Forging

Morning came.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Waking up to the sound of metal was not fun. Nor was being in a futon and having a sore back. Sun-young's eyes were baggy, but then again, they always were. She did a cursory glance at her sleep mates. The women were groaning from the noise or forcing themselves to sleep. Sun-young did notice Aiko was missing.

"Ah! You're awake!"

Kazi's muffled voice came through and he slid open the door. A waft smell dulled her senses. A delicious blend of fish and miso. Kazi's tall form came down and placed the tray just outside her futon.

"Miso-Stewed Mackerel," Kazi declared. "I included a little of modern style."

"Mm." Sun-young was too tired to speak while her stomach threatened to grumble. Her hands swiped a plate and dug in. "It's good."

So good to the point that Sun-young nearly asked, 'Why didn't you cook us stuff yourself?'

"I'm glad." Kazi's bright smile widened. Complete with the gorgeous flecks in his hazel eyes, he was like the sun. "I hope everything's okay."

"I'm okay."

His eyes scanned her. "Like completely?"

"Completely," Sun-young affirmed between bites. The women started to stir, so Kazi inclined his head and exited, albeit not without a remark.

"The katana they're making you is amazing. Come watch."

The door slid shut. Sun-young eyed the other plates on the tray. One, two, three, four, five, six, seven…

Kazi must have made extras for her. What a considerate guy, she thought as she helped herself to another plate.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

"Can these idiots PLEASE shut up!"

Noor's complaints were properly ignored.

***

Sun-young wanted to bear witness to the creation of her new weapon. Regardless of the heat, of the lack of formal understanding, she sat there and waited. The courtyard became the center of all operations. The formerly offline devices were activated at full blast. William said he couldn't bare the heat and went outside to chill with John.

Yoshio stood beside her, the young man grinning at the sight. "We've been working since morning."

"I noticed."

'You woke me up from my nap.' Sun-young wasn't particularly attached to sleep. However, yesterday was abnormally exhausting. The battle rattled her bones and her brain. Waking up, she felt like an entirely new person, reborn and reshaped from an entirely new experience.

She touched her forehead, suppressing a sigh. 'I just want to go back to sleep...' Her eyes drooped. 'Twelve hours, at least...'

Clang! Clang! Clang!

The noises persisted. Her nose found it increasingly difficult to breathe, the ashes seemingly filling them up. The heat surged and her forehead started to sweat excessively.

"You feel it, don't you?" Yoshi said. "This will be a beautiful weapon."

"I hope so."

Deep in her heart, Sun-young desperately wanted her efforts to be rewarded. In her old life, she had never gotten that kind of recompensation—and now, she wanted it.

"The metal is seeped with our blood." Yoshi's statement caused her whiplash and she stared at him. Yoshi explained, "It is a technique Sensei created. To endow the blade, the raw materials must be infused with our essence. Our emotions. Hate, love, admiration, hope, wishes. Although our individual skills and willpower might not match his, together, we can come close."

'Giving your own blood for a sword. That sounds…inhumane.'

The heat started to intensify again. Sun-young turned her gaze and observed.

Fujiwara meticulously heated, folded, and hammered the steel. The blade began to take shape, its curve and edge crafted with unwavering focus. Then Yamato came and did the same. Then Aiko came and repeated the process.

"I am next." Yoshi stepped down to the courtyard ground and before advancing bowed to her.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Hours passed. William and Kazi sat by her side in that time. They were much more talkative than her and often carried the conversation. Still, she appreciated their company. Watching a bunch of men (and one woman) sweat over a sword wasn't as pleasing as she thought it would be. It really was just hard, tortuous work.

Speaking of the one woman of the group, Aiko carved enchanting patterns into the ivory handle. Sun-young wondered what the special effects of the katana would be.

'Anti-magic would be ideal. That would be the kind of special effect that would last me in future levels. Traps, spells, I can already imagine its utility.'

The sun climbed higher in the sky. Each student contributed to the making of the weapon, hammering away with their own unique styles. Hammering with their own sweat, blood, and tears.

Finally, the noon sun reached its zenith. The last step was upon them. Yamato quenched the metal in a barrel of water, producing a resounding hiss. Steam rose, and the katana, now complete, gleamed like liquid silver in the light.

The students gathered together, standing on one knee, with Yamato at the front presenting the new katana. Sun-young sat on the low wooden ledge, awkwardly nodding.

"This is our reward to you, Madame Sun-young. "

A tentative hand reached for it.

[ Receive:

Majin-ken ]

[ Congratulations! Gate 3 : School of Muramasa

HIDDEN OBJECTIVE — Complete!

Receive:

26,000 XP

500,000 PP ]

[ Congratulations! You are the first player to complete the Gate 3 Hidden Objective! ]

[ Bonus Receive:

30,000 XP

500,000 PP ]

[ Level up! ]

[ Level up! ]

Sun-young paid the hidden objective and the associated levels no mind. Her eyes were infatuated by the katana in her hands. She stood up, her breath taken. In the hands of the smiths, it appeared to be a normal, well-constructed weapon of destruction. In Sun-young's hands, the steel seemed to shimmer with an otherworldly glow. Intricate Japanese symbols were summoned with a deep azure hue.

This wasn't a mere weapon, it was a tool.

The katana was long, going past her shoulders, and the hilt was wrapped in rich, ebony leather. Already equipped, she saw a box hovering over it.

[ Weapon Name: Majin-ken

Rank: B

Attack: +116

Description: A sword crafted from the collective efforts of the students of Muramasa and bestowed with anti-magic properties. ]

"Thank you." Sun-young lowered her head as a sign of respect.

"It was our honour," Yamato said. "For protecting us, for protecting our school, for protecting Muramasa Sensei's legacy and efforts."

No longer was there venom in his voice. Respect stitched his words and he looked on at Sun-young, proud that she was the woman wielding the great katana.

In her hands, she could feel it. The blood, the emotions…

'I'm glad I was allowed to participate in the Heavenly Games.'

***

[ Gate 3 : School of Muramasa

Main Objective: Help Muramasa's students forge ten weapons — Complete!

Receive:

500 XP

1,000 PP ]

The final part of the scenario was finished later in the day. At night, when the furnaces and metals were still hot, the students managed to craft a sword each.

[ Will you return to the White Abyss? Yes or no? ]

The pop-up to return to the White Abyss arrived. This time, there was no point in dismissing it. It was time to leave. The players stood outside the entrance, waiting for Kazi to finish the last of the repairs to the side of the school.

"Alright, I'm gone. See ya."

With the sole exception of Noor. She blipped out of existence without delay.

The same couldn't be said for Sun-young and the others. Her heart was tugged when she saw Aiko's glum expression. Sun-young had gotten along with the fourteen year old girl. Aiko enjoyed swords as much as she did, not to mention she came from a fascinating era. Listening to her talk about her days without mentioning the internet or school was a nice change of pace.

"We owe you much and will miss you," said Fujiwara. The students concurred in their own ways.

"Aw, come on." Kazi appeared, joining the crowd of players. "We'll see each other again someday. I'm sure of it."

"You better," Yamato replied. "Maybe then I'll have a blade ready for you."

"I'll be looking forward to that day, Yamato."

Kazi already added everyone as a friend, even John. Which was a little strange, because Sun-young assumed the old man didn't like Kazi. He seemed to avoid him, almost. He also didn't get Noor to accept his friend request, but Noor was Noor. She had her own thing going, and she DEFINITELY didn't like Kazi.

"Hey, John," William called out, "I know we're all going back to the Abyss but are you sure you don't want join us? We could use someone strong like you."

"Hoho, I am an old man with old tastes. Forgive me, but I wish to stay independent for a while before committing. I hope you understand." John turned his attention to Sun-young and stroked his beard. "Sun-young, you are strong and have an aptitude for swordplay. I am sure you will be fine with her. To be frank, it boggles my mind how strong some folk are."

William asked without missing a beat, "So you've met people as strong as Sun-young?"

"As a matter of fact, I have." From the tone of his voice, John wasn't going to elaborate. "Good day to you all. I hope we reunite soon."

Back to the White Abyss, it was.