Chapter 65

Risetta looked around Roland's workshop.

(There are only two workers. That sword is probably a B-class...)

Risetta sighed and slumped her shoulders.

(Roland, it really was a fake, wasn't it?)

Aina was irritated by Risetta's attitude.

(What's with this girl? She's so obviously disappointed. It's rude to Roland.)

"Um, Roland, who is this girl? Do you know her?"

Rodi asked.

"She's a worker at 'Dragon's Blaze.'"

"Huh? 'Dragon's Blaze'... the largest on this island?"

"Risetta, why are you here? I thought the collaboration with 'Dragon's Blaze' was off?"

"Roland, I'm disappointed in you."

Risetta dramatically shrugged her shoulders.

"I heard you were a senior member of the 'Golden Eagle,' the major guild in 'Adventurer's Town,' and I was looking forward to working with you. It was all a lie?"

"It's not a lie. I am undoubtedly a senior member of the 'Golden Eagle' and an S-class appraiser."

"Then why are you making trivial works in this shabby workshop?"

"What? Trivial works? What do you mean by that..."

As Aina was about to retort, Risetta took out a silver knife.

It was dazzling, and its sharpness and craftsmanship were impeccable.

"Ugh"

【Silver Knife】

Power: 50

Durability: 50

Weight: 10

(The power and durability are about the same as a C-class sword. But considering its weight, it's an incredible stat.)

Roland examined the knife's intricate design.

(Those complex designs must be housing a powerful spirit.)

"This is a prototype knife I made the other day. Can you make something like this?"

"Ugh"

Aina couldn't say anything and backed down.

"This knife is still a prototype, but I made it alone. It's a crystallization of all the techniques I've cultivated, my blood, sweat, tears, and soul! If you two can only make a B-class sword together, it's no wonder you're called trivial. Even that B-class sword is a mediocre mass-produced item. There are plenty of people in 'Dragon's Blaze,' and even in other alchemy guilds, who can make something like this. A guild that can only make things of this quality will soon go bankrupt on this island, let alone! Someone who is satisfied with this level of quality can't possibly lead a guild that has conquered three dungeons. Roland!"

Risetta looked at Roland accusingly.

"You said you would slay the 'Giant Fire Dragon.' You wanted to work with 'Dragon's Blaze' to take down an S-class monster. Is this guild what you're doing for that? Were those words a lie?"

"There's not a single lie in my words. I just changed my strategy."

"Strategy?"

"Yes. At first, I intended to work with you to slay the 'Giant Fire Dragon.' But I changed my mind. I'll train alchemists to create an S-class weapon and slay the 'Giant Fire Dragon' myself."

"Train?"

"Yes. Train. Our guild may not be as impressive as yours right now, but I will definitely surpass your guild in both scale and quality."

"...Is that so?"

Risetta slumped her shoulders again.

Roland's answer was far from satisfying her.

(Anyone can say that. To surpass 'Dragon's Blaze' from here... It could take decades, even centuries. I thought this person would lead me to the next level.)

Risetta was disappointed but decided to pull herself together.

She had a grand ambition.

To surpass Raul, the absolute number one in 'Dragon's Blaze,' and create a weapon to slay the 'Giant Fire Dragon.'

She had no time to be depressed.

"Roland, I understand your thinking. Even though our paths have diverged, I will support your business from the shadows. Goodbye."

Risetta turned and headed for the exit.

"Wait. Tell the guild leader of 'Dragon's Blaze' that I will make them regret turning down the collaboration."

Risetta smiled.

"Of course. If you ever make something that surpasses what I create, I'll transfer to your guild. Just do your best."

"You should try not to disappoint me too much."

"?"

Risetta looked puzzled.

【Risetta's Skills】

'Silverwork': A → A

'Spirit Addition': B → B

(Silverwork A and Spirit Addition B. Indeed, an excellent and powerful combination of skills. But her Spirit Addition can't improve any further. I know a better silverworker.)

"You seem to think you're the best guild on the island, unbeatable. But there are weaknesses in your approach. I can see through them. When you end up working in this workshop, make sure to hone your skills so you don't become a burden."

(Oh, confident. I might not dislike this kind of person.)

Risetta felt a slight flutter in her chest.

"Hehe. That's impressive. I look forward to it."

Risetta left with a confident smile.

While Risetta was asserting herself in the workshop of the 'Spirit Workshop' branch, a party was struggling against monsters in the island's dungeon.

"A Great Oni and a 'Winged Dragon' are coming!"

"What are you doing? Elio, make a wall quickly!"

"I know. Damn, this armor is so heavy..."

Elio, the warrior with a large shield, awkwardly ran and managed to stand in front of the Great Oni, protecting the rear guard.

The Great Oni's club hit the shield, emitting a dull metallic sound.

At the same time, the 'Winged Dragon's' fiery breath scorched the surface of the armor.

"Ugh"

But the shield held firm, and the armor repelled the flames.

(As expected, the armor and shield made by 'Dragon's Blaze' are top-notch in durability. But...)

"Ugh, Cecil! Healing magic, please!"

"Okay. 'Healing Magic.'"

Cecil, the thief who could also use healing magic, cast the spell, and the wounds on the shield user began to heal rapidly.

(Okay, we can still hold on.)

Elio continued to take the enemy's attacks, and eventually, the archer Jeff secured a favorable position, and Leon, the swordsman and de facto leader of the party, flanked the enemy.

"Okay, now!"

"Press the attack!"

The adventurers successfully repelled the monsters.

"Alright, we managed to repel the enemy."

"Once we get past here, we'll reach the 'Metal Line.'"

"Alright, before it gets dark..."

"What's wrong, Elio?"

"Sorry, my strength seems to be decreasing."

Elio carried the heavy shield with difficulty, his face contorted.

"Again?"

Leon said, unable to hide his disappointment.

When your strength decreases while wearing heavy equipment, it puts a strain on your body, reducing your durability.

When durability decreases, your overall stats drop more quickly.

Once that happens, you can't function properly in the dungeon.

"Can't be helped. From here on, I'll help you. Take potions regularly and don't overexert yourself."

Leon said.

"Got it. Sorry."

"But what do we do? Elio can't stand up to the Great Oni like this."

"No problem. The 'Metal Line' is just ahead. Look, we can see it."

Ahead of them, countless exposed mineral deposits spread out.

Brown rock faces with red, blue, and colorful large gems protruded from the ground like vegetables in a field.

They cheered and began to gather the minerals.

"There's a lot of this stuff."

"Yeah, if we get this much, we won't have to worry for a while."

"Start with the high-value minerals. First, the 'Flame Absorbing Ore' and 'Flame Resistant Ore.' Then the 'Wind Absorbing Ore' and 'Wind Resistant Ore.'"

They sheathed their weapons and took out their picks to start gathering the minerals.

"Alright, that's enough. Let's head back."

The leader, Leon, gave the order to retreat after a reasonable amount of time.

Everyone stopped working and began to prepare for the retreat.

"Ugh"

"Elio? What's wrong?"

"...It's no good. The 'Item Holding' skill isn't working."

When Elio tried to put the minerals into his item bag, they spilled out.

Unlike large guilds like the 'Golden Eagle' or 'Guardians of the Magic Tree,' they were a small guild and couldn't afford to hire an item holder. Each member had to have a low-level 'Item Holding' skill and manage the harvested resources themselves.

Elio had the 'Item Holding C' skill, but his stats were so depleted that he couldn't even maintain the skill.

(With my stamina so depleted, I can't maintain the 'Item Holding' skill anymore. Damn.)

"Can't be helped. Elio, you don't have to hold the minerals. Try to conserve your stats and focus on getting down the mountain."

"Ugh... Got it."

Elio was supported by his companions and managed to make his way down the mountain.

"Elio, are you okay?"

Cecil, the thief, supported Elio's shoulder and asked.

"Yeah, sorry. It's my fault for being useless."

"Don't worry about it. We help each other in tough times. Just focus on getting out of the dungeon."

"Got it."

"...This is bad."

The archer Jeff said.

"What's wrong?"

"The 'White Wolves.'"

Jeff, with his 'Far Sight' skill, could see farther than the average person.

"They're coming this way. They're going to attack us."

"What? How far are they?"

"They're almost here. We can't run!"

As they spoke, a group of thieves approached.

"Damn. Can't be helped. Prepare for battle."

Leon and the others quickly got ready for battle.

"Elio, are you okay? Can you stand on your own?"

"Yeah, I'll try."

(Our guild can't afford to have idle members. Even if I can barely move, just standing with my shield and armor should be a deterrent!)

Elio stood in front of his companions, holding his shield.

As they prepared, the 'White Wolves' approached.

Leon noticed a man with an eye patch among the 'White Wolves.'

(Damn, it's Jamil. This day just keeps getting worse.)

Jamil appraised Elio's stats.

"Hehe. Hey, that shield guy's stats are all over the place."

"He's wearing equipment that's beyond his capabilities."

"He can't even move properly. We'll take advantage of our agility and finish this quickly."

Jamil quickly flanked Elio and knocked him down with a body check.

"Ugh"

By incapacitating the guild's only shield user, they then launched a melee attack on the rear guard, breaking their formation.

The guild 'Dawn's Shield' surrendered to the 'White Wolves' and handed over most of the minerals they had gathered.

"Alright, that's it for today."

At 'Dragon's Blaze,' one of the quartet, Edgar, was preparing to go home after finishing his day's work.

"Edgar-san!"

"Huh? What is it?"

"Mr. Elio from 'Dawn's Shield' wants to consult about his equipment. Can you handle it?"

"Damn, him again?"

"What should I do? Should I send him away today?"

"Ah, fine. I'll wrap it up quickly."

Edgar stopped his preparations and headed to the customer service counter.

"Hey, Edgar, can you make this armor a bit lighter?"

Elio pleaded.

"Considering you're going to the 'Metal Line,' right?"

"Yeah, that's why..."

"Then it's dangerous to lower the defense any further. 'Flying Dragons' and 'Fire Dragons' appear there."

"I know, but..."

"Then how about a C-class armor? It will be a bit lower in rank."

Edgar took out a catalog.

"No, that won't work. The defense won't be enough. We're already being targeted by the 'White Wolves.'"

"Then you'll have to keep using your current armor."

"But..."

"Mr. Elio, enough. I'm handling this outside of working hours. Do you have a problem with our equipment? If you don't like it, go to another alchemy guild."

"..."

Seeing Elio fall silent, Edgar smirked.

"Then, try to make do with your current equipment. You'll be fine. If you train your strength and durability, you can handle this weight."

As Elio left 'Dragon's Blaze,' his companions, who had been waiting outside, rushed over.

"How was it?"

"No good. He said if I don't like this armor, I should get a lower rank one."

"Got it."

"They didn't help at all."

"The equipment is good, but they're inflexible."

"But if we keep this up, our guild won't survive."

The four of them sighed in unison.

"Anyway, Elio needs to improve his stats."

"Try your best. It's up to you."

"Yeah."

(Sigh. I wish there was an alchemy guild that could make equipment more suited to me.)