Adventurer of Many Professions

The following morning, Raymond made his way to commercial street in the South District, ready for his next step.

"You want to work as a blacksmith in my shop? And you don't want any payment?" Pierre asked, raising an eyebrow. He looked at Raymond, who was young, muscular, and wore an expression that didn't quite fit the usual apprentice vibe.

Pierre had been in the trade long enough to know that some civilian craftsmen, unable to afford their own workshop, sought out jobs forging iron for others. But those craftsmen typically chose to apprentice in the larger weapon shops of the East District or in blacksmith shops offering better wages. Why would this young craftsman come to his small shop, which was more of a kitchenware and farm tool supplier than anything else?

Raymond, with his "craftsman" emblem visible, shrugged, "I'm not here for money. I just need access to your tools and your forge." Read new adventures at My Virtual Library Empire

Pierre looked at him in disbelief. This was a blacksmith shop that didn't even have an apprentice and barely sold weapons, just a few swords and some basic tools.

Raymond smiled internally, glad his appearance and the forged story seemed to be working.

Raymond nodded confidently. "Yes, I don't need a salary, but if the weapons I make sell, I would like 30% of the commission. You can set the prices for the weapons."

He paused for a moment before adding, "I also know a few adventurers. Sometimes they bring materials to me for equipment repairs or custom builds. The profit from that will be mine, but I'll pay you a fee for using your tools."

Pierre looked at Raymond in surprise, then a realization crossed his face. He understood what Raymond was offering, and after a brief hesitation, he smiled and agreed. "Okay."

Raymond raised an eyebrow, surprised by how quickly Pierre accepted the terms. He had expected the blacksmith to hesitate, but Pierre didn't waste any time.

Pierre chuckled and said, "I know that even if you're newly awakened, a craftsman like you can make things just as good as the best blacksmiths in the city. My shop's small, and we don't make much, so even if your weapons don't sell, I won't lose much either."

Raymond smiled. This was exactly why he chose Pierre's humble shop. It gave him the freedom to experiment without the pressure of big expectations.

After chatting for a bit longer, Raymond learned that Pierre had some extra iron blocks in his shop. Without wasting any time, he stood up and said, "In that case, I'll start by making a few weapons."

Pierre watched closely as Raymond began to heat the furnace. With a few adjustments, the flames roared to life, and the temperature inside the furnace rose to the perfect level. Raymond carefully placed the iron block inside to heat it.

Though Pierre's shop was small, it had all the tools Raymond needed, and he quickly got to work on his first weapon.

'Clang! Clang! Clang!' The rhythmic sound of hammer striking metal echoed through the shop. Sparks flew with every strike, illuminating the room with brief flashes of light.

Raymond worked tirelessly, his shirt discarded as he revealed a well-toned physique, his body glistening with sweat. The air was thick with the scent of hot iron and burning metal as the work continued. Red-hot iron flew in every direction, landing on his skin and sizzling against his sweat, but Raymond paid it no mind. His focus was entirely on the task at hand, the hot metal, the precise strikes, the rhythm of the hammer.

Hours passed as Raymond carefully forged, quenched, and ground the metal. The result was a beautifully crafted long sword, gleaming with a faint, cold glow. It was 80 centimeters long, with intricate patterns etched along the blade. The steel gleamed under the light, a testament to Raymond's skill and patience.

Pierre's eyes widened in amazement as he saw the finished product. Though he wasn't the best blacksmith, his years of experience allowed him to instantly recognize the quality of the blade. Even the finest blacksmiths on Red Iron Street would struggle to craft a sword of this caliber.

Raymond flicked the blade gently with his finger, and the long sword emitted a deep, resonant hum, vibrating slightly in the air. The sound was rich and full, a sign of its superior craftsmanship.

Raymond gave a satisfied nod, the sound of the sword's hum confirming its strength. A crisp tone would've meant the sword was too brittle and could break easily, but this was solid, just the way he wanted it.

"Mr. Pierre, do you have any material for the hilt?" Raymond asked, turning to Pierre.

"Ah, yes! Yes!" Pierre hurried off into the back room, rummaging through his supplies. After a moment, he returned with two weathered wooden strips.

Raymond raised an eyebrow. The wooden strips weren't much to look at, these were the kinds of materials Pierre usually used for his low-quality swords.

"Uh... this is all I have right now," Pierre admitted, a bit embarrassed. "I'll get better wood tomorrow."

Raymond smiled. "We can use this for now and replace it later. Let's get to work."

Within ten minutes, the hilt was attached to the sword. Raymond picked it up, testing its balance and grip by waving it through the air. After a few experimental swipes, he nodded, satisfied with the result.

"As for the scabbard..." Raymond began, but Pierre cut him off.

"I've got it!" Pierre replied quickly. "The hilt is easy enough, but let me take care of the scabbard for you. It wouldn't feel right if I didn't help with something."

Raymond agreed with a nod. "Alright, you can take care of it."

Once the sword was ready, Raymond handed it over to Pierre to place on the shelf for sale. He didn't waste any time and moved on to making more weapons. Next, he forged a short sword and a heavy long sword fit for a warrior. With each one, Pierre's eyes grew wider in surprise.

"Enough! Enough!" Pierre exclaimed when Raymond started to make a dagger. "Aren't you tired?"

It was already late afternoon, and Raymond had been working non-stop since morning. Pierre, who had spent years working as a blacksmith, was impressed that Raymond still seemed energized. Most would've been exhausted by now, but Raymond appeared unaffected.

Raymond paused, finally realizing he had indeed been pushing himself. The sky was starting to darken, and he had other important things to do tonight.

"You're right, Mr. Pierre," Raymond said, wiping the sweat off his brow with a towel that Pierre had handed him. "I should head back now. As for the prices, feel free to set them as you see fit."

"Of course, of course!" Pierre agreed eagerly.

As Raymond left, Pierre watched the three new weapons sitting on the shelf, a grin spreading across his face. The quality of these weapons was undeniable, and he was thrilled by what Raymond had created.

But then, he paused. He was faced with a dilemma. If he priced the weapons too high, they might not sell in his small shop. Yet, if he priced them too low, he would be shortchanging such high-quality work.

It seemed like a good problem to have, but Pierre wasn't sure how to strike the right balance.