During our previous days of travel, Dawn tells me how she would teach a couple citizens who were interested in learning the Blacksmith Class. She showed them the basics of her Portable Smithy: Refinery turns ore into ingots, Forge heats ingots to soften them, and Anvil holds hot ingots for hitting. Two ores make an ingot and, depending on the size, items can take between one to eight ingots to craft. Real smithing is a lot more complicated than that, but thankfully the game doesn't force us to act too realistically.

I can recall everything she tells me about the basics, but whenever I get in front of the anvil or pick up an ingot my mind blanks out. The system doesn't outright refuse to let me try, it's more like walking into a room and forgetting why you went in there in the first place. She tells me its the same when she tries to craft the organic pieces like the Boar Leather or the Nightmare Claws.

Combining our skills, however, we find we're able to use a lot less of particular materials, like the Umbramium, and still maintain the integrity of the item we intend to craft. Also, since we're both capable of crafting Advanced items, items that contain special abilities, it doesn't matter which one of us completes the craft. If it's possible for an item to be Advanced, it will be, and that's important to know so that we can be more flexible in our crafting process.

It definitely helps when we pass armor pieces back and forth, finishing the pieces one by one. Previously, we decided to outfit the Dexterity based classes in a light set inspired by armor worn by the Mongols.

Dawn, Victoria, and the seven soldiers would benefit from a heartier set inspired by Roman banded armor since they'll have the Strength to bear it. Dawn also has plans for better weapons, while I take on the task of possibly crafting staves, wands, and the recurve bows.

Our take on the lighter, Mongol Armor that Richter described, in excruciating detail by the way, worked out perfectly as a four piece set: Helm, Brigandine, Greaves, and Boots. They protect us where we need it most and don't restrict our movement in battle. Each set cost seven pieces of the Umbramium, a sheet of the new Nightmare Leather, and some Dridersilk. With the tougher, dark Leather our creation was called the Night Terror Set and it's bonuses are: -10% Shadow and Necrotic damage received, Deal +10% Shadow and Necrotic damage, +1 Level to Stealth skill, and immunity from Slow.

Initially, we only needed to make two full armor sets for Dawn and Victoria. But, since we have ample time, due to our increased production speed from leveling our Artisan Classes, and several extra pieces of Steel Ingots, Dawn and I decide to outfit our seven milita members as well.

The main idea of this set is "greatest amount of protection while allowing the greatest amount of mobility as possible." So Dawn made horizantal strips of Steel, which I sewed onto the Nightmare Leather using the Dridersilk. The armor type ended up being called Laminar, instead of Banded like we assumed, but it worked the way we wanted it to.

Each set includes: Helm, Pauldrons, Cuirass, Bracers, Greaves, Boots, and costs a whopping eighteen pieces of Steel and one and a half sheets of Nightmare Leather. And though they weren't part of the set each one comes with a brand new shield. We literally had to work side by side on each of the ten, round Medium Sized Buckler to piece them together.

It ended up looking like a cross between Japanese samurai and Roman soldier armor. The full set is called the Terror of Many, which, given its special ability, is probably in reference to the word "legion" which can mean a vast multitude of people. Its bonuses are: Deal +1% damage for all attacks/+1% HPMax, MPMax, SPMax for every other complete set of Terror of Many in the party. So, if all the sets are in the same party, everyone would deal +9% damage and get a +9% increase to all of their Max points.

Truly a terrifying set if we had more materials and had a bigger military. If the rest of us could physically wear them we would probably have the just used the same set because the bonus stacks so quickly. I imagine an actual legion, between three and six thousand soldiers and wonder if the bonus would actually stack that high.

"Come on, Ardy. It's weapon time!" Dawn says, full of vigor, her Stamina probably still at its peak. "Then I have one more project idea for you and you can decide when to do it."

"We're not even married yet and you have a honey do list?"

"Marriage?" She smiles, not looking up from her work, "Maybe take me out on a date first?"

Our eyes meet for an instant and I look away, cheeks burning red after thinking about my earlier conversation with Richter. Her words hang in the air, dancing around the clanging of her hammer and the scraping of my claws against the Mana Scorched Lumber.

I manage to divide a single piece of Mana-Scorched Lumber into two staves and four wands, but it takes three pieces of the Violetta Lumber to make nine recurve bows. The staves and wands are still yellow in my vision, as are the bows even though I string them with the Dridersilk, meaning I can continue improving it. I grab a staff and get a notification.

[Spells required to complete crafting. Max spell level: 1. Max MP of spells: 50. Max charges: 40 Rechargeable?: No. Do you wish to imbue a spell now Y/N?]

I'm curious as to what I'm missing to make it rechargeable so I rummage through the Rucksack inventory screen. I find the small crystal balls from Spindle's Lair and as luck would have it there are two left. Using a bit of the Cosmic Slime, I connect the two and finally get what I wanted. It makes the staff rechargeable, but it drops the charges down to ten.

Now, what spell can I put in it? I want to ask Sonny, but not knowing when she'll be able to recharge her mana, I don't want to drain her just to make my life easier. I decide to cap the other staff and save the magic weapons for the Mages since they're ready to go except to imbue them with spells.

I'm holding the recurve bow and it's glowing a feint yellow. I try to Analyze it but it just gives me information regarding the materials. I have the option to complete the craft now, but if I can add something else to it, why wouldn't I? But what?

"What am I missing?" I mumble to myself.

"It's something you wouldn't expect."

"Ah!" I shout in suprise. Richter snuck up on me while I was engrossed in the project and I drop the bow. I snatch it up an inch from the ground, my heart beating like I just did a two hundred yard sprint.

"What?" I ask confusedly.

Richter searches through the inventory list, withdraws pieces of the Faith Infused Bone, and hands them over. He mentions the arduous process it would normally take to actually craft the bows, but as I hold up a bone and the bow, I get a notification asking if I want to add it as a component.

[Success! You crafted an Advanced Journeyman Item!]

[This item does not have a pre determined name. Would you like to name it Y/N?]

I look over at my friend who's still reading the notification and choose yes. "Mind if I name it after you?"

"Me, bro? Nah, I'm not like that. Just having one is a real treat for me, you know?" He's grinning as he eyeballs the bow in his hands.

[Spectral Nomad Recurve, Advanced Journeyman

[Durability: 210/210

[Dexterity/350 yards/0

[Base Damage: 18

[+1 Level to Zoom Skill and Stealth Skill. The wielder may change the element of the ammunition fired to Shadow or Radiant]

"Bro. This is ridiculously OP."

"Maybe. Couldn't have made it without you, though." I start on the others and go into a stream of thoughts that's been plaguing me for a while, "So, yeah, if someone came in to this game with lots of useful knowledge, luck to get the materials, and foresight to choose the proper Artisan Classes and Skills… Then, yeah, they could produce overpowered equipment. The main difference being we started from scratch. We had to pool all of our resources and talents and we're willing to work together as a group."

I place the bows near the completed armors and some strange looking weapons. "Dawn. What the hell are those?"

She's about to put down another strange, hatchet sized weapon, but holds it up with a single hand, "It didn't have a name so I called it 'Thunderstruck' after my favorite song!" I mentally kick myself in the ass for not thinking so cleverly with my own naming opportunity.

She ignores my internal dilemma, "So, I modeled it after my hammer, but instead of an Ankh I just used one of the Faith Infused Bones." Richter jabs me in the ribs, flitting his eyebrows up and down at me. Dawn must have taken it the wrong way and I hurridly explain that we did the same with the bows.

"Boys and their boner jokes. Anyway," I look at her with mock hurt but she shakes her head, eyes closed and smiling, "Since the crafting system reads your intentions like the magic system does with your crazy sign language spells-"

"Bro! Is that what you and the others are doing? I've been whispering my spells and skills… Sign language…"

"Anyway!"

"Sorry, Dawn," Richter says, completely red faced and eyes down.

"It's okay. So the Thunderstrucks are half tomahawk, half warhammer. They're a combination of a Shadow Wing, Shadow Claw Shell from the Tria, Steel, and the Faith Infused Bone. They still need grips, though, if you don't mind." She tosses me the one in her hand. It's suprisingly light, probably due to all the Shadow pieces.

[Thunderstuck, Advanced Journeyman

[Durability: 250/250

[Strength, Dexterity/Melee,Throwable/1

[Base Damage: 18

[Attunable. This weapon also deals 50% Total Damage to Durability of any equipment it hits, 25% Total Damage to Durability of any Building or Construct it hits.]

"Okay, that is a crazy awesome ability." I swing the beastly weapon through the air, "It's a wrecking machine!"

Dawn's hand is on her hip, body cocked slightly, she nods her head in a short bow. I take out some Nightmare Leather and start making some strips for the wraps. She places a couple dozen dark, wide, one and a half foot blades next to me.

"What the hell?"

"Those are the blades for the iklwas. I reworked the last of the Shadow Scythes into two sided blades, but we don't have enough Umbramium to make the blade and handle one solid piece. I was thinking you could somehow attach them to wooden handles?"

Richter adds, "They need to be about the same length as the blades themselves. That way, they can be used as either a mid range spear or a close range sword. They can even be used as throwing weapons! Super verstile!"

I give it a moment of thought. From what I've observed, the game seems to allow a craftsman the opportunity to work in as much detail as they're capable and aiding in the rest, the recurve bow being my prime example. The more work you put in, the greater the reward. So, I can either find a way to attach them myself for a better bonus in the weapon's stats, or allow the system to help me.

I gradually nod my head confidently, "Yeah. Yeah, I can work it out. That should be it though, right?"

"For now, but don't worry, Victoria said she's going to help you."

"What? But I thought she was driving?"

I can see the magical doors opening and hear people cheering as they all rush out. Dawn puts a hand on my shoulder and says in a low voice so that only I can hear, "We can talk about our date later, okay?" She winks at me and motions Richter to follow her.

While Victoria joins me in crafting, an over excited Gorm drops off two platters and mugs for us before disappearing out the doors and closing them. Pan Fried Harpy, Mixed Greens, Mashed Potatoes, and two mugs of the Frost Dragon Ale. This moment is, by far, the apex of my experience in the game. Happily crafting weapons of war beside Victoria with amazing food and a beer that remains a constant frosty cold no matter how long it waits for our attention.

In between finished pieces, we take small breaks, nibble the food and sip our beer. While she finishes wrapping one of the spears, I slink behind her and squeeze her butt. She gasps, grinning at me. She gets her revenge when she hides my beer in her storage. It took me a few minutes to realize what she did. Vic withdraws it, but keeps it out of my grasp, laughing as I press her into the wall, trying to reach it. When I finally do, I pour the rest of my beer into my ring and chase her, threatening to splash her with the cold brew.

We're running around the work space and I finally catch up to her, dripping the ice cold beer down the back of her neck. Her squeels are punctuated with laughter as she spins around, pins my arms to my sides, and playfully bites my neck.

I teleport out of her grasp and she argues, "No abilities!"

She takes a step back and I reappear behind her, trip her, and catch her in a dip. The look of shock on her face changes into ecstacy as I lean in for a kiss. Without breaking contact I summon a bedroll, lay her down, and take one last look towards the doors. Satisfied that we are alone, we simply stow our pants in our storage devices as we giggle into each other's kisses.

She rolls us over, ending back on top, stating that its easier for her to keep an eye out from behind the crates and bags, but I think she just prefers it this way. The thrill of the situation is having an effect on her and it overwhelms my acute senses. Her scent alone is enough to make me feel more animalistic, grabbing onto her thighs and driving my hips up to meet her.

Her eyes shoot open in suprise for the second time since we were alone, and she digs her fingernails into my chest. I wince slightly as I take a few point of damage, but her lips find my neck again and I forget all about it. We switch one last time and I lay her on her front, kissing her shoulder blades, her shoulders, and her neck. She turns her head back towards me and I kiss her scarred cheek, trailing down the line with my lips. Our new position makes it impossible for us to check for suprise guests, but by then we're too lost in each other. Neither of us lasts much longer, finishing with eyes closed and panting. I continue kissing the nape of her neck and stroking one of her quivering arms as it struggles to hold her up.

I feel her cooling sweat with my face, taste her scent on my tongue, but I'm afraid to pry open my eyes and not see her there, the dream finally ending. I eventually do as she rolls over to her back. I stare into the pools of sapphires that are Victoria's eyes and they twinkle when her lips curl into a smile.

She arches an eyebrow and asks, "Did you want to finish?" I look back at her perplexed and her flirty smile turns into an amused one, "I meant the weapons, silly."

She kisses me once more and we get dressed, picking up where we left off in a much more relaxed atmosphere.