After finalizing things at the orphanage, Field and Granny Lunla, along with the little girls, had dinner and then left. Field needed to finish forging Qiqi's two daggers today. The most crucial part was that forging could also accelerate his mana accumulation. Though slower than in battle, it was faster than simply using the breathing method because he had to use the breathing method while forging.
It would take about ten hours for the two daggers, and this high-intensity continuous forging could increase his mana accumulation by about one percent. The previous two times he forged also improved his mana accumulation, but since they weren't continuous, the progress from both times together was still less than one percent.
Field aimed to work without stopping this time to accelerate the mana accumulation speed a bit.
He had a premonition that the Blood Tide would be a disaster. He had to break through again before the Blood Tide erupted. The next breakthrough had to be to the Platinum level so he would have the strength to challenge the Mithril level.
Arriving at Owen's blacksmith shop, Field greeted Owen and began forging the daggers.
The two daggers had different designs. The Cat's Thorn was shorter and sharper, suitable for stabbing. As for the Cat's Claw, Field designed it to be longer, around twenty centimeters, with a curvature similar to a claw knife, suitable for cutting.
Then there was the Cat's Tail. Field intended to design it as a double-edged blade resembling a crescent moon, with the grip in the middle of the blade. It was somewhat similar to the weapon of the Flame Dragon Knight from the old era Tokusatsu show "Armor Hero," but smaller, more delicate, and more restrained. Since it was designed to be wrapped around the tail, the grip also required effort, with grooves suitable for gripping the tail.
In short, Field initially estimated it would take ten hours. However, it ended up taking twelve hours, a whole half day's effort. When Field finished, it was already past six in the morning the next day.
Opening the door, he was greeted by the cool sea breeze. Glancing at the door of the blacksmith shop, he saw Qiqi sound asleep in her sleeping bag, sleeping soundly.
After all, the blacksmith shop was very hot, and Qiqi couldn't sleep. She refused to rent a room and insisted on waiting until the work was done as a sign of respect for Field's work. Field agreed with her; after all, it wasn't winter yet, so she wouldn't freeze to death, meow.
"Qiqi, wake up," Field nudged Qiqi's nose.
She wrinkled her little nose, then suddenly opened her eyes and jumped out of the sleeping bag. "Is it done, meow?"
"It's done," Field smiled and nodded, handing the two daggers, each with a different design, to Qiqi.
Excitedly, Qiqi took them, coiling her tail around the Cat's Tail while gripping the Cat's Thorn with her right hand and the Cat's Claw with her left. It looked quite stylish.
Especially the meter-long Cat's Tail, which Qiqi could control to tighten the fur on the tail, making it look like a whip, flexibly swinging it. Meanwhile, the crescent-shaped Cat's Tail sparkled, drawing beautiful arcs.
The whip-like Cat's Tail was suitable for exerting force, and if used properly, it could even cause more damage than the force exerted by the arm!
"How is it, comfortable?" Field asked.
"Very comfortable, meow!"
"Comfortable tail too, meow!"
"I love them, meow!"
"Thank you, Field, meow!"
Qiqi jumped up and down excitedly, then jumped directly onto Field's body, and her tail subconsciously wrapped around Field's neck.
Field raised his hand to block, laughing, "Be careful, don't murder your husband."
Qiqi stuck out her tongue, quickly put away the three cat daggers, and Field also prepared a special scabbard for her. Usually, she would keep it behind her waist, and when needed, she could simply uncoil her tail to use it. The two daggers were also inserted into the thigh-bound dagger scabbard, one on each side.
After putting away the cat daggers, Qiqi joyfully jumped up again, hugged Field, and even wrapped her legs around Field's neck, hugging his face like a facehugger.
Field couldn't breathe directly.
But that wasn't a problem; Field could hold his breath for more than half an hour.
"Field~ Field~" Qiqi rubbed her head against Field's head, her face pressed against his chest.
At that moment, Field realized that Qiqi was quite plump~
"Field, you..." At that moment, Owen pushed open the door and walked out, wanting to say something, but then he saw Field standing there, holding a cat in his arms.
"What's up, sir," Field's deep voice came, his facial expressions and breath made Qiqi feel ticklish, causing her to giggle uncontrollably.
"Are you okay, like this?" Owen couldn't help asking.
Field didn't say anything but turned his body towards Owen and then gave him a thumbs-up.
At that moment, even though Field's face was covered by Qiqi, Owen could almost imagine his expression. He probably had a big smile on his face. This kid really knew how to enjoy himself.
Owen chuckled, then said, "I need some ore, could you help me find some?"
"What ore?" Field's deep voice came again.
"What?" Owen didn't hear clearly.
"I said, what ore?" Field raised his voice a bit, and Qiqi seemed to find it amusing, not loosening her grip on Field but instead holding onto him even tighter.
"Can you stop talking with a cat on your face?" Owen's ears weren't very good, so he couldn't help but complain.
Field could only pat Qiqi's little head, and Qiqi turned around, from hugging Field from the front to sitting on Field's neck, hugging him, her chin resting on Field's head, and even her tail lightly wrapped around Field's neck twice.
How much did Qiqi like Field to stick to him like this?
Owen muttered in his heart, then said, "Terramite crystals, they're in the Kotaimo ore area."
"Help me find three pieces and bring them back. Each piece must weigh no less than ten pounds, and I'll give you thirty thousand gold."
Upon hearing this, Field nodded with a smile. "You don't need to pay me. I happen to have a mission to collect materials and need to go to the Kotaimo ore area, so I'll just take care of it."
"And you also let me use the blacksmith shop for free, so this time it's on me."
"Hehehe, you're quite a decent kid. Alright then, I won't be polite with you," Owen said with a smile, then tossed over a map.
Field took a look and couldn't help but feel delighted. This was the latest map of the ore distribution, much more accurate than the one he had bought before. With this thing, finding ore would be easy peasy.
There was no time to waste, and Field didn't plan on sleeping anymore. He set off directly for the Kotaimo ore area.
With luck, he could complete all three ore tasks today.
Then tomorrow, he would go see Veena. It had been a long time since he visited her.
The day after tomorrow, he would go see Hilda.
Everything was perfect!
Thinking of this, Field no longer hesitated, bid farewell to Owen, and headed straight for the Kotaimo ore area.
The Kotaimo ore area was over a hundred and sixty kilometers away from Seadot, a vast mountain range with rich mineral resources. However, due to the complex terrain, frequent monster attacks, and the presence of earth-element monsters and earth elementals year-round, development was difficult. As a result, large-scale development had never been undertaken.
The three types of ore Field was looking for this time were: fire copper ore, with a guaranteed minimum of one hundred pounds for ten thousand gold, and anything extra would be bought back at eighty percent of market price - from a guild commission given by Raymond. Magerun silver, three pounds, ten thousand gold per pound, totaling thirty thousand gold - from a material commission given by the boss lady. And three pieces of terramite crystals, each piece weighing no less than ten pounds, free of charge - from a personal commission from Grandpa Owen.
Field sprinted all the way and arrived at his destination in less than an hour. He could feel a slight increase in his strength and speed.
As his magical power precipitated, his physique also enhanced, albeit slowly. Explosive growth would only come after promotion. Field also noticed that although this growth in strength showed an explosive trend and tremendous improvement, he didn't feel any discomfort at all. The precision of his control over strength before was just as precise after promotion, without any need for adaptation.
Field speculated that this was probably due to his giant physique. To this, Field could only say - giants are awesome!
Looking at the huge mining area ahead, he lit a cigarette and observed carefully.
The mining area had open-air sections, but most of it was underground. Many abandoned mines could be seen, and there was almost no vegetation in the mining area, providing a clear view.
Inside the mining area, some lizard-like monsters were wandering around. Most of them were silver-ranked, with a few gold-ranked ones visible, totaling over a dozen.
And there were two big guys.
Their lower bodies were made of sand, with a huge stone in their chest. In the center of the stone was a yellow crystal emitting a yellow light. Their fists were made of stones on both sides.
Terramite Elementals.
These monsters, composed of pure elemental power and magic, Field didn't know if they belonged to the biological category, but they were powerful. Their average rank was around platinum, and the surrounding earth-element monsters didn't dare to approach those two Terramite Elementals.
The bodies of Terramite Elementals were composed of various minerals, and their core was the terramite crystals Field was looking for.
At this moment, the two Terramite Elementals were in front of a huge stone, and a yellow light was flowing out of the stone, being absorbed into their bodies.
This was how Terramite Elementals fed. They would absorb earth elements and metals from the ore.
It was said that some Terramite Elementals absorbed too much metal ore and would turn into Gold Terramite Elementals. Absorbing ore rich in fire elements would turn them into Fire Terramite Elementals.
In short, Elementals were like highly malleable clay, with many variations and branches, and their abilities varied. The only thing they had in common was being equally troublesome.
Fortunately, Terramite Elementals were the easiest for Field to deal with. As long as he smashed them hard, he could retrieve the terramite crystals.