Crafting #2

Ch16. Crafting #2

I was scouring the surrounding area using the <All-Scrying Orb>. This magic item is an artifact that can be equipped similarly to the <Enchanted Talisman>. I admit ..., for something that I get for free, this is too good for me. I made the right choice for choosing this item.

/---

[All-Scrying Orb]

[Descriptions: A magical artifact in form of an orb once wielded by a powerful Seer.]

[Stats: +40 Magic Power, +12% Resistance]

[Unique: <Mark of the Seer> "Attacking enemy has a 50% chance to imprint a 'Seer's Mark', the next attack to the target that has the imprint will receive 240% additional Magic Damage derived from the damage dealt. Only one target can be marked and this effect can occur once every 16s.",

<Scouring Eye> "All-Scrying Orb will release the 'Floating Eye' that can be used to receive a vision from the sky. Once the eye is released will consume 30 Mana per second."]

[Durability: Unbreakable]

[Materials: Sunset Afterglow x1, Shard of Divine Spark x2, Cursed Gold x6, Orichalcum x9]

/---

The orb was midnight black when it was on standby mode. There are four gold and black metal rings surrounding it, rotating and revolving like a gyroscope. This orb was also floating as if it defy gravity. I haven't tried the unique passive effect because I never fight all this time. But the active unique skill is very OP.

When I used the Scouring Eyes, there was a spark of magical energy that flew up to the sky. The rings in the gyroscope reformed into a disk and there's some kind of holographic screen formed in it. The scene projected in the hologram was the one that the Floating Eye captured in the sky in real-time. I can move the eye at will as long as I still can maintain it with my mana.

Thirty mana per second, that's kinda a lot actually even with my mana pool. I can maintain it for about five to six minutes before I have to stop and wait for my mana to recover.

Anyway, enough of my new toy. I was using it to map the surrounding area. I really need to research how to make a paper. Using sheepskin and brush did not feel right for me who has been using paper and pen for all I know. I know humans can adapt even to the most extreme circumstances, but I'd prefer getting something that I am already comfortable with rather than adapting myself to the change.

When I scoured the surrounding area I saw them. The ex-bandits that I've sent to trade with the surrounding settlements are on their way back. I should probably stop referring to them as ex-bandits ..., or else, I can't get rid of the label from them. But what should I call them, Underlings? Subordinates? Workers? Oh, let's just call them anything as long as it's not ex-bandit.

Xue Jie who volunteered to go to the West brought a large number of people in tribal clothing. Their attire reminded me of native Americans with their bird feather accessories. There are a lot of them about 120 people who followed this group. I don't know how and why Xue Jie managed to convince an entire tribe of people to come with him, but more slave is much appreciated. I mean workers, yes, more workers. Aside from horses Xue Jie's group also has brought a lot of livestock with them. They were goats, cows, and pheasants. I can't wait to taste some of the fresh dairy milk.

I observed the group that returned from the south and was led by Xue Jun. I assigned him to visit the capital city of this kingdom. I guess the capital will be the trading hub of merchants all around the country, so they should return with a lots of goods. However, the reality is disappointing. He only brought a handful of people and goods back, no he didn't bring back any goods with him. This group might be the worse of the three. They only brought thirty or so women with only a small amount of supply and rations.

And ..., the more disturbing thing is that these women, some of them were tied and even there's a woman who has her mouth gagged. Now, didn't I say that they couldn't kidnap or force the women to come with them? And so what's this? Why did they ignore my direct order? Insufferable, utterly intolerable!

Seeing this, I was fuming because they didn't listen to what I said. I know that if someone breaks the rules that were set, then there's no stopping them from breaking more rules. If I don't uphold it and give them a punishment, then they will run their my head in the future.

But I suppose I should listen to what they have to say in their defense. After all, it's not fair if I suddenly paint them guilty without hearing their testimony.

If they did really kidnap them ..., hmm, what is the fitting punishment for this transgression. I can't think of any right now, maybe adding extra workload for them? But that will be too light. I'll think of more proper punishment if they really did break the rule. Maybe these women were slaves and they tied them because they attempted to escape. Who knows, right?

Xue Ming who went to the East brought a large group of people with them. Though they were all wearing tattered clothing and some even look sick, malnourished, or disabled. They look like refugees? I think they're the victim of war or something and Xue Ming gathered them to come. He also bought a lot of food supplies as the three carriages are filled with wheat sacks.

I ended the Scouring Eye because I feel it's enough for today. I stored it back into my inventory and then think about the last group situation.

This is not good, I don't know any shit about medicine or anything like that. I never considered those stuff because honestly, since I came here I ain't caught any illness thankfully.

But I forget that normal humans can get affected by that condition. There're more sick people compared to the healthy ones in Xue Ming's group. And if I don't make them healthy again .., how can I make them work?

Hmmm ..., if it's only the common cold, maybe I can make some ointment with cajuput oil. Wait, I don't know what a cajuput plant is.

Let's try another solution ..., magic? Hmmm, I can craft magic trinkets on the same tier as <Magic Necklace> but instead of recovering it will recover Health. The trinket is called <Healing Necklace>, to craft this item I need two units of precious stone, a vial of blood, and a metal ingot.

I still have 5 units of Jadeite left with me after crafting the <Magic Necklace>, <Vitality Crystal>, and <Power Crystal>. Oh yeah, I gave that necklace to Yuki because why the hell not? It's useless for me because I have <Enchanted Talisman> anyway. Though, I feel quite bad because she looked so exhilarated when I gave her the necklace. While I admit the necklace only accentuated her beauty perfectly. She has a naturally cold disposition, and the bluish gem embedded on the necklace boldened that natural aura. But still, that necklace is only a trivial magic trinket and not some kind of precious artifact.

Let's stop thinking about that. I'll give her some other artifact when I can craft a good one. Let's focus on the crafting of the <Healing Necklace>.

I picked the rest of the materials and crafted the <Healing Necklace>. I squeezed a bat to get the blood because I don't feel like using mine. The metal is obviously bronze ingot. The crafting process only needs 9 seconds and it cost slightly less than crafting a <Magic Necklace>.

\---

[Vampire Necklace]

[Stats: +10 Health Regeneration]

[Unique: <Lifedrain> "Deals 10(+100% Magic Power) Magic Damage to the target at the cost of 2 Mana per second and drain the life of the target equals to 50% of the damage dealt to recover Health."]

[Materials: Jadeite x2, Vial of Vampiric Bat's Blood x1, Bronze Ingot x1]

[Production Cost: 840 Mana]

\---

I expected copper, but I synthesized gold! What the hell with this item!? It's supposed to be the same C-tier item, but by just altering one of the materials it becomes a B-tier unique effect on its own!

One unit of Jadeite is around five cm in diameter, but the outcome product only has a blood-red thumb-sized gem. The red gem is embedded in polished bronze shaped in a spiraling pattern.

Hmm ..., if I used the bat blood and it become something this awesome. What if I crafted it using my own blood? What if I used for example the blood of Yuki-onna? Will it have a different effect? Well, only one way to find out.

I steeled myself and prick my finger with a sharp <Bronze Knife +10>, the crimson blood dripped into the small porcelain vial. I need to squeeze my own finger because if not, then my natural regeneration will kick in and close the wound. After getting enough drops to fill the vial, I closed the wound with my hand and let it regenerate.

\---

[Blood Demon Necklace]

[Stats: +16 Health Regen, +8% Magic Power]

[Unique: <Greater Lifedrain> "Deals 30(+120% Magic Power) Magic Damage to the target at the cost of 5 Mana per second and drain the life of the target equals to 70% of the damage dealt to recover Health."]

[Materials: Jadeite x2, Vial of Blood Demon's Blood x1, Bronze Ingot x1]

[Production Cost: 840 Mana]

\---

Appearance-wise, the necklace that used my blood has a deeper red hue compared with the one that uses bat blood. There's one additional stat and the unique skill has become more powerful. Now with this, I can assume that crafting a magic item is different from the usual crafting. Crafting a magical item is very dependent on the material used. Changing one of the materials can cause such drastic change.

I'm still left with one Jadeite so I can't make another of these supposed to be a <Healing Necklace>. Yes, I only remembered by now that this item should have been a normal <Healing Necklace> that can help in health regeneration, but why it has become a necklace of the vampire?

I wonder how it would differ if I use Yuki's blood ..., or normal human blood. And what if I use silver or gold ingot? And will the effect differs if I use other stones? Hmmm, I should experiment with this a bit more in the future. When I have the necessary materials ..., *sigh*.

Well, I hope these two necklaces will be able to help those with illnesses. I closed the crafting system.

I went down to the first floor to see my lovely wife. She's been spending her time weaving cloth with the loom. I've placed all the crafting-related tools in some of the empty rooms on the first floor. Something like this Weaving Loom, Carpenter Workbench, Mason Pedestal, or Pottery Wheel and Kiln. I didn't place <Smelter> in any of the rooms because the thing is too damn big.

Anyway, ever since I placed the loom in this room Yuki always spend most of the time in the day weaving. She said that she wanted to make a new kimono for me. I gave her the necessary materials because I also wanted to see how it will turn out.

"Yasashii~ ... kotoba wo~ ... nakushita~ ... yami no naka~ ...."

When I approached the tailor's room, I can hear Yuki singing a song that seems quite familiar to me. I entered the room but she was still focused on weaving. She either didn't notice my presence or deliberately ignored me.

I snuck up behind her and hugged her from behind, planting my face on her back and taking a deep whiff of her body. She didn't do any strenuous work it seems, her scent when she did that is too intoxicating. I might have already awakened a smell fetish.

"Owh~!! Dear, not now ..., didn't I tell you that we can't do it when the sun is up?" she squirmed and protested trying to get off my hug.

I comply with that but my hand went to my new target, I turned her around and my hand found the extremely big breast.

"Don't! Not now, dear!" Yuki hurriedly stepped back and covered her breast.

She glared at me and I can feel her telekinetic force forcing me to stay where I stand. I can struggle to get free of this telekinetic wrap, but I don't think it will make her mood any better so I comply with her and act as if I got restrained.

"You really ..., dear, I like doing it with you, but you need to learn how to control your libido! If you can't control the urge, then what makes you different from a mindless beast?"

"But it's your fault for turning me into a beast! You're so pretty and sexy that I can't stop thinking about you!"

"Dear, while your words made me flattered and happy. But please, you need to control that urge. I will do my best to satisfy your urge at night, but no sex at the day. Isn't that what we have agreed?" she pleaded with quite traumatized look in her eyes

Is it that bad? It's only just sex, right? Why did Yuki, a Yuki-onna who was infamous for being a manhunting youkai this panic and avoid me as if I were a sex beast? Was it because of last night? Well ..., I admit that last night was quite wild even for my standard.

Last night I did a pet play with Yuki. I crafted a dog ear, leather collar, and anal tail plug and made Yuki wear those. She becomes my pet and at that time, she cannot say anything aside from barking. Just the sight of her on all four, moaning and barking like a horny bitch made me so aroused. I ended up fucking her on the balcony, in the open courtyard, and even at the front gate. We fucked like two horny dogs mating. Thank god there's no one else in this place aside from us. I also claimed her anal virginity because I got so aroused with her wiggling tail and the pink chrysanthemum.

We did it from the sunset until the sunshine ..., even after she fell asleep I still did it because I can quell my lust. Yes, I'm also confused why I didn't stop, but this wild sex has opened a new kind of pleasure for me. It's not just the pleasure of the flesh ..., but something more that I can't find a word to describe it. Did I also awaken a sadistic tendency?

"Yuki..., is it because of last night?" she shuddered at my question, well the answer is obvious it seems. "Well, I'm sorry I will not do that kind of play again if you're uncomfortable with it. I promise."

"Like I don't know the real you! You won't uphold such a half-assed promise like that, don't you?"

"I promise by my name, Senjougahara Kou." I learned from her, and it seems that in Youkai society, a promise using their true name is considered sacred.

"H-hmph, I suppose I can trust you if you went that far." she released me from the telekinetic restraint.

I won't do any dog play again, but will that stop me from using cat ear and tail? Or bunny girl? Hehehe, looks like I got you this time Yuki. I'll make sure you will wear more embarrassing costumes for me.

"Anyway, I came to see you because I want to tell you that my subordinates were returning."

"Oh really, I can't wait to see them!" She exclaimed with sparkling eyes, what's make her so excited? Now that's weird.

"Yeah, I was thinking. Do you want to cook something to celebrate on their return?"

"Alright. Let's do it! Oh dear, how many are they returning?"

"Around 300 people, I think."

"Hmmm ..., how about we make ramen for them?"

"You can make ramen!? But how come you never make me one of those!?

"Because we don't have flour before and I don't know that you could magically transform wheat into flour like that. Your ability is kinda cheating, you know!"

"Hmmm, well ..., now that you know then everything's fine, right? Well, what are we waiting for? Let's get working on it already."

I pulled Yuki to the communal kitchen and waited for her instruction. She's a more experienced cook than I am so my only job is to help her process the material. Yes, I can do trivial jobs like chopping vegetables or other ingredients with my system.