Chapter 95

Inside the workshop, the sound of hard metal being hammered resonated.

Molten metal, glowing with heat, and a hammer.

I focused intently, melting the ore, pouring it into the mold, hammering it, and shaping it.

I crafted high-quality iron ingots, regular ingots, silver ingots, and black iron ingots. My sense of craftsmanship had evolved into a sense of engraving.

"Phew... Though the number is small, it took more time than I thought."

Using a skill to turn them into ingots would save time. However, leveling up my sense of craftsmanship doesn’t necessarily correlate with the number of attempts, and manual work has a much higher success rate.

"I have twelve iron ingots, ten high-quality iron ingots, eighteen silver ingots, and five black iron ingots. Is that enough?"

Saying this, I temporarily stored the completed ingots in the material item box and stared at the remaining bluelight ore.

"Who would have thought this would be the tricky one?"

It had been three days since the climb. I played the game in my spare time and spent all the remaining time after making potions, which is part of my daily routine, on crafting ingots by hand. However, this bluelight ore is a different kind of material compared to regular metals.

"Haah... This is beyond my capabilities. I’ll have to rely on Magi for the shaping."

Holding it in my hand and examining it, it was a cobalt steel ingot with a blue tint. In the fantasy world, it might be called a magical metal. I could make the ingot, but further processing was impossible at this stage.

While sighing, I put away the ingot and the sample of bluelight ore.

"Oh? A friend communication. From Taku?"

Just as I was about to take a break, a communication with Taku connected. I wondered what kind of trouble would come this time as I waited for his words.

"Hey, Yun. Do you have time now?"

"What’s up?"

"Do you remember Ivan and Hiyama? They want you to make some accessories for them."

"Huh? Why?"

"Because they don’t have a use for the reinforcement materials dropped by the Queen."

Indeed, everyone should have obtained the "Queen Hornet's Wings" after defeating the Queen. Even I was pondering whether to use them on armor or weapons.

"I understand, but I don’t have much experience making accessories."

If I had the time, I’ve made about twenty items, including successful ones and failed experiments for testing my sense of craftsmanship. I’m not just idly holed up in town.

"No problem. Taku, stop talking. This is important."

Taku raised his hands in exasperation at my words. The two clients, on the other hand, crossed their arms, more like they were spacing out rather than thinking.

"From our perspective, these accessories are more about commemorating the record-breaking climb than being weapons or armor, Yun."

"Besides, we can’t tell the difference in quality of weapons. It feels better to ask someone we know."

"Haah..."

What a nice thing to say. When you’re told something like that, you feel compelled to give your best. I can’t match Magi, but I need to make accessories that don’t fall behind other players.

"Alright, I’ll take it. For the reinforcement materials, you can bring them, and if you have any preferences for the type and where to equip them, let me know. Also, any stat adjustments."

"Hmm, maybe a bracelet type? I want to keep my fingertips free. As for abilities, increased defense. As long as it doesn’t decrease, it’s fine. What about Ivan?"

"I’ll also ask for the same type of accessory. For abilities, increased attack."

As I listened to their words and took notes, I selected the necessary materials.

"The design can be changed to some extent without affecting performance, of course, you’ll need the materials."

"Then, for the commemorative piece, something that reminds me of the enemies we faced that day."

"Hmm, for Hiyama, maybe the skin of an Aerosnake. What about Ivan?"

"Hmm, leave it to you, Yun."

"That’s the hardest part."

Well, that sounds interesting, so I switched my thoughts and wrote down the materials.

For a bracelet type, I would need two ingots. Using silver or black iron ingots would be good.

Additionally, I would add gems for their ability adjustments and the additional effects from the reinforcement materials. The amount of additional effects black iron can hold and the various bonuses added through engraving. And...

"Can you give me three days? I need to do some research. The reinforcement materials can be added later, so I’ll attach them when you come to pick them up."

"Alright, how much will it cost?"

"Hmm, let’s see. Kyoko, what’s the appraisal value?"

"The ore is abundant, but iron has been less popular recently, so it’s cheaper. On the other hand, silver has increased in value. There are a few pieces of bluelight ore, which are hard to price, at 2000G. Black iron is the same, so at a slightly higher buyback rate—50,000G, I think."

Iron ore is cheap, but if it’s high-quality, the value can increase fivefold. Silver has recently become popular for both steel and silver weapons. For physical attacks, steel is used, and for both physical and magical attacks, silver is used.

Silver ore is 800G, and five ingots and the crafting fee are 5000G, so a considerable amount of iron and silver can be obtained.

On the other hand, I don’t usually deal with selling accessories. So far, I’ve only made one, the Trion Ring for Magi. Honestly, I don’t know how to price them.

"Taku, how much do bracelets usually cost?"

"Huh? What’s with the sudden question?"

"Just tell me."

"From what I remember... A basic iron bracelet without additional effects costs around 15,000G. With abilities, it can go up to 100,000G. A silver bracelet without additional effects starts at around 100,000G. The price can skyrocket with good additional effects."

The unexpectedly high prices made me dizzy. I don’t usually pay much attention to the market. I sell to other stores at the prices they give and don’t focus on money, even though my materials are free.

"Hey, Taku. How about the prices for weapons and armor?"

"Hmm, the price of weapons depends on the materials used... My long swords start at 20,000G and can go up to 100,000G. A rank-up costs from 20,000 to 300,000G. High-quality initial armor, metallic, costs around 400,000G. Cloth or leather is around 300,000G. Metal armor, when worn in full, can be too heavy and slow you down, so partial protection is enough."

My armor has been upgraded through multiple repairs and durability recovery, costing a lot of money, but it seems I’m getting a good deal. Thank you, Magi and Reiree. Hmm? Claude? I don’t know about him.

Still, the prices are quite inflated. If a production guild were formed, the prices might stabilize.

"Since accessories can be upgraded later, how about starting with iron? It would be cheaper."

"Don’t worry, we have a budget of 500,000G!"

"You’re not rich, but you’re well-off."

Given that, silver and black iron should be fine. First, I’ll test the performance of black iron and switch to silver if it’s inferior. I’ll think about the design.

"Subtracting the buyback, 150,000G for both of you, is that okay? As a down payment."

"Yun, that’s too cheap. It’s like you’re taking the lowest price."

"No problem. I’m making them as a hobby. I have no complaints."

"Alright, I’ll leave it to you."

"I’m looking forward to it."

As I saw them off, I lightly slapped my cheeks to muster my resolve.

"First, let’s select the ore."

I’ll use either silver or black iron.

Ideally, I should use the higher-level conversion from alchemy to get high-quality materials.

"But that would make the cost ten times higher. I’ll have to settle for the regular ones this time."

It takes ten regular ingots to make one high-quality one. Since a bracelet uses two, I’d need twenty regular ingots. I can make silver, but I don’t have enough material for black iron.

"Materials are decided, so let’s experiment with a ring first."

I placed the black iron in a high-temperature furnace and hammered it rhythmically.

I applied the "Attack Increase" bonus to boost my stats and relied on the system assist to hammer down.

After a while, I added various enhancements to the completed ring through experiments, and in the end, it was destroyed.

This helped me decide on the direction for the bracelet.

A few days later, the day of the pickup arrived.

I was playing with the young animals while admiring the silver and black iron bracelets I had crafted, pouring all my current skills into them.

"Yun, I’ve brought them."

"...Why is Taku here too?"

"Well, he wants to know what happened to the reinforcement materials."

"You... make them with your own materials."

"I already used them on armor."

Was that a boastful tone? Still, after researching, it seems no one uses the "Queen Hornet's Wings" for accessories. They are usually used on armor with many protective areas or on favorite weapons.

Moreover, the additional effects differ between ranged and melee weapons, making it even more complicated.

"So, Yun, it’s up to you."

"Understood. Wait a moment."

I attached the reinforcement materials I received from Ivan and Hiyama to the rings in front of them.

The production sense of equipment, using reinforcement materials, was applied to the rings I made. One was a silver bracelet with a bright, glossy surface, adorned with a bright and shiny peridot, and the other was a simple black iron bracelet with a similar cut peridot in the center.

Silver Snake Bracelet [Equipment] (Weight: 2)

DEF +13, MIND +5, Additional Effects: DEF Bonus, DEF Addition, Protective Barrier (Wind)

Black Iron Armlet [Equipment] (Weight: 2)

DEF +17, Additional Effects: ATK Bonus, ATK Addition, Protective Barrier (Wind)

"Phew, it worked."

I was nervous about the final step, but I’m glad it succeeded.

Even with accessories, slight differences can occur due to the type of ingot and other factors, so it’s best not to focus too much on the stats.

If I use silver ingots to make an amulet for protection, the MIND stat will be higher than DEF.

The important point is the additional effect, "Protective Barrier (Wind)," which I could add using the reinforcement material.

The effect adds one-tenth of the character’s base MIND to their defense, a defense-focused effect. The higher the MIND, the higher the resistance to physical and magical attacks, but for these two, it will slightly improve their defense.

"Wind" indicates a wind attribute barrier. It doesn’t increase damage from opposing weak attributes but reduces damage from the same wind attribute.

"Here, try them on."

I traded the bracelets for the payment and handed them over.

Seeing the two of them wearing the bracelets, hmm, they look pretty cool.

The green snake skin and the black luster with green gems fit well on their thick arms without hindering movement.

The green equipment’s wind attribute effect adds a nice touch.

"Yun, thank you! Such great equipment!"

"Really? I had to make do with the materials I had..."

"Indeed! Good job, Yun! We’ll come back if we need anything!"

"Great! Show me the effects of the bracelets, too."

Taku, on the other side of the counter, seemed to be enjoying himself with the two men. Since my work was done, I decided to take a break and started reading a book.

However, Taku, at the edge of my vision, looked troubled.

"Hey, Yun. Is 150,000G really okay for both of them?"

"What’s with the sudden question? Two bracelets at 100,000G each, minus the 50,000G buyback, equals 150,000G. Even a child can do this math."

He’s probably going to say it’s not the right price.

"It’s a hobby, and I don’t plan to make it my main job. It’s like selling a handmade leather bag at a flea market or auction for just the cost of materials."

The materials are almost free since I mined them myself, and the gems, though medium-sized, are cheap considering the buyback price. But I won’t say that.

The only thing I wasted was time, but I’m not like Mew, who levels up on a tight schedule, so it’s fine.

"But, but, this... the effects and everything..."

"Calm down, you’re starting to ramble."

"Selling these, one would fetch over 800,000G, a new record. And you’re selling them for 75,000G each..."

"Are you kidding?"

I laughed. These weekend projects by a hobbyist dad can’t possibly be worth that much.

There’s a huge difference between a master craftsman’s sword and a five-inch nail knife.

"Ah, yeah, sure."

I don’t like talking about prices. The pricing and purchase system of this atelier is a reaction against past monopolies and reselling.

Low prices are fine, and thin profits are acceptable. It’s like an old lady running a convenience store and a candy shop.

"But, but, this..."

"Taku, stop being so annoying. Here, take this as a commission fee and be quiet."

I decided to give Taku one of my practice pieces as a thank you for his help.

It’s a bit embarrassing to say, but I can