The footsteps were slow and steady.

Everyone turned toward the back door as it opened fully.

A man stepped out.

He looked old — not weak, but weathered.

Long gray hair tied back, a short beard, sharp eyes that seemed to see through everyone instantly.

His clothes were simple, but the gloves on his hands were the kind a master craftsman wore.

He looked at the group…

Then at the rusted sword in Rhys's hand.

And stopped walking.

For a moment, he said nothing.

Then:

"…You found my father's blade."

Rhys blinked. "Your father?"

The old man nodded and walked closer.

He stood in front of Rhys and examined the sword without touching it.

"That sword," he said slowly, "belonged to the previous Pearlforger. My father. He died before he could restore it."

Aria whispered to Sophia, "So it IS special?"

Sophia nodded. "Very."

The old man continued, voice steady.

"He found that sword fifty years ago. Dragged up by fishermen, just like the story says. The blade reacts to certain people… but never to him. Or to anyone else."

Lyra studied him. "But it reacted to Rhys."

The old man looked up at Rhys again.

"Yes. For the first time in decades, it woke up."

Puddle smiled proudly. "Master is special."

Aria crossed her arms. "Don't inflate his ego—his head is already big."

Rhys ignored her and lifted the sword a little.

"Do you know what it is?"

The craftsman nodded.

"It's called Severance Tide. A blade forged from sea-steel mixed with enchanted pearlstone. Its purpose was to cut through things normal swords couldn't — illusions, spirit constructs, and ancient sea creatures."

Caria's eyes widened. "A myth-tier weapon…"

Aria stared at the rusty hunk in Rhys's hands. "THIS thing?"

The craftsman sighed. "It was. Now it's just sleeping metal."

Lyra stepped forward. "Can you restore it?"

The old man didn't answer right away.

He looked toward the back of the workshop — where tools were covered in dust, and furnaces hadn't been lit in years.

Then he exhaled deeply.

"I haven't reforged anything in a long time. Not since my father passed. But…"

His eyes returned to Rhys.

"If the blade chose you, I will try."

Rhys nodded. "Tell me what you need."

The craftsman folded his arms.

"Restoring Severance Tide isn't a simple repair. I'll need rare materials — ones that only appear here, on Pearl Island."

Aria groaned. "Of course it's a fetch quest."

Sophia asked, "Which materials?"

The craftsman listed them calmly:

"Three things:

Pure Pearl Essence — found only in Deepwater Clams.

Hammer Coral Shards — extremely tough coral used for stabilizing ancient enchantments.

A living drop of Tidal Mana — difficult to collect, but not impossible."

Caria wrote everything down. "We can track these."

The old man added:

"I will prepare the workshop. Come back when you have the items."

Rhys nodded. "We'll bring them."

As they turned to leave, the old man spoke again.

"Boy."

Rhys looked back.

"Keep that sword close. Even sleeping, it can sense danger. If it wakes fully… you will feel it."

Rhys tightened his grip on the rusted blade.

"Got it."

They stepped outside into the bright Pearl Island sun again.

Aria sighed loudly. "Well… we came here to relax. And instead, we got a broken legendary sword and a material hunt."

Sophia smiled a little. "It's still better than being attacked at sea."

Caria agreed. "At least the materials are all on the island."

Lyra placed a hand on Rhys's shoulder. "This weapon may become important. The island clearly brought us here for a reason."

Puddle hopped onto Rhys's arm. "Another quest!"

Rhys looked at the rusty sword, feeling a faint warmth from the metal.

"Yeah," he said quietly.

"Let's fix it."

They headed straight for the nearest material on the list:

Pure Pearl Essence — found only in Deepwater Clams.

Caria pointed at the map posted near the dock.

"There. The Deepwater Clam pools are on the east side of the island. People line up to harvest them every morning."

Aria groaned. "A line? For clams?"

Sophia shrugged. "At least it's not fighting a monster this time."

Rhys carried the rusted sword on his back. It felt oddly warm, like it was quietly awake.

Puddle floated around him. "Master! Maybe the clams will like you!"

Aria snorted. "If they start glowing and choosing him too, I'm throwing myself into the ocean."

Lyra smiled faintly. "Let's hope they stay normal."

They walked until they reached a large fenced area built near the shore. A wooden sign read:

Deepwater Clam Harvest —

Queue calmly. No cutting in line.

Danger level: Low.

Aria sighed. "Low danger. Finally."

Sophia pointed forward. "There's the line."

And there was a line.

A long one.

At least thirty people stood waiting patiently, buckets in hand.

Rhys blinked. "Why is this so popular?"

Caria answered, "Clam pearls are used for enchantments, potions, jewelry, and high-level gear. Everyone needs them."

Aria crossed her arms. "This is worse than dungeon queues."

Lyra looked around. "We should wait. It won't take too long."

Puddle hovered beside Rhys. "We can stand in line together, master!"

So they joined the queue.

It moved slowly.

Very slowly.

Sophia leaned to Caria. "At this rate, it'll be evening."

Aria slumped forward dramatically. "I'm aging. I feel my youth leaving my body."

Lyra chuckled softly. "It's been ten minutes."

After a while, they reached the front part of the line where a small booth was set up. A girl sat behind a counter, swinging her legs. She couldn't be older than ten.

She had bright blue hair, shining like the ocean, and wore a simple shell necklace.

She looked up at Rhys and the others.

"Hello! Welcome to the Deepwater Clam pools! You can enter when it's your turn."

Her voice was cheerful and practiced.

Sophia whispered, "She's the manager?"

Caria gently explained, "Pearl Island businesses often pass tasks to younger helpers."

Aria shrugged. "She looks capable."

The girl suddenly pointed at Rhys with wide eyes.

"You! You're carrying something weird!"

Rhys stiffened. "Uh… this?"

He tapped the rusted sword.

The girl nodded vigorously. "Yes! It's humming. And kinda… sparkly inside."

Lyra's eyes widened slightly. She can sense mana?

The girl grinned. "Don't lose that sword, mister. It's really, really special."

Puddle puffed up proudly. "He won't!"

The girl giggled, then waved them forward.

"Okay! Your turn. Go inside and pick any clam you can open!"

Aria punched the air. "Finally!"

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