Chapter 27: Madoc The Blacksmith

The students descended till the 15th floor, encountering raiders along the way. Ray noticed that none of them were from that infamous raid group. They also battled several low ranked creatures, but nothing too challenging.

"This will officially be the last floor we descend to."

Professor Waikatsu announced. Ray barely paid attention. He hadn't fought a single monster, nor did he care about collecting shards.

"Fucurerela didn't have a story… or maybe he did. That furry beast took it."

Ray spun the pickaxe absentmindedly, lost in thought. As the students took a break, one of them voiced their frustration.

"Sir, please, let's go deeper. It's too easy here."

Master Baiyun chuckled.

"A young warrior's ambition… I admire it. But as I said, we can't take unnecessary risks."

Master Baiyun formed a small fountain of water from a stone, and the students eagerly drank from it, savoring the fresh taste.

Ray however, stood still, his gaze fixed on the path leading deeper.

"Maybe another time."

He didn't bother sneaking in. He didn't even bother drinking the water. When they resumed their journey, they encountered slimes again, playing with them for a moment before finally reaching the exit.

"As expected, nothing bad happened, and all of you gained more insight into monsters."

Professor Waikatsu said.

"But sir, we didn't get any cool tools"

A student complained.

"Like said, these dungeons have been cleared countless times."

Master Baiyun explained.

"But what you did gain was knowledge and stories."

"To be honest, those stories were mediocre at best."

Another student muttered.

Professor Waikatsu clapped his hands, signaling the end of the discussion.

"Alright, let's head back to camp."

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The Night After. After dinner, Ray sat in his room, staring at the moon through the window.

"So, uh… hehe, I'm Lai. Lai Hon. What about you?"

Ray's temporary roommate introduced himself. A round faced guy with coiled black hair, rectangular glasses, and a stocky build.

Ray didn't respond. He didn't even glance at him. Lai sighed and lay on his bed, pulling out a pack of extra butter and cheese chips. He started munching.

"You're a lucky guy, you know. Handsome, great physique… even got a bed next to Princess mizuko at the caravan."

Munch.

Munch.

"You live a life most people could only dream of… damn."

Ray still didn't reply. He grabbed The leather coat and walked out of the room. Lai exhaled, stuffing another handful of chips into his mouth.

"Guess nobody likes fatties…"

Sigh.

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The night air was cold, and the market streets glowed under the soft blend of moonlight and lanterns. Ray wandered past the bustling vendors until he finally spotted a weapon merchant.

It was a small tent, marked with the sign of a blacksmith—anvils and casting basins placed outside.

"I should have enough money."

Ray stepped inside.

A short, burly man, A dwarf was hammering a blade. His head was bald except for a few remaining hairs at the sides, and his thick, dark gray eyebrows and mustache gave him a hardened look. He wore a dirty white shirt and leather pants, his muscular arms stained with soot.

Ray knocked on the wooden board beside him.

The blacksmith barely glanced back before resuming his work. Then, suddenly—like lightning, his head snapped toward Ray, his eyes widening.

"H-How…?"

The man stood up, stepping closer, his breath uneven as if he'd seen a ghost. He reached out and grabbed Ray's wrist, pulling him down before gently holding his head, inspecting his face with trembling hands.

"…Zhou?"

His voice cracked, tears welling in his eyes. He pulled Ray into a tight embrace, patting his back.

Ray stiffened.

"…Wrong person."

The man hesitated but kept his hands on Ray's shoulders. The blacksmith's eyes glistened.

"Zhou, what are you saying? It's me! It's me, Madoc!"

He smiled through his tears. Ray slowly pulled away.

"I'm not Zhou. I'm Ray."

He paused.

"Sorry."

Madoc released him, his face filled with disbelief.

"Oh… ohh… I must be losing my mind."

He chuckled weakly, his voice breaking.

"You just… you look exactly like my old friend Zhou."

Ray remained silent. Madoc wiped his face and forced a smile.

"Aish… where are my manners? Young man, please, have a seat."

He grabbed a chair and dusted it off with his elbow. Ray sat down.

"I was looking for a weapon."

The man kept staring at Ray with pitiful eyes before nodding and disappearing into the back of the forge.

Moments later, he returned, carrying something wrapped in multiple layers of thin leather. Carefully, he unwrapped it, revealing a sword.

The blade emitted a faint white glow, its surface etched with swirling, lifeless lines. The hilt was dark, adorned with thorny designs, and a black gemstone gleamed at its center. Sharp, wing-like extensions jutted from its sides, giving it an eerie yet majestic presence.

"This is the best weapon I have."

The man said, his voice trembling. Tears still welled in his eyes.

"Believe me, this isn't just the best, it's...precious to me."

He handed the sword to Ray. The moment Ray's fingers wrapped around the hilt, the blade pulsed with life. The white glow shifted to a deep green, the dead lines ignited into golden streaks, and the gemstone burned with a brilliant emerald light.

"It's reacting to my touch..."

Ray murmured, running his hand along the blade's smooth surface.

"Of course it is,"

The man said, watching in awe.

"Because it's yours."

Ray furrowed his brows.

"How can that be?"

"This sword only responds to its true owner."

"But I'm not the owner,"

Ray argued.

"This is the first time I've ever seen it."

The old man shook his head.

"No… Zhou, listen. This sword belongs to you."

Ray hesitated, then placed the weapon on the anvil.

"I'm not taking it."

The man grabbed Ray's shoulders.

"Zhou, please—"

Ray's expression darkened slightly.

"Are you talking about Zhou Xiao?"

The man's breath hitched. In an instant, he seized Ray's face with both hands, his eyes glistening with new tears.

"Zhou… I knew it! It's you!"

Ray gently removed the man's hands.

"I'm his son."

A sob escaped the man's lips.

"Y-You're Zhou's son?"

"Affirmative."

Ray offered a small, bittersweet smile.

——————————————————

The two sat across from each other, the weight of their conversation thick in the air.

"That's everything I know,"

Ray said.

"At least, as far as Empress Evyon told me. I don't remember much else… I lost my memories."

The old man—Madoc, stared at him for a long moment, then smiled through his tears. He pointed at Ray's face.

"You see? You really do look like your Dad."

Ray's gaze softened.

"What was your relationship with Father?"

Madoc exhaled shakily.

"Your dad… Zhou was a great man. He was Aethyra's last hope once."

He suddenly shook his hands in frustration.

"Without him, we would've all been wiped out by Azranteias."

Ray studied Madoc's face.

"Your name was Madoc, right?"

Madoc nodded, then gently pushed the sword toward him.

"Ray, please. Take this weapon—it belongs to you."

Ray took a deep breath, staring at the sword.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. Absolutely. It's yours."