Chapter 53: A New Way to Create
The next morning arrived with a chill in the air, though the sun shone brightly over the small town. The group stirred early, their nerves still slightly on edge from the stories of the forest. Despite their restless sleep, they were ready to push forward—though Karis insisted they take the day to better prepare.
The town was already bustling as merchants opened their stalls and farmers brought fresh produce into the market square. The scent of freshly baked bread wafted through the air, mingling with the metallic tang of the blacksmith's forge.
Ethan stretched, yawning dramatically as the group gathered near the edge of the square. "So, what's the plan for today?" he asked, leaning lazily on his glowing pipe. "Are we hunting for supplies, or are we going to pretend we're normal people for a bit?"
"Both," Karis said, her tone sharp but not unkind. She gestured toward the marketplace. "We need better gear, and this is as good a place as any to find it. But we're not just shopping—we're experimenting."
Naomi raised an eyebrow. "Experimenting how?"
Karis turned her attention to Ethan, her gaze steady. "The Forge gave us tools, not just weapons and skills. We need to see if we can create something more with what we have."
Ethan blinked, straightening slightly. "Wait, are you saying you want me to... what? Build something?"
"You've been complaining about your pipe," Karis said, a faint smirk tugging at her lips. "Here's your chance to upgrade it."
---
Ethan found himself standing outside the blacksmith's forge, the heat of the fire washing over him as he examined the tools and materials on display. The blacksmith, a burly man with soot-streaked arms, glanced at him with mild curiosity.
"You looking for something specific?" the blacksmith asked, his voice gruff but not unfriendly.
Ethan hesitated, his fingers drumming against the pipe slung over his shoulder. "Kind of," he said, his tone uncertain. "Do you, uh, have any scraps lying around? Something I can tinker with?"
The blacksmith raised an eyebrow but nodded toward a pile of metal off to the side. "Help yourself. Just don't set anything on fire."
"Got it," Ethan said with a grin. He grabbed a few pieces of scrap metal and returned to the group, where Karis, Naomi, and Lucas watched with varying degrees of skepticism.
Naomi crossed her arms, her expression amused. "So, what's the plan? You're just going to bang on some metal and hope for the best?"
"Something like that," Ethan said, dropping the scraps onto a nearby workbench. "But with style."
Karis stepped closer, her gaze sharp. "Focus. Use the system. The Forge gave us more than raw stats—there's something else here. Tap into it."
Ethan frowned, his fingers brushing against the scraps of metal. He closed his eyes, concentrating on the faint hum of energy that had been with him since leaving the Forge. It was subtle, like a thread woven into his very being, but it was there—waiting.
---
A glowing interface appeared before him, its text shimmering faintly.
Crafting Menu Unlocked
Materials Detected: Steel Scrap (x3), Iron Fragment (x2)
Tools Detected: Improvised Pipe
Potential Projects: 1
Ethan blinked, a grin spreading across his face. "Oh, this is cool."
Naomi leaned over his shoulder, her eyes narrowing as she read the interface. "Wait, we can craft things now? Why didn't anyone tell us this sooner?"
"Probably because none of us thought to try," Lucas said, his tone thoughtful. "The Forge gave us combat abilities, but this... This is something different."
Ethan tapped the glowing menu, selecting the option for a potential project. The screen shifted, displaying a rough blueprint for a modified weapon.
Project: Reinforced Battle Pipe
Description: An upgraded version of the improvised weapon. Increased durability and damage.
Materials Required: Steel Scrap (x2), Iron Fragment (x1)
Ethan whistled low, his grin widening. "Reinforced Battle Pipe? Now we're talking."
Naomi snorted. "It's still a pipe."
"Yeah," Ethan said, grabbing the materials, "but now it's a better pipe."
---
The crafting process was surprisingly intuitive. The system guided Ethan's movements, overlaying glowing outlines of where each piece of material needed to go. He hammered the scraps into place, the sparks from the forge mingling with faint pulses of light as the system's energy fused the materials together.
Naomi and Lucas watched in silence, their expressions a mix of curiosity and skepticism. Even Karis seemed intrigued, her sharp gaze fixed on the glowing weapon as it began to take shape.
After what felt like an hour, the process was complete. The light from the system flared briefly before fading, leaving a gleaming, reinforced weapon in its place. Ethan held it up, admiring the smooth metal and sturdy design.
Item Created: Reinforced Battle Pipe
Damage: +5
Durability: +15
Special Ability: Impact Resonance – Strikes create a minor shockwave that disrupts nearby enemies.
Ethan turned to the group, a smug grin on his face. "Ladies and gentlemen, I give you... the Reinforced Battle Pipe."
Naomi raised an eyebrow, though there was a faint smile on her lips. "You actually pulled it off."
"Of course I did," Ethan said, twirling the pipe dramatically. "I'm a natural."
Karis stepped closer, inspecting the weapon with a critical eye. "It's functional," she said simply. "But this is just the beginning. If the system lets us craft weapons, it might let us create other things too."
Lucas nodded, his tone thoughtful. "Armor. Tools. Maybe even items to help us heal or enhance our abilities."
Ethan's grin faded slightly as he realized the implications. "You're saying we've barely scratched the surface."
"Exactly," Karis said. "The Forge didn't just make us stronger—it gave us the means to adapt. If we're going to face the Rift, we need to master everything this system has to offer."
---
The group spent the rest of the day experimenting with the crafting system, testing its limits and exploring its potential. Lucas reforged his shield, reinforcing its edges with iron fragments to increase its durability. Naomi crafted specialized arrows with barbed tips, designed to cause more damage on impact. Even Karis, who rarely showed interest in anything outside of combat, worked quietly on modifying her knife to include a serrated edge.
By the time the sun dipped below the horizon, the group was exhausted but satisfied. Their gear had been transformed, and with it, their confidence grew. They had taken another step toward understanding the power they had been given—and how to wield it.
Ethan leaned back against a tree, his newly crafted weapon resting across his lap. "So," he said, his voice light but thoughtful, "does this mean we're officially crafters now? Because I feel like we need a team name or something."
Naomi rolled her eyes. "How about 'The People Who Get Things Done While Ethan Talks Too Much?'"
Lucas chuckled, adjusting his shield. "Has a nice ring to it."
Ethan smirked, shaking his head. "You're all just jealous of my creativity."
Karis stood, her knife sheathed, her expression calm but resolute. "Get some rest," she said. "We leave for the forest at dawn. Whatever's out there, we're going to be ready."
As the group settled in for the night, the quiet hum of the system lingered in the back of their minds—a constant reminder that the power they now wielded was only limited by their imagination. The world was vast, full of dangers and unknowns, but they were beginning to realize something important: they weren't just survivors. They were creators.
And the Rift didn't stand a chance.