Mutagen

The blacksmith, Yasuo, stared at the weapon Mark handed him with interest.

What Mark gave the old blacksmith was a strange-looking dagger.

How strange-looking? It was an eight-inch dagger with a five-inch blade. The dagger had a general size and shape of a regular kitchen knife. However, while the tip and blade were thin, its spine was thick.

A knife was for slicing and slashing. However, even though what Mark showed Yasuo was shaped like a knife and a one-sided blade, the sharp edge curved nicely at the tip, encompassing the end part of the spine. That curved edge showed that it could be used for stabbing, as a dagger was primarily used.

However...

"But... I can also serve as a minified axe, huh."

Yasuo surmised, seeing the thickened part of the dagger.

The increasingly thickened spine towards the bolster of the dagger would cause anything it sliced or stabbed to split apart, allowing it to cause more damage than one would normally expect.

"But since it\'s small and light, it will be hard to use to split open things... Its stabbing and slashing functions are also hindered by the thickness since axes split things by relying on weight... Unless it\'s used by someone with really good arm strength."

Mark stood in front of Yasuo, blinking in silence. He had yet to say anything about the dagger. However, the old blacksmith already stated all the functions and details of the weapon he made.

It was something one could expect from a true expert.

"The metal is just regular steel, and it\'s not made through traditional blacksmithing. Did you use oxy-acetylene torches to heat and shape it?"

Even the material and possible crafting procedure was laid bare.

"The blade is simple without decoration and has proper finishing and coating. The weight is centered near the bolster, which stabbing daggers should not have. But considering it can be used for splitting, the unbalanced blade weight is justified. However, it did not suit forward stabs due to its weight and shape. It\'s more suitable to use with reverse-hand stabs. For slashes, only outward and downward."

Yasuo even analyzed the supposed limitations and best usage of the dagger.

Ren stared at the old blacksmith, feeling strange. She had never seen this grumpy guy talk too much without being aggressive or sarcastic. Yet, he was doing that just now.

"It\'s a good dagger. But I\'m sure... Let\'s leave it for another time."

Yasuo returned the dagger to Mark and was about to say something. However, he stopped as he glanced at the members of the Black Lotus.

Mark received the dagger, not showing any emotion on his face. It was better not to since the old blacksmith definitely knew. The dagger in his hand was not his best creation.

However, Yasuo also realized that Mark did not want to show anything excessive in front of other people and stopped trying to inquire about it.

"Look around the shop. Tell me if you or these young ladies are interested in something."

Yasuo said with a grin. He was definitely pleased with Mark to the point that it extended to the rest of his group.

"I\'ll gladly take your offer, but we only arrived here yesterday. In terms of credit points, we have none."

Mark said.

"Is that so?" Yasuo said before turning to Ren. "Then let that brat pay for it. She\'s the one who brought you here, after all."

"Hey!" Ren protested. "That\'s why I said potential customers, right? I just brought them to take a look. Why is the payment on me now?"

"Don\'t be stingy, you brat," Yasuo said as he picked his ear with his pinky. "Money would be a problem to others, but definitely not you."

"This old codger," Ren sighed. "I also have money problems, alright? I have to feed several hundred people with my own money. You don\'t remember?"

Still, Ren turned to Mark\'s group. It might be a bit forced, but the old blacksmith just gave her the perfect opportunity to make them owe her a little. Considering the prowess they showed during the examination, having their favor would not hurt.

"Haah." Ren gave another sigh. "Loan. I can give them a loan. They only have two sword users, anyway. And these metal armors don\'t suit them either."

"Two?"

Yasuo asked in confusion.

It also caused Ren to be confused. She knew that this old blacksmith had good eyes for blacksmiths and crafters, just like what happened with Mark. However, he was also good at looking at physical weapon users, especially those who held the sword. So, the old blacksmith asking a confirmation was very uncharacteristic.

"Yeah, they have two. This guy and her."

Ren said, pointing at Mark and Spera.

But then, a confusion-inducing question to the members of Black Lotus came out of the old blacksmith\'s mouth.

"What about her?" Yasuo looked at Mei. "I\'m sure this beautiful miss held a sword longer than this little gal."

Yasuo definitely had a good eye. He knew that Spera had just picked up a sword recently while Mei had been using one for months.

"But... She\'s a sniper?" Ren voiced out before realizing. "Wait, gramps. Are you sure?"

Yasuo was a bit taken aback and looked at Mark, who was shrugging.

"Is that supposed to be a secret?"

Yasuo asked Mark.

The members of the Black Lotus were now looking at Mei strangely. This beautiful and delicate-looking woman showed great prowess during her Range Combat Examination. She confidently held the sniper rifle and shot the target with the given five rounds. But on the target, only three holes were seen. It was because all three of the five bullets she shot hit the straight center of the target, leaving only one hole to count.

And now, this expert sniper was actually a sword user? And if Yasuo actually mentioned her, it was clear that she passed in his eyes for him to ask if she also wanted a sword.

One of the secrets of Mark\'s group was suddenly revealed in an unexpected way. It was not like it was a crucial secret. However, it was better for her to have this card hidden.

"Haah..."

Mark sighed, looking at Yasuo.

"I\'ll give you a little discount. I can\'t be too much since I also have to make a living."

Yasuo had no choice but to compromise.

"Don\'t worry about the discount. Ren-san said earlier. We are only here now to take a look." Mark said as he looked straight at Yasuo. "Instead, can I commission you to make a few things for me next time?"

"A few things? Custom weapons and armor?"

Yasuo asked.

"No," Mark shook his head. "I wanted to make some things. But I lacked suitable metal parts."

"I only make weapons and armor... is what I want to say. But I do owe you for being a blabbermouth," Yasuo grinned. "You still have to shoulder the pay for the labor and material costs. And..."

"And?"

Mark asked since Yasuo cut his words.

The old blacksmith then whispered.

"Show me another of your works. That dagger is nice and all. However, my guts are telling me you can show me something better. I don\'t know why you are trying to hide it, but I know a good craftsman when I see one."

"Deal?"

Yasuo asked as he held out his hand.

"Deal."

Mark accepted and shook the old blacksmith\'s rough hands.

There was no need to say that Mark liked this old blacksmith. He might be a kinda rough guy. Nonetheless, he was true to his work.

"What deal is that? What are you two whispering there..."

Ren interjected, looking disheartened.

Mark had just rejected her offer to loan them money, and he was getting along well with the old blacksmith she had known for years. And that same blacksmith was still rough with her.

Ren looked at Mark. He sure was a strange person. Just how many secrets did he and his group have? In the first place, who were they, really?

While Ren had those thoughts, Mark was aware of her curiosity. Even so, he had no plans of satisfying it.

As for Mark, he felt lucky to meet an expert this time. Not to mention actually getting a deal with him. There were still things he wanted to make. However, while [Blood Metal] was easy to shape and sturdier than regular steel, it had its own limitations.

Two of the things he wanted to make was a weapon that could heat up or conduct electricity. It did not matter if he wanted to use [Magic Circuits] or pure technology to make those weapons. However, [Blood Metal] was not a good conductor of magical energy. And worse, it was way worse than steel in conducting electricity or heat. While it was possible to forcefully mutate some of the remaining unmutated [Blood Children] into suitable mutations, [Blood Metal] from mutated [Blood Children] could not be controlled.

For example, the [Glowing Blood Child], Alaula, could create [Luminous Blood Meta]. This metal would glow, and its glow could not be turned off by any means. So, if one of the unmutated [Blood Children] mutated to a fire variant, the [Blood Metal] they would produce would possibly be forever on flames or hot. While such metal would be suitable for many things, it would not be a good weapon at all.

Imagine a sword always on fire. If you brought it with you, you have no other choice but to always hold it since you could not sheat it without the sheath getting scalding hot or burning. It would be the same for electricity, either. It was extremely dangerous to have uncontrollable weapons.

As such, having Yasuo agree to make the parts Mark wanted was a really good score. Furthermore, Yasuo looked like a guy who knew how to keep a secret. As for Mei\'s circumstance, it was really no one\'s fault. Yet, the old blacksmith still agreed to reciprocate the accidental mistake.

If that were the case, maybe, Mark could ask him to make things using unusual materials. For example, alien metals. It would not be surprising if the Japanese government had already made efforts to use [Mechids] as a resource. As for Mark, he had already succeeded in melting harvested metal from [Mechids]. The only problem was the proper process of turning the space metal into a weapon.

Mark had no blacksmithing skills at all. And now, he got a blacksmith to utilize.

The group looked around the blacksmith\'s stall. However, Mark noticed something odd.

While the weapons and equipment on display were high-quality, they all felt off.

"Gramps, these things aren\'t for sale, right?"

Mark asked the old blacksmith, causing him to show another satisfied grin.

"You\'re really different from others," Yasuo said rowdily. "Yeah, those aren\'t for sale. I think you are the first one to notice. Everyone that came here and looked at the display would ask the price."

"The specialty of gramps is making custom weapons and armor that fit the user," Ren interjected. "The items on display are not really unusable, but people experienced enough would feel off using them."

"My wares are different from those mass-produced items other workshops provide," Yasuo explained. "I only make weapons and armor perfect for those that use them."

"It just means that gramps doesn\'t just sell things to amateurs," Ren said with a smile. "That\'s why his stall is not that popular."

"You brat," Yasuo grumbled. "It\'s not that I\'m not selling to amateurs. I only sell to people with the right eye and talent. My wares are to make those who wore them survive and not make idiots suicide."

Mark looked at Yasuo.

This old blacksmith was really something. He had values and vision. A clear goal that was not greedy. Given his expertise, it would not be hard for him to make a name and sell his wares expensively. Yet, here he was, watching over an unpopular stall, not able to make discounts because he also wanted to make a living.

In the end, Mark\'s group decided not to buy anything from the stall. At least, not now.

Afterward, Ren led the rest to look around the Wholesale Market. Seeing what was being sold around the stalls was kind of exciting in itself. There were common items, but there were also strange ones.

Just walking around the market was such a nice experience. However, it was already late in the afternoon, and the group had to go home.