I asked Selly about something that had been on my mind.
"It's an equipment item that often takes the hit for you on your shoulder."
"Often means not always, right?"
It probably activates with a certain probability.
"Basically, it's said to activate better against stronger attacks. The strength of the attack also varies depending on the user's strength. For someone who usually fights in the upper levels, it rarely activates against the attacks of low-level monsters."
"I see."
So, there are conditions for it to take the hit.
Perhaps it only activates against attacks that would reduce your HP by more than half.
Or maybe it only takes the hit when your HP would be reduced to zero.
If that's the case, it would indeed be a useful piece of equipment.
"When it takes the hit, it breaks, but you can avoid the attack without any shock or pain. Since it's disposable, people who engage in close combat don't use it much. It's useful for those who rarely enter the dungeon or for mages."
Disposable, that makes sense.
If an item that could nullify attacks wasn't disposable, that would be terrifying.
It would be a waste to test the conditions for activation.
"Then, it might be suitable for Roxane, who is good at dodging."
"No, I think you should wear it, Master."
"But it would be a waste for me, who takes a lot of hits."
"I've heard stories of people being saved by the substitute bracelet. Please wear it, Master."
Roxane insisted.
"Alright, if you can make it."
"I'll do my best."
"Of course, I trust your skills, Selly."
"Whether a blacksmith's skills increase the success rate of monster card fusion is just a rumor."
I've heard that too.
"Is that so?"
"Generally, it's said that the more skilled blacksmiths have a higher success rate, but an old scholar found no difference in his research."
"Wow, really?"
Roxane and Selly conversed.
The basis being an old scholar's research, I wonder how reliable that is.
I can't help but wonder if it's okay.
"Do you need a bracelet to attach skills?"
"It's not necessary, but it will be disposable. A bracelet is the cheapest equipment item, and it won't be bought back by armor shops. It doesn't provide much in terms of defense."
"So, it's something that won't be a loss if it breaks."
Selly mentioned that the bracelet would break when the skill activates.
If it were attached to other equipment, that equipment would break.
It would be a waste to attach it to valuable equipment.
"A bracelet is the simplest equipment item, made from a single thread, and it's the first item new blacksmiths make for practice."
"Practice, huh? Will you try making one, Selly?"
"Thank you. However, a bracelet won't sell for much at a general store. You might even incur a loss if you buy the thread from the guild. New blacksmiths are said to hunt Green Caterpillars in the dungeon and make one bracelet in the morning and one in the evening as part of their training."
There's an MP issue, so they can't make many.
That's why they make one in the morning and one in the evening.
At the same time, entering the dungeon allows for level-ups.
The training seems to be well thought out.
"I sold my copper sword and need a replacement. Can you make one, Selly?"
"I'm sorry, but I don't think I can yet. A blacksmith's training starts with making bracelets and gradually moves on to more difficult items."
"I see. I guess it's too much to ask a beginner to make something difficult right away."
"I hope to be of use soon."
Being a blacksmith doesn't mean you can do everything.
It seems to depend on the level or MP capacity.
With my twenty times experience gain, Selly's growth should be fast.
"Don't worry. You've already been helpful with monster card fusion. In that case, I'll go to the weapon shop and buy a sword."
On the way back from the merchant guild, I stopped by the weapon shop.
I looked around at the swords.
I can't always carry Durandal as my sidearm.
I can't hang a wand either, even though I'm not openly a mage.
I need a sword.
Since I hardly use it, a copper sword might be enough.
Or, since it's a sidearm, should I get something a bit better?
Without appraisal skills, I wouldn't even know if it's a bamboo sword.
The next step up from a copper sword would be an iron sword.
Is this appropriate?
Iron Sword (Two-Handed)
Skill: Empty, Empty
Iron Sword (Two-Handed)
Skill: Empty
As I looked at the iron swords, I noticed something odd.
Some had two empty skill slots, while others had one.
Most didn't have any.
Copper swords, even those with empty skill slots, only had one.
Iron swords can have up to two.
Like Roxane's scimitar, having two might be a good sign.
Scimitar (One-Handed)
Skill: Empty
Curious, I looked at the scimitars.
There were some with one empty skill slot.
Most had one, and having two seemed to be a good sign.
Steel Sword (Two-Handed)
Skill: Empty, Empty, Empty
The next step up from an iron sword would be a steel sword.
Steel swords can have up to three empty skill slots.
There was also a Damascus steel sword, but it was displayed behind the counter and not on the shelves.
Is that the best this shop has?
I glanced at the Damascus steel sword from a distance, but it didn't have any empty skill slots.
It's probably expensive, and since it doesn't have any empty skill slots, it's not relevant now.
I'll stick with an iron sword.
There's no need to jump straight to a higher-level weapon.
If I don't need it, I can add a skill and sell it.
I also need a spare sword for fusing and selling monster cards.
I bought one copper sword and one iron sword.
Both had empty skill slots.
The iron sword had two empty skill slots.
I realized after buying them that having two of the same item would save space in the item box.
The item box can hold multiple of the same item.
Using two different items, a copper sword and an iron sword, would take up two spaces.
It's not a big deal, though.
"Is a steel sword the next step up from an iron sword?"
I asked Selly outside the shop since it was awkward to ask inside.
"Yes, the order is copper, iron, and steel."
"Is steel made from iron?"
"Huh?"
Selly stopped.
"Huh?"
Did I mess up again?
Maybe I shouldn't have asked in the shop.
"Um, can steel be made from iron?"
"Is it different?"
"Generally, both iron and steel are made from items left by monsters."
"Is that so?"
However, Selly's eyes didn't seem cold.
"An old scholar wrote that steel can be made from iron, but it's just a theory. It's considered a lost technique. Do you know how to do it?"
"No, I don't know the method."
Iron is definitely made from iron.
That's safe.
Good.
"I see. Knowing that steel is made from iron is impressive."
"Then, is Damascus steel similar?"
"Can Damascus steel be made from iron?"
"Probably, but that's just a guess."
It might be different in this world, and I can't be certain.
"Damascus steel is an item left by a Rem Golem."
"Is Damascus steel the next step up from steel?"
"Yes, the next step is Orichalcum."
Orichalcum.
"Is it real?"
"Surprised? Do you know how to make it?"
"No, I can't even imagine it."
After all, it's a legendary metal.
It might not even exist on Earth.
I'm glad the next step up from Damascus steel isn't depleted uranium.
Orichalcum might actually be depleted uranium.
"I see."
"The weapon shop didn't have any Orichalcum swords."
"Orichalcum-level items are usually traded among close friends or sold at auctions. They're hard to find in regular weapon shops."
Expensive items are all auctioned.
That's Orichalcum for you.
That day, we also visited the second floor of Bael's dungeon to gather threads from Green Caterpillars.
Before dinner, I had Selly make a bracelet.
"I'll make it then."
Selly held the thread.
She placed one thread on the palms of both hands and cast the equipment manufacturing skill spell.
The light was intense, similar to the light from monster card fusion.
"I see. It's made like this."
"I've never seen someone actually make equipment before."
Roxane was impressed.
The light eventually faded.
Bracelet (Accessory)
The bracelet remained on Selly's hand.
Some kind of magic must be involved.
It probably consumes MP, like monster card fusion.
The magic turns the material into equipment.
"Is it impossible to fail when making equipment?"
"Starting with simple items and gaining experience, you can eventually make more difficult ones. There's no inconsistency in success rates."
Selly answered.
Her MP seems fine.
As a blacksmith, she's already at level 6, so she should have plenty of room to spare.
"I see."
I took the bracelet.
It's just a simple bracelet.
There's nothing special about it.
I can wear it on my wrist or ankle.
"Among blacksmiths, it's said that those who can make a substitute bracelet with their first bracelet are successful."
"Is that so?"
"No, it's just a rumor."
"A rumor, huh?"
Of course, that's to be expected.
Unfortunately, the bracelet Selly made didn't have any empty skill slots.
So, it can't be a substitute bracelet.
The rumor says that blacksmiths who can make a substitute bracelet with their first bracelet are successful, not that those who can't are unsuccessful.
However, if a blacksmith could attach empty skill slots to all their equipment, they could make a substitute bracelet with their first attempt and would likely be successful.
If such a blacksmith existed, Selly would be considered a failure.
However, Selly is not a failure.
She is definitely not a failure.
There's no way such a cute Selly could be a failure.
Selly is surely an excellent blacksmith. No doubt about it.
"Since the success rate of monster card fusion doesn't vary among blacksmiths, whether a blacksmith can make a substitute bracelet with their first attempt is purely a matter of luck. It has nothing to do with their success as a blacksmith."
A blacksmith who can attach empty skill slots to all their equipment would have a different success rate for monster card fusion.
They could ensure success with their own equipment.
However, such a blacksmith is unknown.
Given that, it's safe to assume that such blacksmiths are rare.
There might be a difference in the probability of attaching empty skill slots, but it's not worth worrying about.
"I see. Since Selly made this for me, I'll wear it."
"It's just a bracelet, so it doesn't provide any defense or other effects."
"Is that a problem?"
"No, if you use it, I'd be very happy. Thank you."
Selly bowed.
Even though it's just a rumor, it's still on my mind.
Even if you know there's no curse, you'd still worry if someone said they'd curse you.
Even if you know there are no ghosts, you'd still be scared to go into a dark place alone.
I'll pray that a bracelet with empty skill slots appears before I get a certain monster card.
But the wish will only come true when it naturally breaks.
That's no good.
I wrapped the bracelet Selly made around my right ankle, tying it in a bow for easy removal.