Chapter 26: Dainsleif

'D-damn. How cool..!'

A week ago, the "Dainsleif" Hogni went on an errand. It is a complete coincidence that he saw the black-red longsword displayed in Hephaestus Familia's store. For some reason, his mind kept telling him to buy it.

In the end, he got the longsword for ten million valis. It turned out to be a magic sword created by an unknown smith. His instincts were correct as it possessed something he had never seen before.

Then, its journey began once he used it during a death battle inside Folksvangr. Hogni thought that delicate handling was required… until it withstood enough blows by itself. Even though it was damaged in the end, its durability is enough to surprise an upper-class adventurer such as himself.

Hence, he wanted to directly meet its creator. It's not because he wanted a cool sword to be repaired!

Though…

"Continuous blows before a decisive strike… Level five adventurers are on another level… To destroy adamantine like this…"

Although his 'best' works are priced at ten million valis, it is still enough to be utilized by a Level Four in their lifetime. It only falls short of the Superiors used by Level Fives which were priced at a minimum of 40 million valis.

Though, there is also Nobu's consideration of oversaturating the market with his magic swords. Hence, he decided to raise its value by making it more scarce. For now, his "decent" works that are priced at half a million could already sustain him.

"I thought it could last further…"

"M-my apologies."

Surprised, he looked at the hooded dark elf.

"There's nothing wrong about it."

"P-pardon?"

"By breaking a weapon, does it not mean that it could be further improved? At least, that was how I viewed it."

In his world, never had he hesitated to place his works on a durability test. Even Azure was subjected to it and was broken five times. After all, it is far better than his sword breaking during the fight.

'Wait a minute. I could test them with his help…'

An idea came to Nobu's mind. As of the moment, he could create a Superior with all his might. His new skill, [Miracle Maker], assisted him in the place of precision tools. Back then, it was the composition's quality that carried his works. However, he could freely apply stronger magic this time.

That capability made up for the missing precision that he used to have.

"How would you like to do it? I could bring back its previous look… but I could also improve it."

"What kind of improvements are they?"

Hogni's tone shifted as it is the combat they are talking about.

"Hm… In terms of practical performance and number of spells, it's already a Superior. Remember its previous magics?" Nobu asked.

"I do."

The magic sword—Flame Rite—has two spells. One of them, [Flame Enchant], allows its blade to be covered with hard-to-extinguish flames. Meanwhile, its [Flame Shot] compresses the said flames into a single point and launches it afar. The power behind the projectile is on par with Nobu's firearm.

"Another spell or two might be added. The original spells' strength could be improved if you are lucky, too. Though, its sharpness and durability increasing is the main boon."

To this smith who's talking about adding new spells like it's some kind of breakfast, Hogni became speechless. Even, he had the thought that this boy in front of him must have belonged to the legendary Crozzo clan.

"It would cost much more, of course." Nobu replied before he could ask. "Also, I am not a Crozzo."

"I-I see."

Embarrassed, he shifted the topic to its new price. He did not forget about the main reason why he visited this place.

"How much would the improvements cost?"

"Around forty million valis. The materials used are also included."

'Forty…'

He paused and recalled his current savings. More than half of his savings over the years were spent on the creation of his new blade, [Victim Abyss]. If taken into mind, his remaining balance was around a hundred million valis. That was after periodically spending some for his expeditions.

No one could have thought that the 'Sick Edge Lord' is very thrifty.

"Anyways, you can pay for it once I'm done. That way, you'll see if it is worth it."

For a moment, he saw overwhelming confidence oozing out from the boy's small stature. Hogni could not help but see him as a master smith momentarily.

"N-no. How about I pay in installments? I have heard that rare minerals are expensive."

"It's not really that big of a problem… but alright."

Hephaestus Familia is one of the two leading smithing familia in Orario along with Goibnu Familia. Due to that reason, their channels regarding dungeon drops had always been very extensive.

Offering his hand, Nobu said:

"It's a deal, then."

"I-'it's a pleasure."

*****

I am back to my previous job.

If I am to be questioned about the lacking aspects in Orario, it is their alloying technology. One thousand years had passed since the gods' descent to Gekai. Mortals had received the gods' technology and knowledge, yet most smiths focused on their abilities instead of long-term innovation. Though, the abundance of talent might have made them complacent...

Since the third day, every single work that I sold was made with new alloys. Thanks to my data, all I needed to do was to choose a direction and pick metals that had the same properties as the ones on it. After some verification and durability tests, I would put it up for sale. Even 'Flame Rite' is a product born out of those experiments.

"It's time to test it out…"

After a week of extensive hammering, I managed to recreate the alloy most similar to Damascus Steel—one of the best-known alloys in my world. With years of future knowledge, I made an improved version seven generations ahead of the current one. That version of Damascus Steel was also the one used by the predecessors of Azure.

The ingot on top of the anvil has a dark-red sheen on it. It gave off a sheen akin to blood. That effect was the result of the deoxidation of carbon inside the steel.

I would have loved to create new weapons out of it, but this piece is reserved for my future tester.

I mean… How far could it go in the hands of a Level Five?

I cannot go to the lower floors yet. Plus, I have heard some rumors inside Folkvangr that they battle intensively as a part of their training. Under such circumstances, how far could it last?

"Rare materials… Being a pioneer has its perks."

No one would have expected that this alloy that came in second (based on my knowledge) to pure orichalcum was made by several uncommon ores. Honestly, the quenching process pushed its current durability the furthest.

I placed it inside the forge to start melting it.

I shifted my look to the broken sword wrapped in clean cloth. Uneven cracks are present between the two broken pieces. A visible line could be seen in their separation point.

"Servare." (Maintain.)

As my fingers run across the blade, a magic spell is cast. It is designated to preserve the core components where the spells had been engraved. Simply, it holds the mana that makes up the spell, preserving it even if the metal liquefies.

The blades soon followed inside the forge. After a while, they started to turn into a deep crimson color. I placed it in its mold—completely liquefied—before adding the carbon metal mixture.

Clang-!

Clang-!

Clang-!

With the use of spells, my concentration peaked throughout the forging process. By the time I snapped out of it, a deep black longsword greeted my sight. It possessed a cross-shaped armguard while lines of crimson red went through the black blade.

Upon casting my 'Correspondence', I saw its abilities.

There is still the 'Flame Enchant' and 'Flame Shot'. Albeit, they seem to be strengthened during the process of reforging.

"Output increased by nearly 30%... It's lucky."

It does not end there. An additional ability attached itself to the blade, something that resulted from my 'Miracle Maker'.

…

…

…

"Fucking—"

I froze for a moment. I could not process the series of events. It is similar to when I got lucky with the pair of kukri knives but more absurd.

When my finger touched the blade, a swirl of flames ran through my arm. My fatigue, exhaustion, and slight injuries disappeared as a result.

"What a fitting name… 'Phoenix Breath', was it?"

That ability healed its wielder of his or her exhaustion and wounds by using the surrounding mana. It has a limited but continuous output. It also has the ability to go beyond its limited output—a strong burst of healing—but it will be rendered unusable until the magic circle stabilizes.

Such a strong ability…

My strong trading ethics prevented me from doing the unimaginable. Hogni-san already paid more than fifteen million valis for this blade in installments. Moreover, this ability might be enough for him, someone who ventures to the dangerous lower floors.

It's not like I can't make another one at this level.

"The rebirth of a fine blade. What a fitting coincidence."

*****

Looking at the fully clothed sword held within Nobu's chest, Hogni already felt something different. As a warrior, he knew how to classify weapons.

For example, his [Victim Abyss]. It possessed a dark and heavy aura around it, which is caused by its curse.

Meanwhile, [Flame Rite] is on another matter. In it, he saw a blazing fire. It does not lose out to his [Victim Abyss] made by the Goibnu Familia, or so his intuition told him.

Nobu unclothed the blade, revealing a dark-red grip coupled with a black sheath adorned with red flame patterns. He handed it out to Hogni before the latter examined it.

Holding the grip, he could already tell something extremely different about it.

Shiing-!

The moment he unsheathed the blade, small sparks of flames danced around it. The crimson lines glowed slightly as it responded to its holder.

"What… is this?"

"It's still your sword, but better."

"I know… It's just…How did this happen?"

Hogni was certain that [Flame Rite]'s previous version does not feel as strong as this. At best, it could be used as a backup weapon.

Now, it is something that could be wielded by an upper-class adventurer like him.

"I-I feel that its cost increased. H-how much should I add, Akasaka-san?"

"You don't have to. It's only a stroke of luck that it turned out like that. You don't need to worry about additional costs or something." He replied. "Of course, you are free to pay me a visit for its maintenance."

In the end, Hogni got the weapon as per their original agreement.

"It's a wonder that nobody saw your work." Hogni commented.

"I'm still quite new in Orario."

"You have only arrived in Orario? That was why I didn't see your works before…"

In his opinion, smiths who could create such weapons were master smiths. Inside Hephaestus Familia, only their captain and vice-captain held the title. The same went for Goibnu Familia.

Thus, they were the go-to shops for high-level familias such as Loki and Freya Familia.

Nobody could have expected that the small boy in front of him was an addition to such personages.

"Then, how about I explain its new abilities?"

Hogni was destined for another shock today.