Even until the very end, Sosuke never discovered what exactly that one hammer strike had shattered.
All he knew was that after that blow, his body, which had previously been nearly uncontrollable whenever he used Sun Breathing, suddenly became obedient.
The duration he could sustain the technique also increased. The forging hammer in his hand moved swiftly when he willed it to, and slowed when he commanded it to.
Moreover, after that strike, the time he could maintain Sun Breathing significantly lengthened.
It seemed that even achieving Total Concentration was no longer an unattainable dream.
These various signs led him to a hypothesis.
He felt that the hammer strike had shattered some barrier or conventional limit within his body, triggering a transformation he couldn't quite articulate or understand.
The forging process of the Nichirin Blade was proceeding far more rapidly than he had anticipated.
This was largely due to the changes in his body, which made each hammer strike far more effective than before.
This wasn't just reflected in the accumulation of attributes; more strikingly, what used to require ten hammer blows now took only one.
The precision of control was astonishing.
By noon that day, the blade's shaping was already complete.
Afterward, Sosuke retrieved Kanae's drop of blood and infused it into the blade.
Activating his Breathing Technique, he executed the Bloodforging Method's specialized hammer strikes.
He had initially worried that the results might be subpar, but to his surprise, this method proved even more effective than expected.
The forging process, which should have taken much longer, was completed in just three hours.
The subsequent steps required less brute force but still demanded meticulous care.
Melting, forging, heating, sharpening, engraving the words "Demon Slayer," tempering, quenching— Sosuke worked tirelessly through each stage without rest.
Only when the blade was fully completed, fitted with a four-leaf-shaped guard, a hilt, and a scabbard, did he finally set it down.
The sword was now finished.
When held, the blade felt remarkably heavy.
However, what might be burdensome for others would pose no challenge for Kanae.
The Bloodforging Method ensured that its wielder would wield the blade as effortlessly as a willow seed.
The blade was no longer straight and narrow. Tetsu no Sosuke had given it a gentle curve and widened its profile, resulting in a shape reminiscent of butterfly wings.
The edge was slightly broader than usual, yet the blade felt surprisingly light and agile, rather than clumsy.
This design was based on Kanae's sword technique. The curvature and shape allowed her sword strikes to be faster and more explosive. The special arc even enhanced the blade's cutting power, enabling Kanae, who lacked physical strength, to sever incredibly tough necks with minimal effort.
"Never waste any strength you can conserve. Forging weapons is about finding balance between various attributes. In combat, conserving stamina can be applied to more areas, increasing the chances of victory."
Sosuke carefully sheathed the blade.
Just then, the notification arrived as expected.
[Weapon forging successful!]
[Current weapon sharpness level: 3]
[Forgemaster: Strength +30, Constitution +30, Agility +30, Speed +30]
[Reward obtained: Heavenly Artisan's Forging Hammer!]
After hearing the notification, Sosuke suddenly felt several changes occur in his body in rapid succession.
In an instant, he felt incredibly light, followed by an overwhelming heaviness, and then, as quickly as it came, he seemed to possess boundless strength.
The sensation surged and vanished in the blink of an eye, leaving no trace.
Yet his weary spirit suddenly rallied, and his previously weakening hands surged with explosive power.
"This time, the sensation feels so real?"
Sosuke examined his hands, a mix of joy and understanding washing over him.
Previously, attributes directly affecting his body had yielded a maximum of ten points, barely noticeable. The one or two points he gained daily, acquired while his stamina was constantly being drained, had never felt particularly significant.
But this time was different. Each attribute had surged by thirty points, the massive gains accumulating within his body, creating a stark contrast to his past experiences.
"Weapon Sharpness Level 1 grants a 10-point bonus to all attributes, while Level 3 grants 30 points. It's a pity that the sword I repaired for the Flower Pillar only gave me 10 points since I was just the repairer. So, if I forge weapons with Sharpness Levels 4, 5, and 6... would I directly receive 40, 50, and 60 points respectively?"
His expression turned peculiar. "The better the forging, the greater the reward. When you think about it that way, it actually makes perfect sense."
Suddenly, he felt his mind being drawn toward something.
Closing his eyes, he saw a hammer.
When he opened them again, it was gone.
"The Heavenly Artisan's Forging Hammer?"
Recalling his previous rewards, he suddenly understood what this was. "But how do I summon it?"
The moment he thought "summon it," a hammer materialized in his hand.
It was a round-headed iron hammer, exuding a metallic aura.
Though he couldn't identify the material, given its "Heavenly Artisan" designation, it was undoubtedly no ordinary tool.
As he carefully examined the hammer, a peculiar sensation suddenly arose within him.
This hammer seems capable of stacking high-quality attributes to their maximum potential while minimizing their consumption.
Though no written explanation confirmed this, he instinctively felt it, as if the hammer itself were communicating this truth to him.
"Now's not the time to test your capabilities," he muttered, stowing the Heavenly Artisan's Forging Hammer away. He resolved to visit the Village Chief.
With the Nichirin sword forged, it was time to deliver it to the Swordsman.
But first, he needed to report to the Village Chief.
Furthermore, they needed to discuss travel arrangements and communication methods for the journey ahead.
This took some time, and the final departure was set for dawn the following day.
Waking up the next morning, Sosuke felt completely refreshed.
Ever since deciding to become a Swordsmith, his sleep quality had been remarkably improved.
Kotetsu had been waiting outside the door, carrying not only the brand-new Nichirin sword that had been sent to Tecchin's for inspection but also the address of the Butterfly Mansion.
After memorizing the address, Sosuke carefully packed the Nichirin sword into a sword case he had prepared in advance.
Donning his straw hat, he ruffled the bear child's hair, ignoring the boy's protests, and set off for... the Butterfly Mansion!
"So, will you finally tell me the answer this time?"
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