The fires roared and soared, illuminating the place and devouring the darkness. The amber and crimson lights dominated all which could be seen, only a single figure standing firm and unfazed in front of such heat and intensity.
Clang Clang Clang
The sounds of metal clashing with one another reverberated in the air along the tiny sparks fluttering freely, extinguished from existence in just a matter of seconds, such was the short lives of such beautiful sparks.
Each strike was filled with power to crush boulders into mere rubble. Yet despite the loudness, one could hear a harmonious melody between the crackling fire and the consistent strikes which shaped the metals. It was a glorious scene where man conquered the almighty flames.
It has been a few days since Kris and Aria returned, and since then, a lot of things have happened. For one, Grey's merchant rank has increased from bronze to silver. Another thing was that Yuna reached tier 4 in blacksmithing whilst bonding with Grey. A lot of progress was made.
Clang Clang Clang
The sounds continued to resound, getting clearer and clearer with each strike. Grey's eyes didn't falter a single bit, focused on each of his strikes and distributing the force evenly and tempering the blade carefully, utilizing his eyes to the fullest.
'No... Still not enough...' ［Grey］
But despite how graceful Grey looked, his face was still full of dissatisfaction. But despite the swirling negative emotions in his heart, he continued to remain calm, reigning in his emotions and using it as fuel to motivate himself.
CLANG
Another strike connected to the metal, but despite how loud it was, Grey felt a sense of calmness after hearing it as if all his troubles were swept away. A strong yet gentle surge of mana was poured into the metal consistently, not only shaping it but altering its very nature.
CLANG CLANG CLANG
The strikes continued connecting to the metal at different spots, getting louder and louder, faster and faster, and clearer and clearer with every passing second. The metal also changed considerably since Grey first started. It was now thinner, lighter, more compact, and full of mana.
Fwisshhhhh
After finishing the blade, what was next was grinding, polishing and attaching the decorative pieces on the sword. After all, a higher-grade sword should not only be strong and sturdy, but also beautiful.
Time passed, sweat dripped towards the ground, and rough breathing filled the air. With each passing second, Grey's body started to tire out, but his determination was stronger. He did not succumb to his exhaustion and continued persisting.
"Huff... Huff... Huff... I'm finally finished... Huff... Huff..." ［Grey］
His eyes filled with exhaustion and excitement, sweat trickling down his forehead, and his rough breathing creating steam in the workshop, Grey proudly raised the sword to the air, taking a good look at it.
It was a crimson longsword with a jet black border and golden crystals embedded. There was a scaly pattern on its grip and scabbard with a number of decorative runes embedded on it. Of course, Grey's star crest was also carved to mark that it was his creation. It was a beautiful sword.
"Well, it's time to see the truth..." ［Grey］
A lengthy sigh came out of Grey's mouth as he loosened the tension on his shoulders and calmed himself down. He was nervous, but also excited at the same time. He could barely stop his handsー No, his whole body from trembling.
⟨⟨Appraisal⟩⟩ ［Grey］
-----------------------------------
[Equipment]
[Name] Crimson Noirite Longsword
[Grade] Superior (Low-Tier)
[Power Value] 2,513
[Enchantment Value] 50
[Creator] Grey Silverdrake
[Description]
A magnificent longsword made from noirite, blood diamonds, and black gold as the main materials. It is sharp enough to cut through boulders easily with adequate strength and is a good conductor of mana.
-----------------------------------
"Superior"... The moment Grey saw that word, a rush of relief filled his heart. It was to the point that he lost strength on his legs, falling flat on his butt. Soon enough, what replaced that relief was excitement and happiness.
It has been almost a year since Grey reached Tier-6, and after much effort, he finally reached Tier-7. He was now a full-fledged master blacksmith. One of the couple hundred which exists in the whole world. He has succeeded.
"Yeah～!!" ［Grey］
A loud and resonant shout echoed towards the sky as intense joy rushed in his heart. Despite being extremely tired, he was still happy. All his efforts were finally rewarded and he was brimming with satisfaction and pride.
And as he celebrated by himself, a certain figure popped up in his mind. It was, of course, none other than Yuna. He wanted to share his happiness with her, wondering about what kind of reaction she would make. Just thinking about it makes him feel that his fatigue was lifted.
"Ah... But I should probably take a bath first, huh..." ［Grey］
Said Grey as he realized how much he was drenched in sweat. The smell of grease and char was also sticking to his clothes. Not to mention the dust and scum from the forge. He was quite dirty, unfit to meet his lady.
⟨⟨Recuperate⟩⟩ ［Grey］
With a quick fix from a holy magic spell, Grey's tensed and exhausted body was easily rid of fatigue. He quickly stood back on his feet with a little front flip and stood back on his ground, rotating his shoulders one after another.
...
Mmm～ Mmn～ Hmm～
A sweet melody filled the air as a silver-haired figure stood in front of the stove, her hair fluttering freely in the wind as a bright smile bloomed on her face along with an appetizing aroma wafting through the air.
Noon was approaching and so Yuna took it upon herself to cook lunch, doing her very best to cook Grey e best meal. Grey has mostly handled their meals, and now that she got the chance, there was no way she was going to waste it. She wants to capture his heart even more.
"Mistress... Help me...!" ［Capella］
"Capella! Here, catch!" ［Vega］
"Waah!" ［Capella］
Well, she wasn't alone in the house, the familiars were also with her. And as usual, it was Vega who was causing trouble once again. Sirius was also there, but after some time of dealing with the former's antics, she has now given up.
And the one Vega was once again bullying was Capella, the youngest and one who was practically her twin sister. Well, rather than bullying, it was her way of showing affection. It's just that sometimes, she goes over the board.
"Now, now, Vega, why don't you behave a little. Don't you see Capella's almost crying already?" ［Yuna］
"Mou... Fine..." ［Vega］
"Fufufu, that's good to hear. Also... Kentaurus, don't you think you're off the hook either. As the older one, you should scold Vega, not encourage her." ［Yuna］
"Uuu... Sorry, Mistress..." ［Kentaurus］
Well, for Yuna, it was like she was babysitting them, or maybe it's closer to say that she was like a mother scolding her children. It was quite fun in its own way. She was giggling silently to herself as she continued to watch over the familiars.
With the familiars finally behaved, Yuna continued the dishes cooking and one after another, an appetizing dish was placed atop the dining table. There were appetizers, the main course, side dishes, and of course, the desserts. It was a full course!
Clop Clop Clop
Just as Yuna was about finished cooking lunch, a familiar pattern of footsteps filled the air. Of course, it was none other than Grey's. Yuna was excited to get another compliment for cooking a delicious lunch. Just another young lady in love.
"Oh, Greyー" ［Yuna］
But she couldn't even utter two words completely. The reason was simple. It was because in front of her was Grey. Not just any Grey, but a Grey who was just fresh out of the bath, hair still dripping yet, and body half-naked, showcasing his well-built muscles and lean physique.
Attractive face, check. A toned and hot body, check. The appeal of someone just fresh out of the bath, a.k.a. a "wet look", check. To Yuna's heart, it was a super effective surprise attack, making her face beet red in just a fraction of a second.
"G-Grey! What are you doing?! Get dressed immediately!" ［Yuna］
"Hm? Is there something wrong? We're in our own house anyway. Plus, I'm wearing a towel. Isn't it just fine?" ［Grey］
"What do you mean 'fine'?! Go upstairs and dress yourself!" ［Yuna］
"That's... Yuna, why are you still acting shy? You've already seen my everything. It's too late to get embarrassed now..." ［Grey］
"I don't care! Just get dressed already!" ［Yuna］
Closing her eyes, Yuna shouted on the top of her lungs. It was another one of her strange ways of thinking. Despite having seen Grey's naked body in its full glory multiple times already, she was still as meek as a maiden. Well, to Grey, it was just another one of her cute points.
"Haah... Alright, I'll get going now." ［Grey］
"Good, and don't forget to come down quickly, okay? Lunch is almost ready." ［Yuna］
"As you wish, Milady." ［Grey］
Grey wanted to tease Yuna more, but he decided to give up for the time being. Other than it was also embarrassing for himself, the familiars were also present. It would just be plain awkward if he stayed whilst still half-naked. He still has his dignity as a proper human being.
Shortly after Grey went upstairs, he quickly came back down, now dressed properly. It was completely different from his previous look, but it still made Yuna's heart race wildly. After all, no matter what he wears, Grey is till Grey.
"Wow～ Is there all for lunch? They smell and look fantastic." ［Grey］
"Fufufu, thank you! Now, why don't you take a seat first? I'm almost finished with the stew, so please wait a little bit." ［Yuna］
"Sure... Ah, right! Yuna, I have something to show you." ［Grey］
Successfully garnering Yuna's attention, Grey quickly grabbed a certain something from the "Inventory". Of course, it was the longsword he just forged not long ago. Even though he'd seen it a number of times, it still felt that he was dreaming.
"Yuna, what do you think of this sword?" ［Grey］
"Hmm... It's beautiful, and it looks sturdy too. I think Elise would love this sword... Why do you ask?" ［Yuna］
"Well, nothing really. I just wanted to hear your opinion, and I agree with you. It really is a beautiful sword, and it's Superior-Grade too." ［Grey］
"I see... It's Superior-Grade, huh... Eh? Then that means..." ［Yuna］
Realizing Grey's intentions, Yuna looked at the former with curious and expectant eyes. In return, what she received from him was a bright smile as Grey closed his eyes, further affirming her suspicions.
"Waah～! You've finally reached Tier-7! Grey, I'm so happy for you!" ［Yuna］
"Congratulations, Master." ［Sirius］
"Grats, Master! You're the best!" ［Vega］
"C-Congratulations..." ［Capella］
Yuna was even more excited than Grey after learning the truth. With her on the lead, the familiars also gave him their warmest and most sincere congratulations from the very bottom of their little furball hearts.
Full of sparkles, Yuna looked at the sword in Grey's hands with much interest. While her main side-occupation was being an alchemist, she was also a blacksmith and enchanter at the same time. She couldn't help but feel excited at the Superior-Grade longsword Grey made himself.
"No, this little lunch won't do! Grey, everyone, let's hold a party to celebrate Grey's advancement! Let's do our best, okay?!" ［Yuna］
"No, Yuna, that won't be needed. Just your thoughts are enough." ［Grey］
"No can do! You've always made the best celebratory parties for me! Now, it's my time to repay the debt! Plus, it's also my responsibility as your girlfriend! Don't worry, I'll make the best feast you've ever seen!" ［Yuna］
Her eyes lit ablaze with such strong determination, Grey knew that there was no stopping her now that she was fired up. While he was happy, he was also a little concerned about her. Especially since it was most likely him who influenced her.
"Haah... Alright. Then, I leave it all to you. I'll just head to the Blacksmiths' Guild to deliver this sword. I'll be back in a short while." ［Grey］
"Un! You can rest assured, and take care～!" ［Yuna］
"Alright. Then, see you later." ［Grey］
A little bit of concern and hesitation in his heart, Grey left the house and headed towards his destination. While he was concerned about Yuna, the familiars were with her, there was no need to worry. He left her in their care.
All his worries put aside, Grey continued his journey. He was now in his disguise, the usual silver hair and blue eyes. Even though he has used it quite a number of times already, he still can't believe it still proved useful. Well, it was only a plus for him.
As soon as he entered the guild, yet another familiar sight greeted him. Thankfully, he didn't have to search for the person he was about to look for. Just along the reception desks, there was the Guildmaster, talking with a few receptionists.
"Good morning, Guildmaster!" ［Grey］
"Hm? Oh, Lad, you're here! Have you finished the assignment?" ［Chiron］
"Yeah. It was a tough job, but thankfully, I made it through... Anyway, are you still busy now, Guildmaster?" ［Grey］
"Hahaha, I was, but I'm done with my business now. So, how about we head to the office now? I'm itching to see what you made this time." ［Chiron］
It was the usual, ever since Grey joined the Blacksmith's Guild, the Guildmaster was always excited to see what creations Grey came up with. His excitement was especially evident when what was ordered was a high-grade equipment.
His heart filled with vigor, the Guildmaster led Grey towards his office. It was just as big as the Guildmaster's Office of the other guilds. The only difference was that there were a lot more crafts displayed all over the place. It was practically a small showroom for equipment and crafts.
Of course, it wasn't the first time Grey had seen the room. Other than the fact that it was the Guildmaster's office. It was also his and the Guildmaster's meeting place where they discussed their outlooks as blacksmiths. If it was in a school, it would be like a club room dedicated for the smithing enthusiasts.
"Now then, Lad, why don't you show me that creation of yours? I feel like I could see something amazing today." ［Chiron］
"Hahaha. Well, you're not wrong, Guildmaster. I consider this my best work yet. I'm quite proud of it." ［Grey］
"Hahaha! Now, I'm looking forward to it even more!" ［Chiron］
By the Guildmaster's request, Grey quickly took out the Crimson Noirite Longsword from his "Inventory", the former's eyes quickly fixated on it as soon as he took it out. There was no greater delight for a blacksmith that see a finely crafted equipment.
"Oh! What a beautiful sword! As expected of Grey, even the tiniest details are perfect! There's even a blood diamond at the pommel and center of the guard! It's a fine work of art, I say!" ［Chiron］
Praises were sung one after another as the Guildmaster observed the sword closely. He was very enthusiastic, even more than Grey when he finished the sword. He was truly a smithing maniac who was fit to be the Guildmaster, just like Rina.
"Hm? Wait a minute... something feels off..." ［Chiron］
The praises only stopped when the Guildmaster noticed something peculiar about the sword. Compared to High-Grade items, it emanated a subtle yet domineering aura. A sensation the Guildmaster could never mistake. A sensation only those with a good sense could tell.
"Lad, this might sound crazy, but... This sword, could it be..." ［Chiron］
"Yes. It's Superior-Grade." ［Grey］
"S-Su-Superior-Grade, you say?! Ladー no, Master! Let me call you Master right now! To achieve such a feat before even turning twenty, you're amazing! A geniusー no, a prodigy!" ［Chiron］
The Guildmaster's enthusiasm only rose as soon as he learnt that the sword was, in fact, of Superior-Grade. His reaction made Grey wonder how he will react once he sees the Legendary-Grade items he and Yuna acquired in the Labyrinth.
'Hmm, the Labyrinth, huh... Come to think of it...' ［Grey］
And it was also then that Grey remembered a very important point which almost slipped his mind. Just thinking about it made him excited. Still, he needed to deal with the Guildmaster before things go out of control.
Since the sword was of a higher grade than what was ordered, the prices and reward would be adjusted for a fair trade. Grey would be given more money whilst the client would be asked if they would still take the sword even though its value has increased.
Thankfully, all negotiations would be handled by the guild. All Grey needed to do was sit back, relax, and wait for a confirmation from the guild. Unfortunately, he couldn't rank up his guild card in Galderia's branch. Just like Yuna, he needs to go to the capital first before having the chance to do so.
With all the matters in the guild settled, Grey went back home, looking forward to what kind of party Yuna prepared. At the same time, he was also worried that Yuna might have gone overboard. It was a contradictory feeling.
"Grey, congratulations!" ［Yuna］
"""Congratulations, Master!"""
As soon as Grey entered the house, not only their greetings, a shower of sparkles also greeted him. It was one made from light magic, breaking light into tiny fragments. It reminded Grey of confetti back on Earth.
It wasn't only the welcome, the whole house itself looked festive. There were even bandanas and party decorations Grey used in Yuna's birthday party before, adorning the living room and kitchen. Yuna went above and beyond Grey's expectations. It was amazing, one way or another.
"Wow... Yuna, you made all these?" ［Grey］
"Not only me! Everyone also helped! So? So? So, what do you think, Grey? Is it the best party you've seen?!" ［Yuna］
Asked Yuna with a bright expression painted over her face, but Grey didn't answer her immediately. His heart was still overwhelmed with all sorts of emotions, all were warm and positive. He was happy, very happy.
"Hahaha! It is. Thanks, everyone." ［Grey］
"Fufufu, I'm glad you liked it!" ［Yuna］
"We're honored, Master." ［Arcturus］
"Thanks, Master! We really did our best, you know?" ［Vega］
Grey couldn't be any more satisfied. Not only does he have the sweetest and cutest elven girl there is, he also has reliable familiars who are nothing less than family to him. He felt like he was the luckiest man there is.
"Then, what are we waiting for?! Everyone, let's start the party!" ［Yuna］
"Yeah!" ［Kentaurus］
"Yay～!" ［Vega］
Yuna on the lead, the party quickly started and music was played from a small music box. Even though it was just the two of Grey and Yuna, plus the familiars. It was still very lively as if they were at a ball or event of some sorts.
Of course, it went without mentioning that the food was amazing. When Yuna said she was going to make the best feast, she really meant the best. Both the quality and quantity of dishes were a sight to behold. Grey was very proud and amazed at the same time.
The party continued and everyone had their fun. Amongst the familiars, Kentaurus, Canopus, and Vega were the most energetic. Grey and Yuna even had to scold them a few times because they had gone overboard. It really felt like they were parents.
"Oh, right. Yuna, before I forget... Would you like to go on a trip?" ［Grey］
Asked Grey as he remembered something important. It was the same topic he thought of back at the Blacksmith's Guild. An important topic he and Yuna would have to face one way or another.
"A trip...? Why so suddenly?" ［Yuna］
"Well, the Labyrinth of Flames up north in the Valliarta Empire is just about to open. I was thinking of heading there. What do you think?" ［Grey］
"Fufu, is there even a need to ask? Aren't we adventurers for a reason? Of course, we'll challenge the Labyrinth!" ［Yuna］
"Hahaha, I guess it was needless to ask." ［Grey］
"Un! And this time, we're going to conquer it!" ［Yuna］
Yuna's eyes were lit ablaze with strong determination. But when she remembered what happened back at the Labyrinth of Death, she quickly became timid, her face beet red. She was reminded of Grey's confession and was now really embarrassed.
The Labyrinth of Flames located far north where the land is covered with snow all year around. The land where flames lit ablaze under the deep, unmoving frost. It was time to test their strengths once more.
Up next, the second Labyrinth! The Labyrinth of Flames!
CHAPTER 163 END