Gray swung the weapon Ed had given him a few times with his still-unassembled hands, feeling that the hammer combined the lightness of wooden tools with the toughness of metal.
"This is truly a valuable item; no wonder the Tree Worship Church is reluctant to communicate with the outside world."
Gray couldn't help but marvel:
"Do you think you can just grow whatever you want on your own?"
Ed didn't know how to answer the merchant's casual question.
Although this also falls under the category of Directed Alienation, his previous interactions with Duolin and others had already made him aware that Directed Alienation was not so simple.
At least at the Low Tier, members of the Tree Worship Church primarily apply Directed Alienation by memorizing the shapes of several standard tools and then selecting from this "template library" for each Alienation.
One of the standards for measuring the ability to Directed Alienation is the difference between the appearance of the weapons and tools that one has Alienation and the standard sample. The smaller the difference, the stronger the ability to control Directed Alienation.
Therefore, for native Tree Worship Church like Duolin, this kind of thinking is indeed somewhat rigid.
Players with an innate spirit of exploration, however, scoffed at this idea. Ed had already discovered some time ago that, compared to the long straight sword that was a bit cumbersome in confined spaces, some players had developed a triangular dagger with a bleeding groove on the side.
Looking at that weapon, which didn't gleam but sent chills down one's spine, Ed could already imagine the result when it pierced an enemy's body.
As for himself, his own Directed Alienation can only be described as "doing whatever he wants."
Common tools, and even these slightly more complex components, were no different to Ed.
For him, producing this kind of thing is less difficult than Cultivation a new variety of Service-Type Aberrant Plant.
While other kids his age were still practicing Alienation fruit knives, Ed was already fusing plant genes to create ATMs. They were definitely not on the same track.
However, he doesn't intend to turn himself into a ruthless production line, so he'll eventually have to hand over this part of the work to others.
So, faced with Gray's casual question, Ed answered half-truthfully:
"You're overthinking it. Actually, I'm the only one in the entire Tree Worship Church who can do something like this."
Gray burst into laughter. No matter how exquisite the young man's abilities were, his theoretical strength was definitely not at the Middle Tier.
It seems he forgot to add a qualifier when he made that boast.
But Gray didn't seem to care. He swung his hammer and remarked:
"If I had had this weapon back then, I might have been able to kill dozens more Blood Corpse."
"It's a pity that I can barely move now; it's a bit of a waste to give me such a good thing."
"What's the pity?"
Ed suddenly said:
"Who says a hammer can only be used to hit people? I gave you a hammer because it can do everything, including helping you move around."
Gray was utterly puzzled:
How is this thing used for moving?
Ed took the hammer from his hand, aimed it at the ground in front of him, tilted his body, and performed a pole vault without a running start, leaping from one side of the study to the other.
This scene utterly shocked Xilǐ'er and Gray.
Is this how you use a hammer?
While [ Traditional Eccentric Wheel ] was shocked, he frowned slightly:
This scene before him seemed so familiar... where had he seen it before?
What exactly is this place?
Is it some old game?
The soul from another world fell into thought, while Ed and Gray's conversation continued.
Ed handed the hammer back to Gray and gave him a few simple tips on how to keep his bucket-like lower body stable. Gray nodded repeatedly and then, following Ed's example, performed a high jump while carrying the huge tree stump beneath him.
At that moment, Ed felt the fragment of the ancient castle where the study was located fluctuate to some extent.
However, compared to this small matter, helping a disabled person regain their confidence is obviously more important.
After bouncing around the study a few times with the hammer in hand, Gray returned to his seat, his face beaming with barely concealed excitement.
"Thank you so much, my lord. If my left hand recovers, I believe I will be even more agile."
Ed smiled and nodded. Gray pressed on:
Does this thing have a name?
name?
Ed felt a throbbing in his temples, but looking at the half-traveling merchant whose lower body was stuffed into a tree hollow that resembled a jar, Ed still answered with a touch of human compassion:
"This weapon is called -- 'Overcoming Difficulties Together with Gray Griss'."
"It's a good name, I like it."
Gray chuckled happily and placed the hammer beside him.
The still-living tree beneath him immediately sent out two branches to secure the hammer to the side of its trunk.
Upon hearing this name, the otherworldly soul suddenly realized what was going on.
He finally figured out the source of that mysterious déjà vu.
Those teenagers who are having a blast playing games may not know, but as a middle-aged graphic artist who has already started a family and career, I still clearly remember a certain frustrating game from decades ago.
Is the production team just playing with a meme? They're definitely playing with a meme!
Suppressing a laugh, [ Traditional Eccentric Wheel ] couldn't wait to share this Easter egg.
Seeing that Gray had no intention of providing new blueprints, the Soul Returner looked at Ed:
Is there anything else I can do for you?
Ed said with considerable satisfaction:
"That's all for now. Thank you so much for your help. May I ask you for help again in a similar situation?"
"Certainly."
[ Traditional Eccentric Wheel ] Pats chest:
"I'm a professional when it comes to drawing!"
With a bountiful harvest (three silver coins and a wealth of stories), [ Traditional Eccentric Wheel ] left the castle.
The components that make up the fingers quickly grew in Ed's hands. Ed handed the components to Gray, who quickly assembled the basic shape of the fingers with his right hand.
By inserting several fingers into the pre-drilled holes in his palm, Gray finally regained his left hand.
After spinning and opening and closing a few times, savoring the feeling of something lost and then regained, Gray bowed deeply to Ed (unable to give a proper bow):
"Thank you for your help. Whatever connection may be forged between the Graycast Corridor and your settlement, Merchant Gray will always be your friend."
Ed accepted the gratitude without hesitation and looked at Xilǐ'er and Gray:
"Well then, my two friends, I need your help now."
"Please speak, my lord."
Xilǐ'er immediately made a gesture of listening attentively, while Ed calmly said:
"Just now, I had a slightly new idea for [ Gungnir's ] future training, but it requires the cooperation of both of you."
The two men closed the distance between themselves and Ed once again, and the young lord asked mysteriously:
Have you ever heard of mechanized cavalry units?