Chapter 8: The first blade

Jin sat on a tree stump, staring at the sky, lost in thought. Nearly a week had passed since he arrived in this world, and while he had adjusted to its rhythm, something felt... off. Back on Earth, his days followed a structured routine—working, family, meals, and sleep. Without that, he felt like he was just drifting. He needed a plan.

He took a deep breath, rubbing his chin as he sorted through his thoughts.

"Alright, let's think this through. I need to build my strength while also honing my martial arts and swordsmanship. And then there's magic... I don't know much about it, but increasing my mana pool and concentration can't hurt, right?"

He paused, running a hand through his hair as he mentally mapped out his day.

"If I balance it all with enough rest... Wake up, sword practice, breakfast, martial arts training, lunch, nap, weapon training, hunting and gathering, dinner, meditation, then sleep… Yeah, that sounds solid. It's not much different from how I used to plan my days back home, just... adapted for survival."

Saying it out loud made it feel more real. A sense of stability settled over him. He had direction now, something to hold onto.

Satisfied, he stood up and stretched. "Alright, time to make a sword."

Jin approached the forge, eyeing the raw ore he had gathered the day before. This was something completely new to him. He had seen blacksmithing videos before, but watching it and doing it were two completely different things. Still, he had to try.

Placing the ore in the makeshift furnace, he cast Fire Magic. The flames licked at the metal, heating it, but something was wrong—it wasn't melting evenly. Frowning, he increased the heat, but that only caused some parts to overheat while others remained solid.

"Damn it… why isn't this working?"

He stepped back, crossing his arms. Something was missing. He thought back to the videos he had seen. A proper forge didn't just use fire; it had controlled airflow to ensure even heating.

"Wait… wind!"

Excited by the realization, he adjusted his magic, adding Wind Magic to regulate the flames. The difference was immediate. The fire roared, turning a brilliant blue-white, and the ore softened uniformly.

"Yes! That's it!"

Pouring the molten metal into a crude mold, Jin waited for it to cool inside a bucket of water (made by magic) before hammering it into shape. The repetitive clang of metal striking metal echoed in the air. His arms burned from the effort, sweat dripped down his face, but he didn't stop. The only thing on his mind was the way the small lump of metal responded to his strikes, gradually shifting, shaping, transforming into the image he had in his head. He could see it taking form with each hammer blow, turning from formless steel into something real.

Hours passed, but eventually, a sword took shape.

It wasn't the most refined blade—far from it. The surface was rough, the balance a little off, but he couldn't help but feel a deep sense of satisfaction.

"For a first attempt… not bad at all," he muttered to himself, turning the blade over in his hands.

Besides... it was his creation.

Then, suddenly—

Title Acquired: Beginner Blacksmith

Effect: Enhances forging efficiency and slightly improves the durability of crafted weapons. (+2 Perception)

Jin's eyes widened as the notification popped up. A rush of excitement surged through him. He had just unlocked a title through effort alone. That meant there were more titles out there, waiting to be earned.

His grip on the sword tightened as he activated Appraisal.

Weapon: Unnamed Iron Sword

Type: One-Handed Sword

Tier: Common (Can Evolve!)

Durability: 100/100

Attack Power: +10

Special Effect: Slightly reduces air resistance when swung.

Jin stared at the screen; his mind blank for a second.

"Oh, a common sword with attack +10, as expected… Wait… it can evolve?"

His pulse quickened. He had expected just a basic iron sword, nothing more. But this—this was something special. His first weapon, and it already had the potential to grow stronger alongside him.

A wild grin spread across his face. He turned the sword in his hands, running his fingers along the edge. It wasn't just a lump of metal anymore—it was proof of his effort, a weapon forged by his own hands. He couldn't wait any longer; he had to test it.

Jin practically jogged to the training field, heart hammering in his chest. He took his stance before a scarecrow, gripping the sword tightly. The weight felt good in his hands—familiar yet new.

He took a deep breath, focused, and swung.

A sharp whoosh filled the air. A thin crescent of wind shot forward, slicing through the scarecrow like a hot knife through butter. The top half of the dummy tumbled to the ground.

Jin stood there for a moment, staring. Then he threw his head back and laughed.

"This… this is amazing!"

He looked at his sword again, a deep satisfaction settling in his chest. He had crafted this with his own hands, unlocked a title, and created something that could grow with him.

He grinned. "Now this… this is just the beginning."