Chapter 84

"What's the difference from reinforcement?"

Just the words don't convey the difference very well.

That's why Moshin tries to apply it to the weapon he's holding.

Before he does, Ramless raises his hand and explains anxiously.

"Refinement, right!?"

"Ah, yes."

"Amazing... to learn refinement at this level. As expected of Sakae-da-sama, a person from another world."

"Do you know what kind of ability it is?"

Ito asks Ramless.

Ramless nods.

"Yes. Among the abilities related to blacksmithing, it is said to be one that can cause disputes and conflicts."

"Huh? Is it dangerous?"

Moshin answers anxiously.

"In a sense... it could be a source of conflict. Our country also has some, but due to interpersonal issues, there is a tendency to avoid using them."

"Is that so?"

"Then, what kind of ability is it?"

"In our case, it would be something like 'Spear Refinement,' but in Sakae-da-sama's case, refinement... it is thought to be an expansion ability that performs reinforcement beyond the limits of reinforcement."

"Oh, so it means being able to reinforce beyond +10."

That's excellent.

However, from what Ramless said, it seems there's a catch.

"What's the problem? I can kind of imagine."

"I can imagine too."

Ito and I start to sweat nervously.

Then, Ramless slowly opens his mouth.

"If refinement goes well, it's said that for every +1, you get the equivalent of +5 from regular reinforcement, and it increases even more after +13—"

"Ah, I get it. If it fails, the weapon breaks, right?"

It's just like excessive refinement in online games!

If you have time to rely on that, you should look for a better weapon!

"Refinement... if we can earn enough points, we can have Sakae-da refine our previous weapons—"

"Ito, that's a dangerous idea. Absolutely don't do it."

"By the way, items +15 and above are said to be traded at high prices among adventurers. I have a friend whose family treasure is a regular knife, but it's +15. It had a very divine luster."

Stop the refinement gambling!

You'll go bankrupt.

"Have you seen it, Sakae-da-sama? Adventurers with weapons that shine brightly at the blacksmith's shop?"

"Oh... so that was a refined and reinforced weapon! I was warned that it was too early for me to see it!"

What? Does it also glow like a bonus?

That's too game-like!

"Once it reaches +15, the blade itself glows and can be used as a light source."

I've been taught some unpleasant trivia.

A regular lamp or torch would be fine.

Ito and Moshin look like they're about to succumb to curiosity.

We can't let them go down that path.

"To get the blacksmith's master to recognize my skills... should I try making a cheap knife?"

"Moshin, excessive refinement is dangerous!"

My online game experience tells me.

If we don't stop him now, my best friend will get hooked on gambling!

It starts with a knife, but eventually, he'll be using a Metal Turtle sword or something.

"Why are you so anxious? It will help increase our business if it becomes a signboard."

Ito agrees, but... that's not the issue.

"It's good as a signboard, but please don't take requests lightly."

"Why?"

"Moshin, think about it. Adventurers in this world often make a fortune through weapons."

Even I can understand this after seeing the circulation in this world.

Nobles also invest a lot in weapons and use their granted abilities.

To maintain security, they have to pay points for maintaining barriers, and they need money too.

There are various ways to earn money.

However, when it comes to weapons, there's a side to Moshin's knowledge where a large amount of points is consumed, and there's no ceiling.

Think about the weapons that adventurers have worked hard to create being destroyed in an instant.

"When adventurers retire, they often sell their weapons to make a fortune and save it. There are many stories of adventurers who, in an attempt to defeat monsters beyond their capabilities, try to reinforce their weapons and fail, then blame the blacksmith."

"Whoa..."

Finally, Moshin seems to understand.

It's not just a matter of logic.

"The problem in this world is that you can get a decent amount of points by hunting."

"Money makes people rational, but points can only be used as currency if you rely on ability holders..."

"There are stores that buy and sell with points, but the value drops slightly, which is a trap. If you have enough money to live on, you might be tempted to do it."

As a result, the resentment of adventurers whose weapons break and who might go out of business goes to?

The blacksmith.

"Do you really need to go to such lengths to defeat monsters?"

"Right. This isn't an online game."

Ito and I share the same doubt.

"The sense of superiority from having something better than others is the same for nobles and adventurers. There's also value as a fashion item. The more expensive the original, the higher the value."

"Fashion...?"

Practicality is ignored?

"Of course, there are those who use them practically. Some adventurers gather a lot of materials from monsters suitable for their level and make backups to advance further."

"I can understand that feeling..."

Ito agrees.

"Hanabashi and the others might not understand yet, but there comes a time when you hit a plateau. You start to want better equipment to get past that period. We can focus on leveling up because the production people provide us with expensive equipment."

Well, we can make equipment and tools with the points and money we all earn.

I also bring items from Japan and sell them to merchants and nobles.

"I see... but then, why not have someone make an Adamant Turtle sword? I can provide the materials."

"Moshin, I forgot to mention, but at that level, you need various other troublesome materials."

What? It's not that easy to make?

How troublesome is it?

"You'll have to challenge refinement to gather the materials needed to make a good weapon."

"That's a bad situation."

Why not give up and try a different weapon?

There are unknown weapons in this world.

Use Moshin's new ability, synthesis.

"That was a difficult story."

"Growl."

Kumako's glove can't be fixed by Moshin's ability.

It seems Ito doesn't understand it well.

I think it's better not to know about such a world.

Anyway, Ito's level reached 30.

It was pretty fast.

It's really helpful that it went up so quickly.

"Um, it's called Extreme Luck."

"Extreme Luck..."

I remember the game the class was obsessed with last night.

"Ito, are there rare items in monster corpses?"

"Occasionally, when you dissect a monster's corpse, you can get rare materials. In this area, there's a crystal-like material called Kukai Stone that forms inside a certain type of monster."

"Probably that one."

"Ah, it's a must-have material for diving equipment."

"Then I'll try it. Here goes!"

Ito casts something on us.

After that, the monsters that appear drop Kukai Stones, which are supposed to be rare, in pieces.

Actually, it looked like something entered the monsters from our bodies and generated them as soon as we defeated them.

"That's very convenient."

"But it seems to take a very long time to reuse."

The effect lasts for an hour... it's best to use it at the right moment.

"I want to bring Hanano-san when we fight a big monster..."

"Is it okay to bring Ito to such a dangerous place?"

Ito shakes his head at my words.

"Of course, it's best to face opponents suitable for your level."

"It's frustrating. We are much weaker than Ito."

"Originally, it's about matching the right person to the right job. Sakae is most efficient when fighting rock-type monsters in a volcano."

Recently, Moshin has started using a hammer as a weapon. Is that the reason?

Around the volcano.

...Actually, there's a good place for a base.

That hot spring area.

"Let us know when Moshin is going to seclude himself in the mountains."

"If I do, how will everyone's equipment be handled? Sure, we could rely on other blacksmiths... but for now, it's best to consider efficiency and the right person for the right job."

"That's true."

Still, I want to get stronger, so I want to gather as much equipment as possible and start leveling up seriously.