The red-hot block of metal stretched and took shape under the rhythmic strikes of the hammer, slowly assuming the outline of a blade.
Ignis used his Fire-Sight to monitor the blade blank's temperature closely, ensuring even heat distribution across the steel.
This particular blank had been forged using a five-layer steel folding technique, each layer hammered together by hand. Fortunately, the Son of Vulkan knew precisely how to balance heat and hammer force—the fusion was flawless.
With the anvil's horn curving outward like a rhino's horn, Ignis began shaping the tip's curve. The bowie knife—classic in form—excelled at both stabbing and slashing.
Once satisfied with the shape, Ignis clamped the blank with tongs and plunged it into a nearby barrel of water.
A sharp hiss echoed, steam and bubbles erupting as the glowing blade cooled.
Though he knew that water quenching could risk internal stress and cracking, Ignis trusted his craftsmanship—and more importantly, his Fire-Sight—to ensure perfect heat balance and rapid submersion.
When the blade finally cooled, he lifted it and examined it under the light. No cracks, no distortions—just a cold, clean sheen.
Thanks to the full-tang design with a D-shaped guard, all it needed was a wrapped handle and an edge grind before it could be battle-ready.
This one was for himself. It had been a while since he'd done any smithing, and he wanted to get his hands back into the craft. Thankfully, the physique and mind of a Space Marine never dulled. Standing before the anvil, old techniques surfaced effortlessly from memory.
By evening, Nicole had returned with the main crew of the Cunning Hares—along with a secondhand truck loaded with heavy equipment.
She'd kept her word, bringing an entire forge setup: furnace, anvil, lathe, tongs, hammers, and steel brushes—everything a blacksmith could need.
When Nicole saw the Public Security officers lingering around the house, she wasn't exactly thrilled—her line of work didn't get along with theirs—but she still smiled and greeted them politely.
Ignis had wanted to say something, but Nicole's eyes signaled him to stay quiet.
Now, the outside had gone quiet. Ignis could hear the officers beyond the wall snoring. Realizing how late it was, he pulled out his phone and checked the time—it was already past midnight.
Guess I got carried away again… Since dinner, he'd been testing every piece of the new forge, making sure all tools worked properly. One thing led to another, and he decided to forge himself a combat knife.
His main weapons relied on his power armor, but life in New Eridu didn't allow him to wear it constantly. A combat knife would at least give him a handy blade when unarmored.
Hope the hammering didn't keep anyone awake… he thought, resolving to apologize in the morning as he switched on the grinder. The blade just needed sharpening now.
He pressed the foot switch. The machine's spirit awakened with a rising whine. Ignis slowly brought the blade to the wheel, adjusting the angle carefully, ensuring the edge came out razor-sharp.
Just as he finished and checked the edge under the light, Nicole's voice came from behind him.
"This for Anby?"
Her hair was down, and she was dressed in simple sleepwear—no makeup, no jewelry. It was a rare sight for someone who could paint ten nails in five colors.
"Is there something on my face? You're staring." Nicole touched her cheek, puzzled.
"Nothing. Just thinking you look good like this too. Though your usual flashy look suits you as well," Ignis said, grabbing a paracord to start wrapping the handle.
The tang had a pre-drilled pinhole, but without a suitable grip material, cord wrapping would do for now.
"Hmph." Nicole puffed out her chest proudly. "That look's just a disguise—makes me seem frivolous and obsessed with fashion. People lower their guard around someone like that."
"Most folks see me and think, Oh, just some airheaded, flirty girl. That's when they make mistakes." She grinned. "A Hare's Wit—just another form of bluffing."
"Smart," Ignis remarked simply, thick fingers tightening the cord around the handle. "This one's just for practice, for myself. Haven't started on Anby's yet."
"Was I too noisy?" he suddenly asked.
"I couldn't sleep anyway—not because of your hammering." Nicole leaned closer, watching his large hands deftly tie the knots. "You've got good hands for a guy your size."
"Because of those officers outside?" Ignis shifted slightly to give her a better view.
"Yeah. They said they're posted here in case Razor and his Mountain Lion Gang come after you." Nicole gave him a slow once-over. "Honestly, if they knew how you really fought, they wouldn't be talking about protecting you."
"I can't exactly show off in front of Public Security," Ignis sighed. "Can't exactly rip apart an Ethereal as a demonstration. Sorry… for dragging trouble your way."
"Hey, you're not the only one involved," Nicole said immediately. "You in armor or not, we're in this together. I'm the boss of the Cunning Hares. If something happens, it's my mess first."
"You're a good boss," Ignis admitted. "But Razor… he's not simple. If an attack happens, you need to keep everyone clear. I'll handle it."
Nicole frowned. "What, you expect us to just leave you behind? You think we're that useless? And the officers outside aren't exactly weak either."
Ignis appreciated her loyalty, but he couldn't tell her the truth—that Razor might have been chosen by Khorne, the Blood God himself.
He couldn't speak the names of the Chaos Gods to a civilian. Doing so could taint her. Ignis liked the people of the Cunning Hares—he wouldn't risk them.
"The officers might not stand a chance," he said carefully. "And even you all… facing him could be dangerous. I can't let you fight an unwinnable battle. That would be meaningless sacrifice."
"Relax," Nicole patted his arm. "If it's hopeless, I'll order a retreat first thing. But before we run, we'll at least try. Leaving you behind just isn't how the Cunning Hares operate."
Ignis pulled the final knot tight, finishing the cord-wrapped grip. It fit his massive hand perfectly.
"Let me see," Nicole said, reaching out. "Never seen a handmade blade up close."
Ignis flipped the knife, handing her the grip.
For a nearly three-meter-tall giant's combat knife, it was massive in her human hands—Nicole had to hold it with both.
"It's gorgeous. If you were to sell something like this, what price would you put on it?" she asked, eyes already sparkling with business instinct. "That forge setup wasn't cheap, you know. Got it from a master smith's estate sale after he passed away."
"This one's not for sale. My own." Ignis stroked his chin. "As for pricing… I'll wait till I understand what this 'smithing license' business actually means first."
"I'm telling you, once you build a name, you'll be rolling in credits," Nicole said eagerly. "The Cunning Hares are strong now—we can start taking higher-risk contracts for better pay!"
"Nicole, are you that short on money?" Ignis finally asked what had been on his mind.
She laughed lightly. "Of course, I am. Anby's movie nights, Billy's maintenance costs, Nekomata's endless demands for mackerel… and you—you're the most expensive one of all."
She began counting on her fingers. "New house, fake IDs, rental car, full forge setup, and your mountain-sized appetite. How could I not be broke?"
Her eyes gleamed with playful mischief, and Ignis found himself looking away awkwardly. She wasn't wrong.
"But hey," Nicole said with a smile, stretching her arms, "with you around, our strength's gone way up. We'll take bigger jobs, make bigger money."
She yawned. "I'm beat. We'll need to keep supporting each other for a while. Don't you dare run off before you've repaid all that goodwill."
"Of course not. I'm Ignis Demara—your adopted son, remember?" He chuckled, recalling that half-joking name she'd given him. "Where would I even run to?"
"Good. Keep working, I'm going back to bed. Been a crazy few days." She turned to leave—
"Stop! Who's there?!"
A shout came from outside the wall—one of the Public Security officers. "Freeze, or I'll open fire!"
Ignis and Nicole locked eyes immediately. Trouble.
"I'll wake the others!" Nicole snapped to alertness. "Be careful."
"Don't worry," Ignis said, his expression sharpening. With a twist of his wrist, the combat knife settled firmly in his grip, gleaming cold under the light.