Grid melted iron ore and jaffa together, mixing them in the right proportions. Then he poured the molten iron into the mold. After 40 minutes, he pounded it into the shape of a wire, which he then poured a bucket of water on.

Chiiiik! A loud sound was heard as the scorching wire cooled rapidly. Quenching—this process increased the hardness and strength of the metal.

Smith seemed disappointed for the first time. “You even know about quenching?”

“Yes. I have studied various production methods. I am a person who is always prepared.”

“Uhh, I don’t know what you studied, but maybe this is the limit of your self-study? Why are you using quenching when making the arrowhead? I’m not sure if you know, but if you quench the metal, it becomes harder and less durable. The moment the arrow strikes the enemy, the arrowhead might break in the enemy’s armor instead of piercing their body.”

That was right, but Grid had a special plan. “I’ll also use tempering.”

Tempering involved reheating the quenched metal and then gradually lowering it in order to decrease the metal’s brittleness. It was adding a flourish to the production method, which could strengthen the metal in the end. However, it would take a lot of time to do all of this. It was labor that Grid didn’t like doing!

Smith frowned as he felt the same way. “Do you intend to make the arrows all night? I don’t know why you would spend so much time making the arrows. Those who buy arrows consider them as a one-off consumable, so why are you so devoted to making the consumable item?”

Why? The reason for increasing the amount of labor was simple.

While reheating the quenched wire and hammering at it, Grid replied, “If I make it a bit better, I can sell it for a more expensive price.”

“......” Once Smith heard Grid’s words, he understood and no longer interfered.

Grid made the arrowheads by repeatedly quenching, forging, and tempering. 

How much time had passed by? He was tired and sore, but the heat from the smithy was even more painful to endure. Nonetheless, his awkward hammering skills steadily improved over time.

[Your persistence has risen.]

[Your dexterity has risen.]

Grid’s growing stats really made everything feel worthwhile. He was willing to do anything to raise his stats. 

“This...”

‘Dammit! It’s labor in the game! But it’s also fun!’

“I will become addicted to labor one day!”

Would a day come when he enjoyed labor in reality as well? It was a big deal. He might end up with osteoporosis in the later years of his life.

Ttang! Ttang!

Grid complained but still immersed himself in the actions. The wire was slowly converted into an arrowhead as his hammering and skills became more sophisticated.

“Hoo. Hoo.” He took short breaths. 

His arms were numb and his skin was hot, but he endured it. As his stamina fell, his concentration increased.

[The Legendary Blacksmith’s Patience skill has been activated. Concentration, stamina, and defense will rise to the extremes for one hour.]

Suddenly, the weariness in his body disappeared, and he felt refreshed. This was similar to the vigor he felt whenever he ate cereal with milk.

“Ohhhhhh!”

Grid alternated between the hammer and metals, producing the arrowheads. The effect of his increased concentration was noticeable in the arrowheads. It might’ve been because he made them himself, but he thought the arrowheads were really beautiful. Grid was happy. Sweating in front of the fire gave him a sense of fulfillment.

‘This isn’t mere labor. Rather, it is akin to art.’

In reality, he had no talent, so he felt no pleasure no matter what he did. He had to work his guts off just to not fall behind. Nevertheless, now he had talent. It was a talent that could only be shown in Satisfy, but it was enough. 

Ttang! Ttang!

This was harmony with the hammer! It was a moment when he felt stability and contentment.

[The Legendary Blacksmith’s Breath has increased the effectiveness of your production items]

[Legendary Blacksmith’s Breath] 

[Lv. 1

When you are concentrating on making an item, the will of Pagma's Successor will fill the production item.

All stats of a production item will increase by 5%.

There is a rare chance of giving special features to your production items.] 

Then 100 arrows were completed!

[Special Jaffa Arrow] 

[Rating: Epic

Attack Power: 35~42

An arrow made by a craftsman with great skill and potential but lacking in experience and reputation. 

Due to the effect of combining jaffa with steel, it has extremely high penetration and ignores some of the enemy’s defense.

* Has a certain chance of ignoring the enemy’s defense.

Weight: 0.1] 

[An epic-rated item was produced, so all stats have permanently risen by +4 and reputation throughout the continent has risen by +80.

[Quest success!]

[Affinity with Smith has risen to the maximum.]

[Experience has risen by 300.]

[Your level has risen.]

There was no time for Grid to rejoice over the quest’s success and his level-up.

“...Epic-rated arrow?”

Weren’t arrows unconditionally a normal rating? 

‘I’ve never heard of an epic-rated arrow.’

He was filled with an indescribable sense of emptiness.

“Epic-rated consumables... An epic rating appeared when I created arrows...” 

If it were a costly item like a sword or armor, then he would’ve made a big profit. However, arrows were cheap and considered consumables, so the profit of an epic-rated arrow was limited. He was overcome with bad emotions.

‘Dammit! He should’ve told me to make either sword or armor!’

Grid started to hate Smith, who recommended the Jaffa Arrow. When he looked at the arrow he had made, the short feeling of admiration turned into anger.

“You haven’t gone through an apprenticeship yet you are already making something so great! Ideal arrows! This is the first time that I’ve considered an arrow to be beautiful! You are definitely Pagma’s reincarnation! Ahh! You must be tired of my surprise by now! You are great! Amazing! Wonderful!” Smith exclaimed.

Grid regained his spirits at Smith's words. Yes, the first item he made had an epic rating. He didn’t even fail. This fact was enough for him to rejoice and be thankful. As a result of making the epic-rated items, all of his stats increased by 4 and his reputation increased. In addition, the performance of the arrows was amazing. Were there any existing arrows with attack power that exceeded 40? Furthermore, there was a special option.

‘One arrow is better than a level-20 hand weapon.’

Arrows were less profitable than other equipment items due to their nature, but this great performance meant that he would definitely get some money.

‘I was a little confused because what emerged is something bigger than I planned.’

Grid had the Legendary Blacksmith’s Craftsmanship skill. Due to the effect, the abilities of all his items increased by 10%. In other words, the basic attack power of a Jaffa Arrow was 20 to 26, but the ones he created would be 22 to 28. From a buyer’s point of view, they should rather buy the Jaffa Arrows from him instead of the general Jaffa Arrows. Despite this, they would also be reluctant to pay more. Why? It didn’t make sense to pay more money just for a slight increase in attack power.

So Grid used quenching, forging, and tempering as a way to maximize the effects of his skill. He expected that a fairly good arrow would emerge from a 10% increase in performance and a more elaborate production process. Due to the breath skill, the finished arrows had a better performance than he had expected. Grid made Jaffa Arrows that had 15 more attack power than existing Jaffa Arrows, and it also had the option of completely ignoring the enemy’s defense. A high-level user would purchase the Jaffa Arrows he made, no matter how expensive they were. It was well worth it.

“Pu~~~~~~ hahahahat!!”

Grid had the superior stats and skills possessed by Pagma's Successor, as well as the 40 stat points obtained through the minus levels! Additionally, his stats increased from making epic-rated items. Finally, he had made arrows that could be sold at an expensive price. Grid could be certain that today was the best day of his life.

“It is better than my birthday.”

Besides, his little sister was the only one who remembered his birthday. It was annoying to hear on his birthday things like ‘Are you sitting alone at home again?’ or ‘Don’t you have any friends?’ This year, he should say those words on his sister’s birthday. Therefore, it was natural for him to be one hundred times happier today in comparison to his embarrassing and lonely birthdays.

As he watched Grid laugh like a madman, Smith handed over the 100 completed Jaffa Arrows. “I originally promised you half of these... but I can’t take such wonderful things. I want you to take all of them.”

The effect of maximum affinity...! Wasn’t this a beautiful favor? 

Grid’s heart thumped. He felt that Smith seemed just like his own grandfather, so he couldn’t help embracing Smith. “You have shown me great kindness! It was a short meeting, but I will never forget you.”

Tears dripped from Smith’s eyes as he hugged Grid. “Are you leaving already? That’s too bad.”

“We might meet again someday if we’re lucky.”

“I don’t want you to leave...” Smith glanced at Grid with a flushed face. 

Like a male peacock opening its colorful tail feathers to seduce a female, he tried to attract Grid using hammers, tongs, and the solid muscles of his upper body. This man—he had the smell of a widower, so he must’ve been alone for a long time. Maybe he was so lonely that he became gay after his affinity toward Grid reached the maximum...? No, he might’ve been gay from the beginning. His dignity decreased due to his affection for Grid. 

Grid straightened his posture and let go. “I’ll be going now.”

He grabbed the 100 epic arrows and hurriedly moved away. However, due to the 100% reduction in movement speed, he couldn’t leave the blacksmith quickly.

Smith approached Grid and hugged him from behind. “I can see that you also don’t want to separate from me! You are thinking of me in that passionate heart of yours. I’m reluctant to give up this affection. I won’t forget you until the day I lay in my coffin! No, I will think of you, even in my coffin!”

Grid uttered, “This damn person. Stop speaking such terrible words!”

Just like with Doran, the excess weight caused a misunderstanding again.

Barely getting away from Smith, Grid made a vow to sell his arrows, find a warehouse, and move to another village as soon as possible.