章 33: Resolution

[Arin POV]

Daniel has been neglecting us for a good while now. After we arrived in Erast, he disappeared as soon as we got to the inn. When he came back, he blacked out for a day.

Afterwards, he once again left. When is he going to start paying attention to us? I understand if he's making preparations or whatever, but we really should get going on our journey.

Lately, I've been getting angry with Daniel a lot. Whether it's insecurities, or not telling us things, it makes me really mad. Still, I try to sit down and have a nice chat with him.

But now, it's just getting ridiculous. He's been meandering off doing his own thing and leaving us with nothing to do.

When Catherine and I went to the market on the first day, there were so many men trying to hit on us. It was only because I was stronger than before that I was able to fend them off.

Daniel should have been there! He should have been the one to protect us!

But whatever I say, unless I say it directly to Daniel, it won't change a thing.

---

[Daniel POV]

As soon as I entered our room at the inn, I was tackled by Catherine. Forcing me to the ground, she lay on top of me while purring like a cat.

I guess I've ignored them for too long. Yosh! All the days before Gorund's competition will be spent satisfying both Arin and Catherine.

"Hmph! Daniel, you're really brazen. Just because we're your girlfriends now, it doesn't mean that you can ignore us." (Arin)

"I know, and I'm sorry. It's just… there have been many things on my mind, and something strange has happened recently. I didn't have any time… I'm really sorry. How can I make it up to you?" (Daniel)

"There are many ways…" (Arin)

That seductive voice is the bane of all men. Just as I was about to pounce on her, Catherine suddenly said something.

"Then let's go on a date, nya!" (Catherine)

It's suddenly so chilly. Ah, it must have been that cold water that just got poured on me.

Nevertheless, I guess a date would be good as well. Although, there's nothing good around here for women. Ah, I can forge them a trinket or bracelet or something. Actually, I can just do that right now.

Visualizing three matching bracelets, I summon a piece of bone using Bone Control. After that, I shape it into the bracelets, and it's done.

"Catherine, Arin, here. A little gift from me." (Daniel)

On second thought, I shouldn't have done it right in front of them. If I made it seem like I spent a lot of effort on it, then they would probably appreciate it more.

"Wow, it's beautiful, nya!" (Catherine)

"Hehe, I'm glad you like it." (Daniel)

"Where did you learn to make this?" (Arin)

"From a local forger, the one who needed my bone forge." (Daniel)

"S-So, you were learning how to make these in the past few days?" (Arin)

"I guess you could say so?" (Daniel)

Then, with an absolutely foolish grin, Arin dived into me and hugged me.

"Thank you, Daniel!" (Arin)

I was lost for words for a moment, but I responded soon after, while hugging her back.

"You're welcome." (Daniel)

The two of us stayed like that for a while, finding comfort in each other's warmth. Unfortunately, Catherine was also here, so we had to stop after a while.

"Let's all get some sleep. I'll go on a date with Catherine tomorrow, and Arin the day after, alright?" (Daniel)

""Alright!"" (Arin and Catherine)

The two went to sleep, while I started making my skeletons again.

The forging I had just done gave me some new ideas.

Since metals could be purified and made denser, then what if I did the same thing to the bones of my skeletons?

Right now, they can be considered unrefined Orichalcum. When I refine them, then their hardness, sharpness and speed will increase multiple fold.

I need to try this straight away. Taking out a LV80 King's Guard Skeleton, I take off its armor and start compressing and purifying its bones.

The one downside to this is that it takes a very long time, and a considerable amount of mana. Luckily, I can refine my already existing King's Guard. I can also probably merge my LV30 Skeleton Warriors into more King's Guards or armors.

In any case, directly summoning and making a refined King's Guard will be too hard. For now, I'll need to stockpile on normal King's Guards before refining them step by step later on.

As for the Elder Liches, I can do the same thing. Unfortunately, their skill levels aren't as high as mine, and they don't possess the blacksmithing skill. The skeletons that they produce will be limited to Skeleton Warriors at the moment. When I evolve my Necromancy though, they should be able to create an insanely strong army.

Another thing I need to do is start training my King's Guard in fights. I can let them duel with each other, and the loser will become scraps and recycled into a new Guard. This way, the Guards can gain experience and know how to fight one-on-one.

After exhausting my mana in refining about 20 or so King's Guards, I take out the Legendary Noxia Sword that I made earlier today.

I once again tell Ed to appraise it.

[Noxia Sword (Legendary): A sword forged with a clear picture of its end result. The forger's will and mana have tempered the blade to do their bidding.

(Unsealed): Deal increased damage against dragons and when protecting your women.]

Dragons?! Do they actually exist in this world? And also, what's with that last part? It's true that I was thinking about Arin and Catherine while I was forging, but this… this is too blatant, isn't it? It's a good thing that not everyone can appraise it.

'Hmm… since it's design is based on dragons, and it can deal extra damage to them, this sword will be called Dragonsbane!' (Daniel)

After that, I blacked out for a couple of hours.

When I woke up, I found Dragonsbane lying next to me, and I detected an independent mana flow within.

Thinking something was wrong with it, I asked Ed to appraise it again.

[Dragonsbane (Half-God): A sword forged with a clear picture of its end result. The forger's will and mana have tempered the blade to do their bidding.

This blade will sweep through the battlefield and slaughter all in its path.

(Unsealed): Deal increased damage against dragons and when protecting your women.

(Named): The forger has given this sword a fitting name. At the same time, the forger has infused his intent into the sword and upgraded its rarity.

(Half-God): Has all the requirements to become a God item, except for divinity. Wielding this sword will be like wielding yourself; it has become a part of the forger.]

'You blacked out because you used too much mana when naming Dragonsbane. I still can't believe you managed to do something like this.' (Ed)

'Eh? Is this something that's not supposed to happen normally?' (Daniel)

'If this happens all the time, then why would there still be normal blacksmiths? The fact that you made such a sword using Noxia is already exceeding expectations, yet you managed to name it and get it to Half-God rarity. As such, the main system has decided to give you a reward.' (Ed)

'A reward? Sweet!' (Daniel)

[Hidden Quest completed!

Quest info: Forge a Half-God weapon using mediocre materials.

Quest reward: Mana Sense LVMAX, Mana Manipulation LVMAX, Blacksmithing LVMAX, God Smith LV1.]

[Hidden Quest completed!

Quest info: Reach LVMAX with Mana Sense, Mana Regeneration and Mana Manipulation.

Quest reward: Title module unlocked.]

[Mana Sense, Mana Regeneration and Mana Manipulation have merged to become a new, overarching skill, Mana Merge.]

[Status:

Name: Daniel

Age: 14

Class: Magic Swordsman

Secondary Class: Sword Saint

Available Classes: Swordsman (Common), Mage (Common), Magic Swordsman (Rare), Thief (Uncommon), Grand Mage (Rare), Sword Saint (Unique+), Arch Mage (Legendary), Magic Blacksmith (Legendary)

Title: Loved by Mana (Legendary)

Level: 102

HP: 652/652

MP: 1550/1550 -> 2050/2050

STR: 162

VIT: 164

AGI: 170

DEX: 179

INT: 136 -> 186

Skills: Bone Control LV8, Utility Magic LVMAX, Saint Sword LV3, Dismantling LV6, Tanning LV6, Tailoring LV7, Dagger Arts LVMAX, Necromancy LVMAX, Fire Magic LV9, Ice Magic LV6, Water Magic LV5, God Smith LV1, Mana Merge LV1

Inventory: 3 x Health Potions (Rare), Flammable Bones (Uncommon), Bench Press (Uncommon), Squat Rack (Uncommon), 71 x LV30 Skeleton Warriors (Rare), 75 x LV80 King's Guard Skeletons (Unique+), 25 x LV80 Refined King's Guard Skeletons (Legendary), Many litres of Holy Spring Water (Rare), 50 x LV90 Elder Lich (Unique), Mithril Longsword (Unique)

Equipment: Dragonsbane (Half-God), Orichalcum Dagger (Rare), Purple Death Cuirass (Unique+), Purple Death Leggings (Unique+), Purple Death Boots (Unique+), Purple Death Gauntlets (Unique+), Purple Death Pauldrons (Unique+), Purple Death Helmet (Unique+), Tri-Horned Tiger Cape (Uncommon)]