Dawn spread its gentle fingers across Woodhaven, painting thatched rooftops with golden light. Cain stood at his bedroom window, watching as the village stirred to life with the same predictable patterns it had followed countless times before. For the villagers, this day was indistinguishable from any other—the first in their limited experience, though they had lived it a thousand times.

But for Cain, everything was different. He saw the world through new eyes now—eyes that could perceive the underlying systems, the statistics, the very framework upon which their reality was constructed. Most importantly, he remembered yesterday, and the day before, and all the days stretching back to the raid that had first cracked his perception.

"Cain! The forge needs stoking before breakfast!" His father's voice boomed from the main room, precisely as it had every morning.

"Coming, Father!" he replied automatically, the response ingrained despite his transformation.

As he dressed, Cain considered his unique position. The Divine Laws had recategorized him—no longer simply a Native, but not quite an Adventurer. Something between, something new. Something that could remember through the New Dawn, something that could progress.

And progress he would.

At breakfast, his parents noticed nothing unusual. To them, this was simply another day of service to the Adventurers passing through Woodhaven. They ate their porridge, discussed the day's crafting plans, and prepared for their respective duties with the same placid acceptance they had always shown.

"The Herald announced new arrivals," Lydia remarked, ladling porridge into wooden bowls. "We should expect many young Adventurers today."

"Good for business," Edric nodded. "We'll need a full inventory of beginner weapons."

Cain ate silently, mulling over his newly revealed abilities. Master Blacksmith, level 300. The system had recognized years of practice, thousands of repetitive actions performed across countless reset days. He now understood that his skill was far beyond what was needed to produce the simple weapons that stocked the forge's shelves.

Today, he would test the limits of that mastery.

When they reached the forge, Edric immediately set to work on the standard array of beginner equipment—shortswords, daggers, basic maces. Solid, serviceable items that would serve newcomers well in their first encounters with the forest wolves and goblins.

"I'd like to try crafting something more complex today," Cain announced as he tied his leather apron.

Edric looked up, hammer paused mid-swing. "More complex? Our purpose is to provide basics for newcomers. They have no need for complexity."

"Not for newcomers," Cain clarified. "For intermediate Adventurers. Those who have mastered the surrounding forest but aren't yet ready for Riverton's challenges. Level 10 to 15."

His father frowned, the concept clearly pushing against his programmed understanding of their role. "Woodhaven serves beginners. Advanced equipment is found elsewhere."

"But it needn't be," Cain argued gently. "We have the skill to craft better. Why limit ourselves?"

Edric seemed to struggle with this logic, his blacksmith's pride warring with his Native programming. Finally, he shrugged his massive shoulders. "Craft what you will. But don't neglect the beginner inventory."

Cain nodded, hiding his excitement. "I'll ensure we have enough standard items first."

He worked efficiently through the morning, completing his share of the basic weapons with practiced ease. Each swing of his hammer, each fold of metal, each wrapping of a leather grip—all were performed with the perfection of a master craftsman finally aware of his mastery.

[Expert Technique Applied: Perfect Strike]

[Quality Improved: Common → Uncommon]

The notifications appeared regularly now, confirming what his hands had always known but his mind had never fully comprehended. Even these simple weapons were being crafted to a higher standard than before, though he deliberately kept them within beginner parameters.

When the basic inventory was complete, Cain moved to a corner of the forge that housed rarely used materials—metals and components collected over time but seldom employed for Woodhaven's standard fare. There he found what he sought: a small ingot of blue-tinged steel, acquired years ago from a traveling merchant, too high-quality for beginner equipment but not quite rare enough for legendary crafting.

Perfect for his experiment.

"What do you plan to make?" Edric asked, noticing Cain's selection.

"A dagger," Cain replied, looking thoughtfully at the small ingot. "The amount of blue steel isn't enough for a larger weapon, but it should be perfect for an exceptional blade."

His father's eyebrows rose. "Even as a dagger, the material cost alone would price it beyond most visitors to Woodhaven."

"Some might pay," Cain suggested. "Those who recognize quality."

As he examined the blue-tinged steel, Cain recalled the strange reward system had given him when recognizing his blacksmithing mastery. Along with his level advancements, he had received gems of increasing rarity—uncommon, rare, epic, legendary, and finally mythic at level 300. Plus five mysterious "unique" gems whose purpose wasn't immediately clear.

The gems had appeared in a small pouch at his workstation, visible only to him. He had tucked them away, instinctively understanding they were special, but not knowing exactly how to use them. Now, as he prepared to work with the finest material available in Woodhaven, an idea formed.

Edric seemed doubtful about the project but returned to his work, leaving Cain to his experiment.

With careful precision, Cain began the complex process of forging a weapon far beyond the usual offerings of their humble shop. He started by heating the blue steel to precisely the right temperature—not by rote or habit, but with conscious awareness of the exact heat needed for this specific alloy.

[Skill Applied: Material Knowledge - Blue Steel

 [Heat Control: Optimal]

[Warning: Material properties unknown - crafting outcome uncertain]

The final notification gave Cain pause. The blue steel was rare enough that even his master-level knowledge couldn't predict exactly what level the finished item might require. It could potentially exceed his intentions if he wasn't careful.

Still, he pressed forward. The metal glowed with an almost supernatural light as he worked it, folding and hammering with techniques he had observed master smiths use during rare visits to Woodhaven. Techniques he had absorbed but never fully implemented in the limited confines of beginner crafting.

As he worked, more notifications appeared in his vision:

[Advanced Technique Applied: Folded Edge]

[Advanced Technique Applied: Core Strengthening]

[Advanced Technique Applied: Perfect Balance]

Hours passed unnoticed as Cain lost himself in creation. This time, he held nothing back. Every scrap of knowledge, every subtle technique he had ever observed, every ounce of his considerable energy—all were poured into this single creation. The forge grew hot, sweat soaked his tunic, but he worked on with unwavering focus. This wasn't merely crafting; it was art, expression, a manifestation of skill freed from artificial constraint.

By midday, the dagger had taken shape—compact but perfectly proportioned, with a subtle curve to the blade that caught the light with blue-silver brilliance. The hilt was sized for versatile grip options, practical but aesthetically pleasing. The balance was exquisite, making the dagger feel like a natural extension of the wielder's hand.

[Crafting Complete: Unnamed Dagger (Rare)]

[Requirement]

Dexterity: 200

[Stats]

Durability: 170/170

Damage: 25-40

Effect: 30% Critical Strike Chance (Cooldown: 5 minutes)

[Special: Soul Binding Available, Naming Right Reserved for Creator]

Cain paused to wipe sweat from his brow, satisfaction warming him more than the forge's heat. The item level confirmed his theory—he could craft equipment for Adventurers beyond Woodhaven's usual clientele. Not the highest-tier items that would require rare materials from distant lands, but certainly better than what newcomers typically expected.

"You've been at that for hours," Edric observed, approaching to inspect Cain's work. He ran a practiced eye over the half-finished dagger, and despite his programmed limitations, professional appreciation registered on his face. "Fine craftsmanship. Better than needed for wolf-hunters."

"Thank you, Father," Cain replied, genuinely pleased at the recognition.

"But who will purchase such a blade here? The price must reflect the materials and time invested."

Cain had considered this. "Perhaps travelers passing through from Riverton to Silverbranch. Or Adventurers who grew faster than their equipment."

Edric nodded slowly. "Possible, though uncommon." He returned to his station.

He studied the blue-tinged steel of the dagger. The rare quality was impressive, but he knew it could be better. His hand drifted to his pouch, fingers brushing past several gems until they closed around one with a midnight red hue that seemed to contain swirling stars in its depths—his prized mythic gem.

"This should make it extraordinary," he whispered, carefully positioning the gem against the blade. With precise movements, he tapped it gently with his hammer.

Instead of melding with the metal, the gem remained solid, refusing to bond with the steel. A notification appeared before him:

[Mythic Gem Application Failed]

[Error: Incompatible quality tiers]

[Requirement: Item must be Legendary quality to apply Mythic gem]

Cain frowned, studying the message. "So there's a progression," he murmured. "I can't skip tiers."

He returned the mythic gem to his pouch and instead withdrew another—this one with a deep purple hue that seemed to absorb rather than reflect the forge's light.

"I wonder..." he murmured to himself, glancing toward Edric who was now engaged with a customer at the front of the shop.

Carefully, Cain positioned the gem against the pommel of the dagger, using his smallest hammer to delicately tap it into place. The gem sank into the metal as though it were liquid, sending purple veins threading through the steel.

[Epic Gem Applied]

[Crafting Complete: Unnamed Dagger (Epic)]

[Requirement]

Dexterity: 150 (-25%)

[Stats]

Durability: 180/180

Damage: 28-45

Effect: 50% Critical Strike Chance (Cooldown: 5 minutes)

Slotable (1)

[Special: Soul Binding Available, Naming Right Reserved for Creator]

Cain's eyes widened at the transformation. The dagger now pulsed with a subtle energy, its edge gleaming with an almost hungry sharpness. But he wasn't finished.

Pleased with the result but eager to continue, Cain reached for another gem—this one orange with fiery veins running through it. After examining the now-epic dagger, he carefully placed the gem at the junction where blade met hilt.

"Please work," he whispered, tapping it gently into place.

The orange gem dissolved immediately, its essence flowing through the purple-veined steel, transforming the color into a rich amber shot through with crimson highlights.

[Legendary Gem Applied]

[Crafting Complete: Unnamed Dagger (Legendary)]

[Requirement]

Dexterity: 100 (-50%)

[Stats]

Durability: 190/190

Damage: 30-50

Effect: 75% Critical Strike Chance (Cooldown: 3 minutes)

Effect: Silent Strike. If used in stealth, silence the target for 2 seconds

Slotable (2)

[Special: Soul Binding Available, Naming Right Reserved for Creator]

The transformation left Cain breathless. The legendary quality dagger now hummed with power, its blade seeming to cut the very air around it. But there was one final step.

With trembling fingers, he removed the last gem from his collection—a midnight blue stone that seemed to contain swirling stars in its depths. This was his prize, a mythic gem he'd been saving for something truly special.

Cain set the gem at the very tip of the blade, and with utmost precision, he tapped it once. The gem shattered into a liquid constellation that raced along the blade's length, the midnight blue overtaking the amber and crimson, transforming the entire weapon into something that seemed carved from the night sky itself.

[Mythic Gem Applied]

[Crafting Complete: Unnamed Dagger (Mythic)]

[Requirement]

Dexterity: 50 (-75%)

[Stats]

Durability: 200/200

Damage: 32-55

Effect: Assassin’s Strike. 100% Critical Strike Chance (Cooldown: 2 minutes)

Effect: Silent Strike. If used in stealth, silence the target for 3 seconds

Slotable (3)

As the sun began its descent toward evening, he held up the completed weapon. In the forge's light, the dagger gleamed with supernatural radiance, the blue steel now interlaced with shifting colors that seemed to flow beneath the surface like living energy. It was smaller than a longsword, but its presence somehow felt more significant—as if its compact form contained power far beyond its size.

Cain stared at the notification, particularly at the requirement section. "Dexterity: 50." he muttered to himself. "Someone would have needed 200 Dexterity to wield this before, but now… !" He let out a low whistle. The implications were staggering—his skill had made an elite weapon accessible to far lower-level Adventurers.

And this 100% critical strike chance… Even if there is a cooldown between each use, that means he can double the damage of his first strike once in a while.

His eyes lingered on another unfamiliar term. "Slotable (3)..." He glanced up at Edric. "Father, what does 'slotable' mean on a weapon?"

Edric nearly dropped the hammer he was holding, rushing over to examine the floating notification. "By the gods, boy! That's... that's extraordinary!" His eyes widened in disbelief. "Slotable weapons are exceedingly rare. It means the weapon can be enhanced beyond its base properties."

"Enhanced how?" Cain asked, his curiosity piqued.

"You'd need to find a sertisseur—a gem-setter," his father explained, his voice heavy. "They can carve special sertisage—socket patterns—into the weapon. Once that's done, you can embed gems into those sockets to grant special effects." He ran his finger along the dagger's spine, not quite touching it. "And three slots... I've never even seen a weapon with more than one in all my years."

Cain's mind raced with the possibilities. A weapon that could be customized to suit different needs, different enemies. The kind of versatility that would be invaluable to an Adventurer.

The notification confirmed what Cain already knew—he had created something special, something that transcended the expected limits of Woodhaven's blacksmith shop. A weapon that would typically require an Adventurer of nearly level 40 to wield, now made accessible to those as low as level 10 through his exceptional craftsmanship.

Cain was struck by a sudden inspiration. "I would like to name it," he said, remembering the notification about naming rights.