Chapter 54: Reminder, Adamantine Dagger

Seeing the Dwarf again and hearing that he was actually concerned for his safety, although Xia Duo understood this was likely just because the other party felt bored from a lack of amusement, he still couldn't help but feel a warmth in his heart.

Traveling to another world all alone, Xia Duo had always been full of vigilance toward everything around him, his nerves pulled tight, but he was a normal human after all and needed the concern of others, even if it was just polite or even hypocritical concern.

This made him feel that he was still alive in this world.

"Uncle Bulutuo, I've joined the Mage Tower now, how could Lao Neil dare to do anything to me!" Xia Duo said casually.

"Hmph!" Buloutuo threw his hammer down heavily and picked up his wine bottle again, gulping down a mouthful, "Don't you be careless, Lao Neil is someone I watched grow up!"

Xia Duo's heart skipped a beat, and the smile on his face gradually faded, "Thank you, Uncle Bulutuo."

"Mm—good that you know!" The Dwarf chatted with Xia Duo while hammering the iron block, "Are you heading out on an expedition?"

"Yeah, I might be leaving in these next few days, I came this time—"

Before Xia Duo could finish his sentence, the Dwarf threw down his hammer with a "clatter," "I know, bring it here!"

Having his intentions seen through, Xia Duo wasn't annoyed; he hurriedly untied the iron-sheet Dagger from his belt. This "Last Dignity" he had personally polished from a discarded dagger was shiny enough to reflect a face, but in the eyes of the Dwarf Buloutuo, it was merely a piece of iron.

Buloutuo took the Dagger, examined it briefly, and tossed it into the furnace fire, "You put effort into the polishing, but the craftsmanship is too poor."

"How could I compare to you? You are the most formidable Ironmaster in the Territory!" Xia Duo hurriedly offered a compliment.

This clearly pleased Buloutuo; his small eyes, fixed on the furnace fire, narrowed as he twisted his braided beard, "Don't say that outside, Master Sangbo is the most formidable Master in the Territory! However, in a few more years—"

Seeming to feel that saying this was inappropriate, Buloutuo quickly stopped and changed the subject, "Do you have any requirements for the Dagger?"

Xia Duo also pretended not to hear his previous words and said directly: "The sharper the better, the sturdier the better."

Sharpness meant he could achieve the greatest effect with the least amount of force, while sturdiness largely determined the lifespan of the Dagger, ensuring it wouldn't be damaged by accidents.

Hearing Xia Duo's words, Buloutuo snorted, picked out a metal particle the size of a soybean from a pile of scrap iron on the ground, and at the same time took a gray wooden bottle from the toolbox beside him, pouring out some powder and throwing it along with the metal particle into the furnace fire.

It mixed with the solution of Xia Duo's Dagger, and then he added a small iron ingot before saying:

"I've kept this bit of Adamantine for four or five years, today I'm doing you a favor!"

"Adamantine?!" Xia Duo was overjoyed and hurriedly thanked him.

He knew very little about this rare metal, Adamantine, only that any weapon with Adamantine added would increase in hardness, depending on the amount added.

This was the first time Xia Duo had seen Adamantine with his own eyes, but he hadn't even gotten a clear look before Buloutuo threw it into the furnace.

Thinking about how he was about to possess an Adamantine weapon, Xia Duo couldn't be happier, even though he hoped this Dagger would never have a day where it needed to be used.

Soon, a fiery red glow flashed in the furnace fire, and after waiting a few seconds, Buloutuo poured the molten metal into a long mold.

After cooling slightly, it was time to forge the Dagger.

Although this wasn't the first time he had seen Buloutuo forge a weapon, he still couldn't help but be shocked by his skill; where would a modern person ever see such craftsmanship?

With just a series of rhythmic or irregular strikes, a simply styled Dagger appeared from nothing.

Sss—

A wisp of smoke rose from the water trough, and the Dwarf Buloutuo immediately threw away his hammer, picked up his wine bottle, and gulped down two mouthfuls. Finding it empty, he tossed the bottle aside and cast a glance toward Xia Duo's waist.

Xia Duo didn't dare to hesitate and hurriedly pulled off the water bag at his waist, handing it to Buloutuo. This actually contained the drinking water Xia Duo had prepared for the expedition, but worried that ordinary water would spoil in the bag, he had bought some inferior ale.

He hadn't expected Buloutuo to smell it even then.

At this moment, Xia Duo also realized he had forgotten to bring a gift, which was truly inexcusable, "Uncle Bulutuo, next time I come, I'll bring you a bottle of Elf Wine from the Mage Tower."

"Mm-mm-mm—" Buloutuo hurriedly shook his head, "I'm not used to drinking those fruit wines of the long-eared ones, they aren't as good as this ale!"

Letting out a hiccup, Buloutuo finally put down Xia Duo's water bag, fished the Adamantine Dagger out of the water trough, and began to polish it.

Xia Duo sighed inwardly; although the Dwarf was fond of alcohol, he wouldn't forget his business. This time, Buloutuo not only helped him "hammer a few times," but also contributed a piece of Adamantine and even polished it himself.

This was no small favor; could it really be just because he had complimented him that one time?

Xia Duo couldn't figure it out, so he stopped thinking about it and silently kept this favor in his heart.

Soon, a Dagger that fit Xia Duo's palm perfectly was placed in his hand. The new Dagger was made entirely of metal, with a blade length of no more than a palm, two fingers wide, and double-sided blood grooves.

Although the appearance was simple, the faint blue light revealed from the edge indicated that this was a fine weapon containing Adamantine.

Xia Duo was just about to wrap it with his original cloth strips when, with a *pat*, a leather Dagger sheath was thrown at his feet, "Use this! Are you looking down on my craftsmanship by using those cloth strips to wrap it?"

A drop of cold sweat slid down Xia Duo's forehead. Although he hadn't tested it yet, the name of the Dwarf Buloutuo alone was enough to guarantee the quality of this Dagger.

This was no longer the previous iron sheet, but a Master's work, and Xia Duo had even planned to coat it with poison; if he were to injure himself this way, it would be truly miserable.

Since he already owed one favor, he didn't mind owing another. Xia Duo picked up the leather sheath and wiped off the dust. He couldn't recognize what creature's skin this was, but to be able to carry this Adamantine Dagger, it surely wasn't ordinary beast skin.

"Thank you, Uncle Bulutuo!"

"Alright, if you want to thank me, find me more good wine!"

After saying this, Buloutuo began hammering the previous iron ingot again, "If you have things to do, leave quickly, don't dawdle here."

Xia Duo thought there might be matters at the camp, so he took the opportunity to leave, thanking Buloutuo again before he went.

……

Returning to the squad camp, Captain Jibu was leading the team members in training, of course, except for Aiwa; at this moment, Aiwa couldn't even be found.

Having such an unsociable team member made Xia Duo feel somewhat annoyed, but he didn't have time to be annoyed right now; he still needed to seize the time to learn the 【Arcane Mark】 and the accompanying 【Sending】 techniques.