[Smithing] – a gift that granted the ability to forge weapons and tools from various materials. An ability straight out of the many games I had indulged in. Given the similarity in the mechanics of this world to those of video games, I felt confident about how the concept should work. I was ecstatic, feeling as if I had stumbled upon a jackpot.A soft moan broke my reverie. It was Arthur, finally loosening his stiffened limbs after I had untied the ropes that had kept him bound. His relief was palpable, and he looked at me with a thankful smile. I rolled my eyes internally; it was as if I was dealing with a child. My act of kindness was purely utilitarian – I needed him to use his [Smithing] Gift, after all.Thankfully, Arthur trusted me, and his evident fear meant he would refrain from pulling any risky moves. Satisfied, I decided it was time to get to work.“Alright, Arthur, it's time we got started. I've told you about my Gift. Now, it’s your turn to explain how your Gift works,” I
[System Alert]Arthur's face lit up in delight. "It worked!" he exclaimed, his gaze transfixed on the glow emanating from the newly crafted sword. I, too, found myself grinning in relief, thankful our risky endeavor hadn't ended in failure. Otherwise, five invaluable cores would have been wasted.Slowly, I reached for the sword. Its hilt was glowing on the ground, pulsating with an inviting yet intimidating energy. Grasping it firmly, I hoisted it off the ground."Heavy..." I muttered, feeling the considerable weight of the weapon.Bringing the sword closer, I examined it carefully. The blade, thin and long, bore a dark hue, underscored by a subtle crimson aura that surrounded it. I trained my focus on the weapon and the familiar green window popped into view.[System Information]Name: Enhanced SwordRank: F+Level: 10 (Max)Strength: 500Durability: 5,000Core Power: 700Core Energy: 100%[.]A smile of satisfaction spread across my face. The decision to sacrifice two more cores and
"Wow," I breathed out, incredulous, "that's a considerable amount."I was awestruck by the vast array of weapons that Arthur had crafted using his Gift. The assortment seemed to span into hundreds, a testament to his prowess and dedication.He chuckled uneasily in response, an awkwardness hanging in the air as he acknowledged his handiwork. Arthur shared that he believed having a substantial arsenal would prepare him to confront the Demons. This belief had driven him to hone his skills, to explore the possibilities offered by his Gift. Yet, despite his impressive output, a tangible fear of the outside world remained nestled within him.Making a decision, I spoke up, "Alright then, it's time to get to work."Given the circumstance, it was clear that the seventy or so Demon Cores I possessed wouldn't be enough to smith the vast array of weapons spread before us. However, the objective wasn't to enhance every single weapon. Arthur looked towards me, a gleam in his eyes that suggested ex
After a restful few hours, I stirred Arthur from his slumber, as we made ready to embark from the sanctuary he called home. Cautiously, I stowed all essential items within the confines of my [Subspace], meticulously arranging them for easy access when required. Every significant object was carefully positioned, and its location committed to memory to ensure an uninterrupted focus during combat.“Time to go!” I said, looking at Arthur with a comforting smile. He responded with a hesitant nod.The prospect of stepping out of the house for the first time since the apocalypse would indeed be a daunting task for anyone. His apprehension was palpable, yet I was certain he would soon come to understand the futility of his fears.With a resonant vwoop, the deep freezer and refrigerator that had fortified our entrance seamlessly found their places amongst the other items in my [Subspace]. As the barricade disappeared, the door slowly swung open. With my senses heightened, I cautiously set foot
Despite my rising apprehension, I couldn't help but flash a defiant grin. "Bring it on!" I declared, primed to confront the monstrous presence barreling towards us.Turning my gaze to Arthur, I found him frozen in place, pale-faced due to my ominous warning earlier. His proximity to the forthcoming clash would only complicate things; he'd be more of a liability than an asset in the imminent showdown. However, I couldn't afford to lose sight of him either; a stray demon might take advantage of his vulnerability while I was occupied. Besides, observing the battle might serve as a reality check for Arthur, helping him appreciate the gravity of our partnership and the peril that came with it.Without wasting any more time, I issued my command, "Arthur, stay here… I’m heading down!" "W-wha?! B-but-"Before he could voice his protest, I sprang into action, descending the stairs in one swift leap. There, at the bottom, I finally caught sight of the titanic demon making its grand entrance.T
Pausing, I took a deep breath, "Huu…” and summoned my trusty freezer to act as a barricade between us and any possible danger. Arthur and I were once again venturing into the unknown, stepping inside yet another unidentified apartment.Darkness engulfed the room, but I was well beyond being bothered by such trivialities.“Settle down…” I instructed Arthur, acknowledging but not commenting on the trembling of the scared underling following me.Choosing one of the sofas in the living room, I settled myself, the soft surface providing some relief to my strained muscles.“Haaa…” I sighed, reflecting on the recent battle.Despite the number of Demons I had managed to slay moments ago, fatigue was hardly setting in. The aftermath of the horde's obliteration, including the formidable Hell Kobold Spawn (Adult), had led to a wild increase in my levels. Nonetheless, I didn't let my guard down. Instead, I employed my heightened senses to sweep across the vicinity, in search of any residual prese
Standing at the crossroads of decision, I found myself faced with three formidable 'Skills,' but space to accommodate only two.'Spike Attack''Venomous Spikes''Venomous Claws'However, with 'Claw Attack' already anchored in my Skill Slot, I was left with just two vacancies."I see…" I murmured, absorbed in the dilemma that lay before me.The typical approach might be to supplant my 'Claw Attack' with an ostensibly stronger Skill, such as 'Venomous Claws.' However, that could prove to be a catastrophic blunder."I have honed my 'Claw Attack' to its pinnacle, thereby enhancing its efficiency and longevity in combat," I reminded myself.Even though 'Venomous Claws' promised a surge in power, it couldn't possibly compete with the endurance and recovery time of my pre-existing skill.After all, I had possession of only a single (Adult) Demon Core. There was no prospect of amplifying the 'Venomous' skills in the near future.One might consider opting for both Venomous skills and forfeitin
My assessment of our preparedness brought forth a satisfied smile as I glanced at Arthur, who responded with a nervous affirmation. A peculiar blend of anticipation and fear tingled at the edge of my senses as my gaze landed on the foreboding door ahead. Freedom from this desolate confinement was within grasp, but the path ahead was strewn with formidable obstacles.Gently tapping the obstructions, I sent the freezer back into my [Subspace], clearing our path. With the task done, I navigated towards the door, instructing Arthur firmly, "Stay behind me!" He promptly fell in line, tailing me closely as we embarked on our journey.The voyage across the hallway of the first floor towards the stairwell was interrupted by a few roaming Demons, most likely stray remnants from the levels above. With deft agility, I unleashed a flurry of blades, dispatching the intruders swiftly. Arthur, caught between eagerness and caution, scurried to collect their fallen Cores. After successfully neutralizi