The Kicked Out S-Rank Appraiser Creates The Strongest Guild - Chapter 148

Chapter 148   Lizetta’s Unique Skill

Just before Jill arrived at the “Spirit Workshop” branch, Lizetta was trying to complete the task assigned to her by Laurent.

“Phew. I think I’m almost there,” Lizetta said, opening the lid of the pot and watching the liquid inside come to a boil.

At the same time, she made sure to wear a mask and goggles to avoid inhaling the rising steam.

(I never imagined I had this kind of skill…)

Lizetta recalled her interaction with Laurent.

A week earlier, Lizetta had been summoned by Laurent.

“You called for me, Guildmaster?”

“Yes, please come in.”

Laurent invited Lizetta into the room and gestured for her to sit.

“You’ve been with the ‘Spirit Workshop’ for a few weeks now, and I think you’re getting used to how things work here. I believe it’s time to entrust you with a more important task.”

(Here it comes!)

Lizetta braced herself, having anticipated this moment.

While working under Aina, Lizetta had always been aware of Laurent’s watchful eyes.

Even though he rarely showed up in the atelier, he was always meticulously observing how the staff performed.

Lizetta had been doing her best, hoping to be recognized by him.

And now, at last, the opportunity had arrived.

“In fact, Jill from the ‘Golden Hawk’ is scheduled to arrive on this island soon.”

“Jill!? You mean the S-Class Heavy Armored Knight, Jill Irwin?”

“Yes. And we need to create equipment for her.”

“……”

“I’ve been thinking about who should lead the development of that equipment… Lizetta, how about it? If you’re up for it, I’d be willing to entrust it to you…”

“I’ll do it!”

Lizetta replied almost without hesitation.

“This won’t be an easy task, you know? If you’re going to do it, you’ll need to create equipment that surpasses the ‘Fire Spear.'”

“Of course! That’s exactly what I want!”

“Alright then, follow me.”

Laurent led Lizetta to a room within the atelier.

“Take a look at this.”

“This is…”

What Laurent showed to Lizetta was a ‘Fire Spear’ made by Charl.

The silver-crafted ‘Fire Spear’ was clearly superior to the one Lizetta had been making.

Lizetta immediately realized that her current skills were no match for the creator of this equipment.

“This ‘Fire Spear’ was crafted by Charl Cotton, an S-Class Alchemist from the ‘Spirit Workshop’ headquarters. She also created the ‘Dragon Slayer Hammer,’ the weapon used to slay the S-Class monster ‘Skull Dragon.'”

“……”

“With your current skills, you won’t be able to create equipment that surpasses this ‘Fire Spear.’ Which means…”

“I need to acquire new skills. That’s what you’re saying, isn’t it?”

“Yes, exactly.”

(As expected of someone who was once a member of the Quartet, she’s quick to adapt.)

“Laurent, please teach me the skills that lie dormant within me.”

“Very well. Then let’s begin…”

[Lizetta Rone’s Unique Skills]

‘Deadly Potion Brewing’: E → A

‘Integrated Design’: E → A

“Let’s start by learning how to make potions.”

Over the next week, Lizetta, still somewhat skeptical, began making potions.

Once she became proficient at creating basic potions, she expanded her range to include magic potions, poisons, and explosives. As she did so, her pharmaceutical skills rapidly improved. Now, she could identify a potion just by its faint smell and create more potent formulas than others, even using the same quantity of ingredients.

[Explanation of ‘Deadly Potion Brewing’]

This skill allows the user to create more potent potions than normal.

Currently, she was working on crafting a special potion known as a “Bursting Agent.”

(Good. It’s looking great.)

After checking the progress of the concoction, Lizetta turned off the heat under the pot and poured its contents into a vial.

She then let a single drop fall onto a piece of dragon skin she had placed on the table earlier.

The thick dragon hide began to bubble on the surface, swelling up until it burst.

(This is the best I’ve made so far. Now, for the next step…)

Holding the vial of “Bursting Agent,” Lizetta moved into the next room.

There, the newly designed and improved “Fire Spear” was resting.

Lizetta poured the “Bursting Agent” into the inner chamber of the “Fire Spear” and sealed it shut.

She then took hold of the “Fire Spear,” aimed it at the impaled head of the ‘Fire Dragon,’ and thrust it forward.

The blade was instantly enveloped in intense heat, burning through the dragon’s skin, while the “Bursting Agent” flowed out from the blade’s surface.

Suddenly, the head of the ‘Fire Dragon’ exploded from within.

(Great. Success! The new ‘Fire Spear,’ integrating the two unique skills ‘Deadly Potion Brewing’ and ‘Spirit Infusion,’ is complete.)

Lizetta went to report to Laurent.

“Laurent, the new ‘Fire Spear’ is complete!”

“Really? Alright, let’s take a look.”

Without delay, Laurent began appraising the ‘Fire Spear’ alongside Lizetta.

[Lizetta Roane Unique Skills]

Spirit Infusion: B → B

Deadly Potion Brewing: A → A

Integrated Design: B → A

[Fire Spear Status]

Special Effects: High Temperature B, Bursting A

“Hmm. It’s confirmed that the skill has reached Class A. The ‘Fire Spear’ also has its special effects properly attached.”

“Yes, thank you very much,” Lizetta replied with a smile.

Laurent was impressed by how quickly Lizetta had progressed.

(To think that just by pointing her in the right direction, she could achieve this level on her own. Her determination to improve is incredible. It was definitely the right decision to choose Lizetta.)

“Alright then, as promised, I hereby appoint you as the lead developer for the equipment to take down the ‘Giant Fire Dragon, Grand Fafnir.’ Let’s get started on our meeting right away.”

Laurent and Lizetta moved to the meeting room to begin their discussion.

“The ‘Giant Fire Dragon, Grand Fafnir’ currently has six known characteristics: its wide-range flame attack, the ‘Tsunami-like Fire Breath, Grand Breath’; its ability to fly instantly into the air; evasive maneuvers using its flexible body; its rock-covered defense; its wide field of vision; and its powerful physical attacks taking advantage of its size.”

“Hmm, I see. Attack, defense, evasion… It seems like there are no weak points,” Lizetta noted.

“This monster possesses such a comprehensive set of abilities. Defeating it will require utilizing every unique skill in this atelier. This is where your unique skill, ‘Integrated Design,’ comes into play.”

[Explanation of ‘Integrated Design’]

This skill allows the creation of blueprints by combining multiple unique skills.

“The sensation of using a unique skill is something only the user can feel. Thus, it is generally considered difficult to combine multiple people’s unique skills to create equipment. However, with your unique skill, ‘Integrated Design,’ you should be able to combine each person’s unique skills to create equipment without losing any of their strengths. You’ve already experienced this firsthand by combining your own two unique skills, ‘Spirit Infusion’ and ‘Deadly Potion Brewing,’ to create the upgraded ‘Fire Spear.'”

[Lizetta Lone’s Unique Skill]

Integrated Design: B (↑3)

“This time, we’ll base the development of Jill’s equipment around this ‘Integrated Design’ skill.”

“I understand the approach of combining unique skills to create equipment. The next step is to determine what equipment would suit Jill. Could you tell me about Jill’s skill set, stats, and the direction for her equipment?”

“Alright, let’s go over those two aspects.”

Laurent proceeded to describe Jill’s characteristics to Lizetta.

All of Jill’s basic stats are over 100, with exceptional endurance and stamina. She possesses such high defense that even attacks from the ‘Giant Fire Dragon, Grand Fafnir’ do little to faze her, as long as they are physical in nature.

Therefore, for defense, the focus should be on protecting against the ‘Tsunami-like Fire Breath, Grand Breath,’ while it is acceptable to take some damage from physical attacks like claw strikes, bites, or tail slams.

For offense, considering the enemy’s agility, the equipment should prioritize lightness and the ability to deliver multiple small blows over a single powerful strike.

Based on these criteria, Lizetta formulated a proposal for Jill’s equipment.

To withstand the “Tsunami-like Fire Breath, Grand Breath,” we will use the “Fireproof Shield” made from “Fire-Repelling Ore, Fire rest,” polished with Wayne’s “Magic Stone Cutting” technique.

Physical attacks will be mitigated with Aina’s double-layered armor, reinforced with her “External Armor Enhancement Coating.”

For offensive gear, we will prioritize a thrust-focused sword, emphasizing lightness and rapid strikes over raw power.

The sword will be coated with a potent poison created through “Deadly Potion Brewing,” dealing small amounts of damage while poisoning the “Giant Fire Dragon, Grand Fafnir,” gradually depleting its stamina.

Seeing these proposals, Laurent was greatly satisfied.

(Yes, well done.)

He showed the plans to Aina, secured Wayne’s cooperation, and gave the green light for the production of the equipment.

While Laurent and his team were steadily preparing for the “Giant Fire Dragon, Grand Fafnir” subjugation, Edgar had begun making moves at “Dragon’s Ember” to win back customers from the “Spirit Workshop.”

Even Edgar was facing criticism.

To exploit Medes and then betray him with a public denunciation, only to lose crucial orders from external guilds—what a mess!

As a result, despite having only recently become guild leader, Edgar found himself in a precarious position from the start.

Having lost both the local and external guilds, “Dragon’s Ember” now had only the “White Wolf” to rely on.

Edgar decided to provide new equipment to the “White Wolf” and attempt to recover by defeating the “Spirit Alliance.”

Now, he was waiting in the meeting room for Jamil and his group to arrive.

In the meeting room, Edgar was accompanied by Charles and Raoul, but the atmosphere had been tense.

“You guys understand, don’t you? This project could decide the fate of the guild. Get your act together.”

“…”

Even as Edgar spoke, Raoul neither showed agreement nor disagreement, maintaining an ambiguous stance.

His position was indeed complicated.

Edgar’s performance as a guild leader had been far worse than Medes’.

Medes had handled many key responsibilities, and after his departure, the guild had faced numerous problems.

Edgar could not manage the internal affairs properly, and various tasks had already begun to stagnate.

While Raoul genuinely wanted to oppose Edgar’s methods, he couldn’t deny that he had also played a significant role in establishing the current regime by joining Edgar’s coup.

Therefore, openly opposing Edgar at this point would be rather awkward.

There was a knock on the door.

“The members of ‘White Wolf’ have arrived.”

It was the voice of the receptionist.

“Alright. Let them in.”

As Edgar spoke, Jamil, Rodo, and Zain entered, followed by an unexpected person.

“What the—You… Gilbert!?”

“Hey, Raoul. Long time no see. How’ve you been?”

Gilbert responded cheerfully.

“? What’s going on? Do you know each other?”

Jamil asked, looking surprised.

“Know each other? More like, how dare you show your face in front of me.”

“Of course I’m going to show up. I’m the one in charge of equipment procurement for ‘White Wolf,’ after all.”

“Huh!?”

Raoul glared at Jamil.

“That’s right. From now on, Gilbert will be handling our equipment procurement.”

“What? Are you serious!?”

“Gilbert used to be a member of ‘Golden Hawk.’ In other words, he knows Laurent well. He’s someone we can rely on for a full-scale confrontation with the ‘Spirit Alliance.'”

“Well, that’s the situation. Nice to meet you, Raoul. Let’s put the past behind us.”

After saying that, Gilbert whispered to Raoul.

“Looks like you guys have no choice but to rely on ‘White Wolf,’ huh? Losing your clients and all.”

(This guy…)

“Let’s just get along, okay?”

“Heh. Yeah, nice to meet you.”

Gilbert and Edgar shook hands firmly.

Then the two of them started discussing the business deal and the plans to defeat the ‘Spirit Alliance,’ leaving the other five behind.

“Do it like this, and then like this.”

“Oh, I see. That sounds great.”

Gilbert and Edgar seemed to hit it off remarkably well, leaving the others in the dust as they continued their discussion.