Chapter 79: Failed Recruitment

"The limbs are layered. The core is yew. The outer layer is treated with a fire-resistant compound I developed myself." He paused. "You can channel your fire now. Full power. No holding back."

New arrows too.

[ITEM: FIRE-ENCHANTED ARROWS (12)]

[RANK: D]

[TYPE: AMMUNITION]

[DAMAGE: +15]

[SPECIAL: FIRE ENCHANTMENT — IGNITES ON IMPACT]

[SPECIAL: PIERCING TIP — IGNORES 20% PHYSICAL RESISTANCE] 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ

Maynard stared at the bow. He drew it. Channeled a spark of fire into the string. It held. He laughed.

Bjorn held up the short sword.

"The blade was fine. But the balance was off. And the grip was worn."

He showed Maynard the changes and a new grip he added. Wrapped in leather. New pommel. Slightly heavier. Better counterbalance.

[ITEM: REBALANCED SHORT SWORD]

[RANK: D]

[TYPE: ONE-HANDED BLADE]

[DAMAGE: +18]

[SPECIAL: REBALANCED — +10% ATTACK SPEED]

[SPECIAL: SHARPENED EDGE — +5% CRITICAL CHANCE]

[SPECIAL: LEATHER GRIP — REDUCES FATIGUE IN PROLONGED COMBAT]

"I sharpened the edge. Rebalanced the weight. It’ll feel like an extension of your arm now."

Maynard tested it. Swung it and it fekt right. It felt like his.

Then he turned to Clarisse. Bjorn didn’t know what to make her.

She watched the others and said nothing.

"What do you need?" Bjorn asked.

"Nothing."

"Everyone needs something."

She smiled and said nothing.

Bjorn muttered under his breath and turned away.

"Fine. Whatever."

He turned to Emeric.

"Good steel. But the edge was dull. The balance was off. And there was no enchantment."

He showed Emeric the changes.

---

[ITEM: SHADOWFANG DAGGERS (ENHANCED)]

[RANK: D+]

[TYPE: DUAL BLADES]

[DAMAGE: +22 EACH]

[SPECIAL: SHARPENED EDGE — +10% CRITICAL DAMAGE]

[SPECIAL: REBALANCED — +15% ATTACK SPEED]

[SPECIAL: RUST-RESISTANT COATING — DURABILITY +25]

[SPECIAL: LIGHTWEIGHT ENCHANTMENT — REDUCES WEIGHT BY 20%]

"They’ll cut deeper and last you a bit longer."

Emeric tested them and they felt lighter than before..

So this is what happens when a system weapon was fine tuned in the hands of a unique class blacksmith.

Lastly, he brought the cloak.

"I didn’t do much to this. Shadow-thread is rare and expensive. But the weave was loose. It wasn’t reaching its full potential."

He paused.

"I tried to fix it myself. But I’m a blacksmith, not a tailor." He handed it to Emeric. "I took it to my friend. The elf. He did the work."

Emeric examined the cloak. The weave was tighter. The fabric lighter.

---

[ITEM: CLOAK OF THE UNSEEN (REINFORCED)]

[RANK: D+]

[TYPE: STEALTH CLOAK]

[SPECIAL: SHADOW-THREAD WEAVE — +20% STEALTH IN LOW LIGHT]

[SPECIAL: MUFFLED MOVEMENT — FOOTSTEPS MAKE NO SOUND]

[SPECIAL: LIGHTWEIGHT — NO MOVEMENT PENALTY]

[SPECIAL: SPATIAL ENCHANTMENT — CAN STORE ONE SMALL ITEM IN A HIDDEN POCKET]

---

"It’ll muffle your footsteps even more. Make you harder to see. Harder to hear."

Emeric wrapped it around his shoulders. It felt like air.

Bjorn held up the ring.

"This is an artifact. I can’t make it better. But I can make the metal work last."

He showed Emeric the reinforced band and Mana-treated silver.

"It won’t break under mere pressure."

The party stood in silence for a moment admiring what they had all been given.

Then Collin spoke.

"You know an elf."

"I know a lot of people."

"An elf. In the lower district."

"He’s not like the others." Bjorn’s voice was flat. "He left the elven quarter years ago. Said he was tired of politics. He opened a tailor shop and now specialises in spatial enchantments. He’s good at what he does."

Maynard frowned. "An elf who chose to live among dwarves and humans?"

"He’s not the only one." Bjorn shrugged. "There are a few. They don’t talk about it. But they’re there."

Mira looked at her satchel. "He did this."

"He did the weaving. I did the leatherwork. We collaborated." Bjorn paused. "He’s the only one I trust with shadow-thread. And the only one who can make a magic bag that actually works."

Emeric looked at his cloak.

"The elf did this too?"

"Yes. I tried. But he’s better." Bjorn didn’t sound bitter. Just honest. "He’s been doing this for forty years. I’ve been doing this for ten. He’s better."

Clarisse spoke for the first time.

"What’s his name?"

Bjorn looked at her.

"Thalion. If you need something enchanted, he’s the one to see."

Bjorn stood before them, his arms crossed. His work was laid out on the table—each piece gleaming perfectly.

"Here’s the breakdown," he said.

He looked at Collin. "Shield. Reforged. Mana-treated steel. Leather shock absorption. Balanced for your fighting style. Three hundred gold."

Collin nodded. He reached into his pouch. Counted out the coins. Handed them over.

Bjorn looked at Mira. "Satchel. Water-resistant leather. Organized pockets. Protective layer. Spatial enchantment. Two hundred and fifty gold."

Mira paid. She didn’t hesitate.

Bjorn looked at Maynard. "Bow. Composite recurve. Heat-resistant. Fire-enchanted arrows—a dozen of them. Sword rebalanced and sharpened. Five hundred gold."

Maynard winced. But he paid.

Bjorn looked at Clarisse. She said nothing. He moved on.

And Emeric. "Daggers. Enhanced. Cloak. Tightened. Ring. Reinforced. Four hundred gold."

Emeric reached into his coat. Pulled out his pouch. Counted out the coins. Handed them over.

Bjorn took the gold. Weighed it in his hand. Nodded.

"Good. Now get out. I’ve got work to do."

The work was done for the day.

Bjorn sat by the hearth. A mug of ale in his hand. Emeric sat across from him.

They talked. About the old days. About the academy. About the elves and the bullies.

Then Bjorn leaned back, studying him.

"I heard your father made you marry a storm mage." He paused. "Or is that also a rumor?"

Emeric was quiet for a moment.

"It’s not a rumor."

Bjorn’s eyebrows rose. "So it’s true. You’re married."

"Yes."

"To the Storm Mage."

"Isolde."

Bjorn was quiet. Then he laughed. A short, disbelieving sound.

"The Unblessed one married the Storm Mage. The world’s gone mad."

"It’s not what you think."

"Then tell me."

Emeric told him.

He told him about the curse and the attempts on his life. He also told him how much he had come to care for his wife.

Bjorn listened without interrupting.

When Emeric finished, he was quiet for a long moment.

"You’ve got a lot on your shoulders."

"I know."

"More than anyone should have to carry."

"I know."

Bjorn looked at him.

"You’re not alone, you know. You’ve got your party. You’ve got your wife. You’ve got me. Don’t go ghost again."

Emeric took a drink from his cup.

"I know."

Bjorn nodded.

"Good. Don’t forget it."

"Thank you."

Bjorn grunted.

"Don’t thank me. Just don’t die."

He stood up, heading towards the table where he had left his hammer.

The rest of the party had left a few hours before him.

"Now get out. I’ve got work to do."

"Every thought of adventuring ? I’m sure we can accommodate you in the party." Emeric said, genuinely thinking about it for the first time.

"No." Born replied after a short pause. "I’m needed here."

"I see."

Emeric smiled. He knew Bjorn wouldn’t leave his forge but he had to try.

He turned and walked out.