Chapter 50: Master Smith

"You will have to hit 2 demons in one blow with your Hammer"

"I knew that Hammers were weapons that you are supposed to use with all of your strength. And their standout trait is that they are able to hit multiple monsters at once" Sherry said with a finger on her chin.

"Yes so from the next demon I will go back to using magic meanwhile Roxanne you try to group the two demons together so that Sherry can attack them both"

"Okay Master, leave it to me"

"Thank you Roxanne-san"

"Lets go"

We followed Roxanne and soon found a new pair of demons. They were both Level 2 Needle Wood.

As they dashed towards the demons, I used 'Firestorm'. Roxanne positioned herself in between the 2 demons so they would both focus on her.

Meanwhile Sherry circled around them to their backs. She attacked the demon on the left with a devastating blow, but her hammer got stopped by its sturdy trunk even though it took two steps back.

The fire died down and before Sherry could balance herself from her previous attack the right demon smacked a branch at her torso.

The branch attacked with full force but Sherry didn't even react to the blow. Her plating must have saved her from the blow. Even though Roxanne was attacking and aggroing them, Sherry was too close and that's why she was attacked.

I didn't use 'Firestorm' again as Sherry was still too close to the Needle Wood. Roxanne can jump back instantly but I am not sure if Sherry could do the same.

Sherry regains her balance and lifts her hammer again but she had to use her left arm to block the attack from the left Needle Wood that got pushed back.

"Kuh" Sherry blocks the branch with her left hand and takes a step back.

Sherry looked in pain, that must have certainly hurt. I used 'Firestorm' to stop the demons from attacking and then used 'Heal' and 'Plating' on Sherry.

'Thank you Master'

'You should try to graze the first demon with your strike, a direct hit will absorb all of the impact leaving no momentum to hit the second one'

'I will try'

Sherry again dashes towards the left demon and hits it with her Club. But the attack stops again at its bark. Learning from the last time Sherry takes a step back as the fire dies down.

I use another 'Firestorm' and the demons die in a puff of smoke.

"Just grazing the demons as you swing is hard" Sherry said frustratingly.

"Hmm, I have another idea that could work. Next time I will use a skill as you hit the first demon so whatever happens don't stop your Hammer's swing"

"O-okay"

"Lets go to the next one"

"Okay Master" Roxanne nodded and started sniffing the air.

I put the Steel Rod in my pocket and took Curtana in my hand again. We took a right at the junction and saw a Green Caterpillar and a Needle Wood.

'Sherry you take on the Caterpillar'

'Okay'

We dashed towards the monsters. Roxanne goes straight to the Needle Wood. She avoids its branch coming straight at her and slashes its trunk with her Rapier.

I circle behind the Needle Wood and keep Sherry in my sight.

As Sherry nears the Caterpillar, it jumps to attack her. She has her Club ready and swings it powerfully from the right. She smashes the Caterpillar hard as if she was trying to score a Homerun and the Caterpillar gets flung to the Labyrinth wall.

Just when Sherry's Club touched the Caterpillar, I activated 'Overwhelming'. In the slow motion world, I reach close to the unsuspecting Needle Wood's body.

As the skills duration ends I use 'Location Swap' and switch my position with Sherry. I look back and see Sherry's Club smashing into the Needle Wood's trunk.

Condition fulfilled.

Sherry looked at the Needle Wood in confusion. Knowing that the fight wasn't over, I remind her through our mental link to not get distracted and slash Curtana at the Caterpillar who was trying to tackle me.

Ending it in one swing I rush towards the Needle Wood and also kill it in one strike.

"Master, you could have warned me" Sherry looks at me in accusation.

"Well next time for sure" I cough and change the topic, "Now that you have completed this condition, we just have to hunt more demons until you reach Villager Level 5"

Next was a Powerleveling session for Sherry. As these were just Level 2 demons, I could still one shot them with my sword, so I didn't use Magic and we continued our killing spree.

For now Sherry wasn't needed much in our team. But I won't be able to one-shot demons at around 5th floor and they would increase in numbers too. At that time I would have to switch to magic, so extra party members would be a necessity.

As we battled, our cooperation with each other steadily improved.

I kept a constant eye on her Level, so when her Villager reached Level 5, I told them that we were going back home.

I used Warp and we came out inside our smaller dining hall. Roxanne and Sherry gave their Equipments back to me. Sherry had been quiet from the moment I said that we were going home.

"Sherry sit here" I pointed towards the chair, Sherry sits there without any question.

Roxanne stands besides me in silence. I take out a ball of 'Thread', the item dropped by Green Caterpillar and keep it in front of her.

"Master, it's fine … I have already given up" Sherry said while looking down.

"But you are already a Master Smith"

I open Party Job Setting and change her Job.

[Party Job Setting

Sherry

Acquired Job: Explorer Level 10, Villager Level 5, Herbalist Level 1, Warrior Level 1, Merchant Level 1, Shrine Maiden Level 1, Master Smith Level 1

Set Job: Master Smith Level 1]

[Master Smith

Effect: Increase Strength (Medium), Increase Endurance (Small), Increase Dexterity (Small)

Skill: Create Weapon, Create Armour, Skill Crystal Fusion, Item Box Operation]

"Even if I become a Master Smith, it will only add to your troubles now that I am already a Slave" Sherry said quietly, still not lifting her head up.

She is not listening at all. She must have really lost all hope. I will have to force her to accept it.

"It would be fine, don't worry and leave all your troubles to me" I pat her shoulder in encouragement.

"If Master says that it'll be alright then it will be alright. There won't be any problem" Roxanne tries to encourage her as well.

"I have heard that novice Master Smiths usually start with making a Misanga. Take this thread in your hand and say Create Armour"

"B-But …"

"You can do it! Absolutely! Just say 'Create Armour'. Repeat after me 'Create Armour'"

"'Create Armour'?" Roxanne repeats after me while tilting her head to the side.

I look at the cute looking Roxanne speechlessly.

But apparently it worked as Sherry looked a bit motivated now.

"C-create Armour" Sherry speaks in a low voice.

The next instant her eyes opened wide with surprise. If you call out the Skill name, the Skill Incantation appears in your mind.

"So I am r-really a Master Smith now" Sherry said, looking at me in disbelief.

"I told you that you will become a Master Smith today. Go on use the Skill"

Sherry nods at me and takes the Thread in her palm. She closes her eyes and speaks softly.

"Descend O Lord to commemorate, O shadow of Heaven and Earth - Create Armour"

Sherry opens her palm and looks disappointingly at the thread.

"Your incantation wasn't correct. It should be Descend O Lord to celebrate. Try again"

Now that I have 'Advanced Language Pack', I could point out when the correct Brahim isn't used.

"Alright" She takes a deep breath and slowly recites again.

"Descend O Lord to celebrate, O shadow of Heaven and Earth - Create Armour"

The next instant, Sherry's hands are glowing with dazzling bright light. The light subsides in a moment and I can see a common thread bracelet in her palm.

[Misanga: Accessory]

Misanga are worthless equipment and their only value is in making Sacrificial Misanga. But for that it needs a skill slot so this one won't work.

"Sherry you did well" I took the Misanga out of her hand to take a look.

"You did it Sherry" Roxanne happily congratulates Sherry.

"Sorry"

I look at Sherry and she has a funny expression on her face. She then puts her face down on the table and starts groaning.

"What's the matter?" Roxanne asks her worriedly.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry to have succeeded. I'm sorry to have become a Master Smith. I'm sorry to have been born" Sherry mumbles quietly.

I see her state and instantly realize that she must have exhausted her Mana. Even though she is in my party, she is just a Level 1 Master Smith. And she used the skill twice even if the first time the skill wasn't successfully cast, she must have used MP.

Knowing what happened I take out the Strengthening Pills from the Backpack. I bought them at the Vale's Adventurer Guild, they can restore MP. I pull her shoulders so she can sit straight.

"It's alright Sherry, everything will be fine just take this medicine" I put the pill near her mouth.

"I am not worthy of taking such a precious medicine. I'll be fine. I'm really sorry." She shakes her head in refusal

Her condition seems very bad, she's not even accepting medicine. This is no different from a suicidal behaviour.

"No Sherry is Amazing, Sherry succeeded, just take this pill and you will feel better" I patiently coaxed her.

"No I am not. Even if I somehow succeeded, I'd only be able to make something as worthless as I am." Sherry looks down at the ground, refusing to accept the medicine.

The MP exhaustion looks so terrible, everything seems to be negative to her.

"But Sherry created a Misanga. Sherry is great" Roxanne also tries to cheer Sherry up.

I put the pill in my mouth, held Sherry by her shoulders and turned her face to me. Her pale red, tiny mouth looked so lovely.

I bend down and lock my lips to her. I pry her mouth open and slid the pill in with my tongue. I use my hands to hold her head, our tongues are entwined.

Even if the situation is critical I close my eyes and enjoy our first kiss. Her mouth feels smaller than Roxanne's and even her taste is different.

After moving my tongue around and tasting her soft lips, I pull my tongue back but keep my lips pressed to hers, and wait for her to swallow the Pill down. After confirming the movement of her throat I let go of her mouth.

"So have you calmed down now?" I ask while stroking her fluffy hair.

" … Yes" Sherry takes a deep breath to calm down.

"Come to think of it, I have heard of this. There are many people who commit suicide after they become a Master Smith and try to use their skill to make or fuse something." Sherry says with a look of clarity in her eyes.

"It's temporary so don't worry about it. For now just take a rest" I said, taking my hand back.

Let's put aside the topic of her becoming a Master Smith for now. She needs some time to digest it all.

"So Sherry has become a Master Smith?"

I look speechlessly at Roxanne.

"That's right, Sherry is now a Master Smith" I say with a sigh.

"As expected of Master!" Roxanne says happily.

"Thank you very much Master" Sherry says while looking at me with soft eyes.

"Since Sherry has become a Master Smith, then that means my Attack Power will increase too" Roxanne said while pumping her fist.

"Now that I have become a Master Smith, I'll be able to contribute something to the party, I'm Glad"

"You make us stronger by just being here. You're amazing Sherry" Roxanne started patting Sherry's head.

"Before I forget"

I pet Roxanne's head and she looks towards me in doubt. I bring her face closer to mine and kiss her. Roxanne kisses me back with passion. Her soft tongue, her taste, everything feels so familiar.

I release her and Roxanne looks at me with a happy smile.

Roxanne got pretty upset in the og story if Michio messed up the order so I always tried and kept her first. But as this was an emergency she didn't say anything. Still I kissed Sherry so now she must have wanted her kiss too.

If there was a college course about this, then balancing everyone's feelings would be the first thing they would teach in Harem 101.