372

The Vibranium Slayer Sword

Forseti and Eitri negotiated for a while before reaching an agreement: the dwarves would receive one-twentieth of the vibranium as compensation for their work in smelting and forging.

As masters of metallurgy across the universe, the dwarves' skills were unparalleled. Eitri quickly devised an efficient method to smelt the vibranium ore using the power of the neutron star furnace.

In a short time, the ore Forseti provided was transformed into twenty vibranium ingots, each gleaming with a silver sheen, neatly arranged on the stone platform.

"One-twentieth," Eitri declared, taking one of the vibranium ingots.

Forseti paused, furrowing his brow. "Why does it seem like the ingot you took is larger than the others?"

Eitri responded firmly, "It's an illusion, no doubt about it."

Forseti then handed over the forging blueprint. "This is the weapon I wish to forge—the Vibranium Slayer Sword. Take a look."

Examining the blueprint, Eitri's surprise was evident. "Where did you acquire this blueprint?"

"It was given to me," Forseti replied casually.

Without pressing further, Eitri commented, "It's a rare and innovative design."

"Nidavellir should be capable of crafting it, correct?"

"Certainly," Eitri affirmed. "But besides Vibranium, have you secured the other two materials?"

"The Orb of Justice and the blood of heroes," Forseti presented both items.

"Good. I'll make preparations now; you'll soon have your Vibranium Slayer Sword," Eitri said, taking the materials and departing.

Forseti paced around the stone platform, examining one of the vibranium ingots closely. Though no expert, he could discern the superior quality of dwarven vibranium over Wakanda's—purer in luster and texture.

He conducted another identification.

Placing a vibranium ingot on the blueprint in his holy deed, words appeared: [157% substitute for Thorium]

157% substitution rate!

Forseti was taken aback. When he had used Wakanda's vibranium for identification before, the rate had not exceeded 120%. Clearly, dwarven vibranium was of higher quality, as his intuition had suggested.

Nidavellir Palace.

The Dwarf King sat, inspecting two longswords intently.

To most, the swords appeared identical, but to him, they differed vastly—each minute detail scrutinized.

With predominantly white hair and a weary countenance, the Dwarf King finally shifted his attention from the swords as Eitri entered.

"What is it, Eitri?" The king inquired.

Aitri presented a gleaming silver metal ingot—a vibranium ingot. "I've discovered a potent new metal I believe will pique your interest."

Upon seeing Vibranium, the Dwarf King's once-clouded eyes lit up, eagerly taking the ingot for examination.

Growing visibly excited, he remarked, "This could be the most powerful metal after Uru. Where did you find it?"

"Forseti, the Sun God, brought it—vibranium. He seeks our aid in crafting something," Eitri explained.

"From where did he obtain this vibranium?" The Dwarf King queried.

"I don't know; he didn't divulge that information, nor does he seem inclined to. But acquiring vibranium isn't easy, and he was initially reluctant to part with even this," Eitri revealed.

The Dwarf King regarded the vibranium ingot thoughtfully. "Understandable. Such extraordinary materials are rare."

After a pause, he added, "Since my forebears, the dwarves have sought metals capable of alloying with Uru to create an unparalleled metal. After all these years, our search remains fruitless."

"...I have a feeling vibranium might be the answer, capable of melding perfectly with Uru to birth a godly metal," the old Dwarf King sighed. "But I may not live to see such a metal created. Eitri, this will be your solemn charge."

...

Forseti waited until Aitri returned, noticing the latter's preoccupation.

"What troubles you?" Forseti inquired.

"It's nothing. It's time we commenced crafting the Vibranium Slayer Sword," Eitri announced, gesturing to several vibranium ingots placed into the furnace.

Forseti stood by, observing.

Aitri maneuvered the machine, igniting the giant steel gears, setting the star ring surrounding the neutron star into motion.

"Boom—"

Multiple star rings seamlessly merged, resonating loudly.

A beam of fiery light erupted from the neutron star, guided through several star ring devices, then channeled into the furnace, intensifying the heat upon the vibranium ingots.

Under the neutron star's intense heat, the vibranium quickly softened, glowing a fiery red.

However, Eitri refrained from fully liquefying the vibranium, only heating it to a fiery hue before ceasing furnace operations.

Removing the red vibranium ingots, Aitri arranged them on the pitch-black anvil, wielding his hefty hammer vigorously.

"Clang! Clang! Clang—"

The dwarven giant's vigorous hammering resounded, sparks and thunderous clangs erupting from the anvil continuously.

Within half a minute, the softened vibranium began taking the shape of a sword under Eitri's expert and powerful strokes.

Ceasing the hammering, Aitri retrieved a sharp black chisel, rapidly etching intricate lines into the blade, akin to interlaced ravines, with a circular cavity.

Placing the Orb of Justice into the cavity, Aitri poured the hero's blood inside.

Upon contact with the hero's blood, the Orb of Justice swiftly dissolved, dyeing the bright crimson into gold. The molten gold flowed along the sword's runic etchings, gradually solidifying.

Once the golden liquid had set, Aitri returned the sword to the furnace, subjecting the blade to the neutron star's heat until it glowed red once more.

Upon closer inspection, the blade's fiery red hue actually exuded a faint, solemn golden radiance, subtle yet distinct in the fiery glow.

"Clang... Clang..."

Eitri commenced a series of refining processes, intricate yet captivating amidst the iron and fire.

"Ha!"

Following a final quench, Aitri grasped the newly forged Demon Slayer Sword, examining it with satisfaction.

"Finished. The Vibranium Slayer Sword!"

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