Side Story II

Selene Owens was tired. She was tired because of the huge workload that she had. She was tired of dealing with her boss. Not that she hated her job. In fact, she loved her job. But her job also required severe amounts of mental concentration and absolute secrecy. It was this aspect of her work that always exhausted her. 

But Selene didn't let such a thing hinder her. She was headed back home. She was a twenty-eight-year-old employee of a rather large company. She had worked extra hard and in return, she had earned a lot of downtime from the company. Now, she could finally do what she had looking forward to since getting off from work.

Selene unlocked the door to her small home. She lived alone and was single. Her last relationship hadn't ended well. Her ex-girlfriend had grown tired of the late nights and the inattention. Either way, Selene was quite content with the way things were now.

"Aaah....let's see...first a bath and then...hee hee...I look forward to meeting that little sweetheart." (Selene)

Selene practically skipped to her bathroom and took a quick shower. She changed into less formal clothes and dried her hair as best as she could. Once she was done, she turned to the 'contraption' quietly sitting in a corner of her bedroom, right next to her bed.

"*Phew*. Novus Mundus here I come!" (Selene)

Selene climbed into the capsule and got into a comfortable position.

"[Capsule On]!" (Selene)

Welcome Back.

Please Select a Virtual Reality Game-

* Arena Live!

* Empire of Money

* Galactica!

* Novus Mundus

"Novus Mundus" (Selene)

Welcome to Novus Mundus.

Selene saw a bright flash of light almost blind her right after she saw the welcome message. Once she was able to see again, she found herself standing in the middle of a town square. However, unlike her usual looks, which were of a 5'8" woman with black hair and tanned skin with bright blue eyes, she now had red hair and red eyes, retaining her tan skin with the appearance of the occasional red scale on her arms and legs. She had the same height, but she had more muscle than her real life self. Her outfit was a simple black leather armor set. 

"Hey! You're late!" (???)

"So says the recent high school graduate who doesn't have to work!" (Selene)

Selene found a silver haired woman standing a few feet behind her. The woman was a little shorter than her, had black eyes and a set of ears more pointed than hers.

"Hehe! Had a rough day, Ira?" (???)

"Not really. Just a little tired, mentally that is. Nothing a little bit of smithing won't solve!" (Selene/Ira)

"Jeez! You and your addiction to smithing! Humph! Here! I need my guns to be maintained. Please?" (???)

"You in a hurry?" (Ira)

"I have an errand to run. See you in a bit!" (???)

"Haa...alright then, Bye !....Hmm...what was I going to do? Ah, yes! Smithing! Uh...before that! Status!" (Ira)

NameIra FerrousRaceMixed (Draconian Dark Elf)ClassSpirit BlacksmithProfessionMagi EngineerPrimary ElementFireSecondary ElementEarthDeviant ElementLifeUnique Ability???AffinitiesEarth (15%)Wind (10%)Fire (20%)Water (-2%)Life(25%)Skill List

Running

Hammer Strike

Impact Wave

Berserk Swing

Fire Manipulation

Earth Manipulation

Blacksmithing(Collective Skill)

Heal (Basic)

Rejuvenate

Infuse Life

"Heh. Not bad. But seriously, the Blacksmithing skill took a long time to acquire. I even spent two weeks in that Dwarven city, Thanurgaard. That bloody mountain would have been the death of me! Haa....but...I gained something nice from there anyway!" (Ira)

Ira didn't dally for long and ran towards the smithy she was currently working at. She could be considered an upper C Rank Spirit Blacksmith. She had worked hard to make it to that rank. However, she was frustrated with her progress. She needed to improve. She knew that her master was a Grandmaster Spirit Blacksmith, she wanted to surpass that old dwarf. She tried doing a mental calculation in her head according to the Ranking Conversion Table. She cursed the old man for being a traditionalist. She mentally recalled the table in her head.

Ranking ConversionF

EAmateurDBeginnerCIntermediateBAdvancedA

SMasterXGrandmasterDeityDeity

"So....X Rank? Hmm...I have to reach Deity Rank to surpass him. Haa.....what a monster." (Ira)

If her master would have heard her say that he would probably have hit her on the head screaming something along the lines of, "Who are you calling a monster! You're the bloody monster who reached Intermediate Rank in less than two weeks!" However, as there was no one to reprimand her, Ira remained oblivious to how much of a monster she was.

"Hmm....The meeting is in a week....I should probably forge weapons for the Council, but not before I forge one for Little Boss!" (Ira)

As Ira was talking to herself, she found herself in front of the workshop.

"Forgemaster! Ferrous reporting!" (Ira)

"Ha! You came today too! Didn't your master tell you to leave this little town after a week?" (Forgemaster)

"Hehe! So he did! I'm leaving tomorrow. However, I want your help with something..." (Ira)

"Hmm?" (Forgemaster)

"C'mon! Technically speaking, you're my senior. A senior disciple should help a junior, no? C'mon, Master Lancaster?" (Ira)

"Tch! Who said I won't help!? What do you need?" (Master Lancaster)

"An accelerated smithing." (Ira)

The Master Blacksmith narrowed his eyes.

"Girl, I may not be a Spirit Blacksmith like you, but, I am still an A-Rank Blacksmith. You are asking me to make something in such a short moment. The quality will drop tremendously. Even Blacksmiths have their pride." (Master Lancaster)

"I thought you'd do as I say?" (Ira)

"You asked for a favor." (Master Lancaster)

"Tch. Fine. Please?" (Ira)

"........Fine. Just once. After this, no more favors. You owe me." (Master Lancaster)

"Big time. Here. These are the designs." (Ira)

The blacksmith raised an eyebrow at the design.

"Hoh? And for whom will this fine weapon be for?" (Master Lancaster)

"For my Little Boss. I need it to be sturdy. Once he has a good grasp of it...well I don't think he'll need it anymore, well not physically at least. It's....well...let's say a special trait." (Ira)

"Elemental Weapon Mimicry...." (Master Lancaster)

"Hmm? Did you say something?" (Ira)

"Nothing. You going somewhere?" (Master Lancaster)

If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

"Maintaining my friend's equipment. Once that's done...I'm going hunting." (Ira)

"....I'll go warn the town guards." (Master Lancaster)

"Pardon?" (Ira)

"Nothing. Why don't you get down to work? I have a small errand to run." (Master Lancaster)

"Okay. See ya." (Ira)

With that, Ira went into the forge and prepared the materials to repair her companion's equipment.

An hour later, aAt the town gates...

"Miss Ira. Going hunting?" (Town Guard 1)

"Hmm? Yeah. I'll be back in a bit. Need to get some stress out." (Ira)

"Yes, of course,*mumble* glad the master warned us....." (Town Guard 1)

Ira had finished her routine maintenance and was off to hunt some beasts. She was aware that the outskirts of the town she was currently in, Dosnun, had a forest filled with beasts.

"What will it be today? Blood Hounds? Shadow Leopards? Those are hard to deal with....Maybe a Metal Liger? Nah. They stick to the inner parts. A Monstrous Mammoth? A Fire Ant is troublesome....I wish Knox was around....he'd help me find prey....eh?" (Ira)

Ira had heard a rustling noise not too far from her. She knew that the direction in which she was heading led to the plains, a small patch of land where the Mammoths usually hung around. However, Mammoths were usually away at this time of the year.

'Well according to the townsfolk anyway.' (Ira)

Ira brushed aside the bushes that were blocking her view of the plains and tried to find the source of the sound.

'A Monstrous Mammoth! And an adult! Huh? Is that a gem on its forehead? Is it an Earth Beast? It's also alone......a stray? Finally! An exciting fight!' (Ira)

Ira approached the beast slowly. Once she was less than 50 meters from it, she yelled at the top of her lungs. The beast was immediately startled and turned around to look at the source of the ruckus. 

It found a puny human staring at it excitedly. It tilted its head, wondering why this human, who looked to be in heat, was releasing such killing intent. It grew angry. It charged.

"Yes! Come! I'm right here! Bring it!" (Ira)

Ira met the Monstrous Mammoth head on. She raised her hands and caught the incoming ivory tusks. A game of strength ensued. Ira found herself slowly being pushed back. 

"GRAAA!" (Ira)

Ira flexed her muscles. The red scales on her body seemed to grow in number. She could feel a small amount of strength rush into her. It was enough to stall the beast momentarily. It was exactly what she needed.

"COME! AESTUS, REAP THE ASHES OF THY FOE!" (Ira)

Ira did not really need to call out her Warhammer in such a ridiculous manner, however, she found it fun to call onto Aestus, the weapon her Master had forged for her, with such a chant.

"Was there really a need for such a ridiculous chant, Mistress?" (???)

A massive Warhammer, as tall as Ira, appeared next to her. What was even more surprising was the voice that followed.

"C'mon Aestus! You know I love doing that! Don't dampen the mood! Ignite!" (Ira)

"As you command." (Aestus)

The Warhammer was instantly shrouded in flames. At the same time, the Monstrous Mammoth, grown wary of its opponent, started to activate the Earth Gem on its forehead. An earthen aura surrounded the beast. suddenly a metal armor covered its head and legs along with its underbelly. Its back was now covered in metal spikes.

"Woah! So this is what a B-ranked beast looks like. What fun! Let's go, Aestus!" (Ira)

Ira swung her weapon aiming at the side of the beasts head. The beast, now on full alert, swung its trunk at Ira, forcing her to block the blow. As Ira was blown back a little, the Mammoth trumpeted and started to charge. Ira waited till it was close and then swung her hammer again. 

"Impact Wave." (Ira)

As the flaming hammer was nearing the beasts head, the air around the weapon seemed to compress and then immediately decompress.

BOOM!

An explosive sound rang out as the Mammoth was disoriented by the attack. Ira didn't miss this opportunity and swung the hammer upwards, aiming at the base of the beasts skull.

GONG!

Ira was surprised to find that the attack hadn't produced as much effect as she had thought it would.

'Aestus?' (Ira)

'It seems that the Earth Gem doesn't only protect the beast from the outside, Mistress. Shall I increase the heat?' (Aestus)

'No. I'll manage. I'll use 'that'.' (Ira)

'As reckless as ever.' (Aestus)

"*Snort* Berserk Swing." (Ira)

The moment Ira used the skill, her eyes seemed to turn red, her scales receded back to her normal state and her muscles flexed, with veins bulging here and there. A massive killing intent filled the air and Ira lost control.

"AAAAHHHH!" (Ira)

Ira blacked out.

'Mistress! Mistress! Wake up!' (Aestus)

"Ugh....what? Oh...I used that skill....what happened?" (Ira)

Ira woke up lying next to what seemed like the charred corpse of a large animal, resembling an elephant. She looked around and found the plains around her to be burnt out and numerous craters peppered the area.

"I really need to get that under control." (Ira)

"*Chuckles* Mistress....the skill name has 'Berserk' in it....I doubt it is something to be controlled." (Aestus)

"I guess you're right....how much time passed?" (Ira)

"Since I am but a sentient weapon, I cannot tell the passing of time." (Aestus)

"Don't be stupid. I know you can at least tell by the movement of the sun." (Ira)

"As if I could see." (Aestus)

"So says the one who keeps commenting on how untidy my workshop is." (Ira)

"Tch. Fine. It has been close to the passing of two hours." (Aestus)

"Only two?" (Ira)

"You dealt with the Mammoth within a few minutes. You also exhausted all my Fire Mana with all your raging after." (Aestus)

"So says the leecher who absorbs Mana from me." (Ira)

"..." (Aestus)

"Speechless, are we?" (Ira)

"Hmph. Either way, should we not be returning?" (Aestus)

"Yes, yes. I'm getting up. Ugh, my entire body hurts." (Ira)

"Heh. That's only the backlash for such a short usage. Imagine what would happen if you were to use it in a battlefield." (Aestus)

"Probably bedridden for a month or more...." (Ira)

"Undoubtedly. By the way, what exactly is the weapon that Mistress intend to give to the Guild Master?" (Aestus)

"Well....he never had any preferences for weapons so...I thought I'd give him something that he can use for area attacks. I'm sure he already has close combat and long range combat handled." (Ira)

"You place a lot of trust in his abilities?" (Aestus)

"I do. He's young, but, his potential is limitless." (Ira)

"....I see. So what weapon is it?" (Aestus)

"A Warscythe my dear Aestus, a Warscythe." (Ira)

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Volume I End.