[SP-F1] << Earning A Living >> Hagane Zone (Blacksmith) << COMPLETE >>

[Gattsu 0]

Despite my love for fighting in Aincrad, I happen to have a large interest in blacksmithing. I was always curious of how weapons and armor are shaped and fit together into their whole appearance, and I remember watching some blacksmiths working on their arts: both in real life and Aincrad. I watched the beautiful sparks appearing at every strike of the hammer, and they lit up the dim workplaces like lightning. 

The sound of a blacksmith's hammer pounding into the ingot also sound relaxing to my ears. Even though forging is a hard work from the customer's perspective, I think that this sort of activity is relaxing to the smith. He would leave his thoughts running free while keeping his close eye to the ingot, ensuring that its quality won't be diminished.

Besides the fact that I love the art of blacksmithing, I also realize that making my own equipment will not only save my COL, but I can just design them however I want them to be. Perhaps I can probably repair them myself without seeking for a service.

...I'm heading for a drink.

Edited September 17, 2016 by Gattsu

[Gattsu 0]

There is a bar I frequently go for a drink or simply rest from the dangers of Aincrad. It is simply called 'Sussudio' and they serve the best lemonade I have ever had. I am fond of lemonades, and they were my regular drink besides water in my previous life.

The moment I step into the bar, there are already all kinds of noises and conversations present in the building. There are players getting drunk from their alcohol, and then there are a few more that seems to be planning a dungeon raid or something. Some are flirting towards each other regardless of gender, and there is one, bearded old man sitting at the corner of the bar. 

All of the seats seem to be occupied, but that doesn't stop me from buying my lemonade. I do walk around while being hopeful that somebody would leave or lend me a seat. As I end up at the corner, the old man tug my arm gently, and ask if I would like a seat. I sit beside him without hesitation. 

It takes only a few seconds to realize that this old man is an NPC, and immediately he asks this question: "Are you fond of the art of blacksmithing, young man?"

Naturally I nod, somehow excited that we share the same interest. 

"Would you like a training to be a smithy like me?"

Again I nodded, my spirits are already up as I'm satisfied that I get this opportunity to be my favorite profession.

"I would love to talk to you about my art," says the old man. "But first, let's get out of this noisy place, shall we?"

[Gattsu 0]

The old man's shop is really small, there is a fireplace, anvil and a table altogether in one place. A lot of his tools are hung on the walls, and at the opposite wall, there are varieties of weapons, both Eastern And Western. 

The old man is sitting on his chair as gets himself comfortable. I prefer to stand while leaning against the wall.

"Blacksmithing is one of the true form of arts in Aincrad. Nothing is more satisfying than crafting your own weapons or armor with badass designs, and saving your money from buying people's weapons. The one thing you should know about smithing is that it isn't something you should take lightly. The quality of the metal always counts, it determines the durability, sharpness or appearance of the weapon. You must also take care of them at a daily basis, in return for their assistance to ease your travels."

He proceeds to open a small box on the table behind him and takes out some kind of rock with an unfamiliar color.

"This is a steel ore, young man. This, right here, is one of the materials you need to forge a weapon or armor. There are other kinds of metal that are used in blacksmithing for the sake of making their crafts appealing or very strong and durable. But for now, a beginner like you should use a basic ore like this.

Are you still interested, adventurer?"

A message prompt appears in front of me, asking me if I want to accept a quest called << Earning A Living >>. I tap the Yes button, ready for whatever's waiting for me in the quest.

"Very good, I'm proud of you, young man. Here, take my pickaxe and head for Hagane Zone, an area of grass full of rocks."

He hands me his tool, which looks surprisingly intact despite looking like it has been used for years.

'These rocks tend to have steel ores within them, you just have to look really hard. Bring me at least five ores, and we can start training.

Oh, and watch out for lizardmen. I heard they sent their own groups to scout the area every single day. There are always three or four of them, with one being the 'sergeant' of the group. I think you starter weapon is capable of holding them off. Good luck!"

 

[Gattsu 0]

Exiting the Starting City, a cold breeze is present among the grasslands, and the sun is starting to shift towards the west. I stroll around the field as I think of setting up my own shop, as well as taking requests from everybody. It seems okay to forge a requested equipment for a certain player,  I hope they would leave a tip, even though I know a lot of people probably don't tip in Aincrad these days. 

Hagane Zone shouldn't be far off in my opinion, as only twenty minutes have passed since I step out of the city, and already I am surrounded by boars. I walk past them as they raise up their heads to look at me, but since I have no intentions of attacking them, they go back to their own businesses. 

The thought of fighting these lizardmen seems exciting, but I wonder what creatures like them would remain in the first floor. They sound like they should be in the fourth floor or somewhere similar to that matter. 

Oh, there it is. That area looks really big. Look at the number of rocks in that area...

[Gattsu 0]

Most of the textures of the rock are very random, some of them look like they have ores, and some of them don't. To be honest, it isn't easy to identify an ore just from looking at the rock for several minutes. 

Nevertheless, I approach one and begin to get to work with the old man's pickaxe. The tool is actually strong and it could go through a rock at every two hits or so. I am hoping that my work ends with a reward from my work.

ID: 67862

LD: 4

Much to my disappointment, there is barely anything worth taking from the broken rock. Shrugging my shoulders, I walk past several more before stopping to see a rock with a texture that yells: "Ore here!"

[Gattsu 0]

ID: 67863

LD: 2

"Tch.."

Again, there is nothing in the rock. I look at the blue sky and the clouds as the cold breeze is blowing behind me, taking small breaths to avoid myself from being frustrated. I also happen to look around in case those lizardmen might be in my presence. 

Wiping the sweat from my forehead, I continue to stroll a little more before hitting another rock with the pickaxe. The sound it produces when it bangs against the hard surface is pretty loud, I swear this sound can possibly be heard from a distance.

[Gattsu 0]

ID: 67864

LD: 9

As I finish breaking down the rock, I sit onto the ground, catching my breath as I look around my surroundings. I could see nothing other than rocks and grass, and I couldn't even see any lizards here.

I stand up after closing my eyes for a few minutes, perhaps to avoid myself from dozing. 

I notice an oddly shaped rock that somehow resembles a mountain or a volcano. Somehow I had the feeling that this must be the kind of rock that may have materials. I pick up my pace as I run and swing my pickaxe towards it.

[Gattsu 0]

 

ID: 67887

LD: 12

The second I break down the rock, I hear footsteps, and then a growl, right behind me. I quickly turn around to see a large, lizardman standing close to me menacingly.

Clad in what look like an elaborate breastplate, the lizard is armed with a giant sword, its face resembles that of a crocodile's. Additionally, it bears giant, sharp claws which would cut anyone like a scythe or a lucerne hammer's beak. 

I draw out my sword quickly as the lizardman is spinning his sword, grinning like an idiot as it approaches me. This fight would be tough, especially when his scales look kind of thick...

....at least he doesn't have the mind to call his other friends...a one on one battle with a monster like him is enough for my standards in the battlefield.

[Gattsu 0]

Gattsu: HP 60/60

Lizardman: HP 30/30

ID: 67890

BD: 2

MD: 2

Both of us swing our mighty weapons towards each other, but we receive the same result: clashing against each other's blades. The lizard attempts to perform a parry at my next swing, but I perform a stabbing motion, hitting his breastplate, which my sword bounces off. 

This guy is a good opponent for satisfying my fighting spirit, but I am afraid that he would waste my whole day during this fight so I wouldn't have time to gather some materials. I quickly get behind him and grab his tail, much to his surprise.

This tail is gonna go at the very least, or he might whip me with it.

[Gattsu 0]

Gattsu: HP 60/60

Lizardman: HP 28/30

ID: 67892

BD: 8

MD: 3

My iron sword makes a swift cut halfway through the tail, the lizard roars in pain as he couldn't make a good swing with his sword.

Seeing that my attack succeeded, I lift my weapon higher to completely severe his tail. What I don't know is that the lizard is now resorting to use his elbow to knock me away on my head. 

His roars practically shake the whole area, but I am too focused on my plan of attack as I bring my sword down, grunting like a Big Daddy of Rapture

Edited September 16, 2016 by Gattsu

[Gattsu 0]

Gattsu: HP 60/60

Lizardman: HP 24/30

ID: 67893

BD: 10

MD: 5

There you go. Tail's already gone. The lizard couldn't elbow me in the head either. I quickly back away, spreading my legs as I am ready to sprint towards the monster, planning to eviscerate it and take out its giant guts. Rip and tear..I think I have heard it before. I still remember this quote: 'Rip and tear, rip and tear your guts! You are huge, that means you have huge guts! Rip and tear!'

Meanwhile the lizard knows what is coming to him, and like me, he spreads his legs as well, with his sword ready to swing at me.

Running fast to the front seems to be the only option now. It would be too slow to sidestep in the middle of the charge, he would catch me there.

[Gattsu 0]

Gattsu: HP 57/60

Lizardman: HP 22/30

ID: 67894

BD: 6

MD: 6

The reptile did something unexpected: he gives me a harsh kneeing to the gut. At the same time, probably due to some sort of instinct, I manage to pierce his leg at a spit second while getting kneed by the scumbag. I get up to my feet as fast as possible, and stare at my target as he decides to finally become a tank and charge towards me like a maniac.

The problem with him is that he is already swinging his sword wildly in a similar way to Leatherface swinging his chainsaw near the end of the film 'Texas Chainsaw Massacre.'

I only have a few seconds to dodge and somehow land my attack towards the monster.

F**k...he's getting closer...now roaring loudly.

Edited September 16, 2016 by Gattsu

[Gattsu 0]

Gattsu: HP 52/60

Lizardman: HP 20/30

ID: 67923

BD: 8

MD: 10

Though I manage to cut the wrist of his sword arm, the lizardman decides that it will still launch an attack to me no matter what. I got punched in the head and ended up colliding against a rock. What a pain...if only I have a helmet...

The lizardman drops on all fours as he growls in a gruesome manner, I think he wants to use his teeth this time. I don't know if he is aware of the risk of getting his mouth slashed by my sword, whatever happens next will depend on my attack move...or even luck...

Letting out a huge roar, the lizardman sprints on all fours like a Komodo dragon as he open his mouth, revealing shark-like teeth. I move forward without hesitation, then launch my sword in a stabbing motion towards its palate, since I could tell that the second he is near me, he could clamp his jaws together.

[Gattsu 0]

Gattsu: HP 49/60

Lizardman: HP 20/30

ID: 67933

BD: 1

MD: 8

Yare yare...that brute almost bite the blade of my sword, it manages to chomp down one of my arms, and I couldn't pull myself away from him. Damn..if I even pull further...I could no longer have it, just like Guts...

Seeing my plight, the lizardman grins as he decide that he doesn't choose to let go of me. Out of desperation and anger, I grip my sword like a dagger and attempt to stab him in his f**king eye.

[Gattsu 0]

Gattsu: HP 46/60

Lizardman: 20/30

ID: 67934

BD: 2

MD: 7

Several times I tried to stab his eye with my sword, but he would always see that coming and closes his eye so his scale would protect my strike. My arm starts to 'loosen up' as he sinks his teeth deeper into my flesh.

Gritting my teeth, I yell like a cougar as he laughs at my plight, thinking that I am finally going to get killed by him. He finally lifts up his sword, preparing to strike me from above. I hold up my sword in an attempt to parry the blade.

Edited September 16, 2016 by Gattsu

[Gattsu 0]

Gattsu: HP 46/60

Lizardman: HP 17/30

ID: 67939

BD: 7

MD: 4

As the clash occurs, I slide my blade against his to the right and quickly perform a slash motion across his eye as he is distracted from my arm in his jaw. He roars in pain and I withdraw my arm quickly, now planning to go berserk against him.

I get up and immediately swing my sword towards that f**ker's chest. At the very least I want to slash his heart out and cut it to pieces until it could be no longer recognizable. 

...how long has it been since the fight started? It feels like days..or weeks to fight this monster. I'm starting to think that maybe he is the leader of his own group, and his peers are watching the battle somewhere from afar.

Edited September 16, 2016 by Gattsu

[Gattsu 0]

Gattsu: HP 43/60

Lizardman: HP 17/30

ID: 67940

BD: 5

MD: 7

Instead of delivering my damage towards his abdomen, I get a kick on the face, the lizard already composes himself as he twirls his sword like a fan, laughing evilly. I stand up to my feet, but he is already charging towards me as he points his sword forward like a fork. 

Rrgh...this cannot go on...I'm wasting too much time of engaging this motherf**ker...All I want to do is to gather materials, not this..even though I was stoked to fight something, I never thought I would face such a strong and resilient creature. 

I stand up and look at his incoming attack, and I know that I have to act quickly before my brain gets severed.

Edited September 16, 2016 by Gattsu

[Gattsu 0]

Gattsu: HP 40/60

Lizardman: HP 15/30

ID: 67941

BD: 7

MD: 6

I decide to do the same thing against the lizardman, and in the end, we both ended up getting a scratch from our own swords. At this point, the tide of our fight changes as we rush towards each other, clanging our swords at every few seconds. 

Some time later, the lizard raises up his sword as he is about to split my head at a faster pace. The choice between life and death is imminent, there is no telling whether I would survive or not. A corpse in Aincrad will not be given a proper funeral, as it just disappears like that. If there is someone I could blame, it would of course be f**king Kayaba Akihiko for making such a stupid decision to turn this world into a permanent death game.

Edited September 16, 2016 by Gattsu

[Gattsu 0]

Gattsu: HP 40/60

Lizardman: HP 15/30

ID: 67942

BD: 1

MD: 1

...I raise up my weapon horizontally, the blade catches the lizard's attack. Withdrawing my sword from the grasp of his blade, I take a swing at his abdomen at a swift pace, meanwhile the lizard does the same towards my head at the same time. What is going to happen now will depend on the speed of our attacks, then it will be time to go berserk like a tank.

At a split second, I remember how I used to field dress a snake by slitting its belly and taking out the skin, followed by its guts for its delicious meat. Although the meat is worth eating, the snake skin is even better. It dries very well when tanned and retains the attractive patterns on its surface.

And now..I want to gut this giant reptile, except I do not want its flesh or its skin. All I want is its f**king demise!

Edited September 16, 2016 by Gattsu

[Gattsu 0]

Gattsu: HP 36/60

Lizardman: HP 12/30

ID: 67943

BD: 9

MD: 9

....

While he finally gets disembowel by my sword, which is getting dull after around 20 minutes during the fight, I got a hilt to the head due to himself being off balance. This time, I feel slightly dizzy as I fall to the ground. I can hear the sounds of blood and guts spilling from the lizardman as he roars in pain. I watch him trying to shove his guts back in, but failed as most of them are already disconnected from his system.

Seeing this as a chance to finish him off, I get up and, in a split second, I sprint on all fours before using my two legs to run towards his body. Now I have the urge to cut out his heart, or his lungs. Or maybe even his liver and flesh...just to taste them...