Chapter 232: The Walking Forge


    Oh? nah said, seeing Derek lean forward, turning all of his attention onto the current auction. I dont think Ive ever seen you quite so anxious.


    You wouldnt understand, Derek replied. Im a ive user by trade, but dont have a ive that can withstand my skills. Every fight I get into its like Im fighting with one hand behind my back. This is what I wanted the auction for.


    Well, it was one of your first conditions in your contract. Its no wonder you would be so anxious, nah said. So youre saying youve been fighting basically crippled without your weapon?


    Not crippled, just not at full power, he answered.


    I see. With that, nah pulled out a red crystal from her storage. When Derek looked at her in confusion, she said, So Ste can know if the offer is good enough. Another reason Im in your booth instead of my own.


    And here I thought I was special. Derek chuckled as he turned his attention back to Ste and the auction.


    Must the weapon be a ive? One bidder asked.


    nah looked at Derek for his confirmation.


    ives first, but if there are none, or none of good enough quality, I could settle on a very good halberd. But the halberd would have to be exceptional. I much prefer the de on a ive to the axe on a halberd. Though, I understand a halberd is most likely moremon for some reason that Ive never been able to get my head around.


    nah nodded at Derek and poured mana into hermunication crystal. On the stage, Ste flicked her wrist and an identical crystal appeared in her hand. She closed her eyes for a moment before continuing.


    I have been informed that the ive with take priority, but if there arent any of high enough quality, we can ept an exceptional halberd in its stead. Ste informed the crowd. If you have a weapon that you are willing to part with for this extraordinary opportunity to gain stats, please rise and form a line in front of the stage. We will examine the goods then.


    Derek watched with anticipation as a handful of people rose from their seats. After a few minutes, a line of seven individuals formed in front of the auction stage. Derek clinched his fists as Ste stepped forward.


    City Lord Savannah. She announced. If you would be so kind as to help us with the examination.


    The door to Natalies private booth opened up and the petite woman walked out, back to the stage. Soon, she was standing next to Ste in front of the bidders.


    The first person, a dwarf with a full beard and long salt and pepper hair tied in a bun, stepped forward. nah leaned closer to Derek and began telling him about the bidder.


    That is Mr. Gregory. He is a prominent smith in the capital. Though he is one of the best smiths around, I am afraid the weapons he makes are more standard, as he is one of the smiths who outfit the army. He doesnt take many custom requests, so I do not know if he will have anything worthy of you.


    I guess were about to find out, Derek said.


    Soon, the dwarven smith presented Natalie with two halberds, both identical. I do not have any custom halberds or ives, but these two halberds are sturdy and durable. I am willing to offer both of them for the Void Beast meal.


    Natalie took the two halberds, one in each hand, then, as she examined them, a white glow covered both of her eyes. Finally, the glow faded, and she shook her head. I am sorry. I cannot deem either or both of these weapons worthy of this item. She handed the weapons back to the smith.


    Mr. Gregory bowed his head. Thank you for your consideration. Then, turned and walked back to his table.


    The next person in line was someone Derek was very familiar with. It was Prince Edgar. Hede out of his fathers private booth when the announcement was made. Surprisingly, when he presented his weapon, it was actually a ive.


    Natalie examined the weapon, then whispered something in Stes ear. Soon, nahsmunication crystal activated, and she ryed the message to Derek.


    Natalie said that she wouldnt even consider the weapon if not for it being a ive. nah exined. She said it would make for a great weapon for those level 190 or lower, but she does not believe it to be able to endure your void affinity for long.


    Derek thought about her words. Really, he didnt even need some super high quality ive, just one that could hold up to his affinity and enemies without breaking. Unfortunately, this did not seem to be the one. He shook his head and nah ryed her message.


    Thank you for the offering, Prince Edgar, but unfortunately, this ive does not meet the minimum requirements, Ste said.


    Edgar took the ive back and shrugged with a smile. It was worth a shot. He moved away, back to his booth.


    After Edgar left, two people left the line as well. They must have known that their offerings werentparable to the ive Edgar had presented, so they chose to not waste everybodys time.


    As the presentation went on, Derek got a sinking sensation in his gut. <em>Im still not going to be able to get a new weapon, am I? </em>He looked over at nah with a frown.


    Be patient. This is only the beginning, sheforted.


    As the final bidder was dismissed, Natalie went back to her private booth and Ste stepped forward once more.


    As no ive or halberd of high enough quality has been presented, we will move on to our other option. This option is specifically for the cksmiths who have gathered here today. We are willing to part with this meal for a contract with a smith to create a quality ive. As for the smiths here who can create such a quality ive, Im sure you know who you are, she exined.


    There are two, nah said.


    Two? Derek asked.


    Yes, two smiths who I believe have the skills to create a ive good enough to be considered by you. One is that Dwarven smith from before, Barsic Gregory, his focus is on quantity for the Kingdom, but if he epts the custom request, I believe he could make something to your standards, she exined.


    And the other? Derek asked.


    The other is tricky. She pointed at a specific table.


    There, a burly giant of a man with pale, scarred skin, sat alone. Without seeing him stand, Derek couldnt be sure, but he would put him at seven feet tall, at least. His rugged face sported dark ck stubble, and his ck hair was shaved almost bald. He looked rather worn down. His ck iriss stared at the Void Beast meal as he had a contemtive look on his face.


    How is he tricky? Derek asked.


    Well, when I first thought of a smith to make you a weapon, it was him who came across my mind. If you canmission him to make a weapon, you are guaranteed to have something of the highest quality. He is the best smith in the Kingdom, after all. His is The Walking Forge Tyron cksteel. nah exined.


    Oh, he even has a nickname like that? Whats so special about him? Derek asked.


    Well, he is a smith who fights.


    What do you mean?


    From what I can gather, his ss is both abat and crafting ss. He doesnt rely on anyone else for materials. He has no problem going out and getting them himself. He is one hundred percent self-sufficient.


    Sounds like a hell of a guy. Derekmented.


    Indeed.


    Still, why is it tricky to get him to do it?


    That would be because of the new raid dungeon that recently appeared. He has decided to join in as the cksmith on the mission. He cant pass up the opportunity to obtain materials from such a dungeon.


    I see Derek said. So he will be away and not able to create the weapon any time soon.


    Precisely.


    Derek sighed and watched as Mr. Gregory stood back up from his seat.


    I am willing to sign such a contract. I can guarantee a quality weapon within two months. It will, of course, take me some time to gather the proper material. The smith announced.


    Thank you for your offer, Mr. Gregory. We will take it into consideration, Ste said. Now, is there anyone else who would like to make an offer? As she said thest sentence, her eyesnded on Mr. cksteel. What about you, Mr. cksteel? Im sure you have the ability.


    Soon, the giant man stood from his seat. Derek was correct, he was at least seven feet tall. With a deep voice, he said, Of course, I would love to make such a contract. However, I do not believe I have the time to do so. As Mr. Gregory has said, it would take time to gather such materials, time that he looked around. Due to certain circumstances, I will not have. It would most likely be a few years before I am able toplete the contract.


    Ste nodded at the man. That is unfortunate.


    Unfortunate indeed. Mr. Gregory said with a big smile. Does that mean I may have the honor of this contract? he asked with greed in his eyes.


    However. Smith cksteel continued. I would like to make an offer, nheless. The giant walked to the stage and presented Ste with a grand halberd. It was at least eight feet long and thick very thick. The smiths hands fit around it perfectly, like it was made for him. This is a halberd I once made for myself when I was but level 220. I do not believe it to be worth the Void Beast meal, so I did not present it earlier.


    I see, Ste said. If you do not believe it worth the meal, then


    I offer this halberd, plus a contract, the man exined. The halberd with be a down payment, and when I be avable once again, I will create a ive to the best of my capabilities. What say you?


    nah gave Derek a questioning look. Mr. Gregory or Mr. cksteel? Its your choice.


    Derek chuckled. Isnt it obvious?


    To me? It is. nah smiled back. Mr. cksteel?


    Mr. cksteel, Derek nodded.