The morning after our resource-gathering trip, I woke before sunrise, unable to stay still. The anticipation of a full day of crafting had my heart racing.
Yesterday's haul, the iron sand, clay, and stone from the lake, had already been processed into ingots, bricks, and glass. Now it was time to put everything to use.
After a quick wash and a light breakfast, I made my way toward the workshop behind the chapel.
Thanks to my acquisition of iron ingots, I now had the ability to create 3 new workstations:[Metalworker's Station T1], [Alchemy Station T1], and [Stonemason's Station T1]
Each station shimmered briefly before taking form, solid, weighty, and humming faintly with energy. The metalworker's table gleamed like newly forged steel; the alchemy station looked like something straight out of a wizard's laboratory; and the stonemason's bench stood unshakable, as if carved from a single block of granite.
I started with the Metalworker's Station, since most of my future progress depended on it. When I opened its menu, rows of recipes filled my vision, however everything was made into pig iron.
My understanding from back on earth was that pig iron was basically the lowest purity of iron that could be used for smithing and casting.
After checking through the list, I noticed a new recipe: Steel Ingot. Produced by refining two iron ingots together. I set a few in motion, and the difference was immediate. Steel was stronger, lighter, and unlocked an entirely new list of recipes.
I could now craft Steel Sheets, vital for other workstations. Ten sheets would be enough for both a [Cook Station T1] and a [Disassembly Station T1].
The Stonemason's Station worked as expected. It allowed me to compress loose stone into Stone Blocks at a ten-to-one ratio. I queued up a few hundred. I would then be able to produce building blocks and other items from that stone.
Next, I turned to the Alchemy Station, which filled the air with a faint herbal aroma as soon as I activated it. Its basic recipes included Health Potions, Mana Potions, and Antidotes, all simple, but a good starting point. Each required water, herbs, and glass. I queued a handful of each for practice.
While I worked, soft footsteps echoed behind me.
"You're up early again," Claire said, stepping into the light. She wore her usual white and gold robes, her long blonde hair tied in a loose braid. "You look like a boy with a new toy. Cute."
"Please don't say cute! No man from my world wants to hear that from a beautiful girl."
She chuckled. "Careful what you say inside a chapel. This is a holy place!"
"I'm just building civilization from scratch. I promise, no blasphemy today."
We shared an easy laugh before she leaned over one of the stations, curiosity gleaming in her blue eyes. "So, what's new in your little world of miracles?"
"Steel," I said proudly. "And soon, food and alchemy."
As if on cue, the Cook Station finished forming beside me, along with the Disassembly Station. Both were larger than expected. The cook's setup looked like a hybrid between an oven and an alchemist's cauldron, while the disassembler resembled a cross between an anvil and a shredder.
Testing the Disassembly Station, I placed my short sword inside. and recieved 1 Steel Ingot and 1 Hide in return. Steel for the blade, hide for the sheath. Claire blinked in surprise.
"So it recycles?"
"Exactly. Nothing goes to waste."
The Cook Station was next. Its recipe list was enormous, dozens of dishes, some familiar, others foreign. The ingredients, however, were vague. "Meat in Sauce," "Stew," "Roast." No species, no specifics, it was just base categories.
"Well, only one way to find out," I said, placing two cuts of Silvestre meat inside. "Let's see what happens."
While the food was being processed, I checked the Tailoring Station. A new recipe had appeared:
Leather Adventurer's Set: Hide x5, Pelt x1, Steel Ingot x1, Cloth x5, Thread x2, Magic Stone (xs) x1
The description alone was enough to pique my interest: comfortable leather gear with temperature control. The only missing material was a pelt. Claire assured me I could find that at the village market.
The Cook Station chimed, drawing my attention. When I pulled out the result, my jaw dropped..
The two 150-gram cuts of Silvestre meat had transformed into massive 500-gram roasts of the same meat, each with a bone running through the center like something from an old cartoon: juicy, fragrant, and perfectly seared.
Claire's eyes widened. "Is it… supposed to multiply like that?"
I shrugged, laughing. "This is a lot larger than I expected!"
We sat at one of my crafted tables, chatting leisurely while eating. The flavor was incredible: tender, smoky, and almost buttery. By the end, Claire looked more blissful than I'd ever seen her.
After lunch, we walked to the village market. The vendors greeted Claire warmly, she seemed to know everyone. Together, we browsed stalls selling herbs, cloth, meat, and furs. I purchased a few vegetables for testing recipes and a bundle of Horned Rabbit Fur, which would serve as the pelt I needed.
Back at the church, I immediately began crafting the Leather Adventurer's Set.
When it finished, I equipped it at once. The dark leather fit like a glove, adorned with various buckles and belts. It had a fur-lined interior and enough pockets to carry a small arsenal.
Claire circled me, appraising my new outfit. "Not bad, Abel. You look like one of those traveling heroes from the storybooks."
"I'll settle for 'comfortable and functional,' thanks."
As I admired the new gear, a sudden notification flashed before my eyes.
[Singular Craft Option Unlocked]: Unique items can only be produced once. Ownership may be transferred, but duplication is impossible.
Only one item was listed: Repeating Crossbow.
Now that caught my attention. I'd used something similar in games back on Earth, and the idea of making one here was thrilling. The materials included Mechanical Parts x2, which I didn't have yet, but could now craft. 10 parts could be made from a single steel ingot. I queued them immediately, along with crossbow bolts and spare components.
After that, I began producing gifts for those who'd helped me, Claire, Belle, the village guards, the mayor, and the adventuring trio. Every creation was perfect in my mind, and soon I was able to select two new perks.
[Thick Skin I] — Increases resistance to damage and enhances the protection of non-metal armor.
[Prospector I] — When mining stone, there's a small chance to gain non-magical ores.