"Fair point. I've heard stories about NPCs becoming overly protective, but go too far and Phoebe might end up disliking you, so take it easy, okay?"
It's easier said than done, considering this world could easily become deadly with just one misstep... Finding the right balance is tricky.
"By the way, I really should have brought skiing gear. I bet skiing down would be a breeze!"
"Isn't skiing in this snowy mountain a bit too risky? The slopes are steep, and there are monsters around. If we get attacked, we won't stand a chance in a fair fight. Sure, we could stab them with our poles, but that's not really practical."
"But it's got a certain romance to it, doesn't it?"
TT can really say the most random things... Romantic or not, taking damage would definitely have some impact, and skiing in an unkempt mountain is extremely dangerous—not something for amateurs, that's for sure.
"That's true, TT. I want to make some weapons after we get down, so can we split up for the party? I really need to head to the workshop."
"What? I can't go to the workshop?"
"Not a chance. I'm using a workshop that's not our team's, so I can't just bring someone in without permission."
After pondering for a moment, TT replied, "Can I ask to make some weapons too?"
"That's fine, but you'll need to bring your own recipes and materials, okay?"
"Sure thing. I'll hand them over once we reach the safe zone."
With that exchange, we made our way down the mountain. Upon reaching the safe area and reporting the completion of the gathering event quest, TT handed over the materials for his request.
'You received 2 cursed animal bones from TT.'
'You received 4 cursed martial artist blood samples from TT.'
'You received 2 cursed crystals from TT.'
'You received the Assault Leg recipe from TT.'
"What?! This material is cursed?!"
"Yeah, if you use this, your maximum HP will drop when equipped, but the specs will improve. Don't you know that?"
"I don't! And if you want me to do this, you need to pay up! Even in a game world, I'm not working for free!"
One crucial lesson my parents taught me as a blacksmith was never to undervalue my skills. That principle holds true in this game world too.
"Uh, money? How about around 500,000 G?"
"I don't know the going rate, so that works for me."
"...You're asking for money but leaving the details to me? Isn't that a bit lazy?"
"Shut up! I trust you, TT. I know you won't overcharge me."
At that, TT gave a sheepish look. Was my estimate really too low?
"Since you're supplying the materials... it will be cheaper, but a fair price would be around 1,000,000 G."
"Half price, huh? Well, that's fine. I appreciate you scouting ahead in the snowy mountains."
"Is that okay? Lucky me!"
TT cheered, doing a little victory pose. I was grateful for their help in the snowy mountains; if it had just been me and Phoebe, we might have struggled in the battle against the ice golem or gotten lost while climbing. A discount felt fair for that assistance.
I accepted the payment from TT. "Alright, I'll get started on it right away. What will you do in the meantime?"
"I think I'll take the opportunity to aim for the bottom of the ocean instead of the snowy mountains. If you can, send me an email. We can only exchange items if we're close by." With that, TT exited the party.
"Is TT going to be okay? The ocean is nothing like the snowy mountains..." Phoebe worried aloud. The snowy mountains might have ice and slopes, but at least there's air and solid ground. In the water, there's no air, and often no solid footing. With fishmen wielding long spears, it seemed like a tough environment for a hand-to-hand fighter like TT.
"He'll be fine. If anyone can handle it, it's TT. He has the edge when it comes to battle sense," came the response.
"You seem pretty indifferent about it…"
"Well, that's just how our friendship is. I often act cold, but he still reaches out. I need to make something good for one of the few friends I have."
"Right, let's do our best, Lena!"
Back when I was focused on my blacksmith training and ended up isolated, it was TT who often came to talk to me. Even when I turned down his invitations time and again, he kept engaging me. Eventually, we started hanging out during my breaks from training, and that's how our current bond developed.
He always helped me when we needed to pair up for gym class or form groups. We've had our share of heated arguments during competitive games that could've destroyed our friendship, but by the next day, everything would be back to normal. I suppose it's a relationship that's developed into a deep, if dysfunctional, connection.
I really hope people will stop relying on me when it comes to finishing homework… I'm not exactly a whiz at studying myself. Still, whenever I help out, they always show up later with sweets as a thank-you, which makes it hard to say no. However, bringing summer homework in at the last minute, even with a treat as a thank-you? That needs to change. I always hoped they'd do better, but this year I was shocked when they finished it early.
Thinking back on my memories with Taylor and TT… There are just so many moments with Taylor that come to mind.
"Lena? Why have you stopped?" Phoebe asked.
Caught off guard, I realized I had been standing still and resumed walking towards Team Zero Order's workshop.
Upon entering, I found an unfamiliar person there—a woman with long green hair that reached her waist and striking blue and red heterochromia.
"Who are you?! How did you get in here?" I asked, startled as she drew a bow, aiming directly at my face.
"Wait! I've got the workshop keys from Lydia!" I raised my hands to show I meant no harm.
"Introduction from the leader? Are you Lena? I've heard about you from Lily and the leader."
She lowered her bow, and I breathed a sigh of relief; that was a close call.
"Ah, I'm Lena, and this is Phoebe in my pocket. What about you?"
"I'm Uran. My name comes from a material used in nuclear fuel. I've heard about you—you're the one who's been borrowing my workshop a lot lately. It's impressive how you've upgraded the forge because of your influence."
Uran, huh? She has a hammer hanging at her waist and wears a fire-resistant apron. I wonder if she also does smithing.
"Nice to meet you, Uran! By the way, what exactly is nuclear fuel?"
"Uh, it's a fuel that generates immense energy. It's so powerful that if mishandled, it can cause significant damage to the surrounding area."
"Well, I don't have that kind of power, so no need to worry, Fairy. I'm usually in production work during the late-night hours. Today is my day off, so I logged in at this time and ended up meeting you all."
So she usually works nights and is an adult.
"Since you're here, you must want to use the smithing machines. Go ahead; I'm just preparing potions today."
"Ah, thank you!"
With that, Uran heads over to a crafting table for sewing. I wonder if she uses that same table for potion-making or if she makes intermediate materials.
As long as our work doesn't overlap, I'll make good use of the space.
First, we both change from our swimsuits into regular armor.
"Okay, let's start by creating the weapons that TT requested."
"Are you sure this is okay? It was hard to say in front of TT, but using a cursed item for forging..."
"I think it'll be fine. We'll end up melting it all down anyway. Besides, the Lena-Phoebe Sword we made initially turns out to be a cursed weapon as well, reducing stats when equipped by anyone other than my sister."
With that, they set up the materials and recipe, pressed the start button, and the temperature around them began to rise. A dark, red-black mass of metal was delivered to the anvil. Was the darkness a result of using cursed materials?
Well, whatever the case, it needed to be hammered!
"Regenerate, Fairy Wish, Slip Guard, Power Up, Element Boost!"
A strange sound echoed throughout the space, and in that instant, drowsiness began to creep in.
Why am I feeling sleepy? No! If I fall asleep now, my head will end up in that scorching metal! I could die!
"L-Lena!"
"I'm fine! Just a little lightheaded!"
I shook off the drowsiness and swung the hammer once more!
Thwack?
A bizarre sound rang out, and Phoebe's voice filled with panic cut through the air.
"I can't see in front of me, Lena!"
"Could it be that each swing is inflicting a status ailment? Is it because of the cursed materials?!"
But stopping now would mean certain failure, and I can't afford to fail with materials borrowed from TT!
"Phoebe, if it gets dangerous, back away slowly!"
"Got it!"
I swung the hammer again, and once more, the strange sound echoed… then, out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a poison icon appearing beneath the HP bar…
"Ugh!" As Phoebe swung the hammer again, she exclaimed that her body tingled… With the next strike, her hearing faded away. This is bad, she thought, when she suddenly felt something hit the back of her head. There was no pain, but a damp sensation enveloped her mind. Phoebe also felt liquid splatter on her.
"Wait? My vision is clearing up!"
"Honestly, using cursed materials without any countermeasures is quite reckless…"
Was that a voice? Turning around, she saw Uran holding a test tube filled with a substance that looked like a potion between her fingers. So she had thrown that potion.
"Thanks! But I can't stop now; I need your support!"
"Understood, let's make a deal. If you want me to heal you, I need you to wave the hand not holding the hammer. I'll throw the potions to both of you. By the way, each potion costs ten thousand. Healing potions that cure multiple status ailments are pricey."
"Got it! Please help!"
She hammered the dark red mass repeatedly. Suddenly, Phoebe lunged at her, striking her face! A sharp pain shot through her. Is this confusion? I can't work if I get hit, and I might lose the resonance effect!
She tried to wave her hand, but before she could, the potion hit Phoebe directly!
"Sorry, I'll leave the life-or-death decisions up to you!"
"Thank you! That helps a lot!"
"I-I'm so sorry! Lena!"
"Don't worry, it's just the curse acting up! Please keep supporting me!"
After countless swings of the hammer, I found myself afflicted with poison, blindness, deafness, nausea, rapidly depleting MP, uncontrollable laughter, and stomach pains. I had probably encountered nearly every status ailment in Fantasy Freedom, and somehow I was nearing the point where the finish button would appear.
"Damn it, I shouldn't have agreed to this project so readily!"
Cursing my impulsive decision, I slammed down the finish button.
**'Lena has acquired Level 1 status ailment resistance.'**
**'Lena's skills in blacksmithing and cursed blacksmithing have both reached Level 10, enabling fusion evolution.'**
Miraculously, I managed to finish without dying.
**'Cursed Battle Legs
Attribute: Dark
Status: Attack Power +20
Special Effects: Significant reduction in maximum HP, small increase in MP cost for skill activation, inflicts seven curses on kicks.
These cursed shoes created by Lena unleash seven curses on anyone they kick, likely speeding up the curses with each strike.'**
**'The Seven Curses
With each attack, there is a very low probability of inflicting the following effects on the enemy:
Poison, Paralysis, Blindness, Slowness, Burning, Freezing, Confusion.'**
Although the attack power is low, these shoes have a chance to apply seven different status ailments with each kick. Given the potential for multiple strikes, if I can execute continuous kicks with TT, they should be highly effective. There's a downside of increased MP cost when activating skills, but if it's TT, I'm sure I can manage to wield their power effectively.