Before they set off, the Rank B Crafter woman offered to inspect and make a few preliminary upgrades to the group's gear.
With her crafting skills and deep knowledge of magical materials, she used some of the Mana stones collected from the beach to upgrade and repair their heavily damaged equipment:
Nam's Armor Upgrade.
She placed Nam's chipped and dented armor on a stone table. With an artisan's meticulousness, she used a small hammer, gently tapping each spot on its surface, weaving invisible magical lines to strengthen the armor's overall durability.
Next, from a sparkling Mana stone, she carefully split off a small piece, which she meticulously ground into a tiny gem. With practiced movements, she created a hidden groove on the armor's chest plate, where the stone would be inlaid. When the stone touched the armor, a gentle azure energy spread, enveloping the entire suit, granting a 5% increase in physical resistance. Now, the armor was not only more durable but also had a better ability to absorb physical damage, helping Nam face tougher battles with confidence.
Hoa's Staff Calibration.
Hoa's staff, which was a precious item but had lost some of its power due to scratched and faded runes, was placed on her lap. With focused eyes, she used a finely crafted carving knife to scrape off the old, faded runes on the staff's handle. Each line was carefully removed, as if peeling off an old layer to reveal the core.
Then, she took out a bottle of glowing ink made from powdered moth wings and the resin of a Cedar tree. Using her index finger, she dabbed the ink and drew completely new, ancient runes with elegant and powerful strokes. These runes were not just beautiful; they also contained enhanced power. When she finished, a faint purple light flashed from the staff and then sank back in, signaling a successful transformation. Hoa would notice a clear difference: her casting speed was now increased by 10%, allowing her to unleash supportive spells more quickly in future battles.
Hương's Cloak Upgrade.
Hương's soft silk cloak, which had been heavily damaged on the back, was laid flat on the stone table. The damaged section was skillfully stitched with silver thread, making the tear almost disappear. However, the main point was her decision to add a special feature to the cloak.
From the remaining Mana stone fragments, she crafted a compact secondary mana core, only the size of a pinky finger. This mana core was wrapped in a layer of black velvet and was sewn into the cloak's lining, near the heart. This would make the cloak more durable.
Next was Hương's Shattered Staff, a treasured item that had been with her throughout her journey. The staff, broken in two at the shaft, was placed gently on a piece of dark blue silk. She took out a larger, purer Mana stone than the ones collected on the beach. She ground this stone into a fine powder.
She mixed the powdered Mana stone with Dragon's Blood resin, creating a special, thick adhesive. This mixture was applied to the two broken ends of the staff, and then she pressed the two parts of the staff together. A brilliant golden light flared up, engulfing the staff, and when the light subsided, the crack had completely disappeared, leaving no trace behind. The Shattered Staff was not only restored but also stronger than before, ready to continue its adventures with the witch.
Nghĩa's Shadowflow Daggers Sharpening.
Nghĩa's daggers, which had become dull after many fierce battles, were placed carefully on a piece of leather. She took out a special whetstone. With decisive but controlled movements, she began to sharpen each blade, creating razor-sharp edges.
During the sharpening process, she didn't just sharpen the blades normally. She also carved tiny, almost invisible characters along the spine of the blades. These characters were not magical runes but hidden spells that would activate upon hitting a target, designed to concentrate and amplify the damage. As a result, Nghĩa's two blades not only became sharper but were also enhanced to increase damage by 5% if they hit an opponent's weak point.
After she finished, she said to the group.
"This time is on the house. Next time, I'll need some quality mana stones, okay?" she winked.
The group burst out laughing, and some of the heavy mood dissipated.
Nghĩa just stared at the Crafter and took out the [Reflective Memory Stone].
Ting!
[Please select a target to copy a skill from.]
A list of names appeared before Nghĩa:
Nam
Ái Hoa
Hương
Hằng
[I select: Hằng]
[Target confirmed: Hằng]
[Retrieving skills...]
[Hằng's skill list:]
Material Reinforcement
Equipment Crafting
Magical Circuitry Calibration
Equipment Repair
[Please select one skill to copy.]
[I select: Equipment Repair]
[Skill selection confirmed: Equipment Repair]
[Skill has been successfully copied.]
[Skill: Equipment Repair]
Type: Auxiliary Skill
Level: Advanced
Support System: Mechanics – Crafting
Description: Repairs equipment. Can handle equipment that is damaged, has lost efficiency, or has hairline energy cracks – as long as it hasn't completely disintegrated. Repairs to original efficiency.
"You're being very rude, doing that without asking me first," Hằng said, frowning.
Nghĩa bowed his head:
"I'm sorry... But our group desperately needs someone with a skill like yours, Hằng, and I know you can't join us, and the Crafter profession is so rare... I had no other choice."
Hằng laughed happily and said:
"I was just kidding... haha, honestly, knowing that my skill can help you guys makes me happy enough."
With that, she gave Nghĩa a repair kit:
"Take good care of them!"
Hoa shrugged, huffing:
"I'm always the one who has to take care of these two goofballs. And they always tease me."
Hương laughed:
"Now you have me here; if these two get out of line, just tell me. I'll sort them out."
The whole group shared a good laugh...
The next day, Nghĩa's eyes looked towards Quảng Bình:
"Time to get going, everyone," he said in his usual calm voice.
"We still have a job to do."
--- End of Part I ---