He was suddenly four feet tall. How did this happen?
Looking around, Lucas discovered himself in a cave-like dwelling. Various types of hammers, made from different materials, adorned the walls. At the front of the room, a small forge stood next to a tiny anvil. As Lucas attempted to gather more information about his surroundings, a small man approached and addressed the group.
The small man was four feet tall, had a large brown beard, a muscular build, and wore leather armor covered in metal plates. Before Lucas could gather more details, the dwarf began to speak.
"Welcome to the path of a blacksmith, young stoneheads. I am Master Thudrec Flintmace, a Dwarven Blacksmith specializing in hammer techniques. But before I delve into that, let me explain what a hammer is. A blacksmith's hammer comes in various sizes and shapes, crafted from different materials. Its sole purpose is to assist the blacksmith in processing materials and crafting products. Any tool that fulfills this definition can be considered a hammer to a blacksmith."
"Now that we understand what a hammer is, let's talk about the different types. Naturally, I won't cover every possible variation at this moment, as it would require years of explanations. Instead, I will focus on identifying them. For example, a long handle allows for more force when swinging a hammer, while a pointed hammer head creates holes instead of flattening the metal. I will provide an overview of the more common traits to help you make an educated guess about the usage of most hammers."
"However, I know that many of you are here solely to learn how to awaken your hammering skills. I must mention that to unlock the first skill with hammers, you must both process materials and craft with a hammer. Since a hammer is used in both activities, you must do both to unlock a skill. Now, let's continue discussing which hammer to use for which job."
With the afternoon light streaming through the open door, Lucas settled comfortably on his stool, losing track of time as he immersed himself in the pursuit of blacksmithing knowledge. Time slowly slipped away, undisturbed by any customers entering the shop. The only sounds that reached Lucas's ears were his own soft gasps and breaths as he delved deeper into his newfound passion.
As the usual closing time approached, Lucas finished reading the book. Placing it on the counter, he tried to absorb all the knowledge he had acquired. Unlike the smelting book, this one focused more on the tools used in blacksmithing rather than the craft itself. However, there was an elusive feeling that the book held something more, something Lucas couldn't quite grasp. Concentrating on it didn't help alleviate his sense of confusion.
Lucas's ever-reliable stomach chose that moment to remind him of the importance of dinner. Chuckling to himself, he placed the books back under the counter, grabbed his coin purse, and locked the shop. Making his way to the Drunken Squirrel, Lucas's mind drifted to the new dish Amber had served the previous day, which provided stat buffs. He couldn't help but wonder if she had mastered a culinary trick or if it was simply a result of the unique combination of ingredients. Lucas hadn't heard of anyone offering food buffs before, and he mused that it might become increasingly challenging to find a seat at the bar in the future.
Approaching the tavern, Lucas noticed that the usually bustling street was eerily quiet. Even the common stalls that took advantage of the enticing aroma of Amber's cooking were absent. Curiosity piqued by the change in the usual scene, Lucas entered the Drunken Squirrel.
Inside, he found Amber and John sitting at the bar, enjoying their dinner. Before Lucas could decide whether he should leave, John caught sight of him from the corner of his eye and turned to wave him over.
"Welcome, Lucas. Please join us on this beautiful Friday night," John invited warmly.
"Hello, John. Hello, Amber. Are you sure I'm not intruding?" Lucas asked hesitantly.
Amber jumped slightly, startled, before turning to see Lucas hesitating at the door. Laughing, she waved him over and headed back into the kitchen. As Lucas took his seat at the bar, Amber emerged with a tray laden with dishes, placing it in front of him before reclaiming her seat.
Observing Lucas's lingering confusion, Amber decided to take pity on him and provide an explanation.
"A performing group from the capital is visiting our town. They'll be putting on shows at the theater for the next few nights, but tonight they're doing a free introductory performance at the plaza," she clarified.
At that point, John grinned and chimed in, "What this means for us is a rare night with few customers. Only a couple of regulars like yourself will be here. It's kind of like a holiday for Amber and me. We have time to chat with customers, and I can skip the late bar shift since all the drinkers are at the plaza."
Amber laughed and added, "We have to enjoy these moments when we get them."
Hearing the story behind John and Amber's relaxed evening at the bar eased Lucas's mind. It also explained the deserted street outside without any street vendors. Lucas decided to take advantage of this opportunity to have a conversation without others nearby.
"So, any news about the recipe causing a stat increase?" he asked.
John seemed slightly startled by Lucas's open discussion of the matter and glanced around. Realizing that they were the only ones in the tavern, he relaxed and turned to address Lucas.
"Are you certain that the stat increase came from the food Amber cooked?" John questioned.
Lucas nodded without hesitation. "My stamina and endurance were only at level seven when my system awakened. So, I can feel smaller changes more easily than those at higher levels."
A flicker of sadness crossed John's eyes, and he hesitated before speaking the next part. "Most people have their stats between ten and twenty when they awaken. Those with lower stats are usually the result of long-term malnutrition or physical injuries."
"I lived on the streets before Master took me in at Hammered Glory," Lucas replied softly, answering John's unspoken inquiry.
John nodded understandingly before continuing. "Fortunately, there are no limits to growth with the system. You can regain those stats through leveling up or training. If your level is still low, training is by far the best method for your future."
Curious, Lucas asked, "Why is training better than leveling up at low levels?"
John explained, "You can train your stats through hard work. For example, repeatedly lifting weights will help train your strength, but only if you're pushing your limits while doing so. As you gain levels, your stats naturally increase, making it harder and harder to surpass your limits through training."
This made a lot of sense to Lucas. The increases he had experienced were all a result of pushing his body beyond its current capabilities, gradually increasing what he could handle. It also clarified why he didn't see many people engaging in training; they must have reached a point where it was no longer easy to improve their stats through training alone.
Lucas stored this information for later reference and returned to the original topic. "So, about the food that can increase stats. Was it a deliberate part of the recipe or just a lucky coincidence?"
Before John could change the subject again, Amber spoke up. "Honestly, I'm not sure."
Lucas turned to Amber and saw her deep in thought, searching for the right words. After a few moments, her face cleared, and she spoke simply.
"Nothing in the recipe explains how the food increases stats. I tried making the dish again, and the same effect occurred. The recipe is old, but it doesn't appear to be a lost technique."
"Lost technique?" Lucas inquired.
John stepped in to provide an explanation. "There are rumors that each path holds numerous secret techniques that enable the practitioners to create or achieve extraordinary things. Some say these techniques have been discovered, while others are only mentioned in ancient books. We call them 'lost' because they are not widely known or accessible to everyone."
Amber nodded in agreement. "I can find plenty of basic information about cooking in books or from others, but there's a point where the knowledge becomes hidden from me. I can make this recipe that boosts stats, but I lack the fundamental understanding of why it works."
Lucas nodded, thinking about the books stored in his shop. Would he encounter a similar roadblock someday? He imagined himself absorbing all the knowledge the books had to offer, only to reach a point where further information remained elusive. Shaking his head to dispel those thoughts for now, he refocused on Amber.
"So, I should keep an eye out for books or recipes that enhance stats through cooking and bring them to you?" Lucas asked.
Amber chuckled and nodded. "That's right. I need those resources to create new and improved dishes for you."
Lucas gave a small salute. "Consider it my mission then."
Both John and Amber laughed at his response. The rest of the meal passed peacefully as they shared local news and stories. Unfortunately, all good things come to an end, and Lucas paid for his meal before setting off for home.
Arriving at the shop, Lucas struggled a bit with the door in the fading light of the evening. He had stayed later than usual, engrossed in conversation, and was paying the price for it now. Eventually, he managed to open the door and entered, promptly locking it behind him. Making a quick stop at the restroom to change into his nightclothes, Lucas headed to bed, ready to rest and recharge for the next day.
The following morning, Lucas awoke to the warm glow of the traditional morning light streaming through his windows. He allowed himself a few moments to bask in the cozy warmth of his bed as he planned his day ahead. Since it was Saturday, Lucas didn't need to worry about opening the shop. This meant he could spend the entire day at the forge, pushing his body to its limits.
Thoughts of the forge flooded Lucas's mind, particularly the skill message he had received the previous day, which required an ingot with eighty qualities. Suddenly, his curiosity ignited, and he couldn't wait to uncover the nature of the new skill. Rising from his bed, Lucas was pleased to discover that his arm was no longer sore from yesterday's forging.
After tending to his morning routine, Lucas made himself breakfast. As he sat at the kitchen table, his mind still consumed by thoughts of the forging task, he ate his meal while pondering the challenge ahead. Once he had set up a pot of soup for lunch, Lucas changed into his work outfit and made his way to the forge, ready to immerse himself in the project.
Turning over the banked coals, Lucas fetched fresh coal to fill the hearth and furnace completely. As he waited for the flames to grow, he considered all he had learned the previous day. Walking over to the tool wall, Lucas examined the hammers carefully before selecting two of them. One had an average-sized handle with a small flat head, while the other was a larger, heavier hammer with a long handle.
Based on his newfound knowledge, Lucas believed that he could use the smaller hammer at the beginning to knock off the large impurities and stone pieces from the ore. Once the ore was mostly pure iron, he would switch to the larger hammer to work the metal faster. If his understanding was correct, this approach would speed up his hammering time and potentially result in a better-quality product.
The crystal lights in the corners indicated that the furnace was roaring, and the sound barrier was up. Lucas tossed in a large piece of ore and began using the bellows to raise the heat. Once the ore reached the proper temperature, he used the tongs to bring it out and started hammering. Large pieces of stone and impurities fell off the ore under the force of his strikes before he reheated the metal and continued the process.
However, something felt off. Every time Lucas hammered the ore, he sensed a lingering wrongness, although he couldn't quite pinpoint the issue. At first, he dismissed it as his imagination playing tricks on him, but as he progressed, the feeling grew stronger. Finally, Lucas managed to transform the ore into a standard two-inch by two-inch by four-inch ingot.
Without wasting any time, Lucas inspected his newest creation.
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Lucas nodded, understanding the quality assessment. Switching to the better hammer had made a difference, but he still felt that something was missing. Closing his eyes, he began mentally replaying the entire lesson he had absorbed from start to finish, searching for any overlooked details or potential mistakes.
Taking a breath, Lucas remembered that he felt a sense of wrongness while hammering. He didn't have that feeling yesterday before he read the book on hammers. However, a majority of the book only covered the types of hammers and to tell them apart. Sensing that he was wrong somewhere, Lucas left the forge and returned to the store to check the textbook again.
As Lucas delved back into the textbook, he focused on finding any information related to hammering. Unfortunately, the book didn't cover that aspect, mainly discussing the different types of hammers and how to identify them. Feeling frustrated, Lucas was about to close the book when he had a realization. The dwarf in the vision had been hammering at the forge, and Lucas hadn't paid much attention to it initially.
Flipping through the pages again, Lucas discovered a section that showcased the different outcomes based on the type of hammerhead used. He realized that he had missed an important detail. Determined to rectify his mistake, Lucas replayed the vision in his mind, this time paying close attention to the dwarf's hammering technique. After a brief two-minute review, he closed the book and returned to the forge with a newfound understanding.
Grabbing the large hammer, Lucas swung it onto the empty anvil, producing a satisfying clang. His eyes gleamed with realization—the problem had been the sound. In the vision, Master Thudrec Flintmace had produced one distinct sound per swing. Lucas realized that he needed to figure out how to replicate that sound.
For the next hour, Lucas diligently watched the vision and practiced his hammering technique on the anvil. He adjusted his posture, mimicking the dwarf's use of the wrist, shoulders, and waist to generate the desired swing. With each practice swing, Lucas narrowed the gap until his hammer produced a similar sound to Master Thudrec's.
Confident in his training, Lucas grabbed another large piece of ore and threw it into the furnace. He carefully controlled the temperature using the bellows, using the appropriate hammer for each stage of the process, and maintaining the ore temperature within the desired range. Though the tasks seemed to stretch on, it was only thirty minutes later that he completed the forging.
Taking a deep breath, Lucas mustered his courage and used the "observe" skill on the ingot.
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Releasing his breath, Lucas raised his arms in victory. However, before he could celebrate any further, a large red-tinged window suddenly appeared in front of him.