[Smithing]! It’s a feature that allows you to forge weapons and other equipment from various materials.r


    I have yed my fair share of games and have seen how they work. Since this world functions simrly to those games, the concept should be simr.r


    “It looks like I struck gold this time!”r


    “A-Ah…” Paul moaned slightly as I untied the ropes tightly binding him.r


    What is this guy? A baby?r


    Within a few moments, he was finally free, moving his body in a relieved manner.r


    “Thank you. This feels much better.” He smiled.r


    I wouldn’t have done this if it wasn’t necessary for him to use his [Smithing] Gift.r


    Fortunately, he trusts and fears me enough not to try anything funny.r


    “Now then, shall we begin? First, tell me how your Gift works. I have basically told you mine.” I said to Paul, who excitedly toyed with the cores on the floor.r


    “O-Oh, that. I just put the materials together and create an image in my head. The materialsbine and form the item in my head. B-But there are restrictions…” He mumbled.r


    Of course. His Gift, like mine, must have a low rank. To unlock more features he would have to ‘Rank up’.r


    “I can’t create objects more than a particr size, and it takes some time for the objects to fully transform. Also, some objects are ipatible with each other so the process is canceled.” Paul exined.r_.


    “Ah, I see…” I mumbled.r


    The first two are a given, but thest one concerns me a little. Ipatibility could be a problem. The demon cores are essential elements required to forge the kind of tools I want.r


    “It would be unfortunate if he can’t merge them due to that reason.” I thought to myself.r


    “Paul, what’s the ‘Rank’ of your Gift?”r


    He was a little surprised by my question, so it took a while before he could answer.r


    “R-Rank D…”r


    My eyes bulged when he uttered those words.r


    “What the fvck!”r


    How has this retard advanced so much while doing nothing but hiding in his home?r


    “W-Wow. That’s quite the Rank!” I said with an ufortableugh.r


    “You don’t have to force yourself to say it. I know my Rank will be pretty lowpared to yours…” He mumbled.r


    If only he knew… That my Gift is only at the E Rank. And that is only because I ranked up.r


    “Maybe…” My mind suddenly sparked with a thought.r


    “Did you perhaps use (G) Karma Points?” I asked.r


    Paul appeared confused at my mention of (G) Karma Points.r


    “What’s that?” He asked.r


    What? He doesn’t know about that? How did he Rank up so easily then? Perhaps he’s just unsure of what they’re called.r


    “Check your Status Window. You should find it among your disyed information.” I said.r


    “O-Okay… B-But there’s nothing here.” He said, looking at the invisible panel In front of him.r


    Paul ces me in too high a regard to lie to me. He must really not have that element among his Status Information.r


    “What of (G) Factor?” I asked.r


    Even I don’t know what that means.r


    He shook his head after checking for a while.r


    “What’s going on here?” I asked within myself in confusion.r


    But, I can’t afford to show my ignorance to him.r


    “I see. It must be due to your low level.” I falsely exined.r


    “Ah, I see… I’m still a Level 1, after all.” He chuckled in embarrassment.r


    Whew, bullet dodged.r


    Still, I’m impressed. To have Ranked-Up his Gift to that extent without leaving the confines of his room, he must have used it like crazy.r


    “The thing is, I have been constantly making weapons and tools as soon as I was aware of those ‘things’,” Paul revealed.r


    “I made countless daily and experimented with various features to test my limits. I thought by doing this frequently, I would eventually have the courage to leave this ce. B-But…”r


    His face fell, implying what he tried tomunicate.r


    I can understand his perspective. Even I nearly lost hope after seeing the horrific Demons that awaited me should I step out. But, one way or the other, danger was imminent. At least, this way I can choose what path to take.r


    “I won’t powerlessly cower in fear like this idiot.”r


    Since he was a Rank D, it should be enough for him to transmute Demon cores with other items. The Demon Cores were all lesser grades anyway, so it should be fine.r


    There were quite a lot of weapons in this room. They should suffice for the tests we’ll be undertaking.r


    “Let us begin” I smiled.r


    [Moments Later]r


    My eyes glowed in excitement as I stared at the knife before me. It had a faint crimson glow, and I could feel a slight buzz anytime I touched it.r


    “It was a sess!” I beamed.r


    Paul made a relieved expression, also marveling at the creation he’d forged.r


    “wow!… This is amazing!” He whispered.r


    Like little children attracted to thetest toy, we both observed the knife with awe and satisfaction.r


    Having a slightly bent shape and an entirely ck color, this special weapon had energy flowing within it, making it more durable and powerful than the others.r


    “This is perfect! Can we do more? There are so many things I want to try.” Paul beamed at me.r


    “O-Okay… Just rx. Keep your voice down.” I said in a hushed tone.r


    He quickly covered his lips in recoil, making meugh slightly to myself.r


    Well, I was in a good mood. The firstbination was a sess. Since I still had over 70 cores to spare, we might as well continue experimenting and making many things.r


    There were also many things I wanted to try.r


    >nganganagangg<r


    Sounds of metal scraping each other filled the room as I spilled all the viable weapons within my [Subspace]. Still, these weren’t actually enough for what I have nned.r


    “Paul!” I called out, drawing his attention from the knife he was still admiring.r


    “Y-Yes?!” He responded, flustered by his action.r


    “You said you’ve been making many weapons, right? Where are they?”r


    “Oh, they’re ced all around, just in case I needed to fight from anywhere in the house… W-Why?” He askedr


    As expected from a cautious person. It was not a bad idea, though. This way, no matter the direction the Demon decided toe from, he would have weapons in store.r


    “That’s only assuming he’s able to use them, which he can’t.” I mused.r


    “Gather them all up!” I instructed.r


    “We’re going to be making some crazy tools now… This will take a while”r


    With weapons like these, those Kobold Spawns will be nothing. I must say, I’m grateful to Paul… This changed everything!r