The audience frowned when the weapon Richard showed was a shield. Whispering voices began to echo like flies. In the past five years at the Golden Hammer Expo, no vendors had promoted a shield as their flagship product.
Of course, what House of Blacksmith did was enough to make journalists and bloggers both surprised and curious. Klaus was no exception.
"Damn, a shield? What can that thing do but defend." Jonathan patted his knee.
"Do you think it's wrong, Jonathan?" Klaus asked.
The dark-skinned man nodded. "Yeah. I mean, awakeners rarely use shields as weapons. There are too many limitations with them; short-range and ineffective at killing monsters."
Sheila usually chimed in when she had an opinion, only to remain silent, a sign that the woman agreed with Jonathan.
However, Klaus did not think so.
Manufacturers usually make products based on market demand and trends. If they made products that were different from the mainstream, they usually targeted a niche market. This method was correct. It could even be a big hit because niches had few competitors.
However, the House of Blacksmith and other guilds had the same target market, the awakener. Shields were synonymous with defense, so awakeners were less interested in them. They preferred weapons that were deadly and had a long reach, such as swords or spears.
Besides, awakeners often thought of shields as complementary weapons. Some also thought shields would only add to their burden in the dungeon. It was likely that the House of Blacksmith would fail to market their latest product.
However, it would be a different story if they became the center of the trend.
"They are not fighting the trend; they are setting it," says Klaus.
Hearing their boss's opinion, Sheila and Jonathan could only frown. The House of Blacksmiths was America's number-one guild of craftsmen and forges. They stood at the top of the market. It was possible for them to create a new mainstream.
"But is that possible, boss? Though they stand at the top of the market. Lately, many guilds and companies have almost caught up with them. Morning Star for example. I don't think it is the right decision."
Klaus chuckled. "That's why they made this product. The House of Blacksmith needs to maneuver to maintain their position."
Jonathan nodded as he opened his mouth.
On stage, Richard began to explain House of Blacksmith's latest product.
"As you all know. The shield is a weapon you rarely see anywhere; in workshops, weapon shops, and even online shops. This weapon is very underrated. Of course, we know the shortcomings of shields. That's why we developed it."
The audience looked curious. Richard gazed at them for a moment. When he raised the shield, a sword protruded from the pointed end of the shield. The audience uttered a simultaneous "wow".
The sword was not shiny but gray with a wave motif like a sushi knife. Stabbing and slashing, Richard demonstrated how to use the hybrid weapon despite his awkward movements. The shield was thick and the size of an adult man's torso, but Richard seemed to have no trouble when he swung it.
"We named it Shiblade. Simple, a combination of 'shield' and 'blade' so you young guys remember it. Yeah, I know it's a dorky name."
The audience laughed as Richard cracked a joke.
"Shiblade is forged with mixed materials from the earth and the dungeon. It's very light, strong, and practical. The sword's long reach allows you to stab within one and a half meters. And, of course, the large shield will protect you from incoming attacks. It's the perfect weapon for close combat."
The journalists and bloggers just nodded. Their facial expressions were flat, showing no interest. Although the hybrid weapon had surprised them, it was not enough to impress them. The Shiblade still couldn't compete with the Caliburn X21.
In fact, those two weapons could not even be compared.
Klaus sighed. "He needs to add another advantage to that hybrid weapon. Or it will just end up being a waste."
Richard called a man onto the stage. He was tall and muscular, and scratch marks decorated his arms. Judging from his appearance, anyone would know that the man was an awakener.
While the audience was wondering, Richard took a defensive stance, raised his shield, and covered his body. The burly man turned big and tall. The muscles in his arms were getting bigger.
"Woah. What are they doing there?"
"Don't tell me he's going to attack him?"
"No way. I heard Richard is not an awakener. Would he take an attack from that burly guy?"
Various questioning whispers began to sound throughout the room. Of course, Richard heard it and just smiled because it was what he was waiting for.
And Klaus was also curious.
"For your information, that burly man is a D-class awakener, and as you know, I am not an awakener. But I will try to hold his attacks." Richard told the audience.
The burly man took a stance, then he ran to Richard.
Bam!
A boom echoed out as a blow landed on the shield. Everyone sitting in the seats gasped. Richard was only pushed a few inches from where he stood before. Yet the punch was explosive.
Whispers echoed through the auditorium. Some believed it, and some thought it was a set-up. They made their own opinions. Because logically, Richard would have bounced off. The worst scenario was that his body was severely injured, and he could die.
However, Richard was completely fine. Even no sign of pain on his face.
"As you can see, I'm really well. I can withstand that man's powerful attacks. Because Shiblade is not an ordinary hybrid weapon. It is made of a 'special metal' that we have developed. It can absorb and dampen the kinetic energy. At least up to 99%."
Now everything made sense.
Instantly, the audience was shocked. There had never been a material that could dampen energy and vibrations. If all weapons used that special metal as the base material, all weapons would not be able to be destroyed no matter how strong the attack they received.
Thus, the Caliburn X21 was nothing compared to the Shiblade.
Various questions escaped the mouths of journalists and bloggers. But what they most often asked was how much the weapon cost.
"Shiblade will hit the market for 50,000 dollars."
The audience was amazed as they heard the price. A different scene was seen from the competitors. After Caliburn X21 put them under pressure, Shiblade devastated their spirit.
The market competition was getting more challenging.
While people were busy asking questions, Klaus just smiled and sat back. Jonathan thought that Klaus would corner Richard just like when the representative of Morning Star was on stage.
"I thought you wanted to slam their product." Sheila matter-of-factly spoke her mind.
"No," Klaus replied. "I don't think all the guilds and companies here are competitors."
Hearing his answer, Jonathan and Sheila opened their eyes wide.
Question time was up. Terry Owen took over as Jonathan stepped down from the stage. The atmosphere of the auditorium still had yet to change.
"Wow. That was really marvelous. But we need to go to the next representative because I'm sure they won't be outmatched either. It's not a guild like before, but a company. They were only established recently. However, it would be best if you didn't underestimate them. Let's welcome Mors Industries!"
Applause echoed in the auditorium, and Klaus smiled widely. Confidence was all over his face. He was sure his product would make everyone in the room drop their jaws.
But life sometimes went differently than planned.
The emcee had called out the company's name, but Alexa had yet to come on stage. Waiting a moment, Terry gave extra time to the representative of Mors Industries. He mentioned Mors Industries a second and third times.
Still, Alexa did not show up.
But a group of security people in black uniforms took the stage. Drawing closer to Terry, they were discussing something, and the audience was wondering.
Of course, it made Klaus worried. He couldn't stop shaking his knees. Jonathan and Sheila also felt the same way.
"Boss, something seems to have happened to Alexa," Sheila said.
"I knew it." Klaus snapped at his secretary.
The woman shut her mouth instantly, bitting her lips.
Klaus was not stupid enough to not know such obvious things. He just wanted to wait for reassurance from Terry, hoping Alexa was in toilet or doing something else.
And then, the man in gold turned his attention back to the audience. His facial expression seemed flat, making Klaus even more worried.
Taking a breath, the flamboyant man said, "It looks like the representative from Mors Industries can't come on stage. For that reason, we will swap the order numbers. Please for those concerned with Mors Industries to go backstage immediately. Thank you."
Jonathan and Sheila sighed in disappointment. While they buried their faces in their hands, Klaus got up with throbbing veins.
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