The air in the workshop, once thick with the scent of molten metal and starlight, suddenly turned ice-cold. It wasn't a natural chill. It was the "Mana Suppression" field used by the Royal Guard to paralyze anyone with an active system. Ark felt the heavy weight of it pressing down on his lungs, making every breath a struggle.
[Warning: High-Level Mana Field Detected!]
[System functionality reduced to 40%. Stealth protocols initiated.]
Ark looked at the Whispering Bronze Dagger in his hand. The weapon was still warm, its silver-flecked surface pulsing with a rhythmic light that seemed to mock the darkness outside. If the guards saw this, it wouldn't just be his workshop they'd take—it would be his life.
CRACK!
The wooden door groaned under another heavy blow. Splinters flew into the room, dancing in the dim light of the dying forge.
"I know you're in there, Smith," a voice echoed through the cracks. It was a smooth, melodic voice, but it carried the sharpness of a razor. "The resonance from a Star-Iron forging can be felt from three blocks away. You can either open this door and hand over the artifact, or I can let my men burn this hovel to the ground with you inside."
Ark's mind raced. He looked at the Rusty Interface.
[New Quest Objective: The Alchemist's Deception]
[Suggestion: Use the 'Bronze Mist' skill to mask the dagger's aura.]
"System, activate Bronze Mist!" Ark internally commanded.
Immediately, a thin, metallic vapor began to seep from his pores, wrapping around the dagger. The brilliant starlight glow of the blade dimmed, turning into the dull, unremarkable brown of common bronze. To any normal eye, it now looked like a piece of junk—a failed experiment.
He quickly shoved the dagger into a pile of rusted scraps near the anvil and stumbled toward the door. Just as he reached for the latch, the wood exploded inward.
A man stepped through the dust. He was tall, dressed in midnight-blue armor that seemed to swallow the light. On his chest was the crest of the Royal Guard—a golden eye surrounded by thorns. Behind him stood four soldiers, their spears leveled at Ark's chest.
"Search the place," the Commander ordered without looking at Ark. His eyes were fixed on the forge. He walked toward the anvil, his gloved hand reaching out to touch the cooling surface. "The heat is still fresh. Where is it?"
Ark forced his voice to tremble, playing the part of a terrified apprentice. "W-where is what, My Lord? I was just trying to repair a broken plow. The furnace... it flared up. I'm sorry if the noise disturbed the peace."
The Commander turned, his gaze piercing through Ark like a physical blade. "A plow? You expect me to believe a common smith can produce a resonance that bypasses the city's suppression wards while fixing a plow?"
He walked over to the pile of scrap where Ark had hidden the dagger. Ark's heart stopped. The Commander kicked a piece of iron aside, his boot stopping inches away from the Whispering Bronze Dagger.
[Alert: Stress levels critical. 95% chance of discovery.]
Suddenly, one of the soldiers shouted from the back of the room. "Commander! Look at this!"
The soldier held up a glowing crystal—a decoy Ark had forgotten he even had. It was a low-grade mana stone, cracked and leaking energy. The Commander's attention shifted. He snatched the stone, inspecting it with a sneer.
"A faulty mana stone? This is what caused the flare?" The Commander looked disappointed, almost bored. He threw the stone onto the floor, where it shattered into a thousand pieces. "Waste of my time. You're lucky, Smith. If I find out you're hiding something else, I'll personally oversee your execution."
As the guards marched out, the Commander paused at the threshold. He didn't turn around, but his voice was a cold whisper. "Keep your forge quiet, boy. The Bronze God is dead. Don't go looking for his ghosts."
When the sound of their boots finally faded into the distance, Ark collapsed against the anvil, his breath coming in ragged gasps. He reached into the scrap pile and pulled out the dagger. It was cold now, but the Rusty Interface began to glow with a triumphant light.
[Quest Completed: Survival of the Forge]
[Reward: 500 Experience Points, 20 Bronze Coins]
[Level Up! Current Level: 3]
Ark looked at the door, then at his hands. He was no longer just a smith. He was a survivor. And soon, the Royal Guard would learn that some ghosts don't stay buried. Enjoying the story? Please Add to Library and leave a review! Your support helps this book reach more readers. Thank you for being part of this journey!"