Chapter 94: The Thread Forger

Chapter 94: The Thread Forger

The place that Jirohs friend was at was several neighborhoods away in the direction of the city center. While not one of the incredibly opulent areas, the people living there seemed pretty well off. The houses were larger, each flawless, with its own gate and garden. When Jiroh had said that Dallion didnt have enough money, she wasnt joking. The boys pouch suddenly didn't seem so full.

The two continued for a fair while, then took a turn towards the city lake. Within moments the houses changed from glamorous to weird. Not so impressive, and definitely worse kept, workshop-lodgings filled the street. Large, colorful signs were everywhere, showing the nature of the workshop. Tailors and carpenters seemed to be the occupations of choice, representing about a third of the buildings. The rest were a mishmash of artists, sculptors, potion makers, and the occasional smith.

Yarn-file alley, the fury said. One of the better places to go if you need something done well and fast. Not cheap, but much better than the Radiants.

The Radiants?

Elite craftsmen. Theyve proved they are good enough to receive the Imperial Seal of approval, earning the title Radiant whatever.

Dallion stifled a chuckle. The name Radiant cobbler came to mind along with a few less flattering combinations.

Of course, that bumps up their price a lot. Until youre good enough for it to matter, this is the best place to be.

Got you. Judging by the decorations each workshop had put on their signs, Dallion had to agree. The craftsmanship was quite good, and clearly done by awakeneds. There was no mistaking the flawlessness and the precision that went into every detail.

Slightly further, the buildings changed, housing multiple workshops in one structure. At the end of the road, less than ten feet from the lake, Jiroh stopped at a house of grey marble. The structure wasnt different from any of the other combined workshops Dallion had passed. The garden, though, was filled with life-sized statues of various species. Humans, furies, even what appeared to be a dwarf stood in expressive poses, all positioned so as to point at the workshops basement entrance.

This is it? Dallion asked.

Yep. Jiroh nodded. Remember what I told you. No comments about the eyes.

I understand, already. It must be a touchy subject, Dallion thought.

The fury was the first to enter the basement. The room was widefar spacier than what Dallion had imagined. Tapestries of landscapes covered the walls in between shelves of clothes. The colors combinations were a brave choice to say the least, but the fabrics seemed quite good.

Eury! Jiroh shouted.

What? a flowing female voice came from the doorway across the room.

I brought you a customer. Jiroh made her way past several statues with armor on them.

Im sleeping! Go away!

Just come out here! The elf crossed her arms. Dont worry, shes always like this.

I heard that! Eury grumbled.

That was the point. Now, hurry it up. Hes got work in an hour.

Seconds passed in silence, broken only by the sound of clothes being put on. The sound was unmistakable to any awakened. It also was slightly concerning. Soon enough, the mysterious artisan appeared, dressed in a loose fitting robe. The moment she walked into the main-room, Dallion instantly forgot everything Jiroh had warned him about. In his defense it was difficult not tostanding across the room was nothing less than a real-life gorgon.

As someone who grew up with games, comics, and TV, it was inevitable that Dallion knew what a gorgon was. Seeing one quickly made him rethink everything he thought he knew. The being was slender, yet muscular, like a gymnast. Tall and grey-skinned like the ring colossus he had fought a month ago, she rose half a head above him, looking at Dallion, Jiroh, and the rest of the room with tens of dozens of mouthless snakes emerging from her head. It wasnt terrifying; it wasnt even scary; it was absolutely fascinating.

New to the city, I see. The gorgon smiled.

Dallion was about to answer when a sharp nudge in the side made him quickly look away.

Dont worry, I dont mind. Eury approached. Beauty is not something I should feel ashamed about.

Less flirting, more helping, Eury. Jiroh stressed. He needs proper armor. Something discrete for guild training.

Does he? The gorgon made a full circle round Dallion. Right this moment, he felt as if he was being carefully scrutinized from a hundred cameras. Can you afford me, kid?

I think

Ill be covering the cost on this, Jiroh interrupted once more. And youre really wasting your time. Hes staying at Hannahs.

You woke me up in the middle of the night. The least I could do is amuse myself a little. All the time her face-eyes had remained closed, causing Dallion to wonder whether she could really turn living creatures into stone. And more importantly, was that the source of the statues in the yard? My name is Euryale Ceto, though some of my regular clients might call me Eury. Several more snakes turned Dallions direction. So, tell me, what is your name?

Dallion, he managed to utter. Dallion Darude.

Dallion looked around. He was in what appeared to be the vast inside of a palace, only without doors or windows.

The RING is Level 23

Twenty-three? That was definitely impressive.

You are in a vast metal domain.

Defeat the guardian to change the RINGs destiny.

Welcome to my training room, Euryale said. Metal gauntlets with dagger length claws covered her hands. A gift from my mother to keep in shape. Not my first choice, but it has its uses.

Dallion reached for his dartbow.

The second piece of advice Ill give you is how to use thread-armor in actual battle, the gorgon continued. You wont be needing your weapon. You wont be needing your shield, either. The whole point is to get used to the armor.

Despite his inner reluctance, Dallion nodded.

In a bit Ill charge at you with the intent to slash you in two. She moved her fingers, making the blades dance in the air. You already know guard skills, which will make it easier, but also more difficult. Easier, because you probably know how guard markers work. More difficult because youll have to ignore them.

You mean I have to unlearn what I have learned?

The gorgon stared at him with a puzzled expression.

Err, no. Youll have to sort through the markers. Youve done that before, I trust?

Well, no. But if you explain what Im supposed

Before Dallion could finish his sentence, Eury dashed forward. In the blink of the eye, she was a step away from him, hands extended forward, ready to slice him to ribbons. Green markers appeared everywhere. Dallion could see the exact lines at which she was going to slice, just as how to block her.

Youre good, he thought as he raised his buckler. But I wont let you hit me.

The claws or Eurys right gauntlet scraped the bucklers surface. Fractions of a second later, the claws of her left sliced through his leather armor, just deep enough to leave a mark without doing any harm to him.

Considering his options, Dallion leapt back. The gorgon didnt follow.

Thats what happens when you rely on your shield, she said. Remember that you have several defense items now. Your armor will cushion a few blows, but if you really want to make use of it, think of it as its own entity. Eury removed the gauntlets from her hands. The pieces of armor immediately disappeared. Try shooting at me.

Are you sure?

Go ahead. The snakes on her head moved in amusement. You wont hurt me, I promise.

Dallion had already seen enough strong warriors to know she was telling the truth. Slowly he drew his dartbow and fired a bolt straight at her.

Time froze as he focused. The bolt split the air, flying to her chest. Before it could hit, though, Eury twisted to the side at just the right moment to avoid a direct hit. The bolt slid along the loose robe she was wearing, flying on without dealing any damage.

Thats how you use thread-armor in an awakened realm. Eury stepped forward. The real strength is in their ability to deflect attacks.

Dont you need acrobatic skills to do that? It was definitely impressive, but what good a move if Dallion didnt have the skills to perform it?

Acrobatics are useful, but the item lets you do it without them. Its a guard item, after all. As long as you have it, guard markers relating to it will appear each time someone attacks you. Think of it as layers of markers one beneath the other. Right now, you see the obvious, but with enough training and perception youll be able to spot the nuances and pick the one thats most suitable.

The awakening realm disappeared, returning Dallion into the gorgons workshop.

Any other questions?

Dallion had a million questions. There were so many things he wanted to ask, not only about the armor, but about her skills, her home, her race. How could he not? He was standing in front of a race he didnt expect hed ever see, even in a world like this. If there were elves and gorgons, what other races could there be?

No, no questions, he said despite himself. I need to get back to work. Thanks for the hints, Euryale, and for the armor.

Eury. The eyes of the snakes on her head winked in unison. You can call me that from now on.