Broken and Freya strolled along the bustling city streets, occasionally glancing at the map to locate the smithy they were searching for.
“What do you think, Broken? Can you trust them?” she began.
“I think they’re decent, though they’re too smart not to have hidden motives.”
“I agree with you… especially Maylock. He’s known as the brain of the Ass Guild. Actually, Elincia, Goldrich, and Maylock are considered the core trio of the Ass Guild. They are the pillars that built the Ass Guild into what it is today.”
“I can understand that.”
“But,” Freya explained, “there are more interesting things about the Ass Guild. I’m sure you’ll get used to them if you start to learn to trust them.”
As Broken and Freya stepped into the town’s only and largest smithy, the occasional clang of a hammer meeting metal greeted them. A wave of hot air brushed against their faces, welcoming them into a place that was less a private forge and more of a grand workshop. Here, several blacksmiths worked side by side, sharing the same space. It was a haven not just for seasoned blacksmiths but also for those who wanted to make use of the facilities available.
Wherever they looked, blacksmiths were hard at work. Some were NPCs, tirelessly working with no complaints, while others were players who had rented out a workstation for a few silver coins each day, honing their blacksmithing skills.
“I’ll need to stay here for the next few days, Freya,” Broken said, his eyes scanning the bustling room.
Freya nodded solemnly. “Don’t worry. I’ll stick around until I get bored. Maybe grab us some food if necessary.” ƒrēewebnoѵёl.cσm
Broken’s entrance drew several curious and disdainful glances due to his gear, notably his level 50 shoes, which seemed out of place in this renowned smithy. Some people chuckled mockingly as if he were an uninvited guest trespassing in a sacred space.
“Look at that low-level swordsman! What’s he doing here?”
Broken approached the counter and conducted the transactions needed to rent a workstation. Only one spot was open, and it was the most neglected among them. Though it wasn’t ideal, he accepted it without complaint.
“Is he trying to save some money by becoming a blacksmith just to repair his own gear?”
“I think so. Many think like that, but he’s in the wrong place. This is where the high-ranking blacksmiths come.”
“Does he think he can do whatever he pleases here? He should be ashamed of himself!” another spat.
“He should know he’s not welcomed here,” someone else sneered. “He better learn his manners quickly, or no one will offer him any respect here.”
The chatter grew louder and increasingly judgmental. All of it targeted squarely at Broken. Knowing that Broken wasn’t affected by the mocking, Freya only giggled and handed him a blueprint. “I’m sure this is the perfect item for you to craft,” she said. “And I wouldn’t mind if you made some for me too. Don’t worry, I’ll supply all the materials.”
Broken couldn’t help but smile. “You’re so generous, huh? How can I repay you? What about another dinner date?”
“Shut up. Say that again when you’re serious about pursuing a woman. Maybe then I’ll consider it,” she said, giggling.
Broken examined the blueprint. It was for arrows. “I think I can make a few for you, with high quality,” he said confidently.
Freya chuckled softly and replied, “You better be! Your reputation as a Master Blacksmith is on the line,” she whispered.
[Iron Piercer Arrow Blueprint]
[Grade: Rare – Epic]
[The perfect arrow for any archer looking to wreak havoc on their targets. With its high durability and strong physical attack, it’s sure to make its mark! Plus, it’s easy to reproduce, so you’ll never run out of these bad boys. It has a balanced touch-not too overwhelming, but it will leave your target crying on the other side of the battlefield.]
[To craft this arrow, you will need iron and steel.]
[Crafting this item requires the skill of an Advanced Blacksmith.]
Every archer possesses the ability to fight using their bow, even when they lack physical arrows. In such cases, they create mana arrows that are automatically affixed to their bows. However, these mana arrows inflict significantly less damage, making them a last-resort option used only in emergencies when they run out of real arrows.
To maximize their damage output, archers naturally need proper arrows. These arrows are durable and can be reused multiple times after being fired. Therefore, archers prefer to use high-quality arrows when battling monsters, as these allow them to deal more damage and reclaim their arrows easily after use.
Skilled archers, in particular, seek out top-grade arrows. These superior arrows enable them to achieve greater damage in any confrontation, though it also means they must invest more money in acquiring them.
In recent days, Broken has been using some of the arrows that Freya gave him. As a token of gratitude, he decided to craft some arrows himself and give them to Freya in return.
He carefully examined the description of the arrow blueprint given to him. “This is for advanced blacksmiths,” he muttered.
“Yes, these arrows are incredibly valuable. High-level players only use arrows like these for significant targets, such as raid bosses, where the stakes are high,” she explained patiently. “Due to their high cost and durability, these arrows can be reused multiple times, provided they aren’t damaged upon being fired. That makes them incredibly valuable, especially when they remain intact after being shot.”
“So, because of this, archers use common arrows for their daily battles?” he asked, seeking confirmation.
“Yes, common arrows are single-use, much cheaper, but they inflict standard damage,” she
replied with a nod.
“Okay, I understand.”
She continued, “I believe you could sell these arrows. If you manage to produce Epic-grade arrows, their value could be extraordinary.” She smiled encouragingly. “So, if you want to spend your time leisurely in this town, you can craft as many as you want.”
Broken nodded in understanding. “I might need your help to get a lot of materials for this. I’ll pay for my own materials,” he requested earnestly.
“Sure, no problem,” she said, winking playfully.
Freya then took out some materials she had already prepared. “You can start with these while
I gather more,” she suggested.
“Okay,” he agreed.
“But…” he began, pausing for a moment. “I think I should repair my equipment first to restore its durability.” He looked up at Freya. “Give me your equipment and bow, Freya. I’ll
repair them for you.”
“No need to worry about mine,” she replied, shaking her head. “I’ve put my gear aside. Focus on yourself first. Besides, repairing equipment can be handled by other blacksmiths. Your crafting is more valuable and worth your time.”
“Okay, then.”
He gave a determined nod and began his task of crafting. With care, he arranged the materials
and lit the forge. As the flames grew, his expression shifted, changing from one of calm to one
of intense focus.
Freya watched the transformation, her eyes fixed on his face as it became a mask of concentration. She couldn’t help but smile at his dedication.
“A sloth champion!” she muttered sarcastically.