Chapter 42: The Apprentice Craftsman
Chapter 42: The Apprentice Craftsman
"Linsey, you're here!"
Soon enough, a young man opened the door for Linsey.
This was Joel.
He appeared to be in his early twenties, dressed in a brown coarse cloth garment, with gloves that exposed two fingers, and sweat beads rolling down his brow, looking extremely busy.
This was the new craftsman in the frontier town.
He was also one of the few newly awakened during the Harvest Festival three years ago.
Although the town had a blacksmith and a carpenter to meet the town's daily needs.
But if the items to be made were complex and challenging, the task could only be entrusted to an awakened craftsman.
Seeing Joel, Linsey greeted him with a smile.
Then, he reached behind his back and pulled out two wild rabbits he had just caught.
"Today's catch is good, these are for you."
"You're too kind." Joel didn't take both rabbits but chose one, and enthusiastically invited Linsey in, "Come in, don't stand outside."
Linsey followed Joel into the craftsman's cottage.
They walked through a cozy anteroom and headed towards the room on the left side of the cottage.
This was the craftsman's workshop.
Around a workbench in the center of the room, various tools like hammers, axes, and handsaws hung on the left wall; on the right was a large board covering the entire wall, with neatly arranged but hastily drawn blueprints; only in the inner side directly across from the door were the wood, leather, and ore needed for crafting.
As they reached this point, Linsey instinctively lowered his footsteps.
He heard light snoring coming from the adjacent room.
Joel's teacher, the town's previous awakened craftsman, was also of advanced age, and after dinner, he had laid down to rest.
Meanwhile, Joel, who was walking ahead, had already picked up a backpack from the side of the workbench and returned to Linsey:
"According to your requirements, I tried to expand its space. Unfortunately, my abilities are still insufficient, so I can't truly modify the space. This is the limit of my capabilities."
"I'm truly sorry!"
The backpack in Joel's hand was made primarily from sturdy bear hide, secured with metal buckles, and engraved on the surface.
Linsey took it and gave it a simple glance.
Without a detailed inspection, he could tell the care the creator had put into it.
"What are you talking about?" Linsey asked with a smile, "In my opinion, we probably won't find a better bag than this in our town!"
Joel chuckled.
As the backpack's creator, he was well aware of the effort he had put into it.
He then led Linsey to sit down in the workshop.
He began explaining the various functions of the backpack:
"Look at this fold, it has a double-fold design, which not only prevents rainwater from getting in but also keeps water out even if you jump into a river with it. And when you hunt, you often catch small animals that are inconvenient to carry, right? Look at this rope, you can hang several hooks, just tie those rabbits and hares to it, and it'll free up your hands..."
Joel earnestly explained his design, each detail a testament to his dedication. Among them, the most critical and proudest design was his final reveal:
"Lastly, it's the application of my craftsmanship."
Linsey asked curiously:
"You said you couldn't actually expand the space?"
Joel's face lit up with a confident smile. "Well, you know, I'm just a craftsman who has transcended his skills once. It's not like I can do much about space."
"But reality isn't all about maximizing space. Reasonable distinctions and item arrangements can also save space. So, I've set up some lightweight partitions inside the backpack!"
Following Joel's instructions, Linsey opened the backpack.
Indeed, the inner walls of the backpack were fitted with a foldable grid-like partition made of calfskin. With the blessing of the Craftsman's Art, these partitions were smooth and easy to fold or unfold, ensuring sturdiness and durability while remaining lightweight, making the most of every inch of space.
Linsey couldn't help but praise Joel, "Joel, I truly believe your craftsmanship is among the best in our town!"
Joel instantly broke into a smile.
He raised his eyebrows and whispered into Linsey's ear, "If the old man next door wakes up and hears you say that, he'll come charging at us with a club each!"
"When that happens, I'll carry you and run. He won't be able to catch up!"
"Hahaha!"
After a while of laughter, Linsey started packing up, putting on his backpack, and preparing to leave.
Joel escorted him to the foyer.
He opened the door and turned to watch Linsey walk in from the foyer before whispering, "Linsey, you didn't come to me just for hunting preparations, did you?"
"Are you... also planning a long journey?"
A hint of worry flashed in Joel's eyes.
Linsey didn't hide anything from his friend. He nodded and directly shared his goal with Joel, "I also want to try to break through Black Mountain. Being trapped here is a dead end!"
Joel fell silent for a moment after Linsey's response.
Finally, they locked eyes, and Joel spoke with a serious tone, "In a couple of days, no, in about four days, come to me, and I'll prepare some other things for you."
Joel was also a young man and an Awakened.
Although he didn't possess the rapid combat prowess of other professions, his inner yearning for the outside world would never change.
At this moment, his friend Linsey was preparing to challenge Black Mountain.
As the town's craftsman and Linsey's friend, he naturally wouldn't just stand by and watch things unfold; he was also ready to contribute his efforts.
Linsey nodded vigorously, responding to Joel with equal seriousness, "Alright, then we'll meet again in four days!"
"Take care."
"No need to see me off, goodbye."
He watched Linsey's figure disappear down the town's road.
After waiting a while longer, Joel returned to the house with a solemn expression.
But as he closed the door and turned around, he was immediately stunned.
On the table in the foyer, there was a rabbit, and next to it, a pine grouse!
"This guy Linsey..."
"He said he brought a rabbit, which should be enough."
Joel realized what his friend had done for him. He scratched his head and smiled helplessly.
But when Joel picked up the wild rabbit and pine grouse to take them to the kitchen, he recalled Linsey's arrival and started pondering a new question, "Wait... that's not right!"
"Didn't Linsey only bring two rabbits when he came in?"
"Where did this pine grouse come from?"
(End of Chapter)
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