Looking for Love

The staff member would pause a moment. His coat was buttoned with two rows of three brass buttons and pressed over a white shirt and tie. Black with gold trim leading to pressed black slacks and shined black shoes. His face was clean shaved and his bald head seemed to shine. A white belt with a gold clasp marked him with the symbol of the stag. He was rather surprised to be redirected from managing some other workers but....this was a member of the kiri forces he assumed. Their goal at the moment was to teach those willing to learn but...customers were not to be turned away lightly. They were told to make their own assessments for proper clientele. Still this one seemed to have a fire in his eyes. Some determination that set him out from those around him. That much he instinctively felt was obvious.  Those brown eyes would shift to the nearby guard. Nodding to him as they made eye contact. The guard himself would approach in a similar uniform but something about him suggested he was a seasoned veteran. The best of the best recruited for the stag. Still the manager would continue to respond. 

"Ahh Lord Okane does not have a shop within this tower. However he does own the tower itself and currently his calendar is fairly open. Your timing is impeccable. This guard will escort you up the tower to the true forge. You will find him there."

The manager would nod his head and return to his work directing other peons beneath him. The guard however would step up and let out an impolite snort. As if that was his whole way of stating to follow him. Some were hired for brains and some for muscle. He was clearly the latter. Still he would guide him to the elevator before selecting the floor and stepping to the side with his arms crossed for the ride. Once the doors opened he would nod to enter but remain in the elevator. There were two other guards already stationed within the room and he intended to return to his post. However the true forge was a sight to behold. It wasn't as simple as an anvil so much as all the tech one might want in the greatest forges in the world. acetylene fueled fires burned blue and temperature controlled cooling vaults. Metal ingots and presses. Among these stood a man who many considered beyond most men. 

Okane was standing before a table with several advanced looking parts already put together on a scale beyond almost any weapon on the planet. The outer shell for a pair of X rank chakra cannons and he was drawing up how to perfect them. White almost porcelain looking designs. Yet Okane was beyond just a crafter. He was a prince and a merchant that surpassed all others. And he liked lavish things. As was evident by his custom fit. A pair of silver colored slacks with suspenders over his shoulders. Each clip made of gold with the stag symbol imprinted in it. The suspenders weren't clipped onto his pants but buttoned in properly. His shirt was a white silk with the sleeves rolled up carefully to his elbows. A golden lion ring adorned his middle finger on his right hand and silver band on his left wrist. He would turn to reveal the front had the top two buttons undone to reveal his beautiful form. Aside from the shock of scars across his arms, chest and one running up his chin from times of torture. However those emerald eyes would seem to study the young man as he smiled. His voice carrying on the air like practiced silk to the ears. Warm and seductive.

"Ahh such a handsome young man. And what cause is there for you to grace my forge? I would also have your name if you are willing to give it. Of course you already know who I am."

Okane would smile as he was bowed to. It was only proper in this world that everyone bow to him. After all he had risen from a party driven merchants son to the worlds most desired merchant. He had made himself valuable to the world. Though doing so had drawn the ire of some of the worst kinds of people. Even they couldn't chain him down forever. But he knew they would come back. Still the boy would introduce himself loudly and Okane would chuckle. The kid was nervous as could be expected. Okane was essentially a god and now he had just been tossed into a room with him. This was the first outside of the Mizukage of actual Kiri nin he had met since his arrival. He didn't consider Gyo a kiri nin simply because Gyo was his man. He doubted heavily Gyo held any real loyalty to this village. Still it was interesting to intermingle with the shinobi of another nation. He had met with a couple before outside of their village. Both influential and both absent from the village currently. He supposed the last thing he had made was that beautiful armor. But the scythe did not escape his mind. 

Still he would place his hands on his hips and wait patiently. A coy smile matching those emerald green eyes. His patience quickly rewarded as Hisha would finally go about partially explaining why he was here. He wanted some equipment from Okane. This was almost always the case though he often dealt more on a national level. Still he could hardly blame the young man for reaching out to him. After all if a god walked into your back yard would you not ask something of them? At least a friendly god. There were others out there who were less friendly. Still those emerald eyes would note the tattoos shrinking away save for one. So the young man had some control over chakra ink? Or perhaps genjutsu? It made sense. His pale skin and thin stature suggested he wasn't all that strong. Likely around Mamoru's level. Still he would suggest that if Okane was busy he could go. Okane would raise an eye brow and shake his head speaking up in return. His voice still like silk on the ears. 

"I never understood wavering dedication to ones goal. For one to come all this way only to be so simply turned away because I might be busy. My dear Hisha business needs customers. What you see around you is nothing more than pet projects of mine. Sure they surpass likely anything you may find in a shop elsewhere but most of my work does. The greatest commodity to a merchant is people. Come....sit with me and tell me about these ideas of yours and we can talk pricing yes?"

With that Okane would step over to one side of the room. A table was there with chairs around it for a sort of study hall. In truth this was set up for a class on drawing up blueprints. He would collect one of the sheets of paper and a pen before settling into a high backed metal and plastic chair. One that may be found in a classroom. Idly he would in perfect calligraphy write down Hisha's name at the top. Preparing to draw up these ideas on the blueprint papers for the class. For Okane it wasn't a difficult thing to translate idea's to paper. So many shinobi had come to him with a vague idea of what they were after. Only a few actually showed up with it already drawn up. 

"So, Hisha, Tell me your dreams."

Okane would smile to himself at the jest of a girlfriend but say nothing for the moment. Puppetry could cover that for instance but that was the one field he could not really delve into. However he wasn't about to admit any shortcomings to anyone if he didn't need to. Gods did not have talents beyond them. Still he would also consider what he could do. While this one might be for it such ideals as slave collar control devices likely would be frowned upon heavily. Besides a collar had been placed upon his own neck for a time he did not look upon fondly. So he wouldn't offer to put anyone through such a trauma. Still the young man would continue and mention some larger weapons. Likely he meant for the punching power behind such a thing as a ballista. Piercing power often was mistaken for the size of a thing. Often leaving behind mobility as a sacrificial point. Still he would jot down a couple notes as he simply listened. His imperial arms would suit the boy nicely he thought if firepower was his main concern. The Bunker buster Kunai would suit him nicely. Still Okane would collect a pair of reading glasses from his shirt pocket and settle them on his nose. 

His notes would only pause a moment as he noted the tentacle. By indications and his own experience with chakra ink this boy held a natural affinity for it. A sealing expert? Still the young man would continue as he pulled out some artwork. Designs for how boots could look but not really blueprints for how they functioned. Okane would collect them as his emerald eyes shifted to look over the art. Firepower, boots for mobility and vision altering items that could block out vision based connections such as the sharingan. It was a tall order indeed. A great deal of it would cost him. If he wanted just one imperial launcher and its ammo along with the pair of boots, and the contacts altered for him....well he was looking at a solid million ryo. Okanes works were not cheap but they were incredibly potent and effective. Still the man would mention he wasn't rich by any means. Okane would glance over his glasses at the young man. Studying him a moment. Okane's one god above himself was money and though he had plenty of it he did not relish the idea of doing anything for free. Still he would smile and set the art down. Leaning back in his seat and folding his hands in his lap calmly. Speaking to Hisha in return with silk on the young man's ears. 

"It is a pity your village doesn't pay you much then. My company pays a minimum of a hundred thousand a month to our employees. Showing them value and having them utilize powerful artifacts. That said there are options available to you. I do advise against larger weapons however as they are cumbersome and limiting in flexibility. I could however offer you all the punching power of a ballista in the palm of your hand. As for the boots, Improving your speed is a simple task. I could do that for you easily enough and I could even modify the contacts I have already designed with defensive properties. However each of these items from me markets at two hundred and fifty thousand. The Imperial wrist launcher and its ammo are sold separately as you can load more basic kunai into it. So in total for four items you are looking at a millions Ryo. Of course you have options as well. Buy each piece when you can, take a loan from your Kage or even a loan from me...."

Okane would smile at how polite the young man seemed. He would settle his pencil to paper and begin to sketch out the exact schematics and blueprint of the boots as well as setting about making notes to check on Kiyoshi's blue prints. They suited the vision request nicely and he could modify them into contacts. Or even sunglasses or something. Whatever the client preferred. Even to the esthetic the client wished for. If he wanted his contacts to turn his eyes bright blue...if they should turn the whites of his eyes black and flow with chakra...it was all fairly easy to accomplish to add effects. He felt this client was interesting though. He was handsome and held a certain suave to himself. Even if he was clearly nervous in front of Okane it was held rather well. A pity that he already was a member of a village. Okane could have had use for him. Kiyoshi had gotten permission and honestly Gyo was more of a freelancer than ever with the nation of Kumo in turmoil. He had one body guard in a coma that was from Kiri but that was from some years back. This one was of a different class. 

He would smile however at the gawking noises at the price. Oh how quickly he revealed his hand as too short. Of course Okane had bated him into this more specific conversation. He wanted to see how off the mark this one was for his prices. However he wasn't without pity for him. The village likely limited what he could do as a genin and promotions were few and far between before the leadership change in regime he had heard. However he had no interest in teaching Blitz how to financially run a village. He hardly knew the man but by reputation he was more of a fighter than anything. That and he didn't want an enemy for some slight on pride right now. In fact Hisha was in a unique position. His becoming a student of the current Mizukage was no secret. If anything Kiyoshi had seen the beginning of it at their meeting. That placed Hisha into a unique position. It made him incredibly valuable to the Stag Emporium. And in such a position of vulnerability. Those emerald eyes would glint as the question was asked. What did a loan from the Stag entail? A page to be taken from Kiyoshi here. A seed to plant.

"Ahh wonderful of you to inquire. I could begin on them all immediately and would be done in roughly four weeks. Each item taking a week to finish. You would be taking priority for a whole month. That said a loan from me is actually easily in your favor here my good sir. You see I was promised support from the previous leader of Kirigakure before your current Mizukage took over. I need someone who has his ear to support my endeavors. Nothing to threaten Kiri of course. After all we already built a number of buildings including the tower you are in for him. I would be willing to make you a pair of contacts for your perceptive needs....your shoes to increase your speed until you fly and the imperial kunai launcher as well as its ammo for half that price. Only five hundred thousand. So...will you be my little birdie on his shoulder?"

Hisha started to contemplate in silence a moment. A moment that Okane could appreciate. Putting thought into what seemed like such a simple request suited the type of people he needed. People who were willing to think things through before acting. It wasn't exactly an immediate pressure tactic but there was a lot of money at stake. Okane himself was always plotting something. Still the sudden shift of tone and the movement of the chakra ink would draw the attention of those emerald eyes. He would smile a little at the display. It would appear this young man was more than the immediate appearance he put off. The question was which was real and which was the facade? Was this a darker individual who was putting on a mask to attempt to trick those around him into believing him a humble shinobi? When in fact the darkness under the surface was waiting and willing to draw those caught unaware beneath. Many predators would lure their prey with sweet scents or the appearance of food. Only letting them realize once they were in their clutches that they were in a trap...and usually by then it was too late. The predator waiting for the prey. 

Okane would lower his hand out of sight to hide the shaking in his right hand. He had met predators before. Facing their torment and humiliation. They hadn't liked his pride and had broken him time and time again. Even now the trauma of those years shook him. He was afraid of those around him now. Even learning a teleportation technique to flee at any given moment. However the idea that it was another predator before him shook him for a moment. Though his face didn't show anything his right hand would clench his pants leg tightly. Preventing any shaking and forcing his way through the post traumatic stress. Still he would maintain his visual composure as the tone changed again and he felt his hand relax. His knuckles aching from how tight his grip had been. He had been moments from teleporting out of the nation but he wouldn't reveal that. Instead he was curious about the chakra ink moving freely on the young man. He had experience with seals but never moving chakra ink beyond the initial seal placement. It could prove useful to him. If the boy was even aware of it. Still the question would be posed about if he needed anything else.

Okane would smile as he sat back. A glance at someone waiting off to the side of the room would have them moving to the vending machine. Collecting two cans of chilled coffee. While that was done Okane would return his gaze to Hisha. Letting those emerald eyes study him as he spoke up. "In a rush? I am sure you are eager to improve yourself. However there are two more matters I would like to broach. " The servant would place down two cans of chilled coffee. A mocha and a french vanilla. Careful to place it on the table in the center away from any of the papers.  Okane would lift a hand to indicate that Hisha could take either and he would have the other. Canned beverages were alright but beneath his usual standards. "The first of which is your moving tattoos. I am unsure if you are aware of it or not but as far as I can tell it responds like a living thing to your emotions. Would you be so kind as to tell me more about it? An idle curiosity really but if it is an active defense...I would like to know more."

Okane had contemplated a few things as the young man explained himself. Both in his expectations of the man and in his abilities. It seemed though he was aware of the ink moving along his skin he was as of yet not capable of utilizing it. Perhaps in the near future though. He was curious about it but he would smile and collect the opposite can the boy had chosen. It was a lesser item than what he was accustomed to but he liked his clients to see a more human side to him. Something they could attribute themselves to. After all he did not expect worship but reverence instead. People of any stature recognized him and some even revered him. Still he would hold the can in one hand and the cap would seem to pop itself. His steel release molding the tin in the can as he saw fit. He would take a sip of the fluid and avoid making any sort of face. The sheer amounts of sugar they were pumping into these cans. He would need to produce a better and tastier product. Another improved item the stag would provide. Still he would smile and glance at those working and learning in the shop.

"A well oiled machine rarely needs tending. Even while I was kidnapped to another plain of existence my company grew in my absence. A foundation laid out that competes on an economical level with even your nation. Since my return I oiled the gears a little more and now I have nothing but free time to craft as I like. However there is the expectation of the average shinobi that finds me too intimidating to approach. Clearly you are above the norm. Having braved that much. "

Okane would smile as he put a little compliment out there. Buttering up this strange young man. It was true he wanted someone that was a Stag supporter in the Mizukages ear. He had heard the man was mule headed and a fighter. But if someone like Kirigakure would support him....He remembered when the emporium was neutral land. Enforced by all the nations even during war. Okane sold to all sides and yet none of them targeted him for it before Menza. There was a time he believed himself untouchable. A thing proven not a fact. He would reach up and touch his own scar a moment before catching himself and resting his free hand on the table. 

"Proficient with barriers huh? That's a new one. Not many specialize in the field but it would make you invaluable in VIP transport. Would you consider yourself a combatant or do you prefer a little more of a laid back lifestyle? I myself have very little formal training you see. I am more capable than your average citizen of course but it was never my battlefield capabilities that built up my name. I could make that happen for you though if you want. A little nudge to get your name in fame."

Okane would settle back in his seat as the young man played along with the conversation. His own drink forgotten as those emerald eyes studied the boy. Young and not too ambitious on the outside. However he couldn't get over the feeling that he wasn't seeing the whole picture. It was like there was something missing from Hisha. Something hidden beneath the surface. He was polite and nervous it appeared. However Okane had to consider that this was the most ideal way to approach him. Play into his personality and talk him up while pretending to be humble. He suspected Hisha was hiding his true nature somehow. Still there really wasn't any need to call him out on it. He changed tactics given the customer often. The only difference was Okane lacked humility as a trait. He had been broken in so many ways but not enough for him to forget who he was. The most prolific crafter in the world. His competition either working for him or owned via the majority in stocks by him. Long since left to their slumber. He wouldn't hand over the crown easily as it was HIS. A man who became a god through his work. 

Aside from how desired he was Okane didn't mind these little side channels. Each time he met someone new and would appreciate their unique talents. So long as they didn't intentionally offend him or threaten him. He wouldn't tolerate threats anymore. That much he was confident in stating. Still the question would be posed to him as to what he meant by famous. Okane would smile as he lifted his hand. The can before him shifting and molding into a multitude of shapes as his finger settled upon it. All of them whole as to contain the liquid. Moving as he spoke like a dance at his control. From simple shapes to a spiral dagger and back the can would continue to transform.

"Fame. A wonderful concept if you can handle the attention. One usually gains this favor or curse by accomplishing something of note to others. I accomplished this by building a flying city. A feat of engineering beyond the wildest dreams of most...a forgotten technology to others. Yet I made something new. As such you could do the same with your barriers. I believe that what you can come up with will change the way the world views defense. As such if possible I would like you to work for me. Not as a shinobi but as a researcher. I will provide you the workspace and a monthly stipend fitting one of my employees. In return I want a copy of each new barrier technique you come up with."

Okane would smile a broader smile showing his pearly whites as his emerald eyes would glint. Oh how wonderful this young man was. Making deals and haggling. It wasn't as if Okane was under the impression he would immediately be impressed. He expected an amount of trial and error. However the theory intrigued him. He had studied his share of seals just as a hobby. Eventually unlocking the understanding of the flying thunder god seal. A hobby had become an obsession over it. A need for a technique to escape to the corners of the world in an instant. Not to mention how useful such a tool as teleportation would be to a merchant. Sure he couldn't take his forge and lab with him. However if there was one in every major city he wouldn't have to. He could craft anything in any one of them and hold his position as the worlds top merchant. The grand merchant. To him it was simply wonderful that anyone would try and haggle with him. So often they just accepted his prices and modifications and even tipped well. His resources and skills were useful. However defense was important to him as well. Still he would chuckle in amusement.

Okane's hand would lift to rub his chin with one finger along his bottom lip. Pulling on it slightly as if he were attempting to seduce Hisha. Something about the young man was attractive indeed. He would let out another light huff of amusement before speaking again with a raised eyebrow. "Now what would you know about an item like that? Or that I might have it?" Oh he wondered now if Hisha had probed his mind or perhaps gotten into their files. They had brought a list to him of their artifacts and their research on them. Still Okane would snap his fingers and the room would clear. Any students or instructors would quickly move at the hall guards insistence. Suddenly the room would be driven to a moment of silence between the two. Okane picking up his can and swirling it lightly as he sat back before taking a sip. He was comfortable with this turn of events however. He didn't look surprised or phased. Perhaps just amused. Still those green eyes would study Hisha before he spoke again.

"An artifact like that....if I did have it would be an ask for someone who isn't bound to me really. I would have to rely on your word that you shared anything and as of yet this is all based on a whim. Perhaps you do move sealing into a new level with your barriers. Or you take my hypothetical bell and hide behind your Kage. So much risk here. I suggest an alternative. Performance based bonuses. Show me something impressive and I will give you copies of the exclusives I do own. Really shake the way the world see's seals? We can talk about hypothetical artifacts."

Okane would raise an eyebrow as the corner of his mouth twisted in amusement. A part of him suspected the young man had split personalities. However each were useful in their own way. The coffee spilled all over the boys front from the confident request before. Okane had essentially politely turned down his request for an artifact that truthfully he did no have. Someone had collected the demon bell before he bought the lands. While he felt that he should rightfully own it he had no luck as of yet in tracking it down. Nor were artifacts and exclusives his priority. Though some had proven useful or potent. His research department was still working on them back at the Emporium. He would be returning there in due time once these crafts were finished. Suna was his now and he fully intended to rule over it. He would need to return to Iron as well to ensure its security as he had heard it had been robbed. It was a pity but if the Shogun was in a coma he would need to ensure the lands security. Ryuko would be ideal for that but her position as head of security seemed spotty. 

Still the flustered young man would apologize and compliment him almost in the same breath. Okane would settle back in his seat and place his hands on top of his knee. One knee folded over the other and one hand folded over the other as well. He would need to inform Gyo of his intention to move too. However he wasn't certain the man would join him. It was the furthest point from his home in Kumogakure. Rumors were that Kumo was being rebuilt and under who was a mystery. Still Okane would let these thoughts conclude while listening to the young man seemingly accept his offer with an interest in what kind of seals he was interested in. Okane would smile as his voice was like silk on the ears. 

"Barriers are valuable to me. There are those who threatened me in the past and buying time is important when one wishes to escape. There are a couple of things I am interested in. A more advanced alarm barrier for one. Something to alert me when someone attempting to hide themselves is approaching. I have developed a seal already to avoid eavesdropping which I will share with you when you pick up your order. Sealing jutsu are also valuable as Konoha seems to have a lock on the more powerful versions. If I were to locate an entity of some power I would rather capture it than flee. However for now go home and get cleaned up. Return in one month for your requested gear with payment and I will see you then."

Okane would remain seated as the young man would likely see himself out. A respectful nod of his head before going back to work. A month would pass with him working alone on his projects. Only visited once by an employee collecting an artifact level item he had paid for in favor of Konoha. However Okane would have set up a demonstration room for the equipment. Hisha would be guided there by an employee who was set in the lobby to collect him when he arrived. A pretty girl to soothe the nerves. Okane himself would be standing in a large nearly empty room. A sort of warehouse for materials that had been cleared out for this purpose. A hundred meters long with lights on the ceiling every twenty meters. Stretching from one side to the other and providing exceptional lighting for the whole room. At the entrance pedestals had been brought in for each piece of gear. The boots, the contacts, and the Imperial wrist launcher with its bunker buster kunai. Across the room was a target plate of three inch thick titanium. near the far wall. Roughly 90 meters away. Okane himself was standing in a pitch black suit fitted perfectly to his slender frame with his hair slicked back and his forked beard trimmed. He would be traveling after this meeting to move the Emporium after all. Still he would wait with his hands folded behind his back. No snacks or anything this time. Just a demonstration of his craft. 

Items being purchased:

The member 'Okane' has done the following action : Dice roll

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'Bunny Arrival' :

The member 'Hisha' has done the following action : Dice roll

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'Bunny Arrival' :

Okane would fold his hands behind his back as he waited. Ninjutsu and the other shinobi skills were impressive tools in their own right. At higher tiers most of it was near impossible to replicate. However in specific cases he had managed to do so. This particular case he was fairly fond of. With the piercing power often found in the wind element embodied with his metals of launcher. He was well aware the bunker buster kunai would go through the titanium target at the far side of the room. However he had calculated it so that it was just enough that it would stick into the wall behind it. He had made one other set of this before and it was lost somewhere. Likely he figured Nozomi had it as he had made it for a Kage named Ei originally. However that person was long since dead. Nozomi had been an initial investor but he was upset with her. An organization she had tried to recruit him to had been the ones to kidnap him after all. Still his thoughts couldn't dwell on that. Instead his attention would be drawn to his guest. His smile spreading across his handsome features. His voice like silk.

"Ahh Mister Hisha. Good to see you again. Please. Equip your gear and do a test lap around the room with the shoes. Afterwards return to my side and fire a round or two at the titanium target. It should prove amusing."

Okane would lift a hand to indicate the pedestals before standing off to the side. He was confident in his gear and would stand by it. He was more interested in seeing his clients reaction to his new set. If at all possible he was more in it for the joy than the money. He had money. Still he would watch quietly from where he stood. His emerald eyes observing and waiting. After all he hadn't many clients lately while running the business. He wanted to socialize more than with board members. And Hisha was a potential employee in the near future.

The member 'Okane' has done the following action : Dice roll

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'Bunny Arrival' :

Bunny: 1

Okane would smile to himself as the boy fitted the gear. It was a simple enough task for him to create these things. All it took was time. His crafts were coveted across the world and while other crafters came and went he remained strong. Still aside from money and crafting skill he was a little limited when it came to combat. Some of the creations he had designed with his own financial backing were meant to substitute out the difference. Hisha likely wasn't without considerable skill. However with the right gear in the chunnin exams he would finally be able to see how his creations stacked against true natural talent. As well as the inner depths of Hisha's capabilities. Still the man would return jogging to him and Okane would nod as the staff nearby would clap their hands in applause at the display of speed. It was faster than any of them could hope to manage for the time being. Though the guard didn't bother. He was much faster. He was an A rank npc guard after all. Not that he was capable of much more than Okane. Just better trained. Okane had taken on some personal trainers but he was still lacking at active combat.

However Okane was able to track the projectile. The Kunai was fast but not so much so that he wouldn't see it. If need be at that range he was sure he could fire a counter projectile if he was armed. However he was aware of the typical statistics of most genin. It was doubtful that they would be able to defend or dodge. As was demonstrated as the kunai punched right through the target and buried into the wall behind it. Titanium was a strong material but it hadn't mattered. Most things wouldn't. Offensively Hisha was packing now. Still the exclamation would make Okane chuckle. He would have the guard go dig the Kunai out of the wall with brute strength. Returning shortly after Hisha set the payment down. Ahh yes...the cost of materials essentially. Well and then some he supposed. For him half a million ryo was hardly enough to hold his interest. He was simply putting his crafts into the chunnin exams. Demonstrating his superiority over other crafters. Still the question was asked and he would answer the young man. 

"Often this is the reaction to my work. When one builds flying cities statements made in awe are not uncommon. Still to answer your question, that is a kunai made from a special material of the Stag Emporium known as midnight ore. It's ability is simply to be more durable than any other metal. Put simply unless its something made from midnight ore or an artifact, not much will halt the flight of one of these. As such you must be cautious of aiming this at others. You can easily kill someone. Even if you aim for a leg you could end up removing the entire limb. With great power comes vicious results."