Mutagen

Day 319 - 10:15 AM - Storeroom, Four Squares Blacksmiths Stall, Toyosu Wholesale Market, Toyosu, Koto City, Tokyo

The storeroom fell into silence. The words that came out of the old blacksmith's mouth caused quite a surprise to Mark and Mako for different reasons.

What was an artifact that Yasuo mentioned, to begin with?

In literal meaning, it was a manmade object of historical value. Items that could be found within historical ruins could be an example.

Of course, this was not what Yasuo was talking about.

The artifacts Yasuo was pertaining to were items imbued with characteristics beyond the norm. Some had magical properties, while others were technologically complex at the time of their creation. There were also more kinds of these objects. However, they all shared one identifying trait.

These strange artifacts bend the laws and common sense of Earth's reality.

Unfortunately, while these artifacts seemed to be present in the past, their existence was almost erased from Earth, and all methods of manufacture and creation were lost for some reason.

As such, many knowledgeable people pursued the path of rediscovering how artifacts could be made. Of course, without the actual foundation of that knowledge, everything failed.

The only thing these pursuers of the lost technology were able to create was the so-called [Pseudo-artifacts]. [Blessed Items], for example. They work wonders and miracles, but these items were still far behind the lost artifacts of the past.

However, not everything was lost, as there were still some artifacts still in existence. Working ones, to be exact. Unfortunately, their existence was only known to a select few and those living within the shadows of the mortal realm.

There were also some artifacts known to mortals. However, these were clearly broken ones. These artifacts became the root of many mysteries that baffled people. In some cases, these artifacts were labeled as out-of-place artifacts or OOPArts. Most of these things end up in either museums or laboratories. Even so, mortals had no idea what these things were.

Mako knew of these facts. It was why she was extremely surprised.

On the other hand, Mark, the creator of the design, was more baffled than surprised. He was just a regular shut-in before the apocalypse. Thus, Mark had no idea what kind of things Yasuo and Mako had in their heads. Mark knew the existence of artifacts because he already came across a few. However, Mark never intended to label any of his creations as artifacts. After all, he was only cramming whatever his Otaku brain had into creating interesting-looking things he liked. It was the same for this design that Mark presented.

But thinking about it, Mark could only tilt his head. He was creating something composed of things he learned from researching documents and items of the lost era. For example, the broken golem from the Kingdom of Black Duendes and the documents that The Creator, master of Chimetrice and Ilia, had left behind. He was also implementing technologies that originated from the destroyed planet, Eriellis.

Using ancient knowledge and alien technology to create weapons that manifest absurd abilities.

It was not wrong to say that Mark was really creating artifacts.

And to Yasuo's question of who Mark was and where he learned to create artifacts, Mark answered.

"Does that really matter?" Mark stared at Yasuo. "I told you yesterday that I wanted to create something but lacked the metal parts. I showed you what I want to do. Will you make it or not?"

Yasuo returned Mark's stare. He had a lot of questions. However, Mark thwarted any intention to answer. Unfortunately, he was given a chance in a lifetime to help in the creation of an artifact. Who in their right mind would decline?

Thus, even though Yasuo was a bit frustrated, he roared.

"Sh*t! D*mn it! As if I will decline!"

Yasuo had no choice but to accept. After all, while he did not pursue the recreation of artifacts, his family descended from those kinds of people. His expertise in blacksmithing and everything he learned from his family was passed down from generation to generation in hopes that future descendants would be able to reach the goal of their ancestors.

The goal of being able to create an artifact of their own. Something that they could tell belonged to their family.

While the Yasuo could not call the design his own, he was already just a few steps away from the dreams of his ancestors. He would not give up this chance even if he had to beg Mark and kiss his shoes.

"Then, should we begin the discussion?" Mark asked. "The design is still incomplete, so I want your opinion on the materials we can use."

The design was already finished. However, Mark's concern was the suitable materials to use. Thus, he wanted Yasuo's opinion in this regard since this expert blacksmith was more knowledgeable about metals used in weapons and armor.

Yasuo looked at the blueprint and nodded. It was not hard for him to understand the notes in the blueprint since, aside from English, it was also translated into Japanese using letters within Katakana and Hiragana.

But before they started, Mark asked a question.

"By the way, how did you conclude this is a blueprint of an artifact?"

"Because I've seen these kinds of symbols before."

Yasuo said as he turned around to get something.

The old blacksmith found his strange-looking toolbox and inserted a key at its bottom. A hidden bottom layer popped open, revealing extremely old patches of torn paper-like items carefully encased in thin clear protectors.

"I don't really show this to anyone, but this is a special case," Yasuo said as he laid the three pages in his hand onto the table. "This is the precious treasure of my family's ancestors."

Mark refrained from touching the pages since they looked like they would turn to dust with the slightest touch, even within the protector. Even so, he took a close look.

The pages were torn and smudged to the point that it was mostly incomprehensible. This showed how old these pages were. Even so, it was enough to see that it was actually a blueprint to create some sort of sword artifact. A katana, to be exact.

As Yasuo said, the notes and parts of the drawing showed symbols similar to the symbols within Mark's blueprint. The symbols were actually different, but it was not wrong to suspect that they might have come from the same origin.

Mei and the girls also looked at the pages. However, the kids lost interest after seeing the old papers that looked no different from trash.

"I wonder," Yasuo looked at Mark. "Do you know what these symbols meant?"

Unfortunately, Mark could only shake his head.

"It looked similar to mine... but I don't recognize these symbols. You might think I'm some sort of expert artificer, but I'm just playing with the limited things within my knowledge."

"I don't even think that what I'm making is an artifact, to be honest."

Mark added with a shrug of his shoulders.

Yasuo looked a bit disappointed. Generations after generations of his family failed to understand the broken blueprint. He thought Mark would be able to answer it, but he was wrong.

"It's fine," Yasuo carefully picked up the pages and returned them to the hidden compartment. "Maybe, if we succeed in completing your design, I might find some enlightenment."

Yasuo smiled. His eyes were burning with the passion of a blacksmith.

With this, the discussion was next on schedule... or it was supposed to be.

Mark suddenly turned his head to the west with a slight frown on his eyebrows.

"What is wrong?"

Yasuo immediately noticed Mark's odd behavior since the two were standing in front of each other on opposite sides of the table.

And immediately after that question left Yasuo's mouth.

An odd-sound alarm rang all across the Wholesale Market.

Mark's group was unfamiliar with the alarm. However, Yasuo and Mako immediately understood what was happening due to the alarm.

It was the Air Raid Siren. An alarm that would sound if a missile was inbound Japan, during terrorist attacks, or, of course, during an Air Raid. And in response to this alarm, civilians should take shelter indoors.

However, there was no way a missile would be inbound during the apocalypse. An air raid was also impossible... unless it was not airplanes flying in the sky.

And Mark, who was looking straight at the wall to the west, knew that the enemies were coming from the sky.

Mark then turned to Yasuo.

"Are those the changing rooms?"

Mark asked, pointing to the doors near the entrance of the storeroom. It was a smithy that also sold armor. There was no way it would not have a changing room.

"It is," Yasuo nodded. "But why are you asking?"

"I'll borrow the room for a bit."

Mark said as he turned to Mei.

"Mei'er, change to combat gear with everyone inside that room."

"Okay."

Mei nodded and led everyone into the room to the right by Mark's instructions.

"What are you planning to do?"

Mako asked Mark the question that was also in Yasuo's mind.

At this time, gunshots began echoing from outside the Wholesale Market. Of course, it was the same for screams of people in the streets trying to run away.

Mark turned to the two before entering the left room.

"Unfortunately, we have to join the fight."

As Mark closed the door...

CRASH!

A loud crash and screams of people were heard outside the storeroom.

It was not hard to deduce what happened. The Wholesale Market was filled with large glass windows. It was also kept this way to reduce electricity consumption within the building. But now, the large windows became the easy way in for the enemies.

BUZZ!!!

The loud buzzing sounds echoed inside the building.

Mako grabbed a weapon hidden within her uniform and rushed to the door. She then peered outside through the door's window.

There, she saw hornets about the size of an adult Shiba Inu getting into a skirmish with the brave stall owners. Many of the stall owners were [Freelancers] too. As such, it was expected that they had the ability and courage to fight.

However...

The hornets were unexpectedly larger in number. And despite their huge size, their speed and craftiness were not reduced but got enhanced instead.

"What is going on outside?"

Yasuo asked Mako as he readied his own equipment.

"Giant Suzumebachis!" Mako replied with a frown. "There's a lot of them!"

Suzumebachi, or Giant Japanese Hornet. A genus of hornets that was known to be the largest of the hornet species. But, of course, now, it was way larger and far more dangerous, even without mentioning its venom.

The door Mark entered opened once more.

Mako and Yasuo immediately turned their heads, and their eyes widened in surprise.

Mark went out of the changing room, still fixing the collar of the clothing he had changed into.

What Mark wore was a set of black clothes. Black pants, a hooded jacket outside, and a side-buttoned long sleeve inside. His arms, shoulders, legs, and chest were covered with a set of reddish-black armor. On his back, a pair of sheathed swords hung nicely. And on his head lay a mask that had yet to cover his face.

While marveling at Mark's set of clothes and armor, the room where the girls entered also opened, and everyone went out with a set of clothes not that different from what Mark wore. Of course, each of them had different designs that suited their fighting styles, especially with their armor.

For example, Abbygale had thinner armor on her body, while the metal parts of her shoes were thicker. It was due to her swift fighting style, with kicks as her main attack.

Aside from clothes, everyone also had their weapons ready. Of course, weapons pertaining to what skills they had shown in the examination.

The group came out in matching uniforms, both in clothing and armor. And even possibly their weapons.

But then... the most important question entered Mako's and Yasuo's minds.

Where in the world did they pull those things from?

From what the two remembered earlier, Mark's group only came with small backpacks filled with the items they bought from the stalls!