章節 43: Chapter 43: Weapon Selection
Elan woke up abruptly to the sound of a panic alarm ringing inside his head, instantly alert and disoriented. The alarm blared like a siren, jolting him from his sleep and sending a rush of adrenaline through his veins. "What's going on?" he exclaimed, his voice filled with urgency.
Springing to his feet, Elan's eyes darted around, searching for any signs of danger or disturbance. The dim pre-dawn light made it difficult to see clearly, adding to his initial confusion. As his senses sharpened, he recalled his instruction to Arion to wake him up early. Instead of the gentle voice he had anticipated, Arion had chosen to use a loud panic alarm, catching Elan off guard.
"What the hell! Why did you wake me up like that? I almost had a heart attack," he muttered, trying to steady his racing heart.
Arion's voice came through, tinged with a hint of amusement, "I wanted to make sure you were fully awake, I thought this method would be effective."
Elan groaned. "Well, it worked. I'm definitely awake now," he said, shaking his head with a smile. "But if you're going to wake me up like that, I might as well not ask you to do it again. I don't want to die of a heart attack."
Arion chuckled. "My bad, my bad. It won't happen again."
Elan sighed, shaking his head. There wasn't much he could do now. "Alright, let's just get back. They're probably wondering where I am by now."
He quickly gathered the carved wooden molds for the weapons and carefully stored them in his storage ring, ensuring they were secure. With everything in place, he jogged back to the hut.
As he approached the hut, Elan noticed most of his clansmen already gathered outside. A few of them spotted him jogging up, relief and concern evident on their faces. "Elan! Where were you yesterday? We were waiting for you, but you never showed up," one of them called out, their voice tinged with worry.
Elan scratched his head, feeling a bit embarrassed. He had completely lost track of time the previous day, engrossed in carving the weapon molds. "Sorry about that, everyone. I got so caught up in my work that I completely lost track of time," he admitted, hoping they would understand.
Hearing the commotion, Elan's father, Daren, approached with a curious expression. "Work? What work, son?" Daren inquired, his interest piqued by the sudden buzz around his son.
Elan grinned, keeping a bit of mystery in his tone. "I'll explain everything later. I promise you'll all be excited about what I have to show you," he said, eager to reveal the results of his efforts.
He couldn't wait to see the reactions of his father and the rest of the clansmen when they saw the weapons he had meticulously crafted. But first, there were more immediate needs to address.
"But first, I need to take a bath and grab something to eat. I'm covered in dust and starving," Elan said, glancing down at his clothes and skin, which were grimy from the previous day's work.
Daren chuckled, a knowing smile playing on his lips. "Alright, we'll wait for you. Just call us when you're done with your bath and breakfast," he responded, clearly amused by Elan's enthusiasm.
Elan nodded appreciatively, waving goodbye to his father and clansmen as he made his way to the stream for a quick wash. The cool, flowing water was invigorating, washing away the fatigue and grime that clung to him. He took his time, enjoying the refreshing sensation, and felt revitalized after about twenty minutes.
Feeling much cleaner, Elan returned to the hut to change into fresh clothes. Finding the hut empty, he quickly dressed and prepared a simple breakfast of fresh fruits. He ate quickly, eager to get back to his clansmen and share his work.
About thirty minutes later, Elan returned to the gathering area, where his clansmen awaited him. As he approached, he noticed that everyone was present, their expressions filled with curiosity. The air was thick with the unspoken question of what Elan had been working on.
Elan spotted a large boulder nearby and decided it would serve as a makeshift stage. He climbed onto it, standing tall to ensure everyone could see him. The clansmen quieted down, all eyes on Elan, eager to learn what he had been so engrossed in.
As Elan stood on the boulder, he called out mentally to Arion, ensuring Arion was tuned in. 'Arion! Can you hear me?'
'Loud and clear,' Arion replied promptly.
'Great. Stay put; I'll talk to my clansmen first,' Elan thought.
'Oh, because I can totally walk away if I don't want to stay put,' Arion responded with a hint of sarcasm.
Elan chuckled at Arion's playful remark, shaking his head slightly. Turning his attention back to his gathered clansmen, he prepared to share the exciting news. "I bet you're all wondering where I was yesterday," he began, his voice strong and clear, easily carrying across the crowd.
The clansmen nodded, their eyes fixed on him, eager to hear what he had to say.
"Well, I've been busy carving weapons for all of you to choose from," Elan announced, pausing to let the information sink in.
The reaction was immediate and electric. The eyes of his clansmen lit up with excitement, and a murmur of anticipation rippled through the crowd. The prospect of having their own weapons, crafted by Elan himself, filled them with thrills and curiosity.
Unable to contain her enthusiasm, Lyra stepped forward slightly and asked, "Elan, what kinds of weapons did you carve?" Her voice was filled with eagerness, and her eyes sparkled with anticipation.
Elan glanced at Lyra and grinned, noticing the spark of excitement in her eyes. It wasn't just Lyra. Everyone was eager to own a weapon crafted by Elan. Owning a weapon crafted by Elan himself was not just about having a tool for defense or combat; it was a symbol of their newfound strength. Elan reached into his storage ring and began pulling out the meticulously carved wooden molds he had spent days crafting. He laid them out carefully on the ground in front of the boulder, arranging them so everyone could get a clear view of the different designs.
As the wooden molds were displayed, the clansmen marveled at the sight, exchanging murmurs of admiration and excitement. For many of them, this was the first time they had seen such a diverse and well-crafted collection of weapon designs, each promising to enhance their combat abilities and boost their confidence.
Seeing their reactions, Elan felt a surge of pride. He waited for the initial murmurs of excitement to die down before speaking again. "Alright, everyone, please line up next to the weapon you'd like to choose," he instructed. "This way, I can get a sense of how many of each type we need to make."
As he spoke, the clansmen moved quickly, forming lines beside their preferred weapons. There was a sense of eager anticipation in the air as each person considered the possibilities that these weapons represented.
The clansmen quickly organized themselves into lines, each person standing beside the weapon type they felt most drawn to. Elan's father, Daren, positioned himself by the spears, indicating his preference for the weapon's reach and versatility—a practical choice for both offense and defense. Elan's mother, Elara, chose a sword, drawn to its balance and elegance. Lyra, to Elan's surprise, stood by the staff. Elan hadn't anticipated anyone choosing the staff, as none of the clansmen had prior experience with such a weapon; he had included it on a whim, thinking it might appeal to someone.
Elan's best friends showed a split preference, some aligning with the swords, appreciating their precision and swiftness, while others chose the spears, valuing their ability to maintain distance while attacking. The rest of the clansmen made their selections thoughtfully, with a notable number opting for halberds. The halberd's combination of reach and striking power made it an attractive option. The larger, more physically imposing members of the clan gravitated towards the axes, appreciating the heavy, powerful feel of the weapons in their hands.
As Elan observed his clansmen, he could see the satisfaction and eagerness in their faces. Each person seemed to find a sense of identity and purpose in their chosen weapon, ready to train and defend their community.
Turning his attention inward, Elan mentally contacted Arion. 'Arion, can you show me the virtual panel with the weapon choices my clansmen made?'
Arion responded swiftly, projecting the data before Elan's eyes and providing a detailed breakdown of each clan member's selection. The virtual display showed the distribution of weapon preferences clearly:
Spear: 90
Sword: 80
Staff: 1
Axe: 15
Halberd: 71
Elan reviewed the distribution of weapon choices and felt satisfied with the variety. As expected, a significant number of clansmen had chosen spears and swords, given their versatility and ease of use in combat. The halberds also proved popular, likely due to their formidable combination of range and power. Elan was particularly intrigued by Lyra's selection of the staff, a weapon choice that hinted at her desire to master a less conventional form of combat.
'Great, remember these choices, Arion,' Elan instructed, mentally noting the numbers.
'I already did; don't worry about it,' Arion responded with confidence.
Elan smiled, reassured by Arion's efficiency. With the weapon preferences clearly recorded, he could now move forward with crafting the necessary weapons from the Skyforge Crystals. The next step in the process was to gather these crystals, which required a substantial number of baskets.
Turning to his clansmen, Elan called out, "I need everyone to bring all the baskets we have available."
The clansmen quickly dispersed, heading back to their makeshift huts to retrieve the baskets they had crafted upon their initial arrival. These baskets were well-made and constructed from durable, woven materials that they had sourced locally. Originally intended for gathering fruits and other essential supplies, these baskets now play a crucial role in transporting the Skyforge Crystals back to their settlement.
As the clansmen returned with the baskets, Elan's mother, Elara, approached him with a questioning look. "What do you need all these baskets for, Elan?" she asked, curiosity evident in her voice.
Elan smiled at his mother, appreciating her keen interest. "We'll use the baskets to carry the Skyforge Crystals back here after we mine them," he explained.
Aiden, standing nearby, overheard the conversation and couldn't contain his curiosity. "Skyforge Crystals? That sounds impressive. What exactly are they?" he asked.
Elan addressed Aiden and the rest of the gathered clansmen, explaining briefly, "Skyforge Crystals are a rare and powerful material that can be forged into exceptionally strong and durable weapons. They melt quickly and can be molded into detailed shapes, making them ideal for crafting the weapons we need."
The explanation piqued the interest of the clansmen, who murmured in excitement and anticipation. Elan continued, "Now, I need one hundred forty volunteers to help with gathering the Skyforge Crystals. The rest of you can stay back to look after the children and manage our base."
Almost everyone raised their hands, eager to be part of this important task, including his parents. However, Elan had to manage the number of volunteers, so he selected the required one hundred forty people, ensuring a good mix of strength and capability.
Elara and a few others, understanding the need for some to stay behind, volunteered to watch over the settlement and children. They nodded in understanding and stepped back, acknowledging the importance of maintaining stability at their home base while the others ventured out.
With everything in place, Elan prepared to lead the expedition to mine the Skyforge Crystals, feeling a renewed sense of purpose and anticipation for the tasks ahead.
每周推薦票狀態
-- 推薦票
榜單 
-- 推薦票