Chương 184: Chapter 182 – Home Repair.

The sound of his chisel biting into steel echoed faintly in the Soul Forge. A pale blue light spread across the walls as the enchantment took shape before the craftsman of metal. Bit by bit, the magic circle formed until the task was complete. Rusty lifted the sword high and studied the reflection in the mana-infused steel. Classification: Mana Infused Steel Longsword [Standard] [Lesser Durability] Type: Sword [Enchanted] Description: A standard longsword infused with the Lesser Durability enchantment.

"Only a standard on?" Rusty felt a wave of disappointment. He had managed to create only a standard-grade weapon. As a D-rank being, he knew he should have been capable of producing something one tier higher, which would have resulted in a refined weapon. Yet when it came to blacksmithing, he was still inexperienced and lacked the necessary skill.

"Well, it is still enchanted, so it should sell…" This was not what he truly wanted, but he could not complain after managing to complete his first non-elemental enchantment. The problem remained, however, since keeping mana in a neutral state was quite difficult. As long as the enchantments did not focus on any specific elemental affinity, it was still manageable.

"If I want to use elemental enchantments, I will probably have to rely on outside sources." Rusty had already experimented in the past during his evolution, but he had been limited to the two extremes of his light and dark elements. He still needed to learn how to merge both energies, and when it came to other elemental spell structures, not all hope was lost. Other magical craftsmen had already developed methods to apply elemental energies even if their own magical capabilities were limited.

"I just need to get my hands on something with a strong elemental presence. Those water crystals could work…" From within his storage, he retrieved a few gleaming stones, dropped by the huge eye monsters found in the dungeon. They were lesser water crystals, small minerals that contained mana aligned with the water element. With them, he could potentially create enchantments imbued with water spells.

Even though he lacked water affinity and his twilight energies made the process more difficult, he could bypass this weakness by infusing the metal with water mana beforehand. During the smelting process, he only needed to add the water crystals to the mixture. Once that was done successfully, the magic circles requiring water mana would activate. This was a method that allowed even those without affinities to achieve progress.

"Should I go with a defensive enchantment or with something focused on attacking?" From within his inventory, he pulled out a small booklet. He had organized it with the help of his guides, a notebook containing a list of enchantments that Aburdon and Alexander had helped him compile. The spells were arranged by elemental affinity, which made it easy for him to find what he could work with.

"Here it is, water elemental spells…" There were not many options since these were all low-level enchantments. The one that stood out was the Lesser Water Armament spell, which allowed him to coat a weapon in water energy. It worked well against monsters that were weak to this element, but considering that the dungeon was filled with creatures resistant to water magic, there was a better option.

"Lesser Water Resistance would probably be better. It would also work well with the durability increase enchantment. I wonder if I could apply both to every weapon and piece of armor." He paused to think. Many of the monsters inside the dungeon were water-aligned, which made this enchantment an ideal choice. It might even be possible to place it directly onto his own body, although he was uncertain. The sword he just made was of regular steel rather than the twilight metal that his body was formed from.

Alexander had warned him that such a combination could be volatile and might even cause an explosion, but that would not stop him from running a few tests. Even if something went wrong in this space, the smithy would restore itself. In theory, it was something that should have been possible, and the poleaxe and halberd he had created with the help of the talismans were proof of that. The system was capable of imbuing elemental enchantments even onto twilight metals.

If he continued to learn and evolve, it was likely he would gain the same ability. Perhaps in the future he could even forge a perfect body, one capable of channeling every elemental magic in existence.

"No, then what should I…" He trailed off as the pull from beyond caught him. The time was up. When he glanced at the hourglass, the final grain of sand had just fallen, which meant he would need to wait until later. In the next moment, he found himself back in the real world, his guides nowhere in sight.

"Hm…" He rubbed his metallic head once, then opened his storage space. After spending the required resources, he retrieved a flawless copy of the sword he had just created. The magic metal glowed faintly in the dim forge, proof that the attempt had succeeded.

"I have something to sell. Now I just need to find some customers." Rusty set the longsword against the wall of his modest workshop. The faint glow of the enchantment shimmered across scattered tools and half-finished projects. As soon as his hand left the weapon, however, the light faded.

"I suppose that is the limit of this enchantment." The sword carried increased durability through the magic flowing within it, yet the effect only remained active while it was being held. The mana requirement was fairly low, which meant even ordinary warriors could wield it. There were methods to offset that cost by using superior materials or by integrating special items. Some of these appeared as gemstones, while others were smelted directly into the metal itself.

Unfortunately, in his current state, he lacked the resources to attempt such enhancements. The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

"There are so many things I don't know and have to try out… How exciting!" Even though the challenge seemed daunting, Rusty felt a thrill surge through his frame. This was different from the times he had faced strong opponents, yet it filled him with similar excitement. He would create things with his own hands, and others would use them. The thought of building a shop of his own, of adventurers lining up to buy weapons that carried his mark, made something in his chest rise.

However, his excitement quickly faded when he looked around the darkened workshop.

"To sell anything, I first need to put this place in order." Merchants in the city already had blacksmiths supplying them, and adventurers usually remained loyal to the stores they trusted. Breaking into that market would not be easy. Rusty saw two possible paths forward. Although most humanoids valued the quality of their equipment, they often prioritized the money they spent. Even if a weapon was poorly made, they would buy it if the price was low enough.

He did not truly understand why, but many were willing to risk their gear breaking if it meant saving a few silver or even copper coins. The sword he had made was not impressive, and similar ones could be found at any other blacksmith, but that did not matter. If he priced it low enough, people would buy it. With the help of his system, he could produce unlimited copies without wasting time. As long as he had the raw materials, he could undercut other craftsmen until he gained recognition.

To make things even better, he noticed something unusual. The cooldown for the next use of the Soul Forge had decreased by several hours. If he continued leveling up, he would be able to enter his secret forge sooner and remain inside for a longer period of time. Perhaps in the future it might even become an unlimited resource, just as Alexander had once mentioned.

For now, however, Rusty needed to focus on other priorities, beginning with organizing his store and finally putting his weapon copy skill to use in order to earn more money.

"But first, this lair needs to be fixed." With that thought in mind, he called for both of his guides and went upstairs to where the children had made their home as well. At first, he assumed the four urchins would eventually leave and find another place to stay, but they had remained. Now it was time for them to earn their keep. If he was going to open this smithy, they could help him get it running.

"Rolo."

"Yes, Mr. Edmund?" Rolo was the oldest of the group and probably the only one Rusty could truly rely on. Natia was too young to work, but the twins could handle some simple tasks. As a living suit of armor who was not even a year old, he had no qualms about putting them to work. Even small duties such as greeting customers and sweeping the shop would be enough.

"Could you go into the city and find some capable craftsmen to help get this place in order?"

"Ah, sure… I mean, no problem, leave it to me!" The young man was surprised at first, but it seemed that the request was taken as an order from his superior. After receiving a pouch with a few silver coins, Rolo ran off into the city with an eager grin. The lad did not disappoint, for within an hour he returned with three men in tow. Two were carpenters and the third a stonemason, all seasoned craftsmen who grumbled about the state of the old building yet carried themselves with clear competence.

They inspected the warped beams, the sagging roof, and the cracked walls with practiced eyes.

"This place should have collapsed years ago." One muttered as he knocked on a beam that answered with a hollow groan. Rusty crossed his arms and responded.

"Then make it last for years to come. You will be paid fairly." Though not adventurers, these men were just as greedy. Once more coins were revealed, their eyes lit strangely and their complaints vanished. They quickly handed him a list of supplies they needed from the market, and he led them through his lair so they could begin their work properly. Thanks to his recent clash with that D-rank adventurer team, he had more than enough to cover the renovations, and soon the labor began.

As the craftsmen worked, Natia tugged on Rusty's armored hand.

"Edmund!" She said softly. Gleam was beside her, dancing about as always. The two had stopped playing when the carpenters asked everyone to leave the house while they worked inside.

"When this is all fixed, what will it be called?"

"Called?" Rusty pondered. He had not given it much thought, yet he knew that every shop in the city bore a sign and a name.

"A name, it should be something glorious, like 'The Demon Lord Palace!'" Now that he had his guides with him, they began adding their opinions to the discussion. While this name sounded grand, Rusty was not sure what a palace had to do with a blacksmith's shop.

"Any other propositions?"

"(- ‸ -)""It's fine if you can't think of anything, Gleam." Gleam strained her small ant head, but she could not think of anything good. She was not human and had no idea of what they were aiming for.

"How about something simple, like Oswald's Forge?" Alexander suggested naming it after Rusty's blacksmithing persona, Oswald. It was not a bad idea, but to Rusty it felt a little too plain. It was easy to remember, yet it lacked excitement.

"I'd like something different, like…" Rusty looked at his own body of metal and then at what would become his storefront. He was a being made of metal, and perhaps he should include that in the name.

"How about Living Metal Forge?"

"Living Metal? A bit on the nose, don't you think?" Commented Alexander, since the name revealed Rusty's true nature as living armor.

"Well, I don't think anyone will figure it out. It's not a bad name." Alexander continued, eventually agreeing. Aburdon remained quiet, seemingly finding nothing to complain about. Rusty nodded as well and turned back to the young girl who had asked him.

"It is going to be called the Living Metal Forge!"

"Oh!" The child's eyes widened with delight, as if Rusty had just announced the opening of a royal castle.

"That's amazing, Edmund! The Living Metal Forge! It sounds so impressive!"

"What did I tell you? It's Mr. Edmund! Remember that already, Natia!"

"N-noo!" Natia stuck out her tongue at Ria, who stepped out from the corner. The children broke into a chase, circling around him before dashing out into the street. A few passersby glanced their way, curious as to why a house in the slums was being renovated. Rusty watched them scatter, their laughter echoing down the road. For a moment, he stood silently in the doorway of his half-rebuilt smithy, staring at the cracked stones and splintered wood that would soon transform into his Living Metal Forge.

'I should go to city hall and get the paperwork done.' The carpenters had given him a timeframe for the repairs, and it would take a few days to finish. With little else to do, Rusty decided to head into the city and settle his paperwork. It took him half a day to get through the lines at the town hall, and he had to part with a considerable amount of coins to pay all the fees, but at last his store was officially registered. Only one task remained.

Once he returned home, he went straight to work in his basement forge rather than the Soul Forge. The tools and equipment here were far inferior, yet still adequate for his next project. He planned to craft the entrance sign for his store.

"How about this look?"

"(˶ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ˶)""I knew you'd like Gleam." Just like in the other stores, the sign needed to stand out. Rusty took a thick steel sheet from his pile of salvaged scraps and propped it against the anvil. Sparks leapt in the dim forge as his hammer fell, each strike ringing with steady rhythm. Slowly, a shape began to emerge on the sheath, one that resembled something very close to him.

"That looks well enough, now for the letters." He murmured to himself as he kept hammering. Using a small chisel, he made sure the letters came out even. The name of the sign was taking shape quickly, and above it he carved a familiar symbol. It resembled a helmet, almost identical to the first shape he had taken when he arrived in this world, and soon it would serve as the emblem of this smithy.