Overgeared: Babylon

The sun was beginning to rise over Patrian, casting a golden glow across the city. Gilgamesh stretched as he stepped out of his house, the cool morning air refreshing against his skin. He glanced toward the smithy next door, where the familiar sound of hammering metal could already be heard.

"Kaela's at it again," He muttered. "Does she ever sleep?" Gilgamesh questioned in wonder. Ever since they acquired the house next to the smithy, Kaela has been working countless hours seemingly never in need of sleep.

He made his way to the smithy, the rhythmic clang of the hammer growing louder with each step. Inside, Kaela was hard at work, her face illuminated by the glow of the forge. She wore her usual blacksmith attire—a sturdy apron over her dress, her gloves protecting her hands as she shaped a piece of metal with expert precision.

"Morning, Kaela," Gilgamesh said, leaning against the doorway. "What's on the agenda today?"

Kaela didn't look up, her focus entirely on her work. "Your armor's done. It's on the bench. And I'm finishing up a new sword. You can test it later."

Gilgamesh walked over to the bench, picking up his armor. The once-damaged pieces were now pristine, the acid marks gone and the metal gleaming as if it were brand new. "You're a miracle worker, you know that?"

Kaela finally glanced at him, her expression as flat as ever. "It's called skill. You should try learning it sometime."

Gilgamesh chuckled, setting the armor aside. "I'm trying, aren't I? You're just a tough teacher."

Over the past few days, Gilgamesh had been spending more time in the smithy, watching Kaela work and slowly learning the basics of blacksmithing.

On the first day, he only observed her, to learn more about the the process of blacksmithing. The next step was he help her maintain the heat of the forge, then he learned the process of quenching and tempering from her for a few days.

It wasn't easy—Kaela was a perfectionist, and she had little patience for mistakes—but Gilgamesh was determined, and now it was the time he put his blacksmithing skill to the test.

Kaela handed Gilgamesh the hammer, her expression as stoic as ever. "Try shaping this piece. And don't mess it up."

Gilgamesh took the hammer, his grin fading as he focused on the task. He set aside his attire, leaving his upper body bare. The heat of the forge felt intense against his skin, but he welcomed it. Not only did it help him gauge the temperature of the metal better, but it also gave him a chance to show off his muscular, lean physique as a result of his hard work over the last few months.

"Gotta feel the heat to understand the craft, right?" he said, flexing slightly as he positioned the metal over the anvil.

Kaela rolled her eyes, though there was a faint hint of amusement in her expression. "Just focus on the metal, dumbass. Your abs aren't going to shape it for you."

Gilgamesh chuckled, raising the hammer and bringing it down on the metal. Unlike players with pure blacksmith class where the information about how and what to do is directly transferred into their brains, Gilgamesh has to learn everything manually.

CLANK! CLANK! CLANK!....

The clank echoed through the smithy, but the strike was uneven, leaving a shallow dent in the wrong spot.

"Hmm," Kaela said, crossing her arms. "Not bad for a beginner. But you're hitting too hard. It's not about strength—it's about precision."

Gilgamesh wiped the sweat from his brow, his expression serious as he adjusted his grip on the hammer. "Alright, let's try that again."

He struck the metal again, this time with more control. The clang was sharper, and the metal began to take shape. Kaela watched closely, her sharp eyes catching every detail.

"Better," she said, stepping closer. "But your angle's off. Here, let me show you."

She moved behind him, adjusting his stance and guiding his arm. Her hands were firm but gentle, and for a moment, Gilgamesh was too focused to make a joke. "Like this," Kaela said, moving his arm in a smooth, controlled motion. "Feel the rhythm. It's not just about hitting the metal—it's about shaping it."

Gilgamesh nodded, his usual grin replaced by a look of concentration. He struck the metal again, this time with the precision Kaela had shown him, the strikes were more controlled. The clank was satisfying, and the metal began to take on a more defined shape.

"Not bad," Kaela said, stepping back. "You're learning. Slowly."

Gilgamesh laughed, his confidence returning. "Hey, I'll take 'not bad' as a win. Besides, I've got the best teacher in the business."

Kaela shook her head, though there was a faint smile on her lips. "Flattery won't make me go easy on you. Now, keep going. That piece isn't going to shape itself."

As Gilgamesh continued to work, Kaela began crafting her own piece—a delicate dagger with intricate designs. The two worked side by side, the rhythmic clang of their hammers filling the smithy.

After a while, Gilgamesh glanced over at Kaela's work, his competitive side kicking in. "You know, I bet I could make something better than that dagger."

Kaela raised an eyebrow, her tone dry. "Oh? And what would that be?"

Gilgamesh grinned, holding up the piece he had been working on. "A sword, of course. Something powerful, a sword that can shatter reality in its presence alone, totally badass~"

Kaela smirked, her eyes glinting with challenge. "Alright, hotshot. Let's see what you've got."

The two worked in silence for a while, the atmosphere in the smithy shifting from teacher-student to a friendly competition. Gilgamesh poured all his focus into his sword, determined to prove himself. Kaela, on the other hand, worked with her casual precision, her movements smooth and efficient.

When they were finished, Gilgamesh held up the sword he made with a deadpan expression that even rivaled Kaela's. 

The sword is rough, its blade is uneven, with patches of sharpness along the edge where it has been hastily ground, while other sections remain dull and jagged, as if the forging process was abandoned halfway.

The handle is equally crude, wrapped in frayed leather strips that provide little grip or comfort. The tang of the blade is poorly fitted, causing the sword to feel unbalanced and awkward in the hand.

[Crude Sword]

Rating: Normal

Durability: 132/132

Attack Power: 35~68

Critical Chance -30%

Hastily crafted weapon, made by an inexperienced blacksmith. When held, the weapon tilts slightly to one side, making it difficult to wield with precision.

Use Restriction: None

Seeing Gilgamesh's expression, Kaela patted his shoulder to comfort him. "You'll get it next time."

Gilgamesh sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly. "Yeah, I hope so."

Kaela's tone was matter-of-fact, but there was a hint of encouragement in her words. "Blacksmithing isn't something you master overnight. Even I had to start somewhere."

Gilgamesh looked at her. "Yeah, but you probably didn't make something this bad on your first try."

Kaela's lips twitched, almost forming a smile. "No, but I've seen worse." Recalling her now dead friend when he tried to blacksmithing, she chuckled in her heart at the fond memory.

___

The sun had fully set, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple. The faint glow of the forge inside the smithy cast long shadows across the courtyard where Gilgamesh and Kaela sat. The air was cool, a welcome contrast to the heat of the day, and the faint scent of metal and smoke lingered in the air.

Gilgamesh leaned back on the bench, his arms stretched out behind him as he stared up at the darkening sky. "You know, Kaela, for someone who's always so serious, you've got a real talent for making me laugh."

Kaela, sitting beside him, raised an eyebrow. "I wasn't trying to be funny. You're just easily entertained."

"Really? Then how about the random act you usually do when-"

"Hushh, why? are you weirded out?"

Gilgamesh chuckled, shaking his head. "Nah. But still, it's nice. You're not just my blacksmith—you're my friend. And I don't say that lightly."

Kaela glanced at him, her expression softening for a moment before she looked away. "You're getting sentimental again. Did you hit your head during the hunt yesterday?"

"Nah," Gilgamesh said, grinning. "Just feeling grateful, that's all. You put up with a lot from me, and I don't thank you enough for it."

Kaela sighed, though there was a faint smile on her lips. "You're not so bad. It's me who is grateful to you, Master," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Gilgamesh's ears perked up, and he turned to her with a wide grin. "Wha-? Hey, can you say the last part again?"

Kaela's expression immediately returned to its usual deadpan. "Nope."

"Pleaseee~" Gilgamesh leaned closer to her, his grin widening. "I heard you call me Master, right?"

Kaela crossed her arms, her tone dry. "Maybe there's something wrong with your ears."

"That's why I need you to say it again~" Gilgamesh teased, his voice sing-song.

Kaela stood up, brushing off her dress. "No. Get some help."

Gilgamesh laughed, the sound echoing through the quiet streets of Patrian. "Alright, alright. I'll drop it.....

For now."

Kaela shook her head, "You're impossible."