Read Another Life, Another Me :: Blacksmith

While walking down the street crowded with people, Scarlet slowly disappears into the shadow. Scarlet told them that she was going to find a doctor on her own. However, she didn't need to. Back in her world, whenever she or Andy was to sustain any kind of injuries, they would treat themselves instead.

[It's faster if we get a doctor, Andy. We don't have any knowledge in this.]

[That's why we're learning.]

[...You mean to use our body as a guinea pig?]

[Yes. This way, we don't need to rely on others but on ourselves.]

[True... But I know I can always rely on you, Andy.]

[...I know... But if one day I'm no longer around, you need to to be able to deal with this on your own...]

[...Okay.]

Scarlet snickers to herself. It never occurred to her that she really would lose Andy. Because they fought everyday just to stay alive, just to be on top of the game, just to be there for each other, it never crossed her mind. But Andy on the other hand, it may have. He was smart, smarter than she ever was. All the plans they made or any kind of decision she had, she always consulted with him. But maybe he knew that he wasn't always going to be there for her. Maybe that's why he forced her to learn so many arts, techniques, knowledge, and many more. All for her sake when he may not be around anymore.

The more Scarlet thought about his past actions, the more her heart ached. The one person who loved her as much as she loved them was gone. Gone from her life forever.

She shakes her head to bring herself back to reality. Right now, instead of drowning in her sorrow, she needed to pull out the chopstick in her arm. She had hid herself in a dark alley, far from the naked eye. Without any hesitation, Scarlet rips out the two chopsticks from her arm. A numbing pain shot right at her where the chopstick was at. Her arm was bleeding more than before. Scarlet rips up her unspoiled sleeves and wraps up her bloody arm. A first aid needed to be done first before she could fully treat her arm.

Scarlet didn't bring any money with her either, but that wasn't a problem. She walked around a few and pickpocket rich people, but quickly put their money bags back. She only took the amount she needed from them, and the amount they wouldn't even notice that was gone.

Scarlet was able to pickpocket about thirty dollars. She wasn't sure how the currency money worked in this world, but why should that bother her. Money will always be money no matter how much price is placed on an object.

She walks into a medical store. Scarlet had seen many ancient China movies and TV series before for the purpose of studying their language and culture. At first, she thought that it was TV, there's no way things will be exactly shown on TV. However, she has been proven wrong so far. The herbal store had all the stuff needed to treat patients, both outside selling miscellaneous items, clothing stores all around, and the food stalls were very tempting. Unlike her previous world where everyone had to fight tooth and nail to survive, this world seems more peaceful.

People were smiling, laughing, and joking. No one looked dead, desperate, nor lost. Of course, there will always be poor homeless people, but they had more life in their eyes than the ones back in her world. It's like this place has never known the word calamity. This could be due to the Kings ruling, or the world she was in was just very messed up.

Anyhow, Scarlet bought the necessary items and left. She found a place to sit and started tending her wound. As soon as she finishes tending her wound, a sound she had never heard of before caught her attention.

CANG! CANG! CANG!

The burning smell of metal came rushing into Scarlet's noise. The heat being pounded repeatedly by the weight of the hammer mesmerized her eyes. As though in a trance, Scarlet slowly walks over to the blacksmith. She watches as he stuffs the blade into the burning coals and takes it out with a bang. Afterwards, he put it back into the coal and repeated his action. Until he was satisfied, he placed it into the bucket of water and scanned his work. It wasn't until he finished sharpening the blade did he realize that Scarlet was observing him. This was the first time a woman, a woman with red hair was staring at his work.

"Can I help you?" he asked.

His voice was deep but very smoothing. Scarlet couldn't help but smile at him. As she saw his works, she could tell that he cared for them greatly. Andy always told her that people who take great care of their creation as though it was part of their flesh are good people.

She points at the blade he was working on, "That's a unique blade. I've never seen it before."

He blinks at her. She looked like a noble woman, but for her to know that this blade was somewhat different from the usual ones was even more unusual. She had discreet eyes. He nods at her, "It's a Rhohan blade. A friend of mine requested me to make it for him."

<Rhohan? The country south from here...>

The blacksmith shakes his head. Why did he suddenly tell her this? He rubs his head, "Anyway, did you need something?"

Scarlet shakes her head, "Can I observe you working on your work more?"

"Why? Is it interesting to see?"

She nods, "Very. I've never seen this before."

He didn't answer her and continues on his work. Scarlet took that as a yes and observed him. The more she looked the more she noticed how good his technique was, there was no wasted movement. This continued until dark.

Satisfied with what he had finished for the day, he set the blade to the side. Scarlet was watching his every move, which made him feel weird. No one has ever watched him this long nor made him feel this awkward. He sighs out, "Would you like to take a look around?"

Her eyes shine out, "Really?!"

Like a kid, she was waiting for his approval. He chuckles at her, "Go ahead."

Scarlet smiles at him and walks into his workplace. He had just turned off the fire in coal but it was still more. All of his equipment was crystal clean but had a lot of scratch marks.

"Is it that interesting?" he asked.

She nods at him while still looking at all of his works that were on the counter.

"Very... I mean look, not even a dent of carelessness in any of these blades, or equipment that you have and made... How did you do it?"

"With hard work and practice," he answered with a smile, "...You're the second person to ever say that to me."

"Who was the first?"

He grabbed the blade he was working on earlier, "The friend who asked me to make this."

Scarlet stares at the blade. It was very well made, as though it was made by an ancient master. She wanted a blade like this, but it seems like it would be quite expensive and she didn't have the money to afford it. A disappointing expression spread on her face. The blacksmith notice the change and asked, "What's with the disappointed expression?"

"...Your work is so good and beautiful like a masterpiece. I want one for myself as well, but I can't afford it... So, I'm just disappointed in myself," said Scarlet.

<Masterpiece..? This thing?>

A small smile spread on his lips as he chuckles at her, "I think you are more interesting then my work."

"What?"

He puts the blade down, "If you want one, I'll make you one. You can just pay me later."

Scarlet made an X mark with her hands, "No. That goes against my principles. For this kind of masterpiece, it needs to be paid at it's full and highest price!"

He couldn't believe what he was hearing from Scarlet's mouth. It was just so unbelievably amusing, he couldn't help but laugh out loud. Scarlet narrows her eyes at him, "I know I can't pay for it. No need to laugh like that."

"No, no. That's not it... Little girl, because of what you just said, I'll make you one. It will be on the house."

"What? But..." It didn't feel right for her.

His weapon making was really master level. She wanted to compensate him for the right price for his skill. Doing something like this just didn't feel right for her. The blacksmith could see her being stubborn about this. He laughs again, "Then, let's do this. Do some requests for me and in return I will make you a blade. How does that sound?"

Scarlet looks at him with a surprise expression before smiling, "Agreed!"

He sighs out in relief.

Scarlet takes out her hand for a handshake, "I'm Scarlet."

He was a bit confused about her action for a second before doing the same. They shook hands together.

"Derek Moongrave, I'll be in your care Scarlet."

"Me too, Derek."

To Be Continue