Manoban's eyes were wide as she pulled her hands away from the bowl, which was now overflowing with the transformed grains onto the floor. "This is incredible!" she exclaimed, leaning in to sniff them. The aroma was even richer than before. "You can do this too? I'm having a hard time believing any of this!"

Ray pulled a handful of the seeds himself. "These can solve a lot of problems," he explained.

Her curiosity only grew. "How?" she asked.

Ray placed the seeds into another bowl. "Let's cook these, and you'll find out."

He poured the grains into the modified pot and placed it over the fire pit. While the food cooked, he taught Manoban how to properly use the wrist-Needlebow.

Five minutes later, Manoban lifted the lid of the pot. A thick, enticing aroma filled the air, far more fragrant than any rice she had ever smelled. "If it smells this good, how will it taste?" she wondered aloud, and Ray found himself thinking the same thing.

"Let's find out," he said, "and we'll save some for your parents."

Hearing him mention her parents, a new worry crossed her mind. "But what am I going to tell them? I don't think I should tell them about your magic."

"No, you shouldn't," Ray agreed. "Just tell them I have a way to transform normal grains into something better. This way, I can ask for your hand and also help solve their problems."

Manoban's eyes lit up with excitement. "Why didn't I think of that?" she said, wrapping her arms around him in a hug.

"Okay, okay, stop now," Ray chuckled, gently pushing her away. "We should taste this first."

Manoban pouted playfully. "Hmph, you're no fun."

After taking a bite, Ray's eyes widened in shock. Manoban had the exact same reaction.

"This is incredible!" she exclaimed, taking another spoonful. "All my fatigue is gone. I've never felt this good before! What is this stuff?"

Ray had to hold her back as she reached for another bite. "Okay, okay, stop eating, or there won't be anything left for your parents."

"But we have so much left," she protested, pointing to the remaining modified grains. "Can't we just make another bowl?"

"No, we can't," Ray said, his tone turning serious.

"The rice in the pot is for them to taste, and the rest of the grains are for them to see what the changed seeds look like. What they do after that is up to them." He paused. "But you have to tell them to be careful and not let anyone else find out about this."

Manoban nodded, fully understanding the seriousness of the situation.

Once they were done, they shared a passionate kiss, and Ray left to continue his preparations.

He returned to his room and began working on more items for the impending emergency. He wanted to create a thin metal shield, modified with beast skin to withstand a normal sword attack, and he planned to use the metal to give it better durability.

"From my memories, there's a river close by that has crocodiles," Ray mused to himself. He thought that crocodile skin would be the perfect material for a thin armor.

With this in mind, he grabbed the dagger he had recently modified, mounted Paiga, and rode out of the village.

The river wasn't too far, but he wanted to go to a secluded spot where he could hunt without attracting attention.

He rode east of the city, following the river deeper into the forest. He knew of an artificial lake in the area that no one ever visited because it was infested with crocodiles.

Upon reaching the lake, he didn't even need bait. The crocodiles began crawling out of the water as soon as they sensed his and Paiga's aura.

"Just as I thought," he muttered, unfastening the Wrist-Needlebow.

Ray's first move was to lure them onto the land, a little distance away from the water. He aimed his Needlebow at their eyes, firing one after another. The needles were fast and precise, finding their targets with deadly accuracy.

Once the crocodiles were blinded, they thrashed around in confusion, making them easy targets.

"Now for the main event," he said, pulling out his modified dagger.

It wasn't an ordinary dagger. Its edge was so sharp it could slice through bone, and with a single, precise strike to the neck, Ray could end a crocodile's life instantly.

One by one, he took down the blinded beasts. When a dozen crocodiles lay dead on the bank, the remaining ones retreated back into the murky water, their primal fear overriding their predatory instincts.

Ray set to work, carefully skinning the dead crocodiles. He used his Modification skill, combining the resilient crocodile skin with the metal scraps he had brought along.

Slowly, a new item took shape in his hands—a cloth-like armor that was incredibly thin yet felt exceptionally durable. He was so focused on his work that he didn't even notice the two black wolves approaching him.

The scent of blood had drawn the wolves in. Even other animals typically avoided this place, but the strong smell had proven too tempting for the two roaming beasts. Yet, as they saw Ray, skinning crocodiles as if he were a simple butcher, their instincts screamed at them to flee.

Ray noticed them immediately. "I didn't think I'd see wolves out here," he muttered, showing no fear.

He threw two chunks of crocodile meat toward the beasts. They stammered back in fear, but when they realized what Ray was doing, they cautiously approached the meat, snatched it, and ran off as if their lives depended on it.

Ray chuckled, his laughter echoing through the trees before he returned to his work.

Ray spent the rest of the day meticulously crafting the armor, his focus unwavering. As the sun began to set, he finally held the finished product in his hands.

[Modification: Hybrid-Armor]

This chest armor is a seamless blend of resilient crocodile skin and tempered metal, designed for maximum protection without sacrificing mobility.

The outer layer, derived from the crocodile hide, is surprisingly flexible, allowing for a full range of motion while deflecting and absorbing the impact of both blades and blunt weapons. The inner layer, a thin mesh of modified metal, provides additional durability and acts as a barrier against punctures.

The armor is so lightweight and form-fitting that it can be worn discreetly under normal clothing, making it an ideal piece for an assassin or a secret protector. It will easily withstand normal sword strikes, arrows, and minor projectiles, giving the wearer a significant advantage in most close-quarter combat situations.

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