Xia Lin had barely left the shop when he slapped his forehead.
"Oh-forgot to ask about that iron chest."
He glanced back at the understated sign, but ultimately gave up on returning.
Forget it. It won't go missing while he's keeping it for me. I'll ask next time I get the chance.
He unfolded Master Laura's letter of recommendation and read the address. "Hive Tower, Seventh Street, Artisan District. Blacksmith Sli Klin."
"Hive Tower?" Xia Lin muttered. "That's an unusual name."
Half an hour later, when he actually found the smithy, he froze.
It was nothing short of an enormous nest!
The building's outer walls were made from some reddish-brown composite material, their uneven surfaces covered in honeycomb-like holes.
Its overall structure was irregular, yet hinted at a certain geometric beauty, as though giant insects had built it up bit by bit with dirt and saliva.
A crooked wooden sign hung by the door:
[Children of the Forge · Sli Klin · Fine forging · Custom orders accepted · No idle chatter]
Looking at the bizarre building, Xia Lin muttered inwardly:
No wonder business is slow. With a place that looks like this, who in their right mind would dare go inside-
Still, Master Laura had recommended it, so there should be no problem.
Just as he was about to push the door open, it suddenly swung out, and a dwarf who looked like a craftsman hurried outside.
The dwarf's face shone with excitement, his thick beard bobbing as he spoke. "Ah, Master Sli, you're incredible! You've given me so much inspiration today! That theory about metal lattice arrangement opened up a whole new world!"
He waved his hands excitedly. "I'll bring you plenty of honey next time, Master! Right, do you prefer the sweet kind or-uh, the especially sticky