Afternoon people! well its afternoon here where i am. so here is your ch of SR just a reminder sr is about detail and developing the story at times it may seem boring but i do it to develope avrin aswell as build relations if you are a person that doesent enjoy this sort of effort aswell as pace then im sorry but this is how i like sr :( i dont want to rush it.
anyway the sketches will be done soon im guessing the next 3 pictures will be done in maybe 7-8 days? its because the artist has his own projects he works on and has to get his partner to help :) there was something else i was going to tell you guys but i seem to have forgotten allwell.
Full Pr Credits to Draconis
Please Rate/Follow/Favourite/Enjoy ch 59 :)
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Avrin, under Klins instructions, began to smelt the iron. To him, the fire wasn’t that hot. But if he got close enough, it would hurt him unless he augmented his flesh. His durability only went so far without it.
Avrin’s first attempt at an iron ingot was going smoothly, until he began to hammer it softly using a balanced grip. Bang! Bang! Bang! Several hits on the iron ingot and it immediately changed and deformed. Klin spoke out.
“You hit one spot too much, now the entire thing is unbalanced. Reheat it and try again. When you make an ingot, try to focus on the thickness being as perfect as you can. Pay attention to every step”
Avrin nodded. “-I see. So they take every step seriously. I guess a perfect ingot may help make a perfect weapon. That must help a lot with weapon rarity as well-” Avrin, using his training and precision he had accumulated over the years, as well as the processing power of his new brain and the strength of his body, worked fast.
The next ingot ended up looking perfect. Klin’s eyes widened as he whistled. “Quick learner. Wow…” He examined it carefully. “Damn...You may not know much about ores, but you sure know how to make an ingot.. But don’t let this get to you.
Every metal has a set strength that needs to be applied. Copper is weaker than iron so you need to be gentler and so on. The basic metals are a difference in how hard you hit. The more advanced metals require much more”
Avrin, giving a serious look, began to continue to forge the ingots until a stack of 15 were made, each one better than the last on account of his growth. “Holy shit….Your improvement is scary boy...By the way, what’s your name?..”
Avrin blinked as he had forgotten to tell him. “It’s Avrin.” Klin nodded. “Well Avrin, if you put the effort in, you will be a world class blacksmith. Brokkr will make sure of that. I heard his father is the head smith of the dwarven kingdom. That’s something I tell you..”
Before Avrin could reply with interest, a knocking sound echoed from the door. “Come in” Klin spoke, to which one of the men who had worked on the Azure Iron came in with a respectful smile. “It’s all done. I wasn’t sure about the measurements so I went by instinct.” The mask itself seemed quite plain, it had no emotion and was more like a better detailed mime mask, as the iron was painted with a special white that gave it a sort of metallic tint.
Klin happily took the mask as he patted the mans back. “Great as usual buddy. Haha, I was surprised when you wanted to take the task. You know, why did ya anyway Tyh?(A.N read as Tie)
Tyh rubbed the back of his head. “Are you crazy Klin? This boy saved us a lot of trouble. The boss would have been pissed, hehe. I’m returning the favor, the others chipped in a bit too” Klin went over and handed the white mask to Avrin, who was looking at it with fascination.
“Thank you so much…” Avrin was over the moon as he placed the mask over his face. It had two leather straps at the back to make it fit easier and tighten or loosen as necessary. But the most important thing was that it completely covered Avrin’s face. A perfect fit.
Avrin looked at them and they both gave thumbs up. “Haha, if I didn’t know better, I would say you’re an assassin or something…” Klin spoke and Tyh laughed a bit. Avrin also chuckled quietly. He wouldn’t have to worry about anyone going crazy over his looks for now.
Tyh spotted the iron ingots on the table and his eyes widened. “Whoa...Klin, I thought you didnt smith anymore. When did you get so good? These are freaking incredible, nearly like the bosses” Klin laughed as he spoke “Sorry buddy, but those are Avrin’s. Seems like he learns quick.”
Having pointed at Avrin, he nodded with approval. As Tyh left, Klin then made Avrin forge copper and even tin, and then explained about combining metals and refining ore better and so on.
The morning had left and night had come and the next day arrived. The blacksmith had closed at 4 am as the men went to their families to rest. Klin on the other hand remained to teach Avrin.
“Avrin, why do you want to be a blacksmith?” Avrin blinked as he spoke. “Me? One day, I want to forge things for myself. It’s more convenient” Klin laughed as he sat at the table. He was looking at the sword blade Avrin was currently making.
Avrin spoke curiously, as Tyh’s words from earlier today caught his attention. “Why don’t you smith anymore?...” Klin was quiet for several moments. “My father wanted me to be a soldier in the army. He was an officer...But the boss’s work was amazing.
I saw them on display, and they all sold for more than 1000 gold. At first I wanted to do it for money...but I slowly came to realise after being declined more than a dozen times with the same test I gave you that I had to learn…”
“Sounds like you didn’t want to give up…” Avrin responded. Klin nodded. “I wanted to do something for my family. War is dangerous….I wanted to support my family so my father wouldn’t have to go to war anymore and risk dying. But you know, us blacksmiths thrive on war and battles .. We are accidental hypocrites…”
Avrin was quiet as he began to pour the molten metal into the mold “What happened to your father?..” Klin seemed to give a lost gaze. “One day, to prove I wasn’t useless, I forged him a dazzling blade….He took it, and even gave me his respect and attention again. The blade was forged from all my years of effort...
The next day he was called to battle against attacking beastmen….Those beastmen with their strength, they cleaved away at the battalion of soldiers. My father pressed on and as he met their leader, he went for the kill head on….”
Avrin figured that the outcome was predictably sorrowful. He only replied. “I’m sorry…” Klin laughed. “The axe of their leader broke my blade as if it were glass and killed my father in one go….From that day on I vowed I would never forge another thing again I still have much to learn.
I won’t let another of my works be filled with effort only to have it crushed and have a life taken away.
Avrin, when you forge a weapon and armor, it isn’t the end of it. The very soul of a blacksmith weighs on it. The person entrusts his life to your equipment. If you forge something perfectly, it can make them live longer.
If you forge it terribly, even a rock can be used to shatter it. Every second of every moment needs to be used perfectly to make something of good quality”
Avrin, having been listening and working on the weapon, dipped the blade into water, causing steam to fill the air, before he pulled it out and looked at it carefully. He didn't know whether to worry or feel pride.
Klin stood up and walked over, taking the blade. “Well done. It’s balance isn't the best but for a first try I’ve seen much, much worse… After sharpening it on a grinder we can sell this for atleast 2 gold.
I’ll tell you that apprentice blades would usually sell for 10 silver, which is a profit of 3 silver minus the cost needed for the materials as well as the fee for the blacksmith the apprentice would work at.”
Avrin carefully eyed his blade as he barely noticed Klin’s words. In fact, Avrin had been in his own little world, fascinated by crafting blades. “-It’s much more rewarding crafting a sword here. On earth, close combat weapons were useless unless they were laser blades.
But here, as long as the swordsman has skill and technique, even cleaving a boulder in two is simple for knight level combatants-”
From that moment, Klin would instruct Avrin on how to sharpen a blade, as well as the materials needed to occasionally give it maintenance, as well as repair methods. He also taught Avrin that weapons could be magically enchanted which is 25% of how weapons achieve a better rarity while the other 3 ways, also 25% each, were materials, how well it was crafted and whether it is renowned/famous.
Avrin pondered what level his scythe would be. But as morning came with Klin teaching Avrin the basics and Avrin absorbing it all like a sponge, a ruckus could be heard outside. Bang! smash! several voices yelling as if a disaster had occurred.
One blacksmith roared out “Get the guards damnit! Gahh!!” He let out a pained shout before he was thrown into a pile of coal used to heat furnaces. Klin and Avrin immediately made there way out before a familiar voice rang out. “You dumb bastards! Where is my master!” The owner of the voice growled animalistically.
Avrin could only stare as half of the smith was nearly torn down, and the injured and muscular blacksmiths were on the ground twitching. Klin blinked in horror as he looked at none other than Asura. “S..Sir, I assure you, we don’t know where your master i-” Before he finished, Avrin spoke.
“Asura, why did you do this? Can you not behave for a day?“ Avrin let out an annoyed sigh. His mind was active and full of newfound knowledge, and his body’s stamina had barely budged. Klin on the other hand, had a look of exhaustion even though he didn’t show it.
“Avrin, you know this crazy man?!” Klin spoke in shock. To which Avrin let a soft chuckle. “Sorry he caused a mess. I’ll pay for it all. Asura can be a bit over the top, but I guess he came here because he has reasons” Avrin spoke those last words while looking at Asura.
Asura nodded as he rubbed his head. “Master, I ate my fill and wasted all the gold, haha. I ended up eating all the food at an inn, so I had to go deeper. The cuisine here is great! My favourite is the roasted ribs that come from a creature I used to hunt. It’s amazing how good it tastes when cooked right.”
Avrin blinked as he had taken out several dozen gold coins from his enchanted bag on his waist under his cloak. He felt he would use these instead of forming them as these were spares he held onto. He handed the coins to Klin who bowed. “There was no need for this Avrin. Your talent and potential surely makes up for it.”
Klin spoke, trying to return it. But Avrin refused. “Nonsense. I need to take responsibility. Besides, what you taught me has saved me time.” Avrin then looked to Asura and spoke. “Since it’s morning, we should make the most out of our time. I want to visit the apoth-...”
Avrin hadn’t had time to finish before a soldier dressed like a messenger rushed over and looked around. He then saw Avrin and Asura, looked at a piece of paper, and nodded before speaking. “Sir Avrin, Sir Asura?..” He nervously let out.
Asura looked at what could be said to be a puny man compared to him. Asura, feeling mighty, and his belly full, spoke out. “Who are you?...” The messenger sweated a bit before continuing on. “L..Lord Gregson has sent word to let you know they are preparing to depart. The event blocking the path has been cleared, and we are preparing to board”
“Perfect!” Avrin let out before looking at Klin and extending his hand. “As much as I would like to learn more, it seems I need to head out.” Although Klin and the other blacksmiths were in shock. “L..Lord Gregson?..... Y..You know him??!!” Klin replied, as he also began to feel nervous.
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“-To think he knew someone so high up the chain...I’m lucky things turned out well and I didn’t anger someone who knows such a high level official..-”
Klin then extended his hand to Avrin’s as they shook in a mutual thanks before Avrin was handed the letter. Klin spoke while things at the blacksmith slowly settled down. “Avrin, there is a saying we blacksmiths go by… A blacksmith’s improvement must never stop.
It means a lot of things, but in this case, if you want to improve, you need to constantly forge weapons. Your ability won’t get better by doing nothing.”
Wise words taken from a former blacksmith, meaning if Avrin were to improve, regardless of him having the body that rivals a god, as well as a potential to surpass it, he needed to make an effort. “Of course. When I arrive, I will settle down, as well as handle my personal affairs before I continue”
Saying their goodbyes to Klin and the others, Avrin and Asura returned to the dock to be welcomed by hustle and bustle. Things were quicker than the day before, and they continued on to the main ship where they met an attendant who showed them to their rooms.
“Asura, please try not to cause trouble…” Avrin worryingly spoke. Asura only gave a deep laugh before speaking “Master, you worry too much...As long as I am fed and am able to sleep well, I will be as silent as an ant”
While Asura was taken to his own room, Avrin was led to his, which was luxurious cabin like room fit for a noble or a VIP. Avrin cared not for the state of the room, as long as it had a bed and some open space it was something he would be happy with.
The attendant replied just as Avrin was about to shut the door. “Sir Avrin, Lord Gregson has invited you to lunch with the other officials. Lady Karina, niece of King Leo Zircus, and also a great soldier has arrived with her regiment, the Rose blades.”
Avrin raised a brow under his white mask that he seemed to take a liking to. It was very handy. He needn't worry about anyone seeing his face. Of course, he would need to work on helping Asura conceal himself to.
“Please inform Gregson that I wont be attending. I would like time to meditate and think about things. Unless it is important, I would not like to be bothered. Of course, if Asura is willing, then by all means he may go”
Avrin felt he needed to trust Asura more, so this may be a good chance for him to see this trust. The attendant nodded before heading off. Avrin removed his cloak and placed the mask down on the oak like desk that seemed to be carved from high quality wood.
He sat in a corner, crossing his legs before opening his hand. He then began to enter a Pulsing Dragon state. 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 1 hour had passed. Avrin opened his eyes.
“What’s going on?….I can’t feel it. It’s like the Pulsing Dragon won’t work…” This of course was his first try at entering the state after defeating the doppelganger. He began to ponder the events, wondering if something had happened.
“That’s right! There is that!” He spoke with excitement before feeling for the energy in his body. Of course his focus was on both his eyes. Looking for a hint something that lurked within. Something dwelling and awaiting.
Locking onto the presence, Avrin immediately lightly tugged at it using his energy. At that point, a slight twinkle appeared in his right and left eye, before dark matter formed in the grasp of both his hands. In a near instant, a long scythe like figure covered in a dark matter shell formed.
The shell then disintegrated, revealing a frightful sight that urked even Avrin. “So it’s this…” The long vanta black spiral shaft that connected to the living scythe head that had what seemed to be veins adorning it.
The pattern, if one ignored the veins, was beautiful. The sharp edges of the scythe seemed ominous, and they were so sharp it was almost transparent. Avrin could feel a slight resistance against the sharpness of the scythe, as if it were already cutting the air.
Avrin focused on a circular eyelid like detail on the middle of the scythe blade. It was as if it were about to open up at any time, which would seem frightening. But Avrin knew this weapon was his own. It was a part of him now.
“Truly magnificent. I do not know if this weapon counts as something that can be measured, but its finally good to have something I can rely on. If I can get out even ¼ of its power, I’ll be happy” He said, a faint smile adorning his lips.
Gazing at the weapon, Avrin had a memory enter his mind from his warring days, of when a Titan Class vessel, The Astaroth, activated one of humanity’s 5 super weapons. This weapon itself was so powerful it relied on humanity’s latest technology, as well as a crew of 10,000 to keep it in check. The vessel itself had no other weapon other than this weapon titled Star Hunter. It was something even the gods of this world may fear.
The weapon itself formed a disk made by a special energy containing antimatter. The disk itself, as it progressed to the stars, would have this shell slowly weaken, causing the antimatter to react and spiral in motion to the way it was fired before it grew into an enormous size and split the sun in two before causing it to implode into the core of the antimatter.
The weapon was so dangerous due to its risks that it would only be used in dire situations. It had been used once, and that was only to test it. It risked creating a tear in space or even a black hole that could endanger everything for light years around it.
“It’s settled. I’ll call you Astaroth, The Star Hunter” A smile on Avrin’s lips appeared. “You certainly are fit for a crown prince of hell, and even have that gravity ability. I’m sure that one day, the stars will fear you” (A.N Astaroth is one of the crown princes of hell))
As Avrin held this weapon, his grip on it tightened, as energy from it and his body began to circulate, as if the weapon was dormant until summoned. An engraving began to form on the back talon of the weapon. To Avrin’s surprise, the words were in clear english. Almost as if it were being formed by an invisible electric current. The words read “Astaroth”
Avrin had many, many, many questions on his mind, and of course there was only one being who could answer them. Not only that, he wondered if that being he called god would even be willing to answer them.
For now, Avrin felt there was no point practicing with a weapon capable of cleaving a mountain in half inside the interior of a ship like this. He began to practice summoning and unsummoning the weapon.
After spending 30 minutes doing that, he reentered the Pulsing Dragon state before finally achieving what he wanted. It was no longer as if he was being blocked. In fact, it seemed to welcome him. His mind drifted as he blocked out everything but the bare senses as he began to train his body.
A thick layer of dark matter coated the room. In Avrin’s consciousness, a vast open space, he saw something familiar. A purplish black energy that was glowing several colors. This object was shining like an enigmatic star. Having no body in his consciousness, he could only watch it with awe.
This object was his dark matter core he had only gotten a glimpse of. As he tried to will himself closer, the ground formed in a near instant, with wide open grass that seemed to change from black to green constantly.
Although the blades of grass blew as if there were a breeze of wind, Avrin couldn’t feel anything. As he tried to approach it, a bright red light formed in his consciousness before shooting towards the black star like sphere. There was no resistance.
This orb of crimson energy did not impact the black star, but began to orbit around it. In the center of the crimson sphere, a black core formed. And in the center of the black star, a minor red core formed, as they delicately reverted to a orbital course, like a planet being protected by its sun.
A miasmic mist of energy began to seep from the black star, almost like a small river flow. This flow of what could be said to be liquid miasma, touched Avrin’s consciousness. As ominous as it looked, it did not hurt him.
It began to slowly form a miniature black star with the nearby orbiting red planet like energy. This liquid miasma, after what seemed like hours, finally ended in this reverie state. Avrin felt empowered. As if he could do anything.
By the time it ended, a black, cosmic skinned like figure had formed. For him, it was transparent, but specks of white light shone as if he was a child of the universe formed by its power. In the center of his transparent body, the miniature black star and its orbiting partner remained.
Avrin spent 5 minutes getting used to this spectral like body before gazing around. After some time passed, he realised he touched an invisible wall when he took a few steps forward. At this point, a large, limitless white brick wall formed that seemed to split this inner dimension in half, with a door like feature forming.
The grass around Avrin turned from red to black instead of the usual green to black. Avrin could not turn the handle at all, so he sat down and thought about it. Taking several hours getting used to this space and summarizing everything.
“That black star is definitely the dark matter core and the color of that red energy is definitely that of Astaroth’s. If I’m right, then I wont be able to pass that barrier without obtaining another sky metal weapon.
Is this some way of telling me that without improving and getting stronger, I wont be able to pass freely? Just what is behind that barrier?….” Avrin’s curiosity was truly something to be reckoned with.
A smile appeared on his faint cosmic face. “Very well. I will try my best to please that core. I can only assume that it can only lead to my own improvement, which is never a negative thing. Increasing my own survivability can only be good”
Avrin took a deep breathe on reflex, even though this body didn’t need to breathe, and he willed his mind out of this state. The moment he opened his eyes in his real body, he noticed the entire room had changed somewhat. Everything had a near transparent enigmatic look. As if this were the lair of a mysterious being.
But as Avrin awoke, it slowly reverted back, until it seemed as if nothing had happened. His Pulsing Dragon had advanced to a new stage, capable of twisting the matter of objects. Avrin didn’t know how far it extended, as he always made sure it was for the length of the room he was in.
Avrin could feel a strong force in his body, as if he had advanced further and gotten stronger. How much though is unknown. Avrin, in fact, was a little bit down. Although he was strong and powerful, he knew that combat experience was valuable. “I’ll spar with Asura when we reach the central continent”
Avrin spoke as he looked at the window to see that they had already been sailing to the point where the elven continent was no longer visible. It was a bit surprising since he couldn’t even feel the sway of the ship.
Gazing at the clock in his room, he noticed that 5 hours had passed. A joyful and eager smile appeared on his face. “Let’s go see what everyone's up to” Avrin had seen this ship was incredibly large. He wanted to gain insight on how it was maintained, as well as check on Asura and visit Gregson.
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