Author’s corner: HELLO HELLO! Some cool arrows and a bit more bandit-teasing!

ANYWAY, sorry for not having updated yesterday, a relative of mine died and I really wasn’t in the condition to write a comedy, but I’m alright now. And if someone posts something of the like: “Get better!” “It’s alright!” I will make Cygnas pay dearly with some really embarrassing scene, so you are warned.

ALSO, I want to ask if someone actually read some of the old works I linked back in chapter 18, and if they have something to say about them. If not, no problem and I won’t get mad at you guys, after all, this is some shameful self-advertising.

ALSO(2), if someone have any complaints about the “Smelting” in this chapter, I blame magic, gameplay mechanics and author’s right.

ALSO(3), I agree guys, Wargon is an idiot.

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Why? Oh Cygnas, why? Why would you do this to me?

My plan! My beautiful, colorful plan! Lost! Gone forever!

I had so many ideas! So many fun things to do, yet you go and do this to me? How could you?

Why, of all my ridiculous idea up to now, did this one had to fail at such a time?

Why, can’t I smelt the crystals? All that I wanted was for me to mold then into arrowheads that would damage my enemies then explode from within! Nothing too powerful!

I sat back at the nearby bench and took my time to think. I tried throwing the crystal whole, broken and grinded at the furnace, but no matter how hot it got, it wouldn’t smelt. They were strangely resistant to heat for something so brittle.

Taking the last batch of broken crystal from the furnace, I recombined them into whole crystals and tried to thing what I could do next. It seemed that smelting them was out of question, then, is there another way through which I could shape them into arrowheads?

The thought about carving the crystals into shape, but I immediately threw away that idea, as the crystals needs to be whole for the effect to happen. Then, maybe alchemy could do something about it? The idea seemed interesting to me, but I somehow felt that it wouldn’t work. At least with the beginner’s alchemy. Besides, I doubt I would find a trainer in the middle of the night.

So, two options out. Then, what should I do with it? Maybe something related to crystal tinkering? That could be possible, but the lack of a teacher is really restraining.

I sighed loudly while looking at the furnace. I already had heated it up by now, so simply turning it out by now would be a waste. I took my time to smelt the iron ores I had.

I watched as the molten metal slowly dripped into the crucible, where I put upon myself the task of taking away the impurities floating on the thick, liquid iron.

Somehow it reminded me of a soup, with many ingredients floating around…

Hmm…

I think I might just have a good idea for a change…

Opening my blacksmithing menu, I found there the recipe for an arrowhead. It was around four arrowheads per ingot. Making a quick calculation on my mind, I decided to put myself to work.

I took enough water and order crystals to make four freezing-bomb, grinded it to a dust and put it into the ingot mold, filling it to almost half the amount. Afterwards, I slowly poured the molten iron into the molds until it was full to the brim. Without waiting any time, I stirred the dense metal using an iron rod to mix the dust in the iron, then I let it cool down.

I’m no expert at blacksmithing or things of the like, but when the ingot had a slightly bluish appearance and was ever so slightly see-through, I kind of knew I had been successful.

Tetracrystal-iron Alloy ingot.

(75% Water, 25% order) A metal ingot made by mixing elemental crystal and iron ore together. More brittle than the usual iron ingot, keeps the property of the elemental crystals.

For finding a smelting process for elemental crystal, you have earned the Crafting sub-skill: Smelt crystal Sub-Skill: Smelt crystal [lvl 3]

(level increase with Crystal Tinkerer) Allows you to use the system for a faster smelting process for Crystal-metal alloys.(requires proximity with a forge)

Use of better Crystals or metal increases the effect of the activation.

Jackpot!

Can I laugh maniacally now? I guess I can…

MUAHAHAHAHAHAHHA!

Ok, now that it’s out of my system, I put myself to smelt some other combinations. Not that there were much since I had a slight lack of crystals right now, but who cares?

While the iron was smelting I was using the system to transform the ingots into arrowheads. I COULD do it normally, but I had a severe case of anxiousness right now, so I simply slammed them three times with the hammer and then the ingot would transform.

In the end, I had four freezing arrow, four fire arrows, eight poison arrows(these are made with ½ earth, ¼ darkness and ¼ chaos). I didn’t have enough light for the flash-bombs, so I would have to go with the classical ones for now.

I withdrew some arrows from the inventory and forcefully removed their iron arrowhead and replaced with my crystal ones. Much to my surprise, these counted as items, so I could store them into the inventory.

On the way back, while skipping and jumping in excitement like a little kid, I noticed some of the thugs from before were still lying on the ground, exhausted.

I really should have learnt my lesson when I kicked the hornet’s nest earlier. But alas! I am an idiot!

I somehow dragged all of them together while completely ignoring their curses towards me. Putting all of them into one side of the street, I put the last water crystal I had on the other side.

“Okay, guys. This crystal here can create refreshing water if you use it. However it’s only enough for one of you, so… Good luck!”

They looked at each other in shock, then their eyes turned into hostility as they started to drag themselves towards the crystal. However, they were so exhausted that they barely moved a couple of centimeters at a time, so it would take a few minutes for them to reach the crystal.

There were even some who were pitifully kicking their “friends” in an attempt to stall them. I left the scene with a wide smile in my face while walking to the elevator. Friendship is so beautiful!

Wait, did I warn them that the water comes into the form of a painful and pressurized water ball?

As soon as I thought that, I heard a cry full of pain coming from back there.

Well… Seems like I forgot about it. Oh well… Not my fault!

What can I say? I’m an evil person.

Back to the field, I took one of my new freezing arrows from my inventory and aimed it at an innocent hopping rabbit. I activated the arrow with a delayed activation modifier and shot it.

-14 (28/42)

Ooh! Damage! A bit lower than the raw iron one, thought… As soon as that thought passed on my head, ice encased the rabbit in a flash. I smiled happily as I saw that. The effect area was the same as the leather ball one, but it came from within!

These things are going to be so op!

Evil laughter ensues.

While thinking this, I decided to go on a mining and bowing spree at the field. But before I could do that.

I logged out.

Why? Because it was around ten o clock in the real world and I haven’t eaten anything since around nine o’ clock yesterday night.

Deciding to do an early lunch today, I threw a frozen meal in the microwave and set it to fifteen minutes, then I went to the bathroom and took a shower and still had a few minutes before the microwave beeped. I checked my computer before and during lunch, then I hopped back into the D-lute.

Old login screen, yadda yadda, and…

“So, how do I look now?”

Cygnas… had been fooling around again with the character creation. This time she had made a combination of a Garuda with a celestial, granting her large white wings and a pale golden hair she had cut short this time. For clothes, she was wearing an exquisite

golden armor with a long silver spear in her hands.

She probably had inspired herself in Valkyries or guardian angels, and I would give her a ten out of ten. But where is the fun in that?

“Too generic, try again!”

“Eeh! But… But… I tried so hard!” She started pouting once again but I simply shrugged it off. She sighed loudly. “You… Good… fox… mean…. To me?” She mumbled something, but I could only hear a few words. I raised my eyebrows questioningly, but she stuck her tongue out and looked away.

“So, what happened with those guys I left at the forging sector?” I asked changing the subject, she sighed loudly once again.

“That elemental you fought took them out of the sector, and they now are going back to their headquarters of sorts...” She said with a wry smile.

“Plotting on how to get revenge on me?”

“Yup… You really should let them cool their heads, you know?” I gave my best smile after her suggestion, but she simply shook her head with a wry smile before sending me off.

And now, back to my hunting spree!

I took my time to test the other two arrows. The fire arrow set the bunny ablaze for a couple of seconds, dealing an extra 5 damage twice over five seconds, not much but not bad. The poison arrows, on the other hand, were surprisingly brutal.

They dealt two damage every five seconds, during a whole two minutes! A total of forty eight damage! When I first tested it with Yuu, the damage was much lower, being one damage every ten seconds. Is it because the poison is generated inside the body?

I started to run around the mountain while collecting iron ores and hunting rabbits like a maniac, then I would go back to the city, create new kinds of arrows and go back to hunting. I repeated this for a long time, and the results were… Satisfying, to say the least.

For shooting the arrows with your bow pulled to the extreme maximum, bestowing your arrows with penetrative power, you have earned the Bow mastery sub-skill: Piercing Shot Sub-Skill: Piercing Shot [lvl 3]

(level increase with Bow Mastery) Shoot an arrow with so much power that it pierces through your enemies and ignores some armor.

DMG: 170% Armor penetration: 10%

Piercing power: 1 Costs: 25 energy. Cooldown: 30 seconds.

(1 Arrow)

Yeah, this quickly became one of my favorite skills, as the shot would pierce the first enemy and hit the one behind for the same damage. Once my bow mastery got to level 5, it became able to pierce TWO enemies!

To get this one, I had to pull my bowstring to the maximum the bow could hold. But I almost broke it twice while trying, because if I pull too much it loses one durability.

For shooting the arrows with extreme speed, you have earned the Bow mastery sub-skill: Quick shots Sub-Skill: Quick shots [lvl 4]

(level increase with Bow Mastery) Lock on the different targets with your vision, then shoot quickly with your bow, hitting all the targets.

The same target can be locked multiple times.

DMG: 55% Maximum targets: 4 Costs: 10 energy per target. Cooldown: 20 seconds.

(1 arrow per shot)

Self explanatory. Earned when I started to use power shot immediately after a normal shot, making two arrows go almost instantly.

But by far, my favorite skill was one I earned when I spent almost five minutes waiting for a rabbit to stop running while my bow was fully strung.

For keeping your patience while taking aim for your shot, you have earned the Bow mastery sub-skill: Snipe Sub-Skill: Snipe[lvl 4]

(level increase with Bow Mastery) Standing still with your bow fully drawn helps you to focus your arrow with more precision and power than ever.

Max Bonus dmg: 50%. Max bonus accuracy: 30% Max bonus waiting time: 15 seconds. Passive.

The longer I stood still with my bow drawn, the more damage I did. Not very useful when soloing the middle of a battle, but there was a small not very explained bonus to this. This skill combed with any of the other active skills.

And boy, was it brutal combining this with piercing shot. Sadly, only the first of the quick shots would receive the buff.

Now, to the arrowheads combination… Flash-bomb arrow didn’t work all that well as I expected, and the reason was very, very simple. Since the arrow would pierce the skin, a flash explosion happening in an enclosed area isn’t all that blinding.

But there was one discovery that really took my attention.

Wind arrow. Simple pure wind.

At first, I shot at the rabbit. After a moment, the arrow activated and the rabbit was flung backwards. Kind of boring, but I did try something different afterwards. Setting the time to be shorter and activate in mid-air, I shot another arrow at a fairly far away rabbit.

The arrow activated as soon as it reached the peak of its arc suddenly receiving a huge acceleration as wind began to circle it. From there on it went straight completely ignoring the gravity.

I missed the rabbit badly, but I couldn’t care less when I saw how far the arrow traveled, hitting rock almost three hundred meters away burying it’s tip on the stone.

There was also the explosive arrow, the one made of fire and wind, which applied a concussion within the body, stunning for three seconds whoever it hits.

There was also another thing I noticed about the special arrows, and that is they actually are affected by the skill I use when I select them. For example, the arrows shot with quick shots have their effects reduced, piercing shot affect the one that was last hit by the arrow, even if it pierces through them, and power shot makes the effect also receive a slight AoE effect, but it’s pretty much negligible.

By the time I had finished all my tests and took back the iron arrows laying around, It was almost the middle of the day, so I made my way back to the city. But not before passing on a certain information booth where a clockwork was working.

“Oh. Gondorrer. Greetings. How can I help?” Said Rusty in a clear good mood.

“You know what I came here for, Rusty!” I said with a teasing smile, his pipes chimed loudly, but a smile appeared in his face. “So, how was your date with Nova?” His pipes chimed once again, but he still had a great smile plastered.

“Date. Amazing. Wonderful dinner. Afterwards. We went to the theater. The legend of the last hero. Great piece. Recommendation. Nova. Even more amazing. Smile. Invaluable. Most beautiful girl. Ever.” He was all smiles while telling me that, and I nodded in satisfaction.

“So… Are you two going out now or what?” An organ orchestra sounded on the room, but the Clockwork nodded slightly, making me laugh loudly. “Good! I knew you two were perfect! Now, after your work, you are going to the library and wait for her before escorting her home, you hear me? Never hurts to be a gentleman…. Or gentlework… Or a gentlegolem… You get what I’m saying!” The clockwork nodded avidly, then I turned a bit more serious as I had a question to make. “Say Rusty, do you know something about Crystal tinkering?” The clockwork quickly regain his composure as he had a job to do.

“Crystal Tinkering. Term is familiar. However. Lack of information.” He stopped to think for a moment. “Relation to Constructs. Sure of this. Nova might know more.”

“I see… Then I’ll see her tomorrow. Wouldn’t want to interrupt your second date…” Another organ orchestra while I made my way back.

You have earned a title helping two person to find their soulmates:

Match-maker

You can only have one title equipped at a time.

Since you have a title equipped, you will need to go to a cathedral to change your title Match-maker: Increases affinity with NPCs faster and they are more prone to tell you their love problems.

….

Ok. Not complaining. More titles is a good thing, I guess…

Does this mean they really were meant to each other? This makes me happy. Won’t stop teasing them, though.

I made my way to the Silver Gauntlet in a happy mood. On the way I ate another iron ore, although it tastes good, I’m starting to get a bit bored of it. Need to find a different ore soon.

Once I reached the Gauntlet, it was still the same happy place as before with people drinking, musicians playing, adventurers gathering and even had a trouble-maker flying.

Stepping aside to let the flying man pass through the door unimpeded, I walk in again and look around the place, searching for one of my teammates. I found El sitting in a table at the corner of the room, there were a couple of strong looking guys trying to flirt with her, but they would have an easier time trying to seduce a glacier.

I pulled one of the chairs in the table and sat there. The guys kept trying to get her attention completely ignoring me. I simply shrugged it off.

“So, where is Arcus?” I asked. Much to my surprise, not only did the two man jump in surprise, even El widened her eyes for a moment. Come one, I can’t be that imperceptible, right?

“How…” She started, but shook her head. “Never mind. Arcus still haven’t shown up, but there is still a couple of hours for the agreed time.” The two men blinked in surprise at hearing her voice for the first time.

“Wow… Quite meticulous, aren’t you?” She shrugged. “So… Any information about the job?” She looked at me curious, but then nodded.

“Yes, the group is called Red Banners. They were just a small group that stood near the road to Aria village. However, since two days ago they suddenly received a fairly large amount of new recruits and became more active. Too active for their own good.” Her voice was cold like always, but she seemed angry.

“Then… Our job is to clear them?” She nodded. So, us three against a few dozen bandits? Fair enough.

“Then, I hope you don’t mind me asking, but how exactly will you fight.” I blinked in surprise at her sudden question. “You said that your level is only eight. Even if you somehow managed to defeat those lynxes, I still have my doubts if you will be able to do well in the upcoming fight.” WAAH! SHE JUST CALLED ME DUBIOUS AND WORTHLESS! Well… can’t blame her, I do have a pretty low level.

“No need to worry. I’ve been training with bows all night long, so I will probably spend my time covering for you two from behind.” I said filling my chest with pride, but she still looked a bit suspicious.

“And how do you plan on supporting us? I don’t think a simple bow and arrow can make up for the difference in strength.” She raised her eyebrows in question. I put on my best mysterious smile.

“I have quite a few tricks in my sleeves, you know?” She looked confused for a moment, but shrugged It off.

After that we stood in silence, a waitress came to offer us a drink, I refused, but El asked for a bit of wine. The two guys, seeing that our talk was over tried once again to gather her attention, I took my time to write a bit more.

One or two hours passes by, the guys trying to small talk with El give up and are exchanged with others, who met the same fate, and finally, Arcus arrived with the serpent still hanging around his neck, he pulls a chair just like me and sit down.

“Hey guys! So, how’s the job?” He asked cheerfully, however it took some time before El answered him, as she seemed to be in a daze for a moment.

“We… were just waiting you.” She said after quickly clearing her throat and looking away. Arcus looked quickly at me a bit confused, but I was as lost as he was. “Then, let us depart.” She said while hitting the table and lifting in one swift motion, surprising the two men who were trying to talk to her at this time.

I raised myself easily while Arcus grumbled that he had just gotten there and wanted to simply sit still for some moment, but he was easily convinced when Whisi, is that it’s name? tightened her grasp on his neck and started to fly, forcefully pulling him up while strangling him. So, he is the responsible one of the duo, it seems.

However, before we got out of the guild, we see the old man that registered us standing in front of the door.

Except…

Remember his ragged cloth he had been wearing? Well… It’s gone. Now…

A full-plate dark silver armor lined with shining white lines that spread from a white gem embed right in the middle of the chest plate. in his left hand was a huge white tower-shield with a black cross in its middle, it was so big that could easily cover him from the feet up to his shoulder without crouching, on the right hand was the helmet, with a fairly simple rounded shape with a metal wing on each temple. The sword hanging on his waist was easily a longsword, and the scabbard was donned with gold and yellow jewels.

He looked badass. Me and Arcus literally had our jaws dropped at the looks of the old man, who grinned at our reaction. El was a bit more boring as she simply widened her eyes for a brief moment.

“What? You really thought I would let the younglings go alone in such a mission?” He said with a loud laughter. “This Goulder Whitemantle wouldn’t let such a thing happen!”

“Goulder whitemantle?” El asked slightly surprised.

“Shia? Sha?” The serpent also was shocked.

“Who?” Asked Arcus.

For a moment, the other two looked at him in surprise, then the serpent once again started to strangulate him.

“Shia-sha-sha shalalala-shiii sha-ha-sha!” The serpent hissed in an angry tone, and as he did that, Arcus eyes started to widen. “Shiii-sha-shia Sha-la-ha-la sha! Shiii-shasha shalasha!”

“WHAT? HE IS THE LEADER OF THE SILVER GAUNTLET?” He asked surprised.

Oi, you understood that?

I looked at the scene in amusement, then I look at El and notice that she is also staring at the scene… Rather… She is staring right at…

It… Couldn’t be, right? I mean… What are the chances?

I approach the idiot duo who were still discussing. Or rather, the flying serpent was giving a lesson to the kneeled down half-beastman while pointing at him with its tail.

“Excuse-me.” I said while gently holding the serpent’s neck. I think it is its neck, at least. Whisi looked at me confused for a second, but didn’t really seem bothered by it. I took him and approached El, almost shoving the serpent at her, and said. “Here, take it.”

She looked confused for a moment, but her body moved before she could understand what was happening and hugged gently the serpent. She blinked in surprise for a moment, then started to gently pet Whisi with a small smile in her face, her ears twitching slightly. The serpent also seemed to be pleased, as it started to purr gently.

“That was… Unexpected.” I said. The results clearly surpassed my expectations.

“I did not see that coming…” Said Arcus as he stood up besides me.

“Yeah. I never thought she could make such a cute face…” I gave my honest opinion, to which Arcus also nodded.

It seemed that she finally noticed her situation, as she widened her eyes and let go of Whisi while blushing slightly. The serpent, however, had other ideas, as it had already coiled around her waist and was now asking for a bit more by gently nudging against her neck. In the end the serpent won as El started to pet her again while holding back a smile.

Goulder laughed loudly once again then mentioned for us to follow him. We took one of the elevators before heading to the main elevator. In the way he talked to us.

“Well. I do know that the mission I sent you guys on is a bit dangerous, that’s why I’ll also go with you in case something bad happens, but besides that, I won’t be helping you, ok?”

Arcus nodded distracted. El… Was lost in her own world while hugging Whisi. For me…

QUEST:

Admission test Goulder Whitemantle have given you, Elraira and Arcus a job to test your habilities. Clear the bandits camp with your companions and receive your reward. Rewards:

Talk to Goulder

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Cyg's corner: WAIT! WHY WOULD I HAVE TO PAY? I HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS!

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Author's corner: My story, my rules!

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Cyg's corner: FUEEE! That's unfair!