The crowd of players gradually dispersed, leaving behind only whispers and grumbles. For most, it was just a fight, the outcome of which would be forgotten tomorrow, but for me it looked much more serious.
I turned to Zikei, who was calmly wiping his blade on a fragment of his severed mask.
—Where were you going?
He suddenly asked, as if he was really interested. I was a little confused, not expecting a simple human question from him.
—I... I need to find a blacksmith. My weapon is broken, and I want to find a replacement and possibly purchase armor.
Zikei bowed his head slightly and, without saying too much, nodded.
— Then let's go, I'll show you.
He moved forward with a confident step, and I followed, not knowing why. Two emotions were fighting inside me, distrust and a strange feeling that I was safe with him.
We reached a small shop standing in the shadow of a stone tower. There was a sign with a hammer and anvil above the door, and the sound of metal clinking could be heard inside.
Zikei opened the door, and they were greeted by the smell of hot iron.
—That's it, I have to go. The ekai mask wasn't just a part of his persona... it protected more than it seemed. I'll have to find materials for a new one.
I looked at the fragments he still held in his hand, and I felt a strange sense of pity. The mask seemed to hold a special place in his heart. He caught my gaze and gave a slight smile.
—Don't worry, I'll make a new one.
As he reached the door of the store, he turned back to look at me. Green eyes pierced me again, my heart skipped a beat, just like when I first met his gaze in the city.
—Here's my contact if you need urgent assistance.
Zikei winked at me. And before I could say anything, his silhouette shimmered and disappeared, he used the exit from the game.
I finally pushed open the creaking workshop door. The warm smell of burning coal and metal hit me in the face, and the sound of the hammer striking the anvil echoed in my ears, making me feel like each blow was hitting my chest.
It was a bit stuffy inside, but the atmosphere was reassuring, with weapons and armor pieces hanging on the walls and rare materials shimmering in the corner.
The blacksmith, a young AI woman with fire-scorched hands and hair tied in a rough ponytail, looked up from her workbench. There was no surprise in her eyes, as if she was used to the strangest customers.
—How can I help?
She asked with a slight smile, brushing the coal dust off her hands. I didn't hesitate and took the [Pink Thorns] out of my bag. In the light, they shimmered like drops of frozen blood, embodying the power of the defeated [Pink Predators].
—Can these be used to create weapons or light armor?
I asked, feeling the weight of the materials in my hands. The blacksmith took the thorns, examined each one carefully, and rolled them in her hands as if she could feel their vibration.
—Hmm... there's not much material. They obviously won't be enough for full-fledged armor. But... I can forge a [Thorn Amulet] out of them. It will be a good protection against enchantment. And yet... – she thoughtfully flicked her finger on the thorn. — There's enough for one weapon too.
The blacksmith girl, having finished examining the materials, nodded in satisfaction. Her hands habitually slid over the workbench, rearranging the spikes as if she had already seen their future shape.
—From these remnants, I can forge something special. A pair of weapons designed specifically for your fists. They will be called the [Blood Rose Knuckles].
She slowly pulled an old scroll out from under the workbench, unfolded it, and pointed to a schematic drawing with her finger.
The paper depicted curved plates with pointed spikes that wrapped around fists like thorns.
She slowly pulled out an old scroll from under the workbench, unfolded it, and pointed to a schematic drawing with her finger.
The paper depicted curved plates with pointed spikes that wrapped around her fists like thorns.
—These are not just iron with spikes. These knuckles crave blood. They will absorb the power of the [Pink Predators], and every strike you make will be like a bloom in battle.
The blacksmith took out a pen and wrote down the characteristics, as if reading from a system scroll:
[Blood Rose Knuckles] (paired)
Rarity: Epic
Type: Melee Weapon (Fist)
Equipment Level: 10+
Attributes:
Damage: 18–26
Attack Speed: High (+15% to Combo Speed)
Crit. Chance: +8%
Crit. Damage: +20%
Durability: 90/90
Extra Effect:
Every 4th hit inflicts a Bleeding Wound (−5 HP/sec, lasts 5 seconds).
Item skills:
Bloodthorn (Active): The next hit pierces the enemy's armor and deals additional damage equal to 150% of the user's strength. Cooldown: 12 seconds.
Bloom of Pain (Passive): When the user's HP drops below 30%, the damage is increased by +25% for 10 seconds. Activated once per battle.
Description:
These brass knuckles are forged from the thorns of the Pink Predator. They are not just weapons, they are hungry. Every strike is a ritual in which the rose blooms in the enemy's agony. The longer the battle lasts, the more fiercely the thorns pierce the victim.
The blacksmith stepped back from the blueprint and looked at Disava with a slight smile.
—With these, your fists will become not weapons, but symbols. But remember, the rose is beautiful only because its thorns cause pain. Sometimes not only to the enemies, but also to the one who wears it.
I involuntarily ran my fingers over my palm, imagining how the new brass knuckles would fit around my hands.
A strange feeling of anticipation and slight fear ignited inside, as if I was not just agreeing to a weapon, but to a deal with a predatory rose.
I took out my blade dagger [ Scarlet Bud Flower] from my inventory, which I had obtained after a painful battle with the boss of the location.
The blade shone with a soft crimson light, as if a flower that had not yet withered away was breathing within it, nourished by the blood of the fallen.
The blacksmith, a woman with a tired face and the mechanical movements of an AI, looked over the weapon and frowned slightly, as if in thought.
—With a weapon like this, I can't offer you anything better. This dagger belongs to a rare rank, and it already surpasses most of my creations.
She ran her fingers along the hilt, as if testing its weight and balance, and then pulled away.
—Before you take the weapon, pay in veils, which are the local currency. They don't accept gold or any other tokens. Everything revolves around veils.
Despite her limited vocabulary, the AI blacksmith surprised me by sounding tired or even slightly ironic as she explained:
—Remember, Vales are the blood of this world, without them you are nothing.
I nodded silently, putting the dagger back, but the smith did not hurry to end the dialogue.
—Wait here for three minutes. I will forge you [ Blood Rose Knuckles] now. If you do not see a weapon here that you like, bring better materials. These [Rose Thorns] are good, but... too simple. They are only good for cheap trinkets. For a real weapon, I need something with a soul.
She continued, her eyes narrowing slightly. Then the blacksmith placed the heavy hammer on the anvil and wiped her hands wearily, handing me the [ Blood Rose Knuckles].
—And remember something else. I don't sell armor or clothing. Only weapons and some accessories. If you're looking for light protection or something for your travels, you'd better check out the nearby armor and clothing shop. You'll find what you're looking for in the merchant district.