Why Are You Gay?

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[Mineral Smelting]

Difficulty: E

Mineral smelting is the basis of production. Smith gives this job to you, who is dreaming of becoming a blacksmith.

Quest Clear Conditions: Succeed in smelting the jaffa ore.

Quest Reward: Affinity with Smith +30, experience +80, 300g of smelted jaffa.

Quest Failure: None.

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'Fuhh~ It's been a while since I got an ordinary quest.' Gilgamesh thought as he approached the furnace.

[Pagma's descendant is sensitive to changes in temperature. If there is a furnace in the vicinity, you can accurately measure the temperature inside the furnace.]

Gilgamesh placed his hand over the furnace, his fingers hovering just above the flames. The heat washed over him, but he didn't flinch. Instead, he focused on the notifications that appeared in his vision, the numbers rising steadily as the temperature increased.

[700 degrees. 720 degrees. 740...]

The constantly rising temperature was displayed in the continuously updating notification window. The numbers climbed higher and higher, each update bringing him closer to his goal. Gilgamesh's expression was calm, his focus absolute.

'1,000 degrees.' he thought, watching the numbers closely.

Iron ore was typically smelted at temperatures between 1,150 and 1,250 degrees Celsius, but jaffa, the rare and valuable material he was working with, required a lower temperature. At around 950 to 1,000 degrees, jaffa would melt perfectly, its impurities easier to filter out due to its unique composition.

As soon as the notification window read 1,000 degrees, Gilgamesh stopped stoking the furnace. The temperature was perfect, and he didn't need to waste any more effort. He turned his attention to the jaffa, carefully placing it into the furnace and watching as it began to melt.

Compared to iron ore, jaffa had a lower concentration of impurities, and its orange glow was strong from the very beginning. Gilgamesh immersed himself in the process, his hands moving with practiced ease as he filtered out the impurities. His past experience in blacksmithing made the task feel almost second nature, even though this was his first time working with jaffa.

Smith, who had been watching from a distance, grew increasingly concerned. He had expected Gilgamesh to struggle, make mistakes, and need guidance. But as he stepped closer to check on Gilgamesh's progress, his eyes widened in shock.

"H-Heok! Cough! Cough cough!" Smith stumbled back, clutching his chest as if he had been struck. His face turned pale, and for a moment, it looked like he might collapse.

Smith was so surprised that he had trouble breathing. After a while, Smith barely regained stability and asked him in a trembling voice, "How are you so skilled at smelting?"

Gilgamesh glanced over, his brow furrowing in concern. "Are you alright?"

Smith waved him off, though his hands were trembling. After a few deep breaths, he managed to regain his composure, but his voice was still shaky when he spoke. "How... how are you so skilled at smelting? This... this wasn't your first time, was it?"

Gilgamesh hesitated for a moment, then shook his head. "...It is my first time smelting jaffa."

"Huh... it is really ridiculous... This is a talent that can't be represented. A person with no experience is better than his teacher. It's like I'm dreaming. Are you the reincarnation of Pagma?"

In the meantime, the high-purity molten jaffa was completed. The molten metal glowed with a brilliant orange hue, its surface shimmering like liquid fire. Gilgamesh stepped back, wiping the sweat from his brow as a notification popped up in his vision.

[Quest success!]

Smith, who had been watching closely after the first shock, smiled warmly and said, "Absolutely wonderful! You are a great friend."

[Affinity with Smith has risen by 30.]

[Experience has risen by 80.]

"Bring it here," Smith said, gesturing to the molten jaffa.

Gilgamesh carefully carried the crucible over, handing it to Smith with a nod. The older blacksmith took it with practiced ease, his hands steady despite the intense heat. He poured the molten jaffa into a larger crucible containing molten iron, mixing the two metals at a precise ratio of 1:12. For every single part of the jaffa, there were twelve parts of iron—a balance that would ensure the final product had the perfect combination of strength and sharpness.

Smith placed the mixture back into the furnace, stoking the flames to maintain the ideal temperature. As the metals melded together, he stirred the molten solution with a long, heat-resistant rod, ensuring the jaffa and iron were thoroughly combined. He repeated this process six times, his movements deliberate and precise, before finally pouring the molten solution into a pre-prepared mold.

"We'll have to wait about 40 minutes for it to harden," Smith explained, setting the mold aside. "In the meantime, take this."

He handed Gilgamesh a small piece of completed jaffa, its surface smooth and cool to the touch. "This is the first time you've smelted metal, so I'll give this to you as a memento."

Once the 40 minutes had passed, Smith returned to the mold. He picked up a large hammer and began striking the hardened metal, carefully shaping it into a thick wire. The rhythmic clang of hammer against metal filled the smithy, each strike bringing the material closer to its final form.

Smith then placed the wire onto a smaller mold, hammering it further to refine its shape. Afterward, he used a grindstone to sharpen the edge, his hands moving with the precision of someone who had done this countless times before. The result was a sturdy, sharp arrowhead—thick and heavy, yet capable of piercing even the toughest armor.

Finally, Smith secured the jaffa arrowhead to a pre-created arrow shaft, completing the Jaffa Arrow. He held it up for Gilgamesh to inspect, his expression one of quiet pride.

Gilgamesh watched the entire process from beginning to end, his eyes taking in every detail. As Smith finished, a new notification window popped up.

[Your understanding of the Jaffa Arrow is now at 100%. You will be able to use the Jaffa Arrow perfectly.]

[You have learned how to make the Jaffa Arrow.]

Smith turned to Gilgamesh, his eyes twinkling with curiosity. "How is it? Can you make it?"

Gilgamesh nodded confidently. "Yes."

Smith's smile widened, and he clapped Gilgamesh on the shoulder. "Good. Then it's your turn. Show me what you've learned."

Ttttrringgg!!

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[Create a Jaffa Arrow]

Difficulty: D

The process of mixing two metals is never easy. It requires delicacy to make an arrow. For this reason, it is hard for novice blacksmiths to create a Jaffa Arrow.

But Smith trusts you and leaves you with the expensive materials.

Quest Clear Conditions: Produce 100 Jaffa Arrows.

Quest Reward: Affinity with Smith MAX, experience +300, 50 Jaffa Arrows.

Quest Failure: Smith's disappointment.

* If the client is disappointed, you won't be assigned any new missions for a period of time.

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"Like any weapon, particularly arrows, balance is important," Smith explained, his tone patient and instructive. "You need to balance the feathers, the arrowhead, and the shaft. If the arrows are even a little bit out of balance, they won't be able to fly as far as they can possibly go. I'll help you with the shafts."

Smith handed Gilgamesh 100 completed arrow shafts and one kilogram of jaffa, along with permission to freely use the iron ore in the smithy. This generosity was a testament to the incredibly high-affinity Gilgamesh had built with the old blacksmith. Smith's trust in him was evident, and it was clear that he saw potential in him, far surpassed his own.

But Gilgamesh surprised him by returning the 100 arrow shafts. "I appreciate the courtesy, but I will make the shafts myself."

Smith blinked, clearly taken aback. "Why bother? If it's because you feel burdened, there's no need to worry. These are just extras I had lying around."

Gilgamesh shook his head, his expression serious. "Are you going to support me with the shafts every time I make an arrow?"

Smith hesitated, then sighed. "No, I can't... Oh, I see. So you're going to use this opportunity to learn how to make the shafts properly?"

"That's right," Gilgamesh said with a determined nod. "If possible, please support me with the materials required to make the shaft."

Smith studied him for a moment, then shrugged, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Alright, if that's what you want. I was so focused on the smelting and making of the arrowhead that I didn't tell you how to make the shaft. I'll teach you how to make the shaft now."

Gilgamesh shook his head, his expression calm and confident. "I'll take care of it," he said, pulling out a thick booklet from his inventory. The cover read: List of Items Production Methods.

He then opened the book, revealing hundreds of items listed in the table of contents. Each entry was a production method for a different weapon or piece of equipment—Black Greatsword, Nightedge, Blightfang, and countless others. These were items he had a 100% understanding of, their creation methods meticulously documented in the pages of the book.

He flipped to the last page, where the entry for the Jaffa Arrow was listed. Opening the page, he found a detailed guide on how to make the arrow, complete with step-by-step instructions, diagrams, and even tips for troubleshooting common issues. Gilgamesh read through the instructions carefully, his eyes scanning the text and images with focused intensity.

'Okay, I can do it,' he thought, closing the book and setting it aside.

Without hesitation, he got to work. First, he sorted through the branches Smith had provided, selecting the straightest ones and setting aside those that were too bent or knotted. For the branches that were slightly curved, he lightly seared them over the forge's flames, using the heat to soften the wood before carefully straightening them by hand.

Next, he cut the branches to a uniform length, ensuring each shaft was perfectly sized. Using a small chisel, he carved a U-shaped groove at the top of each shaft—the nock, where the arrow would rest against the bowstring. Finally, he attached the feathers, carefully aligning them to ensure the arrow would fly straight and true.

Smith once again felt admiration as he watched.

When Gilgamesh finished the first shaft, Smith picked it up, inspecting it closely. The craftsmanship was flawless, the balance impeccable. "This isn't the workmanship of a novice," Smith said, his voice filled with awe. "Did you figure out the production method just by looking at the finished shaft? You truly have the eyes of a craftsman. The dexterity and accuracy are also excellent."

With the method now firmly in his mind, Gilgamesh moved quickly, producing shaft after shaft with the same level of precision. By the time he was done, he had completed 100 shafts without a single mistake. Each one was a perfect replica of the last, ready to be paired with the jaffa arrowheads.

Smith shook his head, a look of disbelief on his face. "I've been a blacksmith for decades, and I've never seen anyone pick up the craft this quickly. You're not just talented—you're a natural."

Gilgamesh set down his tools, wiping the sweat from his brow. "Thank you. But I still have a lot to learn."

He then melted iron ore and jaffa together, mixing them in the right proportions. Then, he poured the molten iron into the mold. After 40 minutes, he pounded it into the shape of a wire. He poured a bucket of water on the wire.

Chiiiik!

A loud sound was heard as the scorching wire cooled rapidly. Quenching. This process increased the hardness and strength of the metal.

Smith seemed disappointed for the first time. "You even know about quenching?"

"Yeah, I learned it from someone."

"Uhh, I don't know who you learned it from. But why are you using quenching when making the arrowhead? I'm not sure if you know, but if you quench the metal, it becomes harder and less durable. The moment the arrow strikes the enemy, instead of piercing the enemy, the arrowhead might break in the enemy's armor."

That was right, but Gilgamesh had a special plan.

"I'll also use tempering."

Tempering involved reheating the quenched metal and then gradually lowering it in order to decrease the metal's brittleness. It was adding a flourish to the production method, which could strengthen the metal in the end. But that will take a lot of time, that was why in one day he was usually only able to finish one item.

Smith frowned as he felt the same way.

"Do you intend to make the arrows all night? I don't know why you would spend so much time making the arrows. Those who buy arrows consider them as a one-off consumable, so why are you so devoted to making the consumable item?"

Why? The reason for increasing the amount of labor was simple. Gilgamesh then replied while reheating the quenched wire and hammering at it.

"I will not make trash. And if I somehow make trash, it will be high-quality trash."

Smith stood in silence, flabbergasted at Gilgamesh's reply.

Ttang!Ttang!

Gilgamesh immersed himself in his actions. The wire was slowly converted into an arrowhead under his constant hammering.

"Hoo. Hoo."

[You are extremely concentrated and the Legendary Blacksmith's Breath skill has been activated.]

[The Legendary Blacksmith's Patience skill has been activated. Concentration, stamina, and defense will rise to the extremes for one hour.]

"Ohhhhhh!"

He alternated between the hammer and metals, producing the arrowheads. The effect of his increased concentration was noticeable in the arrowheads.

Ttang!Ttang!

[The Legendary Blacksmith's Breath has increased the effectiveness of your production items]

[Legendary Blacksmith's Breath]

Lv. 1

When you are concentrating on making an item, the will of Pagma's Successor will fill the production item.

All stats of a production item will increase by 5%.

There is a rare chance of giving special features to your production items.

[Special Jaffa Arrow]

Rating: Unique

Attack Power: 40~48

An arrow made by a craftsman with great skill and potential but lacking in reputation.

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

* Has a certain chance of ignoring the enemy's defense.

* Bleeding effect will be applied when critical.

Weight: 0.1

[A Unique rated item was produced, so all stats have permanently risen by +12, and reputation throughout the continent has risen by +300.]

[Quest success!]

[Affinity with Smith has risen to the maximum.]

[Experience has risen by 300.]

"Whistle~ Good," Gilgamesh said with a satisfied grin. Thanks to his skill, he easily activated the Legendary Blacksmith's Breath and Patience skill, which resulted in his easy way of making Epic and even Unique-rated items.

While Smith, who is looking at Gilgamesh's finished arrow, couldn't help but exclaim.

"You haven't gone through an apprenticeship yet you are already making something so great! Ideal arrows! This is the first time that I've considered an arrow to be beautiful! You are definitely Pagma's reincarnation! Ahh! You must be tired of my surprise by now! You are great! Amazing! Wonderful!"

"Haha, thanks."

Smith seemed to feel Gilgamesh's sincere thanks and handed over the 100 completed Special Jaffa Arrow.

"I originally promised you half of this... but I can't take such wonderful things. I want you to take all of them."

"Thanks, old man," Gilgamesh thanked him again, he then took one of the Special Jaffa Arrow and handed it to Smith. "For you. Try to improve while remembering this."

Tears dripped from Smith's eyes as he hugged him. "Thank you." Smith then glanced at him with a flushed face. "I don't want you to leave..."

The touching atmosphere was broken instantly as Gilgamesh wiggled out of Smith's embrace.

"Hey hand off old man!"

'This guy! he had the smell of a widower so he must've been alone for a long time. Maybe he was so lonely that he became gay after his affinity towards me reached the maximum...? No, he might've been gay from the beginning.' Gilgamesh thought as he distanced himself from Smith, and he couldn't help but exclaim.

"Why are you gay?"