With a final stroke of the hammer, Shinon set aside the last completed combat knife on the workbench. He leaned back, wiping the beads of sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand.
The pile of raw materials had been transformed into a collection of lethal weapons ready for use. But for the first time, he didn't feel the joy he usually did after spending a tough day in a forge.
'It's my first time working for someone else, especially someone like the Phoenixes,' Shinon thought. 'It's natural that I don't feel a shred of happiness right now.'
As he caught his breath, Shinon's eyes fell upon the nearest completed knife. He reached out, his fingers wrapping around the hilt, feeling the cool touch of the metal against his skin. He examined it meticulously, running his thumb along the sharp edge, testing its balance and weight.
