Today, I had to complete the workshop.
I stood up and stirred the ashes of the fire. There was a strange excitement inside me. Only two critical things remained to bring the workshop to life: the cooling station and the grinding stone.
The first task would be to build the cooling station. If I wanted to work with metal, I needed a reliable water source to quickly cool down heated metal. But I couldn't just use a random bucket of water; I had to build a solid structure that would preserve the water for a long time.
First, I considered where to place the cooling station. When hot metal touches water, the steam it produces could make the cave stifling. So, I decided to place it closer to the cave entrance rather than right next to the forge. That way, the steam would disperse quickly.
After choosing the spot, I cleared the area. I moved aside small stones and debris, leveling the ground. To ensure the station's durability, I needed to build a stone basin.
The plan was simple:
- Stone Basin: A durable stone pit to hold water.
- Insulation: A layer of resin and moss to prevent leaks.
- Cooling Area: A wide and deep section to submerge metal pieces.
Everything was clear in my mind. Without wasting time, I started gathering stones.
I ventured deeper into the cave and collected volcanic basalt stones I had previously found. I needed stones that wouldn’t crack suddenly during the cooling process, ones resistant to extreme temperature changes. Volcanic basalt was ideal—dense and heat-resistant.
Carrying the stones on my back, I made several trips. I was drenched in sweat, but my determination outweighed the fatigue. I laid the stones down and began arranging them:
- For the base, I selected large, flat stones and placed them tightly together.
- To form the walls, I positioned larger stones vertically.
But simply stacking stones wasn’t enough. If I didn’t seal the gaps, water would leak, and all my effort would be wasted. So, I decided to make my own primitive mortar to secure the stones together.
To make the mortar, I crushed clay lumps I had collected from the riverbank. I mixed them with wood ash from the cave and kneaded the mixture with water. This simple blend was strong enough to bind the stones.
I carefully placed each stone and filled the gaps with the mortar. As the walls rose, my anticipation grew, but I knew I couldn't rush. It had to dry properly to be sturdy.
Once it had dried, I applied a mixture of resin and moss to the inner surface of the stones for extra insulation. The resin provided a waterproof layer, while the moss acted as additional filler. This ensured that the water would remain in the basin for a long time.
While the structure was drying and hardening, I used my [Shatter] ability to craft a wooden bucket. With it, I made multiple trips to the river, filling the stone basin with water. Once the basin was completely filled, I sat down beside it and observed.
There were no leaks. I felt a slight sense of pride. As gentle ripples formed on the water’s clear surface, I took a deep breath.
Now, I had a reliable station for the crucial quenching process needed for metalworking.
The cooling station was complete. I had a forge, my bellows were working, and now I had a proper place to use water effectively for hardening metal.
Slowly, I crouched down and dipped my hands into the cold water. The icy depth filled me with more courage for what lay ahead. But this was just the beginning.
Tomorrow, it would be time for the grinding stone. If I was to craft flawless weapons, I needed a solid sharpening system.
For now… I rested in the corner of my cave, feeling the day's labor in my bones.
When I woke up, the soreness in my muscles had slightly eased, but the list of tasks in my mind hadn’t shrunk. Now, only one thing was missing to complete the workshop: the grinding stone.
This would perhaps be the most crucial part of my workshop. Sharpening swords, refining tools, smoothing metal surfaces—without a proper grinding mechanism, the weapons and equipment I crafted would never reach their full potential.
I got up, tidied the area, rekindled the fire, and ate some dried fish. Today was going to be a long day.
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I couldn’t just use any ordinary rock for the grinding stone. A soft stone would wear down quickly, while an overly hard stone could damage the metal. The ideal stone needed to have an abrasive surface, a durable structure, and a rough texture.
So, I set off towards the rocky area near the cave. With my hammer in hand, I struck various stones, testing which one was best.
Finally, I found what I was looking for: quartzite.
Quartzite stones are naturally hard and provide excellent abrasive properties, making them perfect for a grinding stone. When I found a large enough and smooth piece, I couldn’t describe my joy. But this was only the beginning.
Carrying the stone to the cave was an ordeal. It was large and heavy, but I had no better option, so I gritted my teeth and dragged it on my back. By the time I reached the cave, breathless, sweat was dripping from my back onto the ground.
Now, I needed to shape the stone properly. For this, I decided to use my [Shatter] ability. With this skill, I could better understand the internal structure of the stone and break it down in a controlled manner.
I placed my hands on the stone’s surface and focused. When [Examine] activated, I could feel the crystal structures inside the stone—weak points, hard veins... I saw in my mind how the stone could break apart.
Then, I carefully used [Shatter]. With small, controlled strikes, I began chiseling the edges, gradually forming a circular shape.
This process took hours. I made small mistakes, but I remained patient. Every broken piece helped shape the stone into a more balanced form. Eventually, I had a smooth, round, and heavy grinding stone in my hands.
But the stone alone wasn’t enough. I needed to set up an axle system for it to rotate. For this, I used the sturdy oak branches I had collected earlier.
I carved the wood into a cylindrical axle with my knife. To create a hole in the center of the stone, I sharpened smaller stone pieces and used them as primitive drills. This hole allowed the axle to pass through the stone.
To secure the stone, I crafted wooden wedges. Once I hammered them into place on either side of the axle, the stone was firmly set. Now, I had a rotating, durable grinding stone.
But turning it by hand wouldn’t be practical, so I decided to build a simple pedal mechanism.
I attached a wooden lever to the side of the axle. When I pressed it down with my foot, the stone would spin. To make it return automatically, I crafted a primitive string from thin tree fibers and tied it to pull the lever back into place.
The system was simple yet effective. As I pressed the pedal, the stone spun rapidly. I held my blade against its surface, smoothing out any imperfections.
Once everything was ready, I decided to test my Luminous Blade. I lightly pressed it against the grinding stone’s rotating surface. At first, the hissing sound was unsettling, but soon the blade’s sharp edge began to take shape.
A few minutes later, the edge had transformed into a thin, gleaming line. When I ran my finger along it, I could feel that even the slightest pressure could cut my skin.
This was a true victory.
Now, my workshop was complete:
? The forge was burning.
? The bellows worked flawlessly.
? The cooling station was reliable.
? And now, the grinding stone provided the finishing touch to every weapon I crafted.
Exhausted but satisfied, I sat in the corner of the cave, extending my hands toward the fire, a slight smile on my face.
"This is it. Now, we truly begin..."
As the first light of morning filtered through the cave entrance, I opened my eyes. My entire body ached, yet I felt an odd sense of peace. Just a few weeks ago, I had arrived at these bare stone walls, but now, I had built a fully functional blacksmith workshop. My forge burned strong, my bellows worked perfectly, my grinding stone honed blades to razor-sharp precision, and my cooling station tempered metal without making it brittle. Everything was ready… but now, what would I do next?
I ran my hand over the smooth surface of my stone anvil. My materials were still basic. If I wanted to craft a proper sword or forge more durable armor, I needed to find rarer materials.
As this thought took root in my mind, my heartbeat quickened. I knew that the tunnels within the cave were filled with more than just stone and minerals. I remembered my battle with the Steel-Fanged Wolf. Deeper down, there were likely even more dangerous creatures. But without risk, there was no reward. If I truly wanted to hone my skills, I had to suppress my fear and dive into the unknown darkness of the cave.
I knew this forest was free of dangerous creatures, yet another beast could still cause me trouble. If a creature as strong as the Alpha Wolf crossed my path, I wouldn’t be able to take it down. All my trick advantages were gone—I had no bombs or explosive minerals left. No matter how skilled I was with various weapons, I had to be cautious. As I advanced through the floors, my current weapons would eventually become insufficient.
I stretched my arms above my head, my joints cracking. This misery would end one day. I needed to build myself a proper bed… but not now. First, I had to explore.
The first thing I did was organize my bag. I checked my Silence Boots—the soles were still intact. I strapped my Multi-Purpose Grappling Hook to my belt—it would be essential for moving through the cave. I put on my Mana-Charged Amulet—if I ran out of magic power, I might not have time to recover.
I reviewed my food supplies. Dried fish and a few mushrooms… Not enough, but it would do for now. Eventually, I would have to find a way to create more durable provisions.
Then, I examined my weapons. I gave my Luminous Blade a quick sharpening on the grinding stone. I tested the draw strength of my Stealth Bow and checked my quiver—enough arrows for now, but if I found more materials inside the cave, I could craft additional ones.
Finally, I prepared a torch. It would be my only light source in the cave’s dark corridors, and I needed something that would last. I wrapped dry wood pieces in cloth, soaked them in oil, and fastened them to an iron rod. A slow-burning torch… Exactly what I needed.
I found myself on the stone path leading to the cave entrance. As I left my workshop behind, I turned to take one last look.
This place was my home now. When I returned, I would be stronger, more skilled. Maybe one day, I would turn this place into a fully fortified stronghold. But first, I had to survive.
I needed to learn what lay in the depths.
With a torch in hand, a bag on my back, and the thrill of exploration in my heart…
I took a few steps forward. The cold stone beneath my boots sent a shiver through me.
The dark corridor called to me.
And I answered the call.