The morning sun cast a warm glow over Strongforge as Ray unlocked the front door, inhaling the familiar scent of coal, steel, and the faint hum of lingering magic that filled the shop. Today, he'd be working with his new party members, each one depending on him to craft weapons that could help them survive the coming battles.
Not long after he had opened up, the first of his companions arrived. Zara strode in, a smile spreading across her face as she took in the shop. She looked around with keen interest, examining the weapons and tools displayed on the walls.
"Impressive place, Ray," she said, tracing a hand along one of the well-made swords hanging on the wall. "You don't find a lot of blacksmiths who also hunt."
Ray chuckled, nodding. "Strongforge is known for its weapons—they're some of the best you'll find. I've got a few ideas that might be perfect for your fighting style."
Before Ray could finish, Gregory and Finn entered, each carrying a bundle of supplies slung over their shoulders. Gregory, as usual, had a mischievous grin plastered on his face, while Finn looked around with a quiet fascination.
"Nice setup, Ray," Gregory said, nodding in appreciation. "Can't wait to see what kind of upgrades you can pull off."
Ray motioned for everyone to gather around a large worktable near the forge, where a scattering of metal, leather, and gem fragments lay ready for his designs.
"I've been thinking about what each of you needs in battle," Ray began, reaching for a notebook where he'd sketched rough outlines of their new gear. "Zara, your gauntlets are strong, but they could use a little extra power. I'm thinking we add an aura-boosting core that'll amplify your strength whenever you land consecutive hits."
Zara grinned, flexing her hands. "A power-up for each strike? Sounds perfect."
He turned to Finn. "Your style is agile, so I'd like to give you a set of lightweight daggers with built-in shock resistance. We can infuse them with lightning magic; that way, each slice has a chance to paralyze your opponent for a second or two."
Finn's eyes widened, a rare spark of excitement flashing across his normally reserved face. "That… would be incredible. I'd never thought of using paralysis in close combat."
Ray turned his attention to Gregory. "And for you, Gregory, I've been experimenting with core-infused hammers. If we add a metallic core to your hammer, it should be able to channel earth magic, which can summon small golems from the ground when it makes contact."
Gregory's grin turned into a full-blown laugh. "Now that's something. You're telling me I'll be able to summon golems straight from my weapon?"
Ray nodded, pleased with the excitement his ideas were generating. "Exactly. But it's all going to take a bit of work, so let's get started."
He led them into the back room, where the forge blazed with a soft, welcoming glow. Ray's hands moved deftly, selecting the materials he needed for each design, all while explaining each step of the process. His party members listened closely, occasionally asking questions as they watched him work.
Ray first took Zara's gauntlets and set them over a glowing amber core. He channeled his aura, his hands glowing with a faint blue hue, and began to hammer down, melding the core into the metal. Each strike reverberated through the shop, echoing with a faint hum of power. As he worked, he felt a surge in his own blacksmithing skills, the Aurora System subtly informing him that his proficiency had grown.
[Blacksmithing skill increased to Level 2]
Ray smirked as he noticed the notification in his mind. With the skill's growth, he could now infuse cores with more power, enhancing the effectiveness of each item he crafted. He could feel the difference as he worked Zara's gauntlets, adding intricate designs that would channel her aura with each strike. When he finished, the gauntlets gleamed with a dark silver luster, a faint crimson glow pulsing from the core embedded near the wrist.
"These should be a good start," Ray said, handing them to Zara. "Once you get a feel for them, I'll be able to make adjustments based on your feedback."
Zara slipped the gauntlets on, flexing her fingers as the crimson light flared briefly. "They feel… different," she murmured, a satisfied grin spreading across her face. "Can't wait to try them out."
Next, Ray turned his attention to Finn's daggers. He chose a pair of slender blades, each perfectly balanced, and set them beside a small lightning core. As he channeled his magic through the core, the energy flowed into the daggers, causing faint sparks to dance along their edges. After heating and cooling the metal, he infused the blades with the lightning core, adding detailed carvings along the hilt to enhance their conductivity.
"These should work perfectly for your speed and precision," Ray said, passing them to Finn. "Remember, they'll take a little getting used to with the electric effect."
Finn gripped the daggers and gave a satisfied nod. "They feel incredible. I can already tell these will make a big difference."
Finally, Ray set his sights on Gregory's hammer, which took the most work. Selecting a large metallic core, he placed it in the hammer's head, layering it with runes that would channel earth energy into small constructs. After several intense hours, the weapon was complete, its dark steel head inscribed with pulsing runes.
Ray handed it over to Gregory, who swung it experimentally. "Now this," Gregory said, feeling the weight and energy, "is the kind of weapon I've always wanted."
With their weapons ready, they gathered their supplies and prepared for the weekend's upcoming challenge: their first rift raid. Ray explained that a rift—a portal to an alternate plane full of aberrant monsters—appeared randomly and was marked by a shifting, dark energy that only hunters could access.
The next day, the four of them stood at the entrance of the rift, each gripping their new weapons, the air crackling with the anticipation of battle. The rift loomed before them, a swirling vortex of dark energy with flashes of lightning streaking across its surface.
Ray glanced at his team. "Everyone ready? Once we're in, there's no turning back until we reach the core."
Zara grinned, cracking her knuckles. "Ready as I'll ever be."
Gregory swung his hammer, the weight of it adding an extra sense of confidence to his stance. "Let's crush some monsters."
Finn tightened his grip on his daggers, his face set with quiet determination. "I'm with you."
Ray took a deep breath, steeling himself. He knew the risks, but with the team by his side and their newly crafted gear, he felt a surge of confidence.
"Then let's go," he said, stepping forward, leading his team into the swirling darkness of the rift.