Valerian, The Legendary

Chapter 375: Changing Mindset.

Valerian shivered inside the water barrel. His body seemed to have been set on fire. He felt that dying would have been a better option than this tempering. This thought may seem odd, coming from someone chasing after strength all his life. However, the effect of these two plants was just that strong.

The heat was not only scalding his skin, but it was infiltrating his pores, reaching the deepest parts of his body. Valerian even thought that Shiba was out to kill him. However, it was just a momentary thing.

The heat seeping into his body was like a vortex of needles. The burning sensation all over the body. It was as if his body was melting from the inside too. However, all he could do was grit his teeth and hold on.

Shiba had told him that to get the maximum benefit of the situation, he must hold on to it as long as possible. This heat will gradually cool down after five hours. The strength of two elephants comes at a cost. If he wanted to have this strength, then this was necessary.

Five hours he was passed like five lifetimes. Valerian was constantly focusing on how he could stay awake. The pain was gradually making his consciousness dim. The young man did not wish to fall asleep because if something happened and he was not in his senses, he would not be able to prevent it.

However, his body was now that of a normal mortal. As time passed, his consciousness blurred, and he fainted inside the barrel.

Five hours passed soon, but a soothing cool gradually replaced the heat. After the torment, Valerian woke up and shivered. This shiver was not from any pain or trauma but from the stench. He got out of the barrel and noticed that the barrel was now filled with black water. It was stinking badly.

He replaced the water in the barrel and refilled it with clean water. The young man bathed again and observed the changes in his body. His body did not change much regarding muscle mass, but he could tell that his muscle groups were much more condensed and more elastic.

Valerian decided to conduct a few tests. He went out of the room and came to the small backyard. He did a few stretches and practiced his martial arts skills. His speed was faster than before, and every punch and kick shook the air. He could not help but marvel at this.

If only such a method were available in Vita, he would have reached the peak earlier. He did not know when Shiba appeared behind him. The lady asked, "What are you doing?"

The young man smiled and said, "Testing my power."

Shiba raised her brow and said, "I see someone finally used those herbs."

Valerian nodded and replied, "Well, my strength was lacking to forge weapons with tougher metals. This is why I had to use them."

Shiba nodded and asked, "Are you talking about the shield?"

Valerian nodded, and Shiba said, "You can try joining the Craftsmen guild."

The young man was still worried about being put in bounds. He said, "You already know I will not stay in this world till I die. In such a situation, if I end up incurring debt from the guild. My conscience will not allow me to do this."

Shiba did not reply instantly but thought for a while before she said, "You can talk to Adler about this. Just forge some weapons for them too. This will be considered as your payback for them. Given the pace we can advance in the floors below, we must take more time off."

Valerian nodded and said, "I will go for a walk and think it over."

Shiba nodded as she watched the young man walking out of the house. On the streets, Valerian saw people from all walks of life. He could not help but remember the scenes from the streets of Lumen Imperial City.

The young man was passing by a stall when he heard a middle-aged couple talking in a low voice. The man said, "Agatha, listen, he is your brother. How can I go and ask him to do me a favor? What will happen to my prestige?’

The lady replied, "Marcel, do you think your pride is bigger than the life of your son? Just ask him. It is not like we will not pay back."

Valerian heard this, and something clicked in his mind. He firmed his mind and went to the Craftsmen Guild. The building of this guild was bigger than the one of the Dungeoneers guild. The young man was impressed. He climbed the stairs and found a lady sitting behind the reception table.

He asked, "Ma’am, where can I find Master Adler?"

Surprised, The lady asked, "Who is looking for him?"

Valerian reported his name, and the lady asked a steward to check if Adler had spare time. The lady said, "You might be thinking that I am putting on a high hat on our heads here, but the thing is, Master Adler is very busy. Ever since he found a War Ax, he hardly stepped out of the forging room. The method of forging is very captivating for him."

Valerian did not say anything and just smiled silently. Soon, someone from the crowd said, "Hey, who is that old man?"

The person next to him smacked the back of his head and said, "Be respectful. That is Master Adler—the best forger in the city. One of his weapons is enough to last for ten floors."

Valerian turned around and found Adler walking towards him with a big smile. Valerian bowed slightly, and the elder reciprocated his gesture. This sight shocked the people. Even the dungeoneer guild leader would not receive a bow from this old man. How come he is bowing to this young man in greeting?

Adler replied, "Does it mean you have decided to join the guild?"

Valerian smiled and nodded. Adler was ecstatic, and the old man laughed like a happy child. After regaining his composure, Adler led Valerian to a forging room. The old man asked, "Master Valerian, can you show me how you forged this weapon?"

The young man nodded and went to work. Adler watched the whole process personally without missing any details. However, the result shocked his soul to the core. This war ax was even better than the one on his table.

Adler wanted to ask Valerian how this was possible when the young man said, "My strength has increased since then, and thus this war ax is better than the old one you have."

Adler was surprised, but he nodded and began to observe the ax head. While doing so, he asked, "Master Valerian, why are you here? I cannot believe that it was an epiphany that made you come here."

The young man nodded and told him the conditions he thought before. Adler smiled and said, "It will be our honor. Do not worry. If you ever need the Craftsmen Guild, we will support you completely. However, to convince the rest of the management and elders. Can I ask you to take a test?"

Valerian nodded and said, "I do not mind. When can we do it?"

Adler looked at the time and said, "We can do it in the morning tomorrow; I will have them make arrangements for the test."

Valerian nodded and asked, "Would it be alright if I stay here to forge a shield?"

Adler nodded generously and replied, "It will be my honor to have you work in my forging room."

Valerian smiled and was not polite. After selecting the metal of his choice, he began to forge the shield for Captain. Adler left the room, and Valerian worked in peace.

...

After two hours, the young man held a shield on his two fingers, and then, Adler came in with Taurus in two. Surprised, The old man asked, "Master Valerian, how did you create this shield? I remember both the metals were very tough and heavy."

Valerian nodded and said, "This shield would have been heavy, but with the folding method I use, this shield only uses two kilograms of metal. You should know Tunsgtite is very strong and extremely malleable.

So when mixed with star fall iron. This shield cannot handle the monsters’ attacks on the eleventh floor. I hope it lasts further, but let’s see. The design plan has been noted in the journal. You can forge this with the help of two young apprentices. All they have to do is to beat the metal on the same point...."

Valerian explained the design method, and Adler knew what was going on. He could not stop praising the extraordinary design. With this, Valerian said goodbye for the day and headed to the house.

The young man had just come out of the guild building when he spotted the middle-aged deputy of the Avion party walking upstairs. However, this man was following a young man. Valerian did not think much and walked ahead slowly.

The middle-aged man whispered something to the young man, who raised his brows and said, "You, stop."

However, Valerian ignored him.