CH 19

Now that I’ve finished the arrowheads, it’s time to move on to [Blacksmithing] work part 2.

The next goal is to make additional equipment that attaches to the Werewolf Leather Boots.

It will be equipment that will specifically enhance [Kick].

Like when I attacked the Rock Ants, there are bad situations where the damage can be rebounded, though there might not be that many opponents like that from here on.

Furthermore, for [Kick] attacks that don’t use supporting weapons, the offensive power will definitely drop no matter what.

I’d like to address these two problems…

“If I can make some kind of weapon equipment that looks neat for my feet, wouldn’t that be great.”

I say that, but before we get into the aesthetics I need to try and make some fixtures so that I can actually attach the equipment to the Leather boots.

Now then, since it’s like that … as an example, Spike Shoes and Ski Boots seem to fall within my ideas.

Spikes are anti-slip metal fixtures that are largely durable.

While kicking something with a large amount of spikes, the parts you kicked will be covered in holes.

For now, I’ll ignore the thought that it’s gruesome.

Ski boots are shoes that can soften impact. It will deliver only the intended striking damage, suppressing any reflected damage from a kick ….

I really need to think of how to attach shoes to shoes.

Also, attaching several blades to the sides of the shoes can give me a choice on whether to kick or slice, depending on the type of kick.

With that kind of thing it’s also possible to improve the offensive power.

I practiced making cutting edges to death with the short sword and knife that I can’t use.

Afterwards it’s time to try and remodel it some.

And so I drew several blueprints.

If the weight is too heavy it’s “No Good”.

Killing the mobility would be a fatal blunder for the fragile me.

While going, “good, good”, I’ve decided on the form.

The result is 7 spikes on the bottom of the foot and a blade left and right on the side of each foot.

If I add anything else, aside from having to figure out how to attach it, the weight it would add would push it into the “No way, no how, just give up” level, so I’ll leave it as is.

This time’s prototype will be for investigating for improvements based on ways to reinforce fighting in the recent battle.

I decided that the layout of the 7 spikes is 3 in the front, 1 in the middle, and 3 at the heel.

The spikes are for increasing [Kick]’s offensive power, but since they’ll work as anti-slip measures it’s better to have them placed evenly to ensure a steady balance.

For the blades that will go on the left and right side of my feet, I tried to use the kukri knife1 and janbiya1.2 dagger as references to the shape of the blade … but this…I’m struggling.

If the bend’s too extreme it can’t be attached easily; if it’s too straight it won’t cover the front of the foot.

While drawing a pretty moderate curve on the side, I make it so it arcs in front of the foot;

If the blade wasn’t such a “different” shape I wouldn’t be able to make it work.

I hear a blacksmith player crafter nearby say “That, how are you supposed to use it?”

It’s really too different after all.

Actually, when I finally finished making the shape of the two blades my usual logout time had passed … I logged out in a hurry and forced myself to go to bed.

… I manage to avoid being late.

As such, after returning home from work, I finished eating and took a bath before logging back in.

Today I want to build up an outer shell to attach things to the shoes.

There’s no way you can attach spikes or blades directly to shoes even in the game, so I’m making a kind of pseudo shoe that covers the outside of the shoe so that it can act as the attachment.

Taking the basic pattern from the Leather Boots, I made it a bit bigger.

It will be designed to cling to the Leather Boots tightly.

After roughly taking the form, from here I’ll reduce it little by little.

I’ll keep at it until it’s a perfect fit.

… just the outline of the shell took 30 minutes.

It’s not too stout, nor did it add too much weight.

Quite the opposite actually, it’s too thin, resulting in a loss of durability.

To determine the best balance between the thickness and durability of the outer shell, for the iron part I will use trial-and-error to figure out the thickness.

Adjustment by adjustment piled up, and pretty soon 1 hour has gone and vanished.

Finally the outer shell is complete, and it’s time to see how well it attaches.

… I try walking, kicking, and lunging forward, and I don’t feel like there’s any extreme increase in weight.

Here the blades and spikes aren’t attached …

A little bit of training will probably be necessary to get used to it then.

At any rate, the endurance level is also cleared, so finally I can attach the blades and spikes.

The blades are set right and left, respectively, for each shell, from there a number of fixtures are set around them to attach them securely.

For the spikes I’ve made some inset holes in the shell for attachment.

I put them in, and also use small fixtures are used to ensure stability.

I push and pull on them to check if they’re firm.

It’s necessary to confirm that carefully, since it’s a part that’s likely to be abused.

I put it on after celebrating the attachment’s completed form.

Ah, as I expected the weight’s increased some  …to master this I’ll go to the Dread Wolf area and raise a blood festival2 by kicking up a storm.

Though it might not be enough get the feeling just by going to break it in.

—

Leg Blade Prototype

Adds ATK+12       Adds DEF+2

Raises [Kick]’s offensive power when attached to Leather and Light Armor shoes.

An iron attachment, it is useless if it’s not attached to shoes.

Also, it is unable to be used if [Kick] has not yet reached LV15.

Quality 5      Reduces [Kick]’s reflected damage      Increased weight

—

Hee~h, so you can attach it to Light Armor shoes.

It might be good to make it and see if I can sell it to people who’ve taken [Kick].

If I use it myself, there might be people who’ll see it and take interest, and maybe even come over to ask about it.

“Is that the finished piece?”

That’s a blacksmith player who raised his voice.

“For now, but you know … now I’ll have to test them out to find all the problems.”

That’s how I responded. There’s still a long way to go until I really complete them.

That said, it’s definitely an increase in combat capabilities … for me right now, it’s more than enough.

“A supporting weapon for [Kick], that’s another weird thing you’ve made.”

He said that while laughing, but you can tell it’s not the jeering sort of laugh.

“It’s more interesting this way, right? Just taking the first sword’s swing is different for everyone.

That this ‘weird weapon’ also exists somewhere is nice, isn’t it?”

That’s how I responded.

The players in the forge have suddenly increased, and “Good work” and the likes were said.

Of course I have the Leg Blade Prototype attached to my shoes.

In reality this type of footwear would be a danger to my surroundings, but this is a game.

It seems like if I don’t have the intent to attack, the slashing effect won’t come out.

It’s a weird trait, but it’s convenient.

At long last, the arrowhead and shoe combat improvements are done; the next day I’ll move onto the bow’s remodeling.

Heaving a large sigh, I log out.

SKILLS

[Bow]Lv30   [Kick]Lv27   [Farsight]Lv25   [Wind Magic]Lv18

[Craftsmanship]Lv33

[Cooking]Lv34   [Woodworking]Lv12   [Alchemy]Lv30   [Blacksmithing]Lv18

[Physical Ability Boost]Lv34

Reserved Skill(s)

[Stealth]Lv20

EXP  15

Now the shoes have violent looking blades and spikes.

If this wasn’t a game, it’d be an unjustifiable attachment (heh).