Chapter 113 – The Metal That Almost Killed Her
Chapter 113
The Metal That Almost Killed Her
Date : Day 20 of Grimleaf 1024 Aethellgard Concord Year.
The dual suns of Kresneger had just started moving from their zenith. The now very small golden Sol and way bigger silver Luna light washed over the city—casting long shadows that stretched across the paved street. The mixed light created an interplay of gold and silver—warm and cool mingling together in a dance that was unique to this world.
Hyoren and Elise started to walk again. Their destination, Grit & Gear Arms. A weapon store owned by dwarf named Ironhand’s Borin.
They weaved through a busy afternoon on the main street of Adventurer's District. The crowd was thick—adventurers and merchants and locals all vying for space on the narrow thoroughfare. The sounds of commerce filled the air—a symphony of haggling and shouting and laughter.
Vendors selling their wares. Their stalls lined the sides of the street—colorful tents and umbrellas providing shade for their goods.
"This horned rabbit meat was fresh!"
"Dew-heart! Sun-Melon! Juicy!"
Food stalls producing enticing aromas. The smells wafted through the air—mingling together in a way that made Hyoren's stomach rumble despite having just eaten.
The smell of squirrel karaage drifted past. Fried noodles being cooked. The oil sizzled and popped—the vendor's spatula moving in quick, practiced motions. Steam rose from the wok—carrying the scent of soy sauce and spices.
Early adventurers went in and out of taverns and bars. Some are even already drunk. Their voices were loud—their laughter raucous. They stumbled through the streets.
Escorts started to appear in front of the establishment, calling customers in despite the dual suns being still high. Their outfits were colorful—designed to catch the eye and hold the attention.
"Please try our newest recruit, dear customer!"
"I promise our establishment was heavenly!"
They ignored them all. Their steps were steady and purposeful. Elise walked beside Hyoren—her silver hair catching the light as they moved. Her emerald eyes were focused—scanning the crowd..
While passing a weapon merchant wagon, Hyoren remembered something. The cart was piled high with swords and axes and spears—the metal gleaming in the afternoon light.
"Elise, should we show Hifoppe's gear to Borin? Even Fiona didn't know what those weapon and armor was made of."
Elise's pointed ears twitched. They weaved through a crowd of newbie adventurers who seemed to be debating about something—their voices raised in argument over the merits of different weapon types.
"That's right, maybe a blacksmith like Borin would know the true value of it. Also, what do you think about selling it?"
Hyoren tapped his chin. The motion was thoughtful—his mind working through the possibilities.
"I did use a sword now, but the Hifoppe curved sword, it was designed to be wielded by both hands and quick draw stance in mind. And the armor. The physique of goblins was different. We both couldn't use them. Maybe we just sell?"
Elise nodded. The motion was slight—her silver hair swaying with the movement.
"That might be good. We will ask Borin for his opinion first, I guess."
They arrived at Borin's store. A sign reading "Grit & Gear Arms" hung over a picture of a crossed hammer and sword.
They stepped into the familiar, sweltering heat of Borin's forge. The temperature shift was immediate—from the cool autumn air outside to the furnace-like warmth within. The smell of hot metal and coal filled Hyoren's nostrils—a sharp, acrid scent that was somehow comforting in its familiarity. The sound of hammering rang through the space—clank, clank, clank—rhythmic and powerful.
Borin, the dwarf smith, was at his forge, his massive arms working a piece of glowing steel with rhythmic, powerful blows. The hammer rose and fell in a steady cadence—each strike sending sparks flying. Sweat glistened on his brow—his thick arms flexing with each swing. He looked up as they entered, his grizzled face breaking into a rare smile.
"Ah, Elise and Hyoren! Back so soon? Don't tell me your spear is already broken?"
Hyoren approached the counter. His eyes were sentimental—dark and warm with genuine appreciation.
"No, Borin. The spear was flawless. It saved me actually. Without the Mithril-alloy Yari you modified, I think we would not be here."
A flicker of confusion appeared in Borin's eyes. His bushy eyebrows drew together—the expression of a craftsman trying to reconcile what he was hearing with what he knew.
Elise approached. Her footsteps were soft on the stone floor—barely audible over the crackling of the forge.
"Borin, I need a new bow. The last one was snapped in two. And Hyoren needs a sword and shield. Also we need something to be appraised."
Borin tilted his head. He was confused.
"Huh? Hyoren was using a spear, right? Why suddenly need a sword and shield? And what happened to your bow? You bought that bow from me like, two? Or three years ago? Why suddenly snap in half? I thought you are good at properly taking care of your own bow..."
Elise smiled weakly. The expression was tinged with the memory of what had happened—the pain still fresh despite the healing.
"It's a long story, Borin. Care to listen?"
His thick fingers stroked his beard—a gesture that seemed habitual when he was thinking.
“Do tell… I’m curious.”
Hyoren and Elise then started to tell their story. About them taking a quest to scout Old Quarry. Found it was transformed to become a goblin settlement. About their 5 days war of attrition. The quest went well at first until they entered the main tunnel of the Old Quarry.
Hyoren gestured vaguely. His hands moved in the air—trying to convey the scope of what they had faced.
"We found the Servant of Gidol, Borin. Goblin Knight named Hifoppe."
Borin was shocked. His eyes widened. The store seemed to grow quieter now.
"By Gravok's beard. Servant of Gidol you said?"
Elise nodded. And raised her left arm. The bracelet made of scar was visible when the sleeve of her blazer slipped—the jagged line a permanent reminder of what had happened.
"We fought Hifoppe and won. But the cost was high. I almost died, my hand was severed, and my bow was cut in half."
Elise and Hyoren then told the aftermath. About his desperate attempt to heal and attach her hands. Then running to Akela. The words came slowly at first—each detail a wound that had not fully healed. But as they spoke, the story flowed more freely—the weight of the telling somehow lighter when shared.
Hyoren gestured over Elise. His hand swept toward her—indicating her presence, her recovery, her survival.
"She was fine now though, Oria's potions and Archbishop Sherine's advanced healing magic already fully healed her. Though of course scars still remain."
Borin stroked his beard again. The motion was quicker this time. Agitated. His thick fingers worked through the coarse hair with nervous energy.
"By Gravok's beard. You were really something for meeting the Servant of Gidol and actually emerged victorious. They were infamous for being so ridiculously strong. Unlike what their appearance and level suggested."
His gaze settled at Hyoren. His eyes were assessing—measuring the young man before him with new understanding.
"I understand now how Elise needs a bow. But I still couldn't think why he needed a sword and shield."
Elise looked at Hyoren, her emerald eyes full of fondness. Full of affection. The look was soft—tender in a way that made Hyoren's heart skip a beat.
"Because he couldn't bear seeing me almost die again, Borin."
Her head turned to Borin again. Her silver hair swayed with the motion. The affection in her gaze remained—but there was something else there now—pride, affection, and maybe admiration.
"He decided to switch roles to become a tank. To protect me."
Elise was blushing. Her pointed ears twitched quickly—the telltale sign of her embarrassment. A soft pink spread across her cheeks—visible even in the forge's flickering light.
Hyoren nodded. The motion was firm—resolute. There was no embarrassment in his declaration. Only certainty.
"Yeah Borin. I want to become a wall which could protect Elise. So she would never be in danger again."
He looked at Borin with sincere eyes. His dark gaze was steady—unwavering.
"I already trained with Ronald, and just this morning I got Sword Mastery and Shield Mastery skill."
Borin combed his beard again. Slowly this time. The agitation had faded—replaced by something more contemplative.
"Ronald. He was in Akela now? I haven't seen him for more than two months. Good choice to pick as mentor, Hyoren. He was a veteran and famous for being an immovable tank."
He scanned Hyoren. His eyes traveled from his shoulders to his stance to the way he held himself. He seemed to understand his gait and posture was slightly different. His old gait of being a speedy fighter was still more dominant, but there was a different feel coming from him—a solidity that had not been there before.
"I see. I never saw Adventurers switch roles because training skill was really hard. They will mostly hone their established skills. If they need a specific role, they would seek party members instead of changing roles."
His look turned soft. The gruff exterior gave way to something warmer—something approaching respect.
"But I respect your decisions. You are truly a man! Protecting your woman. That was truly manly, Hyoren."
Hyoren scratched his cheek. Embarrassed. The flush spread across his skin—visible even in the forge's warm light.
Borin crossed his arms. His thick fingers drummed against his bicep.
"So, what kind of bow, sword and shield do you want?"
Hyoren looked at Elise, letting her pick her weapon first.
Elise tapped her chin. Her pointed ears twitched slightly.
"I love my old Silver Oak Bow. It was a long bow type. Flexible but strong wood. I want the same if you have. Wait, no... I want a similar shape bow but stronger. We got a budget for that."
She was thinking about their future. Dungeon diving. Her old bow was sufficient for dealing with monsters around Akela. Goblins, Green Wolves, Horned Rabbit and others. But if they were going to the dungeon next, she needed a better weapon.
Borin contemplated. His brow furrowed.
"Long bow. Stronger than Silver Oak. I see... I have two options. Wait a bit."
He went back to the shelf which contained a selection of bows. His heavy footsteps echoed through the forge—the sound mingling with the crackle of the flames. And came back with two bows. He put both on the velvet cloth on top of the counter.
He picked one up.
A polished brown bow. The wood looked familiar—similar to the yew wood used for his spear shaft. The shape and length were close to Elise’s old bow.
“First option—a direct upgrade from Silver Oak. A Yew Bow. The wood is stronger and can handle greater tension. You’ll be able to draw it further, which means faster arrows and higher impact.”
He paused briefly.
“Price is 600K Kres.”
He set the brown bow aside and picked up another.
This one was silver. Longer than the previous bow, with a more pronounced curve. Its surface seemed to glow faintly, and the string shimmered with a subtle glitter.
It was beautiful—an instrument of war that looked almost too elegant.
“And this… is if you have the budget.”
He angled the bow slightly, letting the light catch along its frame.
“A Moonveil Bow. Crafted from wood native to your homeland—the Silverwood Enclaves. The Moonveil Tree.”
He shook his head.
“I didn’t make this one. Bought it from a traveling merchant a few months ago.”
His hand lowered the bow slightly.
The wood shimmered under the forge’s light—almost as if it was responding to the warmth with a glow of its own.
“It’s far stronger than a yew bow. And this wood has a special effect… something you, as an elf, should already know, Elise. Price is 1.5 million Kres.”
Elise reached out and touched the silvery surface. Her expression softened—fond, almost reverent—as her fingers traced the delicate grain.
A faint luminescence stirred beneath her fingertips, flickering gently—like it recognized her.
"Moonveil. Of course. It conducts Aethell well. I would have an easier time channeling Aethell to my arrow to use Magic Arrow."
Borin nodded and grinned. The expression was knowing.
"That's right. This wood got similar properties as Mithril, albeit weaker. So, which one are you going to pick?"
Elise's eyes locked into Hyoren, like she was asking a question. But he knew, the choice was obvious from her eyes. They got more than 13 Million Kres. And a bow this good might not come again. He nodded, gesturing to her she should pick the best choice.
"Okay, Borin. I will pick this Moonveil Bow. We got plenty of budget this time."
Borin's grin widened.
"I knew you would pick this."
He put back the Yew Bow to the shelf, and set aside the Moonveil Bow.
He looked at Hyoren.
"So, what about you, Hyoren? What kind of sword and shield do you prefer?"
Hyoren contemplated.
"I actually don't know yet. I never actually wielded a real one myself. So far I only use a training sword and shield."
He tapped his chin. The gesture was thoughtful—his eyes distant as he considered his options.
"Maybe for now, I would go with the basics. Similar quality as my current Mithril-alloy Yari, I guess. And I want the sword to be a Long Sword. About 1 meter in length. Dual edged and broad. So I could use them to parry."
He flexed his left hand. The one which is going to hold a shield.
"For shields. Please give me recommendations."
Borin nodded. Taking notes of what Hyoren said.
"I see. I have a few options. Wait a bit."
He went to the back of the store. Storage room presumably. He came back with one sword and three shields.
"For the sword, I only have one that suits your criteria. A Mithril-alloy Broadsword. A standard longsword. A lot of Copper and Bronze-rank adventurers use this if their main weapon is a one-handed sword. The price is 1.2 million Kres."
Hyoren picked up the sword, inspecting it. The blade measured around 110 centimeters. He gave it a few practice swings. The air hummed as the blade cut through it.
It was slightly heavy—but not beyond what he could handle. The weight settled into his grip naturally.
It felt right. Solid. Durable. Not cumbersome.
His fingers traced along the metal. The spine of the blade was thick—reliable for parrying incoming attacks. The tip was reinforced, but not overly sharp. This wasn't a weapon meant for thrusting. It was designed for cutting—for the broad sweeps and powerful strikes that a tank would need.
The blade widened slightly toward the upper section, giving it a forward balance. It made slashing easier, even without perfect stance or form. The crossguard was thick and sturdy—built to protect the hand.
Elise saw him with a fond expression. She seemed to understand he liked the sword.
He put back the sword to the counter.
“This is perfect, Borin. Now… show me your shields.”
Borin nodded, his expression approving.
“For shields, I have three options. Not the newbie ones… and nothing too fancy for Silver-rank and above. These are what most Copper- and Bronze-rank adventurers use.”
He pointed at the rounded shield. A small, round shield about 60-80 cm in diameter. The metal was polished—but not ornate. Functional. Practical.
"Firstly, steel buckler. This was light enough to move like a second hand, it excels at quick deflections, weapon control, and tight parries rather than outright blocking. 800K Kres."
He pointed at the second shield. Long and tapered, widening at the top and narrowing toward the legs. With a height of about 120cm, and the top width of 80cm and bottom part was 30cm. The shape was elegant—designed to cover the vitals while allowing for movement.
"Second, Steel Kite Shield. It offers solid coverage from shoulder to shin without sacrificing too much mobility. Well-suited for sword-and-shield fighters. 1 Million Kres."
He pointed to the last one which he leaned on the counter. A massive, rectangular slab of protection that can cover nearly the entire body. It was 140cm high and 80cm wide. The thing was enormous—a wall of steel that seemed designed to turn a person into a fortress.
"And lastly, Steel Tower Shield. Built for endurance, it turns the wielder into a moving fortress, capable of absorbing heavy blows and holding the line. 1.6 Million Kres."
Hyoren examined every shield option. His eyes moved from one to the next—assessing, calculating, weighing the pros and cons of each.
Buckler. Too small, he couldn't tank properly with this. It was more suited for semi-tank—for fighters who wanted to deflect rather than absorb.
Tower Shield. It provides ample protection. But it was cumbersome. He still needs to move around to properly protect Elise. A shield that restricted his movement would defeat the purpose—he needed to be mobile enough to intercept attacks, not just stand there like a statue.
He took the Steel Kite Shield and the Mithril-alloy Broadsword. And testing both weights. The shield was lighter than he expected—but solid. The sword fit comfortably in his right hand. Doing some shield stance. His feet shifted into the position Ronald had drilled into him.
He nodded. It was perfect. The weight distribution was right. The coverage was adequate. The mobility was acceptable. This was the shield that would help him protect Elise.
"This one. Borin."
Elise touched his arm. Her fingers were warm against his skin—a gentle pressure that grounded him.
"It is good you find a good piece for you, Hyoren. It suits you so much."
She then gave her Guild Card to Borin to pay.
"Also give me two hundreds of steel-tip arrows. Fin-stabilized type. My stock was depleted and after this we will go to the dungeon."
Borin took her card. His thick fingers handled the small metal rectangle with surprising delicacy.
"You did not even haggle this time, Elise? It seems you now were so loaded. Haha. Okay. Moonveil Bow, 200 arrows, Mithril-alloy Broadsword, and Steel Kite Shield."
He calculated in his mind.
"3.7 M Kres. And because you are not haggling, I will give the arrows worth of 200K Kres as freebies. So you only need to pay 3.5M Kres."
Borin quickly processed the transaction.
Hyoren and Elise thanked him for generosity. The words were sincere—spoken with the genuine appreciation of customers who had found not just a merchant, but a friend.
***
Elise fondly touched the Moonveil Bow for the last time before putting it into her storage bag on her belt. Her fingers lingered on the silvery wood—tracing the grain one final time. The two hundred arrows also went into the void.
Hyoren also did the same to his new Mithril-alloy Broadsword and Steel Kite Shield. The sword slid into its scabbard. Both items disappeared into the storage bag.
Borin gave back Elise's Guild card. He then crossed his arms. The gesture was familiar—a sign that the business portion of their visit was about to take a different turn.
"So, what kind of thing needs to be appraised?"
Hyoren reached into his storage bag again. The void appeared—a swirling darkness that seemed to devour the light around it. And he carefully withdrew the black katana and the jagged black armor, laying them out on the counter.
The black metal gleamed from the fire forge. The flames reflected off its surface—but not in the way normal steel would. The light seemed to sink into the darkness rather than bounce off it. The effect was unsettling—as if the metal was absorbing the light rather than reflecting it.
"These are Hifoppe's weapons and armor. We need these appraised. Properly."
Borin's professional curiosity quickly gave way to wide-eyed disbelief. His bushy eyebrows rose—disappearing beneath the brim of his leather cap. He ran a calloused finger along the flat of the katana's blade, feeling the texture of the metal itself. His touch was reverent—the careful exploration of a master encountering something beyond his experience. He grunted, a low guttural sound of deep respect.
"By Gravok's beard. This isn't mithril, not even orichalcum. This isn't any metal I've ever worked on or ever seen."
He picked up a piece of the armor, testing its weight. The piece looked heavy—jagged and menacing. But when he lifted it, his arm barely strained. His eyes widened further—the surprise evident on his weathered face.
"It's light. Impossibly light."
He looked from the gear to Hyoren, his eyes filled with a new respect. The kind of respect that came from recognizing something extraordinary—something that defied expectations and challenged understanding.
"Is this really what Servants of Gidol use?"
Hyoren simply nodded. The motion was brief—but the weight of the memory behind it was heavy.
"Yes, Borin. I looted this from the corpse of Hifoppe I defeated. This armor was so hard, Elise's arrow kept bouncing. And the black katana, it almost bisected Elise's body in two. And the cut on her severed wrist was too clean. It was so sharp."
The words hung in the air—heavy with the memory of that battle. The forge seemed to grow quieter—as if the flames themselves were listening.
Borin set the piece down.
"This is masterwork. Not dwarven masterwork... something else. The metal is unlike anything I've seen."
He picked up the katana and poured Aethell into it. The blade gleamed brightly—the energy flowing through the dark metal like water through a stream. The light pulsed and shimmered—revealing patterns in the metal that were invisible to the naked eye. The effect was mesmerizing—the darkness and light dancing together in a way that seemed almost alive.
"This is... the density is like orichalcum. But it conducts Aethell as well as... Scratch that... maybe even better than mithril. This is..."
He trailed off, examining the blade more closely. His thick fingers traced the edge—feeling the sharpness that could barely be perceived. His eyes narrowed—the wheels of his craft turning behind his grizzled brow.
"Orichalcum is the hardest metal we know. Only master smiths, working in specialized forges in Khor'menduun, can shape it. It's durable… almost unbreakable. But it doesn't conduct Aethell properly. Worse than iron."
He tapped the blade lightly. The sound was clear—a ringing tone that seemed to resonate in the air long after the tap had ended.
"But this... it has the hardness of orichalcum. With mithril's properties."
He set the katana down. The Aethell glow faded from its surface—leaving only the dark metal and its unsettling ability to absorb light.
"It's definitely an alien metal. I've heard rumors... of something superior to anything we know. Used by the Demon Army."
His gaze sharpened. The curiosity had given way to something more serious—a recognition of the implications.
"And if you got this from a Servant of Gidol... it fits."
He then looked at the black armor. His eyes traveled over the jagged edges—the strange patterns that seemed to shift in the firelight. The pieces were laid out on the counter like a puzzle waiting to be assembled.
"Any master smith in Khor'menduun would pay just to study this metal."
Elise, who had remained silent through the explanation, finally spoke. Her voice was soft—tinged with the weight of the decision they needed to make.
"So... what should we do with these, Borin?"
He straightened, crossing his powerful arms over his chest. The posture was definitive—the stance of a man who had made his judgment and was standing by it.
"Putting a price on this would be foolish. This is beyond a simple appraisal. It's closer to a national treasure. Even the capital's auction houses would be stunned."
He shook his head. The motion was slow—emphatic.
"My professional opinion? Keep it. Don't sell it. This is a metal fit for heroes."
He gestured toward the dark gear. His hand swept over the katana and armor—indicating the full scope of what they had acquired.
"Hold on to it. And if you ever reach Khor'menduun's capital... find a master smith who understands it. Have them forge something worthy of you. A sword. Armor. A shield. Whatever you need."
Hyoren looked at the dark, sinister gear resting on the table. It had been a trophy from a battle that had nearly cost him everything. The memory of that fight was still fresh—the desperation, the fear, the moment when Elise had almost been taken from him.
But now, after hearing Borin's words, he saw it differently. It wasn't just loot. It was a testament. A piece of the legend he and Elise were beginning to build. The metal that had nearly killed them could now be forged into something that would protect them.
Hyoren's gaze shifted from the dark gear on the bench to Elise. Her emerald eyes were wide, reflecting the firelight of the forge, and she gave him a small, almost imperceptible nod. The gesture was subtle—but it spoke volumes. She agreed with Borin's assessment. They would keep the gear.
She looked at Borin.
"You're right. Thank you, Borin. Your time and your expertise are appreciated. We'll take your advice."
The dwarf grunted, a sound of deep satisfaction. His thick fingers stroked his beard—the gesture almost paternal.
"A wise choice, Elise."
Elise gestured over the gear. The motion was clear—an instruction for Hyoren to store the items.
Hyoren understood. He carefully returned the pieces to the Storage Bag—the black metal vanishing from sight, eaten by the void.
They gave Borin a final nod of thanks and stepped back out into the cooling evening air. The forge's heat was replaced by the crisp chill of the approaching night, and the clamor of the Adventurer's District was softened by the dual suns set.