Kalem was in Briar's smithy, hammering away at a piece of metal, his movements precise and methodical. Sparks danced around him as he shaped the steel.
Briar leaned against the workbench, watching him work. "So, what's the rush this time?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
Kalem didn't pause in his work. "New weapon. Plus, I'm overhauling all my current gear."
"Why the sudden urgency?" Briar questioned, folding her arms.
"It's probably because he's going to the frontlines," Garron chimed in, stepping inside. He glanced at the pile of newly forged parts scattered around.
Kalem finally looked up, curiosity flickering in his eyes. "News sure travels fast."
As if on cue, Serka entered the forge, her usual confident stride accompanied by a casual smirk. "You can say that again."
Garron glanced at her. "What are you doing here?"
"Giving a commission," Serka replied. "But back to the point—how did the news get around so fast?"
Garron shrugged. "There are only about a hundred people, including you, who got deployed to the frontlines after spending two months here. It's not exactly a common occurrence."
"I see." Kalem wiped sweat from his forehead and turned to Serka. "Alright, what do you need?"
"A pair of stilettos. Durable, lightweight, and if possible, enchanted to cut through thick hide. My current ones have seen better days," Serka said, laying the old weapons on the table.
Kalem picked them up and inspected the blades. "You could have just sharpened them, you know."
Serka smirked. "Why settle for old when I can get something new from a genius smith?"
Garron scoffed. "Flattery won't get you a discount."
Briar grinned. "She's not wrong, though. Your work does have a reputation, Kalem."
Kalem didn't respond, already noting the details for the new stilettos. "I'll make them fit your grip. What about material? Steel, or something lighter?"
"Steel. I don't want them snapping mid-fight," Serka replied.
Kalem nodded. "Got it. I'll start after finishing my own gear."
Garron took a seat at the corner, watching Kalem's focused expression. "So, why the overhaul? Your current weapons seemed to work just fine."
Kalem didn't pause in his work. "They did, but I noticed some flaws during the last mission. Too many variables I didn't account for."
"Like what?" Briar asked.
Kalem set the hammer down and wiped his hands. "My fire sword was strong enough to deal with parasites, but its output wasn't efficient. I'm working on increasing its power while keeping the energy consumption manageable."
Serka tilted her head. "That means more fire, right?"
"More controlled fire," Kalem corrected. "I don't want it burning out too fast. As for the whip, I'm improving its lethality. It was useful for keeping enemies at bay, but it lacked the stopping power I needed."
Garron chuckled. "And the spear?"
"I'm upgrading the crimson spear's durability and cutting edge. It took too much damage from armored targets during the last mission. Same with the resonance blade—I need it to handle thicker armor without risking breakage."
Briar gave a low whistle. "You're practically rebuilding your entire arsenal."
Kalem nodded. "I have to. I realized that my current setup isn't enough for the frontlines."
"And the new weapon?" Serka asked.
Kalem's eyes narrowed in thought. "I'm designing something specifically for dealing with heavily armored and large monsters. The last fight made it clear that I need a way to break through tough hides without relying solely on fire."
Serka's smirk faded into a more serious expression. "You're really planning to take on the big ones, huh?"
Kalem didn't answer directly. "If I'm at the front, I can't afford to be caught unprepared. I need something that hits hard enough to break through without exhausting me."
Briar glanced at the sketch Kalem had drawn—a massive, heavy-bladed weapon, almost like a hybrid between a cleaver and a hammer. "That's ambitious."
Kalem nodded. "It has to be. If I'm going to the frontlines, I need to be able to take on anything that comes my way."
Serka crossed her arms. "Just don't make it too heavy. You're not exactly the strongest guy around."
Garron snorted. "That's why he's compensating with firepower."
Kalem smirked. "Better to have it and not need it than the other way around."
Briar laughed. "True enough. I'll help with the enchantments when you're ready."
"Thanks," Kalem replied, already sketching out the next part of the design.
Serka couldn't help but admire his focus. "You're serious about this."
Kalem's expression hardened. "Last time, we barely made it out because we underestimated the enemy. I'm not making that mistake again."
Garron patted his shoulder. "You're learning. Just remember, no matter how prepared you are, the frontlines aren't predictable."
"I know," Kalem replied quietly, returning to his work.
Serka gave him a nod of approval. "Good. You better come back in one piece."
Kalem didn't look up. "I plan to."