Nam Bora. She was a skilled coordinator. Starting as an intern at Firegoblin Forge, then ranked outside the top 10, she propelled it to second place in no time.
Though Firegoblin tried to keep her, she joined Kang Ho-deok’s forge, chasing bigger dreams.
“No need.”
“You need to be more flexible! I know Kang Ho-deok-nim’s skills well—he’s undeniably Korea’s number one. But managing your page like this…”
“I have no further ambitions. I just want to quietly swing my hammer as always. Don’t touch the page. I’m not interested in putting on a show to attract customers.”
Kang Ho-deok. A blacksmith who rose to Korea’s top spot purely on skill. Everyone in Korea acknowledged his talent.
Perhaps because of that, he had no interest in page management or promotion. He scrutinized those who came and didn’t hold onto those who left. People would come to him regardless.
He called page decoration “putting on airs,” but Nam Bora saw it differently.
“Standing so aloof is putting on airs, isn’t it?”
“What did you say?”
“I respect your skill, Kang Ho-deok-nim, but at this rate, you’ll be buried by the times. Are you content with that?”
“…”
“You’re called Korea’s number one, but that’s it! There are more famous blacksmiths abroad. Why? Because your skills are lacking? No!”
“…..”
“It’s because you’re just standing there, unmoving. If you’d bend a little, move a little, you could surpass Korea!”
Yes, it was ambition. Just as she’d lifted Firegoblin Forge to second place, she wanted to elevate Kang Ho-deok, Korea’s number one, to the world’s top spot.
Firegoblin’s skill capped at second place, but her dream was bigger.
She poured her heart out, but—
“If you don’t like it, leave. I hired you for stable operations, not innovation.”
The response was cold. Kang Ho-deok had no intention of adapting to new winds. He stood firm, weathering them. Only then did Nam Bora realize she couldn’t achieve her dreams here.
“Sigh…”
Should she give up? Korea’s top forge or not, she could leave if she wanted. With her track record of boosting Firegoblin to second, she could elevate another blacksmith to the same heights. But her goal wasn’t Korea’s number one—it was global recognition. For that, she needed a blacksmith as skilled as Kang Ho-deok. No, even greater.
“That’s… impossible, right?”
Finding such a blacksmith was no easy task. Knowing this, she scoured sites, communities, and the auction house. Then—
“Huh?”
She spotted an auction item.
[Flickering Ember]
An SS-grade weapon. A crafted one, no less, made by a blacksmith. A blacksmith crafting an SS-grade weapon? Even Kang Ho-deok struggled with that. People downplayed it as “just a level 10 weapon,” underestimating the creator’s potential, but—
“No.”
Having seen Korea’s top two blacksmiths—Kang Ho-deok and Firegoblin—she knew. This was skill.
“Yesterday, the Kitchen Long Sword. Mir Guild’s already sniffed it out.”
A level 1 weapon, Kitchen Long Sword. Now a level 10 weapon, Flickering Ember. This blacksmith was growing rapidly. Not just in equipment level—from B-grade to SS-grade. The blacksmith’s skill itself was evolving, with potential rivaling, no, surpassing Kang Ho-deok.
Nam Bora’s eyes gleamed. She had to seize this. She had to. With this person, she could achieve her dream.
“I’ll secure the bid no matter what!”
That day, Nam Bora spent 300 million won on a level 10 weapon. Typically, level 10 weapons are transitional, so even high-grade ones don’t fetch high prices.
But she paid 300 million—not for the weapon, but for a connection to a promising blacksmith.
***
“She spent 300 million on it and sent a cover letter?”
What was this? It looked like she’d paid a fortune just to contact me, just like Mir Guild. No, Mir Guild bought the Kitchen Long Sword for 7.5 million.
Spending 300 million on an SS-grade weapon to reach me? That’s excessive.
“Should I reply…?”
I hesitated. Using the buyer message instead of my page meant she was serious about talking. But a coordinator? Did someone who just opened a page need consulting? Plus, hiring a coordinator would expose my identity, wouldn’t it? Staying quiet and using the auction house seemed better.
As if anticipating my doubts, her message continued:
-I’m embarrassed to say, but I coordinated for Firegoblin Forge and currently work at Kang Ho-deok’s forge.
-I believe my qualifications are sufficient.
-Even so, this may feel overwhelming.
-But I want to guide Vulcanus-nim to a better path and walk it with you.
-Not just assisting with forge consulting, but acting as your agent to handle all tasks except crafting, protecting your identity.
She even included a suggestion. Her credentials were staggering—Firegoblin, the number two forge, and Kang Ho-deok, the number one? If this were on my page, I’d have dismissed it as a lie.
The message also offered advice on my future direction, despite no contract.
“Hmm…”
I was conflicted. A shut-in like me couldn’t decide this easily. If I were swayed by sweet words, I’d already be with Mir Guild.
“Let’s try her suggestion first.”
I decided to follow her advice and judge based on the results. Truthfully, I was leaning toward not contacting her. With billions in my account, did I need consulting? Still, free advice was worth trying.
“Crafting.”
No time like the present—I activated my crafting skill.
[Using Crafting Skill.]
[Please select the item type to craft.]
So far, I’d made daggers for the auction house—they sold best, being in high demand. But Nam Bora suggested making other equipment.
“Ring.”
A ring—an accessory for the finger.
[Please specify the ring’s details.]
I envisioned the design, inspired by today’s ores and game items that seemed fitting.
[Please select the ring’s materials.]
I used the bloodstone from today and added a Giant Vampire Bat fang, just in case. Being a ring, it required fewer materials.
[Crafting commencing.]
Clang!
I started crafting. I’d made a statue before, but never a ring. I thought its small size would make it easier, but—
“Why are the points so tiny?”
It was trickier than expected. The points were as small as a fingernail, requiring precise strikes with the hammer’s center. Too much force would shatter them excessively, demanding delicate control.
[Progress: 19%…]
And why was the progress so slow? The tiny points drained my focus, feeling frustrating. But as time passed—
“It’s pretty.”
The ring took shape as I’d imagined—no, even more beautiful than game icons. The bloodstone gave it a subtle red hue.
[Progress: 65%…]
A bat-shaped ornament, crafted from the red fang, adorned the sleek band. The fang’s red matched the bloodstone perfectly. Not quite a trance, but I was engrossed, hammering as if possessed.
Then—
Clang!
The final strike absorbed the scattered points into the ring.
[Crafting complete.]
[Obtained ‘Blood Ring.’]
The item was done.
[Blood Ring]
Type: Ring
Grade: SS
Restrictions: Level 10+
Description: A blood ring crafted from bloodstone, condensed over ages with blood, and a vampire bat fang dyed red from blood.
Abilities:
Vampirism – Recovers a portion of health from melee damage dealt.
Bleed – Worsens enemy wounds, increasing bleeding and reducing healing effects.
Frenzy – Increases attack power against bleeding enemies.
Feast – Stats increase with more blood in the surroundings.
“Double S… Is it supposed to be this easy?”
Since making the anvil, I’d been churning out SS-grade items. I was tempted to aim for SSS-grade. The auction house had few SS-grade listings, yet I was making them daily, making them feel common.
“Should I make a few more?”
Sadly, I only had one bat fang. So, I used bloodstone alone for more rings, which turned out S to A-grade—lesser than the first but still valuable. I bought another bat fang from the auction house and tried again, but no SS-grade. SS wasn’t that easy after all.
“Five rings. That should do.”
Nam Bora, the coordinator, suggested making accessories. Unlike weapons or armor, which lose utility with level gaps, accessories—lacking attack or defense stats—are less level-dependent.
If their abilities match a user’s class, they’re used regardless of level. Plus, accessories are hard to craft and have low drop rates, making them more valuable than weapons or armor.
“The seal’s properly stamped too.”
The ring bore my anvil’s seal—a flaming emblem, my symbol as Vulcanus.
“Time to list them.”
I put all the rings on the auction house. Would they get the hot response Nam Bora predicted? If they did, should I contact her?
Pushing those thoughts aside—
“Hehe, let’s order jokbal tonight.”
Time to fill my hungry stomach.
“With all the side dishes!”
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