Chapter 54: Chapter 54: The Blacksmith’s Boon

Chapter 54: The Blacksmith’s Boon

The underground workshop was sweltering.

Draven stood in front of the heavy iron workbench. He raised his hand and focused his mind.

When he first awakened the Epic Sign-In System, his storage space was the size of a small military footlocker.

But now? Fueled by his massive mana reserves, the dimensional pocket had expanded to the size of a commercial warehouse.

It was a literal void under his complete control.

With a flick of his wrist, Draven deposited the stolen high-grade Cult treasury onto the table.

CLATTER!

Dozens of high-grade elemental cores hit the iron surface. Vials of refined stardust shimmered under the flickering forge lights.

Cole Rust dropped his heavy hammer.

He stared at the pile of priceless magical materials. His eyes widened in absolute shock. He knew exactly what this highly illegal loot was.

The whole city was currently burning as factions killed each other over these exact resources.

But Cole swallowed his questions. He remembered how Draven had put him in his place during their previous meeting. He had to be strictly professional.

He wiped his soot-stained hands on his leather apron.

"These materials are incredible," Cole stated respectfully. "What do you need prepared, boss?"

"Three custom pieces for my squad," Draven answered flatly.

He already had a perfect weapon resting safely inside his inventory. He did not need anything flashy to maintain his Extra disguise.

"For the spearman, I need a Blood Fire Spear. Focus entirely on thermal conductivity and thrusting durability," Draven instructed.

"And the rest?" Cole asked.

"For the brawler, a double-headed axe infused with a high-density ice core. Make it heavy."

Cole nodded. He quickly sketched the specifications onto a stained notepad.

"What about the stardust?" Cole asked, pointing at the glowing vials.

"For the mage," Draven explained.

"Design a staff that utilizes the stardust as a primary conduit. But I want a mechanical compression feature. It needs to collapse and convert into a wearable magic bracelet for concealed carry." 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

Cole’s eyes gleamed with the thrill of a true craftsman.

"Consider it done. It will take a few days to forge."

Draven dropped a thick pouch of credits next to the cores to cover the labor costs. Then, he pulled out a folded piece of black parchment and placed it on Cole’s chest.

"I kept the A-grade materials in my vault," Draven said.

"But my inventory is still holding crates of low-quality weapons and potions from the raid. Take those crates to the shop at the edge of the District Four black market. Sell them for credits."

"Understood," Cole nodded.

"When you hand over the goods, read the exact words written on that paper to the dealer," Draven added.

Cole took the note and pocketed it without a single word.

---

Later that night, Draven locked the door to his Academy dorm room.

He sat cross-legged on his bed and opened his inventory. He retrieved the massive Spirit Egg.

It rested heavily on his mattress, violently pulsing with a sickening red aura. The dark corruption inside the shell was suffocating.

Draven reached back into his spatial ring and pulled out a single glowing leaf.

It was the World Tree Leaf. He had obtained it from his Monthly Sign-In reward.

’In the lore of the world, all true spirits originated from the roots of the World Tree. A true World Tree Leaf was the ultimate catalyst for purification. Due to Hennessey family’s raids on the Church, I was able to raid and obtain the Spirit Egg early on. I would have had to wait till the Mid-terms Exams to obtain this. Thanks Neville!’

Draven pressed the glowing leaf directly against the corrupted shell.

FLASH!

A blinding pillar of white light erupted in the small dorm room. The World Tree Leaf dissolved into pure energy, seeping deep into the microscopic pores of the egg.

The dark mana shrieked like a dying animal as the corruption was violently burned away.

The bloody red light faded completely. It was quickly replaced by a breathtaking, vibrant emerald green aura.

The sheer density of the natural life force radiating from the egg made the air in the room feel incredibly fresh and pure.

A golden panel flashed before Draven’s eyes.

[System Alert: Corruption completely purged.]

[New System Feature Unlocked: Familiars Tab.]

[Target: World Tree Spirit Egg.]

[Status: Incubation started. Hatching period: 30 Days.]

Draven stared at the emerald egg. A pure World Tree Spirit was a myth even within the original novel. It was an entity of supreme natural authority.

When this creature finally hatched in a month, it would permanently shift the balance of power in Bastion Seven.

’Not really! I am not stronger than the Commander and the heads of the guilds right now! The only reason I was continuing that shitty novel was due to how cool the Commander of the Bastion 7 was! He died protecting Neville in the Novel, but now he will live. He must live!’

Draven smiled a cold, victorious smile. He safely stored the incubating egg back into his dimensional warehouse.

---

Far below the city streets, Cole Rust walked into a dimly lit tavern in the heart of the District Four black market.

He dragged a massive wooden crate behind him. He kicked it toward the bartender.

THUD!

The heavy sound drew the immediate attention of three armed dealers sitting in a corner booth. These men were seasoned veterans of the underworld.

They instantly recognized the Cult insignias stamped on the iron weapons spilling out of the crate.

The lead dealer stood up. His hand hovered dangerously over a concealed pistol.

"Where did you get this merchandise, blacksmith?" the dealer growled suspiciously.

"Those fanatics are currently hunting down anyone who touches their property."

Cole did not flinch. He pulled the black parchment from his pocket and unfolded it.

"I was told to give you a message," Cole stated firmly.

He read the poem aloud.

"Embrace the poor, embrace the weak.

Embrace the dying as they speak.

Though our fingers drip with a crimson flood.

The Embracing Hands wash clean the blood."

The entire tavern went dead silent.

The lead dealer’s eyes widened in sheer terror and absolute awe.

These specific dealers were Sirius Statanham’s most trusted lieutenants.

They had received strict, confidential orders from the Underworld Don regarding this exact phantom organization.

They knew Sirius was one hundred percent devoted to the master of this new faction.

The dealer immediately stepped away from his weapon. He bowed his head respectfully.

"Bring the crate to the back room immediately," the dealer ordered his men with profound urgency.

He looked at Cole with newfound reverence.

"Sirius needs to see this right now. Our Lord has finally made his move."