Three weeks had passed since Bron had opened Black's Forge. The modest sign above the door—hand-forged letters mounted on a simple wooden board—had attracted few curious glances but no customers. This wasn't surprising; new businesses in the Buffer Zone periphery rarely drew immediate attention, especially ones run by apparently unawakened craftsmen.
Bron didn't mind the slow start. Each day spent alone in the forge was another opportunity to hone his skills without scrutiny. He'd crafted dozens of practice pieces—knives, hammers, simple tools—each better than the last. His experience had steadily accumulated, pushing him to Level 2 a week ago, which had unlocked a new skill:
[Material Fusion (Active) Lvl 1] [Description: Combine two compatible materials with greater efficiency and stability than conventional methods] [Mana Cost: 15 per attempt]
He'd been experimenting with this ability using scraps of monster materials from his mining days—nothing exceptional, just common remnants that most Hunters considered worthless. Even with these mundane materials, the results were promising: a chisel with the hardness of steel but the lightness of aluminum; tongs that remained cool even when gripping red-hot metal.
Bron was testing the balance of his latest creation—a small throwing knife with a core of flexible monster tendon encased in steel—when the shop's door chime sounded for the first time.
He looked up to see a young woman standing hesitantly in the doorway. Her Hunter's uniform was standard-issue, visibly worn at the edges—the mark of someone who couldn't afford custom gear. The sword strapped to her back had a crack running along its blade, hastily bound with insulating tape. Class D or C, Bron guessed, based on her equipment quality.
"Are you open?" she asked, looking around the sparse front room.
Bron set down the throwing knife and wiped his hands on his apron. "Yes. Black's Forge, at your service. What can I help you with?"
The woman stepped inside, her gaze taking in the simple display shelf where Bron had arranged some of his better practice pieces. "I need a sword repair, but..." She glanced at the pieces, then back at Bron with obvious skepticism. "Are you Awakened? Most smiths working with Hunter equipment are at least E-rank Crafters."
A reasonable question. In this world, few unawakened attempted to service Hunter gear, lacking the abilities to work with monster-infused materials.
"I'm not registered with the Association," Bron answered truthfully, if incompletely. "But I have experience with Gate materials from my time as a miner. May I see the weapon?"
She hesitated, then unsheathed the sword. The crack was worse than Bron had initially thought—a catastrophic structural failure waiting to happen. One solid impact and the blade would shatter, potentially in the middle of combat.
"This can't be repaired," he stated bluntly. "Reforging it would cost more than replacing it."
The woman's shoulders slumped. "I was afraid you'd say that. The Association armory wants three months' worth of D-rank mission payments for a replacement."
"What's your name and class?" Bron asked.
"Mira Talos. D-rank Agility Swordswoman." Her tone carried a note of resigned frustration. "Six months awakened and still stuck at the bottom tier."
Bron gestured toward the workshop. "Come inside. I might be able to help."
Once in the main forge area, Bron examined the broken sword more thoroughly, activating his Material Insight skill.
[Standard Association Sword (D-Rank)] [Materials: Hunter-grade Steel (95%), Trace Wind Essence (5%)] [Durability: Critical Failure Imminent] [Special Properties: Minor weight reduction from Wind Essence] [Crafting Quality: D-Rank]
"This wasn't made for you specifically, was it?" he asked, balancing the weapon.
Mira shook her head. "Standard issue. They assign equipment based on class and rank, not individual needs."
"That's the problem," Bron said, setting the sword aside. "An Agility Swordswoman needs a blade that complements your movement patterns. This is balanced for general use, not speed-based techniques."
Surprise flickered across Mira's face. "How would you know about—"
"I've observed many Hunters in action during mining operations," Bron explained. "Different classes move differently. Your calluses and muscle development tell me you favor rapid strikes over power attacks."
This was partially true. His new abilities were also feeding him insights about her combat style just from observing her stance and movements.
"You need a new sword," he continued. "One made specifically for you."
Mira's expression darkened. "I already told you I can't afford—"
"I'm not interested in Association rates," Bron interrupted. "I need to build a reputation. What I propose is this: I'll make you a custom sword suited to your specific abilities. In exchange, you bring me materials from your hunts—whatever you can spare after fulfilling your quotas."
She looked skeptical. "Why would you do that? D-rank materials aren't exactly valuable."
"They are to me," Bron replied. "I'm researching material combinations. Quantity and variety help more than rarity at this stage."
Mira studied him for a long moment. "This sounds too good to be true."
"Think of it as mutual benefit. You get a proper weapon; I get research materials and a walking advertisement when your performance improves." He held out his hand. "Do we have a deal?"
After another moment's hesitation, Mira nodded and clasped his hand. "Deal. But I want to see your work first. Make something small to prove your skills."
Bron smiled. "Fair enough. Take a seat."
Bron worked for nearly an hour, forging a simple dagger while Mira watched from a safe distance. He deliberately held back, not using his full abilities or mana-enhanced skills, but still crafting with precision that would impress a D-rank Hunter.
When finished, he presented her with a sleek dagger, its blade exhibiting a subtle wave pattern.
"Try it," he suggested.
Mira took the dagger, her eyes widening as she tested its balance. She executed a quick series of practice maneuvers, the blade moving like an extension of her arm.
"This is... remarkable," she admitted. "Better than anything I've used before."
"That's just a demonstration," Bron said. "Your sword will be much more specialized."
Mira sheathed the dagger at her belt. "What do you need to know to make my sword?"
"Everything," Bron replied simply. "How you fight, what techniques you prefer, your strengths, your weaknesses. A proper weapon isn't just a tool—it's an extension of the wielder."
For the next hour, Bron interviewed Mira extensively. He learned that she had awakened during a random Gate eruption that had killed her brother. How she'd struggled through Association training with minimal guidance. How her fighting style emphasized rapid strikes to vital points rather than overwhelming force. How she compensated for her shorter reach with acrobatic maneuvers.
As she spoke, Bron took mental notes, his Material Insight skill helping him envision the perfect combination of materials for her needs.
"I have most of what I need here," he finally said. "But for the core material, I'll need something with an affinity for speed. Do you have any Wind Essence fragments or perhaps tendons from a movement-based monster?"
Mira thought for a moment. "I have some Wind Wolf tendons from yesterday's hunt. They're not high quality, but..."
"Perfect," Bron said. "Bring them tomorrow. Your sword will be ready in three days."
"Three days?" Mira looked surprised. "The Association smiths take weeks for custom work."
Bron smiled. "I work quickly when inspired. And a smith is only as good as his last creation—I intend to make this one count."
After Mira left, Bron pulled out a fresh piece of paper and began sketching designs. This would be his first true test as a Sovereign Forge Master—not just making a functional weapon, but creating something uniquely suited to its wielder.
True to his word, Bron worked intensively over the next three days. He used the Wind Wolf tendons Mira had brought, integrating them with his best steel using his Material Fusion skill. For the hilt, he incorporated small fragments of grip-enhancing monster hide.
With each hammer stroke, each careful fold of the metal, Bron infused a small amount of his mana into the blade. Not enough to trigger Association sensors, but sufficient to establish a bond between the materials that conventional forging couldn't achieve.
On the morning of the third day, Bron completed the final polish and inspected his creation:
[Windchaser Blade (Custom Weapon)] [Materials: Refined Steel (78%), Wind Wolf Tendon (15%), Flexible Monster Hide (7%)] [Durability: Exceptional] [Special Properties: Enhanced striking speed (+15%), Reduced air resistance, Perfect balance for user] [Crafting Quality: A-Rank] [Compatibility with Mira Talos: 93%]
Bron smiled at the last line. His abilities had evolved further than he'd expected. The sword wasn't just well-crafted; it was specifically attuned to Mira's fighting style and energy signature.
A notification appeared:
[Experience Gained: 230] [Level Up! Level 2 → Level 3] [New Skill Unlocked: Attunement (Active) Lvl 1] [Description: Enhance compatibility between weapon and wielder, increasing effectiveness] [Mana Cost: 25 per application]
Perfect timing. Bron immediately applied his new skill to the sword, channeling mana through his palms into the weapon. The blade briefly glowed with a subtle red light before returning to normal.
[Compatibility with Mira Talos: 98%] [Special Properties Enhanced: Weapon will respond to wielder's combat intentions with minimal resistance]
When Mira arrived that afternoon, Bron presented the sword with simple ceremony, laying it across both palms.
The weapon was elegant without being flashy—a slightly curved single-edged blade optimized for quick slashing attacks. The hilt was wrapped in monster hide that would adjust to her grip patterns with use. The guard was minimal but effective, designed to deflect rather than block.
"This is... for me?" Mira asked, hesitantly reaching for the sword.
"Made specifically for you," Bron confirmed. "Go ahead."
When her fingers closed around the hilt, Mira's eyes widened. "It feels... warm."
"That's the attunement," Bron explained, using the common term rather than revealing his specific skill. "The sword recognizes you as its wielder."
Mira moved to the small practice area Bron had cleared. As she began a practice kata, her movements transformed. The sword anticipated her intentions, moving through the air with minimal resistance. What had been an impressive but standard sequence of maneuvers became something extraordinary—a dance of perfect harmony between Hunter and weapon.
"This is impossible," she breathed, completing the form. "This sword feels like I've been using it for years."
"That's the idea," Bron said simply. "A proper weapon shouldn't feel like a tool. It should feel like part of you."
Mira executed a blindingly fast series of strikes that would have been impractical with her previous sword. "The Association smiths can't do this. Even the B-rank Crafters."
Bron shrugged, maintaining his cover. "Different techniques, different priorities. They make standardized equipment for hundreds of Hunters. I make each piece individually."
Mira sheathed the sword reverently. "What do you call it?"
"Windchaser," Bron replied. "But feel free to rename it if you prefer."
"No, it's perfect." She looked at him with new respect. "Our deal stands. I'll bring you whatever materials I can gather."
Bron nodded. "One more thing. If anyone asks where you got it..."
"I'll tell them exactly where," Mira said firmly. "Black's Forge, on the edge of the Buffer Zone. A smith who actually cares about the Hunter using the weapon."
As she left, confidence radiating from her every movement, Bron felt a sense of genuine satisfaction that went beyond the experience points and level increase. He had created something that perfectly matched its user—something that would keep her safer and make her more effective.
This, he realized, was the true meaning of his class. Not just crafting weapons, but forging connections between wielder and weapon. Creating tools that elevated their users beyond their natural limitations.
The shard in his chest pulsed warmly, as if in agreement.
Black's Forge had made its first true masterpiece. It wouldn't be the last.