I Have An SSS-Rank Service System: Hire Me For Anything!-Chapter 25: First Day Of Work [2]

The forge felt hotter than usual now that everyone was inside, and the space that once seemed large now felt tight with movement and noise. The fire burned steadily in the furnace while the sound of hammer striking metal echoed again and again. Horg stood at the anvil like always, focused and firm, but this time he wasn’t alone. The girls stood nearby, watching closely at first, unsure where to step in, while Dory remained a little behind, observing everything with careful attention.

Horg didn’t waste time acknowledging them properly. He spoke while working, his voice rough but clear.

"Don’t stand around. If you’re here, you work."

Maya raised a brow but didn’t argue. "Then tell us where to start?"

Horg pointed toward the bellows without looking up.

"You. Push air. Keep it steady."

Lola hesitated for a moment before stepping forward. "I’ll do it."

She grabbed the handle and pushed, a bit too fast at first as the fire flared unevenly.

"Too fast," Horg said immediately. "Control it."

Lola adjusted her pace, slowing down as she watched the flames carefully. "Like this?"

"Better. Don’t lose it."

Dory stepped closer, watching how the fire responded to each push of air. His eyes followed the small changes in the flame, the way it grew and shrank, the way the heat shifted slightly around the furnace.

’So this is how it works in practice.’

He adjusted his glasses slightly, thinking as he observed Horg’s movements and the timing behind every strike.

’The system could give me full knowledge instantly if I bought a high-rank package... but I don’t have that yet.’

His gaze shifted again, taking in every step without missing anything.

’For now, I learn from this... slowly... piece by piece.’

"Boy."

Dory looked up at Horg’s voice.

"Come here."

He stepped forward without hesitation, stopping beside the anvil.

"Hold this," Horg said, handing him the tongs and pointing at the heated metal.

Dory gripped the tongs firmly and locked onto the glowing piece, holding it steady in place. The heat pushed against his face, but he didn’t react.

"Don’t shake it," Horg added.

"I won’t."

The hammer came down again, heavy and precise, sparks flying with each hit while Dory kept the metal steady. Behind them, Lisa and Lila stood near a pile of raw metal, looking unsure of what to do next.

"What about us?" Lisa asked.

Horg answered without turning.

"Sort them. Clean ones on one side, bad ones on the other."

They moved quickly, picking up pieces and examining them one by one. Some were smooth, others cracked or uneven.

"This one looks damaged," Lila said.

"Throw it aside," Horg replied.

Dano joined them quietly, already moving faster than both as she sorted through the pile with sharper focus.

Maya stood near the anvil, watching the process with interest.

"So this is all there is?" she asked. "Heat it and hit it?"

Dory shook his head slightly. "There’s more to it than that."

Horg gave a small grunt. "At least one of you understands."

Maya smirked. "Then teach us properly."

Horg didn’t answer her directly. Instead, he stepped back slightly and pointed at a smaller hammer nearby.

"Take that."

Maya blinked. "You’re serious?"

"Yes. When I stop, you hit. Not before."

She picked up the hammer, testing its weight before stepping closer. "Fine. Don’t blame me if I mess it up."

The hammering continued for a few more seconds before Horg suddenly paused. Maya stepped in and struck the metal, her first hit slightly off.

"Harder," Horg said.

She adjusted and struck again, this time cleaner.

"Better."

Maya smiled faintly but didn’t say anything.

On the other side, Lola let out a small groan as she kept working the bellows. "My arms are already tired."

Lila glanced at her. "You just started."

"It’s heavier than it looks."

"Keep pushing," Horg said. "Fire drops, everything slows."

Lola sighed but kept going, forcing her rhythm to stay steady.

Dory stepped back slightly, watching how everyone moved now compared to before. Things were still rough, but there was already a difference. Work that once depended on one person was now being shared.

’This is slower than the system... but it’s real.’

He narrowed his eyes slightly as he focused on the process again.

’If I understand this fully, I won’t need to rely on it every time.’

Horg suddenly stepped back and handed the hammer toward Dory.

"You. Try."

Dory passed the tongs back and took the hammer without hesitation. He stepped forward, facing the heated metal, and adjusted his grip before striking.

The first hit landed clean.

"Again," Horg said.

Dory struck again, this time adjusting slightly based on the feel of the impact.

"Don’t think too much," Horg added. "Feel it."

Dory didn’t respond, but his next strike was smoother.

Horg gave a short nod. "Good enough."

Lisa wiped her hands after sorting another batch. "How long are we doing this?"

"All day," Horg replied.

She paused. "You’re joking, right?"

"No."

Lisa let out a long breath. "Great."

Liam walked back into the forge at that moment, looking tired but curious. He stopped when he saw everyone working.

"What is going on here?"

Maya didn’t look at him. "We’re working."

"I can see that," Liam said. "But why does it look... organized?"

Dory answered without turning. "Because it is."

Liam stepped closer, watching the flow of work. "So what do I do now?"

Horg pointed without hesitation. "Bellows."

Liam froze. "Again?"

"Yes."

He groaned but moved into position beside Lola. "Move. I’ll take over."

"No, you won’t," Lola said. "I finally got the rhythm."

"Then we share," Liam muttered, grabbing the handle anyway.

Dory looked around again, taking in the changes. There was still room for improvement, but the difference was clear.

"We can make this faster," he said.

Maya glanced at him. "How?"

"Less movement," Dory replied. "Everything should be closer."

Horg looked at him briefly. "Then fix it."

Dory nodded and pointed toward the metal piles. "Bring them closer to the anvil. Don’t make him walk back and forth."

Lisa and Lila quickly moved the sorted pieces nearer.

He turned to Dano. "Once one is ready, pass it immediately."

She nodded. "Okay."

He looked at Maya. "Watch the timing. If he stops, you move."

Maya gave a small grin. "Already doing that."

Horg grunted again but didn’t disagree.

The work picked up again, this time smoother than before. The pauses became shorter, the transitions cleaner. Each person began to understand their role better, adjusting without needing constant instruction.

Liam worked the bellows with Lola, both trying to keep the fire steady without arguing too much. Lisa and Lila made fewer mistakes while sorting, and Dano moved between tasks without slowing down.

Maya stayed close to the anvil, stepping in when needed, while Dory shifted between roles, sometimes holding, sometimes striking, sometimes just watching.

Time passed without anyone noticing.

The sound of hammering continued, steady and controlled, as the forge stayed alive with constant work. Dory stood still for a brief moment, observing everything again as it came together in a way that made sense.

’This works.’

He adjusted his glasses once more.

’Not perfect... but it works.’

"Don’t stop," Horg said suddenly.

Dory picked up the hammer again.

"I’m not."