Blacksmith of the Apocalypse

"What is this?" Seth exclaimed when he entered the hangar together with Yulecat's Fur.

Wedan, Hoen, and the other Lords of Minas Mar were already waiting to see them off. But what had drawn Seth's attention was the bus behind them. It was the bus Al'Zalsar had enchanted all the way back when Minas Mar rolled out to save Drosi.

It was obvious that they couldn't just walk across half the continent, through mountainous terrain, on foot. They had planned to use the bus and save some time by flying the distance. However, the bus Seth expected had... changed.

"While you and Hoen were busy, I used the delay to make some modifications to your vehicle," Wedan said proudly.

Now that he mentioned it, Seth remembered that he had not seen Wedan as often, despite spending so much time in the workshop. There had been a delay thanks to the sudden addition of the princess. Since Seth was satisfied with his preparations he used the time to finish the rings and make some other accessories for the shop, bringing his <Goldsmith> skill to level 4. But he never met Wedan in the past days.

"After our previous journey, Wedan and I thought it was a good idea to improve the vessel, though I was only involved in the planning," Hoen admitted with a warm smile.

"Yes, we mostly added strong defense mechanisms and reinforced armor plating, so you don't have to worry as much about it." Wedan continued explaining how they turned the bus into a floating tank.

"We also wanted to add cannons, but we didn't have the time and technology to do so," Hoen added embarrassed.

Yeah, that was what was missing, a giant gun barrel to complete the image of a...tank? Seth couldn't really describe what it was but, in the end, it still looked mostly like a heavily armored school bus.

Though he had to admit, they had covered something Seth had forgotten. The original bus was almost completely unprotected and vulnerable to attacks from flying beasts. Seeing how reliable these people were, he was glad that he was once again able to count them as his friends and colleagues.

"Thank you, Wedan, Hoen" he voiced his gratitude.

"Here." a beauty in a very revealing outfit stepped forward and interrupted them.

Lifting her hand, she held up a slender sword in its sheath for the blacksmith to take.

"Al'Zalsar, I didn't expect you to leave your nest just to see me off." the blacksmith commented with a joking smile and took the sword. It was the best Sanguine Silver sword he had managed to finish and he asked the sorceress to enchant it.

<Ravenous Sog

Relic

Damage:2300

Durability: 6000

1. Will absorb blood to repair itself

2. Will absorb part of the target's blood to heal and strengthen the user

3. Active Skill: Lacerate

4. Passive skill: Strength of the Minotaur

5.+50% Skill Damage

6.+50% Magic Damage

7.+20% Damage in Dark Places (Charon's obol)

8. Absorb Willpower on Hit

9. Curse of Lethargy on Hit

An exceedingly excellent sword created by Craftsman Smith with minute attention to detail and a clear function in mind. The superior craftsmanship improved its performance to its physical limits, while the enchantments lend an opportunity for growth.

The Grand Sorceress Al'Zalsar has bestowed the sword with powerful enchantments.

Once this sword becomes widely known or plays a role in the user's ascent to a legend, the item has a chance to become legendary. >

"Wow, you really outdid yourself again," Seth commented with a whistle as he grabbed the sword.

Absorbing attributes was a high-ranking and difficult enchantment. The effect was easy to explain. The target would temporarily lose a set amount of willpower and Seth would gain that amount for the time being.

Since he became a craftsman, Seth was also theoretically able to use those. The problem was that he didn't have the chance to learn any before.

The Curse of Lethargy on the other hand was described as sapping away the targets fighting spirit and stamina. The description was quite vague and the blacksmith didn't know how strong it would be, but the fact that it could be stacked would make up for it, even if the individual effects were on the weaker side.

To sum it up, the sword currently drained life, blood, willpower, fighting spirit, and stamina. If he was able to find a fitting soul and imbue it with mana drain, the sword would tap into pretty much all resources of a player.

"This is nothing. Make sure you come back alive and don't lose my dragon gold." the sorceress bragged.

"Are you two done? Let's go. We have to pick up Leana and her people." Mike called from the armored bus.

Everyone said their goodbyes and entered the bus before lifting off.

They started from the entrance of Minas Mar, where even the Minotaur was waving them goodbye. On board were The members of Yulecat's Fur, Seth, and Ceres who couldn't be put into the inventory.

Mike took the role of the pilot and they flew up and around the edge of Delta. It gave Seth a new perspective on the cityscape of Delta that was snuggling in between the mountains. There was a clear split with one side being the clean lines of modern architecture, while the demon's side seemed almost corrupted with magic.

But the biggest additions were the chunks of rock and ripped-off mountain peaks floating in the sky above the city. As they wandered across the sky, their shadows creeps across the city like those of clouds.

After closing in on the city, they flew along the edge until they reached one of the former mega highways at the entrance to Delta. This was where a group of three people was waiting for them. One of Leana, beside her, was a figure dressed in a dark cloak and to Seth's surprise, the third was Yvette, the Saintess of Samhach.

Wasn't Yvette busy with growing the Church of Samhach? Seth didn't expect her to be with Leana, or that she would join their quest in such a roundabout way.

"Princess, are you ready?" the blacksmith asked as the armored bus landed in front of their group.

"...You guys had a flying vessel?" she asked perplexed, still unable to close her mouth.

"Sure do. Hey Yvette, I didn't know you were with the princess?" he spoke to the saintess as she entered the bus following the princess.

"Oh, you know. I have an agreement with her, just like I have one with you."

"Well, it's reassuring to have you with us on this journey."

She nodded and walked past him to take a seat. The cloaked figure only nodded at him as a greeting before entering and sitting down beside the princess.

As if the shuttle wasn't surprise enough, Leana's eyes were glued to the bird automaton sitting on one of the vertical grab poles in the bus. She was almost certain it was an unfitting piece of decoration, when it suddenly turned its head, looking at her with burning bluish eyes.

"Hi! I'm Ceres. You are a princess from Chrona, right?" it asked with a bodyless voice.

"Ah! Erm, yes. I'm Leana." she answered a little taken by surprise.

"If you need help, just come looking for me. I will protect you." the elemental cawed.

"Stop flirting with the Princess, Ceres." Seth scolded.

"Has everyone taken a seat? Please put on your seat belts. We are setting off now." Mike said from the cockpit.

The shuttle gained height and then shot off, away from Delta, at max speed.