Nexha was excited about his new knife. He slid the blade along the stalks of the moray algae, cutting them with ease. Unlike obsidian, copper didn’t shatter upon the slightest impact, and that brought him deep satisfaction.
— Obsidian may be sharp, but it’s way too fragile... This is much better.
With a fluid motion, he stacked the algae pieces and placed them in the oven, rekindling the embers. Heat began to spread through the room, and Nexha took a deep breath, savoring the salty scent rising from the algae.
But today, his focus wasn’t just on cutting. He had a new project: a hammer.
— If I want to improve the quality of the metal, I need something more durable…
He opened the shop, ready to find what he needed.
((Shop)/) (\MD 5,004 /)
Welcome to the shop, user! Here, you can buy whatever you need for your world conquest. I’m glad your money is back to something I recognize (っ＾?＾)??
- Food/Medicine - Slaves
- Skills - Magic Items
- Minerals - Animals/Pets
- Plant Materials - Accessories
- Clothes/Armor - Technology
He bought more copper ore and set it to melt in the stone pot. While waiting for the furnace to reach the right temperature, he started preparing new molds using moray algae bamboo and sand.
— Besides the hammer, I want to try making something like pliers…
Grabbing a baby bottle from the shop, he allowed himself a small break, taking a sip of milk. But his moment of tranquility was interrupted by a sudden cry.
The sound made his heart skip a beat.
He turned quickly and almost fell from his wheelchair when he saw Jasper, the baby mermaid, crawling toward him. The child’s bright eyes were locked onto his bottle.
— How the hell did you get here, Jasper?! Wasn’t Lilay taking care of you?!
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Moments later, Lilay emerged from the water, climbing onto the platform, breathless.
— Brother… this baby SWAM all the way from the nest to here so fast I couldn’t even keep up!
Nexha blinked in disbelief.
— You lost to a baby in speed? One that couldn’t even swim yesterday? … I think I’m losing my mind.
— I didn’t lose! He just left first! — Lilay protested, puffing out his cheeks indignantly.
— Sure, sure… if you say so. But I think he smelled the milk.
The little Jasper stood beside the wheelchair, staring at the bottle with a furious expression, as if demanding Nexha hand it over immediately.
— Alright, alright… Lilay, give it to him. I’m busy.
Quickly buying another bottle, Nexha handed it to his brother. Like lightning, Jasper crawled toward Lilay and grabbed the milk with surprising strength for someone his age, drinking it with impressive determination.
With Lilay busy feeding the baby, Nexha returned to work, crafting more bamboo molds and filling them with sand. He carved a rectangular mold for the hammer, ensuring the shape was just right.
Strangely, as soon as Jasper finished drinking, he wriggled out of Lilay’s arms and moved closer. His gaze was fixed, curious. Lilay kept an eye on the baby, but Nexha was too focused to notice his presence.
He picked up a carved stone to refine the details and used it to shape the mold. Finally, he checked the furnace. The metal was ready.
Using a pair of makeshift bamboo tongs, he removed the stone pot and poured the molten copper into the molds. The glowing metal shone like a miniature sun, and the heat made Lilay instinctively pull Jasper away. But the baby resisted. Even against his older brother’s warning, he leaned forward to get a better view, his eyes wide, fascinated by the glow.
Nexha noticed the child's expression and hesitated for a moment.
Jasper was completely absorbed in the process. His eyes didn’t blink. He didn’t look away, not even when Lilay gently tugged at his tail to move him back. Tiny tremors ran through his arms, as if he wanted to reach out and touch the molten copper.
— He’s… admiring this?
Before Lilay could respond, Jasper lifted his chubby little hand and, with determination, tried to reach the furnace.
— Hey! — Lilay reacted quickly, yanking Jasper back before he could burn himself. — What do you think you’re doing?!
Jasper stared at him, irritated, babbling something unintelligible before turning his gaze back to the glowing metal.
— Looks like he is. Another odd one in the family, huh?
— I’m not odd!
— Yes, you are.
Lilay smirked, amused by Nexha’s annoyed expression.
The two exchanged lighthearted teasing until an unexpected sound interrupted them: laughter.
A cheerful, childlike giggle.
Both brothers froze. Slowly, they turned to Jasper, who was laughing adorably, without even understanding the situation.
— I thought he only knew how to be mad… — Nexha murmured.
— Me too… — Lilay replied, surprised.
Jasper noticed the sudden attention on him and, pouting, quickly returned to his usual serious expression, puffing out his cheeks in an exaggerated manner.
The two brothers burst into laughter again.