Nexha woke up before dawn, his mind still heavy with exhaustion, but anxiety wouldn’t let him stay in bed. The copper knife was waiting.
He got up, his muscles protesting from the previous day’s effort, and walked to the forge. The air still carried the scent of soot and burnt metal. The mold had completely cooled, and with care, he removed the sand plates, revealing his creation.
A raw blade, still imperfect—but real.
The knife was warm to the touch, its dull sheen reflecting the faint morning light. Nexha held it with both hands, analyzing it. Small hardened burrs covered its surface, the edge was uneven, and the weight felt slightly unbalanced. But despite its flaws, this was the first metal blade he had ever forged.
He took a deep breath, a subtle smile forming on his lips.
— Now, let’s fix you up.
He grabbed the whetstone he had purchased from the shop and positioned it carefully. Pouring a bit of saltwater over it, he dampened the rough surface. Then, he began sharpening the blade.
Slide. Scrape. Dancing sparks.
With each movement, Nexha immersed himself in the work. The rhythmic sound of metal against stone echoed through the forge—a dry, almost hypnotic sound. His arm moved with precision, his mind focused only on the blade’s edge, shaping it inch by inch.
He lost track of time.
He didn’t notice the sky gradually brightening. He didn’t feel the sweat dripping down his skin or the ache building in his muscles from the repetitive motion.
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The dull sheen started to fade, replaced by a smooth, almost spectral reflection. The blade gained symmetry. The rough edge became thin—razor-sharp. When he finally attached a handle, he felt that the knife was complete.
And then, he noticed.
Something was wrong.
Nexha raised the knife against the light, his eyes narrowing as he saw a faint blue glow running along the metal’s surface. Subtle, discreet—but there.
He frowned.
— This... isn’t normal.
He ran a finger along the blade. A shiver ran down his spine. The metal was warm. But not in a way it should be—copper should have cooled by now. This warmth was deeper, unnatural, as if something in it had changed at its very core.
To test it, Nexha grabbed a piece of sea-algae bamboo and pressed the blade against it. The cut was precise, almost silent. But what caught his attention was the edge of the cut... burned.
His eyes narrowed.
— What the hell...?
That didn’t make sense. He had used nothing but raw copper. No special materials, no enchantments. So why was this knife different?
He took a deep breath, trying to contain his unease. If something strange was happening, he needed to understand it. He needed to know exactly what he had created.
With a quick thought, he activated his appraisal skill.
[Copper Knife]
- Name: None
- Quality: Rare
- Status: Normal
- Attack: 15
- Title: First copper knife forged in this world.
- Ability: Heated Cut
As hot as the determination of the one who forged it, this was the first copper knife created in this world. It is not exceptional, but the dedication of its creator surpassed a limit, transforming it into a rare object.
Nexha’s eyes widened.
— This is the first time I’ve seen a weapon get a quality rank?!
He blinked, confused, then laughed—a genuine, joyful laugh.
— Did I really put in that much effort...?
It started to sink in. His dedication, his struggle, his complete focus on forging... all of it had influenced the result.
He gripped the knife firmly, feeling its weight differently now.
— If the first one turned out like this, the next ones can be even better.
A new thought emerged. He lifted the blade, staring at his distorted reflection in the metal.
— I am the first blacksmith in this world, and I will forge the greatest weapons it has ever seen.
His weapons would be the best.