[SP-PT-F01] Fire, Steel, and Determination | «Earning a Living: Blacksmith»

[Scar 0]

Post Action: Talking to Callum

—

Jack pushed open the heavy wooden door to the forge, and the faint smell of smoke and molten metal immediately hit him. The air was thick with heat, and the rhythmic ringing of hammer on steel echoed through the space, reverberating against the soot-darkened walls. Sparks danced from an anvil as a burly man worked with surprising precision, hammering a piece of glowing iron with deliberate strokes.

The man glanced up, only for a moment, his sharp eyes appraising Jack briefly before returning to the metal. "Can I help you with something?" His voice was calm, carrying a tone that suggested both curiosity and subtle challenge. Jack straightened his back, keeping his crimson eyes level with the man's.

"I.. I want to learn to become a blacksmith," Jack said, his voice measured, carrying the quiet confidence of someone used to earning his place in the world. There was no grand flourish, no exaggerated bravado, simply the weight of a man who had survived enough to know that actions mattered more than words.

The man chuckled, a low, mirthless sound. "A blacksmith, huh? I'm only barely a blacksmith myself. Took over the forge after my father retired last month. But I suppose I could pass on some of that knowledge.. If you can bring something for me to work with." He paused, glancing around the cluttered workspace. Hammers of various sizes lay scattered across the table, piles of raw metals in one corner, and chunks of coal in another. "I'm afraid I can't spare any stock. We're already running low. You'll need to gather the materials yourself."

Jack nodded, absorbing the information. That suited him fine, he preferred earning his way, proving his worth through effort rather than handouts. He wasn't the type to shy away from work, and he had learned early that the only way to achieve something meaningful was through persistence.

"Understood," he said. "Tell me what you need, and I'll bring it to you."

Callum, the man behind the anvil, stopped hammering entirely and regarded him fully now. "Five materials. Nothing fancy, just things you can gather from the world outside, ore, wood, stone.. maybe something from a beast if you're feeling adventurous. Bring them back, and we'll begin your first lesson. If you're serious about blacksmithing, this is how it stars: hard work, attention to detail, and the willingness to get your hands dirty."

Jack didn't flinch. The forge had a peculiar kind of serenity despite the chaos of molten metal and fire. There was a rhythm here, one that matched the way he approached life, careful, steady, and deliberate. He allowed himself a small inhale of the smoky air, the warmth prickling his skin, reminding him of the intensity and focus required for the task ahead.

"Then I'll start gathering them immediately," he replied. The words were simple, but his tone left no room for doubt. Callum gave a curt nod, returning to his work. The clanging resumed, louder now, as if marking the beginning of a new chapter for Jack.

As Jack stepped back out of the forge, the world outside seemed suddenly sharper, the wind brushing against his face, the distant calls of other adventurers, and the promise of the tasks ahead. He would need to climb rocks, wade through streams, and perhaps face a few minor threats to secure his materials. But he welcomed it. Each strike of the hammer he had just witnessed, each ember that glowed in the forge, reminded him of the satisfaction that came from shaping something with one's own hands.

He adjusted the strap of his bag, ready to head into the wild to find the five materials Callum had asked for. This wasn't just a task; it was the first real step toward becoming a craftsman in a world where survival often depended on skill and preparation. Jack's mind was already mapping out where he might find what he needed, the rocky crags to the north, the wooded hills to the east, and perhaps a stream with small fish or hidden stones of interest.

Each decision he made now would bring him closer to the forge, closer to Callum, and closer to mastering the art of blacksmithing. Jack's crimson eyes flicked once more toward the smoke-filled workshop before he turned and started walking. The rhythm of the hammer still echoed in his ears, a quiet promise of the trials to come.

This was more than earning a living, it was shaping his future, one swing of the hammer at a time.

* * *

PT: 
Unspent SP: 9 SP
Removed | Katana R5 --> +30 SP
Removed | Cloth Armor R5 --> +30 SP
Removed | Battle Healing R5 --> +30 SP
Removed | Athletics --> +4 SP
Removed | Ferocity --> +4 SP
Removed | Precision --> +2 SP

Added | Discerning R13 --> -130 SP; +13 CD; +13 LD

Spoiler

Level 34:
HP: 680/680 | EN: 106/106 | LD: 18 | CD: 13 | True Tier: 4

skills

Spoiler

| skills

mod count: 0/5

• DISCERNING | RANK 13
  • [BASE: Proficiency] +13 CD; +13 LD
• ENERGIST | RANK 1/1
  • [BASE: Proficiency] + 20 EN
• SEARCHING | RANK 5/5
  • [BASE: Proficiency] +5 LD; +5 SD
• SURVIVAL | RANK 1/1
  • +10% received healing. Immune to all environmental attacks/effects.

| expenditure

Spoiler

Total SP: 170 | Spent: 168 | Unspent: 2

1. SKILL: Discerning (130)
2. SKILL: Energist (8)
3. SKILL: Searching (30)

 

equipment

Spoiler

basic clothes [#000000] | TIERLESS | VANITY
[desc.]: What every new adventurer wears.

basic leggings [#000000] | TIERLESS | VANITY
[desc.]: What every new adventurer wears.

 

WC: 755

[Scar 0]

The forge door closed behind him with a heavy thud, the muffled clang of Callum's hammer fading into the distance as Jack stepped into the open air. The chill of the wind met the lingering warmth of his skin, carrying with it the scent of grass and faint traces of smoke from nearby chimneys. He paused for a moment, glancing back toward the small workshop, a humble place, yet one that already felt like the start of something important.

The rhythmic sound of metal striking metal still echoed faintly in his mind as he adjusted the strap of his bag and set off down the dirt road leading away from the settlement. The day was bright, but the sun's warmth couldn't fully chase the edge of the morning breeze. The Plains stretched before him in rolling waves of green and gold, the kind of open wilderness that promised both peace and challenge.

He didn't expect the search to be simple. Materials were everywhere, but not every patch of grass or mound of stone was worth his time. If he was going to do this right, he needed to find places that others overlooked, areas rich in resources where he could work without interruption. The cook in him had learned patience; ingredients, materials, and skills were all part of the same process. The right place could make all the difference.

The first hour passed quietly. Jack moved with measured steps, scanning the terrain with a practiced eye. His crimson gaze caught details that others might have ignored, the faint shimmer of mineral dust in the dirt, the way certain plants clustered near water, the hollows beneath boulders where smaller creatures might gather or burrow. Each observation helped him build a mental map, not just of the land but of its rhythm.

He knelt once, brushing his gloved fingers across the soil, feeling its texture. It was compact, but with enough moisture to suggest there might be something worth digging for nearby. He marked the spot in his mind and continued, climbing a small rise to gain a better vantage point. From the hilltop, he could see the Plains stretch far in every direction, scattered trees, a faint river cutting through the land, and the dark shapes of rock outcroppings half-buried in the earth.

That would be his starting point. The rocky area might hold fragments of ore, and the nearby river could conceal driftwood or polished stones. He nodded to himself and began making his way down, boots crunching softly against the dry grass.

As he walked, a few low-level creatures wandered in the distance, docile shapes grazing near the stream. He kept an eye on them but didn't draw his weapon. There was no need for unnecessary fights, not yet. This trip wasn't about testing his strength; it was about patience and awareness. For now, the forge awaited his effort, not the battlefield.

The sound of water grew louder as he neared the riverbank, and the air cooled slightly. Jack crouched near the edge, letting the current wash over his fingers for a moment. It was clear, flowing steadily around smooth stones and fragments of driftwood. The land here felt alive, a good place to begin his work.

He took one last look around, scanning for potential hazards before sitting back on his heels. The journey had brought him exactly where he needed to be: quiet, open, and untouched. This would be nicely for his first attempt.

Jack exhaled softly and allowed himself a faint, almost imperceptible smile. The path to becoming a blacksmith had begun, not in the heart of a forge, but out here, where nature hid its raw materials beneath soil, stone, and patience.

* * *

WC: 619