Legendary Shelter Survival Guide

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Dumatite Ingot

Rare

A dumatite ingot smelted by a master craftsman. With all the slag removed, the ingot boasts high-grade purity. Best used for equipment that must endure intense heat.

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Lucas looked at the rough, rectangular ingots in front of him. Ten of them were stacked neatly against the wall.

John, Sean, Sarah, and Barney stared at the ingots in astonishment.

"I can't believe we can process ores now," Barney muttered, glancing at Lucas, who was washing his hands.

"It's not just that," John added, "But the efficiency. We barely had any ore, and most of it was full of impurities. Yet, Lucas still managed to get ten fairly large ingots out of it. That's impressive."

Sean, Barney, and Sarah nodded, realizing the extent of what had been achieved.

"Don't get used to this level of quality," Lucas said, drawing all their attention.

"Why not?" Sarah asked, her curiosity piqued.

"Because I'll be using half of these ingots to craft tools. The other half will be sent to crafters and territories we're allied with to demonstrate our worth," Lucas explained and then looked at Sarah, "Next time we procure ore, you'll be the ones processing it—not me."

Sarah's mouth fell open, and Lucas patted her shoulder before picking up one of the ingots.

"For now, I'll start making some tools that I need immediately. I've already made some basic preparations to get started. This is one of them," Lucas said, holding up something he had crafted while waiting for the crucible and mold to heat up.

Everyone's eyes were drawn to the tool. It felt like the perfect starting point for working with metal.

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Refined Primitive Hammer

Uncommon

A hammer made from basic rock and wooden branches. Its durability might not be high, but its precision earns it the title of a hammer.

Durability: 30/30

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"It looks great and it's an Uncommon item too, but... the durability could be an issue," John muttered, scratching his beard.

"That's true," Lucas admitted with a smile. "But with precise strikes, I can finish crafting a metal hammer before it breaks. I might need your help with it, Barney."

"Whatever you need, boss," Barney said, already thinking about how he could assist.

"If the hammer's durability gets dangerously low during the process, I need you to use your skill to repair it. Be precise. I won't stop the process, and if the hammer breaks mid-way, we'll have to start over," Lucas explained.

John turned to look at Barney, who returned his gaze. John gave him a proud nod, and Barney smiled in response.

"I'll do my best," Barney said with determination. Lucas could sense his emotions—a mix of happiness, panic, and excitement.

'I might not need his help at all,' Lucas thought, 'but seeing his determination is inspiring everyone to take this seriously.'

Lucas felt Sean's emotions too—a blend of envy and pride for his brother.

"I'm starting now. Watch the entire process closely," Lucas instructed.

He approached the furnace and turned the dial clockwise, slowly increasing the heat to allow the furnace to adjust. The heat emanating from it intensified steadily until Lucas stopped at a specific point.

"This ore generates its own heat due to its unique properties. It can reach up to 600 degrees Celsius on its own. I'll guide you on the furnace's heat settings while I work," Lucas explained.

"The dial doesn't show the temperature. How can we tell what degree it's at right now?" John asked, voicing a valid concern. The mention of specific temperatures was beyond their understanding.

"When you start out in this trade, you'll gain skills related to forging. The most basic one is Novice Tool-Making, Weapon-Making, or Smithing. All these skills grant a passive ability to sense the forge's temperature," Lucas said.

"Hmm… That's a useful skill to have," John noted.

"You have no idea," Lucas muttered as he made the ingot float into the furnace using his telekinesis. Everyone present in the basement was already aware of his ability to use mana for trades.

Within minutes, the ingot turned a bright, golden-orange color. John observed Lucas and noticed the intense focus in his eyes as he watched the ingot inside the furnace.

The others talked quietly among themselves, but Lucas remained unflinching. Then, his eyes twitched—just once. John glanced into the furnace but saw no visible change; the ingot's color remained the same vibrant orange.

Suddenly, Lucas flicked his mana-infused fingers, and the heated ingot shot out of the furnace. The room fell silent as everyone watched Lucas move the glowing ingot onto the furnace's extended slab, the only surface available to use as an anvil.

He pulled the makeshift hammer from his belt and examined the hot ingot briefly before striking it with considerable force.

CLANG!

The sharp sound of metal striking on metal echoed through the room, making everyone flinch.

John squinted, trying to follow Lucas's movements. He carefully observed Lucas's hand positioning, his gaze, and the precise points where the hammer struck the ingot.

CLANK! CLANG! CLANG!

The rhythmic hammering continued, sending sparks flying with each strike. The others instinctively took a step back.

Barney kept his eyes fixed on the hammer. "The durability is dropping very slowly," he said, his expression bewildered.

The strikes were precise and forceful as Lucas wielded a hammer crafted from a refined rock and a sturdy wooden branch.

With unwavering focus, he pounded the ingot repeatedly. After several minutes, he guided the metal to float effortlessly back into the furnace.

Sweat poured down Lucas's face, his skin glistening in the firelight. His clothes clung to him, thoroughly drenched from his relentless efforts.

"Here…" Sarah approached, offering him a small, clean cloth.
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"Thank you," Lucas said, taking the cloth and wiping his soaked face.

"The shape of the ingot has changed significantly, Lucas," John observed, his tone filled with curiosity.

"I'll address that in just a moment, Uncle John. My apologies," Lucas replied quickly before passing the hammer to Barney, who activated his skill without hesitation.