Bairan Village

"Going to the Mubaid Ruins, one must be level 120 or higher!"

"Looking for those who want to hunt in the Grey Forest ~ A level 110 warrior is waiting for people higher than level 96~"

"We need a level 100 mage to raid Poisonous Snake!"

Arriving at Bairan Village, Gilgamesh was immediately greeted by the lively chaos of players shouting and recruiting for parties. The air was thick with excitement and urgency, as adventurers of all classes gathered to form groups for their next hunt. The village square was a hub of activity, with players trading items, sharing tips, and preparing for the dangers that lay beyond the safety of the village walls.

It was a normal sight here. Bairan Village was known for its proximity to high-level hunting grounds, where the monsters were at least level 100 and notoriously ferocious. The area was a magnet for experienced players, but it was also a place where caution was essential. The level of users here was at least in the mid-80s, and solo hunting was a death sentence for anyone below level 120.

Gilgamesh took it all in, his sharp eyes scanning the crowd. He could feel the energy of the place, the mix of determination and camaraderie that came with facing such formidable challenges. It was a far cry from the quiet solitude of his forge, and he couldn't help but feel a spark of excitement.

"Let's go," Kaela said, pulling him out of his thoughts. She had been here before, and the chaos of the village square didn't faze her. She led him through the bustling streets, her steps confident and purposeful.

Gilgamesh followed, his gaze lingering on the various groups of players as they passed. He could hear snippets of conversation—strategies for taking down a boss, complaints about rare drops, and the occasional burst of laughter. It was a reminder of how vast and alive the world of Satisfy was, and how much he had yet to explore.

As they moved further from the village center, the noise began to fade, replaced by the gentle rustling of leaves and the distant chirping of birds. Kaela led him to the outskirts of the village, far from the usual gathering spots but still close enough to feel connected to the community.

And then, they arrived.

"Ohhh~ Not bad," Gilgamesh commented, his eyes widening as he took in the sight of their new house.

The house was modest but well-built, with a sturdy wooden frame and a roof made of neatly arranged tiles. It stood on a small plot of land, surrounded by a low stone wall and a few scattered trees. The design was simple yet elegant, with a small garden in the front and a smithy attached to the side. It was clear that a lot of thought and care had gone into its construction.

Kaela watched him closely, a small smile playing on her lips. "Do you like it?"

Gilgamesh nodded, his expression softening. "Yeah, I do. It's... cozy. Feels like home."

Kaela's smile widened, and she gestured for him to follow her inside. The interior of the house was just as welcoming as the exterior, with warm wooden floors, a cozy fireplace in the corner, and soft light filtering through the windows. It was a space that felt lived-in and comfortable, a stark contrast to the chaotic energy of the village square.

But the most striking feature of the house wasn't the furniture or the decor—it was the battle gear that adorned the walls. Hundreds of weapons and pieces of armor hung in neat rows, their surfaces gleaming in the firelight.

Swords, spears, shields, and even a few exotic weapons filled the space, turning the walls into a veritable armory.

Gilgamesh's eyes widened as he took it all in. "Whoa," he said, his voice filled with awe, he then commented in a joking manner. "Did you raid a king's treasury or something?"

Kaela shrugged her expression a mix of pride and nonchalance. "I can't stay still for too long, so I made those," she said, as if crafting hundreds of high-quality battle gear was the most natural thing in the world.

'Maybe in a few years, she can become a legend on her own.' Gilgamesh thought inside his head. Because of his intervention, Kaela right now is still alive and kicking. Which resulted in her talent blossoming after polishing her blacksmithing skill with him. He imagined that in the future there would be more than one Legendary Blacksmith not counting future Khan.

Gilgamesh let out a good-hearted chuckle, shaking his head. "Yeah, you don't need to explain yourself. I already know you~"

Kaela rolled her eyes, but there was a hint of a smile on her lips. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means you're a workaholic," Gilgamesh said, his tone teasing. "You'd probably start forging in your sleep if you could."

Kaela snorted and commented, "Sleep is for the weak" She then crossed her arms, pretending to be offended.

"And it's coming from the guy who spent five months holed up in a smithy, hammering away like his life depended on it."

"Touché," Gilgamesh said, holding up his hands in mock surrender.

"Don't forget you also filled the house in Patrian with battle gears also."

"But at least I admit it. It's also for the purpose of surprising you. While you, on the other hand, act like it's completely normal to turn the living room into an armory."

Kaela glanced around the room, her expression softening. "I guess I got carried away. But it's not like I had much else to do while I was waiting for you to show up."

Gilgamesh's teasing smile faded, replaced by a look of genuine appreciation. "Well, I'm here now. And this place... It's amazing, Kaela. You've done an incredible job."

Kaela's cheeks flushed slightly at the compliment, and she looked away, trying to hide her smile. "It's not a big deal. I just wanted to make sure we had a place to come back to after all the grinding and hunting."

Gilgamesh stepped closer, his voice gentle. "It's more than just a place, Kaela. It's a home. And you've made it feel like one."

For a moment, the two of them stood in comfortable silence, the warmth of the fireplace and the weight of their shared history filling the space between them. Then, Kaela cleared her throat, her usual practicality returning.

"Do you want to look around the village first? I still need to do something first to complete the house."

"If so then I will help you first. I can explore the village at another time."

"Okay."

***

Tttangg! Tttangg! Tttangg!

The rhythmic sound of hammering echoed through the small smithy nestled in the heart of Bairan Village. The forge glowed with a warm, orange light, casting flickering shadows on the walls. Inside, a man of average height but with a solid, muscular build worked diligently, his hands moving with practiced precision. Sweat dripped from his brow as he focused on the task at hand—forging an arrow.

This was Smith, the only blacksmith in Bairan. He is not talented, despite his decades of experience, he remained a beginner blacksmith, a fact that had baffled many who knew him. For almost 50 years, he had toiled at the forge, honing his skills and striving to improve. Yet, no matter how hard he worked, he never seemed to advance beyond the basics.

But Smith wasn't one to give up. He had long since accepted that his progress would be slow, but he refused to let that deter him. Every day, he reminded himself of his mentor's teachings, words that had been etched into his heart and soul.

"A blacksmith's worth isn't measured by the level of his skill, but by the strength of his spirit. The flame of the forge may fade, but the fire within you must never die."

Those words had been his guiding light, a source of inspiration during the countless nights he had spent working alone in the smithy. They reminded him that true mastery wasn't just about technique—it was about perseverance, dedication, and an unyielding passion for the craft.

Smith then lifted the finished arrow and let out a sigh as he noticed the arrow he made was still an ordinary Jaffa Arrow.

Krackkkk~

While he inspects his arrow, the door to the smithy creaked open. Smith looked up, his eyes narrowing against the bright sunlight that streamed in. Standing in the doorway was a figure he didn't recognize—a tall, confident blonde young man with a presence that seemed to fill the room.

"Hello," the man said, his voice warm but carrying an undercurrent of authority. "I'm looking for Smith, the blacksmith of Bairan."

Smith set down his hammer and stepped forward, wiping his hands on his apron. "That's me. What can I do for you?"

The man smiled, his eyes gleaming with curiosity. "I've heard a lot about you. My name is Gilgamesh, and I was hoping we could talk."

Smith raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. It wasn't often that someone sought him out, especially not someone who carried themselves with such confidence. But there was something about this man—something that made Smith feel like this meeting was more than just a coincidence.

"Alright," Smith said, gesturing to a nearby stool. "Take a seat. Let's talk."

___

"You want to learn blacksmithing?"

Honestly, Gilgamesh didn't need to learn blacksmithing from Smith. His skills far surpassed those of the village blacksmith, and even Kaela, who had been grinding relentlessly, had already outpaced Smith in both technique and creativity. But Gilgamesh had his reasons for being here. Not only did he need to trace Grid's footsteps to ensure the plot stayed on track, but he also needed certain quests from Smith to unlock the skills he desired.

He had already considered the risks of deviating from the original timeline. His early encounter with Yura, for instance, had been unexpected, but he wasn't overly concerned. The canon event was still several months away, and he was confident in his ability to turn her into an ally—or at least keep her from becoming a threat. For now, his focus was on securing the skills and resources that would give him an edge in the challenges to come.

"Yeah, is that a problem?" Gilgamesh replied, his tone casual but his eyes sharp. He met Smith's gaze without flinching, his confidence unwavering.

At that, Smith looked at Gilgamesh up and down, evaluating whatever he really suited to become a blacksmith. Because Smith had not yet stepped at the intermediate blacksmith level, he failed to recognize that the one in front of him was a legend and Pagma's Successor. Smith studied him for a moment longer, then nodded slowly. "Alright. But don't expect me to go easy on you. If you're serious about this, you'll need to prove yourself."

Gilgamesh's smirk widened. "I wouldn't have it any other way."

Smith turned back to the forge, gesturing for Gilgamesh to follow. "We'll start with the basics. Grab an apron and a hammer. Let's see what you're made of."

Gilgamesh soon followed, prompting Smith to grab the arrow he just made before and show it to Gilgamesh. "Do you know what is this?"

"Jaffa Arrow."

"Correct. Because it's made by mixing a small amount of jaffa with steel, allowing it to ignore some of the enemy's defense and cause damage." Smith explained, he then continued,

"Jaffa is a mineral with a low oxygen content, making it easy to smelt, and is remarkably superior to iron. Its weakness is its durability and strength, making it unsuitable to create weapons with jaffa. However, when mixed with steel, the durability increases, and the penetration power is maximized. It is normal for cavalry troops to be armed with jaffa-tipped spears."

Gilgamesh nodded in understanding, also he already knew from the novel, but he was still interested in jaffa. A mineral that can ignore some defense is precious in any game after all.

"Show me the arrow for a moment."

Smith then handed him the arrow and then Gilgamesh used the appraisal skill.

[Jaffa Arrow]

Rating: Normal

Attack Power: 20~26

An arrow made by mixing a small amount of jaffa with steel.

Due to the effect of combining jaffa with steel, it has extremely high penetration and ignores some of the enemy's defense.

Weight: 0.1

[A hidden function doesn't exist.]

[You have grasped the Jaffa Arrow's material composition, production method, and intentions of its creator.]

[Your understanding of the Jaffa Arrow is now at 98%. You will be able to use the Jaffa Arrow skillfully.]

Smith looked at him staring at the arrow and asked. "Do you want to learn how to make the Jaffa Arrow?"

"I will learn how to make it."

Smith nodded in approval, "I thought so. First, shall we learn how to smelt the mineral?"

Smith began with the structure of the old furnace commonly used by all blacksmiths in Satisfy, explaining in detail the elements necessary for the smelting process and the principles behind the process. What soon followed was his shocked face when he saw Gilgamesh skillfully smelt the mineral.