Jiang

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Jiang (Kalisejiang; original: 江)
Alias(es)	Little Jiang
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Ekaladema Familia
Occupation/Role	Adventurer; craftsman and weaponsmith
First Appearance	38

Background / History

Jiang is a 19-year-old adventurer who has spent more than a year in Orario. Though he is a capable low-level adventurer with strength comparable to Zhang Ruofeng's, he remains on the Dungeon's fourth floor and lacks the courage to pursue greater feats. His upbringing left him timid, a weakness he openly acknowledges. 39 40 48

His reputation is damaged by an unexplained ability or magic that appears to draw monsters toward him even when it is not activated. Three of four companions on one Dungeon expedition died after monsters were drawn to him; rumors that he brings bad luck have made other adventurers unwilling to work with him and left his equipment difficult to sell. 39

Jiang operates a hot, cluttered smithy in Orario's southeast craftsman district. He uses molds inherited from his predecessor and pushes himself to mana exhaustion while forging, but considers his current craftsmanship inferior to that of his predecessor. 44

He became attached to Christa after both had suffered party-related tragedies. Christa gave him ten years to become stronger than her; otherwise, she intends to leave Orario. Despite this goal, Jiang admits that he has not worked hard enough to overcome his fear. 48

Personality

Jiang is blunt, frivolous, and poor at reading the room. He tends to speak without restraint, embellish his own virtues, and provoke others with inappropriate comments, often earning an immediate reprimand from Christa or Zhang Ruofeng. 39 46 48

Behind this unserious behavior, he is knowledgeable and earnest about smithing. He becomes focused when assessing complex equipment and works himself to exhaustion to fulfill commissions. His feelings for Christa are genuine, but his insecurity and lack of resolve prevent him from acting with the determination his ambitions require. 44 45 48

Abilities & Skills

Smithing

Jiang is a working craftsman capable of forging armor, bracers, daggers, and custom arm guards.

• Crafted Zhang Ruofeng's crude-iron right arm guard based on the dimensions and weight of his red bracer. 44
• Requires several days for iron gauntlets, including molding, material forging, and edge finishing. 39
• Uses mana during forging and can suffer mana exhaustion from intensive work. 44
• Recognizes advanced techniques and materials beyond his own level, including Folded Steel and Blue Silver. 45

Combat Ability

Jiang is a low-level adventurer whose physical strength rivals or slightly exceeds Zhang Ruofeng's during their first encounter. 38 40

• Has explored at least to the fourth Dungeon floor. 39 48
• Is considered talented enough that Zhang believes he could handle deeper floors and potentially prepare for a great feat. 48
• Avoids confrontations with drunk adventurers and admits to being timid. 46 48

Monster-Attracting Ability

Jiang possesses an unspecified magic or ability that appears to attract monsters.

• Monsters were drawn to his party despite Jiang not actively using the ability. 39
• Three of his four companions died during one such expedition. 39
• The resulting rumors that his equipment brings bad luck have undermined both his party prospects and business. 39

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Iron business card — A metal contact tag Jiang originally intended to use once he became famous. 39
• Forge and inherited molds — Tools used in his southeast-district workshop. 44
• Custom crude-iron arm guard — Forged for Zhang Ruofeng; larger but lighter than Zhang's red bracer, with hand spikes and a baffle. 44

Relationships

• Zhang Ruofeng — Customer and drinking companion. Jiang supplies him with armor and a custom arm guard, then helps identify the exceptional value and history of Zhang's red bracer. 39 44 45
• Christa — Tavern owner and Jiang's unrequited love. Her rejection and challenge for him to become stronger motivate him, though she frequently punishes his remarks and advances. 46 48
• Xin Mu — Zhang Ruofeng's companion; Jiang is immediately struck by her appearance and unsuccessfully speculates about her relationship with Zhang. 46
• Ekaladema Familia — Jiang's Familia, associated with a dwarf god. An older Level 2 member supports him despite the problems caused by his reputation. 38 39

Story Role / Major Arcs

Equipment Merchant Encounter

Jiang first reappears as Kalisejiang, the merchant who previously scammed Zhang Ruofeng twice. After a hostile reunion and strength test, he offers discounted equipment as compensation and agrees to craft custom gauntlets. 38 39

Red Bracer Investigation

While completing Zhang's commission, Jiang examines the red bracer and identifies it as an extraordinarily valuable Folded Steel weapon. He connects it to a Flora Familia adventurer who reportedly died by suicide at Babel Tower and estimates its value at roughly 4 million Faris. 44 45

Tavern Confidant

Jiang brings Zhang to Christa's tavern, where their conversations reveal his affection for Christa, his fear of combat, and the trauma behind his lack of ambition. 46 47 48

Trivia

• Jiang asks Zhang Ruofeng to call him “Jiang” because his full name is awkward in casual conversation. 39
• He is a regular at Christa's tavern but often cannot afford to eat there due to his finances. 47
• His equipment is priced unusually low because customers fear its supposed bad-luck effect, not because of visible defects in the craftsmanship. 39