As the sun began to set on the horizon, Shinon, Kira, and Rico stood at the edge of the settlement, waving goodbye to the survivors who had decided to move on to a new location.
The sky was a canvas of brilliant oranges and reds, with hues of purple and pink peeking through the clouds. The warm glow of the setting sun cast a beautiful light over the group, making it hard to leave such a mesmerising view behind.
"Take care of yourself, Kira. We'll miss you." Sarah hugged Kira tightly.
Kira smiled warmly at Sarah. "I'll do my best. Thank you for everything."
Jack nodded, clasping Rico's shoulder. "Look after each other, alright? And remember, you're always welcome to join us if you change your mind."
"Thanks, Jack. But I've made up my mind." Rico nodded expressionlessly. "I'm not coming back before giving those bastards a dose of their own medicine."
Jack knew nothing good would ever come out of seeking revenge, but he also knew once Rico had set his mind on something, there was no persuading him otherwise. He could only hope Flint could knock some sense into him with time.
"Stay safe out there," Shinon called out. "Remember, keep moving, and don't stay in one place for too long."
Having said their farewells, it was time to go. Kira stood next to Shinon, her eyes fixed on the horizon as the sun dipped below it. Her hands clasped behind her back, and her shoulders hunched forward as if she was lost in thought.
Rico stood on the other side of Shinon, his gaze fixed on the survivors who were leaving. He had a sombre expression on his face, but he remained silent, knowing that it was time to move on and face whatever challenges lay ahead.
As the last survivors disappeared into the distance, Shinon turned to Kira and Rico.
"We should go too," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.
Kira nodded, and Rico grunted in agreement. The three turned away from the settlement and began walking towards Shinon's base.
Shinon's base was a small but cosy settlement, nestled among the trees and surrounded by a sturdy wooden fence. The fence was made of tall, firm logs carefully placed together to create a formidable barrier against unwanted visitors.
Beyond the fence were fruit trees of various kinds, bearing fruits in different stages of ripeness. The aroma of the fruits filled the air with a sweet, refreshing scent.
In the distance, a small stream meandered through the forest, providing a steady flow of fresh water for the base. Not that Shinon needed fresh water, as his water jar was more than capable of purifying anything that was put into it.
The sound of the water gurgling and bubbling over the rocks created a soothing background noise, which added to the tranquillity of the surroundings.
"That's where I saw Shinon for the first time," Kira remarked, pointing towards the stream. "Also, where he threatened me."
"You were a stranger staring at me," Shinon rebutted. "Be glad I stopped when I did."
Overall, the base had a rustic, natural feel to it. It was clear that Shinon had made the most of the resources available to him, creating a functional and sustainable settlement in the heart of the forest.
The beauty of the nature surrounding the base was striking, and Kira couldn't help but comment on it. Rico, on the other hand, was more focused on the strategic value of the openness of the place, with only a wooden fence and some bell traps protecting the base from raiders and the undead.
"The openness of the place makes it easier to spot incoming threats, and the wooden fence and bell traps should provide us with enough time to prepare for any attacks," Rico commented. "However, it could also work against us, especially if the enemy is carrying firearms."
"I know; that's where Kira comes in," Shinon said, pointing at the fence. "Why don't you guys go around the fence, wrapping it in thorns, while I get some work done."
The two nodded, and off they went. Once gone, Shinon excused himself to a secluded corner, and a holographic screen materialised in front of him.
He navigated through the menu options until he reached the rewards section. There, he saw that he had earned a Mastersmith's Hammer and a blueprint of the Mana crafting technique.
Shinon couldn't help but grin at his good fortune. Mana craft was just what he had hoped to get his hands on. But first, he wanted to test the hammer.
He closed his eyes again and focused on the hammer. The hammer materialised in his hand, and Shinon inspected it closely. The hammer was perfectly balanced, with an elegant design etched into the metal. It was a masterwork tool, perfect for creating high-level gear.
[Item Name: Mastersmith's Hammer]
[Item Grade: Rare]
[Item Description: This hammer was crafted by a legendary blacksmith and is imbued with magical properties. It can easily shape even the toughest metals, enhancing the durability and sharpness of any weapon or tool it is used on.]
[Special Abilities:
1. Masterful Forging: Grants a +20% bonus to all stats of creation made using the hammer.
2. Enhanced Durability: Any weapon or tool crafted or enhanced with this hammer gains a +15% bonus to durability.]
Just grabbing the hammer made him itch to test it out. But before that, he had another reward to claim. He focused on the blueprint of the Mana crafting technique. The knowledge flooded his mind, and he understood the intricacies of using Mana to craft powerful gear.
It wasn't his first time feeling the sensation of new knowledge being poured into his mind, but Shinon felt a warm wave wash over him every time it happened.
Shinon sat cross-legged on the ground, surrounded by a pile of weapons he had scavenged from the raiders. He had taken out eight pistols and ten machetes from his storage and was studying them closely, trying to devise ways to upgrade them using the Mastersmith's Hammer.
"Since I have taken them in, it's only fair to arm them," Shinon mumbled, keeping Kira and Rico in mind. "However, upgrading all of these at once would be detrimental if I found some other material to work on them with."
That said, Shinon kept a pistol for each of them and three machetes, one for Kira and the other two for Rico, while storing the rest of the weapons away in his shadow.
"Now then," Shinon smiled, stretching his fingers. "Shall we begin?"