Reborn As a Pirate - Chapter 143

Chapter 143: Water Drop Princess!
Ryan gazed in awe at Master Golden Hammer, whose sheer physical presence was nothing short of monumental. Yet, as his eyes adjusted to the spectacle before him, Ryan couldn’t help but ponder the stark contrast between this giant smith and his human counterparts. “Master Silver Hammer and Master Bronze Hammer are just men, but Master Golden Hammer is a true giant,” he thought, the disparity nearly unfathomable.

Just as Ryan lingered at the doorway, the giant slowly turned his head. His torso, a landscape of granite-like muscles, glistened under the forge’s glow. His brown hair, braided into small, intricate plaits, cascaded down his back. He remained seated, his voice resonating deeply through the room without a hint of rising. “Present your materials if you seek my craft,” he said, his tone marked by an indifferent gravity.

Ryan’s attention was then drawn to a sign planted firmly in the ground nearby, its message clear:

“Our forge honors a singular rule: Patrons must bring materials that capture my interest. Rarity trumps value. Should your offerings fall short, another smith resides at the street’s end.”

The stipulation was a testament to the Master’s prestigious stature, far surpassing the expectations set by his lesser titled peers. While monetary exchange might suffice for the Silver and Bronze Hammers, the Golden Hammer demanded uniqueness, his artistry not swayed by common coin.

Ryan sighed internally. The reality of such craftsmanship transcended mere commercial transaction; it was an exchange steeped in rarity and significance.

He also felt a twinge of apprehension, the panel had listed Master Golden Hammer’s prowess as level three, but hinted at unknown depths. Clearly, this was no ordinary craftsman but a hermit master of his trade.

With a respectful bow, Ryan addressed the giant, “Master Jin, I seek your expertise to forge a greatsword. Please, evaluate these materials.”

With a flourish of his hand, the space ring emitted a burst of light, and from it emerged a spiraled, true red unicorn Dragon’s horn, its length impressive, its aura potent with bravery and might.

The horn’s presence filled the room with a domineering energy, so intense that a spectral beast seemed to roar in the distance, its call resonating with the horn’s intrinsic power.

In response, mystical lines traced across the room’s walls and door, forming a barrier that contained the overwhelming aura within a crafted spiritual enclosure.

Master Golden Hammer slowly stood, his towering form rising to its full, imposing height of six meters, dwarfing Ryan to merely the height of his knees. The smith approached the horn, his large form squatting beside it. As his hand brushed the horn’s rugged surface, a flicker of surprise animated his eyes.

“Such fierce dominion,” he murmured, examining the horn with a craftsman’s keen interest. His gaze, reflecting both respect and curiosity, remained fixed on the artifact, contemplating the potential harbored within its spiraled ridges.

Master Gold Hammer’s eyes sparkled with a rare fervor as he inspected the true red unicorn horn. The contours and unique structure of the material captivated him completely. After a thorough examination, he looked up at Ryan with an intensity born of genuine enthusiasm. “This is an extraordinary piece, not just any fourth-order beast material… It’s exceptional, its natural grain and robustness make it ideal for forging, particularly heavy weaponry.”

“Guest, you mentioned a great sword. Do you have any specific designs in mind for this weapon?” Master Golden Hammer’s usual indifference had vanished, replaced by an eager tone as his hand remained firmly on the unicorn Dragon horn, as if to ensure it wouldn’t be snatched away unexpectedly.

Ryan, remembering scenes from old movies and shows he’d seen in his previous life, managed a discreet smile. He cleared his throat and responded, “Nothing too intricate. It should primarily be durable and exceedingly sharp. Also, if feasible, please make it significantly heavier. You might consider the weight standards of your own tribe for that.”

Ryan had come to appreciate the raw power of a great sword through extensive use. To him, the allure of magical enchantments paled in comparison to the sheer physical might a well-crafted blade could wield. His experiences with the [Greatsword·Ferocious Ice Flower] had taught him that elemental damage often did little more than tickle larger foes, and against truly formidable monsters, only the brute force of the “Blood Greatsword” sufficed.

Master Gold Hammer regarded Ryan with a mix of astonishment and skepticism. “Are you certain? A weapon forged to giant standards could be over ten times heavier than typical human swords. Are you sure you can manage such a weight?”

He knew well that wielding a weapon wasn’t merely about lifting it; mastery required strength many times that of the weapon’s own heft. Otherwise, a sword could become more of a burden than a benefit.

Unfazed, Ryan simply grinned and reassured him, “Don’t worry about that. Just forge it.” His curiosity then steered the conversation elsewhere. “By the way, do you have any connection to Master Silver Hammer and Master Bronze Hammer?”

“They are my fellow apprentices,” Master Golden Hammer replied curtly, his focus primarily on the craftsmanship rather than the wielder. He was initially concerned that his creation might end up unused, collecting dust somewhere, but his true passion lay in the art of forging itself.

“It will take about half a day to forge this blade. Come back at 9 pm to collect it,” he declared, tossing a golden metal disc towards Ryan. The disc was intricately engraved with a hammer on one side and bore the identification number SAC00113 on the other.

“Then I’ll see you this evening,” Ryan confirmed, catching the voucher smoothly and securing it. With expectations set and plans made, he left the forge to prepare for his return later that night, the anticipation of wielding his new great sword growing with every step.

Ryan carefully tucked the receipt into his pocket and turned to leave the blacksmith shop. As he stepped out, the resonant clank of the door closing echoed behind him. He glanced back to see Master Golden Hammer, a gleam of anticipation in his eyes, hanging a sign on the door that read, “Forging in Progress, No Guests Allowed.” With a firm click, the door was locked, and the master blacksmith disappeared into the back, the Red Unicorn Dragon Horn in tow. The rare and unique material had ignited a fire of excitement in his seasoned heart, a fervor he hadn’t felt in ages.

Ryan couldn’t help but smile as he walked away from the “Golden Hammer Blacksmith Shop.” Today’s visit to Santos had been primarily about finding a blacksmith capable of handling the formidable unicorn horn. He had harbored doubts about the local artisans’ abilities, but stumbling upon Master Golden Hammer, a smith whose strength was listed as “unknown” by the system was a stroke of luck. A craftsman of such caliber would undoubtedly respect the value of the materials entrusted to him.

Now that his primary mission was accomplished, Ryan found himself meandering through the bustling streets of Santos, relishing the change of scenery from the endless sea vistas. The vibrant array of goods offered by street vendors captivated him; peculiar trinkets and local delicacies, many of which were new to his eyes, tempted him to linger longer.

As he strolled, the crowd ahead suddenly surged, turning his leisurely exploration into a jostle of bodies. Puzzled, Ryan craned his neck, trying to discern the cause of the commotion. The snippets of conversation he caught amidst the cacophony piqued his interest.

“Quick, let’s go! The ‘Water Drop Princess’ of the kingdom is about to make her weekly prayer at the main hall of the Libra Holy Church. After praying, she’ll dispense the ‘Water Drop Blessings’ from the high platform. It’s said that anyone touched by the Holy Water Drops will be cleansed and enjoy a streak of good fortune!”

Intrigued, Ryan’s eyes narrowed thoughtfully. “The princess of the Kingdom of Santos?”

He recalled his own turbulent introduction to the city, narrowly escaping the zealous Libra Knights. That experience had left a lasting impression of the powerful Libra Holy Church, overshadowing the more subdued presence of the Saint Tos royal family. In this land where theocratic and royal powers intertwined, the royal family surely wielded substantial influence.

With a newfound curiosity, Ryan decided, “Let’s take a look.” Merging with the flow of the crowd, he headed towards the grand spectacle, eager to witness this revered ritual and perhaps, to understand more about the interplay of power in Santos.