A single Heaven Blade.
A twin Heaven Blade.
A triple Heaven Blade.
Among hunters who wielded the Long Sword, few could claim ignorance of those three names.
The First Heaven Blade — "Peerless Under Heaven."
The Second Heaven Blade — "Peerless Heaven and Earth."
And the final, the Third Heaven Blade — "Peerless Heaven, Earth, and All Creation."
The last name alone carried an arrogance that could shake mountains.
It wasn't merely a weapon — it was a declaration.
Only hunters who had mastered three or more weapons could even dream of forging it.
Thus, the Three-Heaven Blade became known as the symbol of the strongest —
a blade born from pride and unrelenting pursuit of perfection.
"The strong may fall… but their legends never fade."
And now, before Bai Chen's eyes, rested the Twin Heaven Blade — one of the most powerful Long Swords in existence.
But what truly took his breath away…
was the faint golden script etched across the system's readout —
[Supreme Grade].
Only when every ounce of a material's potential was drawn to perfection could it ever bear that title.
"I… I want it," Bai Chen muttered inwardly.
Beside him, the little blacksmith was already completely entranced.
"Yama?" she asked, glancing at the Captain eagerly.
The Second Fleet Captain laughed heartily.
"Go ahead. Take a good look — no need to hold back."
The little smith carefully lifted the blade from its silk-lined case as though she were handling a divine relic.
She ran her tiny hands along the spine, the edge, the tsuba — every line of craftsmanship singing in her fingertips.
The longer she stared, the dimmer her expression became.
Her proudest creation — the Nergigante Blade — suddenly seemed crude, almost childlike by comparison.
For the first time, the little smith felt… small.
Ashamed, even.
Bai Chen reached out, gently patting her head.
"Hey. Don't lose heart."
"Right now, you might not measure up — but your talent's real. I believe one day, you'll forge something that even surpasses this."
"Didn't we make a promise? To become the greatest smith this world — no, both worlds — has ever seen?"
The girl looked up, her silver eyes wide.
She'd met many hunters since arriving in this world, but none like Bai Chen —
a man who didn't just wield her weapons…
but believed in her.
The one who had entrusted her with the Divine Living Forge.
A warmth spread through her chest — equal parts pride and gratitude.
She took a deep breath, composed herself, and carefully placed the Twin Heaven Blade back into its case.
"Yama!" she said firmly, her tone respectful.
The Captain burst out laughing.
"Hah! Don't look at me like that. I've no right to call myself your teacher."
The little Smith froze.
"Yama?!"
Her expression clearly said — You're kidding me, right?
You show me this masterpiece, and then just send me away?
The Captain raised a hand, chuckling.
"Relax. What I mean is — someone like you doesn't need a teacher."
"You're already halfway there. Give it time, and you'll surpass me — and I'm not eager to be outdone by my own apprentice!"
"Yama?"
Her head tilted in confusion.
"Let's call it an exchange." The Captain grinned.
"I'll teach you how to handle monster materials, and share some advanced forging methods."
"In return, you'll lend us your fire — and I'll even pay you wages."
The forge workers around them murmured in awe.
He wasn't just impressed — he was investing in her.
The Captain's thoughts deepened.
That strange fire, that divine control — she could forge what others couldn't even imagine.
"I'd love to see this foreign smith one day surpass even the dragonkin masters…"
"Well?" he asked aloud. "What do you say?"
The little smith turned to Bai Chen, seeking his wordless approval.
Money didn't matter to her — knowledge did.
The Captain followed her gaze.
"Your partner's flames are incredible," he said. "If she helps us, I'll see you're both well-compensated."
Bai Chen fell silent.
The offer was generous — more than he'd expected.
But after a moment, he shook his head.
"Captain, we're not here for payment. She can lend her fire freely."
"All I ask is that… when the time comes, you help her learn the dragonkin's forging techniques."
The Captain blinked.
Then snorted, waving a hand.
"Hah! And here I thought you'd make some impossible demand."
"Don't worry. If she's here to learn, I'll teach her everything I know. And if she surpasses me — I'll personally introduce her to the dragonkin smiths."
His eye gleamed with a rare excitement.
"With that kind of flame, who in their right mind wouldn't want to meet her?"
"Then I'll count on you," Bai Chen said with a grin.
His gaze drifted back to the open case.
"By the way… Captain, that blade of yours — would you consider selling it?"
"Not for sale!"
The Captain's reply was instant and absolute.
"This one's meant for the strongest hunter alive. If you ever reach that level, boy, I'll hand it to you myself."
"...You mean that?"
"Every word. But you'll have to surpass one man first — the Sword Master. He's already got his eye on it."
Bai Chen's smile froze.
The Sword Master… the man who could stand toe-to-toe with Elder Dragons.
He laughed awkwardly.
"Hahaha… sure, I'll work on that."
Inside, he'd already given up on that particular dream.
If he was going to hold a blade like that, it'd be one his own smith made for him.
He gave the Captain a respectful nod, then turned to his companion.
"Stay here, learn all you can. I'll handle the hunting."
"Yama."
The little smith nodded firmly, her small hands already itching for the hammer again.
Bai Chen left the forge, stepping into the cool afternoon air.
When he reached his quarters, he'd barely opened the door before something launched at him.
"Whoa—!"
He caught the small, spiky blur just in time — Nergigante.
"Easy, easy! No licking!"
He laughed, holding her close. Her scales shimmered faintly in the dim light.
He shut the door quickly before any curious hunters could peek in.
After settling her down, Bai Chen packed lightly — ten Full Restores, two Revive Fragments, and a few tools.
"Alright, partner. Time to get moving again."
He recalled Nergigante into her ball and headed out.
The chain-lift creaked as it carried him to the fourth level —
The great ship suspended between cliffs: The Gathering Hub,
heart of Astera's life and laughter.
As soon as he stepped off the platform, a swarm of hunters descended upon him.
"Bai Chen! Arm-wrestle me!"
"You free? We're heading out to capture an Anjanath!"
"Hey, how'd you drag a Great Jagras all the way here!?"
He smiled wryly, politely declining each one.
Finally, he made it to the mission counter, where a silver-haired attendant greeted him with a professional smile.
"Sir Bai Chen, welcome to the Starship Hall. Will you be taking a new quest today?"
Bai Chen adjusted his gauntlets, a faint grin tugging at his lips.
"Yeah," he said softly. "It's time to hunt."
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