Blacksmith of the Apocalypse

His heart quivered as he entered the embassy of Minas Mar. The day was finally here. Nervously, Marco adjusted his clothes. It was nothing fancy, or expensive. A simple button-up shirt and black trousers he got from a shop not far from the embassy.

Looking forward to his audition, it more and more felt like he was going to a job interview. His thoughts kept revolving about the things he was going to say, or the things the other party was going to ask. What question would there be in a casting to gain the right to own a legendary item?

He was sure it would be something about his class. His combat experience would probably also come up, he guessed. In his head, he tried to prepare answers about his class and skills and the work and adventures he had experienced so far. Deep in thought he suddenly felt a hand on his shoulder.

“Calm down. You got this,” Paolo told him in a calm voice. His best friend and priest had come along as moral support. Although James had said that he recommended the both of them, his friend decided to sit this one out.

Officially, there was no information about the items the Tower Master had made to bestow upon the lucky ones, however, unofficially there were a lot of rumors. None of them had anything to do with priest or support gear, which was why Paolo only came along a Marco’s moral support.

Seeing his friend's calm smile, Marco actually managed to calm down a little. They had come a long way and overcame some tough times. Paolo’s presence and smile told him that they would simply keep going. The world was not going to end if he failed this. After all, it ended already, and they were still here

“You are right, I got this,” he said, gathering his courage. No matter what, the interviewer wouldn’t be scarier than the bosses they faced. That was what he thought until he entered the office and suddenly stood face to face with the Tower Master. Well, the Tower Master was sitting, but it didn’t diminish his presence.

Marco stopped in his tracks when he saw the man clad in dark armor. His instincts and survival skills screamed to leave at once, making his ears ring. Finally, the man raised his head with a bored expression, looking at Marco who stood there like a deer in the headlights.

“Come, sit,” he said, leisurely pointing at the chair in front of his desk with the end of his pencil. The tower master didn’t seem surprised about his reaction, and he spoke like he had said the same sentence very often lately.

The next segment went past him like a dream, and he had a hard time remembering what exactly happened. All the questions he expected, they came, and he answered them like a machine. The words he prepared simply fell out of his mouth, whenever the Tower Master asked a question. Almost like it was fast-forwarded, it was over before Marco even realized it.

“It says here that you already signed a soul contract with us?” the man in dark armor asked, looking through a stack of paper.

“Yes? Yes, I have,” Marco answered hurriedly.

“You are rather short and slim,” the Tower master suddenly commented. His words stepped deep into Marco’s heart. Why would he suddenly rent his heart? What had he done wrong to deserve such harsh words?

“Although you use a sword, it doesn’t seem like you are using a specific sword art?” disinterested, the Tower Mast kept poking at his insecurities. It was true, although Marco had crossed lv.85, his class was still that of a normal swordsman without specialization.

He regularly visited the System Church and tried to specialize, but he never got any of the cool classes he was looking for, as such he had never chosen a specialization. He would rather stay a swordsman than go down a path he didn’t like.

“With your physique and experience, would you want to try and go down the route of a fencer?” the tower master asked.

“A fencer?” Marco exclaimed, perplexed. He thought the conversation was about to end and the Tower master was simply disparaging him... Had he misunderstood? The swordsman looked up, seeing the Tower Master waiting for his answer.

“I-I do not wish to take a path I dislike, but I’m willing to give the path of a fencer a try,” he said surprisingly confidently. Even if it was the tower Master, he would be forced down a path that made him unhappy.

“Not even if it meant that you could get a legendary item for your hardships?” his interviewer suddenly asked. In his words lay an overwhelming allure. Did this mean that this question was all that was standing between him and getting a legendary item?

Even within Minas Mar, there was a strong sense of mysticism revolving around the idea of legendary items among the regular members, despite almost every member of the field teams having one or two.

Just one could turn anyone into a powerhouse. Growing past lv.90 would be a breeze. They could become heroes and make a name for themselves. With that kind of strength, they could protect what they hold dear.

Especially the last point was a notion anyone on Urth shared. All of them suffered losses. Whether it was their homes, their wealth, their friends, or family, everyone knew the feeling of the world taking away something precious to them. The temptation was unimaginable, but still-

“Even then. If I don’t like fencing, I do not wish to pursue that path, even if it meant getting a legendary item.” Marco said, making up his mind. The Tower Master’s finger tapped on the desk as he stared at the young man before him for a while.

“Good. Jess and James were right to recommend you. Take this and this and meet up with John Felton to train it. See if fencing is to your liking,” he suddenly said and placed a long rapier and a book on the table.

“This is an epic replica of the special weapon "Harbinger of Winter” as well as a skill book for <Fencing (Beginner) lv.1>. Don’t think this is a guarantee to get it, you are not the only one who got this offer, there are two others. Even if you come to like fencing, the rapier will go to the best candidate,” the Tower Master explained.

“That means I’m among the last three in the selection?” Marco asked, kind of happy. Weirdly, he felt unfazed when the Tower Master talked about his competition.

“Yes, and you were the last swordsman on the list. Congrats.”

And suddenly Marco was faced with a hand. Mechanically, he shook it before the Tower Master sent him out of the door. Outside, Paolo was still waiting for him, looking up from a magazine when he saw the door open. “Marco, are you already done? Let’s go, you have to tell me everything,” He greeted him with a smile before he saw the figure of the Tower Master behind him.

“Didn’t you also come for an interview?” their boss asked Paolo. The priest had refused the appointment, but it seemed like the Tower Master still remembered him.

“I-I only came as moral support today, Sir” Paolo answered surprised. The man who had once bought their boss seemed even more imposing than back then.

“No need to call me Sir, we know each other a little. Come on, are you sure you want to give up on the chance to get a legendary item?” his superior tempted him. Marco and Paolo were surprised that the Tower Master remembered their first meeting.

“Err, I would not say no, but I heard there were no items for supporters, and I would like to stay a healer...” he hemmed and hawed.

“So what? Do you think I will go through this ordeal for every legendary item I make? I’m making a list of potential candidates now; this is your chance to get on it,” the Tower Master said a little moody.

“Paolo, go.”

Marco gave him a push. He already knew that the often timid healer sometimes needed a push to do something for himself. His friend looked at him hesitatingly, but finally nodded and followed the Tower Master. With some luck, they would both be able to own a legendary item in the future.