59: Chapter 59 Enchant Equipment and Enhancements

The last major expense was an enchanted one-handed battleaxe.

This battleaxe hung on the innermost weapon rack of the weapon shop, not displayed outside, and was considered one of the dwarf Balun's proudest creations.

The axe was slightly larger than a typical handaxe, with a total length shorter than a forearm. The blade was single-edged, and the back was cast into a heavy hammerhead shape, which could be used as an armor-piercing hammer.

The handle was made of hardwood wrapped in non-slip dark brown leather, providing an excellent grip.

When swinging, one could leverage the weight of the axe itself, saving effort and delivering a heavier blow.

Most notably, a whole row of fine dwarven runes was engraved on the axe head, which would flash with a dark red luster under the light.

The Enchantment effect was [Spellbreaker +1], which could deal more damage to magical creatures and destroy magical protection.

Balun said this axe was called the "dwarven roaring battleaxe". Made from a unique alloy material, it was over fifty percent more expensive than a regular enchanted battleaxe.

Richard used Appraisal to scan it.

Item: [dwarven roaring battleaxe (Enchanted Equipment)]

Type: One-handed Weapon

Material: Dark Iron mixed with Taber Ore, edge plated with Blood-veined Gold

Enchantment Effect: Spellbreaker +1

Length: 52 cm

Weight: Approx. 1.9 kg

Evaluation: Crafted by a dwarven rune artisan. When swung, the wind sounds like a war cry. Forged with a unique rune Forging technique, the runes burst with golden sparks when breaking magic, possessing an excellent spell-breaking effect.

This battleaxe cost a whopping two hundred gold coins.

He hung the axe on the weapon loop at his waist. Earning money was indeed as slow as drawing silk from a cocoon, while spending it was like flowing water.

The furnace at Balun's Blacksmith Shop was the last to go out in the entire Forging district.

Richard slapped five gold coins onto Balun's workbench, saying he wanted to study for another week.

Balun's thick, stubby fingers poked at the pile of gold coins. He let out a grunt from his nostrils, then tossed the largest Forging hammer over from the corner.

This week's blacksmithing was completely different from before.

Holding that Forging hammer with thirteen points of Strength felt just like holding a small kitchen knife.

The weight of the Forging hammer itself no longer placed any burden on his wrist.

The hammer felt so light in his hands that he couldn't get used to it at first, hammering the iron too thin several times.

Previously, he had to lift the hammer with both hands, but now he could swing it in a full arc with just one hand and still have the energy to control the direction and angle of the rebound.

As Balun watched from the side, he stopped his own work and stood right beside him to watch an entire Forging process.

After watching, the dwarf's eyebrows furrowed into a knot, and he muttered, "You've got plenty of strength, almost catching up to a troll."

"But the rhythm is still wrong. Blacksmithing isn't smashing rocks; brute force can only make rough blanks, fine work relies on clever technique."

Then, using his fingers that were a full size thicker, he picked up a small file.

He lightly scraped it a few times across the blade of the shortsword Richard had just finished, removing several tiny burrs that were almost invisible to the naked eye.

Over the course of more than a week, Richard forged dozens of items.

Most were farm tools—sickles, hoes, spade blades, horseshoes—and occasionally some simple small weapon blanks.

The quality of each finished product slowly improved; that crooked shortsword from the very beginning had now become a souvenir he kept in the corner.

The latest hoe he forged looked ready for sale. The curve of the blade was uniform, and the transitions between hammer marks were much smoother.

The Blacksmith class experience points on his panel also reached maximum, leveling up.

[Congratulations, Adventurer, your Blacksmith level has increased!]

[Current Level: Level 2 Blacksmith (10/200).]

[Please choose one of the following two talents:]

[Molten Strike: When Forging metal on an anvil, your Strength check is +2. When Forging one-handed weapons (such as axes, hammers, swords), you can produce sharper and more durable weapons.]

[Scrap Reclamation: When dismantling or smelting down discarded metal equipment, you have a 30% chance to salvage an extra 'Common Metal Ingot' or 'Leather'.]

[Dwarven Forging skill proficiency increased: Lv0 (40/50).]

Richard thought about it and still chose [Molten Strike]. He wasn't short on salvaged materials; instead, weapon enhancement was more valuable.

He placed his last finished product, a shovel made from scraps, into the quenching trough.

After the white mist dissipated, a uniform dark gray quenching pattern faintly appeared on the shovel's surface, marking the end of his training at Balun's shop.

Balun leaned over to take a look, picked up the shovel, scraped the edge with his thumb, and placed it next to the workbench. He turned around and rummaged through the bottom shelf of the tool rack, pulling out a set of tools wrapped in old canvas.

Inside were a small hand hammer, several files of different shapes, a quenching clamp, and a small bottle of dwarf-made quenching oil.

He pushed this set of tools in front of Richard and said gruffly:

"I originally planned to charge you five gold coins. These are genuine dwarven tools after all. But seeing as you kid have some talent, I'll take two gold, a friendly price."

"Haha, I'll take them. Thank you for your guidance during this time."

Richard packed up the tool kit and paid two gold coins.

As he walked out of the blacksmith shop, the furnace fire behind him slowly died down. Balun had already pulled down the iron gate of the vent, preparing to close up.

After resting and preparing, the one-month gathering time arrived.

Richard and Cecilia arrived once again at the hall of the Blackwater City Adventurers Guild.

This time, when Richard walked in, several Adventurers squatting on benches chatting near the door fell silent at the same time.

At this moment, he no longer looked like that green Adventurer.

His steel breastplate gleamed with a metallic luster under the guild's chandeliers, a horned helmet was tucked under his arm, the dwarven roaring battleaxe hung from his left waist, and a polished halberd was slung across his back.

His shoulders were a bit broader than a month ago, the kind of broad shoulders packed with sturdy muscle.

His skin was quite tanned, with a few small scars on his arms from being burned by iron filings while blacksmithing, and his entire aura was much more steady than before.

Particularly his black eyes, which held an extremely confident gaze.

Morpheus, Jinbao, and Black Cat were already sitting in their usual spot in the corner of the hall.

Morpheus's purple eyes had completely regained focus, the bloodshot veins in his whites had cleared, and he had changed into a clean, dark gray robe.

Pinned to his collar was a new silver brooch, shaped like a variant of some ancient script, probably another find he had scavenged from some old stall.

Jinbao's tool bag was even bulkier than a month ago, with several extra side pockets sewn on, and his goggles had been fitted with new lenses.

Black Cat looked no different from a month ago, still wearing that cold, world-weary expression.

"Captain, looks like you've gotten yourself quite a few things this month."

Morpheus smiled and nodded to him, his fingers lightly tapping the staff on the table.

His staff was also a new one, with a small amethyst embedded in the head.

"The breastplate is very nice, and your helmet is quite intimidating too."