Chapter 11: The Arcane Smithy

The wind carried a cool breeze as Karma strolled through the bustling streets of the town. After weeks of grueling training, the city's energy felt like a breath of fresh air compared to the solitude of the forest. His body still ached slightly from the intensity of his spell training, but he had grown stronger—both physically and magically.

With each step, Karma's mind buzzed with thoughts of his progress. He had finally mastered the ability to maintain both **Skill Share** and **Synchronization** for up to eight minutes, a feat that had once seemed impossible. He could feel the power surging through him, ready to be unleashed at any moment.

But there was something else on his mind today. After weeks of hard work, he needed to upgrade his equipment. Specifically, he was looking for an item that would make his travels easier—something practical, something rare.

"I need to find that blacksmith," Karma muttered to himself as he made his way toward the city's western district.

The name "**Jared the Arcane Smith**" had been passed around the guild often enough for Karma to know where to go. Jared wasn't just any blacksmith—he specialized in rare, magical items. If there was anyone who could help Karma with what he needed, it would be him.

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**The Arcane Smithy**

Karma stopped in front of a shop on a quiet street corner. Above the large, heavy door hung a sign with faded lettering that read: **Arcane Smithy**. The wooden boards were aged, but the presence of the shop was unmistakable. The walls were lined with iron-clad designs, and through the large windows, Karma could see the faint glow of embers from the forge.

Taking a deep breath, Karma pushed open the door, the chime of a small bell announcing his entrance.

The interior of the shop was a mix of warmth and shadows, with racks of weapons and armor lining the walls. Swords, spears, and axes gleamed under the light of the forge, while the shelves were filled with enchanted trinkets and mysterious tools. The rhythmic clang of metal on metal echoed through the room as **Jared**, the blacksmith, hammered away at a glowing piece of steel on his anvil.

Jared was a hulking man with broad shoulders, his arms thick with muscle and covered in burns and soot. His skin was weathered, and his hair was streaked with grey, but his eyes sparkled with a sharp intelligence.

Hearing Karma enter, Jared wiped the sweat from his brow and looked up with a smug grin. "Well, well, what do we have here? Another adventurer looking for something special, I reckon?"

Karma approached the counter, looking around at the various enchanted items on display. "I've been told you deal in rare items," he said, trying to keep his tone casual. "I'm looking for something specific."

Jared chuckled, placing his hammer down and crossing his arms. "Aye, I've got rare items. But rare things come at a price, lad. What are you after?"

Karma didn't hesitate. "I'm looking for a **spatial ring** or a **wristband**—something that can store multiple items at once without too much trouble."

Jared's eyebrow quirked at the request, and he let out a low whistle. "A spatial ring, eh? You've got expensive tastes, don't ya?"

Karma nodded. He knew exactly what he wanted. A spatial item would allow him to carry his sword and other gear without the burden of lugging everything around. It was a game-changer for any adventurer who valued mobility in battle, and it would free up space for more important items during quests.

Jared leaned back against his workbench, his grin widening. "You know how much something like that costs, right?"

Karma shrugged, trying to stay nonchalant. "I'm willing to pay. How much are we talking?"

The blacksmith's eyes gleamed with amusement as he wiped his hands on a rag. "Normally, I'd charge around **100 silver** for a spatial ring. But… I'm in a good mood today, so I'll give it to you for **75 silver**."

Karma's heart sank for a moment. **75 silver** was exactly what he had left after spending most of his earnings from the ogre quest. It was a hefty price, but a spatial item was worth every coin. He could feel the weight of the silver coins in his pouch as he thought it over.

"It's a rare item," Karma muttered to himself, weighing the pros and cons. "And it'll make things easier in the long run."

With a resolute nod, Karma looked back at Jared. "I'll take it."

The blacksmith's grin widened, clearly pleased with the deal. "Good choice, lad. You won't regret it."

Jared disappeared behind the counter for a moment, rummaging through a set of drawers before returning with a sleek, polished **wristband**. The band was simple in design, made of dark leather with silver runes etched along its surface. It didn't look like much, but Karma could feel the faint hum of magic radiating from it.

"Here you go," Jared said, placing the wristband on the counter. "This'll hold up to ten items without any strain. Just focus on what you want to store, and it'll disappear into the space inside. Same for retrieving it—just think about the item, and it'll pop right out."

Karma took the wristband, inspecting it closely. It felt light and flexible, the perfect accessory for an adventurer constantly on the move. He quickly slid it onto his wrist, feeling a slight warmth as it adjusted to his body.

"Go on, try it out," Jared encouraged.

Karma unsheathed his sword and focused on the wristband, picturing the sword being stored inside. Within seconds, the sword shimmered and disappeared, sucked into the magical space of the wristband. Karma blinked in surprise—he had heard about spatial items, but experiencing it firsthand was something else entirely.

"This will definitely come in handy," Karma said with a grin.

Jared chuckled, crossing his arms again. "Told you it was worth it. I don't deal in cheap tricks. That thing'll last you a lifetime if you take care of it."

Karma nodded, grateful for the purchase despite the cost. "Thanks, Jared. This is exactly what I needed."

The blacksmith gave a satisfied nod. "Pleasure doing business with you, lad. Come back anytime if you need more gear. I've got plenty of enchanted weapons and armor that'll suit an adventurer like you."

Karma smiled, already feeling the weight off his shoulders—literally. The wristband would make traveling and fighting far more efficient, and it meant he could carry more supplies without worrying about storage. He glanced around the shop once more, noting the variety of enchanted gear Jared had on display. Perhaps when he earned more money, he'd come back to upgrade his weapons and armor as well.

But for now, he was satisfied.

With a nod to Jared, Karma turned and left the shop, stepping back into the bustling streets of the town.

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**The Market**

After leaving the **Arcane Smithy**, Karma wandered through the town's busy market district. He felt lighter, not just from his purchase but from the sense of progress he had made over the last few weeks. For the first time in a while, he wasn't focused on his next fight or the mysteries of his past. He allowed himself a moment to breathe, to appreciate the small things.

The market was alive with the sounds of merchants hawking their wares, the smells of fresh food, and the chatter of townsfolk going about their daily business. It was a stark contrast to the solitude of the forest, where Karma had spent most of his time training.

He walked past stalls selling everything from fruits and vegetables to enchanted trinkets and potions. A group of children ran by, laughing as they chased each other through the crowd, their carefree joy a stark reminder of the innocence Karma had lost years ago.

For a brief moment, Karma let his guard down, enjoying the warmth of the sun on his skin and the simple pleasures of city life. He wasn't on a mission, nor was he weighed down by thoughts of revenge or training.

He bought a small loaf of bread from a nearby baker, enjoying the smell of freshly baked goods as he took a bite. Shiro, who had been miniaturized and tucked into Karma's cloak, poked his head out, sniffing curiously at the bread.

Karma chuckled, tearing off a small piece and offering it to the rabbit, who eagerly devoured it.

"You've earned it, buddy," Karma said with a smile. "You've worked hard these last few weeks too."

Kuro, ever the quiet one, remained in his cloak, but Karma could feel the fox's warmth against his chest, a reminder of the bond they had formed.

As he continued walking through the market, Karma couldn't help but feel a sense of peace. The battles, the training, the mysteries of his past—they were all still there, waiting for him. But for now, in this moment, he allowed himself to just **be**.

And sometimes, that was enough.

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**To be continued…**

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**Author's Notes:**

Hey everyone! I hope you enjoyed **Chapter 11: The Arcane Smithy**! This chapter was a bit more laid back, focusing on Karma's return to the city and his slice-of-life experiences. After the intense training in the last chapter, I wanted to give both Karma and the readers a bit of a breather. But even in quieter moments,

we're seeing Karma prepare for his next challenges.

- **The Spatial Wristband:** I introduced this item because I wanted to show how practical upgrades can be just as important as power-ups. Carrying gear efficiently will definitely come in handy for Karma as he continues his journey.

- **Slice of Life Elements:** I really enjoyed writing this calmer chapter, focusing on the market and everyday life in the city. It's important to balance intense moments with these quieter ones to keep the pacing of the story engaging. Plus, it's a chance to show Karma's softer side and his relationship with Shiro and Kuro.

I hope you liked the change of pace in this chapter! Let me know what you think in the comments, and thanks for reading! See you in the next chapter!