The next morning arrived with Finn already awake and working at his crafting station. He had barely slept, too excited about the possibilities that came with having a proper party member. The system had unlocked fifteen new advanced recipes after completing the quest, and he was eager to test them out.
Aria emerged from the sleeping area they had hastily set up the night before, stretching and yawning. She had changed out of her bloodstained combat outfit into a spare set of clothes Finn had crafted from leather and cloth he had been storing. The outfit was simple but functional, and it fit her surprisingly well.
"Morning," she said, walking over to where Finn was arranging materials on the crafting table. "Did you sleep at all?"
"Only for a few hours," Finn replied, not looking up from the mythril ingots he was organizing. "I wanted to get started on some of the new recipes the system unlocked. Look at this one."
He pulled up a system window that Aria could now see thanks to their party connection. The recipe displayed was for something called an Adaptive Combat Vest, a piece of armor that could adjust its defensive properties based on the type of damage it received.
"That is incredible," Aria said, leaning in to study the requirements. "But it needs some pretty specific materials. Flexible mythril weave, elemental resistance crystals, and is that monster core essence?"
"I have everything except the monster cores," Finn said. "But Pebble mentioned there is a nest of Crystal Spiders three chambers down. They drop cores regularly."
"Absolutely not," Aria said firmly. "You are not going after Crystal Spiders alone."
"Those things are level thirty minimum, and they hunt in packs. We will go together once I've had breakfast and checked my equipment."
Finn looked up at her, surprised by the authoritative tone. Then he smiled. "Right. Party member with actual combat experience. I keep forgetting I do not have to do everything solo anymore."
"Exactly. Now, let me look at what we have for food because that dried meat you gave me last night was not going to cut it for long-term living." Aria walked over to the supply area and began taking inventory.
"We need fresh food, vegetables, and maybe some spices. This place has everything except actual sustenance."
"There is a merchant route about two kilometers from here," Pebble chimed in from his spot on a shelf. "They pass by every three days. The next caravan should arrive tomorrow morning."
"Perfect. We can trade some of these materials for proper supplies." Aria turned back to Finn. "But first, let me help you organize this place properly. You have been living like a hermit who only cares about shiny rocks."
"I do only care about shiny rocks," Finn protested, but he was grinning.
...
...
Over the next several hours, Aria took charge of reorganizing the base with ruthless efficiency. She created designated areas for different activities, set up a proper cooking space near the entrance where ventilation was better, and even began sketching plans for a forge that could be built in an adjacent chamber.
Meanwhile, Finn threw himself into crafting with the kind of focused intensity that had become his trademark. The new recipes were challenging, requiring precise material combinations and careful timing. His hands moved with practiced efficiency, guided by the system but enhanced by his own growing skill.
[Mithril Chain Gloves crafted!]
[Quality: Rare]
[Experience Gained: 250 points]
[Adaptive Leather Boots crafted!]
[Quality: Uncommon]
[Experience Gained: 180 points]
[Enchanted Tool Belt crafted!]
[Quality: Rare]
[Experience Gained: 300 points]
The notifications kept coming as Finn worked through recipe after recipe. Each completed item was added to a growing pile of equipment that he intended to give to Aria. She needed proper gear if she was going to be handling combat for both of them, and he had the materials to make it happen.
By midday, Finn had crafted an entire set of equipment. Mythril chain gloves that would enhance grip strength and provide excellent protection without sacrificing dexterity.
Adaptive leather boots that could shift between silent movement and reinforced defense. An enchanted tool belt with expanded storage capacity and quick-access pouches. A lightweight chest piece made from layered leather and mythril that offered surprising protection while maintaining mobility.
"Aria," Finn called out. "Come look at this."
She walked over from where she had been sorting through gem containers, her eyes widening as she saw the pile of equipment on the crafting table. "You made all of this? In one morning?"
"The SSS-Rank system helps speed things up, and having abundant materials means I can work without worrying about waste." Finn picked up the gloves and held them out to her. "Try these on. They should fit, I used your measurements from the party interface."
Aria took the gloves slowly, as if they might disappear if she moved too quickly. She slipped them on and flexed her fingers experimentally. "These are amazing."
"The enchantments are perfectly balanced, and the craftsmanship is way better than anything I could afford to buy." She looked at the rest of the equipment. "This is all for me?"
"You are my party member and main combat specialist. You need proper gear." Finn gestured to the pile. "Consider it an investment in our survival."
"Finn, this equipment is worth thousands of gold coins. Maybe tens of thousands. You cannot just give it away like it is nothing."
"Why not? I can make more whenever I want. Materials are not a problem for me, remember?" Finn started organizing the remaining items. "Besides, what good is having all this stuff if I am too scared to use it? You will actually put it to work."
Aria looked at him for a long moment, then started putting on the rest of the equipment. Each piece fit perfectly, and as she moved around testing the armor, Finn could see her professional appreciation for the quality. "You know, for someone who claims to be just a miner, you are a damn good crafter."
"I am learning," Finn said modestly, though he could not help but smile at the compliment.
Once Aria was fully equipped, she walked over to a corner of the chamber where Finn had stored a massive anvil he had found in an abandoned mining camp weeks ago. It was made of solid steel, weathered but still functional, and it had been too heavy for him to move far before his strength increased through leveling.
"Now let me show you what a real blacksmith can do," Aria said with a confident grin. She pulled out her own crafting tools from her inventory, including a hammer that looked well-used and cared for. "Do you have any steel ingots?"
"About fifty, why?"
"Because I am going to make you a proper weapon. That pickaxe of yours is great for mining, but if we are going into actual combat situations, you need something designed for fighting."