The rest floor was quiet, save for the faint hum of the glowing crystals and the occasional sound of the others moving about as they trained.
AJ sat in the centre of the room, his slimy body rippling faintly as he absorbed the ambient mana in the air. His mind was occupied with how he could help the group.
He couldn't shake the feeling that he needed to do more—to contribute in a way that went beyond just fighting alongside them.
Ethan was practising with his stone axe, the blade chipped and worn from the recent battles. Lily's spear was in no better condition, its tip dull and its shaft starting to splinter.
Victor's knife, though sharp, was made of simple stone and lacked the durability needed for the fights ahead. Even Walter's cane, sturdy as it was, seemed inadequate against the increasingly powerful creatures they faced.
AJ's thoughts began to race. Their weapons are holding them back, he realised. If we're going to survive the next floors they need something better, sharper, more durable, something that will keep up with their growing strength.
That was when he thought about the materials they had collected from the Ravager—its razor-sharp claws and thick, durable scales. The creature had been a formidable opponent, and its remains were currently their greatest asset.
An idea began to form in AJ's mind. He had already made Ethan a shield, what was stopping him from making them weapons too?
If he could use its claws and scales to craft new weapons, he could give the group a fighting chance.
He envisioned the weapons the group needed—a razor-sharp knife for Victor, sturdy spears for Lily and Sam, a reinforced axe for Ethan, and a reinforced cane for Walter.
This is it, AJ thought, his focus unwavering. This is... how I'll... make a... difference.
AJ started with the Ravager scales, the easier of the two materials. The scales were tough and rigid, their structure tightly bound by the mana within them.
AJ began by visualising the scale's structure in his mind. It was like a dense, interwoven web of mana strands, each one connected to the next in a complex lattice. The mana within the scales was stubborn, resistant to change, but AJ had experience with them.
He didn't want to simply recreate the scales, he wanted to reshape them to his desires. He focused on a single strand of mana, imagining it as a thread he could pull and manipulate.
Slowly, the strand began to shift, sliding out of its original position and into a new one. But as soon as he moved one strand, the surrounding lattice began to destabilise.
The scale's structure started to crumble, the mana strands unravelling like a poorly knit sweater.
Too much force, AJ thought. Need to be more gentle.
He tried again, this time focusing on larger movements. Instead of pulling a single strand, he gently nudged multiple strands at once, redistributing the mana to maintain the scale's overall stability.
It was like solving a puzzle—each movement had to be calculated, each strand adjusted in harmony with the others.
AJ's form shimmered as he worked, his body pulsing with the effort. He imagined the scale as a blade, its edges sharp and its surface smooth.
His mana responded, gently nudging the scale's form into the new shape AJ envisioned. He could feel the material beginning to change, the rigid structure of the scale softening and reshaping under his guidance.
After what felt like hours, something began to emerge from AJ's body. It was rough and imperfect, but the shape of an axe's head was unmistakable.
AJ's form rippled as he released the blade, letting it fall into his waiting tendril. He examined it closely, his form shifting as he analysed the new shape.
The blade was far from perfect, but it was proof that his idea could work.
Satisfied with the proof of concept, AJ turned his attention to the Ravager claws. These were even more challenging than the scales.
The mana within them more tightly bound and resistant to change. The claws were like fortresses of mana, their structure rigid and unforgiving.
AJ began by visualising the claw's structure. It was like a series of interconnected chains, each link a fragment of mana that he needed to break and reshape.
The mana strands were thicker and more densely packed than those in the scales, making them harder to manipulate.
He focused on a single link in the chain, pouring his own mana into it in an attempt to loosen its grip. The link resisted, its mana pushing back against AJ's efforts.
He increased the pressure, his form rippling with the strain, but the link refused to budge.
This isn't working, AJ thought, his frustration growing. Need a different approach.
Instead of trying to force the link apart, AJ decided to work with the claw's natural structure. He focused on the spaces between the links, where the mana was slightly less dense.
He began to weave his own mana into these gaps, creating new connections that would hopefully allow him to manipulate the claw's structure without breaking it entirely.
It was slow, meticulous work. AJ had to carefully guide his mana, mixing it into the claw's structure, without destabilising it.
He imagined the claw as a series of interlocking gears, each one needing to move in sync with the others. As he worked, the claw's mana began to shift, the rigid structure softening under his guidance.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he managed to reshape a small portion of the claw into a dagger-like form. It was far from perfect—the edges were jagged, and the mana within it was still unstable—but it was a start.
AJ's form rippled with satisfaction. He knew that with more practice, he could refine the process and create even better weapons.
He continued to practise, reshaping the scales and claws into various forms—blades, daggers, and spear tips. Each attempt was a learning experience, and with each success, his control over the materials improved.
He could feel the mana within him responding more readily, the energy flowing more smoothly as he guided it into new shapes.
As this was going on Lily approached him. She hesitated. "Hey AJ, I noticed you're making weapon parts. Can I request a change in weapon? Getting up close and personal really isn't my thing. Could you make me a bow instead?"
AJ's form rippled thoughtfully. A bow would be much more complex than the weapons he'd crafted so far. But seeing Lily's hopeful expression, he was determined to try.
After agreeing to the request AJ began experimenting with making the stave out of wood, carefully adjusting the size and thickness of it.
The process was delicate he had to make sure the wood wouldn't become brittle, whilst maintaining the springiness necessary for a proper bow.
For the bowstring, AJ made use of Ravager tendons which he had absorbed. The tough, fibrous material was naturally designed for tension and flexibility.
He carefully broke down the tendons and rewove them into a strong, elastic cord that could handle the repeated stress of drawing and releasing.
Next up were the arrows, shaping wooden shafts, then creating arrowheads from Ravager claws. Each piece had to be sharp enough to pierce tough hide while remaining light enough for accurate flight.
By the time he finished, AJ had exhausted a large amount of mana, but he was satisfied with the result. He had made significant progress, reshaping the materials into more useful forms.
As he looked around at the others, still training and preparing for the challenges ahead, AJ felt a sense of pride.
He had found a way to contribute, to help the group in a way that went beyond just fighting. He was becoming a craftsman, a creator.
AJ allowed himself a moment of quiet happiness. He had taken the first step toward crafting a future for the group, one weapon at a time.
---
As the timer on the rest floor ticked down to 8 hours remaining, the group gathered together, their bodies glistening with sweat and their breaths heavy from hours of individual training.
They sat in a loose circle, passing around water and dried rations, their faces showing a mix of exhaustion and determination.
The faint hum of the glowing crystals provided a soothing backdrop as they took a moment to rest and catch their breath.
AJ, who had been quietly working in the corner, rippled slightly as he approached the group. His slimy form shimmered with a faint glow, and in his tendrils, he carried the fruits of his labour.
"Got something... for you... all," AJ said, his voice echoing softly. He extended a tendril toward Victor, presenting a jagged but sharp dagger blade. "Not perfect... but sharper... and more... durable than... your current... knife."
Victor's eyes lit up with interest as he took the blade, turning it over in his hands. The edge gleamed in the soft light.
"This is solid work," he said, clear approval in his voice. He quickly attached the blade to the hilt of his knife, testing its weight and balance. "Thanks, AJ."
Next, AJ turned to Ethan, offering a sturdy axe head. "This should... hold up... better than... your stone... axe. Not indestructible... but step... up."
Ethan grinned as he took the axe head. "This is amazing!" he said, attaching it to his axe handle. He gave it a few experimental swings, the blade cutting through the air with a satisfying whoosh. "Feels like a proper weapon now!"
AJ then presented Sam with a new spear tip. "This should... pierce through... tougher hides," AJ explained. "And will... help preserve... your spear."
Sam nodded in appreciation as he attached the spear tip to his weapon.
Lily's eyes softened as she looked at her new bow and arrows, her fingers running over the smooth surface. "Thank you so much, AJ," she said, her voice filled with gratitude.
Walter, who had been observing quietly, gave AJ a warm smile. "And what about me?" he asked, his tone light but curious.
AJ rippled apologetically. "Couldn't make... cane large... enough for... you yet. Not enough... mana... will need... more time."
Walter chuckled, leaning on his current cane. "No rush. I'll manage with what I've got. You've already done more than enough."
---
With their new weapons in hand, the group decided to spend the remaining time training together. They split into two teams—Ethan, Lily, and Walter on one side, and Victor, Sam, and AJ on the other.
The goal was to practise coordinated attacks, learning each other's habits and improving their teamwork. They naturally held back against each other, slowing down their movements and not using their full strength.
Ethan's team took the offensive first, charging toward Victor's group. Ethan led the charge, his new axe gleaming as he swung it in wide arcs, forcing Victor and Sam to dodge.
Lily darted in from the side, her spear thrusting toward Sam, who parried with his own spear. Walter hung back, using his cane to disrupt Victor's movements and create openings for Ethan and Lily.
Victor's team focused on defence and counterattacks. Victor used his new dagger to deflect Ethan's strikes, his movements sharp and precise.
Sam provided support, using his spear to keep Lily at bay whilst AJ used the slick liquid he produced to disrupt their footing, causing them to slip a few times.
They took turns attacking and defending and switched roles so everyone had a chance to lead and support.