The exhilaration Akira felt after the fight with the Horned Rabbits lingered long after he returned to the farm. It wasn’t just the thrill of survival—it was the rush of growing stronger, of overcoming impossible odds. Each victory fueled his ambition, and though his grin was filled with excitement, to others, it might have seemed unnervingly sharp.
The next morning, Akira inspected the Blood Ruby Horns in his inventory. The shimmering red gems seemed to hum with potential. That’s when the Kaeto System chimed, revealing a new feature:
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Crafting Feature Unlocked
Materials such as Blood Ruby Horns can be used for crafting weapons, armor, and accessories.
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The idea struck him immediately. He needed better weapons. The wooden swords had served him well for training, but if he wanted to pass the Hunter Exam—and survive the dangers of this world—he needed something stronger.
Excited, Akira stuffed the horns into a pouch and set off for Riverstead, heading straight for the local blacksmith.
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The blacksmith's shop was a modest building with a large forge visible through the open doorway. Sparks flew as the blacksmith hammered a glowing piece of metal, his broad shoulders glistening with sweat.
Before Akira could step inside, a familiar voice called out.
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“Akira? What’re you doing here?”
Turning, Akira saw Ren leaning against the doorway, holding a chipped sword.
“Ren! Just running some errands,” Akira said, smiling.
Ren raised an eyebrow. “Errands? At a blacksmith’s? Don’t tell me you’re already gearing up to be a Hunter.”
“Maybe,” Akira said, his grin widening. “What about you?”
Ren shrugged. “Trying to scrape together enough for a new sword. This old thing’s barely holding together.” He held up the battered blade for emphasis.
Akira chuckled and stepped past him, placing the heavy pouch on the blacksmith’s counter.
The blacksmith, a gruff man with a thick beard, paused mid-swing to glance at him. “What can I do for you, kid?”
Akira untied the pouch and tipped it over. Blood Ruby Horns spilled out, clattering onto the counter in a cascade of red.
The room fell silent.
Ren’s jaw dropped, and the blacksmith froze, his hammer halfway to the anvil.
“You—” Ren stammered. “Where the hell did you get all those?”
The blacksmith leaned forward, his eyes wide. “Are these… Blood Ruby Horns? Do you know how rare these are?”
Akira smiled, his face alight with excitement. “I took out a group of Horned Rabbits in the forest. Can you make me two katanas out of these?”
Ren gawked. “Two? That many horns is worth more than most people make in months!”
The blacksmith recovered from his shock and began inspecting the horns. “Kid, these are high-quality materials, but I’ll need more than just the horns to make the blades. A katana’s more than its edge. I’ll need metal for the core, and materials for the guard, hilt, and handle.”
“How much will it cost?” Akira asked.
The blacksmith stroked his beard. “For two Blood Ruby Katanas? It’s 40 coins for the extra materials. And I’ll need 20 Blood Ruby Horns per blade. That leaves you with plenty of extras to sell or trade.”
Akira nodded. “Deal. When can you have them ready?”
The blacksmith smirked. “I’ll need three days. Crafting weapons like this isn’t easy. But when I’m done, you’ll have something special.”
As Akira counted out the horns and coins, Ren stared at him, his expression a mix of awe and disbelief.
“You really are something, Akira,” Ren said finally. “Most people dream of getting just one of those horns, and here you are, dropping nearly a hundred like it’s nothing.”
Akira shrugged, his grin widening. “What can I say? I had a good hunt.”
Ren shook his head, laughing. “You’ve got the luck of the devil, you know that? That smile of yours… it’s gonna freak people out.”
“Maybe,” Akira said, slinging the empty pouch over his shoulder. “Or maybe it’s the smile of someone who’s going to become a great Hunter.”
Ren chuckled, clapping Akira on the shoulder. “Well, if you’re serious about it, you’re off to a hell of a start. Just don’t forget about me when you’re famous, alright?”
Akira grinned. “You’ll be right there with me, Ren. Count on it.”
As the blacksmith set to work, Akira left the shop with a newfound determination. The Blood Ruby Katanas would be his first real step toward his dream, and he couldn’t wait to wield them. The world of Hunters was calling, and he was ready to answer.