Chapter 76

Tongfa Kick!

"Hmm... It's not quite there yet..."

I leaned the prototype I had made against a corner of the workshop and sighed.

Although I had met the client's specifications, it ended up being a mediocre sword, neither better nor worse.

As a merchant, that would be fine. However, I am a blacksmith at heart. What I want to create are always weapons with the best possible specifications.

"Making swords just doesn't do it for me..."

Perhaps it's unbecoming of a blacksmith, but I'm not particularly fond of making swords. It's not that I dislike them, but I just can't get motivated. I try to take them seriously when I make them, but if I'm asked whether I put everything into them, I would have to say no.

I tried to suppress my endless sighs and struck the last piece of the day's commission with a hammer.

While this action slightly improves the performance, to be frank, if I specify the materials and activate my skills, I can create a decent item quickly.

The reason I don't do this is my own principle.

Even if I know I can produce items instantly, I believe that swinging a hammer in front of the furnace is the true work of a blacksmith.

That said, I do use what might be called a simplified production method.

This is because with simplified production, I can reproduce weapons I have already created. It's like a recipe for cooking; if I prepare the same materials, I can create a weapon with the same performance as the one I made before. This applies to armor and accessories as well.

Conversely, I can't use simplified production for items I haven't created before. To expand my repertoire as a blacksmith, I have to swing a hammer in front of the furnace without taking shortcuts.

However, for items like throwing weapons, where quantity and uniform quality are important, mass production through simplified production is better.

In a different field, potion makers apparently have to use different production methods for development and sales to make a profit.

After about ten minutes, I hung the greatsword I had made on a rack and left the workshop.

My house, which mostly consists of a workshop and a warehouse, does have a space for taking breaks.

Today, I had over twenty production requests, so I've been hammering steel for nearly four hours and am quite tired.

"Huh... Even though the event is approaching... Making such uninspiring items is tiring..."

I want to make impact weapons.

This desire has been smoldering in my heart for a long time.

It reminds me of a player I met about a week ago.

A player who, for the first time, defeated a named enemy solo. Using a minor race called a Kijin, he preferred impact weapons and was skilled at using the unpopular skill of throwing.

When I saw him use a balance weight, a toy item I had given him to try out, I couldn't help but laugh.

The iron ball I later sold him was used even more skillfully than the balance weight, and I can't think of anything more satisfying as a blacksmith.

While it was somewhat shocking that the Kugel Schreiber was destroyed in less than half a day, the opponent was one of my best customers, the "Killer Princess."

Moreover, she had also fought an unknown named enemy, so I didn't blame her.

My masterpiece, the Meteor Impact Zero, is still being used occasionally, and the Heavy Metal Gauntlets have been shown off sufficiently.

I can think of many weapons that would suit her. Close-range impact weapons like a blackjack, or special weapons like nunchucks or a three-section staff.

Since she has taken the Two-Handed Staff skill, a simple and sturdy "stick" would be a good option.

A traditional two-handed mace like the Meteor Impact Zero would also suit her. No, on the contrary, a weapon like a mace would look very good. It would be very interesting to see her swing one in each hand.

Whips are also good. She would handle them with ease. They are a very flexible and technical weapon, and it's easy to add a cutting attribute to a whip.

Most of all, if she could get that skill discovered just the other day, I would want to make a "Dual Staff," and if she got it, I could even make "that"...

"Huh... No, no, no... I mustn't... I'm just tired and my desires are getting the better of me..."

What is most frustrating is that her favorite weapon is a store-bought metal rod.

If she could use a custom-made metal rod from me, she could fight even more strongly and beautifully.

Yes, I will design a metal rod today. I want to create something with more destructive power than the light steel alloy metal rod she is currently using.

What about using shock steel and fire attribute materials to generate an impact at the moment of impact?

The durability consumption would be high, but the destructive power of each strike should increase by nearly double. By using heavy metal as the core, I can ensure durability... but if I do that with each strike, the speed of combat would be lost. Could I incorporate this as a mechanism?

"Hehe, hehehe, hehehehehe... Oh?"

While I was writing specifications on the design drawing, I heard a knock at the door.

I didn't have any visitors planned, but as I headed to the front door and opened it,

"Oh, oh... Well, well, well, here comes the person I was waiting for..."

"What are you talking about?"

Standing at the door was a Kijin with black hair, wearing a red-rusted kimono.

Seeing the player who had just been fueling my fantasies, I couldn't contain my excitement.

"Well, it's fine... Long time no see, Haruru."

"Yes, it's been a while, Sukuna-san."

☆

"So... You want multiple weapons for the event, right?"

"Yeah. I brought various materials."

"Oh... You're bringing your own materials? That will make it a bit cheaper..."

Last time, I had to handle all the materials and processing, so I had to charge a high price, but if you provide the materials, it's a different story.

"That's good. I brought this much today."

I waited expectantly as she fiddled with her menu card, her cheeks relaxed.

"Here it is."

"...What...?"

The amount of materials Sukuna-san showed was so large that it would be difficult to carry alone.

"Over 40 ingots of heavy metal... You did well to bring them..."

"I've only been increasing my strength since then. They were still heavy, though."

"Ho ho... You really went all out..."

"Also, can these materials be used?"

Sukuna-san focused on two attribute materials: a Crimson Jewel and a Water Dragon Crystal.

I have knowledge of both, but the Crimson Jewel is probably not usable right now. It is a key item for synthesizing fire attribute materials with metal, but it does not have a fire attribute itself.

Of course, if Sukuna-san has fire attribute materials, it would be different, but according to my information, no powerful fire attribute materials have been discovered that would justify using this item.

In that case, the Red Metal mixed in with the materials would be sufficient, and the rare item should be kept.

On the other hand, the Water Dragon Crystal, which has a high water attribute, can be used, but it has poor compatibility with metal materials.

After explaining this, Sukuna-san showed me a few more monster materials.

"Can any of these be used?"

"Not impossible, but to be honest, I think it's better not to use them right now..."

"I see. Then it's fine. I just wanted to ask you because they are rare materials."

Since she didn't seem to have high expectations, Sukuna-san didn't show much disappointment.

I understand the urge to use rare materials as soon as you get them, but unlike named materials, these are not something that can be completed with just one item.

Well, even named materials are only excellent materials without the key "Soul."

Her hair ornament is probably the materialized "Soul," and I'm very curious about what effect it has.

I myself made the "Seductive Fine Sword." I know how crazy the effects of named "Souls" can be.

Considering that the recipe for simplified production was not refined, using "Souls" in production must have some special meaning.

However, when I made it, the Hihiiroukane did not appear. The same goes for the other two, and I wonder if it's a difference between weapons and armor.

Still, the higher the rarity of a material, the more powerful the effect it can grant.

Wanting to know what effect was granted to the highest-grade metal, Hihiiroukane, is not an unreasonable desire.

"Anyway... I have a few proposals to make..."

"Proposals?"

I had been fantasizing earlier, but now that Sukuna-san is here with such a large amount of materials, there are things I want to try.

"Yes... There are many impact weapons I want Sukuna-san to use, but since this event is a dungeon event, I can't make long weapons..."

"That's true. They can be used, but a one-handed size would be better."

"That's why... I want to try refining "Over Heavy Metal" using the heavy metal you brought..."

"Over Heavy Metal?"

"Over Heavy Metal. It is an ultra-high-density heavy metal that can only be refined by melting a large amount of heavy metal, which is already dense and heavy, and removing as much impurities as possible.

Refining requires a high "Blacksmith" skill, and if you fail, you get nothing but garbage.

Using 10 heavy metal ingots, you can refine 2 or 3 at best. To make one weapon, you need to gather 20 heavy metal ingots, and it is so heavy that almost no one can hold it.

However, the durability and attack power are significantly increased, and it is the most suitable material for impact weapons, except for its weight.

"To refine one Over Heavy Metal, you need 2 heavy metal ingots... My refinement success rate is around 50%, so with 40 ingots, it would be a good result to refine 10 Over Heavy Metals..."

"Can you make weapons with that much?"

"Five should be enough to make one for sure..."

"Okay, then I'll leave it to you, Haruru."

Sukuna-san handed over the heavy metal to me very casually, even before we had a contract.

"Um, Sukuna-san... About the contract..."

"Oh, I forgot. Well, refining Over Heavy Metal isn't guaranteed, so how about we finalize it if the refinement is successful?"

That's true. Still, doesn't she consider insurance in case all the heavy metal is wasted?

A contract is not something that can only be made when creating weapons. It's a way to confirm mutual agreement.

"Huh? Is something wrong?"

She looked at me with an expression that suggested she didn't understand why I was confused.

I think this person doesn't often think about doubting others. It's not that she trusts unconditionally, but rather that she can quickly give up and cut ties if betrayed.

That's why she can easily get involved with strangers. On the other hand, she probably doesn't care much about cutting ties.

Sukuna-san is a very good person to deal with sincerely and can be a nice friend. She has a relaxed attitude towards jokes and a good sense of humor.

However, if she loses trust, the connection is severed. In a way, it's a kind and dry mental structure.

"Anyway, I want you to make a metal rod. The rest depends on the number of Over Heavy Metals."

"Yes, that's how it will be..."

"Okay. When the refinement is done, can you send me a message?"

"Understood... We can discuss the details of weapon creation through messages... Delivery of weapons can also be done through messages..."

When I said that, Sukuna-san tilted her head.

"Huh, can weapon delivery be done through messages?"

"Why would you think it couldn't be done...?"

"Well, you know. Last time with Rau, she came all the way to Dualis. I thought the handover had to be done in person."

"Ah... She's a bit special..."

I understood Sukuna-san's confusion, but the Killer Princess is set to not accept messages. However, she can send messages.

That's why I have to go outside Dualis to hand over the items.

How does she determine the timing for the handover? When we meet, we decide the timing for the handover. Besides, since we are friends, I can tell if she is logged in.

When she said, "If she's logged in, she's probably free," I was so exhausted.

I don't mind because she pays well and provides materials, but I have a principle of not dealing with players who don't care about profit.

Still, being able to deal with such people is one of the good things about games.

"Sukuna-san, you're planning to run the event, right? Then you shouldn't stay in Dualis for too long..."

"True... Yeah, I'll head back to Phias soon."

"Yes, please do... But if your throwing weapons are running low, please replenish them... I will charge you, of course..."

"Hehe, I have plenty of money."

Sukuna-san, who said this happily, bought almost all the throwing items I had prepared.

To be honest, no one else buys them, so I would be in trouble if they were left in stock.

"See you next time!"

"Take care..."

Sukuna-san, who bought a weapon in addition to many items, waved goodbye and left with high spirits.

Looking at her back, I felt that today would be a very good day.

"Anyway, while looking for promising candidates for the third wave, I will start refining Over Heavy Metal..."

I raised the furnace temperature to more than twice its usual level and threw the heavy metal ingots I had received into the furnace.