One week later, in the City of Freedom.
"Blacksmithing really is a craft. I haven't done it in so long my technique's gotten rusty."
Wayne stood bare-chested, muscles taut and glistening in the heat of the forge. The smithy was filled with swirling steam from the blazing furnace.
He dipped a ladle into a large vat of water and gulped it down before glancing at the newly forged blade in his hand and the dozens of discarded, ruined ones scattered across the floor.
The one he now held could just about be called a fine weapon. It still fell short of a Quality Grade Blade, but it was far sharper than anything forged by ordinary smiths. If it was lucky enough to be nurtured by a swordsman's Haki over time, it might even evolve into a Quality Blade.
Blacksmith Profession (Advanced) – EXP: 1533/3000
That was Wayne's current blacksmith level. Each profession, depending on its complexity, required a different amount of experience to level up. Wayne had spent the past week holed up in the smithy, forging blade after blade, but each failed attempt only granted 1 or 2 points. Even crafting the fine sword in his hand had only earned him a little over 60 experience.
"At this rate, I might as well open a restaurant in Sabaody. After a full day of cooking, I'd at least gain a few dozen points. Way more efficient than blacksmithing."
Stepping outside, Wayne lit a cigarette and let the icy winter wind brush against his skin. The cold was bracing almost comforting.
Wayne had always hated heat but didn't mind the cold. The smithy's sweltering temperature hovering around forty to fifty degrees put him in a sour mood. But the winter breeze from Star Island, where the City of Freedom was located, left him feeling clear-headed and refreshed.
Star Island could roughly be classified as a winter island. Out of the entire year, nearly 200 days were winter, with the rest cycling between spring and autumn. This seasonal pattern made the hot spring industry in the City of Freedom flourish. Tang Island, the nearby onsen haven, had become a popular tourist destination and brought Wayne considerable annual income.
A group of soldiers from the Free Counterforce Unit arrived, carrying several large crates.
The squad leader stepped forward and saluted.
"Lord Wayne, here are the iron, steel, and special ores you requested!"
Wayne gave a nod, handed him a cigarette, and patted him on the shoulder.
"Good work, boys. Go home and have a proper lunch."
The young soldiers, all in their early twenties, were both honored and surprised. They'd grown up hearing tales of Wayne's legend but never expected him to be so approachable in person.
With a mere thought, Wayne lifted several tons of materials using electromagnetic force and floated them into the smithy. He turned back inside, ready to continue forging.
Meanwhile, the squad leader carefully placed the cigarette into a small iron case taken from his pocket, muttering to himself that he would pass it down to his future son as a family heirloom.
To the people of this city, Wayne had already become a kind of living faith.
Back in the forge, Wayne placed a special mineral known as Blue Ore into the furnace. This ore could significantly enhance a blade's durability.
With a city of over a million people under his leadership, Wayne naturally maintained his own army. The Three Free Counterforce Units formed its core strength. And an army needed weapons.
The City of Freedom had an industrial district dedicated to weapon forging. When Wayne first began learning the blacksmith trade, he had studied under those same smiths. Now, he was the best blacksmith in the city but even so, he had yet to forge a Named Blade.
"Skilled craftsmen are truly hard to come by."
Wayne sighed. With no mentor to guide him, the only way to improve was through relentless daily practice. Fortunately, he lacked neither stamina nor materials, so it was only a matter of time before he leveled up.
From midday until nightfall, Wayne didn't rest. He managed to forge another fine-grade sword.
Right on cue, the system's notification rang out.
Ding! Congratulations, Host! After 5 hours and 28 minutes of forging, you've crafted a Fine-Grade Blade. Gained 56 Blacksmith EXP. Current Level: Advanced (1589/3000). Gained 56 Life Points. Current Life Points: 1389.
Ding! Congratulations, Host! Your novel Journey to the West has concluded. Serialized for 1 year and 3 months. Total readers: 38.69 million. Current Novelist Level: Master (3222/5000). Life Points Reward: 3869. Current Life Points: 5258.
"Oh? The income from Journey to the West finally came through?"
Wayne's eyes lit up. His once-empty wallet had suddenly become full again.
As mentioned before, rewards from novel writing didn't come in real time. Payouts were only delivered once a book was completed. The system's rate was one Life Point per 10,000 readers. Thankfully, this world's population was massive, and writing hadn't consumed much of Wayne's time. He viewed it as a reliable source of annual income.
"So... what should I spend these Life Points on?"
"Ah, screw it. Let's go all in. Might turn a bike into a motorcycle!"
Wayne's inner gambler resurfaced. Truthfully, these points would've been enough to enhance his Rumble-Rumble Fruit abilities to the next stage but he had a good feeling lately. Maybe luck was on his side. Maybe it was time for a draw.
He tossed the Lucky Coin in his hand and spoke aloud.
"System, initiate a draw!"
Ding! Congratulations, Host! You have received: One ton of Wahaha AD Calcium Milk. Please check your inventory!
Wayne's expression darkened. "Seriously? A thousand Life Points for that?"
Unwilling to give up, he gritted his teeth.
"System screw it. Go all in. Four more draws!"
He clasped his hands together, praying to Lady Luck with all his might.
"Please... let me break out of this cursed luck. Just once!"
Ding! Congratulations, Host! You have received: One ton of premium Jiangnan sugar mandarins. Please check your inventory.
Reminder: Overeating may cause elevated carotene levels, leading to yellowish skin!
Ding! Congratulations, Host! You have received: Forging Manual – Chaotic Wind Hammer Technique! Please check your inventory.
Ding! Congratulations, Host! You have received: One ton of premium Cuban long-leaf cigars. Please check your inventory.
Ding! Congratulations, Host! You have received: One bottle of Armament Haki Experience Potion. Please check your inventory.
Wayne was about to despair after seeing the ton of mandarins but when he read the later items, his eyes lit up.
"Wait... hold on... could it be?"
A surge of excitement hit him.
"Is it really what I think it is?"
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