Blacksmith of the Apocalypse

Belatedly, Seth found that he was one of the last among his friends that finally decided on the path. Following his reveal to Mina and Fin, the two quickly asked him to come for a meeting the next day.

When he followed the two he found all the members already assembled. When they explained their intentions, he could only sigh touched. They all had actually waited for him to choose a path because they already had a plan for this time's excursion to the abyss.

"We will all go together to the Colossal dungeon!" Fin blared out.

"We will show you how strong we have become," Duhu added confidently.

"Not to mention, that we will probably be blazing through that dungeon with Seth at the front...," Lyxiss commented jokingly.

After the chaos settled a little, Monique and the other team leader explained their intentions. Leana had explained that the last five levels were the hardest. That was why Lydia suggested that they should all enter the dungeon they had previously entered.

Not only was it the biggest dungeon any of the teams came across, but the colossi were also numerous and gave a huge amount of experience. They had only scratched the surface of what that dungeon actually held. Going in with their full force was not just a way to potentially raise everyone's level quickly, but also a safety measure, as nobody could fathom what the higher or lower floors really held.

Seth thought about it for a moment. The blacksmith was currently working on the second set of Armor of Lunacy. Now, that he had finally unlocked a path that was to his liking, he had one worry less. One could even say something to look forward to.

However, that was something for the future. He thought proceeding to lv.100 would not help them in the short run. That was why Seth wanted to concentrate on the new armors and equipment for the field teams. The one was planning to do next was the armor for Azul, which was a little trickier since the chimera had four arms. There were also other things apart from the armor, he wanted to try-

"I know what you are thinking about, but take this into consideration: The earlier we reach lv.100 the quicker we will be able to collect Power of Existence with our deeds," Mina purred in his ears.

"Although it might sound a little calculative, but when Minas Mar starts helping the people in Y-City everyone might gain a lot when we can already harvest the existential Power at that point," Leana also added.

"It will still take weeks before Karina will even get close to Ypselon. Isn't that enough time to prepare? Come on, pretty please?" Fin begged.

Everyone was doing their best to convince Seth, not to lock himself away in his workshop and come on an adventure with them. When they used logical and emotional arguments like that, how could he say no, but there was still one condition he had to make.

"Alright, but I will finish at least the Armors of Lunacy for everyone who gets one. This way you can get used to the power before we face the real thing."

The abyss was a dangerous place, crawling with strong monsters, but they had already been there and the danger one had inside a dungeon was assessable, at least nobody would die permanently. It was a good environment to grow and grow accustomed to new equipment.

Looking at their long faces, Seth could help but laugh.

"What's with those faces? Don't worry, it won't take too long. Since I already finished one, the others won't take too long, since all I'm doing is tweaking some of the enchantments. I would say, I'm done in a week, maybe 10 days."

To normal ears, it would have sounded like boasting when he said that he would finish the armors for Azul, Ray, Shay, Jess, Ferdinand, and Lynri that fast. Making six full armor sets in a pace of one set per 1-2 days was insane. And even with Seth's speed and skills, it was.

However, Seth didn't intend to do it all alone this time around. Seth was needed for demonic ballads and enchantments, but he could leave the other tasks to Cerberus and his new assistant, Sivri. Although Sivri could only do jewelry on her own because she was to fragile for heavy forging, the blacksmith could still leave enchanting finished armor to her.

With the addition of two tireless helpers, Seth's main work was forging the armor pieces, while he could leave the setting of stones, size fitting, and engravings to the two golems. The only caster who would have to wait for his upgraded items was Bulko, who wanted a fully enchanted, finished version of the elemental resistance armors and similar equipment that could strengthen his versatility as a Mirror priest.

Seth smiled at their guilty expressions after hearing the tight schedule he suggested himself. Of course, it would be a lot of work, but doing so first and then going into the dungeons to train with the items was the most effective method.

"No," Minas suddenly said. Everyone else was looking a little embarrassed, guilty, or worried, however, the cat girl stepped in front of him with an angry frown.

"Not like this. If you do it like this, you will just be stuck in the workshop again and I won't see you for the week or longer. I want to go to the dungeon, so we can spend more time together. I know you are doing all this because you are worried about the future, but I want you in the present."

She hugged him tightly. "Just accept it as my selfishness, okay?"

As her smooth body pressed against him, his hands couldn't help but wander. Right, when had he become a workaholic? He never wanted to be someone who sacrificed himself, or his friends for some greater good. When had he started neglecting his girlfriends?

"Alright," he whispered and gave Mina a deep kiss, before turning to the crowd. "What about the hardest five levels? What about the abyss? We will show this world who they are up against! Let's go and have a dungeon pick-nick," he rallied the group.

With this, the decision was made and the preparations were finished quickly. Link had prepared enough food for weeks and everyone was motivated. It was their very first group activity, with all the members of the field teams.

All the practical reasons for this trip were actually just excuses. They all had felt the pressure and gloomy atmosphere in Minas Mar and in general. Consciously and unconsciously, they just wanted to spend some time away and let loose, without the constant pressure of a terrible future looming over their heads.

Now that Seth was looking forward to it, he also realized this. The weight of what was happening in Y-City every day had been weighing heavily on everyone's mind, his too. A simple task to escape this feeling, this was what his work had been to him and now it was this trip for every one of them.

Killing monsters, dungeon crawling, reaching lv. 100, simple uncomplicated goals they could focus on. People need a valve to let things out. It didn't even take two days to prepare everything and set off. The travel to Minas Palan was instantaneous.

"The guild is really putting in the effort," Seth commented when they stepped out from the yet-to-be-finished magic tower Evee had planned.

Outside was a new city wall, as well as a small village for the people and adventurers staying here temporarily.

"Yes, while the construction of the tower in still progressing, they started surveying the land and building a road to the place they wish to set up their own city," Evee explained helpfully.

Now that the immortal witch had joined the field teams and spent the recent time catching up on levels, she was not constantly here to watch over the construct. Still, she was the most knowledgeable of them about the current progress in the Holy Land.

"Oh right, guys. Before we are going into the abyss, how about we make a little detour and pay a visit to an old friend?"

A wave of agreement flooded against him, after he explained who he wanted to visit. Afterward, they got on their mounts and quickly rode to their destination.