Feeling the pressure of Tsubaki's gaze on my back, I started heating the mithril. With each passing second, I grew more nervous. I don't think I've ever felt this anxious while forging something.
Tsubaki is someone very experienced—and a friend. I can't let her down.
When the mithril reached the right temperature, I wondered if I needed to do something with the item. I thought for a moment and tried bringing the item closer to the hot metal. However, no system message appeared.
Luckily, Tsubaki didn't see what I did.
I scratched my head and picked up Tsubaki's hammer to start forging.
Without the bonus points and Excelia gain, I felt incredibly guilty for wasting my time forging without using my own hammer. But I had no other option. I should have asked Tsubaki to fetch my hammer, but it's too late now.
I continued hammering as I began sweating profusely. Sweat dripped down my face, chest, and arms.
CLANG!
CLANG!
CLANG!
With each strike, I could feel Tsubaki's gaze becoming more intense. It felt like someone was stabbing me in the back. I'd better do my best to ignore her—I'm getting nervous for no reason.
I focused solely on the glowing metal in front of me and kept hammering.
The sword started to take shape. I tried to make the blade as similar as possible to the sword Tsubaki currently uses.
After some time, it was finally done.
I struck the blade a few more times to correct minor imperfections, then brought the item closer to the sword again to test it. This time, a system message appeared before my eyes—one I had never seen before.
[ You have added a "War Shadow Claw." ]
[ Please choose the ability you wish to add to the sword. ]
When I saw the second message, a wave of satisfaction washed over me. The corners of my lips curled up, and then I heard Tsubaki's voice.
"What are you doing?"
The item had already been "absorbed" by the sword and disappeared. I was staring at the sword in silence, which drew Tsubaki's attention.
"Oh, don't worry, I'm just thinking."
"Hmmm... Looks good," Tsubaki said before stepping back to observe from a distance.
After she moved away, I took a look at the available abilities.
[ Shadow Slash ]
[ Shadow Control ]
[ Vital Point ]
None of the abilities had a level, likely depending on the sword's rank.
These abilities... I already know Shadow Slash; it's the same ability I received in the dungeon. But the other two, I've never seen before. Shadow Control sounds like a badass ability.
Vital Point is self-explanatory.
Alright, I'll add Shadow Control to this sword.
[ The ability "Shadow Control" has been chosen. ]
[ The difficulty of forging has increased. ]
[ Be careful! ]
I wasn't expecting that... How unnecessary.
####
I continued the forging process more carefully after the system message. I didn't do anything special, just made sure to be meticulous with each step.
When I started the heat treatment on the blade, Tsubaki approached to observe.
Her presence had been ignored by my mind until that moment.
"..."
While she watched, she said nothing.
I did everything as I had before but with more precision. Because of that, it took longer than expected. I finished the heat treatment and then began polishing the blade carefully to make it as perfect as possible.
The chances of forging something good increase if I work diligently.
And just as I expected:
[ The probabilities have temporarily increased. ]
I remember this happening before.
A huge grin spread across my face.
"Why are you smiling like that? Creepy."
"Oh, it's nothing. I just feel this sword will be incredible."
"Hmmm... Are you sure?" Tsubaki glanced doubtfully at the sword. "Not to say you did anything wrong, but... You weren't perfect. Your fundamentals are still quite lacking. Well, you're better at this than fighting, so that's something."
"Shut up."
"I'm just teasing you. So, what's next? How will you assemble the sword?"
"Just watch."
I picked up the sword and began shaping the tang.
With that done, I started assembling the sword's handle—guard, grip, and pommel. I crafted each piece carefully using the available materials. When I looked at the result, it was better than anything I'd ever made before.
Every piece fit perfectly.
"Oh, this is good. A bit lacking, but good enough."
"Thanks for the compliment."
"Don't get mad, I'm just giving my opinion."
"..."
I decided to ignore her completely and focused on assembling the sword.
I inserted the tang into the guard's hole, then attached the grip and secured it tightly. I placed the pommel last, and it was done.
The final step was polishing the blade and sharpening it. I sharpened it enough to slice a hair in half. And when I completed this last step, the sword began to glow in my hand.
Tsubaki jumped back in surprise.
"Hey, what's going on!?" Tsubaki shouted, alarmed.
"Don't worry, it's fine. Just magic," I told her.
"Magic?" Tsubaki didn't believe it.
When the sword started to change appearance, becoming majestic, she believed it even less. Her eyes widened as the sword transformed.
First, the blade.
The blade didn't change in size but gained a previously nonexistent curvature.
The sword's handle, which was originally just wood, now had a golden appearance, as if made of gold. I could feel the weight of the sword changing since it was still in my hand.
It became much heavier.
When the transformation was complete, the system notified me.
[ You have forged a Legendary Rank 1 Sword ]
[ The ability "Shadow Control LV3" has been added to the sword. ]
[ The ability "Eternal Flame LV3" has been added to the sword. ]
[ The ability "Bloodlust LV3" has been added to the sword. ]
[ The ability "Predator's Eye LV3" has been added to the sword. ]
Seeing all the abilities made me feel happy.
However, the ability Tsubaki wanted was not added to the sword.
####
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Next chapters: Chapter 71 - Who do you think I am? / Chapter 72 - Should I get close to him? / Chapter 73 - I don't have many friends. / Chapter 74 - Preparing to face the boss. / Chapter 75 - My Falna has evolved a lot. / Chapter 76 - Get crushed, motherfucker! / Chapter 77 - You're very naughty. / Chapter 78 - They're making a lot of noise! +18