Insane Iron

The smithy was a place of fire and iron, a realm where the clang of hammer against metal echoed like a heartbeat. 

The notifications had become a familiar refrain, each one a testament to Gilgamesh growing skill and reputation.

[A Rare rated item was produced, so all stats have permanently risen by +2, and reputation throughout the continent has risen by +30.]

Gilgamesh wiped the sweat from his brow as he examined the longsword he had just finished. The blade gleamed in the light of the forge, its edge sharp and true. It was a solid weapon, well-crafted and reliable, but not extraordinary. 

[A Rare rated item was produced, so all stats have permanently risen by +2, and reputation throughout the continent has risen by +30.]

The next item was a bow, its frame carved from a mourwood tree. Gilgamesh had spent hours shaping it, ensuring that every curve was perfect, every detail precise despite only having a rare rating.

[A Epic rated item was produced, so all stats have permanently risen by +4, and reputation throughout the continent has risen by +80.]

The spear was a work of art. Its shaft was made from polished oak, and its head was forged from a rare alloy that shimmered like starlight. Gilgamesh had poured his heart into this weapon, and it showed. The spear felt alive in his hands as if it were eager to be wielded in battle. He held it up to the light, admiring the way the metal caught the glow of the forge.

[A Rare rated item was produced, so all stats have permanently risen by +2, and reputation throughout the continent has risen by +30.]

The shield was sturdy and reliable, its surface etched with intricate patterns that hinted at its maker's skill. Gilgamesh tested its weight, slamming it against the anvil to gauge its durability.

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

The greatsword was the last work. Gilgamesh had spent two days on this weapon, refining its design, perfecting its balance, and sharpening its edge. The result was a greatsword that was almost as powerful as Black Greatsword before he enchanted it.

Six months, for six months, Gilgamesh had been holed up in this space, his world reduced to the glow of the forge, the hiss of cooling steel, and the rhythmic pounding of his hammer. He had become a fixture of the smithy, his presence as constant as the flames that danced in the hearth. The outside world might as well have ceased to exist for him; his only focus was the metal in his hands and the vision in his mind.

"This is number 97..."

Ninety-seven items in six months. To an ordinary blacksmith, this number might seem pitifully low. After all, a skilled blacksmith could produce hundreds of items in the same span of time, churning out weapons and armor with mechanical efficiency.

But Gilgamesh wasn't an ordinary blacksmith. He was Pagma's Successor, a craftsman who poured his heart and soul into every creation. Each item he made was a reflection of his dedication, his vision, and his relentless pursuit of perfection.

And it showed. While other blacksmiths might produce hundreds of Normal or Rare-rated items, Gilgamesh's work stood apart. Among his ninety-seven creations were weapons and armor of Epic and even Unique ratings—masterpieces that would make any adventurer's heart race. Each of these items had not only bolstered his reputation but also granted him permanent stat increases, a reward for his exceptional craftsmanship.

Thanks to his hard work, Gilgamesh had raised all his stats by a staggering 138 points. And thanks to his title, Sword Saint Candidate, those stats were amplified by 1.3 times. The result was a version of Gilgamesh that was stronger, faster, and more resilient than ever before.

===========================

Name: Gilgamesh

Level: 78

Class: Pagma's Successor

* The probability of adding additional options when making items will increase.

* The probability of item enhancement will increase.

* All equipment items can be worn unconditionally. However, the is a penalty depending on the rating of the item.

Title: 

- One who Became a Legend

* Abnormal conditions don't work well on you.

* You won't die when health is at the minimum.

* Easily acknowledged.

- Bane of Yatan Church 

* All stats +20

* Increase damage dealt to Yatan's believers.

- Sword Saint Candidate - Stage 2 (Transcendent)

* All stats will become 1.3 times greater.

* Quickly detect the target's weakness.

* There is a high probability of predicting the target's movements.

* 'Super Sensitivity' will be opened.

-First Epic Item Maker

* Dexterity +100

-First Unique Item Maker

* Dexterity +200

_________________________________

Health: 11,810

Mana: 2,097

_________________________________

Strength: 705

Stamina: 899

Agility: 705

Intelligence: 699

Dexterity: 1,023

Indomitable: 338

Persistence: 369

Composure: 334

Dignity: 334

Stat points: 0

===========================

Gilgamesh stared at the screen, a sense of pride swelling in his chest. His stats were impressive, a far cry from where he had started. His Dexterity, in particular, had skyrocketed to 1,023, it was a number no player could achieve at his level.

"Gil, are you done?" Kaela called out. She stood in the doorway of the smithy, her arms crossed and her expression slightly worried. The usual glow of the forge reflected in her eyes, but there was a hint of unease in her demeanor.

"Yeah. What's up?" Gilgamesh turned to look at her, his brow furrowed

Kaela hesitated for a moment before stepping inside. The heat of the forge washed over her, but she barely seemed to notice. "We've run out of ores in the warehouse," she said, her tone serious. "I'm afraid we'll have to take a break from blacksmithing for a while."

There was a momentary silence as her words sank in. Gilgamesh blinked, his mind struggling to process the news. "What?! How so?!" he exclaimed, his voice rising in confusion. He had been meticulous about stocking up on ores, using his considerable wealth to ensure they always had a steady supply. How could they possibly be out?

Kaela sighed, her shoulders slumping slightly. "And I came to tell you, there's a shortage of ores in the market now. We can't buy new ores even if we wanted to."

At her words, Gilgamesh's mind began to race for a solution. Then, like a spark igniting in the darkness, an idea popped into his mind.

"How about we mine it ourselves, if I remember there should be some mining site on the outskirts of Bairan right?"

Kaela shook her head, her expression grim. "Yes, there are. But we need a large quantity of the finest ores—iron, black iron, mithril, and orichalcum. And in this village, there is only ordinary iron. We cannot hope much."

Gilgamesh's expression was replaced by a frown. He ran a hand through his hair, his mind working overtime. The thought of being forced to stop blacksmithing, even temporarily, was unbearable. He had come too far, worked too hard, to let something like this stand in his way.

Kaela leaned against the anvil, her arms still crossed. "Sigh... why isn't there a mineral that can multiply by itself?" she muttered in dissatisfaction, her tone half-joking but laced with frustration.

Gilgamesh froze, his eyes widening as if he had been struck by lightning. "Wait... multiply... multiply," he repeated, his voice barely above a whisper. His mind raced, connecting the dots as a smirk slowly spread across his face.

"What?" Kaela looked at Gilgamesh, intrigued seeing him talking to himself and smirk that adored his face.

"Grab your pickaxe."

"Huh?" she asked for further detail, her confusion evident.

"I've found the solution to our problem," Gilgamesh declared, his smirk widening into a grin.

Kaela's eyes widened in realization. "You don't mean...?"

"Yes~"

***

Gilgamesh and Kaela stood at the mouth of a massive cave, its entrance yawning open like the maw of some ancient beast. The Dravian Mountains loomed around them, their jagged peaks piercing the sky. The journey here had taken several days, but Gilgamesh didn't mind. The potential reward waiting inside was more than worth the effort.

"This is it?" Kaela asked, her voice echoing slightly as she peered into the dark depths of the cave. Her sharp eyes scanned the surroundings, taking in the faint glimmer of minerals embedded in the walls.

Gilgamesh didn't answer immediately. His attention was focused on the notification window that had just appeared before him.

[You have entered the Insane Dragon Nevartan's nest.]

A shiver ran down his spine, but it was quickly replaced by a surge of excitement. "Yeah," he finally answered, his voice steady despite the thrill coursing through him.

Kaela raised an eyebrow. "But this is a dragon's nest."

"This was a dragon's nest," Gilgamesh corrected, a grin spreading across his face. "And that just means we're in the right place. Let's go!"

Trusting Gilgamesh's judgment, Kaela followed him into the cave. The air grew cooler as they ventured deeper, the faint sound of dripping water echoing in the distance.

"Here," Kaela said suddenly, coming to a halt. Her discerning eyes locked onto a particular section of the wall. When she was alone at Bairan for five months, she spent her time building, blacksmithing, hunting, and lastly mining.

She had spent countless hours mining, honing her skills until she had reached Intermediate Mining Technique Lv. 3. She could tell at a glance that this was no ordinary deposit.

Gilgamesh and Kaela quickly pulled out their pickaxes. The tools gleamed in the dim light.

[Fantastic Pickaxe]

Rating: Unique

Durability: 190/190

Attack Power: 92

* The chances of acquiring advanced minerals will increase by 8%.

* The chances of acquiring the highest-grade minerals will increase by 3%.

* The skill 'Intermediate Mining Technique' Lv. 3 will be generated.

A pickaxe made by craftsmen who lack in reputation. with this pickaxe, even a five-year-old child can collect high-quality iron ore.

User Restriction: Level 200 or higher.

Weight: 45

Thanks to the pickaxe's unique properties, even a novice like Gilgamesh could mine with precision. The walls were dotted with red markers, indicating the optimal spots to strike. Gilgamesh raised his pickaxe and brought it down with a resounding clang.

Kaaang!Kaaang!

[Iron ore has been acquired.]

As the ore tumbled from the wall, Gilgamesh picked it up and activated his skill.

"Legendary Blacksmith's Appraisal."

[The blacksmith who became a legend can appraise items with an excellent discerning eye. If a hidden feature exists in the target item, it will be found.]

[You have discovered a hidden feature in the item!]

[The information about the Mineral Containing the Breath of an Insane Dragon' has been updated!]

[Insane Dragon Iron]

A mineral that naturally occurs in the nest of the insane dragon Nevartan.

It has been influenced by Nevartan's madness for countless years and gained the chaotic ability of 'Proliferation.'

It doubles every 10 days.

This absurd nature makes it very difficult to control. The hardness is comparable to black iron, but the smelting difficulty is several times higher.

Weight: 5

"Hahaha, jackpot!" Gilgamesh shouted, his voice filled with unrestrained joy. He held the ore up to the light, marveling at its unique properties. This was exactly what they had been searching for.

Kaela, who had been watching him closely, stepped forward. "Is that what I think it is?" she asked, her voice tinged with excitement.

"Yeah," Gilgamesh replied, his grin widening. "A mineral that can double every ten days."

At his words, Kaela's eyes lit up like twin stars. "What are we waiting for? Let's strip these walls naked so we can see this mineral in action!"

"Haha, all right!" Gilgamesh agreed, his enthusiasm matching hers.

Kaang!Kaang!Kaang!

The two of them set to work with renewed vigor, their pickaxes striking the walls in a rhythmic symphony of clangs and cracks. The cave echoed with the sounds of their labor, the walls crumbling under their relentless assault.

Soon the inside of the cave near the entrance started to be destroyed at an irrecoverable level, reduced to a hollowed-out shell, its walls stripped bare of their precious minerals