Chapter 92 — Tools for a New World
S.C. 1510 — Early December
Foosha Village — Underground Metallurgy Room
The underground forge hummed softly in the early morning, filling the chamber with a warm, orange glow.
Ren stood over the stone worktable, staring at the KEA Prototype 0.5 blade like it was some priceless treasure—which, realistically, it was.
The blade was strong.
Almost too strong.
If Ren used it for normal digging, carving, or banging rocks, it would be like using a legendary sword to slice vegetables.
Zemo nudged Ren's leg, giving the fox equivalent of:
"Put the fancy blade down, you gremlin child."
Ren sighed dramatically.
"Yeah, yeah… I know. It's too precious to waste."
He looked at the KEA blade one more time before setting it aside with deep reverence, like a parent gently tucking a baby into bed.
Ren clapped his hands together.
"Alright! Today we make actual tools. Practical things. No super alloys. No experiments that might mutate a plant."
Zemo wagged his tail in relief.
---
The Work Begins
Ren already sorted the ores the night before:
Iron-rich stones — the main bulk
Small bits of dark mineral — just enough for durability
Striped ore fragments — to keep things flexible
No enhanced charcoal.
No glowing flames that make Zemo run behind a barrel.
Just normal fire.
Ren loaded the furnace with plain charcoal, lit it, and pumped the small bellows gently:
FWOO— fwuu— FWOO—
The fire warmed steadily, like a well-behaved campfire instead of an angry volcano.
Zemo sat beside him like a supervisor checking an employee's performance evaluation.
Ren smirked.
"Don't worry, boss. This time it's simple."
---
Tool 1 — The Mini Pick
When the metal mix reached the right glow, Ren pulled it out with tongs.
CLANG— CLANG— CLANG—
Each strike shaped the lump into something useful.
Not a dagger.
Not a spear.
A mini pickaxe, perfect for his small hands.
One side sharp and pointed for cracking stone.
The other flat for breaking chunks off.
Ren hammered with focus and rhythm the way an adult blacksmith would—just shorter and cuter.
After folding and shaping, he quenched the mini pick:
SSSHHHH—
Steam rose, and Zemo sneezed like he'd inhaled spicy air.
Ren held the cooled tool.
Then—
CRACK.
A stone wall chunk broke clean off after a single swing.
Ren grinned proudly.
"Mini pick: perfect."
---
Tool 2 — The Chisel
Next, Ren forged a long, sturdy chisel.
He hammered the glowing metal into a narrow shape, sharpened the tip, heated it again, and quenched it.
He tested it:
CHNK—
The chisel carved into stone like it was soft cheese.
Zemo tilted his head.
Ren translated the fox's look as:
"I approve, human child with questionable hobbies."
---
Tool 3 — The Spade-Head
Then came a tool for softer digging.
A normal shovel would be too big. Too noticeable. Too… "why does a seven-year-old have heavy tools?" suspicious.
So Ren forged a compact spade-head:
wide like a leaf
sharp enough to cut roots
curved for scooping soil
He polished it lightly.
Zemo sniffed the tool.
Ren held up a finger.
"No. Not inside the house. We talked about this."
Zemo huffed.
Drama fox.
---
Assembly
Ren attached each tool to the wooden handles he'd carved earlier:
Mini pick → short, sturdy grip
Chisel → long straight handle
Spade-head → medium handle with tight rope binding
He tested each balance point like a tiny, serious craftsman.
Perfect.
---
Zemo's Role
Ren sat down beside Zemo, placing the tools neatly before them.
"We'll bring these to the island tomorrow. Quiet work. No rushing."
Zemo pressed his forehead to Ren's arm, his silent way of saying:
We build together.
Ren smiled warmly.
"Step by step… we'll make our hidden sanctuary."
---
Securing the Tools
Ren wrapped each tool in cloth and stored them inside a wooden crate beneath a false floorboard.
Then he whispered to the dark room:
"No one can know about these. Not now."
Zemo curled beside the crate like a furry security guard.
Ren climbed the ladder out, leaving the tools hidden safely below.
Tomorrow—
The first real construction on the island would begin.
And these tools—simple, sturdy, quiet—
would shape the foundation of everything Ren dreamed of building.
---
End of Chapter 92