Chapter 44 Dagger Making (Part 2)

*Tttaaang!*

The metal made a clear sound as it was shaped into a blade. Then, when Kaizen looked at the blade more clearly, he realized that it was impeccably sophisticated, more beautiful than any work of art.

But he remained calm. That was because he could not ruin the remaining processes.

"Now, the Inventory."

Kaizen took the Scarlet Essence from the inventory. He and Therkara decided that the grip would be made with that.

Using the Class Skill <Telekinesis>, he placed the rare item into the furnace while continuing to temper and shape the blade.

Therkara had heard stories of a blacksmith in his family who once used an Essence to forge a breastplate. Normally, a beginner would use an item as rare as this to make a blade or sheath to embellish it. Still, this Ironstone relative used it inside a silver breastplate, creating something comfortable that a beautiful lady could wear without feeling bothered by the metal. Furthermore, the raw material of the Essence used was so spectacularly strong that the breastplate could never be pierced.

Stories say that this man was a dwarf and that the woman gifted with the breastplate was the progenitor of the first half-dwarf Ironstone, an ancient descendant of Therkara.

After the crystallization at high temperature, the Scarlet Essence would become robust and durable and still have the texture of molten brass. In other words, it was suitable to be worn on the hilt and coated with something extra.

In the diagram, the hilt was designed based on the size of the blade and the length, width, and shape of an adult male hand. This way, it was more practical.

After being fused at almost 2000 degrees of temperature, the Scarlet Essence had an artistic, crystallized pattern, like a piece of diamond with an intensely red luster, so it displayed a certain glamour without Kaizen having to do anything.

After Kaizen finished the conception, he heard a surprised gasp come from behind. Therkara looked in shock at the final result of the weapon.

The dagger was very sharp but still had great balance. It was a superior dagger that could exert exceptional attack power. However, even better than its functionality was its stunning appearance.

The silver blade had several marks on its surface, resulting from the various tempering processes done by the mere apprentice, but on this weapon, these scars resembled the rivers and streams of a rainforest seen from above. At the base of the blade, instead of connecting to the handle as it normally did, it split into two parts, which rotated in opposite directions until finally connecting to the hand guard.

At this point, the details of the Scarlet Essence appeared. Prominent in the center of the dagger, between the blade and the hilt, is a scarlet crystal with a ring of light inside, like a piece of amber that guards an insect's body for thousands of years. Getting all the attention and embellishing the weapon.

The hilt had been covered with simple but ornate striped leather and copper. This could be damaged by time, but the base of the hilt would never be lost thanks to the rare ore inside.

[Item: Obsession Dagger [Masterpiece].

This weapon had been forged by building the most powerful link for a blacksmith: the link between a master and an apprentice.

To fulfill his master's last wish, a young blacksmith devoted himself to building this dagger, so this young man became the last in a long line of legendary blacksmiths.

Rank: Mutant.

Item Level: 1 of 2

Attack: 75

Defense: 30

Fitness Level needed: 35.

(Warning: This is a Mutant level weapon, and only users higher than level 25 can use it.)]

Holding the dagger with both hands open, Kaizen turned to show it closely to the blacksmith lady since she could not pick it up with her bare hands.

Although he had worked so hard to produce this dagger, to the point of agreeing to play it in the early hours of Monday morning, Kaizen was disappointed with himself.

'I failed, didn't I? If I was just a little better, I would have made a prettier weapon, a shinier blade... The steel is full of marks from the shoddy tempering. Damn, I really thought I could make an Epic Rank item after I managed to make three Mutant Rank arrows.'

Therkara Ironstone approached and appreciated the weapon very closely. After a few seconds, she put her right hand to her mouth and began to tremble slightly.

Looking at the smith master, Kaizen thought she would show disapproval and be disappointed, but that did not happen. Instead, she removed her hand from her mouth and tried to touch the dagger. Kaizen didn't even move.

When her hand approached the item, the Scarlet Essence crystallized in the center of the dagger and glowed for a second. Kaizen instinctively closed his eyes from the strong glow.

"Master, what are you doing?" He asked.

As soon as he opened his eyes, he looked at Therkara and got a surprise. She was holding the dagger in her hands. Therkara looked as surprised as he was. Amazed that she was able to touch the dagger. She had a smile of disbelief stamped on her face.

'What?' Kaizen thought and immediately looked down at his hands. Surprisingly, the physical dagger was still there.

"Apprentice, we did it! We actually succeeded in creating the dagger that surpasses any weapon my father has ever made! You did it!"

Therkara celebrated as he skipped through the Medullar Forge with the Dagger of Obsession in his right hand.

"Hahahahaha!" Euphorically, she laughed. "I knew you could do it!"

Looking at the happiness of Therkara's spirit, Kaizen inevitably began to laugh as well.

"Puahahahahat~!"

They both felt relieved at the end of a long walk.

Therkara had returned from the world of the dead just to fulfill her last wish, and nothing could make her happier than the feeling of accomplishment after managing to create such a blade.

The novice was also happy about the achievement of the smith lady and, on the other hand, relieved that he didn't fail the quest just because he couldn't make an Epic Rank item.

Master and apprentice were happy as they bounced around the Medullar Forge, each with a huge smile on his face and a dagger in their right hand. However, just as every good quest has a beginning, it must have an end.

As Therkara jumped, she realized that she was becoming more translucent. This was the sign she needed to finally stop celebrating.

Kaizen noticed that she had stopped jumping. He then stopped too as it was embarrassing to do this alone.

Therkara approached him and, with a shy smile on her face, said:

"Apprentice, or rather Kaizen... Thank you for seeing me in those dark woods. Thank you for believing me, even when I lied. Thank you for helping me to realize what I wanted. And thank you for accepting me as your master. Even after death, I got a glimpse of what it is like to have an apprentice, the best apprentice of all. The only thing I regret now is not having more time to teach you, I still have so much to say. However, I think you will carry on just fine without my help."

"I should be the one thanking you for scaring me and standing out amidst all the fog. I didn't even know I could see spirits, but I'm glad you were the first spirit I saw instead of a bizarre headless bride."

"Hehe! You're not very good with words, are you?"

With each second, Therkara's body became more transparent.

Kaizen smiled too, but with sadness. "No, I'm not... What I mean is that I was lucky to meet you too. To have become an apprentice to the most badass Ironstone of the last 200 years! This journey, being your student, will forever be an honor to me. If I was a little better, I would have made an Epic Rank item, but I promise that one day I will make something of that level! You can trust me!"

"Epic Items can only be made with Mutant Rank components, silly. And I have no doubt you will make it, just don't forget to keep wearing the Ironstone mark. It will be an honor for my family, the most despised among the dwarven race, to finally have a blacksmith who made an Epic Item... Anywhere I go after here, I'll be cheering for you, Kaizen."

The novice smiled, grateful for the words and for his master's last mission.

The smith lady extended her right grip forward, holding the hilt of the ghost dagger. Just as Kaizen did with the physical dagger in his right hand.

Just as the two's hands were about to touch, Therkara Ironstone vanished completely, turning into golden particles that shattered into the air.

"Thank you, apprentice." Her voice echoed throughout the Medullar Forge for the last time.

*PING*

[The Mission 'The Lost Links' has been completed].