Chapter 18: The Power of the Special Hammer

“….”

Kang Ju-ho paused to think at the man’s question. 

The man was likely a Blacksmith, and there was only one reason he’d ask about hammers. 

As expected, the man approached because of the hammer. 

“Can I take a look?” 

“Of course! Hehe.” 

The man requested a trade at Kang Ju-ho’s words. 

When Kang Ju-ho accepted, the trade window appeared, and the man began listing hammers. 

Five hammers appeared. 

Kang Ju-ho started checking their details. 

<Warrior’s Hammer [Common]> 

Requirements: Warrior, Level 30, Strength 100 

Durability: 100% 

Physical Attack: 130 

<Valiant Iron Hammer [Common]> 

Requirements: Warrior, Level 25, Strength 100 

Durability: 100% 

Physical Attack: 120 

Strength +10 

While reviewing, Kang Ju-ho tilted his head. 

‘Why are they all for Warriors?’ 

Oddly, all the hammers were restricted to Warrior-class jobs. 

‘Does he think I’m a Warrior?’

Realizing he hadn’t mentioned his class, Kang Ju-ho noted his appearance screamed Warrior more than Blacksmith. 

“Uh, my class is Blacksmith,” he told the man. 

“…!” 

The man looked shocked. 

Stammering, he asked, “A-A Blacksmith?” 

“Yes.” 

Kang Ju-ho nodded, and the man grinned broadly. 

“Perfect! I just got a Special-grade hammer for Blacksmiths!” 

“…!” 

Now it was Kang Ju-ho’s turn to be surprised. 

“Special grade?” 

The hammers in the shop and trade window were all Common grade. 

A Special-grade hammer? 

“Yes! It’s for combat too! I was debating selling it cheap to an NPC, but this is great!” 

Hammers came in two types: crafting and combat. 

Crafting hammers had options to boost equipment creation success rates. 

Combat hammers were for fighting. 

Blacksmiths typically didn’t fight, so a combat hammer restricted to Blacksmiths, even if high-grade, was usually only usable by the owner or sold cheaply to NPCs. 

“Let’s see it.” 

“Yes!” 

At Kang Ju-ho’s words, the five hammers disappeared from the trade window, and a new one appeared. 

With anticipation, Kang Ju-ho checked its details. 

<Raging Blacksmith’s Iron Hammer [Special]> 

Requirements: Blacksmith, Level 40, Strength 50, Stamina 100 

Durability: 100% 

Physical Attack: 250 

Strength +15 

Stamina +15 

Kang Ju-ho couldn’t help but be stunned. 

‘This is insane!’

Was it because of the level 40 requirement? 

The physical attack was 250—five times his current hammer’s—and it boosted Strength and Stamina by 15 each. 

It was the best hammer for his current situation. 

“The requirements are a bit high…” 

The man trailed off, gauging Kang Ju-ho’s reaction. 

“…!” 

Kang Ju-ho let out a low hum. 

The man’s eyes wavered, and he hurriedly added, “I’ll give it to you cheap!” 

“How much?” 

“Well…” 

The man faltered at Kang Ju-ho’s question. 

He’d shouted about a discount but hadn’t set a price. 

After a moment, he spoke. 

“How about… 400 gold?” 

Kang Ju-ho had planned to buy a 500-gold Common-grade hammer from the shop. 

The man’s hammer had better options for less. 

400 gold was a very satisfying price. 

“That’s about what I was thinking. I’ll buy it without haggling.” 

“Thank you!” 

“No, thank you. Haha.” 

They exchanged thanks and completed the trade. 

“Do you sell Special-grade armor too?” 

After the trade, Kang Ju-ho asked. 

His current armor was all Common-grade, so Special-grade would be a significant upgrade. 

With 1800 gold left after the hammer, he had plenty to spend. 

“Yes! My friend has a Special-grade helmet. No class restriction, level 30, Strength 70. But the price…” 

The man, smiling brightly, trailed off. 

The hammer was cheap due to its Blacksmith and combat restrictions. 

Armor, however, had high demand. 

“How much are they asking?” 

“…About 1300 gold.” 

“1300 gold?” 

Kang Ju-ho echoed, and the man quickly added…

“The options are amazing! 180 defense, +10 Strength, and 10% poison resistance!” 

“…!” 

Kang Ju-ho was slightly shocked. 

‘10% poison resistance?’

He was about to head to Desolate Tomb to face zombies and ghouls, which used poison. 

10% poison resistance would reduce damage by 10%. 

The defense was solid, and +10 Strength was a bonus. 

‘1300 gold doesn’t seem bad.’

Early in the game, prices were high due to unstable markets. 

It might feel expensive later, but not now. 

“Can I check other users’ items before deciding?” 

Kang Ju-ho had planned to buy a hammer, wait for repairs, and head out. 

But after hearing about the helmet, he changed his mind. 

Many users were crafting in the shop’s corner, and some might have Special-grade armor. 

“Sure!” 

The man returned to his spot, spoke with a crafting user nearby, and began crafting himself. 

‘That must be the helmet seller.’

Kang Ju-ho checked for other Special-grade armor. 

‘The helmet’s the best.’ 

Besides the man and his friend, only three users had Special-grade armor. 

Their items were decent but less appealing than the helmet. 

Deciding to buy it, Kang Ju-ho approached the man’s friend. 

“Thank you!” 

“No, thank you!” 

After haggling to 1200 gold, Kang Ju-ho thanked the man and his friend and left the shop. 

He equipped the hammer and helmet and checked his character window. 

Character Name: Kang Ju-ho 

Nation: Paraville Kingdom 

Class: Blacksmith 

Level: 40 

Experience: 4% 

Health: 9000 

Mana: 200 

Satiety: 67% 

Strength: 100 (+30) 

Agility: 12 

Stamina: 180 (+35) 

Wisdom: 10 

‘Nice, very nice.’

Strength increased by 20, Stamina by 15. 

A satisfied smile spread across his face. 

He flipped to the next page to check resistances. 

Physical Resistance: 1% 

Fire Resistance: 0% 

Water Resistance: 0% 

Wind Resistance: 0% 

Lightning Resistance: 0% 

Poison Resistance: 10% 

Light Resistance: 0% 

Darkness Resistance: 0% 

Earth Resistance: 0% 

Mental Resistance: 0% 

‘I want to raise them faster.’ 

Seeing his resistances, he felt a pang of frustration. 

When would he reach his 100% resistance goal? 

– Kim Seok-ju: Hyung, where are you? 

A whisper came from Kim Seok-ju. 

Kang Ju-ho closed the character window and replied. 

– Kang Ju-ho: On my way. You? 

– Kim Seok-ju: I’m here! Waiting for you! 

– Kang Ju-ho: Alright, I’ll be quick. 

After the whisper, Kang Ju-ho started running. 

Soon, he reached the East Gate. 

“Hey? Didn’t you say you were only getting a weapon?” 

Kim Seok-ju looked puzzled at the helmet. 

“Yeah, but there were users selling gear.” 

As they talked, they left the East Gate and headed to Desolate Tomb. 

“I got a Special-grade hammer too. Huge attack boost. Zombies and ghouls should be easy.” 

“Nice!” 

“Did you learn any skills?” 

“Yup! Stronger buffs now. I’ll support you solid. Hehe.” 

[You have entered Desolate Tomb.] 

They arrived, still chatting. 

“It’s creepier than I thought.” 

“Yeah, eerie.” 

The area was filled with rundown tombs, exuding a chilling atmosphere. 

“Start at the entrance?” 

“Yeah, let’s hit ghouls after leveling up.” 

Desolate Tomb hosted zombies and ghouls, with zones split by depth. 

Deeper in, zombies decreased, and ghouls increased. 

Kang Ju-ho planned to hunt zombies at the entrance first. 

“Buffs incoming. Physical Enhancement, Attribute Enchantment, Defense Boost, Speed Boost.” 

[Physical attack power increased by 28% for 3 minutes.] 

[Weapon enchanted with light attribute for 3 minutes.] 

[All defense increased by 11% for 2 minutes.] 

[All speed increased by 10% for 2 minutes.] 

Messages flooded as Kim Seok-ju applied buffs. 

Kang Ju-ho turned from the message window to look ahead. 

A zombie shambled aimlessly. 

He approached, scanning the area. 

‘About seven will aggro.’ 

Zombies reacted to sound. 

Seven zombies were shambling near his target. 

‘How many hits to kill?’

With his boosted attack and light attribute, he was eager to see how quickly he could down them. 

– Urrgh… 

The zombie noticed him, turning and approaching. 

– Urrgh… 

– Urrgh… 

Hearing it, the surrounding zombies followed. 

As expected, seven. 

Luckily, their slow speed meant he wouldn’t face them all at once. 

As the target zombie raised its arm to attack, Kang Ju-ho swung his hammer. 

Thud! Hiss! 

Green smoke burst from the zombie’s body. 

Kang Ju-ho frowned slightly as a message appeared.  

[You are poisoned for 2 minutes.] 

[Movement speed reduced by 10%.] 

He glanced at his health. 

The exact amount was unclear, but it seemed to drain about 30 per second. 

1800 in a minute, 3600 in two—significant damage. 

‘Good thing it doesn’t stack.’ 

If poison stacked, hunting would be impossible. 

He swung his hammer again. 

Thud! Hiss!

[You are poisoned for 2 minutes.] 

Green smoke burst again, resetting the poison timer. 

Thud! Hiss!

[You are poisoned for 2 minutes.] 

On the third hit…