Absolute Craft-Chapter 76: White Oni (4)

Chapter 76: White Oni (4)

Digging through the ice for the elusive Ice Steel was a time-consuming ordeal. Even though Blake and Beatrix worked tirelessly, it took them hours to gather thirty Ice Steel bars—and that was barely half of what remained. Still, neither seemed to mind the time—only the challenge before them.

Just then, Blake received an unexpected notification:

<Kyria has sent you a message>

He had added Kyria and Wolfang to his friend list after their competition ended in a draw, an event that triggered The Rotten Leviathan’s resurrection. Given those circumstances, there wasn’t a better way for that clash to conclude.

Not wanting to lose his stride in this "contest" with Beatrix, Blake opened the mental chat interface and split his focus. He was confident it wouldn’t slow him down, thanks to his knack for multitasking and calculation.

<Kyria: Hey. I’m calling in the favor you owe me. Join my guild for The Rotten Leviathan Resurrection Event.>

Blake stopped mining. As if on cue, Beatrix did the same. Despite the blizzard raging around them, they exchanged glances.

Blake sighed. "Remember my competition with Kyria and Wolfang? As expected, Kyria wants me on his team for The Rotten Leviathan’s resurrection. Our odds of gaining high contribution and better loot are higher with his guild and his supportive skills."

That was how Blake justified it to Beatrix—and to himself. Besides, he’d never joined a guild simply as a member. This could be a new experience. Given his reputation, he wouldn’t really be "just another recruit," but he’d still carry fewer responsibilities than he had as Cerberus’s leader.

<Superbia: Fine. I’m in your care.>

He replied.

<You have received the invitation to Anonymous Guild>

<Kyria: No need to join yet. When will you be available?> 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

<Superbia: I need some time. I can adjust if things heat up on your end.>

<Kyria: The Rotten Leviathan won’t wake up right away; there’s not enough zombie flesh in the graveyard yet. So no rush there. But to join the Tutorial Alliance, I need you. My guild could scrape by on its own, but an alliance is both fun and practical. My people are on board too.>

<Superbia: Why me?>

Blake had no doubt many players would jump at the chance to battle a monster like The Rotten Leviathan in a large-scale showdown. It mirrored the grand finale from the beta phase, and MMORPGs typically rewarded greater numbers.

So, what did the Tutorial Alliance require?

<Kyria: You own an epic-grade item from The Eternal Winter Graveyard. Any guild with members holding that gear gains higher standing in the alliance, plus better positions in the event.>

Guilds equipped with region-specific gear wielded more influence. Considering the Eternal Winter Graveyard’s extreme cold—and its snow-covered expanse—players with strong cold resistance would have a solid edge. Weapons and armor from that domain could prove game-changing, maybe even revealing a weakness in The Rotten Leviathan.

It all made sense, so Blake agreed.

<Superbia: Got it. Give me a week.>

<Kyria: Sure. Till next time.>

-

By the following day, Blake and Beatrix wrapped up their quest.

<You have cultivated 96 Ice Steel bars>

<You have completed your quest>

<You have received The 11th Lost King’s Blizzard Forging Skill—Blizzard Smithy (Legendary)>

The moment that skill etched itself into Blake’s game system, the surrounding blizzard abruptly ceased, then spiraled inward, shaping a smithy from snow and ice that enclosed Blake and his companions. Inside this mystical white-blue realm, ice stretched and twisted to form an anvil. Unexpectedly, Blake felt no chill—only a gentle breeze caressing him.

<You’re in Blizzard Smithy>

<You can forge equipment for three people—Superbia, Beatrix, and Sol>

<Please select whom you’d like to craft equipment for first>

Choosing himself, Blake noticed how every ice shard in this strange smithy began to glow, each mirroring his image. It seemed that one requirement for forging gear here was that the intended recipient must be present in the smithy.

Moments later, layers of ice sculpted a life-sized replica of Blake’s in-game avatar. It reflected how he might appear if he were healthy in the real world, which made sense since he hadn’t changed his avatar’s facial features.

That same healthy face would be recognizable in the game world, hence why Blake wore a mask in the first place.

<Hammer the Ice Steel bars into your statue to begin forging>

"Bring me my tools, Beatrix," Blake said with a broad grin.

Without hesitation, Beatrix stepped beyond the conjured smithy and returned to his regular workshop to fetch his hammer, chisel, and other supplies. Meanwhile, Blake reviewed the details of this unorthodox forging approach.

It seemed impossible to use fire with Ice Steel, as its unique properties would cause it to vanish. Instead, by hammering the material directly into the ice statue, Blake would strengthen Ice Steel, eliminate any flaws, and customize it to his specifications.

He also noted that a blueprint could be applied here.

No sooner had Beatrix returned than Blake grabbed some paper and started sketching a fresh design for his next creation. He paused briefly, then produced Pride’s Shackle and Pride’s Second Coming.

"Take these outside. Don’t let a single piece go missing," Blake instructed.

Holding his gear with care, Beatrix promised not to lose anything with a short bow. After she left to convert their steel into Ice Steel, Blake refocused on the blueprint.

He was certain he could craft new gear addressing all his current challenges while boosting him to the next level. The concept was ambitious. He intended to merge his initial gear with Ice Steel to create a strengthened set that retained similar, but enhanced, skills—then fuse the Winter Sword with Pride’s Shackle. He wanted to seal his Prideful Beast into each piece, using it to overpower the inspiration spirit fragment gained from the Winter General’s Echo.

The Winter Mantle would hold it all together.

As for the Winter Scabbard, Blake would set it aside for now, hoping to find someone in another tutorial zone who could reforge it for his new katana.

Pushing aside any distractions, Blake went to work.