Captain Elena watched Arjun with suspicious eyes. "You have 24 hours," she said, before leaving the workshop with her soldiers.
Arjun took a deep breath. He had never made a weapon for someone so powerful. He looked at the blue screen of the System.
[Quest: Craft the 'Sun-Spark Dagger']
[Required: 1x Fire Stone, 2x Brass Ingots, 1x Soul of a Beast]
"Fire Stone? Where will I find that?" Arjun wondered.
The System map flashed, pointing toward the old volcano near the village. Arjun ran there and found a glowing red stone inside a small cave. He also used the essence of the Shadow Wolf he had defeated earlier.
Back in his workshop, Arjun started his work. The heat was intense. He used his Bronze Hammer to beat the metal. Bang! Bang! Bang! [System Note: Stability 80%... 90%... Keep going!]
The metal turned bright orange, then a brilliant gold. Arjun added the Fire Stone and the beast's soul. Suddenly, the room was filled with a warm, golden light. A small, sharp dagger appeared on the anvil. Its blade looked like it was made of solid sunlight.
[Success! You have crafted: Sun-Spark Dagger (Grade: Epic)]
[Ability: Can burn through iron and heal the user's small wounds.]
The next morning, Captain Elena returned. Arjun handed her the dagger. She touched the blade, and it immediately glowed. She swung it at a thick iron shield near the wall.
Slice! The dagger cut the iron shield like it was paper. The soldiers gasped in shock. Elena's eyes widened. "I have never seen a weapon like this in the Royal City," she whispered. "Who are you, Arjun? A simple villager cannot do this."
[Level Up! You are now Level 5: Adept Creator]
[New Reward: Map of the Royal Capital]
"I am just a craftsman," Arjun replied calmly.
Elena looked at him and smiled—a dangerous smile. "A craftsman like you is too valuable to stay in this small village. Pack your bags. You are coming with us to the Capital. The King must see your work."
Arjun knew this was his chance to find the truth about the Bronze God, but he also knew that the Royal City was full of people who would kill for his System.