Chapter 230: Back To The Black Market [4]
Chapter 230: Back To The Black Market [4]
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Entering the shop, Amon was greeted by the simple and cozy but now dusty interior.
Paintings hung in a neat order on the walls and the sofas and tables were also orderly arranged.
The seats were put in and the sofas were beautifully put in place over the rugs on the floor, with two bookshelves on the side, filled with files and ordinary books.
It gave off the perfect feeling of a comfortable and simple house, with a classic murky scent similar to the Black Market wafting through the air, reminding Amon of those old classical buildings from his world.
But besides the clean and beautiful interior, it had lost its once pristine condition.
Dust marred every piece of furniture, often forming some dust bunnies on certain parts of the objects, making it look like a black dirty spot.
Small and large cobwebs hung across the edges of the ceiling, spiders lazily resting on them, waiting for their prey.
Multiple small parts of the sofa had been eaten into holes, probably by the occasional visits of locusts.
It looked so dirty that even if one chose to try this apartment lodging or whatever, they would get back to their ways from the first sight of the house.
The sudden normal urge to sit on a seat or sofa when entering an apartment for Amon even changed its paths as well.
But of course, all of this was even more advantageous for the man working below in the basement.
The continuous hits of his hammer against the metal below reached Amon's ears even above here.
And even though the basement was two stories below, the sweltering heat even reached the base floor, delivering itchy but much needed warmth to Amon.
However, Amon quickly ignored it.
He was not here to admire-which no one would-or observe things.
He was just here for a single purpose and then he would be on his way.
And that was just how the man below would like it as well.
Speaking of him, Amon knew that the latter had already felt his presence below.
Keeping him waiting much longer and dividing his attention between work and keeping note on him would be disrespectful of Amon.
Concluding his thoughts, Amon walked forward and walked down another staircase.
As he walked down the downward spiral of the staircase, he reached the lower floor.
There was nothing to admire or observe here.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
There were just piles of ores, metals, ingots, leftovers, armor and weapon experiments and storage space etc etc here.
Basically, it was the storage place for all the work that he did below.
Ignoring it all, Amon kept going on his path, walking down the narrow step of stairs with elegant precision.
The heat gradually turned stronger and stronger, turning itchier and more uncomfortable for Amon as well, who preferred cold much more.
As he took his final steps down the staircase, he was greeted by an intense jump in the heat, with a wave assaulting his body.
It was much stronger than the last time he came here, indicating the blacksmith's progress as well.
Suppressing a twitch of his mouth for the heat, Amon focused in front where the topless body of Nathan effortfully worked at the piece in front of him.
His hammer raised in the hair and striked down with proper and disciplined timing and precision.
To Amon's eyes, it looked more like an art than a work.
It was clear that the man in front of him had a loving passion in it, shown through his muscled and toned body.
As another strike reached Amon's ears, rather than raising it up again, it all stopped.
A second of silence passed through the floor before the hammer moved again.
But rather than raising it up, Amon saw Nathan set it aside, making the former surprised.
But not only that, the latter turned to face him, his gaze locking with Amon's slightly widened eyes behind the mask.
Nathan's gaze held a respect and acknowledgement for Amon in it, which surprised the latter again.
The last time Amon visited, Nathan had continued on his work and didn't even turn to face him until later on.
But this time, he hadn't even spoken yet but the blacksmith had already done it, surprising the young boy.
Fortunately, Amon didn't have to ask as the blacksmith already explained his curiosity.
"You have changed." He opened his mouth for the first time, reminding Amon of his deep and hoarse voice.
It sounded like he hadn't even drank water in a long time.
Amon didn't say anything, waiting for him to continue if he wanted.
And the blacksmith did.
"Not just in your strength and form, but in terms of the weapon as well." He said, the respect in his voice showing as well as his lips curled upward a little.
Amon was slightly surprised.
He knew what the man meant by strength and body since he had become stronger by a lot- much much stronger- since the last time but...
What did he mean by weapon?
Luckily for the black-haired youth, he didn't have to wait long for his answer.
"Your weapon, the one I made for you, I can see that you have taken proper care of it and used
it well. You have my respect. Not many even care, much less are capable of doing so." He said, his smile clearly showing now.
Amon's mouth opened.
He quickly retrieved his nodachi, unsheathing it.
The abyssal obsidian blade of the nodachi gleamed and shone under the warm embrace of the crimson light from the furnace.
There were multiple scratches and blood marks on the nodachi, ones that could not be
removed no matter how much he tried.
It also showed the passage of battles that Amon had faced ever since he acquired the weapon.
Even the battles from the last incident.
Nevertheless, it still retained its shine and sharpness, showing Amon his cracked mask.
Nathan took a step forward and arrived before Amon with his huge frame, extending his hand. Not being bothered or against it, Amon respectfully handed the nodachi to his hand.
The blacksmith, with care and love, examined the nodachi with a close observing eye, as if it was his own precious child.
Eventually, his smile broadened, turning into an appreciating and happy grin as he set the
nodachi aside.
His happiness for it was deserved and expected.
Even though he had been initially against making a weapon for Amon, after being forced to do
it and now looking at how he had respected and treated it, Nathan obviously felt a rise of
happiness and pride in his chest.
It was the first weapon that he ever made for a specific person.
And seeing his customer satisfied with his creation inevitably made him happy and proud,
even if he loathed it before.
The old man's lips pushed against his wrinkled skin as in a long time, a content smile spread
upon his face.
And Nathan clearly showed it, with a pleased tone and expression on his face.
"Ask away, kid. You came here for a weapon right?"
Amon-who was quite surprised by this development but also happy for him and the
advantage he was getting-nodded.
"Yes." He spoke for the first time.
The old man's grin widened and he cracked his knuckles.
"Just tell me the details and your specifications on the weapon and leave the rest to me. I'll
deliver a beauty and masterpiece in your hands much stronger than the previous nodachi." He boasted with pride in his chest.
Amon involuntarily felt his lips pulling up into a smile as it was much easier than he thought
it would be.
The development had truly worked in his favor.
But the next words of the blacksmith was the cherry on top of the cake for his satisfaction.
"And don't worry about the price and the ores. Everything's on me for this one time because of how you treated that weapon. You have proved to be a valuable customer, deserving of my
respect!" He put his giant hand on Amon's shoulder.
Amon's eyes widened at his words.
This was truly a gold mine for him.
Even if it was only this single time, he appreciated it more than anything.
Composing himself, he nodded, voicing out his gratitude.
"Thank you for this gift."
The old man laughed, waving his hand in dismissal.
"It's nothing. Now, tell me, what kind of weapon do you want this time?"
Amon nodded, his lips pulling up into a slight smile.
"I want..."