Chapter 2 Preview - How I Became The World's Strongest Warrior Book 2!

I stood outside NatTheCat's workshop, the five Star Resonance fragments secure in my Adventure Pouch on my belt. The inconspicuous leather pouch hung weightlessly despite containing hundreds of items, its enchanted pocket dimension making it perhaps the most practical piece of equipment any adventurer could own. For me, anyway. 

The building looked exactly as chaotic as I remembered it from my last visit. Metal chimes hanging from the eaves produced discordant notes in the breeze, strange symbols were painted around the doorframe in what appeared to be color-changing ink, and there was the ever-present scent of hot metal mixed with something vaguely reminiscent of cotton candy.

The sign above the door had been upgraded since my last visit. The stylized cat silhouette now had animated whiskers that twitched every few seconds, and the surrounding weapon outlines periodically glowed with different elemental energies.

I knocked firmly on the door. No response.

I knocked again, louder.

"COME IN OR GO AWAY! THE DOOR ISN’T LOCKED AND I’M VERY BUSY!" The voice from inside was unmistakably NatTheCat's, theatrical, enthusiastic, and somehow both welcoming and annoyed.

I pushed the door open and stepped inside, immediately assaulted by the chaotic sensory experience that was NatTheCat's workshop. The interior was even more cluttered than before, with new experimental weapons hanging from every available surface and half-completed projects littering multiple workbenches. What appeared to be a miniature galaxy suspended in a containment field hovered in the corner.

"Is that you, Dummy Slayer? Perfect timing!" NatTheCat vaulted over a workbench with characteristic feline grace, landing directly in front of me. Today, the purple hair was styled in wild spikes, the mechanical cat ears were adorned with tiny jewels, and the leather apron had several new burn marks since my last visit.

NatTheCat's eyes widened with delight as they focused on my sword. "Oooh, I can sense you've brought me something special! The evolution matrix has stabilized beautifully since our last dance! She's practically purring with power now!"

"I have the Star Resonance fragments," I said, getting straight to the point. "Five of them. For the Level 5 enchantment upgrade."

NatTheCat's mechanical ears perked up so suddenly I thought they might detach from their moorings. "Star Resonance? FIVE of them? Oh my whiskers, that's extraordinary!" The weaponsmith circled me with predatory interest, that mechanical tail swishing with excitement. "Do you have any idea how rare those are? Of course you do, that's why you have that delightful little twitch in your left eye. Classic grinding fatigue syndrome!"

I hadn't noticed any twitch, but reflexively touched my left eye anyway, which only made NatTheCat grin wider.

"Got them from the Glimmerstar Caverns, didn't you?" NatTheCat continued, not waiting for confirmation. "Tedious farming location. One Star Slime per hour. Practically criminal spawn rate. But five fragments? You must have murdered thousands of those poor gelatinous celestial manifestations!"

"Sixteen thousand, five hundred and twenty-eight," I supplied precisely. "Plus one Star Slime per hour for fourteen days."

NatTheCat stared at me for a moment, then burst into that distinctive yowling laugh. "You counted! Of course you counted! Meticulous and methodical to the very end! You're absolutely my favorite client, you know. Everyone else is all 'how soon can you finish' and 'that's too expensive' and 'please stop calling my sword she' but you? You just want the numbers to go up! Refreshingly straightforward!"

I unstrapped my sword and placed it on the nearest clear surface, which happened to be a sliver of space between a half-assembled crossbow and something that looked like a gauntlet made of liquid metal.

"Level 5 enchantments require both offensive and defensive matrices to be completely reconstructed," I said, reaching into my pouch and carefully extracting the five Star Resonance fragments. "Peter said you'd need to work together on the implementation."

"Did he now? How delightful!" NatTheCat clapped excitedly. "A collaboration with sweet, brilliant Peter! His precision with enchantment formulas complements my chaotic creative energy perfectly! Like chocolate and salt! Or anti-matter and containment fields!"

The weaponsmith carefully took the five Star Resonance fragments and placed them in a specialized crystal container that immediately sealed itself. Each fragment glowed subtly, each one resembling a miniature constellation.

"These are perfect," NatTheCat murmured, momentarily dropping the theatrical persona to examine them with professional precision. "Absolutely flawless resonance patterns. The clarity of the stellar matrices is extraordinary." Those strange eyes glanced up at me. "You've certainly earned them. Two weeks in that mindless grind? Lesser adventurers would have abandoned the pursuit after the first three days."

"Optimization requires commitment," I replied simply.

"Indeed, it does!" The theatrical flair returned instantly. "Speaking of commitment, I'll need to completely disassemble the enchantment matrices in your sword. Which means you'll be separated from your precious darling for... hmm..." NatTheCat tapped long fingers against the workbench, calculating. "Three days? Maybe four? Possibly a week, if dimensional calibration becomes necessary."

I frowned slightly. "Peter estimated two days."

"Peter is an optimist beneath all that scholarly precision!" NatTheCat waved dismissively. "Level 5 enchantments aren't just bigger versions of Level 3. The entire structural framework must be reconfigured to accommodate the enhanced energy throughput. Plus, your sword's evolved nature adds delicious complications. The sentience development alone requires special handling!"

I assessed this new timeline. A potentially week-long separation from my primary weapon wasn't ideal, but I'd prepared for contingencies.

"I have alternative weapons," I said, touching the hilt of the two other swords strapped to my other hip. "The timeline is acceptable if the results match projections."

"Alternative weapons? Show me, show me!" NatTheCat was suddenly directly in my personal space, those cat-like eyes fixed on my backup blades with intense interest.

I drew the Vampiric Blade first, its dark surface seeming to absorb light rather than reflect it. NatTheCat's pupils narrowed to barely visible slits.

"Oh my, oh my! Count Vreyus's Lieutenant’s personal blade! I'd recognize that malevolent craftsmanship anywhere!" The weaponsmith leaned closer, sniffing the air around the blade but carefully not touching it. "Still cursed? No, neutralized but not removed. Interesting choice."

I nodded. "Peter couldn't extract the Lifesteal enchantment without destabilizing the entire weapon. The curse has been neutralized, but the original vampiric enchantment remains dormant."

[Vampiric Blade]

[Rare, Level 40]

[Base Damage: 19.7]

[Base Properties:]

 - Ancient Craftsmanship: +15% accuracy

 - Shadowsteel Construction: 10% reduced weight, maintains sharpness

[Enchantments:]

 - Level 5 Offensive: +25% damage

 - Level 5 Defensive: +25% damage reduction

 - Cursed Lifesteal (Dormant): Original vampire enchantment neutralized but not removed

 - Void Affinity: +20% effectiveness against light-based entities

[Special Properties:]

 - Light Absorption: Reduces visibility of blade in combat

 - Holy Resistance: -15% effectiveness of holy magic against wielder

 - Blood Memory: Records battle data for later analysis

[Durability: 97/100]

[Value: Estimated 200,000 copper to the right collector]

"Excellent backup choice," NatTheCat approved, leaning back. "What else do you have tucked away? That hilt looks like Enchanter Galadriel's work, if I'm not mistaken."

I drew my second backup weapon, the Mana Infused Short Sword I'd purchased during my previous separation from my primary blade.

[Mana Infused Short Sword]

[Exceptional Quality, Level 20]

[Base Damage: 8.4]

[Enchantments:]

 - Level 5 Offensive Infusion: +25% damage

 - Mana Resonance: 10% chance to cast Minor Arcane Bolt (3.5 damage) on hit

 - Spellblade Matrix: Spells cast through the blade gain 15% effectiveness

[Special Properties:]

 - Energy Conservation: 20% reduced mana cost for channeled spells

 - Focus Enhancement: +10% spell accuracy when used as a casting focus

[Durability: 95/100]

[Requirements: None]

[Value: 105,000 copper]

"Galadriel's work indeed! That old fraud always puts too much emphasis on magical throughput and not enough on physical durability. Still, an exquisite spellblade for someone with magical inclination." NatTheCat tilted their head. "Though you don't seem the spellcasting type. All that finicky mana management and incantation memorization gets in the way of your beautifully straightforward brutality, doesn't it?"

I sheathed both backup weapons. "They're adequate temporary replacements."

"Adequate! Such high praise!" NatTheCat laughed. "Well, with these alternative implements of destruction, you shouldn't miss your darling too terribly. I'll send word when we've reached a significant milestone."

"Timeline estimate?" I pressed, wanting something more concrete than "maybe a week."

"Three days if the stars align perfectly," NatTheCat mused, already arranging specialized tools around my sword. "Five days if we encounter expected complications. Seven if dimensional recalibration becomes necessary." The weaponsmith paused, those strange eyes glinting mischievously. "And potentially longer if Peter and I have one of our… creative disagreements about implementation methodology."

"Peter mentioned your disagreements typically involve experimental explosions," I noted dryly.

"Exaggerations! Gross exaggerations!" NatTheCat protested, ears twitching indignantly. "There was only one explosion last time, and it was barely noticeable beyond a six-block radius!"

I considered retrieving my blade and seeking an alternative upgrade path, but quickly dismissed the thought. Despite the theatrical eccentricity, NatTheCat was genuinely the best weaponsmith in the city, perhaps the entire region. 

"Acceptable," I said finally. "I'll check back in three days."

"Excellent! Splendid! Wonderful!" NatTheCat was already moving around the workshop, gathering components with surprising efficiency despite the apparent chaos. "I'll send a messenger if we finish early, though don't count on it!"

I nodded once and turned to leave, mentally adjusting my grinding schedule for the next week. The Vampiric Blade would be adequate for most combat situations, though its dark affinity made it less effective against shadow-type entities. The Mana Infused Short Sword would be a suitable alternative for those specific encounters.

"Oh, and Dummy Slayer?" NatTheCat called as I reached the door. I glanced back to see the weaponsmith grinning widely, those slightly pointed canines gleaming in the workshop light. "When you return, your darling will be transformed beyond your wildest optimization fantasies. The numbers, as you're so fond of saying, will go up quite significantly indeed."

I left without further comment, stepping back into the afternoon sunlight. The absence of my primary weapon felt strange, like missing a limb, but the anticipation of its improved capabilities made the temporary discomfort acceptable.

My next stop was Witch's workshop. She'd expressed interest in examining the Crystal Scorpion fragments again, and I wanted her assessment of potential integration with my enhanced sword once NatTheCat completed the current upgrades.

The walk through the artisan district was uneventful. Several merchants called out, recognizing me from previous transactions, but I ignored their sales pitches. Resource acquisition would need to be postponed until I had my primary weapon returned.

Witch's workshop appeared unusually quiet when I arrived. No smoke from the chimney, no strange sounds or smells leaking from beneath the door, no warning signs about volatile experiments in progress. Unusual.

I knocked firmly. No response.

I tried the door and found it locked, with a small note pinned to the wood:

"Gone adventuring! Back whenever I feel like it! Don't touch my stuff or I'll turn you into something unpleasant. Yes, even you, Chuck. ESPECIALLY you. — Witch

P.S. If you needed something important, you should have thought of that before I left. Your poor planning isn't my problem.

P.P.S. Fine, if it's REALLY important, Peter has my emergency contact information.

P.P.P.S. It better be ACTUALLY important and not just you wanting something optimized."

I stared at the note with mild confusion. Witch, gone adventuring? In all our interactions, she'd never expressed an interest in leaving her workshop for extended periods, let alone engaging in actual adventures. She preferred crafting to combat, creation to destruction. This was unexpected behavior without a clear explanation.

Not that it particularly mattered to my immediate objectives. The Crystal Scorpion integration was a future project, not a current priority. I could wait until her return to discuss it.

I made a mental note to ask Peter about this unusual development and headed toward The Broken Shield Inn. With no primary weapon and Witch unavailable, my most efficient use of time would be reviewing grinding locations appropriate for my backup weapons' capabilities, then getting adequate rest before tomorrow's adjusted hunting schedule.

The inn was busy when I arrived, the evening crowd filling most tables. Despite the crowd, Mayra spotted me immediately, her face lighting up with a bright smile as she waved enthusiastically.

"Chuck! You're back!" She weaved through the tables with practiced ease, reaching me before I'd even fully closed the door behind me. "How was the cave? Did you find what you needed? You were gone for so long I was starting to worry!"

"Two weeks is hardly long," I replied, allowing her to lead me to my usual table in the corner. "And yes, I acquired the necessary components."

"That's wonderful!" Her smile somehow grew even brighter. "Let me get you something to eat. You must be starving after all that hunting!"

She hurried off before I could respond, returning moments later with a large bowl of beef stew that smelled significantly better than the trail rations I'd been surviving on for the past two weeks.

[Hearty Beef Stew]

[Quality: Excellent]

[Effects:]

 - Strength +10% (30 minutes)

 - Stamina Regeneration +15% (45 minutes)

 - Health Regeneration +0.5% per minute (60 minutes)

 - Well-Fed: Immune to hunger penalties (4 hours)

[Value: 5 copper]

I ate methodically, cataloging the day's developments and calculating optimal approaches for the coming week without my primary weapon. The Vampiric Blade's enhanced damage output should be sufficient for most grinding requirements, though its durability would need monitoring. The Mana Infused Short Sword remained an adequate backup to the backup.

Mayra returned periodically to refill my drink and check if I needed anything else. 

"You seem different," she commented during one such visit, tilting her head slightly as she studied me. "Something's missing."

"My sword," I confirmed between bites. "Being upgraded with NatTheCat. Three to seven days estimated completion time."

"Oh! That explains why you look so... I don't know, unbalanced? Like you're missing an arm or something." She laughed, the sound drawing attention from nearby tables. "Though knowing NatTheCat, it might be longer."

"I have backups," I assured her, gesturing to the two weapons at my hip. "Functionality will be maintained."

"Of course you do," she said with an amused smile. "Always prepared. It's one of your most endearing qualities, you know."

I didn't respond to this observation, instead focusing on finishing my meal with optimal efficiency. The sooner I completed dinner, the sooner I could return to my room to finalize tomorrow's grinding schedule and get adequate rest.

"Your room's all ready," Mayra added, seeming to sense my thoughts as usual. "Fresh linens, windows opened to air it out, and I may have left another note for your collection."

She winked at this last part, referencing the growing stack of notes she'd been leaving in my room. I'd never acknowledged collecting them, but somehow, she knew I'd kept every one.

"Appreciated," I said simply, finishing the last of the stew. The strength buff was already active, a pleasant warmth spreading through my muscles. Mayra's cooking consistently provided superior stat bonuses compared to standard inn fare.

“Will you be heading up now, or would you like something else?” she asked. “Martin made fresh apple pie today, and it gives a nice little intelligence bonus for some reason."

"The stew is sufficient," I replied, calculating that the slight intelligence buff wouldn't significantly impact my current grinding efficiency. "I'll retire for the evening."

"Alright then," she said, collecting my empty bowl. "If you need anything at all, just—"

The inn's front door burst open with enough force to bang against the wall, startling several patrons and causing conversations to halt mid-sentence. Everyone turned to stare at the figure silhouetted in the doorway.

It was Witch, but not as I'd ever seen her. Her normally immaculate appearance was disheveled, and her specialized crafting gear was torn and singed in multiple places. Most shocking was her expression… raw and emotional, with unmistakable tear tracks marking her face.

Her eyes locked onto me immediately, a mixture of relief and renewed anguish crossing her features. She staggered forward a few steps, ignoring the startled reactions of the other patrons.

"Chuck," she managed, her voice breaking on my name. "Thank gods you're here. It's... it's Dartanion. He's gone."