NOVEL WEB Chapter 404: Mechwright Smith
"Of course, to help you in this coming battle—what, did you think I spent all day just forging?" Ruben scoffed. "I've been diving into the labyrinth half of each day."
He waved them off with urgency. "Now hurry, before anything happens to my Wayana!"
Logan blinked. Ruben looked noticeably stronger than the last time they met. Curious, he opened the boy's status page to understand why he suddenly thought himself ready for battle.
────────༺༻────────
Name: Ruben Terris
────༺༻────
Class: Mechwright Smith (Blessing: Fire / Wind / Crystal)
Level: 81 Health: 1332 Mana: 688
────༺༻────
Attributes:
Strength: 126 Agility: 64 Dexterity: 107
Constitution: 121 Intelligence: 74 Charisma: 77
────༺༻────
[Skills:]
Quick Temper: Reduces the time required for forging and repairing equipment.
Precision Strike: Improves accuracy and critical hit rate when forging weapons.
Heat Control: Enables precise control over fire, improving blacksmithing processes and reducing material waste.
Wind's Grace: Ruben is able to control the wind currents around him to help maintain an ideal temperature. Increases agility and dexterity, allowing for more intricate and delicate work.
Soulbrand Etching – Imbues weapons and armor with unique soul sigils. These soulbrands adapt to the wielder over time, increasing compatibility, resonance, and effectiveness. Can only be applied through a special forging process involving Ruben's mana.
Living Alloy Manipulation – Grants the ability to reshape and repair metal infused with soul energy. Enables on-the-fly modifications to enchanted weapons and even limited reformation of mechs mid-combat, provided Ruben is within range.
Crystalline Command – Grants control over crystal-based machinery. Allows remote activation, manipulation, and enhancement of crystal mechs.
Soulthread Welding – Binds soul essence into mechanical constructs. Grants enhanced sentience and loyalty to crafted mechs.
Precision Nova – Supercharges forging precision; each strike resonates with crystal harmonics, amplifying weapon potential.
Heat Cyclone – Combines fire and wind into a spiraling forge storm that enhances both durability and power of armaments.
Echo Pulse – Sends out a pulse of crystal resonance, allowing Ruben to detect structural weaknesses and mana flow in all constructs nearby.
────༺༻────
[Abilities:]
Forge Mastery: Advanced – Further improves speed, durability, and magical affinity of all crafted gear and mechs.
Crystalheart Forge – Summons a mobile forge core made of enchanted crystal. Allows for on-the-go construction and repair of mechs in battle.
Soulbound Arsenal – Crafted weapons and mechs remain linked to Ruben's soul, allowing him to summon, repair, or modify them at will.
Inferno Forge: Temporarily enhances the forge with intense flames, greatly increasing the effectiveness of crafted items.
Overdrive Protocol (Ultimate) – Activates all allied mechs in the vicinity into an empowered mode for 30 seconds. Increases speed, firepower, and defense significantly. Causes temporary mana burn afterward.
────༺༻────
[Tamed Constructs:]
- Ironback Alpha (Crystal Juggernaut)
- Veltrax (Windblade Recon Mech)
- Thorneater (Drill Core Warmech)
────༺༻────
[Experience Points (XP): 5532 / 53230]
────༺༻────
"Damn you got a few big buffs!" Logan called out to Ruben.
"It was a pretty big list," Logan muttered, scrolling through the status window. "Took me more than a few minutes to understand…"
Ruben had retained most of his smithing skills, but now, he also had control over some kind of mech? Logan raised a brow.
"So, what does your new class entail?"
Ruben gave a short nod. "Guess there's no way to keep secrets from you. But try to be a little more subtle when asking the girls, got it?"
He grinned. "Now let me tell you what I can do… or better yet, let me show you!"
The armor wrapped around his body shifted. Ruben tapped his chest twice, and the suit began to transform.
It unfolded, expanded, growing into a full mech, nearly three meters tall, covered in both crystal and metal. The crystals hummed, draining ambient mana, while the metal absorbed and stored it, causing the entire construct to grow in size and density like a living organism.
"Whoa… that's actually cool," Logan said, wide-eyed. "I wonder if you can make one for me?"
"Too bad," Ruben shot back with a smirk. "You're last on my list. I've got to make one for the girls first—Marie, Ruri, Alma, Ms. Claire, Ren, Yui… maybe even Lisa. The list's endless, Logan. Don't be greedy."
Logan sighed, visibly deflating. "Fine, I guess I can wait. I still have my body morph skill to test anyway."
He looked away, resigned. "But it would've been nice to tower over everything in style…"
"Open the damn portal already! I need to see what's going on with Wayana!" Ruben barked, already stepping forward in his mech suit.
Logan gave a tired smile but did as asked. A portal shone into existence, revealing the terrain near Wayana.
Ruri stepped up, concern in her eyes.
"Please be safe, Logan. I'll help Marie and let you know if anything happens with the others."
Just as Logan was about to leave, another figure came rushing toward them—Alma, accompanied by twelve elite soldiers. She wasn't going to fight directly but instead focused on empowering the elites with her songs, enhancing their performance from the rear.
She'd already organized the teams by rank and affinity.
"I'm glad I made it on time," Alma said, giving Logan a quick hug. "I only had time to gather my friends from within the ranks. We've already worked together in the dungeon—I hope we can be of use."
"Sure, but…" Logan replied with a small smile. "But only if you get on Zephyr. He's my best pick for this battle—he'll keep you safe. Plus, I believe his wind abilities might even amplify your voice. How about it?"
"Great idea… I still fear heights, though," Alma admitted, glancing toward the sky while still hugging Logan. "But sure, I think it's for the best."
She nodded, gave Logan a quick kiss, and then had the twelve soldiers enter the portal first before climbing onto Zephyr's back. The two rose into the air, wind swirling around them, and disappeared through the shimmering gate.
Logan scanned the area again—Serana was still nearby, her minions gathered around her.
"What is it, Serana?" Logan asked, sensing her hesitation.
"I'll stay here this time," she said, her crimson eyes focused on the kingdom's walls. "If those demons are plotting something, I'll work with my minions and the surrounding beasts to protect this town."
Without another word, she shifted into her bat form, dark wings open wide as she soared toward the outer ramparts. Her minions scattered, spreading across the outskirts in a coordinated sweep.
Logan turned to the remaining three—Voltar, Nixie, and Kryst.
"I guess you three are with me then," he said. "Kryst, protect Nixie. And try to get her over level 40 if possible. I didn't want to rush it, but we need her strong enough to defend herself."
The crystal slime shimmered in acknowledgment and moved beside the small fox, forming a glowing shield of mana around her. Together, they vanished through the portal.