Chapter 177 Selura's Shock
Selura's reaction was a mix of outrage and desperation, and honestly, it was almost funny. The cool, collected artisan was gone, replaced by a frantic merchant trying to sell her stuff. Eric almost felt bad for her.
Blaze Comet, uniquely and famously crafted by Selura, was a weapon long coveted by Swordsman players of the highest echelon.
In his past life, any Swordsman who knew about Selura had come knocking, desperate to get their hands on a Blaze Comet. Some even offered their entire fortunes. Eric himself, even after becoming the Sword King, had spent months trying to win over the moody blacksmith before finally getting his prize.
He'd gotten what he wanted, but that didn't mean he couldn't milk the situation a bit. He pretended to hesitate, letting Selura sweat it out. He knew she couldn't stand the idea of that old geezer Prometheus getting the Stellar Ember. The bragging rights alone would drive her nuts.
"Let's be clear," Selura said, her voice almost pleading. "I'm the best blacksmith in all of Silvervale City. My creations are unmatched. And I'm feeling generous. This Stellar Ember... it speaks to me. I can feel its potential. Trust me, with my skills and your... contribution, we can create a Blaze Comet that every Swordsman will envy. Come on, I'll show you what I can do."
She practically dragged Eric into her shop, her earlier aloofness gone.
The inside was a total contrast to the shop's rundown exterior. The walls were lined with display cases made of polished wood and gleaming crystal, each holding a weapon of incredible craftsmanship.
These weren't just any blades. Each one radiated power, their Adamantite or higher quality obvious even to a newbie. They were masterpieces, their stats way better than standard weapons of the same tier.
"See that greatsword?" Selura asked, pride in her voice. "The one at the very top? That's an Epic-level weapon, made with my own two hands."
She wasn't kidding. The greatsword, with its deep crimson blade, pulsed with an energy that gave Eric chills. It was way more powerful than Mephisto's Guardian Shield, a testament to Selura's skill. It was her magnum opus, the only Epic-level item she'd ever made.
Selura's reputation as a prodigy came from that very sword. She'd made it by accident, a fluke that had made her a legend. Forging an Epic-level item was no small feat. The success rate was ridiculously low, a challenge even for Grandmaster blacksmiths. Selura had done the impossible, but she couldn't do it again. She was stuck on the edge of Grandmaster status.
This frustration, this burning desire to surpass her limits, had driven her to seclusion, to the relative anonymity of the Free Zone. Here, she could focus on her craft without distractions, her forge her only companion.
"I am the best there is," Selura declared, her eyes blazing with intensity. "Those old geezers in their ivory towers... they're no match for me. Not anymore. With this Stellar Ember... with your help... I can finally break through. I can reach new heights!"
Her gaze fell on the Stellar Ember, still in Eric's hand. Her voice softened, almost conspiratorial. "Lord Wiseman sent you to me for a reason. Fate brought us together. Let me help you. Let me create a weapon worthy of your destiny."
Eric smiled, his earlier hesitation replaced by genuine amusement. He placed the Stellar Ember in her outstretched hand. "I believe I can trust you with this, Master Selura."
Selura snatched the crystal, her eyes lighting up with childlike glee. She turned to rush back to her forge, eager to start, but Eric stopped her. "Hold on a second, Master Selura."
She paused, frowning. "Don't tell me you've changed your mind?"
"Not at all," Eric chuckled. "I just thought I'd sweeten the deal." He reached into his bag again, pulling out a piece of Runeforged Steel, a rare material awarded to him by the System. It was said to increase forging success rates and enhance the final product's attributes.
Selura's eyes went wide when she saw the metal. She snatched it from Eric's hand, her fingers tracing the intricate patterns. She looked up at him, eyes sparkling with a mix of awe and greed. "You've got more treasures hidden away, don't you?" she asked, licking her lips. "Show me."
"One more, for now," Eric said, enjoying her eagerness. He pulled out the Book of Forging, holding it up.
Selura gasped, staring at the book like it was a divine artifact. "The... the Book of Forging," she stammered, barely whispering. "Written by the Divine Craftsman himself... how... how did you get your hands on this?"
"A story for another time, Master Selura," Eric said, his smile widening. "For now, think of it as a loan. A temporary addition to your already impressive workshop. Use it wisely. Make something truly extraordinary."
"You... you would trust me with such a treasure?" Selura asked, her voice trembling with disbelief and excitement. She reached out, her hands hovering over the book like she was afraid to touch it.
"Indeed," Eric confirmed, placing the book in her trembling hands. "I have a feeling it's in good hands."
Selura let out a delighted shriek, clutching the book to her chest like it was a long-lost child. She then rushed towards her forge, her earlier hesitation forgotten. "Wait here!" she called over her shoulder. "I won't disappoint you!"
Eric chuckled, shaking his head at her enthusiasm. He settled down on a nearby stool, content to wait. Forging, even with Selura's amazing talent and the help of the Book of Forging, was a time-consuming process.
He pulled out his notebook, his mind returning to the task at hand – crafting the ultimate guide to Silvervale City. He had a lot of ground to cover, and time was ticking.
Hours flew by. Outside, the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the bustling city. Inside Selura's workshop, the forge roared, its flames reflecting in Eric's patient eyes.
Meanwhile, on the outskirts of Silvervale City, the small towns were buzzing with activity. Players, their eyes gleaming with ambition, traded Whetstones of Precision and prepped to venture into the Wilderness, eager to hit the new leveling hotspots.
"Isabella," Scarlet said, her voice tight with frustration as she sliced through another Shadow Werewolf, "this is getting ridiculous. There are too many players here. Our leveling speed has tanked. We should move to Shadowveil Valley."
She glanced at Isabella, looking for confirmation. They'd picked this Level 10 area for its peace and quiet. But Eric's revelation had drawn players like moths to a flame. What was once a secluded hunting ground was now swarming with adventurers, all fighting for the same limited pool of experience.
Shadowveil Valley, a Level 11-14 zone, was more dangerous, but it also offered better rewards. And with their current gear, they could handle the increased challenge. Plus, Shadowveil Valley was only a thirty-minute trek from their current spot, even less with a Speed Scroll.
Isabella surveyed their surroundings, her brow furrowed. Scarlet was right. The increased competition was killing their progress. Most of the newcomers were elite players from big guilds, skilled at maximizing their efficiency and grabbing every available monster. Their own kill rate had been cut in half, if not more. At this rate, it would take them hours to gain even a single level.
"Alright," Isabella said, glancing at her weapon's durability meter. It was down to nine points. Her Mithril-grade blade could handle another hour of intense combat, maybe a little more, before needing repairs. "Let's finish gathering the new Whetstones of Precision, then we'll move."
Just then, Isabella's communicator chimed. She was about to silence it, thinking it was another guildmate asking for an update, but a smile spread across her face when she saw the caller ID.
It was Eric.
She'd tried contacting him after he'd entered Silvervale City, but his communicator had been offline. She'd left a message, hoping he'd get it eventually. It seemed he had.
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