Chapter 18 - Chimney, Hammer-sound, Muscles
"Whoa, this is getting me seriously hyped..."
After parting ways with Sora, I logged out for a break. Now, having descended into the world of Arcadia once again, I stood before a certain building, trembling with excitement.
Following the advice of the veterans I'd met, I had arrived at this wonderfully quaint brick building—yes. It was a blacksmith's shop, an indispensable part of any fantasy world.
The chimney, puffing out smoke, looked just right, and the clang, clang of a hammer striking iron that echoed from within was sending my excitement levels through the roof.
"Here I go...!"
Still not fully accustomed to this fantasy setting, I felt a slight hesitation, but I pushed open the door, which bore a sign that read "OPEN."
The door creaked with a somewhat old-fashioned sound. Inside, I was greeted by a rugged counter, shelves for storage, and a variety of smithing products that adorned the shop.
The clanging of metal continued, and there was no one who looked like a shopkeeper in sight. It seemed they were holed up in the forge behind the counter without anyone watching the front.
I should probably call out to them... or rather, I'd love to just go watch, but I don't want to interrupt their work. It's not like I'm in a hurry, so I'll just browse the products until the owner comes out—though if they don't show up in ten minutes, I won't hesitate to shout.
"Wow... these are on a different level from the iron stuff sold in shops."
The objects in this virtual world, a fusion of dreams and digital information, possessed a presence no different from their real-world counterparts.
Various weapons and armor hung on the walls and from pegs. Not a single one was the same, and they all exuded an aura that the mass-produced items from shops lacked.
Seriously, this is awesome. The... the level of detail is insane. This'll make you feel unsatisfied with store-bought stuff... What even is a 'level of detail'?
"Is this, like, a sample...?"
Looking around for something I could touch, I discovered a straight sword that seemed to be exactly that.
Lying on a simple rack, there was even a polite sign underneath it that read "FREE."
Well then, I won't be shy.
"Hh... It really feels different."
I was slightly worried about the STR requirement, but I must have met it, as the straight sword settled comfortably in my hand.
Compared to the iron sword I was using, its shape was more orthodox, but a bit shorter. Yet, the feeling of... what should I call it, reassurance, that came from its small blade was on a completely different level.
My perception was likely a major factor. The gleaming, polished blade seemed to be made of a different metal than regular iron, as it had a faint bluish tint. From the guard protecting the hand to the pommel, it was not flashy, but elegantly crafted.
But even setting that aside, there was something undeniably being transmitted from the sword in my left hand. Was my avatar unconsciously reading the sword's numerical stats, or perhaps…
"—What, a customer?"
"Whoa—?!"
A gruff voice suddenly broke my concentration as I was becoming engrossed in the sword.
I hastily placed the sword I had almost dropped back on the rack and turned around to see a large figure appear from behind the counter.
He was huge. His height was only slightly greater than mine, but his width—or rather, the sheer mass of his muscles—was insane. I was certain that if he were to charge at me, I'd be turned into mincemeat in a single blow. He was a man like a mountain.
His face, covered by a black bandana-like hat, wasn't wrinkled, but he didn't look like a young man either.
He was a tanned, muscular, and handsome middle-aged man.
"Haven't seen you around before."
When I hear 'blacksmith,' I immediately picture a difficult, stubborn old man, but I didn't get that kind of overt sternness from this muscle-uncle. He just seemed like the type whose emotions were simple and didn't fluctuate much.
Shaking off the momentary intimidation from his appearance, I activated my customer-service voice, honed by my part-time job, to make a good first impression.
"My apologies for not announcing myself. I'm a newcomer who just arrived in town yesterday. I was referred here by some of the veterans."
The shopkeeper stared at me as I played the part of a polite young man, then plopped down onto a stool at the counter and muttered, "You're too damn formal."
...Hmm, so he prefers a more casual approach. I'll adjust as we go.
"Well, whatever. What do you want?"
He asked as he tore off his hat and wiped the sweat from his brow with a towel. Seeing his short-cropped white hair, I found myself strangely surprised. So he wasn't bald after all.
For now, I summoned my current beloved sword to my hand.
"I bought this at the weapon shop in town, but I've earned a bit of money, so I was hoping to upgrade."
In response, he silently held out a thick arm. As requested, I handed him the straight sword. He stared intently at the sword, which looked even more flimsy compared to his massive frame, and—
"It really, really hates you."
He said it with no particular emotion.
"...Huh? It, uh, hates me? You think so?"
Slightly flustered, I asked again, but there was no reply to my question. The shopkeeper continued to observe my sword and spoke again.
"I'm the one who wholesaled this mass-produced piece to Ronna."
"Oh, is that so... Who's Ronna?"
"How did you use it?"
Ah, so he's one of those types who does things his own way. From experience, if I don't commit to being the listener, this conversation is going nowhere.
"Uh... how I used it. Well, just slashing with it normally."
............Man, am I gonna get yelled at for this?
"And... uh, th-throwing it, and stuff?"
"Throwing it."
"...Yes."
Then, silence.
............This is terrifying. When someone with that build goes dead silent, the intimidation factor is off the charts.
"Kid."
"Y-YES, SIR!"
"Swing it."
He handed the straight sword back to me as he spoke. Wait, swing it here?
"Uh, well..."
"Just swing it down right where you are. One swing, with everything you've got."
"..."
Hmm, I don't get it. I don't get it, but...
"...Understood."
There's something about these situations. Even if they don't make sense, they're exciting, right? These are the kinds of events you'd never experience in real life.
The development was so sudden that I couldn't read the shopkeeper's intentions, but this must be one of those "I'll see what you're made of" moments... There's no way I'm not fired up now!!
I don't have any sword training, but I've gained enough experience to slay three massive beasts. I believe I can at least look the part—
"Hraah!!"
I raised the sword silently, then brought it down with all my might.
"..."
The shopkeeper said nothing. Five seconds, ten seconds of silence passed.
"..."
Feeling awkward, I relaxed my stance, performed a meaningless but hopefully elegant and careful flourish, and sheathed... well, there's no sheath, so I stored the sword in my inventory. The silence continued.
One minute, two minutes... just as I was beginning to suspect he had fallen asleep with his eyes open, the muscle-uncle finally spoke.
"...A bundle of Glowbird tail feathers, and two chunks of blue iron ore."
Just when he finally spoke, this is what he says. It makes you want to lecture him on the importance of context.
In the real world, I'd tilt my head and ask, "What are you talking about?" But given that this world is a game, the meaning of his words was clear. It meant…
◇ A Quest has been initiated ◇
'A Companion to Walk With' ※ Optional
・Great Winged Bird's Tail Feathers 0/10
・Blue Iron Ore 0/2
—It was my very first quest in Arcadia.
I'm posting this after re-reading and editing a huge chunk of text I wrote in a frenzy. This chain of posts is also being sent out as I cling to my keyboard, shouting "next one, next one," so if the continuous updates suddenly stop, please pray for my soul and assume, "Ah, the poor guy finally collapsed."
What's so fortunate about that?