Prologue: New journey far from home…
"TAKE THIS!"
A female knight roared as she swung her sword at a two-headed griffin, its massive wings kicking up violent gusts of wind.
Before her blade could land, the griffin struck first. With a powerful flap of its wings, it sent her flying through the air.
As she tumbled midair, the beast lunged at her, talons gleaming, ready to finish her off.
Then—
A shadow leaped from the trees.
Silver hair flashed under the sunlight as a young man appeared, catching the knight effortlessly in his arms.
With a single powerful kick, he sent the griffin crashing into the ground.
The knight gasped, blinking up at her savior. "W-Who are you?" she asked breathlessly as they landed safely.
The young man helped her to her feet, offering a calm smile. "Are you alright, Miss Knight?"
She nodded, still shaken. "Yes… Thank you for saving me. But… you still haven't answered my question."
He smirked, reaching for the blacksmith's hammer at his belt. "We should deal with that first," he said, gesturing toward the recovering griffin.
The beast let out a ferocious screech, preparing to charge.
The young man gripped his hammer tightly. As he did, the weapon began to glow—a deep, crimson light pulsing with raw power.
"SIN'S STRIKE!" he roared, swinging it with immense force.
The hammer connected with one of the griffin's heads, engulfing the beast in roaring flames. The fire consumed it instantly, reducing the monster to ash as the ground beneath them cracked from the sheer impact.
The knight could only stare in disbelief.
"W-Who… What are you?" she whispered.
The young man turned to her, extending a hand. "Kanji Hijiri. Nice to meet you."
As he spoke, the scene faded upward into the sky—revealing a vast, breathtaking world of floating islands, golden gates, and twin suns illuminating the horizon.
A New Beginning
"AHHH! I'M GOING TO BE LATE!"
Kanji Hijiri bolted out of his apartment, half-dressed, still tugging his shirt over his head.
"If I can just make it to the train station, I should be able to catch the last bus to the shop!" he thought, gripping his station pass as he sprinted down the street.
At a crosswalk, he paused to catch his breath.
That's when he saw her.
Across the street, standing perfectly still, was a woman with golden hair and piercing purple eyes.
She was staring directly at him.
Kanji frowned. "Huh…?"
Just as he focused on her, a bus passed between them.
When it cleared—she was gone.
A strange chill crawled down his spine. "That was weird…"
Before he could dwell on it, he remembered—he was still late!
Cursing under his breath, he dashed across the street, rushing into the crowded train station just in time to board his train.
He exhaled in relief, slumping into a seat. "Made it..."
For a moment, everything seemed fine.
Then—a flash of blinding light swallowed the train.
The conductor's horrified scream echoed through the speakers.
"W-WHAT THE HELL?! THERE'S ANOTHER TRAIN—!"
A deafening crash.
Kanji's world flipped upside down as he was launched into darkness.
A New World
Kanji awoke to warm sunlight on his skin.
Slowly, he opened his eyes.
Above him stretched a sky with two suns, its light casting a golden glow over a world unlike anything he had ever seen.
Floating islands drifted lazily in the air, while massive golden gates shimmered in the distance.
He sat up, rubbing his head. "This… definitely isn't home."
Rising to his feet, he took in his surroundings. Lush forests stretched out before him, their leaves swaying gently in an unfamiliar breeze.
Then, in the distance—he saw it.
Smoke.
His heart leaped.
"Smoke means fire. Fire means people. And people mean answers!"
Determined, he sprinted toward the source, weaving through trees and overgrown paths.
After several minutes, he emerged into a clearing.
There, bathed in golden sunlight, stood a pristine blacksmith's workshop.
Beside it, a small house sat nestled among the trees.
Kanji approached cautiously, taking in the perfect condition of the buildings.
"This place looks brand new… but why does it feel so… abandoned?"
Reaching for the workshop door, he tested the handle. Locked.
But the moment his fingers brushed against it—the door swung open on its own.
He hesitated before stepping inside.
"Hello? Anyone here?"
Silence.
The air smelled of iron and burning embers. Despite the stillness, the forge was still lit, its flames crackling softly.
Lifting a dust-covered sheet, Kanji uncovered an anvil, hammers, and perfectly maintained tools.
His chest tightened.
"A blacksmith's forge…?"
His eyes flickered toward the back wall—where he spotted something unusual.
A hidden switch.
Driven by curiosity, he pressed it.
With a soft click, a small compartment slid open, revealing an ornate ring made of an unknown metal. It pulsed faintly with a strange symbol engraved on its surface.
Beneath it, a letter lay neatly folded.
With slightly trembling hands, Kanji grabbed both and sat near the forge.
Taking a deep breath, he unfolded the letter.
"To my successor,"
If you are reading this, then you have arrived at the Aisles of the Gods. The island you stand upon was once mine.
I am the God of Creation and Blacksmithing.
If you are here, it means you have been chosen.
This workshop, this forge, and all the knowledge stored within them now belong to you.
You will carry my legacy into the world.
The moment you place the Ring of the Blacksmith on your finger, your new life will begin.
You will receive power, knowledge, and materials beyond imagination.
You will be sent to the world of Ethstra, where you will forge your own legend.
P.S.You cannot return home. You have been erased from your old world.
Your only path is forward.
—The God of Creation
Kanji's grip tightened on the letter.
His gaze drifted toward the ring in his palm.
"So… there's no going back."
For a long moment, he simply stared at the forge, the weight of his situation sinking in.
Then—he sighed.
"Well… not like I had anything to go back to anyway."
With steady hands, he slipped the ring onto his finger.
The moment Kanji slipped the ring onto his finger, the world around him vanished.
A searing blue light engulfed his body, and an intense heat pulsed through his veins.
The symbol on the ring burned into his skin, glowing like molten metal as a wave of power surged through him.
Then—
📜 [STATUS WINDOW] 🛠
A floating panel appeared before his eyes. The rusted metal frame surrounding it flickered with faint, molten-orange text, as if struggling to ignite. A weak clang—like a hammer striking metal—echoed in his ears as the screen stabilized.
📜 [STATUS WINDOW] 🛠🔨
[Kanji Hijiri – Novice Smith] 🔥
LV: 1 (Beginner Blacksmith)EXP: ░░░░░░░░░░░ (0%)
Next Rank: Apprentice Smith (Requires 100%)
🔥 Forging Skills
Weapon Crafting LV 1 (Exp: 0%)
Armor Crafting LV 0 (Locked)
Enchanting LV 0 (Locked)
Repairing LV 1 (Exp: 0%)
⚔ Weapons Crafted:(No weapons forged yet.)
🛡 Notable Slays (via his Weapons):(No recorded kills yet.)
🔥 Lifespan Extended: 0 Years🔥
Strength Increased: 0🔥
Dexterity Increased: 0
🔥 New Skill Gained:[Basic Smithing] – You can craft simple weapons with iron.
🔨 Forge Progress: (Dormant / Locked)
Next Milestone Bonus: Unlock Steel Forging at LV 5
Kanji's eyes widened as he took in the screen hovering in front of him.
"Is this… a game menu?!"
Before he could react further, another surge of heat spread through his chest. A second window appeared, its fiery letters burning into his mind.
📜 [ABILITIES UNLOCKED] 🛠
🔥 Soulbound Smithing
Every weapon you create carries a fragment of your essence.When those weapons are used in battle, you absorb a portion of the slain creature's experience, lifespan, and skills into yourself.Legendary or master-crafted weapons yield greater rewards.
🛠 Forging Mastery (Passive)
Gains EXP every time a weapon is successfully crafted, increasing proficiency.Higher proficiency improves durability, quality, and potential enhancements.Unlocks unique forging techniques over time.
⚒ Echo of the Forge
If a weapon you created breaks, you will feel it and gain insight into its weaknesses.If a Soulbound Weapon is destroyed, you can reabsorb some of the lost EXP and knowledge.
Kanji staggered back, gripping his chest. The sensation was unlike anything he had ever felt—it was as if a forge had been lit inside him, a constant heat pulsing within his soul.
"This power… it's insane."
His fingers flexed, his body felt different—not stronger, but… more attuned. He wasn't just some guy who had landed in another world. He was something more now.
A smith who could shape the future.
His gaze shifted back to the floating screen, his heart pounding.
"Every weapon I make… will carry a piece of me? And when someone uses them to fight, I get stronger?"
His mind raced. If he forged weapons for warriors, knights, or even heroes, he could grow indefinitely.
He wasn't a fighter.
He didn't need to be.
His weapons would fight for him.
For the first time since arriving in this strange world, Kanji smirked.
He turned toward the glowing forge, feeling a new purpose ignite in his soul.
"Well then… let's get to work."
🔥 [Prologue End] 🔥