While Kennon went on his magical combat training run to the realm wall Bev finally got to put the steel to use. Obviously the first thing she tried was earth mold. And while it did have some effect, it was shockingly small. She expected it really. She had always been told that when it came to metal spells had to be incredibly generic like heat, or they had to be incredibly specific like mold metal.

  It was for the best perhaps. She couldn’t imagine losing the ring of steel when forging. She wouldn’t need the fire however. As heat was generic enough. And sadly there would be no ring of steel for her first job. She had to make her hammer.

  Right now all her tools were made with earth mold and sticks. Thrown together while Kennon worked the smelter. She felt she had done a good job though. She even had tongs and an anvil molded from granite. In addition to a simple apron from pelthorn skin. None of it was fancy. None was even the best she could do with these materials. It wasn’t needed since she knew she would be getting an upgrade today.

  Starting with the hammer, she took a piece of steel about the size of her fist, placed it on the stone anvil, and began to heat it. She didn’t have the luxury of well sized and polished iron bars. But it seemed about the right size.

  When it reached a bright orange she began hammering. Carefully. Neither the tongs, hammer, or anvil could withstand the shock she would normally apply to the steel. With dozens of light taps she hammered it into a rectangular shape. Then targeting the rear of the new hammer she began shaping a wedge.

  Once the basic shape had been formed she took the hot steel to the horn of the anvil and began tapping it to bore a hole into it for the handle.

  With that done she grabbed what would become the handle for her new hammer. A stick of hardwood she had carved into an arrow straight shaft. It also had a slight depression carved into a bit near one end. Slipping the hammer head over the depression she heated it again. Now she hammered the steel until it fully embraced its new home. The hot steel seared the dry wood as she finished the final details of its form.

  Quenching the hammer in the river she smiled at the results of a week of smelting and crafting.

  Blacksmiths hammer - tool - T0

  A hammer forged by a blacksmith, for a blacksmith. Born of fire and steel and destined for more of the same.

  This particular hammer was created by a novice with rudimentary tools.

  Typical value: 50 silver

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  She was elated. She couldn’t have hoped for a better result. To have the system itself recognize her work. It was a great honor.

  But she wasn’t done.

  Over the next several hours she replaced all her stone tools with superior steel. Even the anvil had been upgraded.

  As she started to select a lump of steel to become an axe she went deathly cold. Her soul itself shivered in fear as she felt Kennon encounter something.

  Bev: Kennon, what is going on? Are you ok!

  She held her breath, waiting for a response. It didn’t come.

  The feeling of existential dread coming from Kennon had softened. But it was still strong. She sensed him entering a panicked fright.

  Kennon: I** ok **** rea*** wal*** sys***

  Was the system malfunctioning? It did that? What was he saying? Whatever it was making an axe seemed far lower on her list of things to do.

  She could tell he was ok. Scared. But healthy, and on his way. What she needed to do was be prepared to help with whatever had him so frightened.

  She glanced at one of the larger pieces of steel. Then towards her inscription pen. She needed a weapon. There was a chance Kennon was bringing danger on his heels. And even if he wasn’t they had been at the mercy of flimsy firearms long enough. It was time for an enchanted halberd.

  Hours had passed. And Kennon still wasn’t responding with coherent messages. His panic had mellowed out significantly. Only a shadow of what it once was. But the weapon was almost ready nonetheless.

  A hardwood shaft one and a half meters long. Attached via nails and struts was a blade half a meter long itself. The bottom half was split between a thin axe blade and a sharp beak. Hooked backwards to control enemy weapons.

  The farther half tapered into a thick spike. The axe side sharpened to a razor edge with judicious use of a stone she found by the river.

  On its own it would have been a powerful weapon. But useless compared to the rifle. That was where the inscription came in.

  She heated the head to a dull cherry, filled her pen with mana, and began to engrave. Along the primary edge she placed the rune for separation. A jagged thing that covered every side of every cutting surface.

  In the center of the head, the symbol for strength.

  Then, along the entire haft she inscribed the most basic runes of all. They had no names. But they had a goal. Connection, direction. They would allow the rest to work together.

  Steel halberd - polearm - T1

  The weapon of protectors and destroyers alike. This steel weapon hold enchantments that allow it to slice unenhanced flesh with ease. Even T1 defenses are of little use when powered. With durability enchants as well it can survive repeated use against even armored opponents.

  This particular halberd was crafted by a novice.

  Enchantments

  Sharpness 2, Durability 1.

  It would do. Kennon had gotten close. His old fear was almost gone. But a new one had taken its place. It seemed the halberd would be put through its paces soon.