Chapter 227 – The Thing that Could Whack and Swoosh

Chapter 227

The Thing that Could Whack and Swoosh

Date : Day 11 of Deepwinter 1024 Aethellgard Concord Year.

Two days had passed since Freedom Party finally defeated the Guardian of the third floor.

The battle had pushed all of them to their limits.

What should have been a triumphant victory had nearly turned into a tragedy when Jackey took the full force of Blancorn’s attack. His injuries had been severe enough that even a single mistake could have cost him his life.

Fortunately, Hyoren’s Healing Light could save him.

With the last reserves of Aethell he had available, he had used his healing magic to treat Jackey’s most critical injuries. His breathing had been restored, his damaged organs repaired, and the immediate danger had finally passed.

Jackey had survived.

That alone was enough for everyone in Freedom Party to feel relieved.

But surviving the battle did not mean they could immediately return to their usual routine.

The day after their return, Freedom Party decided to rest.

After everything they had gone through on the third floor, there was no reason to force themselves back into the dungeon immediately. Their bodies needed time to recover, and their minds needed a chance to settle after the battle.

Hyoren also used that day to finish what he had been unable to do before—Jackey's left arm.

During the Guardian battle, Hyoren had not possessed enough Aethell to completely heal every injury. He had prioritized the wounds that threatened Jackey's life and left the remaining fractures for later. Now that he had recovered enough Aethell, there was finally no reason to delay it any longer.

He finished healing Jackey's injured arm.

With that, another lingering reminder of the Guardian battle was finally dealt with.

***

Hyoren stood in front of the manor, his breath turning into a faint white mist the moment it left his mouth.

The winter air greeted him with a sharp chill.

It slipped beneath the edges of his clothes and brushed against his skin, cold enough that he instinctively pulled his coat tighter around himself. A thick shawl was wrapped around his neck, covering most of his throat, but even that did little to keep the Deepwinter cold completely at bay.

Akela looked different after a month of snow.

The city, which was usually filled with the bustle of merchants, adventurers, carriages, and pedestrians, had been softened beneath a blanket of snow. Rooftops, streets, fences, and trees were all covered in white, their familiar shapes made quieter and gentler by the snowfall.

Above them, Luna shone brightly through the winter sky. Her pale silver light reflected from the snow-covered streets, giving the entire city an almost dreamlike appearance.

Snowflakes drifted slowly through the air.

One landed on Hyoren's sleeve. He watched it for a moment before brushing it away. The weather was cold. Very cold. Deepwinter had certainly lived up to its name.

Hyoren tightened his coat and shawl once more before glancing to his side.

Ina was already looking at him.

She was dressed warmly for the weather, her usual clothing almost completely hidden beneath a thick brown fur jacket. The soft fur covered most of her body and looked particularly comfortable against the cold.

A knitted hat covered her head, with enough room for her cat ears to poke through. Those ears twitched slightly as another cold breeze passed by.

Despite the weather, however, Ina was smiling.

Her cat tail swished lightly behind her, leaving a small trail in the falling snow whenever it brushed against the air.

Hyoren looked at her for a moment before smiling.

“Let's go, Ina?”

Ina giggled. Her tail swished once more. She latched herself to Hyoren’s arm.

“Let's go. To our date! Nyahaha.”

Hyoren immediately scratched his cheek. He had a feeling she was going to call it that.

“It isn't a date.”

He glanced toward the road ahead.

“It’s errands. We're going to appraise our spoils from our last dungeon dive and order new equipment for me and Jackey.”

Ina's smile only grew wider.

Hyoren could already tell she wasn't taking his correction seriously. Before he could say anything else, a familiar voice came from behind them.

“Big Sis! Do not forget about us!”

Hyoren turned around.

Jackey stood behind them with his arms crossed over his chest. His dark leather jacket was properly fastened against the cold, and his tabby cat tail curled into a loose spiral behind him. After everything that had happened in the dungeon, seeing Jackey standing there so normally was still somewhat reassuring.

He looked completely recovered now. At least, compared to the condition he had been in only a few days earlier.

Jackey tugged at the front of his jacket to make sure it was secure.

“We will go with you two!”

Ina turned around and laughed.

“Of course you are coming, Jackey. Nyahaha.”

Jackey grinned.

“I wouldn't miss it!”

A soft laugh came from beside him.

Arianna stood nearby, dressed in her elegant purple robe. Even in the middle of Deepwinter, she somehow managed to maintain her usual refined appearance.

She covered her mouth delicately as she giggled.

“Ohoho. But it is a double date, perhaps.”

Jackey's tabby cat ears perked up.

Before he could respond, Arianna casually reached for his arm.

Jackey looked down at her hand, then toward Arianna. His tail immediately gave another little curl.

Hyoren noticed it but decided not to comment. There was no point. Those two were clearly not trying to hide their relationship anymore.

Instead, he looked toward the manor.

Elise was standing near the entrance. The silver-haired elf had not joined them. She was clutching her body with both arms, visibly shivering beneath her winter clothes. Her complexion was a bit pale. Her shoulders trembled slightly whenever another breeze passed through the courtyard.

Even her usual relaxed expression seemed a little weaker than normal.

Arianna glanced toward her.

“Are you sure you won't come with us, Mentor?”

Elise gave them a gentle smile.

“I'm not feeling really well…”

She paused as another shiver ran through her body.

“I will hold our fort instead... Fufu.”

Hyoren smiled. He could already tell that Elise was trying to make light of it.

“Get well soon, Elise. You truly need to rest…”

He looked toward the snow-covered road.

“The weather is cold. You don't need to see us off.”

Elise smiled.

“But I want to, Hyoren.”

Her voice was gentle, almost stubborn in its own way. She took another look at the falling snow. 

A particularly cold breeze swept through the courtyard. Elise immediately pulled her arms tighter around herself. Her shoulders trembled.

She gave a small laugh.

“But it's indeed too cold…”

She looked at everyone standing before her.

“Have a safe trip, everyone. Do not catch a cold like me, okay?”

Ina smiled and pulled her brown fur jacket a little tighter around herself.

“Do not worry. We won't wander unnecessarily.”

She looked toward the snowy streets.

“The weather of Deepwinter is truly cold... Nyahaha.”

Jackey laughed.

“Yeah! But I can handle it!”

Arianna glanced at him.

“You had better.”

Jackey's grin became slightly awkward.

“...I will.”

Hyoren couldn't help but smile at the exchange.

The cold air continued to settle over the courtyard, and snowflakes quietly accumulated on the edges of the manor's steps.

For a brief moment, none of them moved.

It was peaceful. After the chaos of the dungeon, the quiet of their home felt almost unfamiliar. There were no monsters. No weapons. No screams. No desperate healing.

Just the soft sound of snow falling through the morning.

Hyoren finally raised a hand.

“Then, we'll be going.”

Elise returned the gesture.

“Take care.”

Ina waved cheerfully.

“See you later, Elise!”

Jackey raised one hand high.

“Don't worry, Elise! We'll bring something nice back!”

Arianna gave Elise a graceful smile before following the others.

With one final wave toward the silver-haired elf, Hyoren, Ina, Jackey, and Arianna stepped out through the manor's gate.

Their footsteps pressed softly into the fresh snow. The four figures gradually moved farther down the street, their footprints forming a line behind them.

Elise remained at the entrance.

She watched them disappear into the silver-lit streets of Akela, surrounded by gently falling snow. Only after their figures had grown distant did she slowly turn back toward the warmth of the manor. The door closed softly behind her.

Outside, Deepwinter continued its quiet descent upon Akela.

***

Hyoren continued walking through the streets of the Adventurer's District.

The district was usually one of the busiest parts of Akela City. Adventurers came and went throughout the day, merchants called out to passing customers, and street vendors filled the roads with the smells of hot food and freshly brewed drinks.

But Deepwinter had quieted even that familiar bustle. It was morning, yet there were surprisingly few people wandering through the streets.

The roads were almost sparse.

Most of the street vendors had also disappeared from their usual spots. For many of them, the cold simply wasn't worth the effort of setting up their stalls and standing outside for hours.

The few people who were out had little reason to linger.

They hurried along the streets with their heads lowered and their clothes pulled tightly around themselves, eager to reach their destinations before the cold could settle too deeply into their bodies.

Hyoren understood the feeling.

He pulled his coat a little tighter around himself as another cold breeze swept through the street. Ina walked beside him, her brown fur jacket doing most of the work of keeping the cold away. Jackey walked behind them with Arianna, his dark leather jacket fastened tightly around his body.

Even Jackey, who normally seemed capable of finding a reason to run around no matter the circumstances, wasn't particularly interested in staying outside.

The four of them walked briskly. There was no reason to hurry excessively. But there was also no reason to let Deepwinter freeze them for the sake of enjoying a leisurely walk.

Their footsteps crunched softly against the thin layer of snow covering the road.

It didn't take long before they arrived at their destination. A familiar sign swayed gently above a wooden storefront. Grit & Gear Arms. Borin's blacksmith shop.

The sign creaked softly as the winter wind pushed against it.

Hyoren looked up at it for a moment.

It had been some time since I last visited this place…

Without hesitation, the four of them stepped inside. A small bell hanging above the entrance rang as the door opened.

A wave of sweltering heat washed over them. 

The difference was almost startling. Only moments ago, Hyoren had been walking through the freezing streets of Akela. Now, the warmth of the forge wrapped around him almost immediately, chasing away the chill that had settled beneath his coat.

The air smelled of heated metal, coal, oil, and smoke. It was a familiar scent. Not particularly pleasant by itself, but somehow comforting.

The rhythmic ringing of metal against metal echoed through the workshop.

Inside, Borin was hard at work.

The dwarf blacksmith stood before a blazing furnace, his thick arms moving with practiced strength as he repeatedly struck a glowing piece of metal resting atop his anvil. Each swing landed with a heavy impact. The sound reverberated throughout the workshop in a steady rhythm, accompanied by the roar of the furnace and the occasional hiss of heated metal.

The familiar scene brought a faint smile to Hyoren's face. There was something reassuring about seeing Borin working exactly as he always did.

Borin noticed movement near the entrance.

His hammer stopped in midair. He turned toward the door. The moment his eyes landed on the four familiar faces, his expression changed. A broad grin spread across his bearded face.

“Hey! If it isn't the lad...”

His eyes moved from Hyoren to Ina, then Jackey, and finally Arianna.

His grin widened.

“And you bring your whole family…”

Then he paused. His eyes narrowed slightly.

“But wait. Where is that elven ranger?”

Hyoren raised a hand in greeting.

“Hello, Borin. Elise caught a cold. She is resting in our home.”

Borin blinked. Then he gave a slow nod.

“Hoo... I see.”

A short laugh escaped him.

“To think that stubborn elf could catch a cold. Gyahaha.”

Hyoren smiled faintly.

“That surprised us too.”

Before joining them properly, Borin returned his attention to the work in front of him.

With practiced movements, he picked up the glowing piece of metal with a pair of heavy tongs. The metal was still bright from the heat of the furnace. He carried it over to a quenching barrel and lowered it into the water. 

A violent hiss filled the workshop.

A cloud of steam immediately billowed upward, briefly obscuring Borin's upper body before slowly dispersing into the warm air.

Borin waited a moment before returning to the furnace. He adjusted the runic controls attached to its side, lowering the intensity of the flames. The roaring fire gradually settled. The heat inside the workshop became noticeably more comfortable.

Only then did Borin remove his thick blacksmithing gloves. He set them aside and walked over to the front counter.

Hyoren stepped forward to greet him, extending his hand.

“Good to see you again, Borin.”

Borin took his hand in a firm handshake.

“Mm. Good to see you.”

He released Hyoren's hand and placed both hands on the counter.

“So... what can I do for you guys?”

Hyoren smiled.

“First of all... I want to order some new gear.”

He gestured toward himself. Then he pointed toward the Cat-clan Beastkin standing behind him.

“For me, and for Jackey.”

Jackey immediately nodded. His cat ears perked up.

“Yes! I need a new axe so I can continue whacking!”

Borin stared at him for a moment. Then he nodded slowly.

“I see. He needs a new axe…”

His eyes shifted back toward Hyoren.

“What about you, lad?”

Hyoren reached into his storage bag and placed the remnants of his equipment onto the counter.

The broken pieces of his Steel Kite Shield came first. What had once been a sturdy shield was now little more than several damaged pieces of steel.

He then placed his Mithril-alloy chainmail beside it. The armor was mostly intact, but the damage was obvious. Several sections were dented, and part of the armor had been broken during the battle.

Borin's expression became more serious as he examined them.

Hyoren scratched his cheek.

“We fought quite a powerful Guardian on the third floor of the dungeon…”

He glanced down at the remains of the shield.

“My shield actually shattered.”

Borin picked up one of the broken pieces. He turned it over in his thick fingers, examining the damaged surface.

“Damn…”

He ran a thumb along the edge.

“This shield is only made from steel, so its durability is not as good as more durable materials.”

His eyes moved over the broken piece again.

“But I was confident with the shield I made…”

Borin looked directly at Hyoren. His expression suddenly became suspicious.

“Are you sure you didn't just carelessly handle the shield and fail to use it properly, right?”

Hyoren's mouth twitched. He gave the dwarf a wry smile.

“Please, Borin…”

He gestured toward the broken shield.

“I already used everything I had. The Guardian was just too terrifying.”

Borin stared at him for a few moments. Then he combed his beard thoughtfully.

“Well…”

He looked down at the shield again.

“I know you're not some lousy tank.”

He gave a small grunt.

“It's just pretty unbelievable.”

His eyes lifted toward Hyoren.

“Akela Dungeon is truly a dangerous place.”

Jackey nodded enthusiastically from behind them.

“Yes! I almost died there too!”

His ears flattened slightly as he remembered.

“It was scary!”

Arianna nodded.

“Truly scary…”

Her expression became more serious for a moment. The memory of what had happened to Jackey was still fresh enough that even mentioning it brought a little weight to her voice.

Ina, however, narrowed her eyes at Jackey.

“You sure it's not because of your carelessness?”

Jackey's ears immediately perked up again. He waved both hands defensively.

“Please, Big Sis! It's true.”

He pointed toward himself.

“I wasn't careless!”

Ina continued looking at him.

Jackey's tail flicked nervously.

“I really wasn't!”

The tension lasted only a moment before Hyoren, Arianna, and Ina began laughing.

Jackey puffed out his cheeks. 

Even Borin couldn't hold back. A deep laugh rumbled from the dwarf's chest.

“Gyahaha!”

Jackey looked around at everyone.

“Why are you all laughing?!”

That only made the laughter louder.

Eventually, Borin's expression settled again.

He placed the damaged shield back onto the counter and reached over to touch Hyoren's battered armor.

“But well…”

His fingers moved over one of the dents.

“I've heard many adventurers say the same thing.”

His voice became more thoughtful.

“Akela Dungeon is too dangerous.”

He crossed his arms over his chest.

“At first, I thought many Akela adventurers simply weren't used to diving into dungeons.”

Borin looked toward the damaged equipment lying before him.

“But after hearing many testimonies…”

He slowly shook his head.

“It's indeed not living up to its own Bronze tier classification…”

***

Borin shrugged.

“But oh well… back to your gear.”

He picked up Hyoren's damaged chainmail again and inspected the dents more closely, running his thick fingers over the damaged sections.

“I could repair your armor. Give me about two days for that.”

Hyoren nodded.

That was fast…

Borin's attention then shifted toward the broken pieces of the Steel Kite Shield still lying on the counter.

“But about your shield…”

He picked up one of the fragments and turned it over in his hand.

“Want something similar, or something stronger?”

Hyoren looked at the broken steel in Borin's hand.

Borin scratched his cheek.

“But truth be told… I don't have anything better right now other than a similar shield to your last one.”

He gestured vaguely toward the workshop.

“Demand for shields isn't that high. So I mostly make steel ones.”

The explanation made sense. A blacksmith couldn't exactly keep expensive materials sitting around without knowing whether anyone would actually buy the finished equipment.

Hyoren tapped his chin.

“What if I custom order it from you?”

Borin's hand stopped.

“Hmm…”

The dwarf lowered his gaze toward the broken shield again. For several moments, he seemed to be thinking and calculating. His lips moved faintly as he mumbled to himself.

“With my current furnace… mithril-alloy is my limit…”

His eyebrows furrowed.

“And considering this order… and that order…”

He continued thinking for a little longer. Then he nodded.

“I could make you a custom shield made from Mithril-alloy.”

Hyoren's eyes brightened slightly.

Borin raised one finger.

“But you might want to wait for about two…”

He stopped. His expression changed as he reconsidered his estimate.

“No… three weeks at least.”

Hyoren nodded slowly.

Three weeks wasn't exactly short, but if the result was a stronger shield, it would probably be worth the wait.

Borin suddenly turned around.

“Actually…”

He walked toward one of the shelves lining the workshop. After rummaging through it for a moment, he pulled out a familiar-looking shield. He carried it back to the counter and placed it down.

It was almost identical to Hyoren's previous Steel Kite Shield.

“And if you want, while you wait, you could borrow this Steel Kite Shield.”

He tapped the shield with one finger.

“It was the same as your last one.”

Hyoren reached out and picked it up.

The weight immediately felt familiar in his hand. The balance was almost exactly what he was used to. He gave it a small turn, feeling the familiar shape beneath his fingers.

A smile appeared on his face.

“Thank you, Borin. Much appreciated.”

He looked over the shield again.

“I want a similar shape and weight distribution as this shield.”

He glanced toward Borin.

“And if you could inscribe it with some runic inscriptions, that would make it even better…”

Borin's grin widened. He raised his thumb.

“Leave it to me!”

Hyoren nodded.

“I'm counting on you.”

Borin then shifted his attention toward Jackey.

“So. For him. What kind of axe?”

Jackey immediately stepped forward. His tabby cat tail spiraled behind him, and his ears perked up.

“Yes! I want an axe that can whack!”

He swung both arms through the air as though demonstrating an imaginary attack.

“And can also SWOOSH!”

He suddenly changed his motion, making a throwing gesture.

He grinned proudly.

“I want that kind of axe.”

Borin stared at him.

His expression slowly became more confused. The dwarf looked at Jackey. Then at his hands. Then back at Jackey.

It was obvious he couldn't quite understand what the Cat-clan Beastkin was trying to describe.

Ina's patience finally ran out.

She reached over and slapped Jackey lightly on the arm.

“Stupid brother!”

Jackey rubbed his arm.

“Big Sis? Why?!”

Ina sighed. She turned toward Borin.

“Sigh… you also needed me when you ordered your Flying Kite Axe before, so I could already guess this would happen…”

Everyone laughed.

Jackey looked mildly offended.

“What? I explained it!”

Ina ignored him and stepped closer to the counter. She knew Jackey's preferences far too well after living with him for so long.

“Borin, what my stupid brother means is that he wants a lightweight axe.”

She pointed toward Jackey.

“It should be quite sturdy so he can hit with it normally.”

Then she raised a finger.

“But the real purpose of his left axe is for throwing. So the shape and material should be suited for that.”

She paused briefly.

“And his last axe also had a return runic inscription for easy retrieval.”

Jackey immediately gave a thumbs-up.

“That's what I mean! Haha! Thanks, Big Sis!”

Ina slowly covered her face with one hand.

Behind her, Hyoren, Arianna, and Borin laughed.

Jackey looked around at them.

“What?!”

Borin finally nodded.

“I see.”

He rubbed his beard.

“That's quite specific.”

A grin appeared beneath his thick mustache.

“But I could make it.”

Jackey's ears perked up.

Borin continued.

“But it would also take about three weeks to be finished…”

Jackey's ears immediately flattened. His tail drooped.

“Nooo…”

He looked at his empty hand.

“I couldn't whack for three weeks?”

Everyone laughed again.

Borin chuckled.

“That’s if I need to make it.”

He crossed his arms.

“But I think your party's luck is too good. Gyahaha.”

Hyoren tilted his head.

“What do you mean, Borin?”

Borin gave him a knowing grin.

“Wait a bit.”

He turned around and disappeared into the back of the shop. A few moments later, Borin returned carrying a wooden box.

He placed it carefully on the counter.

“Just a few days ago, Fits from Shining Force sold this to me.”

He opened the box.

“He said he got it from the gold chest from Floor Two Guardian. He sold it because his party didn't need it.”

Borin looked toward Jackey.

“But it seems Freedom Party was the one who needed it.”

Inside the box rested a weapon wrapped in velvet fabric.

Borin pulled the fabric aside. A dark axe was revealed. It was relatively small, roughly the same size as Jackey's Flying Kite Axe.

But its shape was unusual.

It looked like a tomahawk…

The design immediately reminded Hyoren of the throwing axes he had seen in traditional American imagery from his previous world. Unlike a normal axe, its body was compact and balanced around its throwing profile.

And the entire weapon was black. Not merely dark gray. Black. Even beneath the warm glow of the forge, its metallic surface seemed to absorb much of the light instead of reflecting it.

Jackey's eyes immediately lit up.

He reached into the box and picked it up. The weapon settled naturally into his hand. He gave it a few practice swings with his left hand.

Jackey's grin grew wider with every swing.

“WOHOO!”

He gave the axe another swing.

“It's almost the same weight as my Flying Kite Axe!”

He looked over the unusual shape.

“The shape is weird.”

He grinned.

“But I like it!”

Borin laughed.

“That's called the Blackmaw Tomahawk.”

He crossed his arms.

“It was made from Black Steel.”

Jackey looked at the weapon again.

Borin continued.

“It's actually heavier and denser than normal steel.”

Jackey stopped swinging.

He looked at the axe. Then at Borin. Then back at the axe.

“If it's steel, why is it light?”

Borin smiled.

“Because it has three runic inscriptions carved inside the weapon.”

He raised one finger.

“First, the Return function.”

A second finger followed.

“Second, a durability rune. It won't break easily.”

Then a third.

“And lastly, Weight Reduction runes.”

Borin tapped the dark weapon.

“That's why it's light. It makes the axe easier to throw.”

Jackey's eyes sparkled. He immediately gave the axe another swing.

“WOHOO!”

Hyoren nodded in understanding.

“That's quite powerful…”

His gaze remained on the Blackmaw Tomahawk.

“It's definitely expensive, right?”

Borin laughed.

“Well. Of course. Gyahaha!”

Ina smiled.

“How much for it?”

She glanced at Jackey, who was still happily examining the axe.

“Freedom Party's coffers are quite healthy thanks to the massive horde on the third floor.”

She wasn't wrong.

Their last dive had earned them more than seventy million Kres. After everything they had gone through, they could afford expensive equipment if it meant making themselves stronger and safer.

Borin stroked his beard.

He began calculating the numbers in his head. He looked at Hyoren's damaged armor. Then at the broken shield. Then at the Blackmaw Tomahawk.

After a moment, he spoke.

“Well.”

He raised a finger.

“The repair of Hyoren's armor is cheap.”

Then he looked toward Hyoren.

“His ordered shield… I couldn't say the final price for now.”

He paused.

“But I think you should reserve about twenty to twenty-five million Kres.”

Ina nodded in understanding.

Twenty to twenty-five million Kres was certainly a large amount. But a custom-made shield forged from mithril-alloy, especially one designed specifically around Hyoren's fighting style and potentially enhanced with runic inscriptions, made the price understandable.

Borin then pointed toward the Blackmaw Tomahawk.

“And for the Blackmaw Tomahawk…”

He grinned.

“It is twenty-five million Kres.”

Jackey's eyes widened.

“Twenty-five million?!”

Borin laughed.

“I didn't take any profit from that. So it's actually cheap. Gyahaha.”

Hyoren looked at him with a wry smile.

“Borin, you…”

He shook his head.

“Are you doing okay financially? Not making a profit like that.”

Borin burst into laughter.

“Gyahaha!”

He waved one hand dismissively.

“You guys are repeat customers.”

He looked around at the members of Freedom Party.

“And you're always bringing me good stuff too.”

His grin softened.

“So it's fine. It's fine.”

He gave Jackey a glance.

“I like helping a hardworking adventurer party like you guys.”

Hyoren smiled. There was something about the eccentric dwarf that made it difficult not to appreciate him.

Ina smiled as well. Arianna gave a small, elegant laugh. Even Jackey hugged the Blackmaw Tomahawk against himself like he had already decided it belonged to him.

For a moment, the warmth of Borin's workshop felt even more comfortable than before.

Outside, Deepwinter continued to blanket Akela in snow.

Inside, surrounded by the heat of the forge, the scent of heated metal, and the familiar sound of hammer against anvil, Freedom Party had begun preparing for the next step of their journey.