Chapter 42 - What Awaits

I need to hurry! I can see it up ahead, just a little more!

I raced through Horn Street, cutting past couples and adventurers, turning many heads as I rudely pushed them aside. I didn’t mean to but by the time they came into view it was already too late—I couldn't slow down.

“Why are there so many people…please move!”

I pushed past the last group huddled around outside of a potions store. As I fell out from their mass I landed just on the doorstep of my destination. Arga Smithy.

I dusted myself off and opened the door. A massive smile was the first to enter.

I couldn't help it, I was excited. She took my Chakrams to inspect and then told me to come back today, that has to be what I think it means right?! I know she agreed to make me new armour but wouldn’t it be amazing if there was more!

Still…I wonder what she needed with my Chakram. I suppose a Smith would be interested in a foreign weapon they’ve never seen before right? Maybe she wants to see how it works for herself.

My smile ran wild on my face, burning red I couldn't settle down the blushing red cheeks on my face and covered them with my hands.

Calm down—calm down—calm down!!

I composed myself with a trick I learnt from Kana. After calming down enough to speak, I let out a friendly greeting.

“Hello, it’s me Rei.” I opened the door to a dimly lit room, with no life in it at all.

I looked around and there was no one there, my greeting fell on silence as I was the only one in the room. Even the so-called “failures” from yesterday were vacant in this dreary room.

I walked to the backroom.

Maybe they stepped out for a bit, should I leave too? Wait would they leave without locking up, that seems a little strange.

As I ran the scenarios through my head, my nose got a sudden whiff of burning metal. The overpowering smell forced me back a few steps. It was heavily pouring out from the back room. A wall of putrid burning smells blocked me from moving closer.

If the smell is this bad out here…I can’t imagine what it must be like in there! How could anyone stand it?

Just then my concerns were silenced by a powerful Tang sound.

My eyes jolted open and before I realised it I was moving forward.

Tang

Another hit. Followed by three more.

I was mesmerised, I needed to find out where such a powerful and unique sound was coming from. I placed my hands on the door to the back room and slowly pushed it open. I wasn’t thinking, I would never enter without permission but…

Arga stood over a large stone cube filled with water. It was nearly as tall as she was and bubbling to the surface.

Hot.

She was holding something inside of it with a long pair of metal tongs, coming into the shape of a V at the end of her hands. I tried thinking of the names of some of the tools but there were more than I could count that I didn’t recognise. I stood there quietly, making sure not to disturb her while she worked.

Her hair was tied up into a large bandanna wrapped over her head. Most of her hair hung out the back because of its sheer volume but it kept it out of her eyes at least. She was working in a sleeveless black top covered in oil and stains.

Her baggy white pants were littered with holes and other scratches on them too. Wait—was that a burn mark?

Those weren’t just messy clothes, they were the marks of her craft. Her uniform.

I gazed out at the rest of the room, where tools and metal in all sorts of shapes and sizes hung from the walls. The backroom itself was made from a grey stone with a high roof, and a single light hung from it.

The room wasn’t as large as the main section out front but it had enough space to move around in.

I had no idea how she managed to keep a level head in there, from the few seconds I was in there I already started to struggle breathing. My chest tightened up as if all the air had left and black coal rested on my lungs.

It’s like standing inside a furnace.

I looked up at the single open window against the wall and the substantial volume of smoke pouring out from it.

She didn’t look phased.

Just beneath it was a large sheet covering a bumpy figure. What could that be I wonder? It kind of looks like a—

My attention was nabbed back to Arga as a burst of steam rose from the water. She lifted the tongs and pulled out a round object from within its flaring mist.

The amount of steam was too vast to be able to make out the details but its shape looked familiar.

What is she making?

“Hm? Oh, how long have you been hiding there?” Arga suddenly called out.

“W-what, me?”

“I doubt anyone else would be in this room?”

“No, sorr—I mean, not long.”

I didn’t realise how much I apologised like that.

Just then the image of Miss Serin’s fist hitting me again came rushing in. I better get a handle on that before I do it in front of her by mistake…

“I didn’t mean to snoop, I was just curious because nobody was out front.” I said while gesturing to the door behind me.

“Oh yeah, my old man went out to sell the last of the weapons we had.”

“Those weapons from yesterday, didn’t you call those failures though?”

“One man’s trash is another man’s treasure, right? You can’t always be picky about what to sell, especially when those failures are going to bring in the money to make better weapons.”

I still don’t think they’re trash though…

Any of those weapons would have been more than fine to sell in one of the high-end stores here in the Market district, so why was she so hell-bent on calling them failures? I wanted to ask but, it didn’t seem like my place to.

At least they weren't planning to just destroy them, I’m glad they decided to sell them. She isn't too dense at least.

“So what brings you by this late at night?” Arga asked with a small grin.

“You asked me here…”

“I did?”

“YES!! Also, it’s not even dark out, it’s only two hours past mid-day!”

Arga cocked her head to the side and rubbed her chin. She thought hard for a moment and gave up.

“Oh, I guess I did, sorry bout that.” She delivered with a smile.

I take back what I said before…This girl is totally dense!

“I think you’ll like what I came up with.”

Her words cut through the heavy layer of steam and finally, the room was free from its misty veil. The rounded weapon laid out in front of her was now visible. She dropped it on the table and wiped it down with a cloth from her waist.

It was a Chakram…at least I think it was. The same shape, same size even but…it looks stronger. Was this what she needed mine for…she did this all in one night?!

Appraise it.

{Weaker Unnamed Chakram} {Rarity: D}

{Weapon strength: 30}

A circular blade in the shape of a ring. The rim had a bright blue edge while the base of the blade was a darker, almost black. It was a strong weapon, stronger than the one I had before which only had an attack rating of 18.

But what’s with that description?

Her grin turned into a serious gaze that set my heart aflame. It was beating faster, not through panic—through excitement.

She turned to me and lowered her head slightly, casting her bright crimson eyes onto me. For a moment I swear I could have seen a twinge of stars in her eyes.

“Rei, let me be yours!”

…

“Come again?”