After the spar, he invited me to his living room. I sat crossed legs next to a tea table that he had and waited for him to prepare tea.

Katakuri Sasaki is a very old-fashioned man, traditional to the bone, and upholds respect and honor above all else. Showing courtesy to him and respecting his home and what many would call 'antics' would be the best method to get closer to befriending him. Crossing him however on any of these matters is the easiest way to make a dangerous enemy.

Not many had the right of favor to obtain an item created by his hands back in the day all because of a simple rude gesture, or crossing a certain line.

I waited patiently until he arrived with a tray. In it was a small teapot, and a couple of clay mugs.

He placed them on the table and sat down.

I made sure to be the first to grab the pot before he would pour it for me, and poured his drink first.

He seemed to be enjoying this.

"Not many are like you, young man," he said.

"I was taught to respect the elderly," he said.

"You had a good teacher," he added.

"It was you," I replied.

"Hah," he laughed but I could still see the doubt in his eyes.

We both drank tea and didn't speak.

The tea in itself wasn't something I enjoyed, after all, I'm not a tea person.

"You seem to not be enjoying tea," he said.

Busted.

"It's alright," I said.

"You don't have to force yourself, I don't like pretentiousness," he said.

"And I don't like rejecting an offered drink, so it's okay, also it's good for the stomach," I said and finished my cup.

Soon after he was done, he said to me, "Care to explain, how you know so much, about my school?" he said.

"Well, I will be telling you a story, it's a bit unbelievable, but care to hear me out?" I said.

"A story, I would like to hear one, but first," he said and stood up, pulling a long pipe and some strange-looking herbs.

"You don't mind?" he asked.

I shook my head, "Enjoy," I said.

Once he lit up his pipe he nodded to me to continue. And so I started telling him a story.

A story of a world like this one, only much more desperate, and desolate. A world that went through tribulations and trials, and eventually failed in surviving. The story was lengthy, it took several cups of tea and a lot of pipe refills before I finished.

And through the whole story, he never spoke a single word, he attentively waited for me to finish my words and once I was done he said.

If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.

"Interesting story, you seemed to be holding a lot of information, but I respect that," he said.

"I know it's unbelievable," I said.

"Oh, no, I believe you," he said.

"How come you came to that conclusion?" I asked.

"It is because of the spar earlier, your moves, if I didn't know any better I would have sworn you were a relative of mine from the Sasaki household, but never in their history have they ever accepted…well, a white man, as rude as it might sound. They're all stuck-up fools," he said.

"And some of your moves, were my own personal addition to the style, and I'm sure as hell I never had a disciple before," he said.

"Well, this makes things far easier," I said.

"Then, the I from your world, was a smith," he said.

"Yes, the best one," I said.

"Good to know that in a past life, even I don't remember, I was of help. So you wish me to help you again?" he asked.

For some reason, I felt that he was going to refuse.

"Yes, in all honesty, I don't think we can win. Even if you're with us, but without you, we'll definitely perish, the trials coming are far too great for mere regular weapons to handle," I said.

"But I only know how to make Katanas. Though a mighty weapon they are, they are not the best weapon for something like killing monsters," he said.

This, the very words he spoke right now, were something that no eastern weaponsmith will ever dare to admit.

"You didn't just craft curved swords," I said, "You made everything, from broad swords to daggers, to armors, that's is of course after you obtained Vulkan's Stigma," I said.

"What is that?" he asked, "I know Vulkan is a mythical god of the forge, but what is this stigma you speak of?"

"Vulkan is a symbol, the symbol of the forge. Think of it as something that was deified after gaining a lot of recognition. A god made from beliefs, a god of the forge. And to have the stigma, you'll need to do a trial. This trial will only be available after the First Phase is over. So for now you won't need to do much, but I would like to invite you over to my place," I said.

"Why should I?" he asked.

"I have everything I need here," he said, "From the forge to the hammer, why would I change my smithy?" he asked.

Of course, even in my past life he never changed his smithy, he was so good at his job, that he remained here, the people who wanted to make use of his craftsmanship actually built an entire barricade around this small place, protecting it day and night, so he could work without worrying about the creatures roaming the world.

But…

"Because you died the last time you did this," I said.

He glanced at me and took another puff of his pipe.

"I suppose I was too arrogant to leave?" he said.

I didn't wish to be rude, but I had to say it, "Yes, when it comes to being stubborn, you're the second most stubborn person I know," I said.

"Oh, not the first, that's a bit hurtful," he smiled.

"Yeah, the other guy, I'll need to pick him up afterward, he's going to be a pain. And…he is someone that you really didn't like back then, so just a heads up."

"Interesting, but, I don't think I could leave my forge," he said, "How would I work then?" he said.

"I already made sure that that won't be an issue, I said then pulled a paper, "I prepared this in advance."

It was some things I asked John Dilbert to prepare.

Katakuri was a great smith, and thanks to his talent he got a lot of wealth and managed to upgrade his forge later in my first round.

Compared to the upgraded forge he had, the one he has now is garbage.

However, by using some of Dilbert's influence and money, I was able to make even the unmovable man Katakuri gawk at what was in the paper.

"You… have all of this ready?" he asked.

"Yes, and more of it to come, consider it a small upgrade to your forge, once the Mana is more abundant I'll upgrade it even more so you'll be able to forge metals that you have never seen before in your life, what do you think?" I said.

"It feels like there is a condition attached to this," he said.

I shook my head, "All for free. I don't have a condition, all I have is a request," I said.

"What is this request?" he asked.

"I wish that you would always give priority to me and my party when forging items. As for the money regarding your payment, I'll be paying you full pay, and won't ask for a reduction."

"Your conditions are too good to be true," he said.

"I don't want to be greedy when it comes to my own survival," I said.

"Then… how about I think about it?" he said.

"Of course," I said and then gave him something from my bag.

"If you wish to join me, use this, channel 8008, once you make contact, someone will come to pick you up," I said as I stood up.

It was a radio.

"Oh, these still work?" he said.

"Yes, unlike regular phones, anyway, I'll have to leave, for now, I still need to pick up another comrade," I said.

He nodded at me and stood up, leading me all the way to the exit.

I thanked him and then left making sure not to turn my bike's engine until I was far away from his place lest the sound draws more creatures.