Chapter 117: Sparks and Shadows

*Date: 33,480 Third Quarter — Kingdom of Satar, Capital City Parthanon*

Demir was in a good mood after everything had gone down. He was working, his companions were comfortable, and Asena could live inside the city. He just had to earn good money. Other than that, everything was going well, and his belief in finding Aris was increasing. In fact, if he were to make good money, he might even send some messengers to Chalice to find Aris.

Marco greeted him as he entered the workshop. "Good morning, Demir. Did you stop by to see Asena?"

"Yeah. I see we have quite a few repair orders." Demir looked at the pile of damaged equipment. "Did Marven bring any ingots?"

"She did. I brought your armor set as well. You didn't repair it after the goblin attack." Marco's voice carried a sad tone at the end. His inability to hide the memories of those events was fading, and his vigor seemed to have returned. The clumsy, lazy old man Demir had first met was coming back.

But most importantly, Demir's admiration for Marven was increasing day by day. From the day he'd met her, she had never complained about being stuck in a game or the threats this stupid world kept throwing at them. She was resilient, strong, and most importantly, cheerful. No one can be this strong, Demir thought. And yet she was shining in every moment, and Demir's glances were increasing day by day.

In the corner, she was calculating how many swords could be sold at maximum value without crushing the market. Demir wasn't focused on his work at all.

Marco elbowed him. "Just ask her out."

Demir snapped back to attention. "What?"

"You clearly like each other. Just ask her out."

"Ask out where? We have more important things to do."

"Like what?"

Demir tried to sound casual. "Surviving."

Marco hit Demir's temple lightly. "If you don't act in time, she will be taken. And if you still think we're on the verge of dying, then take what you can. Have fun while you can."

"I... I don't know. She's older than me, and... and..."

"Look, I can see you grew in this game and couldn't actually live like a normal teenager. But that doesn't mean millions of years of human evolution vaporized in you. Just say hi and ask to go somewhere you can have fun."

Demir swallowed. "I... I'll think about it."

---

Marven approached with a sheet of calculations. "Listen to this. If you make four rune-etched swords from these ingots, we can make eight gold. Then I can buy good mix alloys, which can lead to enormous numbers. But in order to pull more customers, I think you should also make other weapons and some armor."

Marco grinned. "We're going to be rich in this city."

Demir shook his head. "I don't know. I don't want to attract trouble. Money means trouble. When our dwarf planet started generating good money from agriculture, space pirates always caused problems."

"Hmm, I understand. But you also forget we have Lysara and Alef."

Marven nodded. "Yeah, they can protect us."

While their argument was reaching a point of settling in favor of Marco and Marven, old elven Velori entered with a strange rigor in her face. She was frantic, almost like an addict seeking a fix. "Where is my rent? You're making too much using my stuff. I need it immediately!"

Demir held up his hands. "Okay, okay. You don't have to be so angry. Marven, pay the good lady."

When Marven paid her share, Velori immediately left the workshop without another word.

Marven frowned after her. "Something's up with her. She had four silver from the nail sale. But it's finished in a week?"

Marco rubbed his chin. "Could someone be extorting her?"

Demir leaned against the workbench. "I don't know. But when I was resting the other day, a neighbor workshop owner treated me to some tea. While we were drinking, I asked why no other workshop owner had helped her after her husband died."

"What did he say?"

"Apparently, the front shop at the entry to the workshop zone was theirs. After her husband's death, she sold that shop. This place was just for storing excess materials. He explained there's no way she spent all that money on eating. And apparently, they do help, but every time they offer food, she declines and asks for money instead."

Marco nodded slowly. "So either she lost some screws in her head, or someone's extorting her."

After that comment, Marco and Demir both looked at Marven.

She sighed heavily. "Fine, I'll track her." She rolled her eyes and headed for the door. "But add some plates to those swords!"

Demir shouted after her, "I'm not a robot! I can't make everything in a day!"

Marco laughed. "Like an old couple."

Demir splashed some water at Marco.

---

Their job of creating new items started with renewed vigor. Demir took a deep breath and started counting his charged swings again and again. By the time the artificial sun was dawning, he had finished and cooled seven swords, and five of them had survived the cooling.

Marco examined them. "Is this a good ratio? Almost seventy percent survival rate?"

"I think so. But I'm also noticing more and more where impurities are sneaking into the layers and breaking them during the charged swings. That's mostly what's increasing the chances." Demir's perspective of constantly moving forward with titles had changed. Even at the same title, he was starting to notice more of his mistakes or impurities in his materials. With each adjustment to his form, his chances were increasing.

Marco picked up a chisel. "Now the rune etching. It's an actual reality of this world. Won't work in our universe, but..."

"But here we are."

Demir picked up the chisel, trying to concentrate, remembering what Master Durnak had said to him. Picture power. The eruption of a volcano. An earthquake tearing open the land. He finished etching four without any mistake. By the fifth, his tired hand shook for a fraction of a second, and it ruined the blade.

"Damn it... I was so close."

Marco took off his glasses after examining the finished four swords. "Don't worry about it. Cherish what you made. Four C grade swords with power runes properly engraved."

They put the red coals to sleep and cleaned the workshop. When they were about to head out, Marven came in looking frustrated.

"I lost her. She's very agile for her age. Tomorrow I'll have to try again."

Marco picked up the swords. "Tomorrow you have a more important job." He showed her the blades. "These won't sell themselves."

Marven's eyes went wide. "Four? Really?" She walked up to Demir and hugged him until he blushed red.

Demir pulled back, flustered. "Okay, okay, calm down. I have to visit Asena on the way."

Marco smirked. "That one sword is barely covering one week of her staying."

"Also, let's visit the baker guy. What was his name? I promised him a runed one."

"Ouz."

---

While the trio walked in good spirits toward the animal shelter, talking and laughing, their chemistry hit a point where Demir felt encouraged.

"Marven, after... maybe... I mean..."

Marven looked at him curiously. "What is it, Demir?"

"I... I mean, we... when we have free time, maybe we can go out sometime?"

"Where?" She seemed genuinely puzzled, trying to understand.

When Marco caught her eye and gave her a meaningful look, she realized what Demir meant, and her face broke into a happy smile. "Sure, Demir. I would love that."

---

Demir quickly entered the animal shelter, said hi to Yumi, and went to see Asena. She and the other tamed beasts were in a giant zone near the east gate. She seemed content. But with her nature and not really being tamed, she also seemed full of energy, restless and ready for action.

The trio continued their last visit to Ouz's bakery. As promised, they exchanged two gold for the rune-etched sword. Ouz tested the blade's balance and grinned.

"Just equipping good gear might make you survive against locals, but defeating players is something else," Ouz said.

Demir nodded, understanding, but finding time to practice was hard. Still, he had to create that time in order to fight in the tournament.

"Did you see the below-level tournament prizes?" Ouz asked.

"No. What are they?"

He showed Demir the flyer, and Demir's mouth fell open.