I Save The World In A Doomsday Text Game

Chapter 276-2: Imperial Swordsmith, Competing in Forging Skill (2)

[Led by the guards, you left the reception hall and headed to the very heart of the Ishimaru Sword Forge, the sword forge workshop.]

[The person accompanying you was the same Supreme Sub-General from before. The others, lacking sufficient rank, were not permitted to enter the workshop to observe this forging contest.]

[The sword forge workshop resembled a massive furnace. The moment you stepped inside, scorching currents of air rushed over you.]

[What met your eyes was a blazing crimson scene. Countless sword furnaces burned fiercely in neat rows within the workshop.]

[In front of each furnace stood a burly swordsmith swinging a hammer. Beside each swordsmith were several apprentices working the bellows and securing iron tongs…]

[After only a short time, you felt an intense excitement, your hands itching to seize your Family’s Fine Steel Forging Hammer and forge a fine blade right there.]

[The guards led you and the Supreme Sub-General deeper into the workshop…]

[All along the way, not a single swordsmith so much as glanced at you. Each was wholly absorbed in hammering weapons, as though forging blades was the most important thing in the world.]

[If any apprentice dared to look your way, the swordsmith beside them would immediately scold and berate them, demanding total focus, even if an army stormed the Ishimaru Sword Forge, they were not permitted the slightest distraction.]

[Seeing this, you felt deep respect. Truly, the Ishimaru Sword Forge deserved its reputation as Sakura Falls’ holy land of forging. Under such harsh discipline, every weapon forged was imbued with the swordsmith’s utmost devotion, no wonder the forging fees were so exorbitant.][As you continued inward, you and the Supreme Sub-General arrived at the very back of the workshop…]

[Before you stood a large, independent sword furnace. This furnace had no apprentices, only a middle-aged swordsmith.]

[His upper body was bare, a goatee beneath his chin, and in his hand he held an exceedingly sharp tachi, examining it intently.]

[Tachi – Gale Thunder Sever (Epic-grade Weapon): Primarily forged from superb Windlight Steel and Thunderclap Steel, combined with numerous rare metals, hammered repeatedly into a precious weapon.]

[When this weapon is swung, fierce winds howl forth, greatly increasing the power of each strike.]

[The middle-aged swordsmith scrutinized the blade for a long time, then shook his head regretfully, tossing the tachi into the furnace with a single motion and seizing the bellows to personally re-melt it.]

[A guard stepped forward to whisper a report, and the swordsmith turned his gaze toward you.]

[You had discovered the Fire-Worshipping Imperial Swordsmith!]

[The Imperial Swordsmith seemed quite interested in you, dismissing the guards with a wave and asking if you wished to exchange forging skills.]

[When you nodded, his interest grew even stronger. He explained that every finished blade of the Ishimaru Sword Forge had to undergo his final appraisal. Only weapons he deemed satisfactory could be delivered to the client.]

[He led you to the furnace, using iron tongs to extract the faintly glowing Gale Thunder Sever. This sword had been forged by one of the outer swordsmiths. Could you discern what flaw it held, and why he had decided to reforge it?]

[You knew this was the Imperial Swordsmith’s test of you. If you failed to offer a convincing explanation, it would prove your forging skill was shallow and unworthy of any exchange.]

[The Supreme Sub-General who had come with you also looked on with great interest, eager to see whether your actual ability matched your bold claims.]

[You showed no sign of hesitation. Taking the tongs, you carefully inspected the tachi named Gale Thunder Sever. After a long examination, you set the weapon down, full of confidence, and said…]

[At the outset of forging this weapon, it was intended to incorporate the power of both gale and thunder to enhance its might. Unfortunately, when the blade was completed, it only manifested the gale’s force and failed to fuse the thunder’s power.]

[Otherwise, although this blade would still have fallen short of ascending to the divine weapon level, its strength would nonetheless have been greatly increased!]

[At your words, the Imperial Swordsmith stroked his beard and nodded repeatedly. At the side, the Supreme Sub-General also set aside his disdain.]

[Your forging skill was precisely at the Epic level. Had the Imperial Swordsmith chosen an even higher-grade blade to test you, you might have disgraced yourself on the spot and been thrown out in humiliation.]

[The Imperial Swordsmith solemnly extended an invitation to exchange skills. The forging techniques of your Western lands and those of Sakura Falls were worlds apart. Your ability to see the flaw in Gale Thunder Sever proved your skill was not low and that you had earned the right to this exchange.]

[You were a foreign guest, and he was most pleased to share techniques with you. As a gesture of respect, all the materials required for this exchange would be provided by the Ishimaru Sword Forge. You, as the honored guest from abroad, needed only to display your full ability, without holding anything back.]

[He was about to begin the exchange when his gaze suddenly fell on the Supreme Sub-General standing nearby.]

[The Imperial Swordsmith’s brows drew together. With a wave, he signaled for the Supreme Sub-General to leave at once and not interfere in your discussion.]

[The Supreme Sub-General quickly explained that, as your origins were unclear, he had to remain here to protect the Imperial Swordsmith’s safety, lest anything happen that would bring the Great General’s wrath.]

Lin Xun silently griped, was this fellow a parasite in his belly or what?

He really did want to kill the Imperial Swordsmith and claim that impressive blacksmith shell.

It was just that the Supreme Sub-General kept hovering nearby like an unwanted lamp, making it hard to act directly. If he tried to seize the shell by force and failed, not only would he lose the opportunity, but the Ishimaru Sword Forge would surely tighten security.

Next time, there might not be such a perfect chance.

[But then the Imperial Swordsmith let out a hearty laugh. How could someone with such superb skill be a petty scoundrel? He urged the Supreme Sub-General to leave quickly, warning that if he summoned the guards to throw him out, it would be disgraceful.]

[The Supreme Sub-General’s expression was unwilling, but unable to overrule the Imperial Swordsmith, he had no choice but to withdraw. As he left, he declared he would report this matter to the Great General, so the Great General could come witness the exchange of forging skills between the two nations.]

[The Supreme Sub-General had departed. Deep in the workshop, only you and the Imperial Swordsmith remained.]

Lin Xun nearly gave the Imperial Swordsmith a thumbs up, truly considerate.

However, the Supreme Sub-General was leaving precisely to fetch the Great General. He had to act quickly, lest delay bring complications.

[The Imperial Swordsmith summoned an apprentice to enter. The apprentice carried an iron tray laden with many precious materials.]

[You discovered Windmark Snowsteel (Material) *1]

[You discovered Windlight Steel (Material) *1]

[You discovered Azure Profound Iron (Material) *1]

[You discovered Thunderclap Steel (Material) *1]

[You discovered Crimson Sun Secret Copper (Material) *1]

[You discovered…]

[…]

[The tray was filled to the brim, containing a total of ten types of materials. The Imperial Swordsmith seemed very confident. He dismissed the apprentice, then pointed to the tray and told you that you could choose any five of these precious materials to forge your weapon.]

[He would use the remaining five materials to complete his own forging process. Once the two blades were finished, your skills would be compared and judged.]

[Please select the materials you require…]

“Select my ass, now’s the perfect time to strike!”

Now that only he and the Imperial Swordsmith remained before the forge, if he didn’t act now, when would he?

[You possessed the shell of the Desire-Bearing Greedy Wolf Star Lord!]

[Under the Imperial Swordsmith’s astonished gaze, you formed a sword seal. The Dragon Sword Masamune turned into a streak of fierce sword-light and shot straight through the Imperial Swordsmith’s chest!]

[He clutched his chest in disbelief, then slowly collapsed…]

[You have defeated the Fire-Worshipping Imperial Swordsmith. Experience points slightly increased!]

[You looked down at the corpse before you…]

[Fire-Worshipping Imperial Swordsmith: The finest swordsmith in all of Sakura Falls, appointed by the Great General as the Imperial Swordsmith and master of the Ishimaru Sword Forge. In his life, he forged countless divine weapons and fine blades, never expecting to die by the very sword he had crafted. Compatibility: 118% (+55%)]

[Do you wish to possess this shell?]

[You possessed the shell of the Fire-Worshipping Imperial Swordsmith!]

Lin Xun immediately opened the attribute panel to check.

[Shell: Fire-Worshipping Imperial Swordsmith]

[True Name: Ishimaru Tadomichi]

[Compatibility: 118% (+55%), compatibility exceeds the critical threshold, shell quality has increased!]

[Shell Quality: Fine+ Grade]

[Shell Level: 66 (+26)]

[Shell Equipment: None]

[Shell Skill: Legendary Forging Art (Legendary Skill): The forging technique refined over countless hammer strikes by Sakura Falls’ most elite swordsmith. This skill allows forging processes on equipment up to Legendary grade quality.]

“Where’s the hammer? How am I supposed to forge anything without a hammer?”

Lin Xun immediately swept all ten precious materials into his bag, then activated search mode.

He had to find the tool the Imperial Swordsmith ate with as fast as possible. With skill this advanced, the hammer was surely no ordinary item.

It might even come with some special forging effects.