"That's actually a profitable idea."
Levi looked at the five diamonds in his hand, thinking.
Diamonds crafted from the workbench were not only large in size but also of superior quality. No matter what quality they were before crafting, they became top-grade after synthesis.
Collect mediocre diamonds, craft them, then sell them.
This was practically a guaranteed profit.
However, this kind of business couldn't be done too often... do it too much and it would devalue.
All the diamonds openly available for sale in this region had probably been swept clean by him. For more, he might have to wait for restocking.
The dwarves' diamond reserves certainly couldn't be just this little, especially the dwarves here... their lives weren't impoverished at all.
But they probably never imagined someone would buy so many at once, and only buy raw materials instead of finished products.
"Obsidian..."
With diamonds having an acquisition route, the next step was to solve another item.
This thing had no practical use normally, so no dwarf stored it.
He'd have to approach it from elsewhere.
Get some lava then.
Levi found the blacksmith who had given him directions earlier.
"Do you have any lava here? I'd like to collect a bucket."
"No, what do you want that stuff for?"
The blacksmith couldn't figure out what use a traveler would have for lava. Was he planning to take it as a souvenir? That was ridiculous.
"I really need it."
"No, no!"
"How much for this sword?"
A moment later, Levi bought the only sword in the shop and asked again. "Just one bucket would be fine. I can pay."
This sword was honestly quite expensive.
But money... while Levi never carried much, with his productivity, he could earn a fortune anytime he wanted.
He could spend when he wanted without saving a bit.
The blacksmith looked him over twice and finally relented. "Alright, I have a brother working at the smeltery. He can help you get some."
Seeing the matter could be handled, Levi breathed a sigh of relief. If it couldn't be done, he was planning to bring more supplies and try digging straight to the mantle... though whether he could survive reaching such an extreme environment was uncertain.
During his free time, the blacksmith led him deep into the halls, winding around several turns until Levi was nearly dizzy, before a spacious forging hall finally appeared.
"Hey, old buddy, how's it going today?"
"Not bad." In front of the large furnace in the center of the forging hall, a dwarf wiped his sweat and swung his hammer, clang clang clang, working on a piece of armor.
After completing this small stage of work, he stopped and came over to properly greet the blacksmith.
"Who's this?" He looked at Levi.
"My customer. He wants a bucket of lava... see if you can help."
"That's easy enough, but just lava will do?"
"Yes," Levi immediately replied, pulling out a bucket.
"Just fill this bucket."
"Alright, strange request."
After chatting briefly with his old friend, the blacksmith returned... after all, he still had shop business to attend to.
On this side, Levi looked at the various equipment in this forging hall, his hands itching with anticipation.
"I wouldn't touch anything if I were you. If you don't want your fingers burned useless, stay away."
The dwarf kindly warned him.
But Levi still touched it.
[-1]
"Hiss... huff..."
Hot hot hot hot hot.
[Special Multi-block Structure "Dwarven Furnace Mod" Detected]
[New Crafting Recipes Unlocked]
Excellent!
At this moment, Levi finally got his wish.
"You're even more reckless than the most reckless dwarf I've ever seen!" The nearby dwarf said while adding fuel and stone blocks to the furnace.
He laughed it off, his attention entirely on the crafting table.
Furnace Mod... this was a multi-block structure that could be used to smelt special metals and liquids.
Like lava.
Just input fuel and enough cobblestone to artificially create lava.
Just like what the dwarf beside him was doing now.
"May I tour this place?"
Looking at the pile of large equipment nearby, Levi was very interested.
"You can look, but don't touch."
"Alright."
He walked around, and soon several multi-block structures appeared in his crafting table... all dwarven-specific technology.
With these things, future ore smelting could be much faster, and dwarven series weapons and equipment could all be forged.
Worth mentioning was that most dwarven weapons were heavy weapons... like battle axes, throwing axes, hammers, and such. Dwarves actually quite liked using these.
Levi figured the sword in the blacksmith shop probably wasn't selling well, and only when he encountered someone willing to buy did the smith agree to help with this small favor.
Besides weapons, he also obtained higher-level tools.
Dwarven steel pickaxe.
This was a pickaxe specifically for dwarven mining, very hard and much stronger than iron pickaxes. Although its durability still wasn't as much as diamond pickaxes, it could be used to mine obsidian.
Now he had materials for both enchanting tables and nether portals. Though his body was still in the Blue Mountains, Levi's heart had already flown home... he'd already decided where to place both items.
Should have done this long ago.
Just as he was daydreaming, the furnace's rumbling brought his attention back.
He saw molten liquid flowing through pipes like liquid fire, gradually filling the iron bucket with its hellish glow.
"What you wanted."
After expressing gratitude to the dwarf and paying enough for a small drink as compensation, Levi stored the lava bucket.
[Achievement Unlocked: Getting an Upgrade]
The basic objectives of this trip to the Blue Mountains had all been achieved.
"Speaking of which, I heard this place is led by the King of Durin's Folk: Thorin Oakenshield."
Putting away the lava, Levi turned and asked the dwarf about this.
"Yes, I'm glad you've heard our leader's name. It's under his leadership that we can live the good life we have now."
The dwarf answered, his eyes looking at Levi, then at where the lava bucket had been.
Where's the bucket? How did it disappear in the blink of an eye?
"Is your leader still here?"
He wasn't sure when Thorin had departed for Bree. The only thing he could confirm was that next year Thorin would meet Gandalf in Bree and then begin the Quest for Erebor.
"He..." The dwarf suddenly looked behind Levi, toward the hall's entrance.
"He's here."
Steady footsteps echoed from behind like the measured beat of a war drum.
Levi turned around to see a tall (for dwarven height), muscular-armed dwarf who looked quite formidable walking silently toward the forge.
His weathered face carried a gloom that seemed impossible to dispel, like storm clouds that never broke.
Even though he had never seen him before, the moment Levi laid eyes on him, he could be certain.
This man was Thorin... that Thorin Oakenshield.
The dwarf beside him bowed respectfully to Thorin, who paused slightly and nodded in response.
Then he looked at the somewhat conspicuous human nearby.
Normally, if someone intruded into the dwarves' workspace, they'd definitely be thrown out. But this person looked quite agreeable... that face didn't seem like a bad person's.
As usual when meeting strangers, Levi gave a greeting bow that was neither humble nor arrogant. Thorin stared at this somewhat memorable human for several seconds, then also nodded with measured dignity.
Then he walked to his station and began forging work.
Clang!
"Swinging the hammer keeps the arms strong, ready for wielding weapons in the future."
This heir to the dwarven throne was constantly preparing for battle.
[Chapter Complete]
***
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