Novia's hut was a small, cluttered space brimming with scattered manuscripts, rolled parchments, and small tools strewn across tables and the wooden floor. Some pages were pinned to the walls, fluttering lightly in the breeze from the open window. Candles flickered faintly, casting shadows on the intricate carvings and symbols drawn on the walls and papers.
Shiddharth and Jun Si stepped inside, their eyes immediately scanning the chaotic but organized mess.
"Yessss! My guess… was correct!" Novia suddenly exclaimed, her voice trembling with excitement. She practically leapt onto the nearest table, scattering a few pages further. "The sculptures embedded on both the Dead Bone and the Red Dragon Egg… they're nearly identical! This confirms my theory—one is a key to understanding the other!" Her eyes sparkled with the thrill of discovery, and her hands trembled slightly as she gestured toward the scattered objects.
Shiddharth approached calmly, holding the Tower Wall artifact in his hands. "I think this might help you decode the manuscripts fully," he said, sliding it across the floor toward Novia.
As the three objects—the Dead Bone, the Red Dragon Egg, and the Tower Wall—came closer together, a radiant light pulsed from them, briefly illuminating the entire hut. Suddenly, messages from the Tower appeared in front of all three of them:
[ You have decoded the Dead Bone and Red Dragon Egg manuscripts ]
[ You received 500 Gold ]
[ New Achievements Unlocked: The Translator ]
[ You gained a new skill: Translator (SSS-Class) ]
[ Translator: You can now read any manuscript. No language barrier will ever hinder your understanding. You can comprehend any language, ancient or modern.]
Jun Si's eyes widened in awe. "A new skill… and it's SSS-Class? That's incredible!" Even if it wasn't a combat skill, its level alone placed it in a category of absolute rarity.
Shiddharth then reached into his inventory and retrieved a rolled blueprint. "Ah, and here's the sword forging blueprint. You'll need a Blacksmith of SSS-class to craft it. It will be challenging, but I believe you can manage it," he said, passing it to her.
Novia carefully unrolled it, her eyes scanning the fine lines of schematics, annotations, and intricate diagrams. "It will take ten days," she murmured, her mind already running through the complex process. "First, I'll need to dismantle the current sword that holds the Dead Bone. Then I'll require high-level materials, some of which are exceedingly rare."
Shiddharth tilted his head, curious. "Why dismantle it? I can just crush the sword."
Without waiting for a response, he broke the sword in his hands. Dust erupted, and the blade disintegrated, leaving the Dead Bone intact on the table.
Jun Si froze, eyes wide. "My sword…" he murmured, a mix of shock and disbelief on his face. He hadn't even had the chance to react.
Shiddharth glanced at him, a hint of embarrassment flashing across his features. "Oh… was that yours? My apologies," he said, genuinely contrite. "Here—take this." He handed Jun Si a newly forged sword.
Jun Si examined it immediately. The hilt was a deep crimson, the blade an unusual blend of green and blue that shimmered faintly under the candlelight. "The attack power isn't overwhelming," he said thoughtfully, "but its overall stats… its balance, durability, and barriers… it's perfect."
[ Elfs Sword
Attack: 76
Durability: 900/900
Defense: 65
Additional Stats:
Speed: 63
Provides additional protective barriers around the wielder]
Jun Si's lips curled into a small, satisfied smile. This sword suited him perfectly—both elegant and practical.
Novia cleared her throat, handing Shiddharth a small, detailed list. "These are all the materials required to craft the sword," she said. Her eyes gleamed with intensity, a mix of anticipation and focus.
Shiddharth took the Red Dragon Egg in his hands, carefully placing it in his inventory. "I'll gather these materials immediately," he said. He then turned to Kaun through his mental link. "Kaun, I need guidance—where are these materials located?"
Kaun's voice echoed clearly. "I'll provide the locations. Hunt with care and precision, Shiddharth. Each material is guarded by formidable monsters."
Without delay, he vanished from the hut and spent the entire day hunting. Monsters fell beneath his mere gestures, his precision so perfect that he didn't even lift his hand beyond a finger's motion. By evening, he had acquired every single material listed, some of which were previously thought nearly impossible to obtain.
That night, Shiddharth returned to Novia's hut. At that precise moment, she was adjusting her armor after a long day of work.
"Holy—!! I'm sorry!" Shiddharth blurted, stepping back immediately.
Novia turned sharply, a mix of anger and embarrassment flashing across her face. "Don't you ever knock? This isn't an inn—it's a room! Some respect, please!"
Her cheeks flushed, not because of exposure, but because of the fresh cuts and bruises across her arms and shoulders. As a young woman, she had never wanted anyone to see her battle-worn body.
Novia finished adjusting her armor and faced him, arms crossed, trying to mask her irritation. "What are you doing here at this hour? Shouldn't you have been out gathering the materials I gave you?"
Shiddharth, holding the bag of meticulously collected materials, replied calmly, "Oh… that's done. All of it. Every single one." He passed the bag to her.
Novia inspected it, her eyes widening in astonishment. Some materials were extraordinarily rare, others were thought to be untraceable. "How… how did you find everything in just a single day? And… the Red Chilli of the Chameleon? I've only heard whispers of its existence!"
Shiddharth gave her a small, knowing wink. "That's a surprise," he said lightly, deflecting the question.
Novia rolled her eyes, muttering, "Fine… I've got the materials. Now go." But there was a hint of admiration in her tone.
Pausing for a moment, she hesitated, a shy edge in her voice. "Did… did you see anything? About me?" she asked quietly, almost embarrassed.
Shiddharth shook his head gently, his eyes calm and reassuring. "Nothing inappropriate," he said sincerely. "But yes… I saw your strength, your determination. Your body carries the marks of hard work and battle. Be proud of this—it reflects your courage, your resilience. Don't let embarrassment shadow that."
Novia blinked, slightly taken aback by his words. A rare smile flickered across her face, mingled with respect. She felt seen—not just as a girl, but as a warrior.
Shiddharth simply nodded, placing the Red Dragon Egg securely in her workspace, ready for the next phase of forging and discovery. The night in the small hut was alive with anticipation, knowledge, and the quiet hum of power slowly awakening.