January 1, 2025
Floor 76: Arc Sophia
As I was strolling through the streets of town, a message from Lisbeth wanting me to come visit to help her with her smithing skills appears in my inbox. Chuckling and wondering if this were really a call for help with her skills or if she wanted to recharge and be intimate with me, I responded that I was on the way and went over to her shop in the shopping district. As I entered her shop, she looked over at me with a wide smile and a cup of tea.
Lisbeth- Hello Kazzu! Welcome!
"So, are we really working on smithing skills or are you planning on making out with me?"
She puffed her cheeks and set the tea down before looking at me.
Lisbeth- I really wanted to work on my skills you jerk. I wasn't using you as a booty call excuse.
"Alright then... just know that I wouldn't have been mad if it were a booty call..."
I smirked at her and a faint tint of red appeared on her face before she smirked back at me.
Lisbeth- I'll keep that in mind the next time I know that Ashtry will be busy... though I also need to make sure Silica won't want your attention too...
I gave her a laugh and shook my head. After setting my sword and shield down on the ground, I stretched and gave her a smile.
"Alright. What's the plan of attack with your skills today?"
Lisbeth- Well, instead of jumping straight into smithing, I was thinking that I would like to take a look at some other weapons from the other shops here. For inspiration you know?
"That sounds like a smart mindset. Look at different weapons and see where they excel and where they falter and apply that to your own method."
Lisbeth- Exactly! I was also thinking that if we head into town, we can see how all sorts of players are equipped. We might even find some high-level players who made it to the 76th floor. I would like to ask you to evaluate their weaponry from the perspective of a user. When a blacksmith and a swordsman get together, they can see things from many different angles.
"Sounds like a wonderful plan, but if you wanted to take a stroll around the town with me, you could've just said so."
Lisbeth- This isn't a date you thick headed dummy!
"I never called it that."
I smirked as I kept teasing her out of the door. She would groan and lightly punch my arm as we started to roam around town. We went towards the town square first where it was packed with players, groups and guilds.
"Alright... how do we do this?"
Lisbeth- Let's start by wandering around and checking out other players equipment. As we go around, you give me your input on them.
"Roger."
As we started to move around the town towards the massive crowds, I instinctively wrap my arm around hers so that we don't get separated. She looked towards our linked arms and then at me with a silent smile and a blush to her cheeks. I smile back and we start observing the crowd.
Lisbeth- Hm... interesting. I haven't seen a sword like that one before.
I look at where she spotted the sword and noticed it on a player's hip. It wasn't filed down to a tip rather it looked like a very sharp rectangular styled blade.
"Yea... interesting is one word for it. I wonder how durable it is and if the end of the blade still pierces like a regular sword would."
As we continued to bounce our opinion of the blade back and forth, Agil came up to us and let out a hearty chuckle.
Agil- My, my. If it isn't Kazzu and Lisbeth! You two look rather cozy together. I sure wish I was out on a date!
Lisbeth freaked out and instantly moved her arm away from mine, throwing her hands up in defense.
Lisbeth- It-It's not a d-d-date! D-D-Definitely not!
Well, jeez no need to make the idea sound so horrible...
"Yea sorry Agil. As much as you would probably like the gossip, Liz here has made it very clear that this is for her smithing skills only."
Agil- Look, the way I see it, if a boy and a girl are walking around town together, they're on a date. Couldn't be simpler.
"If that is your definition of a date, I worry about any dates you go on from now on. They sound really boring."
Lisbeth- Y-yea! I'm telling you...
Agil- Hey! Don't get so worked up! You two are in the prime of your lives. You can't waste your youth swinging a hammer! You should enjoy it while it lasts, believe me! Embrace it! There's nothing to be ashamed of!
Agil turned his head towards me and gave me a stern glare.
Agil- But listen, Kazzu, it's ok to embrace your youth. Just don't go making Ashtry and Kiyo cry because of it, do you hear me?
Low blow Agil. But... does he even know? Guess Ashtry and Kiyo have kept a tight lid on this whole polyamory thing...
"Agil... seriously..."
Lisbeth- Look, we're telling you this isn't a date! Can't you get that through your thick skull or are you really just that dense?
Lisbeth grabbed my hand again and started to pull me away from the conversation.
Lisbeth- Come on Kazzu! Let's go over here!
As we sped away from the sudden awkward interaction Agil screamed out towards us.
Agil- Oh, love's young dream! HAVE FUN, KIDS!
Agil, for fucks sake...
We left the town square and escaped towards the city entrance, taking a breath of fresh air as we avoided any more confrontation with Agil.
Lisbeth- Whew... ok... I'll have to track Agil down later and explain... I hope he doesn't start a rumor...
"Even if he did, who would it really hurt? Ashtry and Silica already know about our feelings and don't seem to mind sharing."
Lisbeth- I know but still... it's really embarrassing... what a drag...
?- Welcome you two! Great timing!
We both jumped a bit and looked over to see that an NPC blacksmith was talking to us. I let out a sigh of relief and let the NPC continue while trying to comfort Lisbeth.
NPC Blacksmith- I just got a really unusual item in stock and you two can have first dibs on it.
Lisbeth- Look, now is not the time for shopping!
"I mean, it's just an NPC doing what it's programmed to do. Let's hear them out, it might be a quest."
Lisbeth- You think so? Well, ok... I'll let you take the lead on this one.
I gave her a nod and turned my attention back to the NPC.
"I will admit, when you said an unusual item, I was intrigued. Could we possibly have a look at it?"
NPC Blacksmith- Of course, but just to warn you, it's not much... just some very old looking document...
The NPC spawned the item in question in front of us. Admittedly, I had no idea what it was about, but Lisbeth seemed to be more interested.
Lisbeth- Hmmmm... looks like an ancient manuscript... let me see if I can translate it...
She gave the document a thorough look and then cleared her throat.
Lisbeth- There once lived a tribe that forged weapons. None could match the magnificence of their arms. Thier powers were truly divine. The techniques of those ancient master were entrusted to us and now the time has come to pass them on.
"Divine smithing? That's a pretty bold claim. But this does seem like it leads to a nice set of quests. It could even reward us with high level gear or smithing materials."
Lisbeth- I would have to agree with you. No way this doesn't lead to some special items. But in order to get the reward, it says that we need to find "Lelachyte Ore" and fire it in a forge lit by the "Sacred Inferno" and then temper the ore with "Volundr's Hammer".
"So, three different items are required in order to make this weapon of divinity huh? Is there anything else we need to do?"
Lisbeth- I read more but the only thing I could get before the page was ripped was something saying "The blacksmith and the warrior must...".
"Well that doesn't help... maybe the first part of the quest is to restore the book, even though we know what items we need to forge the weapon."
She didn't respond to me, instead focusing harder on the book as if staring at it intensely was going to just solve the mystery and complete the quest.
Lisbeth- Kazzu?
"Yes Lisbeth?"
Lisbeth- I want to do this quest. I have a feeling it's going to be an amazing one. I've never heard of a quest that was totally about blacksmiths or forging weapons! Plus, since we're on the upper floors, any quest involving special hammers and sacred fires is bound to be both exciting and well rewarded.
"Well, I'm no master blacksmith so I'll have to take your word for it."
Lisbeth- Trust me, it will be. For a warrior, your life depends on your weapon. For a blacksmith, it's all about preparing that weapon. I can't wait to see what kind of weapon we make! Oh, this is exciting!
I haven't seen Lisbeth this fired up since I gave her the task to design and create my gauntlets. It feels good to see her like this. She's very cute when she smiles like that.
Lisbeth- Oh but... sorry... you haven't actually agreed to help me on...
"I'm going to stop you right there and say that I'm in. It's hard to resist that face and besides, I want to see what a divine powered weapon looks and feels like."
Lisbeth- Oh thank you, thank you, thank you! I promise that you won't regret it Kazzu! You're the best! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
She would trap me in a very tight hug, but I didn't mind one bit. Seeing her this happy made me feel the warm fuzzies in my chest. Before I could hug her back, she surprised me by giving me a big kiss and letting me go.
Lisbeth- Now, I have to start looking around for a way to restore this book! See you around Kazzu, thank you for helping me!
She ran off without another word, leaving me stunned thinking about her sudden kiss. I blush a bit and chuckle before slowly walking after her.
She forgot that I left my gear over there... heh... cute...