Chapter 286: Equipment Upgrade
Having just a sword wasn't enough for a complete loadout.
Over the next month, Little Pink worked overtime daily, lying at the dragonfire forge's flame opening and continuously breathing dragon fire to assist the forging process.
Still at an efficiency of one dragonfire steel ingot per day.
Though the efficiency wasn't high, fortunately, time wasn't something Levi lacked at the moment.
When enough dragonfire steel for crafting a full equipment set was gathered, both Little Pink and the forge could finally rest.
After another celebratory feast, the satisfied Little Pink immediately returned to her nest for deep sleep.
Setting aside everything else, during this intensive period, Little Pink's fire-breathing ability had received considerable training. Her control over her fire intensity and power became much more precise.
In the smithing room, Levi took out the dragonfire steel ingots.
He crafted the components one by one.
Helmet, chestplate, leggings, boots...
The full dragonfire steel armor set provided 34 armor points, while the current netherite armor offered only 20 points.
The improvement was quite significant.
Besides armor value, dragonfire steel also crushed netherite in toughness.
With the armor completed, Levi couldn't wait to remove the netherite armor he'd worn for over twenty years, switching to the dragonfire steel set.
Compared to netherite armor, dragonfire steel armor's material was much more refined. It had the same dark grey base color as the dragonfire steel sword, with faintly visible dark crimson patterns running through it.
Gratifyingly, dragonfire steel armor's design followed a minimalist aesthetic, not too flashy or ornate.
Ultimate physical defense combined with superhigh toughness and durability. This was dragonfire steel armor.
The only area where it fell short of netherite armor was its lack of knockback resistance.
After completing the armor and greatsword, Levi pulled out other materials Smaug had dropped and crafted a dragon bone bow.
Honestly, this bow wasn't very cost-effective because it required dragon bone arrows as ammunition, and the Infinity enchantment didn't work on them.
Dragon bone bow plus dragon bone arrows plus Power V enchantment dealt 48 damage points. Two full draws could kill a troll outright.
However, as mentioned before, it could only shoot matching dragon bone arrows.
Dragon bones were limited, but enemies were countless. Using them freely would exhaust the supply after just one small battle.
But what was the point of having powerful weapons if he never used them?
So Levi crafted two full stacks of dragon bone arrows to keep in his inventory as backup. Together with the dragon bone bow, they'd serve as devastating weapons against elite enemies and even enemy commanders.
This day, when the sun rose and Levi emerged from the smithing room, citizens discovered with surprise that their lord had changed armor sets.
That armor looked imposing yet elegant. At first glance, the overall color appeared dark grey, nearly black, but looking closely, it revealed that those shadowy areas were actually disturbing dark red patterns woven through the metal.
Though they hadn't witnessed it personally or experienced its power, everyone agreed.
Our lord has become even stronger.
Indeed so.
In the military camp, Levi pulled out the dragon bone longbow, nocked a dragon bone arrow, drew the string fully, and aimed at the target dummy.
BOOM!
Almost instantly, a massive sound erupted. The armor stand serving as a target shattered immediately, and the armor hanging on it was pierced clean through.
This power was comparable to a sniper rifle...
Levi roughly calculated the damage output.
If the target were himself wearing netherite armor, even with the runic shield blocking, he might not withstand the third hit. Perhaps not even the second.
Even with full Protection IV dragonfire steel armor, it would only take a few shots from a dragon bone bow with Power V enchantment and dragon bone arrows to bring someone down.
Levi had become frighteningly powerful.
While thinking, Levi silently picked up the dragon bone arrow he'd shot, checking its condition.
"What happened?"
A voice came from the doorway. Levi looked back.
"Falodan, you're here too."
"Of course I'm here. You're also here, which truly surprises me."
Falodan spoke while walking to Levi's side, unable to help, carefully examining him up and down several times.
"You changed equipment. This gives me an unusual feeling."
"Also..." Falodan looked at the pile of debris on the ground. "Did you cause this too?"
Levi nodded.
Falodan immediately became interested. He continued asking, "What magic did you use? Fireball? Doesn't seem like it. Looking at these traces, it's like lightning, and the kind with very strong penetrating power..."
This Ranger still believed, as twenty years ago, that Levi could use certain magical spells.
"Neither." Levi denied outright.
"It's this kind of arrow."
Levi pulled out several dragon bone arrows, explaining, "Arrows made from dragon bones. Solid, sharp, and possessing certain magical properties. Just like you said, their penetrating power is extremely strong."
"Perfect timing. I'll share some with you."
"This kind of arrow requires a powerful bow to bring out its performance. Best used with heavy crossbows. Dragon bone arrows shot from crossbows have power equivalent to standing right next to an exploding TNT block."
"I know you'll use them well."
"Oh?"
Falodan received the handful of dragon bone arrows Levi handed over, quite intrigued.
"Arrows made from dragon bones. Truly extravagant. I'm guessing such things are quite rare. Using one means one less."
Levi followed up, "But they're worth it."
Falodan looked at the exploded armor stand, then at the pierced armor on the ground, agreeing completely with this assessment.
"Indeed worth it."
He carefully stored the dragon bone arrows away, saying, "I'm very glad to see you've achieved new breakthroughs. Do you have time now?"
"I do. What's up?"
"Nothing urgent on my end. Just when I passed the castle earlier, I noticed a dwarf waiting at the door."
"He seems to have urgent business finding you. Want to go see now?"
"A dwarf?" Levi felt somewhat puzzled.
Moments later, before the castle, Levi met the dwarf Falodan mentioned.
"Balin, it's you?"
"Oh, Levi, glad you're here."
Hearing Levi's voice, Balin immediately turned around to greet him warmly.
Levi asked, "Did something happen?"
"It's about Erebor. Recently... wow, your armor! What material is this?"
The conversation had just started before Balin completely derailed himself.
He widened his eyes, staring at Levi's armor. "May I touch it?"
Levi was slightly helpless at the dwarf's enthusiasm.
He spread both arms. "As you wish."
So Balin completely abandoned his usual restraint.
"Oh, by my beard! By Durin..."
Various exclamations continuously emerged from his mouth.
"Light, tough... even surpasses mithril. Truly unbelievable. If this material were made into weapons, they would be weapons that never rust, never dull, with unparalleled performance."
"I bet you have some, right?"
While feeling Levi's chestplate, Balin lowered his voice, asking him conspiratorially.
"Hmm?"
Before Levi could answer, Balin suddenly focused on the dragonfire steel chestplate his hand was touching.
"It's not a hot season now. Is its surface temperature always this elevated?"
"Yes." Levi nodded.
"Then it seems your armor's interior must also have a layer of special lining to protect you from being burned. The lining material must also be unusual. Am I right?"
"Generally correct, yes."
"Hmph, I knew it."
Seeing all his guesses proven correct, old dwarf Balin showed a proud expression.
Immediately, he couldn't wait to continue the previous topic. "Let me see your weapon!"
Levi was helpless and could only pull out his dragonfire steel sword.
Then he planted it on the ground with a resonating clang.
With this action, even the floor shook. Balin was shaken until his beard trembled.
"Oh, this is truly a mighty blade. It's taller than me."
The tallest among dwarves, like Thorin, was only 4.5 feet tall. This sword was genuinely taller than an entire dwarf, a true giant's weapon.
"Let me see how heavy it really is..."
Balin looked up, grasped the hilt with both hands, and exerted his whole body's considerable strength.
"Heave!"
Thus, the greatsword was lifted by him, though with visible strain.
"Huff... this is truly laborious work."
"Good, truly good. A fine sword indeed."
The old dwarf's eyes revealed deep admiration.
"I can smell it."
He said quietly, "I smell that scent on it. Thorin's scent, and the smell all dwarves can never forget."
"Evil dragon. Dragon blood."
Levi didn't hide it, directly admitting, "Yes, it's precisely a metal forged using dragon blood combined with dragon fire. I call it 'dragonfire steel.'"
"Good name. Fitting."
"Forging with dragon blood... this technique is worth thorough study."
With his curiosity satisfied, Balin returned the sword to Levi, not forgetting to say thanks.
While Balin marveled, Levi couldn't help marveling too.
Balin, this old dwarf with rich forging experience, had basically grasped dragonfire steel's properties with just a brief examination. Perhaps he even had some preliminary ideas about how to physically forge it without using a crafting table.
Truly worthy of being a dwarf master craftsman.
Also worthy of being from the race created by Aulë, the Vala of craftsmen. In this aspect of smithing and materials, they were all talented experts.
"Right, Balin, what were you urgently trying to say just now?"
"Oh, right!"
With Levi's reminder, Balin came to his senses.
"I was just about to tell you. It's about an abnormality in Erebor. Not a temporary abnormality, actually. This matter has troubled us for many years. We've made many attempts but couldn't resolve it."
"Thorin really had no choice left, so he had me come to Roadside Keep to see if I could find you."
"Seems I'm rather lucky today."