Chapter 84 - A Lack of Knowledge

The metal Rynold was forging became more malleable.

He continued hammering on the metal with the Mana Infused hammer. It didn't take long for Rynold to shape it because of the constant pouring of his Mana into the craft. Rynold didn't expect the technique to produce an acceptable outcome.

However, contrary to Rynold's expectations, it turned out amazing. The metal seemed to be much denser than before; simultaneously increasing in weight and purity. Rynold was amazed by the outcome but didn't fully finish it yet.

Deciding to try a different approach than before, Rynold grabbed what looked like an ear pick and started scraping. Even though he hadn't studied much of how Mana lines work, Rynold decided to give it a shot by making small lines onto the hot iron bar.

His actions were based on the Mana lines that he's seen before. Although Rynold didn't have much experience in making one, he's seen it plenty of times to make something out of his memory. But, then again, applying something from memory to a small iron bar is easier said than done.

Relying on his memory of how Mana lines are conducted from the time he spent in the Mana Crystal room, Rynold continued to scrape. Curving lines ever so often while making it spread out from the handle, he made the Mana lines look like the branches coming out of trees.

With the base on the blade as the trunk and spreading it out as they get away from the base, Rynold soon produced a finished product.

The blade appeared crude, but the finish seemed to make it seem elegant. It was like a diamond in the rough.

From a perspective, it actually looked like the workings of a master smith. The blade had a clean, sharp edge that looked sturdy and smooth. But, upon closer inspection, the Mana lines were crude at best. They didn't seem to have a pattern in which they were made, like the uncontrolled spreading of wildlife.

Rynold didn't think much of how it turned out and continued the process.

He grabbed a simple wooden handle that looked enchanted and infused in a Mana-rich environment. Coupling that with some hide from a Wolf he'd gotten a long time ago, Rynold started making the handle.

Grabbing the chisel and infusing it with his Mana, Rynold aggressively carved out pieces of the wood into a smaller, more manageable shape. All in the hopes of making a good grip for the blade, Rynold soon reduced the piece of wood to a small amount. Smaller than the width of the blade.

Up next, he sanded the piece of wood to smoothen for better handling. Finishing up the handle by wrapping the cured piece of leather, Rynold soon stood before the blade.

Bracing himself for the finished product, Rynold attached the wooden grip onto the blade.

[Crafting Complete!]

[Calculating Results...]

Rynold knew that this window would keep popping up in the future. It would be wise for him to actually get used to the anticipation and anxiety sooner than later.

[Calculation Completed.]

===

[Crude Steel Knife]

Bladed Silver Weapon

Durability 250/250

Attack Power +35

A simple knife that was made by an inexperienced smith. It's clear that the maker didn't put much thought into making this weapon.

Additional Passive Skill: Rushed Job

- Reduces durability by 2 for each second Mana is infused onto this weapon.

===

"Heh."

Rynold scoffed. He was astounded that the ranking of the weapon managed to reach the Silver tier. It was truly unexpected considering how much thought he put into making the thing. In all honesty, he made it as a test that he would throw out as soon as he finished it.

The test proved to be quite successful, Rynold admitted. Even though the outcome was poor, he managed to learn a thing or two from it.

He now knew that the Mana lines determined the actual use of the weapon and how feasible it would be. Rynold considered that the materials determined that, but looking at it now, the Mana lines were the determining factor. The passive skill of the weapon proved that.

What's more, Rynold soon realized that the tier of the weapon mattered in terms of the attack and durability values. There was a threshold in which would elevate an item to the next tier. The [Crude Steel Knife] that Rynold had made was at the very bottom of the Silver tier.

Now that Rynold knew these things, he wanted to try out different techniques for making a weapon. Whether it be during the actual smithing or inscribing, Rynold had to collect more information on all of it.

Knowledge and know-how were two important things that Rynold had to learn to effectively craft things.

Rynold decided on what he should do next. He considered maybe going to the library for books or asking Phrystol for help. Ultimately, though, Rynold just decided on practicing it on his own for now. He wanted to learn things from his own intuition like he normally did.

Meanwhile, several levels below Rynold's workshop...

Deep inside Oliver's consciousness, the devil and the young assassin were in the middle of a face-off.

"Devil! We need to talk!" Oliver's voice echoed throughout the dark room he was in.

He couldn't recognize where he was, but it was safe to assume that he wasn't using his own body to move. Oliver was able to tell just by looking at his hands which were somewhat oozing out dark whiffs of energy.

Oliver called out to the devil once more. This time, though, something happened right in front of him.

Dark energy started to swirl before him and accumulated into a large tornado. It lasted for a few seconds before dissipating, revealing a figure before him.

The devil.

"Finally," Oliver murmured.

The devil smiled, expressing the usual menacing look. "You like what I've done to the place?" he asked connivingly, "Now, quit bothering me. You're interrupting my sleep."

"Where is this place?" Oliver asked, not holding back his curiosity.

The devil's smile didn't waver and answered, "Human, if you must know, this is a part of your Mana Core. Slowly being adapted to accommodate for my presence. It won't take long now for me to fully control you."

Oliver sneered and angrily growled. "I won't let you do as you please!"

"Clearly you have no idea what position you're in, lowly Human," the devil answered back. "You accepted my power, fully, in fact, and that means a part of me resides in your Mana Core. Sooner or later, your Mana Core will succumb to my presence. Thus, turning you into a vessel for my use."

Taken aback, Oliver clicked his tongue. He hated to admit it, but the devil knew what he was talking about. Oliver did, in fact, do those things. He should have been prepared for the consequences thereof.

"If what you say is true," Oliver argued, "then what's stopping me from just relinquishing my Mana Core completely? That way, you won't appear in this world and it'll stop your plans."

The devil cheekily laughed which was shrill and disturbing for anyone listening. "Silly Human. The moment you do that, you'll die."

Oliver raised a brow. "And?"

"You don't have the guts," the devil continued laughing.

Oliver crossed his arms in dissatisfaction, "Try me."

The devil's smile slowly turned into a frown. Seconds passed, and Oliver didn't seem like he wanted to take back what he just said. He was prepared to sacrifice himself just so that the devil didn't get what he wanted. Petty or not, he knew what he was doing.

"Very well, Human, I'll play your little game," the devil commended Oliver's bravery. "Just know that using my powers has its costs. Eventually, that cost will be too much for you to bear."

As soon as the devil finished the sentence, Oliver woke up from his long slumber. He tried to move, but every single ounce of his body practically begged him not to. The battle took a lot out of him than he had first realized, and using the devil's powers seemed to worsen his condition.

Despite the pain shooting up and down his body, Oliver tried to push himself to get up. He grunted and groaned at every move he tried to make.

After some continuous and repeated attempts, the medical staff finally took notice of Oliver. They quickly rushed to help him with whatever medical attention he needed, emphasizing the fact that Oliver should be resting. Convincing Oliver was no easy task, but eventually, he listened and decided to lay down for a while.

While on his back, the medical staff examined his condition. Oliver saw their faces slowly shift to contorted eyebrows and looks of surprise. It was as if they didn't know what was wrong with him.

One of the medical people decided to take the initiative to explain. From what he said, Oliver understood that they couldn't perform any healing magic on him as the dark Mana surrounding him would only injure him further. The best they could do was to conduct first aid and save him from his critical condition.

The astounding part, though, is the fact that the dark Mana suddenly disappeared.