Aria selected several steel ingots and placed them on the anvil. She activated a skill that Finn had not seen before, and her hands began to glow with a faint orange light. The heat in the air increased noticeably as she worked, her hammer striking the metal with rhythmic precision.
Finn watched in fascination as she shaped the steel with confident, practiced movements. This was different from his system-guided crafting.
Aria was using pure skill and experience, her hands knowing exactly where to strike and how hard. The metal responded to her touch, bending and folding, impurities burning away in flashes of light.
[Party Member Aria is crafting...]
[Observing Advanced Blacksmithing Techniques]
[Crafting Skill Experience Gained: 150 points]
Finn realized he was gaining experience just from watching her work. The party system was allowing him to learn from her expertise, slowly expanding his own crafting knowledge.
After about thirty minutes of intense work, Aria quenched the blade in a bucket of water Finn provided, and steam filled the air. When she pulled it out and held it up to the light, Finn saw a beautiful short sword with a slight curve to the blade. The edge gleamed wickedly sharp, and the balance looked perfect.
"This is a basic combat blade," Aria explained, using a cloth to wipe away excess water. "Nothing fancy, but it is reliable and well-made."
"The length is good for someone your height, and the weight distribution will let you use it effectively even with minimal sword training." She flipped it and offered him the handle. "Try it out."
Finn took the sword, surprised by how natural it felt in his hand. It was lighter than his pickaxe but somehow felt more deadly. He gave it a few experimental swings, and the blade cut through the air with a satisfying whisper.
[Short Sword received from Party Member]
[Quality: Uncommon]
[Attack: +25]
[Durability: 150/150]
[Special: Balanced (Easier to wield for beginners)]
"This is incredible," Finn said, genuinely impressed. "You made this so fast."
"Years of practice," Aria replied, cleaning her hammer and putting her tools away. "I started learning blacksmithing when I was twelve."
"My father was a weaponsmith in Millhaven, and I grew up in his forge." Her expression softened slightly. "He passed away two years ago, and I inherited the workshop. That is actually what I wanted to talk to you about."
She walked back to the center of the chamber and sat down on one of the stone benches. "My workshop in Millhaven has a proper forge, better tools, and equipment I cannot just abandon."
"If we are going to be working together long-term, we should bring some of that equipment here or figure out a way to use both locations."
"You have a whole workshop in town?" Finn asked, sitting down across from her.
"Yes, and it is just sitting there gathering dust while I have been out adventuring and nearly getting myself killed by Crimson Stalkers." Aria smiled ruefully.
"I came out here trying to gather rare materials to craft better equipment and maybe make a name for myself. Turns out I was way over my head."
"So what do you want to do?"
"I want to go back to Millhaven, properly secure my workshop, and bring back some essential tools and materials. Maybe even hire a cart to transport the heavier equipment." Aria looked at him seriously.
"But I do not want to go alone, and I think you should come with me. You have been isolated in these caves for weeks."
"You need to see the town, meet people, and maybe establish some connections. Plus, we can sell some of these materials you have been hoarding and set up proper supply lines."
Finn considered this. The idea of leaving his safe, familiar cave network made him uncomfortable. He had everything he needed right here.
But Aria had a point. He could not hide in the mines forever, and having access to a proper workshop in town could open up new crafting possibilities.
"How long would we be gone?" Finn asked.
"A few days, maybe a week at most. We pack up what we need from the workshop, arrange for transportation back, and maybe do some trading while we are there." Aria leaned forward. "Come on, Finn."
"You have got to face the outside world eventually. Might as well do it with a party member who knows her way around."
Pebble hopped onto Finn's shoulder. "She makes a compelling argument, host. Plus, the town has a Miner's Guild hall. You could register officially and gain access to their information network and exclusive quests."
Finn looked at the pile of equipment he had crafted, then at the sword in his hand, then at Aria's expectant face. Finally, he sighed and nodded. "Alright. We will go to Millhaven."
"But we are taking plenty of supplies and setting up security measures before we leave."
Aria's face lit up with a brilliant smile. "Perfect! We can leave first thing tomorrow morning after the merchant caravan passes. I will make a list of what we need to bring."
As she started planning out loud with Pebble, Finn looked around his cave base one more time. It had been his sanctuary, his workshop, his entire world for nearly three weeks. Leaving it felt strange, almost frightening.
But maybe it was time to expand his horizons. After all, there was only so much you could accomplish alone in a cave, no matter how many rare materials you had. He just hoped Millhaven was ready for an SSS-Rank Miner and his talking rock.
...
...
The morning sun was warm on Finn's face as he and Aria walked along the dirt road that led to Millhaven. It was strange being out in the open after spending so much time underground. The sky seemed impossibly vast, stretching endlessly in all directions, and the fresh air carried scents of grass and wildflowers that no cave could replicate.
Finn had packed light, carrying only essential tools and a selection of valuable materials in his expanded inventory. Aria walked beside him in her new equipment, the mythril chain gloves catching the sunlight as she adjusted the strap on her sword belt. Pebble sat on Finn's shoulder as usual, his glowing eyes dimmed to conserve energy during the day.
They had been walking for about an hour when Aria broke the comfortable silence. "So, I have been meaning to ask you something."
"What is it?" Finn replied, stepping over a fallen branch in their path.
"Yesterday, when we first met, you mentioned something about a system. And then there was that notification window that appeared when we formed the party." Aria glanced at him curiously. "I have never heard of anything like that before."
"Is it related to your SSS-Rank classification?"
Finn felt a slight tension in his chest. He had been so focused on mining and crafting that he had not really thought about how unusual his situation was. The system was such an integral part of his experience that he sometimes forgot other people did not have the same interface floating in their vision.
"It is complicated..."