Chapter 7.1 Extras. One day in the life of a Frontier's blacksmith (1)

The first rays of light entered the gray spacious room through the windows. They illuminated the metal figures of various creatures hanging on the walls. In the corner there was a large bed on which a young man was fast asleep.

The silence in the room was interrupted by the sounds of a piano made by the alarm clock standing on the nightstand near the bed.

The man woke up with difficulty, he rubbed his eyes, and then said:

- Samuel, morning routine.

The alarm clock went silent. The music system turned on, playing upbeat classical music. In the kitchen there was the sound of a coffee machine starting up.

- Good morning, Mr. Kramel. It's 6 a.m. and 27 minutes. Today's date: April 18, 1281 since the Fall. Recorded events: Test of the «Visor» project, presentation of the new modification of the «White Blood» ore to parliament, and your father's birthday.

A metallic voice answered cheerfully.

The man got out of bed and put on terry slippers. He began to carry out routine tasks for him. Took a shower. Cleaned my ears and teeth. I drank coffee. The clock showed 6 hours 43 minutes.

He then walked over to his desk, on which was a photograph of a small boy and an older man who looked relatively young, but whose hair was already streaked with gray.

- Good morning.

Kramel's gaze was filled with nostalgia. He took out paper and pen, and then sat down at the table and began to write:

---

"Dad, hi! Nothing much happened this year. Our city continues to live an ordinary life, if you can call it that. I'm doing well at work. I'm almost finished with the project I talked about last time. We were able to find the required range of ultra-high sound frequencies, under the influence of which «White Blood» emits incredibly powerful infrared radiation, spreading over tens of kilometers, which is absorbed by ordinary White Blood.

Very soon we will be able to use this property to improve the quality of terrain reconnaissance. Just imagine, our warriors, separated by long distances, will have the opportunity to know the exact location of their allies without the need to use special energy techniques. My hands are already itching to bring this technology to the stage where radiation can transmit information about all objects within the radius of propagation. This will not only help determine the location of all monsters in battle, but can also help the city guard in catching criminals.

Another piece of news that I can't call either good or bad. Recently, scouts discovered an increasing concentration of monsters several hundred kilometers from the city. They also established that this was the work of the Fourth.

Parliament immediately sent a squad of 135 elite Beta rank warriors there, as well as our Alpha rank heroes. Among them was Conrad. He still fights with the sword you made. Its strength and durability are simply amazing; this weapon is simply ideal for a user of the wind element. I still can't understand how you were able to create such a masterpiece, but I promise I won't give in to you.

In general, I'm doing well. Do not worry about me. The city is defended by the strongest warriors. Especially Arias Conrad. People on the streets almost idolize him. This is understandable, after he single-handedly killed the Eighth. Although the details of how he managed this remain a secret protected by parliament, people on the streets say that our "Strongest Knight" can overcome human limits, and therefore the extermination of the Numbered is only a matter of time.

I really miss you. And every day I regret that your remains were never found."

---

Having completed the letter, Kramel folded the scribbled paper into a square piece resembling an envelope and placed it on a silver tray. He took it out onto the open balcony and set the paper on fire. The man stood silently and watched as the ashes flew away, carried away by gusts of wind. When only a black mark from the fire remained on the tray, Kramel prepared to go back into the apartment.

Turning around, he shuddered in surprise, screamed and dropped the tray on the floor.

- What the f...

- Kramel, look what I have!

Outside the window stood a man with a very stupid expression on his face and a stupid smile all over his face.

- Cretin! Do you have one more duplicate key left?!

Kramel was indignant.

- Who cares, I came to you with a good reason!

The uninvited guest rejoiced with all his appearance.

- I only gave you the keys once so that you could water my plants while I was out of town...

Kramel felt himself getting angry, so he took a deep breath to calm down.

- Tomorrow I'll definitely change the lock.

- Don't be so boring, there are a lot of advantages in this, for example, I can come to you at any time for a drink!

The man pulled out a small brown glass bottle from behind his back.

He handed it to Kramel as carefully as if he were holding some ancient artifact in his hands.

- Get out already, I have to go to work.

- Kramel, look more closely, this is whiskey from 1147! Can you imagine!

- Melt, don't tell me that Oldin tricked you again and sold you some crap at an incredible price...

Kramel was packing some things into a backpack.

- You should have seen his eyes when he talked about this bottle. I didn't see a drop of lies in them.

- Well, he didn't lie. The bottle is from 1147, and inside it is something like cheap swill, made in haste.

Melt froze, as if the realization of something incredible had come to him.

- No-no-no…

He didn't want to believe what Kramel said, so he quickly opened the bottle and took a sip.

*Ugh*

The liquid in the bottle tasted so disgusting that Melt couldn't keep it in his mouth and spat it out onto the carpet.

---

- Ay-ay-ay, man, forgive me and let me go, it hurts!

Kramel left the apartment holding Melt by the ear.

- Why are you so callous?

Mel rubbed his ear with his palm, hoping to ease the pain.

- You're just too stupid.

Kramel closed the door and headed towards the elevator.

- Well, fuck you!

Melt shouted at the retreating man, who ignored him.

There was silence for a few seconds. Then the sound of doors opening was heard.

- I'll drink it all myself! You don't understand what you're missing!

The elevator doors closed faster than Melt's words reached Kramel.

The man looked at the elevator for a while. Then his gaze fell on the bottle in his right hand.

- Fuck it!

He threw the swill into a nearby trash can and went into the apartment, which was located opposite Kramel's apartment.

For some time the corridor was lifeless, but then Melt left the apartment again and took a bottle from the urn.

- It's better to add water to it and sell it at a higher price to some idiot!

The man joyfully voiced his brilliant idea.

Chapter end