Scar 0 Posted November 10 #1 Share Posted November 10 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 SKILL: Discerning (130) SKILL: Energist (8) 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 Link to post Share on other sites
Scar 0 Posted Wednesday at 10:11 AM Author #2 Share Posted Wednesday at 10:11 AM 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 Link to post Share on other sites
Scar 0 Posted yesterday at 03:52 AM Author #3 Share Posted yesterday at 03:52 AM (edited) Post Action: Gathering Materials (0/5) — Jack studied the riverbank in silence, letting the low rush of water steady his thoughts. The spot he'd chosen felt right, quiet, out of the way, with enough variation in the terrain to suggest the system might tuck something useful here. Exposed stone, packed soil, and the occasional tangle of roots jutting out from the bank. If there was anywhere to start, it was here. He shifted his weight, lowering himself into a crouch. The grass brushed against his knees as he slipped off his glove and pressed bare fingers to the ground this time, feeling for texture more than anything else. Cool, slightly damp earth met his touch, clinging faintly to his skin as he dug his fingers in. "Alright," he muttered. "Let's see what you're hiding." He opened his menu briefly, eyes flicking through the familiar icon for foraging. A soft interface ping confirmed his selection, and he focused his attention on a patch of ground near the edge of the water, somewhere that looked just uneven and disturbed enough to suggest the system might flag it as a valid spot. Jack reached down and began to work, fingers moving with care. He sifted through the soil, pushing aside small stones, bits of root, and clumps of compacted dirt. For a moment, he felt a flicker of expectation, that tiny rise in his chest that came with the hope of success. Nothing. He frowned, digging a little deeper, more methodical this time. The game's system acknowledged the attempt with a faint, almost dismissive chime only audible to him, and a translucent message flashed briefly at the corner of his vision before fading. No usable materials found. His hands stilled. Jack exhaled slowly, the hint of a dry, humorless huff slipping through his nose. Not disappointment, exactly, he hadn't expected the world to hand him something on the first try. But there was a certain sting in putting effort into something and coming back with empty hands, even if it was only data and dirt. "Guess that'd be too easy," he said quietly. He wiped his fingers on the side of his coat, brushing off the clinging streaks of soil, and sat back on his heels. The river kept flowing, indifferent to his failure. Wind moved through the grass with the same soft whisper as before. Nothing in the world around him had changed, but he logged the feeling anyway. The small weight of a failed attempt. The quiet reminder that blacksmithing, like cooking, wasn't just about wanting something. You had to earn it, one slow, stubborn step at a time. He glanced around the immediate area again, reassessing. The spot hadn't been terrible; it just hadn't been good enough. Maybe the ground here was too soft. Maybe the system weighted other terrain more heavily. Rocky patches, denser soil, places shaped by more than just water and time. He rose to his feet, dusting his hands off once more, and let his gaze drift further along the river. There were other bends, other outcrops, other chances. The failure didn't discourage him so much as narrow his focus. "Fine," he murmured, more to himself than to the world. "We'll try somewhere else." He marked a small note on his mental map, this stretch of bank logged and dismissed for now, then started walking along the water's edge. His steps remained steady, unhurried. This wasn't a race. Callum had made it clear: if he wanted to learn, he had to be willing to work for it. One failed attempt was just that, a single swing that didn't land. Jack's crimson eyes swept the horizon again, searching for the next promising patch of ground. The forge waited somewhere behind him, its heat and ringing steel a distant promise. He intended to reach it again with his hands full. But if the world wanted to test his patience first? So be it. * * * Spoiler foraging. ID: 257765 | LD: 1 | CD: 11 +13 | Failed +3 EXP WC: 649 Edited 6 hours ago by Scar Link to post Share on other sites
Scar 0 Posted 6 hours ago Author #4 Share Posted 6 hours ago (edited) Post Action: Gathering Materials (2/5) — Jack followed the curve of the river until the bank began to rise, the soft earth giving way to firmer ground. The grass grew thinner here, interrupted by patches of exposed dirt and scattered stones that jutted from the soil at odd angles. The current narrowed slightly, cutting a sharper line through the terrain as if the world itself had pressed in around it. This felt better. He slowed his pace and came to a stop near a crooked outcrop of rock leaning over the water. The area looked less worn, less touched, like most players had passed it by without a second glance. Jack took that as a good sign. He drew in a quiet breath and dropped back into a crouch, resting one hand on his knee while the other brushed across the ground. The soil here was denser, compacted with the weight of time and the elements. It didn't crumble as easily between his fingers. If the system was going to tuck anything away, he suspected it would be in a place like this. "Let's try this again," he murmured. He flicked open his menu, selecting the foraging action with a familiar motion. The translucent interface responded with a soft chime, and a faint, almost imperceptible glow outlined the small area he’d chosen to focus on. Jack dismissed the menu and leaned into the work. His hands moved with a slow, deliberate rhythm, loosening the surface, pushing aside stray pebbles and stubborn roots, feeling for any subtle shift in resistance beneath his fingertips. The ground resisted at first, unyielding. Then something changed. Just a slight difference in texture. A firmness that didn't match the rest of the soil. Jack narrowed his eyes and dug a little more carefully around that point, instincts quiet and focused. For a moment, the system seemed to hold its breath with him. A brighter notification flashed into his peripheral vision. You have successfully gathered: Material. The word hung there for a second, then faded, leaving behind the small, satisfying weight added to his inventory. It wasn't named, wasn't special, wasn't anything unique, just a simple material. But it was proof. He'd found something. Jack let out a slow breath he hadn’t realized he'd been holding. A hint of tension eased from his shoulders as he sat back on his heels, flexing his fingers once. The dirt still clung beneath his nails, streaking his skin in thin lines, a small, visual reminder of the effort it took to pull even something this basic from the world. "Better," he said under his breath. Not triumph. Not excitement. Just a quiet acknowledgement that he’d taken a step forward. He opened his inventory briefly, confirming the new entry. A generic icon, a simple description, nothing worth lingering on. But this was one of five that he needed, one piece in the pile that would eventually find its way to Callum's forge. Jack closed the menu and looked around again, eyes scanning the surrounding terrain with renewed focus. The success changed something subtle inside him, not his pace, not his posture, but his certainty. The system wasn't stingy; it was demanding. It wanted patience, attention, and repetition. He could work with that. He stood, brushing his hands off against his coat, leaving faint smudges behind. The crooked outcrop, the denser soil, the narrower bend of the river, he committed all of it to memory. This spot had paid off once. It might again, or it might not. Either way, he now knew what a promising area felt like. Jack took a few steps along the bank, then stopped to glance back at where he’d just been. The marks he'd left in the earth were already fading, the world eager to smooth itself over. "That's one," he said softly. "Four more to go." He turned away and continued along the river, steps steady, gaze sharp. The forge waited somewhere beyond the horizon, its heat and ringing metal a quiet promise. He would go back when he had enough to make it worth the trip. For now, there were more places to search. And the next material wouldn't find itself. * * * Spoiler foraging. ID: 257940 | LD: 9+18 = 27 | CD: 12+13 = 25 | Success! +16 EXP; 1 additional material Forager Level Up! Rank 2 [59/149 EXP] WC: 691 Edited 5 hours ago by Scar Link to post Share on other sites
Scar 0 Posted 6 hours ago Author #5 Share Posted 6 hours ago (edited) Post Action: Gathering Materials (4/5) — The faint echo of the last system chime still lingered in the back of his mind. You have gained a rank in Foraging. Foraging: Rank 1 --> Rank 2. It hadn't changed anything dramatic in how the world looked, but Jack could feel a difference in how he moved through it now. His eyes lingered a little longer on subtle details. The shape of the terrain, the way the soil settled, even the distribution of stones and roots, all of it seemed to present itself to him with slightly more clarity, as if the system was quietly acknowledging his efforts. He followed the river a little farther downstream, where the bank widened and the ground leveled out. The grass thinned again in places, giving way to clusters of exposed earth and scattered stone. A crooked tree leaned toward the water nearby, its roots half-buried and half-exposed, gripping the bank like a skeletal hand. Jack slowed his pace and stopped near the tree. This spot felt different from the last, the ground was still firm, but it bore signs of pressure and change. Slight depressions, uneven patches, a narrow strip of darker soil where water must have seeped in and receded over time. If the system liked to tuck materials into places with contrast, this was as good a candidate as any. He dropped into a crouch again, resting one hand on his knee while the other brushed aside a few loose blades of grass. The earth beneath was dry at the surface, but as he pressed a little deeper, it resisted more stubbornly than before. "Let's see if Rank Two actually means something," he muttered. With a flick of intent, he activated the foraging action once more. The familiar soft chime acknowledged the attempt, and a faint outline shimmered over the small area he’d chosen. Jack dismissed the interface and focused on the work. This time, his movements were more precise. He didn't waste effort clawing through every inch of soil. Instead, he pressed, tested, and shifted his attention when the ground gave too easily. His fingers paused when they met a slight resistance that didn’t match the rest, not as solid as stone, not as soft as root. There. He dug with care, working around that point, clearing away loose earth slowly so he wouldn't overlook anything. The motion came easier now, guided by instinct layered on top of system feedback. The world didn't fight him as hard as before. A brighter notification flared at the edge of his vision. You have successfully gathered: Material. Jack's hand stilled, then slowly relaxed. The weight of another simple, generic entry slipped into his inventory, and the corners of his mouth twitched upward in the faintest hint of satisfaction. Two successes. No fanfare, no rare drop, no dramatic loot, just another piece of the foundation he was building. He sat back on his heels, flexing his fingers again to work the tension from them. Dirt clung stubbornly beneath his nails, and faint lines of soil streaked across his knuckles. It was ordinary, mundane, and somehow exactly what he needed. "Not bad," he said quietly. He opened his inventory briefly, confirming the second material sitting alongside the first. Identical icons, identical basic descriptions. They might as well have been interchangeable, but together they meant progress. Four of five. Closer to the forge. Closer to Callum's instruction. Closer to the sound of steel being shaped by his own hands instead of just someone else’s. Closing the menu, Jack studied the area again. The crooked tree, the shifting ground, the subtle signs of erosion, this was another spot worth remembering. He took a moment to fix it in his mind, then rose to his feet and dusted his hands off against his coat. The river kept moving, carrying light across its surface in ripples and fragments. The world around him felt the same as it had when he'd left the forge, but he knew better. Progress didn't always announce itself. Sometimes it was just a slightly steadier step, a slightly surer hand. "That makes four," he murmured. "One more." He turned away from the leaning tree and continued along the bank, eyes sharp, steps unhurried. Rank Two hadn't made him anything special, not yet. But it had given him a foothold, a small edge that he fully intended to grind into something real. The forge was still waiting. And now, so was the last material. * * * Spoiler foraging. ID: 257941 | LD: 6+18 = 24 | CD: 10+13 = 23 | Success! +16 EXP; 1 additional material Forager | Rank 2 [75/149 EXP] WC: 740 Edited 5 hours ago by Scar Link to post Share on other sites
Scar 0 Posted 5 hours ago Author #6 Share Posted 5 hours ago (edited) Post Action: Gathering Materials (5/5) — By the time Jack left the bend in the river where he’d made his second find, the rhythm of the work had settled into something familiar. Move. Observe. Judge. Try. He'd followed that pattern a few more times along the Plains, shifting away from the water for a while, testing patches of earth nearer to scattered stones and the base of small rises. Some attempts had come up empty, others had rewarded him with the quiet chime of success. Piece by piece, his inventory filled. Now, he walked with a steadier sense of purpose. Four materials sat in his inventory. One more, and he'd have what he needed to return to the forge. The sun had started its slow descent, tilting the light into softer angles. The Plains glowed with a warm, late-afternoon hue, shadows stretching long across the uneven terrain. Jack moved away from the river at last, letting its distant sound fade behind him as he approached a gentle slope dotted with clusters of stones and short, stubborn grass. It wasn't dramatic terrain, no jagged cliffs or deep ravines, just a shallow rise in the land where the soil had hardened under the elements. But that was exactly what caught his attention. Less trampled, less obvious, slightly removed from the paths most players would take. He came to a stop halfway up the slope and let his gaze sweep the area. A few scattered rocks sat half-buried in the ground, worn edges peeking through the dirt. The earth here was a little darker, a little firmer. No nearby creatures, no other players. Just quiet. "This should be enough," he said softly. He crouched down again, the motion now smooth and automatic. His gloved hand brushed aside loose grass, clearing a small patch of ground. After a moment's thought, he slipped the glove off and pressed his bare fingers into the soil, feeling the faint coolness beneath the surface. He opened his menu with a thought, selected the foraging action, and dismissed the translucent interface as soon as the system acknowledged it. A soft chime echoed in his ears, and a faint outline shimmered over the ground in front of him. Jack worked slowly, not rushing the process. His fingers dug in, testing the resistance, feeling for that subtle shift he'd come to recognize, a difference in density, a shape that didn't belong to root or stone alone. Rank Two made the feedback clearer, the system's unspoken guidance blending with his growing experience. A small, familiar resistance met his touch. Not too hard. Not too soft. There. He dug around it with care, loosening the surrounding earth without disturbing the point of contact. The motion felt almost practiced now, like the early steps in a recipe he’d prepared a dozen times before. Steady, controlled, patient. A brighter notification pulsed at the edge of his vision. You have successfully gathered: Material. Jack's hand went still. Then he sat back slowly, letting out a quiet breath. The weight of the fifth material slipped into his inventory, indistinguishable from the others, and yet, to him, it was different. It was the last one. The final piece he needed before he could return to Callum's forge. He flexed his fingers once, then wiped the lingering dirt against his coat. The ground bore the marks of his work in shallow lines and disturbed patches, nothing impressive, nothing lasting. In a short while, the system would smooth it all out again, as if he'd never been here. He opened his inventory for a moment, counting the entries. Five. Simple, unremarkable, exactly what had been asked for. "Five materials," he murmured. "Just like you wanted." He closed the menu and rose to his feet, rolling his shoulders back to ease the stiffness from crouching so long. The wind tugged lightly at his coat, carrying with it the distant, familiar sounds of the Plains, monsters calling far off, the faint murmur of other players somewhere beyond his sightline. None of that mattered right now. He turned, looking back in the direction of town. He couldn't see the forge from here, but he could picture it clearly, the smoke, the sparks, the steady ring of Callum's hammer. The memory of that sound felt sharper now, closer. This time, when he went back, he wouldn't be coming empty-handed. No fanfare. No system message to mark the moment. Just a quiet sense of completion. Jack took one last look at the slope where he'd been working, committing the scene to memory, not because he needed to return, but because this place would always be where he ended his first real gathering run. Then he turned toward the village and started walking. The forge was waiting. And now, he was finally ready to step back into the fire. * * * Spoiler foraging. ID: 257942 | LD: 5+18 = 23 | CD: 11+13 = 24 | Success! +16 EXP; 1 additional material Forager | Rank 2 [91/149 EXP] WC: 797 Edited 4 hours ago by Scar Link to post Share on other sites
Scar 0 Posted 2 hours ago Author #7 Share Posted 2 hours ago (edited) Post Action: Crafting an item using Callum's forge — The walk back to town felt shorter. With each step, the sounds of the Plains faded behind him, replaced by the distant murmur of player chatter and the familiar clatter of everyday life in the settlement. Jack adjusted the weight of his bag over his shoulder, feeling the quiet solidity of the gathered materials sitting in his inventory, a small, invisible achievement, but his all the same. By the time the forge came into view, smoke was already curling from its chimney, a dark smudge against the sky. The steady ring of steel on steel rolled through the street in a slow, rhythmic cadence. It matched the memory he'd been carrying since he first walked out here: precise, measured, unhurried. Jack reached the door, paused just long enough to draw a breath, then pushed it open. Heat hit him first, thick, heavy, and immediate. The air inside the forge shimmered faintly, filled with the scents of hot metal, coal, and sweat. Callum stood where he had before, at the anvil, hammer rising and falling in a steady pattern over a half-formed blade. Sparks scattered with each strike, briefly illuminating the lines of focus etched into his face. Jack stepped inside, letting the door swing shut behind him. He waited until Callum finished his current sequence of blows before speaking. "I've brought the materials," Jack said. Callum didn't look up right away. He set the hammer down with deliberate care, flipped the metal on the anvil with a pair of tongs, then finally turned his attention toward Jack. His eyes flicked over him once, a brief, measuring glance. "That so?" Callum asked. No surprise in his tone. No praise. Just a simple question, as if this was the expected outcome and nothing more. Jack opened his menu and materialized the five gathered items on a nearby worktable. They appeared in a modest spread, plain, unassuming, but cleanly earned. Callum stepped over and nudged one piece with his thumb, inspecting the lot with a faint grunt. "Not the worst haul I've seen," he said. "Could've been worse." That, apparently, was as close to a compliment as he was going to get. Callum swept the materials together with a practiced motion and began sorting them by type and shape, his hands moving with the unconscious ease of long repetition. "Since you brought something to work with," he continued, "we'll start with something useful. Basic weapon. Simple form, simple balance." His eyes met Jack’s, steady and assessing. "You said you wanted to be a blacksmith. You have a weapon in mind?" "A katana," Jack replied without hesitation. Callum nodded once. "Fine. Tier 1. Don't expect miracles." He jerked his chin toward the forge. "You're not just watching. You're doing this." That was what Jack had come for. Under Callum's direction, the process began. The heat of the forge deepened as they stoked it together, feeding fuel into the hungry flames. Callum guided his hands at each step, not with gentle patience, but with the blunt clarity of someone who didn’t have time for wasted effort. "Too much fuel, you'll burn it out. Not enough, you get nothing but disappointment," Callum said, grabbing a tool from the rack and handing it to Jack. "Here. Bring the temperature up. Not by guessing, watch the color." Jack focused on the heart of the flames, watching as the glow shifted, deepened, and brightened. Callum selected a portion of the materials and shaped them into a workable starting form before passing the heated mass over. "On the anvil," he instructed. "You're striking, not flailing. Every blow matters. Hit with intent." The weight of the hammer settled into Jack’s hand, heavier than he expected, but balanced. He stepped to the anvil, feet planted, shoulders squared. The heated metal waited in front of him, its surface glowing a hot, almost white-yellow. He brought the hammer down. The first strike rang through his bones. The next came quicker, more controlled. Under Callum's sharp corrections, "Angle. Again. Don't chase the edge yet. Shape the spine first," Jack found a rhythm. Striking, lifting, adjusting. Listening to the sound each impact made, learning the subtle change in pitch as the metal responded. The shape began to emerge. Slowly, under repetition and guidance, the rough mass stretched, thinned, and refined. A long, narrow form took shape, slim and curved, following the line Callum had outlined with the tongs and his barked instructions. "Don't rush the cooling," Callum said when they reached the next stage. "Bad temper, bad blade. Take your time." They cycled through heating and hammering, refining the curve, smoothing the spine, coaxing out the form that had only existed in Jack's mind until now. His arms ached, shoulders tight, but he didn't complain. The physical strain felt right, honest. Earned. At last, after what felt like an unbroken sequence of focused moments, Callum stepped back. "That's enough for now," he said. "Quench it." Jack followed his instruction, moving carefully. The hiss of steam filled the air as the blade met the cooling medium, a brief storm of sound and vapor swallowing the space between heartbeats. When it cleared, he lifted the weapon, heavier now in a different way, solid, real, complete. System text flickered into his vision. You have crafted: [Tier 1 Perfect Katana] Jack stared at the notification for a heartbeat, then dismissed it to study the weapon in his hands instead. The katana wasn't ornate. The lines were clean, the curve modest but precise, the balance surprisingly even. It wasn’t just data in his inventory. He’d made this. Callum eyed the blade, took it from Jack, and weighed it in his own hand. He gave it a few testing motions, feeling the balance for himself, then grunted. "Perfect tier for what it is," he said. "Not bad for your first proper swing at the craft." The words were flat, his expression unchanged. No smile. No nod of impressed approval. Just a simple acknowledgement of fact. Then, almost as an afterthought, the corner of his mouth tugged upward. "Not that it's worth much," Callum announced with a grin, "but that item's got my seal of approval. Good luck with your own smithy!" He handed the katana back to Jack. The weight of the blade settled into Jack's grip, solid and familiar in a way no store-bought weapon could match. He dipped his head once in quiet acknowledgment, the heat of the forge at his back and the echo of Callum's words lingering longer than he expected. He'd come here with nothing but gathered scraps. He was leaving with a weapon of his own making. * * * Spoiler smithing. ID: 257943 | CD: 2+13 = 15 | Success! WC: 1101 Edited 1 hour ago by Scar Link to post Share on other sites
Scar 0 Posted 1 hour ago Author #8 Share Posted 1 hour ago Jack stepped out of the forge and into the cooler air, the door shutting behind him with a dull, final thud. The difference in temperature hit him first, the heavy heat of the forge giving way to the gentler chill of the street. Evening light stretched long shadows across the ground, the sky shifting into softer colors as the day began to wind down. For a moment, he just stood there. The katana rested in his hand, its weight steady and real. He drew it partway from its scabbard, the metal catching the fading light with a muted gleam. The curve was clean, the edge straight, the balance exactly where it should be. Not perfect because the system said so, perfect because he knew how much effort had gone into every strike that shaped it. Callum's words echoed faintly in his mind. That item's got my seal of approval. Good luck with your own smithy. Jack slid the blade fully free, testing the balance with a slow, controlled motion. The weapon moved with him, not fighting the path he chose, not dragging or tipping where it shouldn't. It wasn't flashy. It didn't need to be. He exhaled softly, almost a soundless laugh. From foraged scraps to this. He turned the blade once more, then slid it back into its sheath with a quiet, satisfying click. The world around him carried on, players passing by, distant chatter, the hum of the town’s routine, but for the first time since stepping into Sword Art Online, he felt like he was holding something that was truly his. Not looted. Not purchased. Made. "Let's see what you can do," he murmured, hand resting lightly on the hilt. With that, Jack stepped away from the forge and back into the flow of the town, the path ahead of him feeling just a little clearer, lit not by system prompts, but by the steady ring of a hammer still echoing in the back of his mind. * * * WC: 330 Link to post Share on other sites
Scar 0 Posted 1 hour ago Author #9 Share Posted 1 hour ago Thread Closed: Scar | [Word Count: 5682/5 = 1136.4] * [True Tier: 4] * [Group Factor: 1] = 4546 EXP [quest.] 300 Experience Points «Blacksmith» Profession ID: 257943 | First Light Standard «Blacksmith» Shop 5 Materials [summary.] 4546 + 300 = 4846 EXP «Blacksmith» Profession ID: 257943 | First Light Standard «Blacksmith» Shop 5 Materials Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts