What is this 'Dimensional Chat' ?

Chapter 53. Calm before the Strom

“Honoured Blacksmith? Appraisal!” The sword activated its skill to scan the dwarf standing before them.

A glowing screen appeared in the sword's vision, revealing the man’s stats and skills.

“Is he trustworthy, Shisou?” Fran asked, her grip on the hilt tightening.

“Yep, he’s legit,” the sword replied. “This guy is no ordinary blacksmith; he’s a master of his craft. Relax, Fran. He’s not an enemy—at least, not today. Let’s hear him out.”

The dwarf chuckled, stroking his beard. “You talk to your sword, eh? Never seen an intelligence weapon up close. Must be some piece of work.”

Fran gave a slight shrug. “How about you tell us why you were following us first?”

The dwarf laughed heartily. “Straight to the point! I like it! Fine, fine. I overheard you’re looking for gear. Ever since I saw this little miss handle those thugs in the Adventure Guild, I’ve been curious. Name’s Granzel—an honoured blacksmith in these parts. I don’t sell my creations to just anyone. Only the worthy. And you three... well, you caught my eye. You’re interesting, and I reckon my work would suit you perfectly.”

Naruto raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Confident, aren’t you, old man? I could use some new kunai and shuriken, and we haven’t found anything worthwhile in this town yet. Might as well check it out. What do you guys think?”

Fran nodded. “I’m in. I’ve got money to spend, and I need better gear anyway.”

Satria crossed his arms, smirking. “Sure, why not? But I’ll warn you now, Granzel—we’ve been let down by a lot of weapon shops here. Hope you’re not just all talk, or it’s going to be a waste of time.”

The dwarf grinned confidently. “Disappointed? Not a chance, lad. My creations speak for themselves. Follow me, and I’ll show you weapons and gear you won’t find anywhere else.”

“Alright then,” Fran said, stepping forward. “Lead the way.”

They followed Granzel through narrow alleyways and winding streets until they arrived at a hidden entrance. The shop was tucked away so well that it was clear the blacksmith had no intention of letting just anyone find it.

Satria glanced around, impressed. “You’re really serious about keeping random folks out, huh?”

Granzel chuckled as he unlocked the door. “That’s the idea. Come in.”

The group stepped into the shop, their eyes adjusting to the warm glow of the forge. Weapons and armor lined the walls, each piece radiating craftsmanship far superior to anything they’d seen in town.

“I’ve got a question for you, Mr. Granzel,” Satria said, breaking the silence.

“Go ahead, lad. What’s on your mind?” Granzel replied, stoking the flames of his forge.

“Why don’t you let just anyone buy your work? You do know that’s a bad move for a merchant, right? If your weapons are as good as you claim, they could help so many people survive in this harsh world.”

Granzel paused, his expression somber. “You’re not wrong, young man. I used to think that way too. But then, I watched as unskilled fools relied too much on my weapons instead of their own abilities. They went into battles they weren’t ready for, and they didn’t come back. My creations—masterpieces I poured my heart into—were lost, left to rot on some battlefield.

"After losing countless weapons and seeing good iron go to waste, I decided to change my ways. Now, I only sell to those I deem worthy—people who can use my work to its fullest and respect it."