[CRAFTING] Forging at the Dead End [SOLO]

[lukavminaev]

(It was a nice bright day as usual, the green colors painted everywhere, virtually giving the vibe of humming forest, as the village where I’ve born)

“Ah ... you shity stray cat have returned”

(Smirk) “Yeah yeah Old man, is the furnace empty” (he looked at me) “You shity stray cat should know there is nothing I can do anymore with that old furnace”
(Smile) “Hey hey just take it easy, I was just asking, why you get so angry about it?” (he stopped for a while, glance at me) “What!! What do you mean angry!? I always talking like this!!” meh “Alright alright, then, I’ll start working there (point), okay?” (I walk toward the backyard, and enter the furnace room) “Just move your shity tail out of my way!!” God, I can still hear him from here.

To tell the truth, I never really know there is some people of the land out there that not over-respecting an adventurer. Until some days ago, while I was still a newcomer that also trapped in this apocalypse. It has been a while since I start thinking about refining my blacksmith subclass.

Blacksmith

The blacksmith is able to refine scrap metal and old tools into material and upgraded weapons.

Well, that old man is not as ‘friendly’ as it is when I met him for first time. I remember I was bugging him to let me use the furnace. I know he has one since I saw the chimney from far away, I know there is a furnace there, but the old man didn’t let me in. Annoying adventurer he said, and kept closing the door for me whenever I come.
To tell the truth, I will just give up right away. I am not the kind of person who likes bugging once I being told to not to. I just bugging him to the point he has the thing I need to improve my blacksmith subclass, one thing I need to improve, to help me find a way back to sis and mother. Well, there is something that’s keep me to stay, and that thing is.

“Oni chan, oni chan, let’s play …”
Ughaaa, I am dead. “You damn Old man! (bang bang bang) Let me in! Let me stay heeeree!” (bang bang bang)

Ok, that was happened long time ago (about several days ago), for some moe reason the words out from her tiny mouth translated into that language in my head. It is just then I know the little cutie is his granddaughter. After that, the old man agreed to lend me the furnace and asking something in return, I answered that I can make them a dinner, he seems pleased, but the dinner I made turned into some unearthly thing. I was got scolded hard, and then he told me to just help him moving the logs once awhile as return.
Many things happened after that. Well, I don’t really know why the old man accepting me in the first place (smile), but I know I am happy being here.

“Oni chan, oni chan?” Ughhuu! “Hmm? What is it?” Anything you need cutie cutie. “Let’s plaaay” oh, I want too, I want too so much. “Ah umm, not today sweetie” “Buuut …” Ohh please, please stop with that attack. “Ah look, my hand will get all dirty” “Oni chan dirty” not like what you think, “Just, not today okay, another time, I promise” “promise?” “Yeah, I promise” “awright then, bye” “bye …” (wave hand) fiuuuhh … dang. Ok, now let’s start.

Basic Accessory

Materials Required: 3 Unrefined Metal

(I closed the recipe menu after couple glance) I understand about forging in the real world. I used to forge basic chopping axes with stone formed furnace. However, British old one stage furnace is new to me. I've seen one near my workplace, where some artisan apprentice learn how to make ceramic, not sure if it is the same.
(I pile up some coals to the furnace then make some fire with flints. Then I opened some shacks to check up the materials I've bought before from the city market) I have overheard couple of player talking about crafting, something about cannot done it the same as before. Well, it’s not like I knew how they usually make a crafting item in the first place, is it different? Well, I cannot imagine how can people change the shape of hot metal other than banging a hammer on it.
(look to the coals) Well, seems the heat is enough. (I take one of the unrefined metal with one big iron pliers, then put the unrefined metal inside the furnace) “Let’s see first task …” (I take one of the paper on the wallboard) “… a hairpin”.

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[lukavminaev]

Dink … Dink … Dink … Dink …

(The outer layer have started to melt, I keep hammering it so the inner structure will start to deform)

Dink … Dink … Dink … Dink …

“Fuuuh …” (I put back the metal to the fire with pliers, then blow some wind on it to keep the fire have enough heat) forging I know is continuous event, you can’t actually rest after you started it. That’s why most people doing it at least with two or more person. (I flipped the metal position, then blowing it up again) meh, even though some of the rule really are annoying, there is the good side of it too. For example, I don’t feel it too hot even though I am so close to the furnace, normal people even need a mask to do this kind of task. Also, I don’t easily get burned, even almost all my current body covered in fur. However, I never try to jump directly to scorching fire. Maybe sometime.

Prssschhh

Seems like the heat is enough (I use the quick delay to clean the anvil, after that I take the metal again then continue the hammering)

Dink … Dink … Dink … Dink …

Creeeaaak

“Oni-chan, I bring the tea for you” what! What is that old man thinking! “Ah, sweetie, you cannot come here, it is dangerous here” “but …” that dang old man “ah, it’s okay, it’s okay, just sit here okay, come, siiiiiiit”. (I leave the heated metal on the anvil, then take the tea from her hand, put it on nearest table, and put her on the chair). “Just stay here okay, I need to get back to work". “Okay …”

(I come back to the metal I left on anvil) dang, it’s not good. (I put back the metal to the furnace with pliers, then start blowing it again) (I saw her from the corner of my eyes, she seems little sad) dang, did I doing it too hard on her “so, anything happened to you”
(she looks at me) “to me?” “M-hm, are you get along with your friend?” (I said it as casual as possible while trying to ignore the puppy eye attack)
“mmm” (she seems thinking hard) “I like abby, she likes cookies, I like her cookies too” (I smiled) (I take the metal again then move it to the anvil) “and the others?” “Other?”

Dink ….

“Ah, I am sorry sweetie, am I scarred you?” (She shook her head) “I am not scared, grandpa did it to” “Ehehe, you are brave girl” “ehehe” dat angelic smile!

Dink … dink … dink …

“there is tommy, he is sooooo big” (she made huge “O” with her hands) “is that big?” (smile) “he is sooooo big, he always sit near timmy, timmy is like me” (smile) “he is brave one then” who izzat damn boyfriend material.

Dink … dink … dink … dink …

“I don’t like tommy, he like to take timmy snack, timmy hate him too” (I put back the metal to the furnace) “hmm, maybe he just want to be friend” “is he?” (I wash my hand with the water at the bucket then dry it. I take the tea and drink it empty) meh, usual taste (peek at her) but it sweet! “there is many different kind of people in this world, just because he is out of your standard, doesn’t always mean he is bad person”

“hmm??” (smile)(get close to her and pat her head) “I am sorry, is that word too hard for you” “not too, I am kinda understand” smart girl (pat pat) “well, as long as he is not doing anything bad, why not just try get along with him” (I put the empty glass on her hand) “okay” (she jumps down from the chair then walk toward exit).

And now … the next step. (I take the metal from the furnace with the pliers then sink it to the water)

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[lukavminaev]

Come to think about it. Why did I use axe making method to make a hairpin. It’s not like the one use it treat is as small sword or something. Meh, when I do it to something I don’t know, the beast way to understand is doing it with the way I’ve known. Yep, that’s sounds reasonable.

Axe or similar 'bang to thing' forged tools is best to made with the hardening, while accessory things or similar of it best made with melting, since it save the time. To put it simply to make a sword, bang similar kind of metals until they merged to the core, while to make a spoon or nail you just need to melt all the metals and then pour it to the molds. Well, there is people in real world who study in alchemy who can make super hard metal with melting method. But our way in the forest, it is best to use hardening, since it will train your arm good.

(I put the other two unrefined metals to the furnace, then take the first metal to anvil and start reshaping it)

Dink … dink … dink … dink …

Doing same things repeatedly is unusually good. If you successfully have let your muscle remember it, you can even do it autonomously. Means you can think about other things while you are doing it.

Dink … dink … dink … dink …

(I have successfully reshaping it to the rough form of a hairpin, then I take the other two and combine the three of them while use the first metal as the core)

Dink … dink … dink … dink …

(Move the combined metals to furnace again, blowing it) hmm, it seems a little dark here. (Walk toward outside) yeah it’s kind of late. Hmm … why there is a stair here (notice familiar pair of boots on the roof near the wooden stair) meh, what’s that old man doing up there, got to surprise him later … Oh yeah, the furnace! (Quickly get back inside)

(Take the combined metal then shaping it following the image of the core, burn it again, shaping it, burn it, sink it to the water, reshaping it, burn it, sink to the water, reshaping it, do the last three steps repeatedly)

Hmm … I think it is enough (take some of ceramic material mud, shape it as three small balls, pint it at the tip of hairpin formed combined metal, then burn it again). Well, it will take some times (after blowing it to make enough heat, I walk out of the place) “Mmmeeaaggghh …” (I stretched my body) Hmm, that old man is no longer there. Where did he go?

“What the hell are you looking at! Are you trying to peek on my granddaughter?” “What! Isn’t that you?” “The hell are you talking about!? I never peek on her” “what the, I saw you with my own eyes! You did it!” “I din’t!” “You did it!” “I din’t!” “You did it!” “I told you, I din’t do it! End of the story!” meh … (I take two glass of water, then give one of it to him) “why you are so block headed old man” “what! Isn’t that you!” (he take the glass from my hand) “Hey! I tried to chat normally here, why so angry?” (He stake one sip) “I am not angry” (and he take another sip) “meh, but, you got one nice living place here” “isn’t it?” “m-hm, is there any special story behind it?” (I take a sip) “Well, if you really want to know, me and my …” “forget it, I don’t want to hear a grandma story” “what the hell are you badmouthing my sweet little candy!” see, it obviously a grandma story (I take another sip).

(Both of us enjoying the scene of changing day in the horizon) “You know, I really really thank you for letting me use your furnace that time. To tell you the truth, I was surprised when said you are accepting me” “yeah, I was surprised too” “m-hm, why?” (I take the glass again and drink) “You want to know?” (Nod) “Hmmmh … that day after dealing with you. I was sit as usual in our room, watching all of my family pictures. I was enlightened, I began thinking about my granddaughter husb …” Bruuuustttt “what the, I don’t ever considered you as her future husband!” “you know old man, I give up, I’ll be back inside (point with the thumb) okay, bye” “what!! Hey, come on …”

Damn that old man (I walk back to the furnace room) hmm? Looks like it done (I take the crafting item out of the furnace with the pliers, then sink it to the water)(after it long enough, I take it out to see result) nice color (the three small ball shaped mud before, have turned into ceramic. The burnt trace on it turned into dazzling soft stripe) well then, time to grind it soft and polish it.

(I begin to grind it) well, another recurring process.

Grrrk … grrrk … grrrk … grrrk …

(After a while) seems like it done (I look at the fruit of my work, it shining perfectly reflecting outer light) well, (scratch scratch) I am not good at appraising beauty of handcraft. Hmm, but it’s like something missing. Ah, but it means I have done the requirement to raise my blacksmith skill, yeah. (I left the hairpin on the handkerchief at the table, then walk outside). Gaaaah … it’s finally done.

Hmm? (Stare) that wooden stair is there again. Then, that means (smirk) (I climb up the stair) “Hey! (He startled) old man, what are you doing here?” “psshhh, I just keep my eyes on my daughter damn it” told you, you did it “what are you doing up here” “nah, I just want to say good bye” (he looks at me) “you have done what you need to do” “seems like it” (he look at me for long time) what with that sad ending stare. “come to dinner tonight”, (he looks back to the granddaughter) you got to say nice farewell to her” (I take myplace ner him) “yeah” (both of us watching her from faraway).

(One of the housewife walk with his boy) man, he sure is fat. Ah, that must be Tommy. Then (stare) that little midget must be Timmy, he sure like bringing snack. (The Tommy boy begin running toward the playground, then sit near Timmy) Ooohh, it is the scene. Let’s see what will happen. (The Tommy boy seems didn’t join the play, so is Timmy. Then he just take one of Timmy snack and eat it) meh, what a usual event.

(Then it looks like our little cutie walking toward him, both old man and me slowly move our body forward to hear more clearly what she says) “Tommy, don’t be like that, Timmy don’t like it, right Timmy?” “You don’t like it?” “Yeah I don’t like it” “Ah, I though you giving it to me, I am sorry” (Timmy smiled) “It’s okay, but you must ask to me before, if you want it” (he giving a basket of snacks to Tommy).

(Smile)

“What the hell are you smiling about!” “What! How the hell I am not supposed to smile old man” “how the hell are you smiling like good thing happened because of your doing!” “What the! You know what? I changed my mind, I am leaving now, bye” (I climb down the stair, then go toward the city) “hey!” (I waved my hand) “Heeeyy!!” “Bye bye old man” “heeeyyy!! Don’t be so blockhead, if you keep that attitude, how the hell you can be my granddaughter husband” (tripped down) what the … “The hell are you talking old man! Are you want to make me die standing?!” damn.

“Bah, what a blockhead cat”.

Night come
the village slowly drowned into the silence
let the night creatures take over the role to fill the darkness
and then
morning comes

Creeaaaak (an old man opened the window) “What the …” (turn back inside, taking out a stick)

(Bam bam bam) “heyy … wake up shity cat! Why the hell are you sleeping outside?!”

“Ouch ouch ouch, what the … oh it is morning” (stop the stick with bare hand) “stop it, I just want to take my belonging, that’s all” (walk to the furnace room, the old man sighed then get back to the room).

(I opened the door and set my foot inside the furnace room) ah, there it is (I walk toward the table then touch the hairpin) “Whoa” (suddenly there is an item description there) (smirk) heh, so it is what called by blacksmith in this world, yep, seems like I completed it.

(I attempt to go outside, but I sense there is someone in front of the door) “Oni Chan, are you leaving?” (She shove her eyes, seems like she just wake up) (I squat down to match her high) “That’s right sweetie, I am sorry” (she looks at me in the eyes) “then, you will come back?” (Smile) “of course”.

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