Blacksmith of the Apocalypse

The blacksmith grabbed Mina and gave her a compulsory break as well, to go on a date. It had been a while since they just strolled through the city together.

“Oh wow, is this for real?” Seth exclaimed in happy surprise when he saw the announcement of a new movie in a cinema.

The advertisements described it as a new kind of movie. A real kind of movie. Real magic, real stunts. The introduction of the system into modern society had finally found its way into the entertainment industry of Delta.

Using magic and skills instead of special effects and filming with flying golem drones were some of the highlighted selling points. Although it was nothing new for the people of Chrona, for example, it was a revolution for Urth.

Especially since Chrona already had a well-developed entertainment industry. Seth could only imagine the kind of impact skills would have, once a kind of peace truly settled in. Even though that would probably still take quite a while.

It was a frightening thought if idol groups and boy bands were no longer assisted by just autotune, but also powerful bardic skills. Stars could use items to improve their personality attribute and illusion magic to improve their looks.

There was also the introduction of other races. The amount of otherworldly p*rn that would flood the market was hard to imagine. However, Seth didn’t feel like thinking too much about these implications.

For one he really wanted to simply enjoy a movie with Mina. On the other hand, all of this would only have a chance if they managed to overcome whatever the Age of gods would throw at them.

The movie was inspired by the current time they were living in. Tragic love story in a broken world that was overrun by monsters. Although the story seemed a little awkward and rough around the edges, it really shone with the usage of magic and skills as special effects.

Afterward, they ate out. It was a fine dining restaurant with a good reputation. However, it only helped Seth to realize how good Link had become at cooking. Compared to the food in Minas Mar’s canteen, the food in the restaurant was edible at best.

Of course, Seth would say no to food, but he realized that his palate had gotten used to high-quality stuff that was cooked with high-level skills and expertise. Despite the slight disappointment, their mood didn’t lower at all.

Mina had a hard time relaxing at first, but over the course of the day, she finally managed to let go of her worries and enjoy their time together. It was a little funny, that it was Seth’s turn to cheer up the beastwoman when it was usually her with the bright personality.

Even when there were problems in Delta, it didn’t mean everything was bad. This realization may have been more important for Mina, than for Seth,

…

After a relaxing day, Seth returned to the workshop. Hoen and Wedan were still on compulsory break, which gave Seth the time to continue on the leg armor in peace and quiet.

Seth and the dwarfs had roughly finished the cuisse the other day. All he needed to do was refine the parts to fit his thighs and make sure the knee joints fit before he could assemble the pair of leg guards.

Once everything was assembled and fit him without problems, he could continue with the enchantments. The thigh plates were reserved for the etching, while he was going to put a complex formation on the attacked knee joints.

For the etching, he revisited an acquaintance, Vepar of the Deep. A demon of the sea, but this time had not chosen him because of his powers to cause putrid wounds or storms, or water affinity. Vepar had another power. It was to safely guide armored ships laden with weapons and ammunition on their journey.

This coincided with one of Apollo’s aspects, to grant a safe journey to travelers and seafarers. Part of the aspect could be attributed to him being a god of bards, who would always travel to learn and propagate their songs and lyrics. It was also related to being a protector deity for foreigners, refugees, and fugitives

Seth didn’t like to travel around, but if he did, he could really do without random encounters that gave him a headache. Like the 24th Ethnarch of the Beyond, just to name an example. He had gained a bunch of goodies, but he really could do without the stress.

What did some old general like to say? The best fight is the one that can be avoided.

The etching of Vepar would grant something along the line of safe travels on the sea, given some requirements. The etching Seth prepared for the knees was “Waterwalking” specifically for those traveling on the sea.

Water walking was a complex formation that could grant the passive skill to walk on water as if on solid ground. Just the walking on water part was actually not what made the formation complex, but all the precautions that needed to be taken care of, so the wearer wouldn’t be crushed to death by a solid ocean wave.

An unsettling thought was that somebody somewhere WAS probably crushed to death by a solid ocean wave which made all these additional changes necessary for the safety of the wearer.

Seth had gotten used to process of etching and engraving over the past days and especially his mastery of demonic runes had majorly improved. It became obvious in his calligraphy and working speed.

With the practice of the last few days, he was cruising through the enchanting and was finished in a matter of hours. Just in time to get a meal from the canteen before returning to start with the soul armament.

This soul had a peculiar story. It was the soul of a special breed of werewolf called a Faoladh. The reason Seth knew the soul’s story, was because he was quite skeptical upon hearing about it. These werewolves were actually benign in their behavior, often helping children, women, and those who lost their way. It was technically perfect for what he planned, however.

If it was really such a benign creature, Seth was doubtful of who would kill it and capture its soul. After all, Tano’Mol guaranteed that the souls he sold were not acquired by nefarious means.

“Let’s see, this is a soul from a soul contract. The werewolf promised his soul in exchange for the deed of a big piece of land for his ancestors. He later died of old age before the soul was collected.” the goat had explained readily after skimming through his papers.

Only after checking the papers, did Seth feel assured and purchased it. It did not only fit with the theme of protection and safe travel but also the Olympian enchantment he chose.

After getting the soul in shape, similar to how he did it with the pauldrons, it was time for the enchantment. The one he chose for the cuisse was the Blessing of Rhea, the mother of Zeus. As a mother goddess, she had aspects of protection, nature, and animal wildlife.

It was also the feeling he got from the presence that was looking over his shoulder as he initiated the engraving. It was a warm aura, one that made one feel safe, at peace, and at home. It felt like a warm hand on his shoulder was guiding him as he engraved the rune looking like a very stylized animal and tree.

The engraving that spread across the soul armament looked like lush vines with big leaves. Although Rhea’s presence was powerful, it was very calming and not as overbearing as those he had experienced before. The blacksmith was almost a little sad when it was gone.

He stood for a moment in trance, savoring what he had just experienced. When he finally found back to his senses, he infused the two soul cuisses into the actual items and handed them to the waters of Styx.

Aside from the news he expected, he was also pleasantly surprised by the level-up of his skill. His and finally crept over the precipice of lv. 7 and became level 8.

<>

Legendary

Alniyat-Set 1/2

Scorpio Set 1/X

Phys. Def.:2500

Mag: Def:2500

Durability: 6666

1. 80% Damage Negation

2. Complete Weapon Damage Negation

3. +35% Spell Damage

4. +20% Damage in the Dark

5. +25 Agility

6. +5% Movement Speed

7. +40% Damage Reflection

8. Passive Skill: Vepar’s Protection

9. Passive Skill: Water Walking

10. Passive Skill: Apollo’s Intervention

Legendary Alniyat Set Effects:

Passive Skill: Rhea’s Protection

Passive Skill: Animal Amity

Passive Skill: Forest Protection

Active Skill: Apollo, Take the Wheel

Scorpio Set Effect: To be updated.

Seventh part of a celestial set, planned and crafted by the gifted hands of Craftsman Smith.

Using divine and legendary materials, coupled with godly and demonic powers he created a piece

that is seeking its equal. One of a pair of cuisses any traveler would love to have.

Requirements: Seth Smith>

Again, like with the pauldrons, he only got one point per attribute because the cuisses were a set and all the skills connected to the soul were set effects if both were worn. He found that Vepars skill had been slightly influenced.

Improves the Defense of those who

– identify as an armored sea vessel laden with weapons and ammunition

– those wearing full plate armor

by 25%

Lowers the chance of storms and other bad weather on journeys by 10% >

The addition of full plate armor was new and he also not expected a protection from bad weather. His original plan was the combination of Vepar and . If he wore full armor, was able to traverse the sea, and had an inventory full of weaponry, then didn’t he identify as an “armored sea vessel laden with weapons and ammunition”?

On another note… Apollo’s Intervention had been the skill he wanted, lowering the chance to meet hostile entities by 35% when traveling.

A true surprise was Rhea’s Protection, which granted him 75% immunity against basic earth attacks. In addition, Animal Amity was the same as Undead Amity. Wild animals would show no hostility to Seth. However, this only counted for ordinary animals, and not monsters.

The Forest Protector was the effect of the wolf’s soul. The description was quite vague, telling him that the forest would protect him and help him find his way. Seth wasn’t keen on spending time in forests, but he wouldn’t say no to free buffs.

Lastly, there was:

In Emergency Situations only: Let the divine power of Apollo guide your steps to safely continue a journey.>

Seth had no idea what to say about this skill.