The small quiet workshop was filled with the weight of Ethan's proposal. Standing above the table Vulcan the master blacksmith placed his hand next to the recently obtained Legendary Ember Spike Fragment. The only light source that was significant was the orange glow from the obsidian fragment.
Vulcan said "You want to film the creation" in a bland voice. "My whole methodology. My method is different. It took time to perfect my skills and tempering procedures. They can be replicated, diluted and exploited if they are broadcast to the world. My competitive advantage completely disappears."
"The risk is great, but the reward is greater" Ethan countered maintaining a steady look. "The only content source capable of reaching the S-Rank, the Mythic tier is me. The most special thing in Aethelgard is a Masterwork forging made using a legendary material torn from a living dragon. It will garner enormous attention which will raise your profile beyond local commissions to become a worldwide phenomenon.
"Status does not maintain the integrity of my craft."
"However profit does. I will give you a portion of the income if the content brings in a sizable sum of money. You will receive 50% of the net yield from the final edited work".
Considering the figures Vulcan remained silent for a considerable amount of time. It was a huge amount considerably more than any client commission to receive half of a possible SSS-Rank award.
"I will not allow my full process to be filmed," Vulcan eventually said. "There are stages of purification and tempering that must remain hidden. You may film clips of the forging—the heating, the striking, the magical infusion—but never the full sequence. You may also record the final unveiling, the moment the gear is completed. If the gear achieves Legendary or Mythic status, you will owe me fifty percent of the profit from that singular cinematic capture."
Ethan said, "The terms are accepted," right away. That was more than plenty to produce an amazing video.
A more profound thought occurred to Vulcan as he started setting up the furnaces. He had had enough of Aethelheim's golden cage. He had been forced to create the same kind of defensive equipment needed for static siege warfare for years due to commissions from overly demanding guild heads and paranoid lords. Instead of breaching borders, his abilities were being employed to uphold them.
He thought, "The best material in this realm just walked into my forge." obtained by a careless shadow runner who sees the world as a chaotic stage.
The promise of adventure was obvious when one saw the Ember Spike Fragment. Vulcan realized it had been years since he had actually travelled Aethelgard. He hadn't looked for the pure raw resources that could have challenged his Mythic-Tier class and expanded his knowledge beyond the theoretical bounds of his previous university education. Being associated with a client such as this Witness would provide ongoing exposure to the kinds of harsh settings and impractical circumstances that give rise to legendary materials.
The most difficult materials come from disorder, and this Witness will be the cause of eternal chaos.
A new adventure, a plan started to take shape. After completing this commission he would suggest a longer-term collaboration. He had to get out of the cozy stagnation of the metropolis. But the forge comes first.
Ethan spent the next ten days in a state of nervous confinement. Using his Sneak and Perception to ensure complete concealment, he located a small hidden room close to Aethelheim's low-level quarter. Only once a day did he leave the room to collect low-level rations.
The remainder of his time was devoted to honing the enormous amount of footage from the Forge Duel. He cleaned the film highlighting the difference between the chaos of the fake and the master's accuracy. His sense for narrative value was confirmed when he released the video The Blacksmith vs. The Fraud: Aethelheim's Trial by Fire anonymously and saw the PV counter soar.
Every day his worry increased. The mighty were drawn to Aethelheim. Every market rumor and public announcement seemed like a possible danger. Hiding in a room he was a low level player sitting on the game's most valuable resource the camera and the capsule to edit the footage.
He only concentrated on the instances of genuine magical infusion making minimal use of his restricted shooting access at Vulcan's forge. It was an incredible process. The chaotic fire essence of the Ember Spike Fragment had been separated from the obsidian bulk by Vulcan's purification process. Glowing with caught plasma the pure fire essence was prepared to be incorporated into the Core Aegis.
The Masterwork was beginning to take shape. First the stable residual dust was infused into the Reactive Anchors (boots) and the Shadow-Weave Mantle.
The Core Aegis forging achieved its pinnacle on the last day. With his camera ready Ethan was there. The last destructive heat was applied by Vulcan. The forge burst with light as the raw chaotic dragon essence was absorbed by the refined White Iron.
The masterwork was completed. The Shadow-Weave Mantle and the Reactive Anchors pulsed with a dazzling golden aura a sign of equipment of legendary quality.
The Aegis followed. The light grew brighter as the last hammer blow struck exploding into a startling confluence of purple and gold—the distinctive mark of Mythic grade.
The whole moment was captured by Ethan. The finished product a sleek, dark harness that exuded tremendous resistance, was cooling on the table.
"The forging is done," Vulcan declared wiping at his sweat. "The substances are stable. The Core Aegis is of mythic quality. The Anchors and Mantle are legendary tiers.
Ethan had an exhilarating surge of happiness. Legendary and mythical equipment. He locked up his camera and put the last, valuable film into storage.
"The payment is secured" Ethan said prepared to wrap up their risky deal.
The skilled craftsman nodded but he did not get up to get his tools. His look was solemn as he turned to face Ethan.
"I've completed my commission. But I'm sick of making armor for lords who just want to sit on their gold, and you Witness are a source of unending disruption."
The skilled blacksmith paused to consider the implications.
"You need materials for your work that go against the grain of reality. I need challenges in my craft. I've made the decision to terminate my Aethelheim commission list."
The skilled craftsman pointed to the door and the uncharted territory outside the city limits.
"I think there are minerals in the world of Aethelgard that are far more powerful than this Fragment. I'm going to locate them. And they will be the direct result of your careless path."
Ethan looked at him understanding the surprising suggestion.
"I'll accompany you on your adventure. a full-time companion. You create the chaos and give people access to impossible sources. The Masterwork defense is provided by me. We share the raw materials discovered, the dangers, and the rewards. Witness, what are your thoughts?"