Blacksmith of the Apocalypse

The next few hours, the blacksmith and the automaton were working side by side and Seth did his best to converse with her. Nothing personal, he didn’t try to pry into Forgebrand either. It was a purely professional dialogue, as they made jewelry side by side.

Although her specialty was jewelry and Seth had already inferred many of the things he asked about on his own, the conversation served as an affirmation of many of the blacksmith’s ideas. In some points, Sivri could even correct him and give valuable advice on the usage and understanding of the master tier enchantments.

Seth had never felt bad, trying to learn and realize things on his own, it was a challenge that made the work interesting. However, having someone to guide him and confirm his own conclusions was motivating and helped lift his mood in a way he had never expected.

At the same time, Sivri also learned and complimented him about the ballads and etchings. Despite being the chosen of Hades, Forgebrand was much closer to a pure blacksmith, than Seth who combined the class he inherited with the power of demonic bards.

They actually found a way to split the workload. While Seth could concentrate on singing the ballads, Sivri was able to forge the jewelry. The bard didn’t know whether this would work between strangers, or it only worked because Sivri was part of his skill.

As they talked, sang, and worked, the accessories that were only roughly planned out at the start of the day took shape in a matter of hours. Following Sivri’s suggestion, these items were not equipped with souls, for now.

Instead, she showed him how to use rechargeable monster cores like gems as a power supply of items. If someone was not a spirit smith, this was the most common way for talented blacksmiths and goldsmiths to power enchantments.

According to their estimates, this would allow Neeco to use them for several hours per charge. Since Minas Mar had the ability to create artificial magic crystals, recharging was not a concern. It was a cost-effective method, and Seth would still be able to add fitting souls later on if needed.

It was also the first time for Seth to engrave a master-tier enchantment on something small like a ring and earrings. Not that he had much experience, to begin with. Sivri helped a lot, showing him the correct use of the magnifying device correctly for tiny enchantments.

The accessories were too small for demonic etchings, at least Seth currently lacked the practice to be able to etch the runes that small without making mistakes. Although <Etching> belonged to his <Enchantment> skill, which he mastered, it didn’t mean he didn’t need practice.

It was like normal writing, even if you understood the language and alphabet you wrote, it didn’t mean you would have beautiful calligraphy. This was why he usually shifted etchings for small items to their soul, instead of the item itself.

Taking a lunch break around noon, they finished four rings, two earrings, and a necklace in the late afternoon. The effects of the items were as simple as they were powerful. Apart from the <Ithildin>’s basic option to improve the power of magic, each piece raised either Willpower, Endurance, or Dexterity by 110.

Unexpectedly, it was not by 130, because his skill <Composer of Fusion> had not taken full effect because it depended on the variety of skills, he used in the crafting process. Since he “only” used <Goldsmith>, <Enchantment>, and <Singing>, he only got a 10% improvement from his skill.

Although his Maestro Skill <Composer of Fusion> disappointed him a little, Charon’s Obol shone this time around, as its special effect activated with three of the seven accessories. Two rings and an earring had a random effect bestowed upon them by his hammer.

One of the rings had the option to increase affinity with Darkness by 20%, another improved skill effects by 20%, and the earring improved the power of Wind Magic by 45%. They were not the mightiest effects, but they came without a cost and were all more or less helpful to Neeco Boos.

Some monster cores could also add effects to items, but the main effect of the ones they had chosen was literally being a great energy storage. They were also able to recharge on their own. Just that the speed and amount of recharging were slow and almost negligible compared to the cost of the master-tier enchantments.

“This was fun,“ Seth exclaimed when the finished items were laid out on the table before them. Although the System did not recognize them as a set, they very much looked like a set of relic-rated platinum jewelry, set with canary diamonds or Citrin, because of the translucent, yellow color and cut of the monster cores.

“It was fun,“ Sivri agreed happily. After the first few accessories for the field teams, Sivri had been left to her own devices to create jewelry for the Oathguard from the materials in the workshop. But unlike Cerberus, who lacked the personality to mind, Sivri was happier, if Seth depended on her directly, instead of leaving miscellaneous stuff to her.

As a last step, Seth started renaming the accessories. Just because the system didn’t acknowledge them as a set, didn’t mean Seth could simply re-name like they were one. With a grin, he started to name them. The four rings became Neeco’s Ring of Darkness, Neeco’s Skill Enhancer Ring, Neeco’s Stone Skin Ring, and Neeco’s Ring of Will. The earrings were Neeco’s Second Will and Neeco’s New Wind, while the necklace became Neeco’s Quick Hands.

He deliberately chose cheesy run-of-the-mill names, as it gave him an irrational joy to do this to universally sought-after relic-rated items. He looked forward to after the tournament when he would start selling items like this at the auction house.

Even if he gave the items embarrassing names, everyone would still want them, but they would feel conflicted talking about them, because of the names. They couldn’t even lie about it, since anyone with a good appraisal skills would be able to prove them wrong.

“Sivri, do you want to come along? I want to give them to Neeco and end the day there,” the blacksmith offered his golden assistant to have a part in the delivery. Sivir had helped him a lot and he thoroughly understood, that she was different from Cerberus, especially since she was not bound to the workshop.

“I think you should get to know more people in Minas Mar. Let’s go around and introduce you.”

Sivri halted as if she needed a moment to think. She threw a glance at Cerberus. Did she hesitate? No.

“I would love that, thank you,” she finally answered, her voice heavy with emotion. Sivri bore a weight, Seth didn’t know about. Most likely something about Forgebrand, but from her voice he meant to hear a very small hint that she was ready to try and move on. Of course, his social skills were severely lacking, so he might have interpreted everything wrong. What he could tell for sure, was that she had a broad smile on her face, as they left the workshop area.

“After we meet with Neeco, we will go to the cafeteria. It should be time for dinner, so there will be a bunch of people I can introduce you to,” he said on the way to the tailor’s workshop.

...

Neeco was busy finishing the prototype of the quad-elemental robe when Seth and a petite golden dwarf suddenly barged into his workshop.

“We- we bring presents,” the golden dwarf cheered. “And good company,” Seth completed elated.

Neeco’s face was a mask made of stone. What in the world was suddenly going on? Was it not enough that he was bedridden for the past two days because Seth cajoled him into messing with the power of death? He couldn't help it, but he came to dread the tower Master’s visits.

“What’s with that face? I came to give you a supplement for your work and to introduce you to Sivri.” Seth scolded him.

“Sivri?” Neeco asked, things were moving a little too fast for him.

“This is Sivri,” he said, pointing at the petite golden dwarf automaton. “Hello;” the dwarf greeted in a sweet, slightly mechanical voice.

“Is she one of your golems?” Neeco asked perplexed.

“No, actually...” and Seth explained it to him.

“So you had that poor lady stay down there in that smokey slough, with a bunch of reclusive blacksmiths and a silent golem for company? Dafuq is wrong with you?” the tailor asked appalled.

“Okay, okay, no need to scold me, I already realized my error. I underestimated Sivri... Anyway, we finished the items, so you can start spinning the yarn of death!”

“Urgh-!” Neeco had tried to guilt trip him into forgetting about the yarn, but it did not work! “Do I really have to, can’t you show mercy? You have no idea what a sickening feeling it is to touch that energy,” he whined.

“Stop the complaining. Once you wear this stuff, there should be no problem with that,” Seth choked off his monologue. For better or worse, Neeco was forced to listen to the blacksmith’s explanation of his new items.

Although he started unwillingly, his eyes shone by the time Seth finished his introduction. The tailor didn’t care much for the smaller effect, but +330 Willpower, + 220 Dexterity, and +220 Endurance, more than doubled his willpower, raised his dexterity above 1000, and raised his endurance just above 300.

If these items held what the blacksmith promised, maybe he would really be able to spin that yarn and maybe go even further beyond!