Before I knew it, it's been almost two years since I arrived in Orario and joined Hephaestus Familia.
So many things have happened since then...
I've explored up to the 11th floor, near the end of the upper layers of the Dungeon, and now I'm on good enough terms with Mia Grand, the hostess of fertility, to joke around with her. My level is at the edge of Lv1, so if I just achieve a feat, reaching Lv2 isn't a dream. I've gotten used to blunt weapon techniques and now I'm using a one-handed shield and club together. Blunt weapons rule! My current club is Club No.5. While working with clubs, I've tried other weapons too, but I really don't get along with blades like swords or spears. At best, among blades, axes are somewhat okay?
My shop in Babel has become fairly well-known among those in the know. What was it they said? That it offers just the right quality and price for Lv1 adventurers?
Well, when I use Dan-ya to make something, it turns out amazing! Yeah!
But for now, I'm just a lowly Lv1 who has to hide my use of Dan-ya... Sigh... I need to reach Lv2 quickly so I can use 'that magic' to make whatever I want... What feat should I achieve for recognition...
"Hey, let's eat! Dinner time!"
"Yeah, coming, coming."
Oh, I was so lost in thought that it's already dinnertime.
"Who's cooking today?"
"Let's see... that newbie who joined about a month ago."
"How am I supposed to know who you mean with that description..."
"That Pallum girl you said was cute!"
"Ah, Jian? I haven't heard she can cook, so I wonder if it'll be any good."
"Ah, well, she must have some skill if she's assigned to do it."
After two years in Orario, I've gained enough seniority to have juniors I can look after. Still, I'm only Lv1...
The Jian I mentioned is a typical Pallum, which means...
"Is... is it okay...? Please don't be angry if it's not good...!" she stammered, her voice trembling.
Her self-esteem is incredibly low... She apologizes constantly for everything, and even if you just ask her to run an errand, she trembles, saying she'll mess up... The only saving grace is that when she's forging, instead of talking, she becomes super calm. It's like she enters a state of hyper-focus.
Because of that, we all call her Puppy.
Like a puppy that trembles normally but snaps to attention when it's time to hunt.
...She's cute.
"It's good, it's good. So stop trembling like that... People will think we're bullying you."
"See, that Bilbo senpai is an exception. Usually, Pallums are all like this. Powerlessness, fear, low self-esteem! These three traits define the current Pallum race. Who would think Bilbo senpai is a Pallum? They'd think he's a short human or a beardless dwarf."
"A beardless dwarf is a bit of a stretch, haha!"
"I feel the same, haha! I can't even imagine a dwarf without a beard, haha!"
"Hahahaha!"
"...Huh... hehe?"
"Ah, Jian!"
"Ye-yes...! Ouch, I bit my tongue..."
"Another bowl of soup here! It's delicious!"
"Th-thank you very much!"
Living like this, teasing my juniors and getting by, isn't bad, but...
He let out a grunt as he stood up.
"What, getting up already? The food's good today, aren't you eating more?"
"Well... I think it's about time I start preparing to move to the next level."
"What are you talking... don't tell me?"
"Two years is plenty of time to reach Lv2, right?"
I said to my senpai with a bright smile.
"You should look forward to it, my final masterpiece as an Lv1."
"...Just try bringing something disgraceful, and you'll have me to answer to."
Now, let's see... what should I make this time...
Nightrun's AB Sword?
No, this time, maybe go for sacred artifacts or conceptual weapons.
Type-Moon isn't bad either, but those don't have pure weapons; they're loaded with additional abilities, so if possible, I want to use magic and make it properly.
Hmm, in that case, weapons from Arknights would work, since they're pure weapons unless used by particularly strange characters.
Ah, from Dark Souls, unless enchanted, they're all regular weapons, right? So that's tempting too...
Ahhh, so many options!
Preventing memory degradation was definitely the right choice! To think I can consider making such a variety of things!
Still, since it's the weapon that marks both the beginning and the end, I want to make something meaningful...
"Simple but cool... the beginning but the end..."
What was it... what was there...?
"The Great King's... greatsword...?"
The first final boss of the Dark Souls series, the last gate that tests the chosen Undead who come to rekindle the fading First Flame, the first king who meets his final death at the first bonfire...!
"I've decided... it's this one... it has to be this one...!"
First, I need to make a wooden model to estimate and shape it.
I can't mess this up. My entire life as a blacksmith depends on completing this...!
Oh, great Lord of Cinder,
bestow your blessing upon this place.
To hunt the monsters that shun the sunlight,
grant your sword holy blessings.
Glory to the sun, and light to the lightning!
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