I stared at the sli crystal in Hesbeirn's hand, tapping my chin.
"So... you're saying this tiny thing can actually power up my sword?"
Hesbeirn nodded. "Yup. Not a huge boost, but it's a start."
I crossed my arms, pondering.
Was this common knowledge? Did all adventurers do this? Or had I just unlocked so hidden weapon upgrade system?!
...Nah. If that were the case, those overpowered isekai protagonists would be using this trick all the ti.
Still... it wasn't like I had any better options right now.
I sighed, cracking my knuckles. "Okay, let's do this. Fuse that thing into my sword."
Hesbeirn smirked. "Heh. You won't regret it. Just don't freak out when it starts glowing."
..."Wait, what?"
Before I could ask, he was already moving.
He grabbed my short sword and placed it carefully on the anvil, then set the sli crystal onto a small engraved plate on his workbench.
With a few swift motions, he threw more coal into the forge, making the flas flare up with intense heat.
The temperature in the shop rose instantly, forcing to step back. "Whoa, okay, it's getting kinda hot in here."
Hesbeirn just grinned as he pulled on his gloves. "That's how it works. You wanted a powered-up sword, right? Then watch."
I gripped the edge of the workbench, eyes glued to the process.
He picked up a pair of tal tongs, gripping the glowing crystal, and carefully placed it onto the base of my short sword's blade—right above the hilt.
Then, with precise movents, he raised his hamr.
Clang!
The first strike sent a wave of sparks flying.
The second made the crystal pulse with a faint blue light.
The third...
The crystal began to lt.
Or at least, that's what it looked like.
Instead of shattering, the clear crystal started dissolving into a thin, glowing mist that seeped into the tal of my sword.
I felt my breath hitch.
The blade, originally a dull silver, slowly took on a faint bluish sheen, as if it had been infused with sothing beyond normal steel.
Hesbeirn kept hamring, his movents controlled and rhythmic. Each hit made the glow pulse, spreading evenly throughout the blade.
I leaned forward, eyes wide. "Oho~ now this is interesting."
Hesbeirn wiped his forehead. "Almost done."
After a few more strikes, the glow began to fade, settling into the tal like it had always been a part of it.
He lifted the sword, inspecting it under the light.
Then, with a satisfied nod, he held it out to . "Here. It's done."
I reached out and gripped the hilt.
The mont I did—I felt it.
It was subtle, but the sword felt lighter, smoother, almost like it had adjusted to my grip.
I gave it a few test swings, and for so reason, it felt... just a little sharper.
Not drastic, but noticeable.
Hesbeirn chuckled. "It won't make you a master swordsman overnight, but trust —it's better than before."
I smirked. "Hah! Well, I'll take it!"
He nodded. "Rember, the more you use it, the more it adapts. Keep killing monsters, and your sword will get stronger."
My grip tightened around the hilt.
A sword that could grow stronger the more I used it?
Now that's a proper isekai weapon!
"Alright! Ti to test this baby out!"
Before I could even take a step—
"Ahem."
I turned back. "Huh? What now, Hesbeirn?"
He crossed his arms and smirked. "It cost 1 silver for the fusing."
...
"EHHH!? You trying to choke dry?!"
Hesbeirn shrugged. "If you took it to another blacksmith, they'd charge you around 3 to 5 silver."
"EHHH!? That expensive?!"
I clutched my chest dramatically, as if I had just taken a fatal hit.
"Fine! Fine! Put it on my tab! Ehehehe..."
Hesbeirn chuckled. "Yeah, yeah. Just make sure you don't die before paying back."
...
Yeah, yeah. No promises.
"And Hazuki?"
I froze mid-step and slowly turned back. "What now? You gonna charge again?"
Hesbeirn shook his head. "No... but you better not go out at night."
I raised an eyebrow. "Huh? Why?"
He leaned against the counter. "The monsters are fiercer at night. Sure, their EXP is double, but... trust , it ain't worth it."
I blinked. "Errr... what do you an?"
He gave a deadpan look. "You know how slis are easy to kill during the day, right?"
"Uh-huh..."
"They don't fight back in the dayti. But at night?" He smirked. "They might jump on your head and drown you."
...
"FOR REAL!?"
I instantly grabbed my throat, as if I could already feel the sli suffocating .
"You an those jiggly bastards turn into killers after sunset?!"
Hesbeirn nodded, grinning. "Yup. Ever heard of a Sli Drowner? No? Well, you don't wanna et one."
I gulped.
EXP or not... yeah, screw that.
Now that my weapon fusion was done, I had nothing else to do.
Go out and kill slis at night?
HELL NO!
Who the hell would risk their life just to die like an idiot?!
Not .
I shuddered, shaking my head. Screw that.
Well, best if I go eat first. Maybe even grab one or two drinks.
Hehehe...
Yeah. That sounded way better than getting murdered by a blob.
"Okay! Let's head out!"
I took one step outside—
"Mommy! That person is talking to himself."
...
EHHH?!
I turned my head slowly and locked eyes with a small child clutching his mother's hand, staring at like I was so kind of lunatic.
The mother quickly pulled the kid away, whispering, "Don't look! Just keep walking!"
I flinched, waving my hands frantically. "Eeeekk! No! I'm not crazy! Believe !"
The mother walked faster.
The kid kept staring.
...
Damn it. Not again.
Hesbeirn's laughter echoed from his store.
"Ahahahaha! No wonder they call you 'crazy guy'!"
...
I froze.
Slowly, I turned back, glaring at him. "Damn it, Hesbeirn! Not you too!"
He just kept laughing, wiping a tear from his eye. "Pffft—seriously, man. Talking to yourself in public? Classic."
I clicked my tongue, crossing my arms. "Hmph! I was just thinking out loud! That's totally normal!"
He smirked. "Yeah? Tell that to the terrified mother and child."
...
Okay, fair point.
I grumbled under my breath and stord off.
Food. Beer. Forget this ever happened.
Well, at least my weapon looks cool now.
When I grab the hilt, the blade faintly glows, and it feels lighter in my hand.
And ?
I feel stronger.
...Well, not really.
I slowly walked around town, the evening breeze cooling my face.
It was already near night, but the sun was still hanging there, turning the sky a deep orange.
Honestly? Kinda nice.
The town itself? Cobblestone roads, dieval-style buildings—classic fantasy stuff.
Believe , they don't build skyscrapers like back in Japan.
And the food? No clue what's in half of it.
I never bothered exploring the town or kingdom yet, so for all I know, they could be serving dragon at sowhere.
...
Actually, now that I think about it—
If I ever earn sothing big, maybe—just maybe—I'll go sightseeing all over this kingdom.
Maybe even check out other kingdoms.
But for now?
Let's eat!
( End of Chapter )
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