding in.

What the hell. Why's everyone freaking out?

Not the reaction I'd expected. Thought they'd all be snickering like they were about to chow down on burgers, asses wiggling in anticipation. But nope—shock all around now that I'd posted the pics. Scrolling down revealed posts from fixed nicks too.

The fixed nicks were dead set against me giving up my awakening. WatermelonFrostbite, who'd reacted most intensely, dropped a wall of text.

Yeah, it was kinda weird thinking about it. Why would a dull blade get double piercing effects? Other users were questioning it too.

A competitive vibe erupted out of nowhere. Everyone touting what they could offer me. Then this comment ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠dropped.

Whatever? A ton of stuff flashed through my mind. "Whatever" opens up a world of possibilities. And I did have something urgent I needed.

My demand was basically "not for sale." The dagger had turned out way more impressive than expected. They'd keep wanting it for sure.

Told 'em to piss off unless they coughed up a forge—too much hassle.

Ya-geumsul-sa, the fixed nick, accepted the condition without hesitation. Hope she wasn't just gonna toss me a cheap furnace and anvil and call it a forge.

The artisans trying to convince me. First thought: they're all in cahoots. Scamming the naive newbie is tradition across industries, right? Then someone commented on me.

Word choice sucked, but I got the intent. Awakening status window, troll fight, now gallery—shit piling up had me on edge.

Deep breath. Reassessed the deal. Conclusion after deliberation: I need a forge. Scam or not, doesn't matter. If I'm a real prodigy smith, I'll crank out daggers like this anytime. Went with Ya-geumsul-sa's offer.

Ya-geumsul-sa tossed a few more questions, then initiated the trade. As soon as I accepted, a brilliant light enveloped the dagger. When it faded, a fingernail-sized cube sat there instead.

A whole forge in a fingernail cube? Scam vibes bubbling up. Only way to know: test it. Where though? Luckily, empty land nearby.

Told the mercs I was heading home. Straight to the train station post-discharge.

Got off at Singyeongju Station and transferred to a city bus. Hometown unchanged after all this time.

Couples on dates at cafes. Worn-out students. Kids running around the neighborhood.

Clack clack—

Even the pistol holsters at their waists. The Black Tower's chaos, un-conquered tower monster surges, hunters who could kill with a flick—plenty to fuel citizen anxiety. Result: guns legalized in a half-assed mess. Hence this.

Everyone packing heat regardless of age or gender make you uneasy? Accidental discharges or mass shootings killing randos? That's why folks are stingy. That's why randos die. —Old timers' endless refrain.

What was a world without towers, gates, monsters like? No clue. I'm a Black Tower kid, born after it appeared.

Left downtown for Namsan. Summit should have a clear Black Tower view. Stood stiff where Hwarimsa's nine-story pagoda once was. No need to climb all the way though.

Before ascending, ducked into a familiar side path. Clearing popped up quick. Site of my family's old forge.

"Good thing we didn't sell the land."

Well, technically it didn't sell. Good's good.

Placed Ya-geumsul-sa's cube dead center. Channel mana from a distance, she said. Tricky. Few trial-and-errors later, activated it.

Clunk, clank—screeech

Cube twisted with ominous sounds. My mistake? Just as doubt crept in—

Boom—!

Cube expanded rapidly, forming a full workshop. Building screamed non-Korean. Inside: tools galore, fancy furnace, even drill press, bathroom, amenities.

"...Damn, trusted Ya-geumsul-sa sis."

Better facilities than any forge I'd worked. Inspected slowly. Hm? Spotted a note.

Sack of metal bits in the corner for real. Mystery iron scraps to processed steel bars. So thoughtful—gotta leave a proper review.

Next, furnace. Manual there too.

Oddly curt. Can't complain though. Carefully channeled mana.

Whoosh—!

"Whoa!"

Flames shot right to my nose instantly. Tiny mana input, huge power. Dialed temp down. Imagined gas stove knob, tweaked. Flames sputtered wildly up and down before stabilizing.

"Adapt and it'll be a breeze."

Just testing, but lighting it sparked creation urge. Gift for Ya-geumsul-sa? Felt bad doubting such a generous soul. Gotta pay the sin tax.

Settled on raindrop pattern Damascus dagger. Shows effort.

Skipped her mystery iron; used my own stock. Stacked 1084 high-carbon and 15N20 nickel sheets alternately. High-carbon darkens patterns, nickel brightens for contrast. Similar carbon, great heat-treat compatibility. Win-win.

Welded scraps, into furnace. Low heat first. Waited till red-hot, folded in borax. Back in high heat. Surface bright orange. Pull and hammer—but—

"Why's this hammer so damn light."

Hammer from Ya-geumsul-sa forge absurdly light. Barely any impact feedback. Stacking over 200 layers? No fatigue.

They've been hoarding this?

Or we suffered needlessly? Whatever. Focus.

Now grooves for pattern. Drilled dense holes both sides, third-deep min for clarity.

"Looks good."

Standard stuff after: shape, heat-treat, quench, polish, acid etch for pattern. Done. Walnut grip from scraps, attached.

Checked clock while adhesive set. 9 hours gone. Days normally, but gear carried me.

Polished grip, hit complete. Time slowed like before. Status message popped.

Rare again. Expected Unique since semi-finished was Rare. Hidden criteria maybe. Cover with options. Cards incoming.

No Legendary repeat. Luck carried last time.

Unique's solid though. Shape Memory especially nice. Perfect gift option? Fused purple card into Damascus.

No further enhancements. Legendary cooldown lingers. Month-long. Felt eternal with weapon ready.

"Can't be helped."

Flopped on workshop sofa. Normally phone time, but straight to gallery today.

Comments piling up. Started replying one by one, then stopped. Felt obligated to BlackMagicGirl, but tangling seemed risky.

Ya-geumsul-sa MIA anyway. Rest for now. Closed gallery, shut eyes. Giggle slipped out.

Adapt to this sensation, and I could make anything. Starting tomorrow, three daily visits to KingGoldGodSis's place with greetings.