Chapter 7: The First Craft (3)

Through trial and error, Blake built his knowledge of smelting.

Everything he learned was absorbed by his legendary skill—The Hearth’s Spirit—which displayed vital information, ranging from the furnace’s temperature to the minutest details of the ores immersed in the flames.

Different patterns and colors appeared in Blake’s vision, guiding him in producing optimal pig iron, which he then refined into a steel ingot with the aid of coal and under Vargar’s supervision.

This time, Blake stayed true to his word, patiently working and refraining from getting ahead of Vargar’s instruction.

Because he possessed the legendary blacksmithing title, he made fewer errors than most novice blacksmiths, saving significant time.

Though the starry blanket covered the skies and many players logged out in preparation for tomorrow, Blake wasn't ready to end his first day in Ashen World Online without fully immersing himself in blacksmithing.

Vargar didn't feel like calling it a night either.

Using long tongs, he picked up the molten steel and placed it on the anvil. Beside him, Blake stood with a hammer in his hand.

In Ashen World Online, equipment provides skills and stats.

That said, Blake’s hammer only slightly increased his strength. Nevertheless, this was helpful since he was a level-one player with no accumulated stats yet.

Blake speculated that he hadn’t gained anything from his blacksmithing utensils and gear because he was just beginning his path as a craftsman.

Not only did he have a whole smithy to himself, he also had an abundance of rare-grade materials at his disposal.

This was more than sufficient.

Too many advantages could make him miss valuable insights.

Even with the hammer providing +5 Strength, the task proved more demanding than he'd anticipated!

“Flatten the steel, thinning and elongating it,” Vargar instructed, signaling him to begin. “Imagine this steel as your enemy or the monster you’re so eager to defeat to level up!”

Staring at the orange, malleable steel, Blake imagined his name written on it. He then envisioned himself arrogantly dragging his guild members into battles, his selfish tactics causing harm, which sparked uncontrollable disgust within him.

He swung his hammer. “BLAKE!”

Vargar caressed his beard. “I wonder who is that Blake... ayo, brat! It’s good that ye started from the middle, but keep the strikes consistent and precise! Go along the blade! Ye hear me?!”

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Blake didn't hear him.

Instead, he let the wave of anger take hold as he swung the hammer with all his strength. Though his eyes reflected a mix of hatred and sadness, he remained consistent and precise.

On the contrary.

He wielded the hammer like a weapon. Moreover, he could see the points he needed to strike thanks to yet another skill from his legendary title—The Blacksmith’s Spirit (Legendary).

Just like The Hearth’s Spirit, this skill absorbed Vargar’s advice and assisted Blake in the process of thinning and elongating the steel.

As Blake entered a battle mindset, his standout qualities—focus and calculation—were heightened. Because of this, the skill could replicate Vargar's expertise even though Blake wasn't listening.

BANG!

“The sound is different,” Blake said as he stopped hammering, holding his hammer above the steel whose colors had darkened.

Vargar nodded. “Indeed. I’m amazed ye have noticed it. In this state, I mean. We need to reheat it now!”

Once the steel cooled off, the sound it produced upon being struck was different, which Blake naturally noticed in his battle mindset.

It calmed him down.

Putting the steel into the furnace, Vargar asked, “Who is that Blake?”

“Me,” Blake replied.

The old dwarf incredulously shook his head. “I know that humans are deeply attached to their social lives, much more than most races, but ye’re too hard on yerself. Ye were at the top, ye? And no one tried to help ye? Just left ye alone at the end?”

Blake narrowed his eyes. “I can’t remember.”

Someone must have extended their hand toward him, but he’d dismissed it with a shrug and carried on with his gaming routine.

He was so self-absorbed that he couldn’t even recall who had truly exploited him and who had genuinely wanted to help him.

“Good news, though,” Vargar said while carrying the malleable steel back to the anvil. “Ye have a knack for hammering and striking! Haha!”

Blake faintly smiled at the old dwarf.

Given his recent behavior, those words could be interpreted ambiguously, but he appreciated the sweat he'd worked up hammering the steel. He felt truly absorbed at the time and sensed a connection between him and the steel.

In Vargar's words, the steel was like a willing mistress craving more.

Blake massaged his temple before continuing with the work until late at night.

“We’ll continue tomorrow!” Vargar said, exhausted.

Blake nodded.