(3RD POV)

Ch'en is the head of the Lungmen Guard Department, a security force that oversees the safety of all the citizens of the said city, because of her line of work, she was rarely shocked or surprised but this time's an exception thus her surprise is understandable.

Few days ago, a skirmish had occurred within the slums of Lungmen city, apparently it turns out that Reunion had been secretly boosting their ranks by inciting the angers and hatred of the Infected living in there. Thus the city was suddenly attacked out of nowhere.

The L.G.D was immediately mobilized and the sudden terrorist attack was successfully put to an end, even though some members of the security force received minor injuries, Ch'en's primary blade was quite chipped and slightly bent because of the amount of heavy Reunion tankers.

Having no knowledge to repair a blade as well as the wish to get a new one, the Lung was soon conveniently contacted by one of her acquaintances, a certain girl whose name is based on the New Year event and also happen to work in metallurgy.

Of course, the Lung demanded why the certain girl couldn't do it herself, well, the reason is because; she's simply too lazy. Much to the ire of Ch'en who relented and strode off outside of the city and keep an eye for a Higashian styled building with smoke coming out the chimney.

The building wasn't too big nor too small, it was styled after the buildings of Higashi and there was also a garden in the side that even had a small but large pond with fishes in it. However, what really was surprising was the amount of blades stabbed into the ground around it.

Out of sheer curiosity, definitely sheer curiosity and not silent admiration at the pristine edges and flawless hilts, Ch'en almost pulled one of the many blades up from the ground before a young but loud voice stopped her.

"Hey! My gramps said no one should touch other people's stuff without permission!" Little Natsumi said indignantly at the Lung.

"Your... grandfather made this?" Ch'en asked, looking at the girl who nodded in return.

"Umu! He said people who wants to pick up the swords should talk to him first!" Replied the young Liberi.

"Speaking of which, are here to find gramps?" The little girl asked.

"...Yes, I was directed here to get my weapon repaired so where can I find your grandfather?" The Lung questioned.

"Wait in there! I'll call him!" Said Natsumi, running off with Ch'en following.

As the duo arrived into the smithy, the officer's surprise was further increased as the walls and floors are filled with more than enough weapons to supply the entire L.D.G forces. There was some weapons that even towered over her along with a giant morning star that reminded her of one certain prissy gaoing cat.

"Gramps!! There's a customer out here!" Natsumi shouted as Ch'en dispelled the plaguing thoughts of that tiger.

"I'll there in a second." A voice called from another room, strangely it didn't sound old and gruff as the Lung had expected.

Out from the doorway curtain stepped a man that is definitely not old and frail looking but a young teenager who wore a black hakama that was connected to the armored boots, on his back was a white haori patterned with flowers on the back and attached to his entire arm was a red armor that extends all the way to his wrist.

She also had a hard time trying not to noticeably look at the ten-pack abs.

"Give me a second..." He said, bending down under the counter before he rose up again with a scabbard in his hand.

"...There we go." He muttered as he sheathed the sword in and placing it on the display rack before turning around.

"What can this blacksmith do for you?" He asked but Ch'en didn't respond, too surprised to see a young man being referred to as "gramps".

"...Oh not again... let me guess. I'm not as old as you thought I was, that's what you're thinking, isn't it?" The boy sighed.

"I- um, no that's not what-" Ch'en started but the boy stopped her.

"Doesn't matter anyway, are you here for a new weapon or a maintenance?" Asked the old boy.

"The latter, my blade was damaged in a skirmish." Replied Ch'en, unsheathing her primary weapon before presenting it to the blacksmith.

"Huh, much more battered than I thought... wait there and I'll start the repair. Look at the weapons if you want and tell me if one caught your eye."

The blacksmith said, pointing at a small raised part of the building and had a zabuton on it along with a small table. The boy offered no more words as he walked back into the smithy and began the preparation to repair the weapon while the Lung walked over and sat down, waiting.

After a moment of silence, the sound of flames, heatwaves and metal banging against metal began to sound out and Natsumi walked out from another doorway and over to the table before setting down a cup of tea. 

"Gramps said that I should give guests this drink when they're sitting here and waiting." The Liberi said.

"I see... thanks." Ch'en responded, picking up the drink and catches a whiff of herbal aroma.

Curious, the scent was enough to entice the Lung into taking a small sip and instantly felt herself being rejuvenated. She continued to partake in the drink while listening to the continuous banging from the smithy as well as taking a look around the building where many weapons lay.

"Did you make this?" Ch'en asked Natsumi who was sweeping the floor with a broomstick.

"Hm? No, gramps made the recipe and taught me how to brew it! He said I can become a tea master in the future!" Natsumi replied, smiling and puffing in pride.

Ch'en secretly relished in the sight of an adorably proud Natsumi.

"So, your grandfather made all these weapons?" The officer asked again, deciding to strike up a conversation while waiting.

"Umu! He said that's his life! He can make weapons, he can cook, clean, make tea and fight if he wants to!" Natsumi answered.

"Really? He doesn't strike as the... combative type." Ch'en replied.

"Well, gramps doesn't really fight much. He said he will if something happened to me and my brother!" Responded the Liberi.

Just as Natsumi said that, the door to the smithy opened and in came a young Lupo boy that looked no older than the Liberi herself. However, on his back was surprisingly a large dead wild boar that had a pair of daggers lodged in its back. The Lupo had a long big bushy tail while there was a pair of fluffy ears on his head, he had gray coloration in his hair and appendages that sported a few streaks of white. 

This is Takumi, the older brother of Natsumi is the "grandson" of the blacksmith.

"Brother! You got dirty again!" Natsumi scolded, pouting while the said Lupo looked away.

"Well, it wasn't my fault, this pig attacked me in the first place!" Takumi rebuked before noticing the Lung in the room.

"Is she a guest?" He asked.

"Yep! She had gramps repair her weapon." Natsumi explained while her brother nodded before making his way into another doorway and dragging the boar with him.

All the while leaving a red trail of blood behind, infuriating Natsumi.

"TAKUMI!!!" She raged, running after the Lupo which Ch'en can hear a sudden frightened whining sound similar to a dog.

After a second, from behind the doorway curtain, Natsumi poked her head out again just as some sort of sizzling sound is heard from the forge.

"Oh, gramps is almost done with your weapon!" She stated before sticking her head back in.

Just as she said that, the blacksmith strode out from behind the doorway with Ch'en's repaired blade that looked just as new and pristine as the blades outside. Though he did have a sliver of an expression of annoyance when he returned the weapon back to the owner.

"Y'know, I've repaired many weapons before but your one's got to be one of the many banged up ones I've ever fixed." He commented.

"Let me guess, you were fighting a bunch enemies with high defensive armors thus the reason your weapon is so messed up." Am I wrong?" He questioned.

"You can tell?" Ch'en asked.

"I may be a blacksmith for a long time but I'm a fighter and can still be one." Replied the boy before noticing the trail of blood.

"...Why is there blood on the floor?" He muttered, loud enough for the Lung to hear thus she explained to him.

"Your... grandson brought back a animal carcass."

"Oh, Takumi's back? And kid won't stop hunting..." Sighed the blacksmith.

"Anyway, your weapon's done and repaired. Next time, I advise you aim for the visors. It may protect one's head but it's not the toughest armor." He said.

"How would you know?" Ch'en questioned before the blacksmith looked at her.

"Girl, I may not live in your city but I know what type of enemies you have and being the head of the L.G.D means you're gonna have a lot of enemies." He stated, tone completely serious.

"...But that's just me being me, don't take it took seriously. I'm just a blacksmith." The boy added, tone reverting back to the snarky one.

"I... see..." Ch'en replied, unsure of his words.

"...Are you gonna leave or what?" The blacksmith asked.

"I thought I was suppose to be given a price for the repair..?" Ch'en rebuked, confused.

"Oh that, well, I don't care if customers pays me or not, I have already have enough to last myself for a lifetime, that includes the brats." Answered the boy, lighting up a kiseru.

"...Here, it's the least I could do." Ch'en said, dropping a small stack of LMD on the counter.

"...Much appreciated... miss?" The boy responded.

"Ch'en." The Lung answered for him.

"Call me Senji, Sengo or old man Muramasa or whatever the hell you like." The blacksmith replied, letting out a puff of smoke.

"I'll consider it." Ch'en answered before walking out, but Sengo called her out again.

"One more thing, not many people know of this smithy's existence. So I'm gonna ask if a girl with white hair, red arms and horns tell you this place?" He questioned curiously.

"...She did." Ch'en answered.

"Figures it be her, girl doesn't know about privacy sometimes..." Sengo muttered before waving the officer off.

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Ch'en walked downhill the mountain from the smithy while examining her newly repaired blade, nothing seems to have changed about it except for the fact that it gives off the same aura like the other blades stabbed into the ground outside the building.

Curious, she swiped her sword at a tree before noting nothing had happened but pausing in shock as the tree trunk slowly began sliding off its base before crashing into the ground, waking up dozing birds and animals.

Now she made extra care to not touch the edge with her fingers lest she wants to get a deep cut.

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