Master Of None

Midnight and the wandering blacksmith were already on the move. The heat was rising and the materials were being heated to begin the shaping process. Walker joined in and the metal was ready faster than they realized. 

The wandering blacksmith used yet another technique to shape the metal, instead of hammering it to shape it he had begun to use some tools to pull and twist the metal together. The handle gradually started to take shape but with this technique the wandering blacksmith had to constantly take it in and out of the heat from the forge. It was a lot more lifting than any of the other techniques which made things seem slower. 

Midnight was getting much more used to her decaying breath attack and had started to focus it more so that it yielded more heat. This had been the perfect practice over the last few days for her to properly master using the skill at the drop of a hat. Not to mention she was getting used to following hand signals instead of verbally or mentally sent words. This meant that if the party was ever in a situation where Walker couldn't speak out loud or have Onyx do so, then Midnight would still be able to properly understand the meanings of "let's go" or "Wait here". 

Their teamwork had improved greatly and the bond between them was strengthened with every move made by the wandering blacksmith. He had already made a handle out of the red hot metal that looked much better than any of the other weapons or gear he had made. This was truly a master blacksmith at work. 

The time came for them to stop heating the metal and the wandering blacksmith paced the head of the hammer in to a mold. He did not put the entire hammer head in the mold, which made Walker curious to why. Within the next moment the wandering blacksmith was bringing his own hammer down forcing the red hot metal in to the world. This was how the spoke on the other side was being created. 

Walker would have never imagined this was how the hammer would be shaped. It was a very amazing technique that must have been discovered over many years of attempts and failures. Once the red hot metal had been shaped more tools were used to flatten and even the bashing part of the hammer. The shape was then changed again with yet another tool adding heavy lines in to it. These looked to be markings that could channel mana just like the small carvings on Su's shields. 

The only question was, why were these carvings different? Walker wanted to ask but as the hammer started to cool down the wandering blacksmith started to carve the more fine lines. The hammer was still hot but it looked like this was the intention because the wandering blacksmith only seemed to be speeding up as it cooled. The skill that he demonstrated was always a wondrous thing to watch.

When the hammer had cooled enough the polishing process began which had even more carving involved. By the time the wandering blacksmith was polishing the last part the single weapon had taken half the day. "Walker took the chance to evaluate the hammer with his all around appraisal skill. 

'Draconic crusher

+8atk, +2 def

Strong fire resistance

Strong decay resistance

Strong earth resistance

Specially made by a master blacksmith to retain its strength and hold less weight.

Able to infuse elemental mana within the hammer's head to cause elemental damage.

Mana storage 0/25'

Walker saw this appraisal and knew that the quality of this weapon was above and beyond what he had ever seen in his life. The mana storage would allow for five more than one of Su's shields. The attack was a great boost and it even came with three resistances. The clincher was that the wandering blacksmith was most certainly considered a master, it was shown in the appraisal as proof. He had made this hammer so that it was just as strong but lighter. This could mean the difference in any battle. 

Walker took it in his hands after the mana storage gem was inlaid within it. The gem was in the top of the hammer where it could rest without fear of being burned. The spiked side was deadly looking and even had its own carvings. Those carvings were definitely what was giving him the ability to infuse mana in to the hammer. 

He was surprised by its weight, he could lift it without too much trouble. However this did not mean that he could easily swing it. He was realizing that with his effort in holding it he lacked the skill to stop the momentum in an instant. For lack of better excuses it was just because he did not have enough muscle built up. This made him want to go and train immediately but he had no choice but to stay. 

The heating process was already starting for the two smaller hammers. The materials were heated and ready for mold when Walker realized that the molds showed a blade on the back of the hammers almost like axes. This did make sense since he could use an ax to have while out in the forest. The problem was that he had not expected this, he needed to make sure that he took longer to learn how to use a bladed hammer than a regular one. 

The process was almost half the time it took for the large hammer. The two smaller hammers were done in a blink of an eye and cooled just as fast. When Walker first picked one up he realized that there were no mana storage gem's within them and also that they were much easier to hold and handle. The difference was staggering but made a lot more sense. These smaller hammers were more for backup or utility than the larger one which was meant for real combat. 

Having the two in his hands made Walker feel like a balanced fighter. The domineering aura he had made Midnight give him a soft growl. She could feel that Walker was itching for a fight and she wanted to run off to fight as well. However when the wandering blacksmith gave a gesture for them to heat up the fire more they were brought back to the task at hand. The final items needed to be made before anything else could be done. 

Walker was sure that they had made just about everything he had asked for but was seeing the wandering blacksmith starting to create more and asking for the flames. The two watched as he started to craft more armor, this time it looked to fit Walker. This was something extra that the wandering blacksmith had decided to make himself. 

They were just basic armor without any special effects but they would improve his defense and magic defense without a problem. They were also made of the steel worm skin making them easy to wear. Walker continued to help even when the wandering blacksmith returned to Gil's arrow heads. He was invested to see the end of this job and also wanted to make sure that the wandering blacksmith had an idea of what he would do after their order was completed. 

They stretched themselves to the very end of their mana and energy. Daylight had long faded by the time they finished. Walker was looking at the pile of extra gear and weapons they had made. The only pieces that stood out were Gil and Remey's item. They needed to try these things on in case any adjustments needed to be made. Walker would have to drag Remey from alchemy and Gil from hunting. Both were practically impossible. 

Before he went off to rest and wake up the next morning to try the impossible, Walker decided he should see what the wandering blacksmiths plans were. "Now that that the order is complete, do you have any plans on what to do next?" The smile on the wandering blacksmith's face was plain as day saying that he had one. 

"Time to plan" This was the longest sentence he had said in front of Walker. The fact that he had directly spoken so quickly was a major surprise. 

Walker was unsure of what the wandering blacksmith was planning but decided that he would just let it be. Yet as he tried to turn the wandering blacksmith had already pulled a map out from under the table. He tapped down on it showing that he was aiming for the mountains. Walker realized that it was a guild request form with the omnipotent party being requested. 

"Wait, don't tell me you want us to escort you to the mountains so you can try to craft while on top of them?" This was exactly what the wandering blacksmith wanted. This had been his plan for a while now.

Walker was happy for this but also unhappy since they would end up leaving home again for a long amount of time. The journey through the mountains was usually done by courageous travelers and merchants. Bringing a guest along with them sounded much harder than the other guild quests they had taken on before. He had no idea what to say to the wandering blacksmith. 

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