Chapter 29: The Iron Set, Complete

[Gob’s Iron Armor – Special]

Requirements: Level 60, Strength 80, Vitality 200

Durability: 100%

Physical Defense: 280

+20 Vitality

[Gob’s Iron Leggings – Special]

Requirements: Level 60, Strength 80, Vitality 200

Durability: 100%

Physical Defense: 280

+20 Vitality

“Wow…”

Kim Seokju let out an admiring gasp.

“The old armor gave +5 each, right?”

“Yeah, this one gives 30 more overall. And the defense jumped from 70 to 280! Exactly 4x.”

The difference between this and his previous gear was huge—it wasn’t even close.

Kang Juho shared the rest of the gear details.

[Rodriven’s Iron Gauntlets – Special]

Requirements: Level 55, Strength 90

Durability: 100%

Physical Defense: 200

+30 Strength

-5 Vitality

[Rodriven’s Iron Boots – Special]

Requirements: Level 55, Strength 90

Durability: 100%

Physical Defense: 200

+20 Strength

+10% Movement Speed

“What the—?”

Unlike earlier, Kim Seokju reacted with surprise instead of admiration.

“This is insane. The Strength boost is just…”

“Right? Losing a little Vitality kinda sucks, but that Strength stat is too good to pass up.”

Kang Juho then showed the last two pieces:

[Nottingham’s Iron Greaves – Special]

Requirements: Level 60, Vitality 150

Durability: 100%

Physical Defense: 300

[Shield of Valor – Special]

Requirements: Level 60, Strength 50, Vitality 150

Durability: 100%

Damage Reduction: 55%

Physical Attack: 200

Physical Defense: 300

-10% Movement Speed

“Hunting’s going to be a breeze now.”

The defense had skyrocketed—‘Defense Boost’ buffs would be even more effective now.

Even the shield’s damage reduction jumped by 15%.

Kim Seokju was convinced: there was no need to worry about physical attacks anymore.

They prepared thoroughly—potions, food, and buff materials all packed in perfect balance.

“Let’s hit level 85 before midnight.”

“Aye aye! Let’s go!”

[You have entered Coban’s Marsh.]

They arrived at their hunting zone and immediately spotted six Lizardmen armed with various weapons.

“Seokju.”

Juho, observing the Lizardmen wielding tridents and dual blades, called out.

In response, Seokju cast buffs.

“Defense Boost… Speed Boost!”

[All defense increased by 14% for 3 minutes.]

[All movement speed increased by 13% for 3 minutes.]

With buffs applied, Juho approached the Lizardmen.

Only one reacted and stepped forward.

‘Nice aggro ignore.’

Juho stopped, waiting.

The Lizardman lunged with its trident—Juho blocked it with his shield.

‘Yep, that’s some serious damage.’

Even with his increased defense and 55% damage reduction, the hit still took 80 HP.

If six of them attacked at once?

‘…This could get dangerous.’

Juho had 18,250 HP, but at full blast from all six, he wouldn’t last a minute.

He focused, pushing away casual thoughts.

‘As long as they go down quickly…’

Lizardmen were glass cannons—strong attack, low defense.

He swung his hammer.

Thunk!

-KREEEE!

The Lizardman recoiled, shrieking.

It couldn’t counter immediately—good sign.

Another hammer swing.

Thunk!

-KREEE!

‘Longer stun than I thought.’

Two more hits, and the Lizardman went down.

‘Four hits. Not bad.’

If the Hammer of Fury‘s shockwave hits 3 times and he adds one more swing, that’s enough.

Or… maybe no extra swing needed at all?

He remembered: the Attribute Shackles dealt 100% of received damage again.

‘That means… just the hammer alone might do it.’

Plus, Lizardmen always spawn in small groups—seven max. If he shackles them all, there’s no stray aggro.

The other Lizardmen started closing in.

“Seokju! If they cluster on me, shackle them!”

“Roger!”

As Juho stood his ground, the Lizardmen approached.

Seokju cast:

“Attribute Shackles!”

Electric chains erupted and bound them all.

“Hammer of Fury!”

Juho, focused on defense, now swung freely.

Thunk! Zap! BOOM!

Shockwaves burst through them.

-KREEEEEE!!

The scream was far louder than before.

While they trembled, Juho kept hammering.

Thunk! BOOM!

Second wave. More screams.

‘At this rate, I might not get hit at all.’

Stunned Lizardmen had identical delay, whether hit directly or by the shockwave.

He swung one last time.

BOOM.

Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!

They all dropped.

As he drank a potion, a message appeared.

[Skill ‘Hammer of Fury’ has increased to Mastery Level 2.]

Not a level-up—but still great news.

He opened the skill window.

[Hammer of Fury]

Mastery Level: 2 (0%)

• Basic attacks emit 3 shockwaves
• Range: 4 meters
• Damage: 100% of damage taken
• Mana Cost: 300
• Duration: 20 seconds
• Cooldown: 2 minutes

“Nice!”

The range increased from 2m to 4m—a huge improvement.

But then…

‘…Should I actually be worried?’

If it keeps growing, AoE damage becomes a liability.

Area skills hurt all units except the caster—friends included.

Other melee classes might get hit unless they retreat or tank up.

He’d have to be careful.

“Dude, that was insane,” Kim Seokju came over.

“Three swings? That’s it?”

“Thanks to you.”

Without Attribute Shackles, the strategy wouldn’t work.

“Hehe,” Seokju grinned sheepishly.

Juho continued:

“Let’s change our strategy.”

“How?”

“I’ll gather them. When they group up, you cast Shackles.”

“Oh! Then I drop the Hammer?”

“Exactly.”

“And let me know if your AoE gets any bigger.”

“Will do.”

While they chatted, Juho’s HP fully recovered.

They moved to the next group of Lizardmen.

As they walked, Juho opened his character window:

Name: Kang Juho

Nation: Kingdom of Paraville

Class: Battlefield Blacksmith

Level: 64

Experience: 83%

Health: 18,250

Mana: 1,200

Satiety: 85%

Strength: 196 (+125)

Agility: 62 (+50)

Stamina: 365 (+100)

Intelligence: 60 (+50)

‘Damn, look at that Experience.’

Just six Lizardmen gave him a huge jump.

“Seokju, check your Experience?”

“Huh? Experience?”

He checked—eyes widened.

“We’re not just hitting 85 before midnight… we might hit 90.”

Originally, the plan was 85 today, 90 tomorrow, then move on.

But at this pace?

Kim Seokju paused, then nodded with resolve.

“Then… let’s do it.”