I glanced back at the two figures trailing me, their faces a mix of determination and curiosity.
Elira suddenly stepped forward, her gaze steady. "Thank you," she said, voice filled with quiet sincerity. "For saving us back there. We wouldn't be here without you."
Rin nodded eagerly, her words filled with genuine gratitude. "Yeah! You were amazing. We owe you, big time."
I shifted uncomfortably, unused to such direct appreciation. "Just stay out of trouble," I muttered, looking away.
Elira and Rin, the sisters I had rescued from the Earth-King's pursuers, were sticking to me like a bad habit. It wasn't that I disliked them; it was just that I preferred solitude, the quiet hum of my own thoughts as company.
"So," Elira began, her voice breaking the silence, "where are we going exactly?"
I sighed inwardly, resisting the urge to roll my eyes. "To find a blacksmith," I replied curtly, my gaze fixed on the shimmering streets of Luminaris. "I need to get my gear modified."
Rin, the younger of the two, skipped a step to keep pace with me, her eyes wide with wonder as she took in the vibrant city around us. "A blacksmith? Like, with a forge and everything?"
I nodded, trying to ignore the pang of nostalgia that hit me at her innocent enthusiasm. "Yes, like with a forge."
The conversation faded as we turned a corner, the bustling streets giving way to a quieter path lined with small shops and workshops. The sounds of hammering and the smell of hot metal grew stronger, leading us towards our destination.
Outside one of the stone buildings, a glowing hologram signboard hovered in the air, a clear indication that this shop stood out among the others.
The blacksmith's shop was a low, stone building with a tall, smoking chimney, its windows glowing with the light of a roaring forge. It was a place of controlled chaos, the air thick with the scent of coal and magic, where the sound of hammering was a constant rhythm.
A system notification flashed before my eyes:
[System Alert: You are about to meet an NPC of significant importance. Proceed with caution.]
At the same moment, I noticed Elira and Rin's expressions shift. They had received the same notification.
A chill ran down my spine. This wasn't an ordinary meeting. Even the system was advising caution.
Just as we reached the entrance, another explorer loitering near the blacksmith's shop caught sight of the sisters.
His expression twisted in disappointment as he murmured under his breath, "Tch, guess those guys failed to collect them."
Thanks to my enhanced hearing, I caught his words, my eyes narrowing slightly. He shifted his stance as if about to move toward us, but before he could take a step, the shop's door swung open.
The blacksmith emerged—a stout figure with a fiery red beard, thick arms, and sharp, assessing eyes.
A dwarf.
A race often spoken of in fantasy novels, known for their craftsmanship and unparalleled blacksmithing skills.
The explorer clicked his tongue before stepping back, his annoyance clear.
The blacksmith, seeming to read the atmosphere, folded his arms. "No trouble in my shop," he warned, his deep voice resonating with authority. Then, as if dismissing the tension, he turned to the explorer.
Rin's eyes sparkled with admiration as she beheld the blacksmith. "A real dwarf… this is amazing."
Elira was more concerned about their safety as she watched the man move back with relief.
Having seen the stance of the man, she had reach the same conclusion with me: that explorer was part of the "Earth-king" gang.
"Here's what you ordered." The blacksmith handed over a short dagger before motioning for us to step inside.
Without another word, he turned on his heel and left.
As we entered, a familiar figure caught my eye—Alice.
She was acting as a sales girl, setting out refreshments for customers in a ceramic tray placed on the counter.
Instead of the suit she used to wear, she now sported a maid outfit, the frilly fabric oddly suiting her. Her long rabbit ears twitched slightly, adding to her unexpectedly adorable appearance.
The moment she saw me, her expression twisted in mild annoyance. "Great… a familiar face I didn't want to see."
Elira and Rin exchanged glances, but I ignored the jab, stepping toward the blacksmith. "I need weapons and armor that can withstand my energy."
The blacksmith studied me for a moment before Alice suddenly cut in, arms crossed. "Yeah, and he's got cosmic energy. It's a nightmare to deal with."
The blacksmith's gaze snapped back to me, his eyes flickering with surprise. Then, just as quickly, understanding dawned in them, and he nodded to himself as if confirming a thought. "Cosmic energy… that explains a lot."
His words put me on edge. He knew too much. I instinctively tensed, my senses sharpening. "Who are you?" I demanded.
The blacksmith chuckled. "Ah, apologies. I forgot to introduce myself."
A system notification appeared in front of me:
[System Alert: You have met the Constellation "Sentinel of the Cosmic Anvil"]
[Name: ???]
[Level: Constellation]
My breath caught. Constellation. That was a title reserved for beings of immense power. This wasn't just any blacksmith—I had walked into the forge of a higher being.
The atmosphere in the shop grew heavy. I was no longer sure if I was in a place of business or standing before something far more dangerous than I had anticipated, especially with my history of trouble. I gave my cloak, boots and mask to him.
The sisters were surprised as they looked at the blacksmith in horror.
The blacksmith let out a low whistle as he ran his fingers over the fabric of my tattered cloak.
The dark material barely held together, scorched at the edges from my recent battles, its fibers struggling against the residual traces of my cosmic energy. My boots weren't in much better condition—worn, cracked leather, their soles nearly falling apart.
He grunted. "This isn't just wear and tear. It's breakdown. Your power's eating through the very things meant to protect you." He lifted the cloak, stretching it between his fingers. "I've seen flames burn, ice crack, and even enchanted steel corrode under the right pressure… but cosmic energy? It doesn't destroy the way normal forces do. It unravels."
His gaze flicked to me. "Like a predator pulling threads from its prey until nothing's left."
I said nothing.
Because I felt it.
Every time I wielded cosmic energy, every time I pushed my limits, my body struggled to contain my existence, it had gotten better thanks to the rank-up but the feeling was still there though it was manageable and I have ignored it as a side effect of possessing cosmic energy
It wasn't just my enemies who suffered from my power—my power itself seemed to fight against me.
I suspect that was why the system had given me [Master of Cosmic Radiation] title, to prevent radiation from killing me.
It is only a matter of time before something dangerous occur even though the system told me my growth has been balanced and I don't exhibit signs of being corrupted.
The best way for me not to trigger it, is not to expend too much energy. Any strain on my body will weaken me and increase the chance of being consumed.
The blacksmith sighed, rolling up his sleeves. "I can fix this." He turned toward the forge, the flames roaring to life in response. "But power like yours isn't something you just 'fix.'"
I narrowed my eyes. "Then what are you saying?"
He placed my cloak onto the anvil, spreading it out like a corpse on a slab. "I'll reforge this into something that can withstand your energy—but only if you swear to me one thing."
Swearing in front of a real life constellation was not something to take as a joke
Elira and Rin exchanged wary glances, sensing the weight in his words. Even Alice, who had been leaning casually against the counter, straightened, eyes sharp.
I folded my arms. "And that is?"
The blacksmith turned to face me fully, his deep-set eyes gleaming like embers beneath his thick brows. "Promise me you won't lose yourself to your power. That you'll stay in control—no matter how much it tries to push you."
I scoffed. "I've made it this far without burning myself alive."
"Well you have caused trouble with it, I was penalized for it" Alice interjected but we ignore her whining.
The blacksmith's jaw tightened. "For now." His voice dropped, the air around us seeming to still. "But you're standing on the edge of something, kid. Something that devours men like you. I've seen warriors wield forces beyond their comprehension—forces that twisted them into monsters before they ever realized they were lost."
The forge crackled, sending waves of heat through the workshop. The blacksmith's eyes didn't waver. "So tell me—when the time comes, will you fight to stay yourself? Or will you let the power take you?"
A strange weight settled in my chest. I hadn't really considered it like that before.
Power had always been a tool, something to be sharpened, honed, and used. But I couldn't deny the truth in his words. Power, left unchecked, had a way of becoming the master rather than the servant.
I exhaled slowly, then met his gaze. "I promise."
His stare held for a moment longer before he nodded. "Good."
Then, without another word, he grabbed a hammer and brought it crashing down onto the anvil.
The workshop shook.
A deep hum filled the air as the forge pulsed in sync with each strike. Runes ignited along the workbench, swirling with golden light as the fabric of my cloak unraveled—not into tatters, but into something ethereal. It didn't burn. It didn't break. It simply transformed.
Smoke curled from the edges as the blacksmith worked, his movements impossibly fast yet deliberate. Every hammer stroke sent a ripple of energy coursing through the material, binding it with something beyond mortal craftsmanship.
Cosmic energy tried resisting but it was futile. The anvil itself pulsed, reacting to the raw cosmic energy still lingering within the cloak.
Minutes passed. Maybe hours. I barely noticed. And the silence was contagious as everyone was silent.
Finally, the blacksmith stepped back, wiping sweat from his brow. He lifted the cloak and let it unfurl in the air.
"I used void materials, the opposite of cosmic energy" he commented proudly as i took a closer look.
The Cloak of Shadows.
The fabric no longer seemed to fully exist in the physical world—it wavered between reality and something else, shifting like liquid darkness.
If I stood still, it would make me nearly invisible in low light. If I moved, it would distort my figure, making me harder to track. It wasn't just a cloak anymore. It was an extension of the void.
Plus cosmic energy seem more reluctant to come near me. it came with the cost of reduce cosmic energy flow into my body which I was happy about.
I reached out and ran my fingers across the fabric.
Cold. Weightless. Silent.
The blacksmith smirked. "That should keep the energy from tearing it apart. Reinforced with void-thread, laced with spectral weave. It'll dampen your presence, cut down on energy waste, and… well, let's just say it's good for getting out of places unnoticed. It will also recover itself if it's get damaged. Infusing cosmic energy will also make it harden. The more energy you can infuse, the harder the defense."
I nodded in approval. "And the boots?"
He motioned toward the side of the workbench, where a pair of sturdy leather boots sat, newly reforged. They weren't flashy—dark, reinforced, built for durability. But when I lifted them, they were lighter than they should be, and when I turned them over, I saw faint engravings along the soles.
I glanced at him. "What is this?"
"Wind-walking enchantment made from runes," he confirmed. "It'll soften your landings, increase your agility, and make your steps damn near silent when you want them to be."
He folded his arms, watching me carefully. "Not flashy. Just effective."
I slipped them on, flexing my feet. The moment I took a step, I felt the difference— a subtle lightness, as if the ground itself repelled me just slightly. My movement felt smoother, faster, more controlled, gliding through space will be much easier now.
Perfect.
I exhaled, adjusting the cloak around my shoulders. "Alright. How much?"
The blacksmith let out a dry chuckle. "Oh, I'll take payment, alright. But not in coin."
I raised a brow. "Then what?"
He leaned against the anvil, eyes glinting. "A promise."
I tensed. "Another one?"
He grinned. "Two things. One— don't forget your first promise. Power's a hell of a thing, but control? That's what separates the legends from the fools who burned too bright and died too fast."
I gave him a slow nod. "And the second?"
His grin widened. "You'll be taking a few [Quests] from me."
I narrowed my eyes. "Quests?"
"I've got materials that need gathering. Artifacts that need retrieving. Monsters that need killing." He cracked his knuckles. "And frankly? I need someone who won't die trying."
Alice groaned from behind me. "Of course you're making him run errands."
He shrugged. "Great craftsmanship requires great resources." He turned back to me. "Think of it as an investment. You take care of these jobs, and if you ever need something reforged or improved again?" He smirked. "You'll know where to find me."
I adjusted my cloak, feeling the way the fabric responded to my movement—like a living thing. Then, I turned to him and smirked.
"Fine. You've got yourself a deal."
The blacksmith laughed, shaking my hand with a grip that felt like solid iron. "Then welcome to the real game, kid."
Elira and Rin stepped forward hesitantly. "Excuse me," Elira began, glancing between me and the blacksmith, "but… could we get an upgrade too?"
Rin nodded eagerly. "Yeah, our weapons and armor aren't great, and we've barely been able to keep up. We need something better."
The blacksmith raised an eyebrow, then glanced at me. "They with you?"
I sighed. "They are."
He chuckled, shaking his head. "Well, lucky for them, I don't charge companions of my special clients." He studied their weapons and frowned. "Basic, standard-issue junk. Barely fit for children duels, let alone real combat. You are expected to change or upgrade this immediately after your second floor trial"
Elira and Rin exchanged excited glances as the blacksmith asked Alice to gather the materials.
"I'll reinforce their weapons and armor and give them a proper edge. Won't be anything fancy, but they'll actually hold up in a fight."
The sisters grinned, bowing in gratitude.
"Thank you!" Rin beamed.
The blacksmith waved them off. "Don't thank me yet. I expect you to use them well."
With that, he returned to his work, hammering away at our gear as the forge burned brightly, illuminating the path ahead of us all.